"God has a plan": Do you know anyone who says this from the trenches of life?

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iwillrisenow

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I have heard a lot of people who have or at least have had for some period of time what they consider most important in life say “God has a plan”. Things like a happy and loving marriage, enough income to not have to worry about making ends meet every month, many friends, etc. They’ll often say this to those who are struggling, because they themselves can look back and see how it worked out for them.

But…has anyone ever met or heard of anyone who says “God has a plan” in the *midst *of angst and turmoil? Long-term singleness, unemployment, long-term illness…basically, what I’m getting at is someone who says this or something like it while referring to His larger plans that may hurt like **** here on earth but serve a heavenly purpose that we may never even know until we die. So especially someone who never found their “happy ending” or doesn’t have a great chance of finding it here on earth.

If so, please tell us all about it!
 
I often say it to myself during times of trouble, however, I would be less apt to say it to someone else unless I had a very close relationship with that person. I can see lots of people I know taking offense to such a statements and feeling that I was being sanctimonious or lacking sympathy for them. However, in the correct context, I would certainly say it. My CHRP sisters and I often remind each other of this fact, but we are accustomed to praying together.
 
iwillrisenow said:
I have heard a lot of people who have or at least have had for some period of time what they consider most important in life say “God has a plan”. Things like a happy and loving marriage, enough income to not have to worry about making ends meet every month, many friends, etc. They’ll often say this to those who are struggling, because they themselves can look back and see how it worked out for them.

But…has anyone ever met or heard of anyone who says “God has a plan” in the *midst *of angst and turmoil? Long-term singleness, unemployment, long-term illness…basically, what I’m getting at is someone who says this or something like it while referring to His larger plans that may hurt like **** here on earth but serve a heavenly purpose that we may never even know until we die. So especially someone who never found their “happy ending” or doesn’t have a great chance of finding it here on earth.

If so, please tell us all about it!
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Me? I lost a job I love due to someone else’s betrayal and lies. I’ve been struggling financially for over a year, even though I studied hard and worked hard and tried to gain the tools I needed to be successful. I’ve been single most of my adult life and am now facing an age where my hopes of a family seem to be fading with every year.

I tell myself God has a plan. I tell others God has a plan. I take comfort in those words when those who care about me tell them to me.

You know why? Because if God has a plan, I’m not on my own in this. I just need to find the patience to wait for Him to reveal it to me.
 
I wouldn’t say “God has a plan” with the intention of saying that someone’s suffering isn’t real. What I’ve always meant by that expression, and say so, is that in the midst of the worst things that can happen, God is there. It doesn’t mean everything will work out as we’d like in this life. God never promised us an ideal life in this world, so it’s unrealistic to expect him to supply it. He’s not an indulgent granddaddy who spoils his grandchildren, after all. He is God. To say that he knows best is not to say that he doesn’t see our sufferings–that he isn’t right there with us in our sufferings. Rather it means that our sufferings have meaning, especially when we join our sufferings with those of Christ to make up what is “lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of…his church…” Col. 1:24). A better motto for those in hard times is to say, “If you are going through hell, don’t stop.” IOW, hang onto faith and hope for God knows what you’re going through just as he knew what his Son suffered in this life for our sake.
 
iwillrisenow said:
I have heard a lot of people who have or at least have had for some period of time what they consider most important in life say “God has a plan”. Things like a happy and loving marriage, enough income to not have to worry about making ends meet every month, many friends, etc. They’ll often say this to those who are struggling, because they themselves can look back and see how it worked out for them.

But…has anyone ever met or heard of anyone who says “God has a plan” in the *midst *of angst and turmoil? Long-term singleness, unemployment, long-term illness…basically, what I’m getting at is someone who says this or something like it while referring to His larger plans that may hurt like **** here on earth but serve a heavenly purpose that we may never even know until we die. So especially someone who never found their “happy ending” or doesn’t have a great chance of finding it here on earth.

If so, please tell us all about it!
Click to expand...
The plan for us often entails suffering.

It is new thinking by some sections of people in the Church that tries to attach their wealth and material possessions, and health, to ‘a plan’. If they and their lives are ‘fantastic’ - by that, I mean, they have everything they want - then they must be blessed. This is the middle-class western persepective on Christianity.

Look at the OT Jews, they thought the same.

Actually, poverty of spirit, is the true way forward.

I look on wealth as a kind of obstacle, because it makes one reliant on a system, or a worldly premise, rather than on our Creator (worldly honour). That is not to say that every wealthy person is by definition non-Christian, not at all, I know of some that appear to be good people; rather, I mean that it is much harder to keep one’s priorities in order, spiritually - things are much easier when in credit, and when so being, people forget to pray!

In worldly, utilitarian, relativist times, being poor, sick and vulnerable is something looked down on. If you ever try and leave the capitalist system you will see what I mean. Capitalism in the West does not count for ‘anomalies’. The ‘little’ are expendable according to this bureaucratic dictatorship. Those who bring in capital are heros, and counted for in the common good, those who don’t are bullied.

If you are sick and unemployed, and suffering in some way, then looking to improve one’s worldly situation is survival instinct, and nothing wrong with this, but in the meantime, the plan is to endure, not based on worldly prerequisites for ‘success’, but by setting oneself the target of praying still at least once a day (IMO). Read the short story of Job.
 
My niece had cervical cancer, inoperable. She had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy and was sick as a dog. During this time, yes, she believed there was a reason for God to allow her to suffer, and she is very close to Jesus.

Though she has passed the 5 year mark and declared cancer free, she still suffers from the effects of the chemo and radiation. But she never complains or gets angry at God. She believes all is according to his purpose.

So the answer is “yes”.

Also, my father, who lived a, um, rather colorful life, became very ill during the last 12 years of his life and suffered greatly. He came to know the Lord and said he felt there was a reason for his suffering–without it, he would not have come to know the Lord and would have been lost. He even told us not to pray for healing for him, because it was not worth the risk of him backsliding again (he was not Catholic, but his denomination did not believe in OSAS). He died at the age of 56 from illnesses directly related to his lifestyle choices.
 
Whether I am experiencing good times or bad, it has helped me to remember Romans 8:28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

I may not see the good, but know that God works ALL things for the good for those that love Him. It gives me great comfort.
 
Of course God has a plan! 🙂

Back in my younger days I felt I “had it made” (financially, materially, etc) until a series of events, some my fault & some not, pulled the rug out from under me. The last 10+ years have been a real struggle, but it brought me back to God, in ways that I could never have imagined. :love:

My husband has a similar story (in a nutshell, was living a hoodlum life, had a stroke which almost killed him, but ended up giving him a 2nd chance by forcing him away from that lifestyle)…he thanks God to this day, certain by now he would have either been killed or been in prison.

While I may not have a “God has a plan” conversation with a radical atheist, I have no problem having it with almost anyone else. Suffering doesn’t have to be “bad.”
 
friardchips said:
It is new thinking by some sections of people in the Church that tries to attach their wealth and material possessions, and health, to ‘a plan’. If they and their lives are ‘fantastic’ - by that, I mean, they have everything they want - then they must be blessed. This is the middle-class western persepective on Christianity.

Look at the OT Jews, they thought the same.

Actually, poverty of spirit, is the true way forward.
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This. As I have complained to my spiritual director, when some in the Church have cool things happen to them, they talk about God spoiling them or God being good to them, and how full of Christian joy they are. I tell him, isn’t that more like, some cool things just happened to them?
I think true Christian joy goes much deeper than that and exists in suffering as well.

When I am going through something hard I remind myself there is always a reason. But I probably wouldn’t say that to someone directly who was suffering, especially if I haven’t experienced their particular suffering, because it indeed can seem very much like trivializing their pain.
 
LuciaPacifici said:
This. As I have complained to my spiritual director, when some in the Church have cool things happen to them, they talk about God spoiling them or God being good to them, and how full of Christian joy they are. I tell him, isn’t that more like, some cool things just happened to them?
I think true Christian joy goes much deeper than that and exists in suffering as well.
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Exactly.
When I am going through something hard I remind myself there is always a reason. But I probably wouldn’t say that to someone directly who was suffering, especially if I haven’t experienced their particular suffering, because it indeed can seem very much like trivializing their pain.
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Depends who you talk to and the situation. If the person is not inviting further (name removed by moderator)ut then listening and empathy could be enough. But, over and above, I think giving hope and widening persectives cannot be a bad thing - a person who is suffering might welcome some understanding that their suffering is not for no reason - don’t be trapped by secular thinking. This is another one, see, that would have you never speak of your belief.

I think poverty of spirit, when you are not prosperous, is remaining in hope that this state is redemptive, while being grateful for the things of Heaven - love from our Creator, for us and neighbour.

I think poverty of spirit, when you are prosperous, is to be mindful that you have much, while being grateful for the things of Heaven - love from our Creator, for us and neighbour.
 
friardchips said:
Depends who you talk to and the situation. If the person is not inviting further (name removed by moderator)ut then listening and empathy could be enough. But, over and above, I think giving hope and widening persectives cannot be a bad thing - a person who is suffering might welcome some understanding that their suffering is not for no reason - don’t be trapped by secular thinking. This is another one, see, that would have you never speak of your belief.

I think poverty of spirit, when you are not prosperous, is remaining in hope that this state is redemptive, while being grateful for the things of Heaven - love from our Creator, for us and neighbour.

I think poverty of spirit, when you are prosperous, is to be mindful that you have much, while being grateful for the things of Heaven - love from our Creator, for us and neighbour.
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True. I would have added, definitely, that I have some people I have indeed said “there is always a reason” to during times of trial. The situation is always that they have opened up to me by choice, on their own initiative, clearly seeking insight. Often I have experienced some similar pain. It seems most effective if I am even going through a similar pain at the same time–then the faith can be inspiring, rather than pitying.

I have also known people who are very sensitive to any perceived misunderstanding, so it is important to be very thoughtful about when to say things and ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.

As you said, it is good to remind people in a diplomatic way that God knows what He is going.

I suppose a better way of putting my original statement would be to work this into a conversation at the right time, rather than leading with it.
 
LuciaPacifici said:
True. I would have added, definitely, that I have some people I have indeed said “there is always a reason” to during times of trial. The situation is always that they have opened up to me by choice, on their own initiative, clearly seeking insight. Often I have experienced some similar pain. It seems most effective if I am even going through a similar pain at the same time–then the faith can be inspiring, rather than pitying.

I have also known people who are very sensitive to any perceived misunderstanding, so it is important to be very thoughtful about when to say things and ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.

As you said, it is good to remind people in a diplomatic way that God knows what He is going.

I suppose a better way of putting my original statement would be to work this into a conversation at the right time, rather than leading with it.
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👍🙂
 
friardchips said:
The plan for us often entails suffering.

It is new thinking by some sections of people in the Church that tries to attach their wealth and material possessions, and health, to ‘a plan’. If they and their lives are ‘fantastic’ - by that, I mean, they have everything they want - then they must be blessed. This is the middle-class western persepective on Christianity.

Look at the OT Jews, they thought the same.

Actually, poverty of spirit, is the true way forward.

I look on wealth as a kind of obstacle, because it makes one reliant on a system, or a worldly premise, rather than on our Creator (worldly honour). That is not to say that every wealthy person is by definition non-Christian, not at all, I know of some that appear to be good people; rather, I mean that it is much harder to keep one’s priorities in order, spiritually - things are much easier when in credit, and when so being, people forget to pray!

In worldly, utilitarian, relativist times, being poor, sick and vulnerable is something looked down on. If you ever try and leave the capitalist system you will see what I mean. Capitalism in the West does not count for ‘anomalies’. The ‘little’ are expendable according to this bureaucratic dictatorship. Those who bring in capital are heros, and counted for in the common good, those who don’t are bullied.

If you are sick and unemployed, and suffering in some way, then looking to improve one’s worldly situation is survival instinct, and nothing wrong with this, but in the meantime, the plan is to endure, not based on worldly prerequisites for ‘success’, but by setting oneself the target of praying still at least once a day (IMO). Read the short story of Job.
Click to expand...
I would be careful of what I say in front of people who due to circumstances in life are suffering. It is one thing to say that you’ll pray for them and another to say that suffering is their lot in life guaranteed by God and it is good for them.
 
Me. Right now things are so tough that I’m beginning to think I’m wrong about it. However, normally I am the one who despite disability, poor finances, extreme constant pain, seizures, and very little support will say, “God has a plan, and it will all work out for the best.” In fact, I’ve seen God use my circumstances to help other people, mainly to give me people to whom I can witness about Him. However, I look forward to the day (which I hope is coming) when His plans include lifting me out of the constant struggle for money. I don’t need to be wealthy, I just need to stop worrying about losing my place to live, how I am going to eat or feed my cat, etc. I do believe that He has a plan, I just hope that some brighter days ahead for me are part of it.
 
newcalling said:
Me. Right now things are so tough that I’m beginning to think I’m wrong about it. However, normally I am the one who despite disability, poor finances, extreme constant pain, seizures, and very little support will say, “God has a plan, and it will all work out for the best.” In fact, I’ve seen God use my circumstances to help other people, mainly to give me people to whom I can witness about Him. However, I look forward to the day (which I hope is coming) when His plans include lifting me out of the constant struggle for money. I don’t need to be wealthy, I just need to stop worrying about losing my place to live, how I am going to eat or feed my cat, etc. I do believe that He has a plan, I just hope that some brighter days ahead for me are part of it.
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Praying for you.
 
Sarcelle said:
I would be careful of what I say in front of people who due to circumstances in life are suffering. It is one thing to say that you’ll pray for them and another to say that suffering is their lot in life guaranteed by God and it is good for them.
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😃 Not sure we’d ever quite word it like that!
 
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