When Things Don’t Work Out the Way You Prayed, Hoped, or Planned

Hey Friends,

Over the weekend, I attended a women’s conference, and one of the speakers shared a message that stirred something deep within me. The topic? What do you do when things don’t work out the way you planned?

Whew! Are you shaking your head in agreement? Yep! I know you are because we can all relate!

I started reflecting on moments in my life when things didn’t go the way I had prayed, hoped, or planned. And honestly, there were even times I truly believe God had placed something on my heart—only for it to unfold in a completely different way… or not at all.

And to be transparent? I have been in that kind of season for the last few years in two key areas of my life. It’s been a journey of trusting God even when the answers were delayed, unclear, or didn’t match what I envisioned. Maybe you’ve experienced that too?

Whether you’re a mom, grandma, wife, single, widowed, divorced, entrepreneur, small business owner, educator, leader, career-minded woman, or just starting (or ending) a chapter—you’ve probably walked through a season where things didn’t line up the way you expected.

So I want to share with you my thoughts on this subject through four ways these moments can impact us and 4 ways to handle those seasons with scriptures that I have leaned on over the years that help us walk through those seasons with strength and hope.

4 ways we are IMPACTED when things don’t go the way we prayed, hoped or planned:

1. We begin to doubt ourselves and our ability to hear God.
   We begin to doubt ourselves and ask questions like–Did I miss it? Did I miss God? Was that really God or just me? The uncertainty can shake your faith and confidence, cause you to then make a wrong decision, or to stand still when you should keep going!
2. We wrestle with disappointment that turns into discouragement.
   It’s one thing to be let down—but when disappointment lingers, it begins to speak lies to our identity and even to God’s purpose for us! Disappointment can also become bitterness and that will hinder your growth spiritually, relationally, financially and so on.
3. We compare our journey to others.
   Especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to assume everyone else is experiencing success while you’re stuck in delay. To all my entrepreneurs reading this, STOP believing the posts that are always talking about five and six figures. I don’t believe half of it and those who really are wouldn’t be trying to hustle you on social media.
4. We become afraid to dream or try again.
   That fear can look like fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of disappointment, or fear of the unknown. And it can cause us to retreat, shrink, or settle for less than what God has for us. I’ve been there in the past so I know this firsthand!

 4 ways to handle those seasons—with scripture to anchor you:

1. Remember that God’s timing is perfect, even when we don’t understand it.
   Lean on the truth that God loves you and has the best plans laid out for you. His timing is often not ours but in all the decades I have walked with Him, His timing has been perfectly flawless in my life. Delay doesn’t mean denial. Sometimes it’s divine redirection or protection or even realignment!

   Eccl. 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

2. Let go, but don’t give up.
   What I’m about to say is VERY HARD but SO REWARDING –Let go of how you thought it would look! That will make space for how God intends for it to be for you, now. There’s power in real surrender. It’s not popular but it is proven! 

   Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

3. Keep showing up in faith, even when it hurts.
   Staying faithful doesn’t mean you won’t feel pain—it means you’ve decided to believe God is still working, even in the unseen.

   Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

4. Pray transparent prayers and keep your heart open.
   God is not afraid of your raw, real, and messy. He meets you in it. People will have expectations for you to show up in your home, business, ministry or career in a certain way when difficulties hit BUT GOD can handle your raw, real and messy moments! Come to him with humility and transparency and let Him help you!

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Friend, God didn’t design you to carry it all alone. Don’t isolate. Don’t quit. Sometimes breakthrough comes through conversation, community, and accountability. If you’re in a season where things haven’t gone the way you planned, I want you to know this:

You are not alone.
God is not finished.
And your faith is not in vain.

I’m praying for you, and walking this out alongside you.

Blessings,
Lisa Shaw
LisaShawCares.com