A Prayer for Those Whose Plans Have Been Derailed by Life
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-7
Read or Listen Below:
I planned to be married right out of college, but my heart was broken. I intended to celebrate my 27th birthday alongside the arrival of my firstborn, but I miscarried that angel baby. I planned to vacation in California for my 10th wedding anniversary and Italy for my 20th, but they’ve both passed, and we still haven’t made it halfway across the country. And my mom arranged the most fantastic family beach trip for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, but Dad had a sudden brain hemorrhage two days in. Then there’s my sister who had every intention of raising a family with her husband, but he died of cancer when their boys were ten and twelve.
And of course, there are all sorts of plans I’ve made of a lot less insignificance. I wanted to go to the ballgame, but it was rained out. To celebrate New Year’s with my husband, but the flu had him conked out before midnight. I wanted to attend my daughter’s talent show performance, but bed rest with her twin baby sisters kept me home. And I planned to make it to church last Sunday, but I threw out my back… again.
We plan and we plan, and we plan. But sometimes, life derails our plans. We spend our days and our lives plotting plans and dreaming up dreams that we pray will come to pass. And some do, but so often, our greatest disappointments stem from our greatest dreamed-up desires. Our plans become crushed.
And let me ask, how do you deal with such disappointments? How are you handling your hopes that haven’t yet met your expectations? Maybe like me, you wonder why you ever put so much effort into what you hoped would happen in the first place. Then vow to never again put an ounce of hope into such seeming “worldly ways.” Because what’s the use in hope at all if it’s just going to lead to hurt and utter heartache, right? Or maybe on the flip side, you may become a better planner and make better foolproof plans (as if that’s a thing) for the future.
I have two thoughts on that notion. First, I don’t think we should give up planning, hoping, and dreaming altogether. I’ve experienced some much-needed joy anticipating upcoming possibilities, opportunities, and events that never actually quite came to be for one reason or another. But second, I do think, as we excitedly contemplate all that might be, we need to keep God in his rightful place amidst it all. Understanding that he is the one on whom our ultimate hope is. That he holds control of the outcome. And no matter what happens, his plan will lead to good, which is part of the ultimate better plan. For this, there is always hope. Yes, we can have hope in what we plan, but we should hold hope in God’s plan—our ultimate hope—higher.
As for the times that life doesn’t don’t go as planned—because we can guarantee this will be the case repeatedly the rest of our days—we need to remember 1 Peter 5:6. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Remember, you and I are under God’s mighty hand and perfect timing. Everything we do, everything we plan, everything that happens to us. All of it under his control. But he has good control. His unconditional care and love. Because just like the next verse says—after it tells us to cast all our anxiety over to him—he cares for us.
Regardless of where life takes us, let’s hold onto hope. Let’s live our days with joyful anticipation of the good that God will continue to pour into our lives. Let’s trust that God’s mighty, caring hand is working on his master, good plan. Even right now, through what isn’t going as you planned. Know that he will lift you up in due time. Know that what may seem derailment is just a detour… to something better—a better plan than you can imagine.
Let’s Pray:
Sovereign God, You are the good master of my life. You are always working, and you have such good plans for me. I know I relentlessly plan the details of my days, meticulously plan for my future, and become disappointed and discouraged when life derails my plans. But help me not to see my plans ruined or become disheartened with what doesn’t go my way. Instead, remind me that your way is better. Help me humble myself to your plans. Help me cast my cares on you. Help me stay hopeful in the good you have in store, the truth that you care deeply for me, and that will lift me in due time. May this be my hope. May you be my highest hope. And may I find my joy in you alone. In your mighty name, Jesus, amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/alexawilliams
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
