Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

It seems like this is one of those super popular bible verses right up there with John 3:16. I was taught it as a child. I memorized it at a young age. However, I have always struggled with understanding and believing this verse. God says that he has plans to prosper me, to give me hope, and to give me a future. Ok, that sounds wonderful. God has a great plan for my life. Yippee! But that's not all. God says his plans (these great wonderful plans for me and you) are not to harm me and you. Umm...That is where is gets really hard for me. His plans are not to harm me. However, that isn't a promise that I won't be harmed. I have been harmed and hurt before. I have experienced great confusion as to why God does the things He does. Doesn't He know that some of His plans have harmed me? Depending on my mood and what is going on in my life, Jeremiah 29:11 can give me great hope or just really irritate and confuse me. Then a few weeks ago I experienced the prayer labyrinth at my church. It was completely designed and created by the youth at the church. It was something they worked really hard to make. It took you through a maze with songs, bible verses, artwork, and other thought provoking things. Everyone was given a booklet as they traveled through the labyrinth to use to respond to the different things presented. One C. S. Lewis quote really grabbed my attention, so much so that I had to write it down.

We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best  for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

This quote really sums up how I feel in regards to Jeremiah 29:11. God never promised us an easy life, but He does tell us that he has a great plan for us. I often have to remind myself that any silly plan I create or imagine for my life doesn't compare to His plan. I also remind myself that God's timing is perfect not mine. So when I am being impatient, doubting, and feeling confused I need to remember that His plan/timing is greater than anything I could ever imagine.