Have you ever had a goal and outlined a plan to achieve it?

God wants us to go after our big dreams and follow the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. To make our visions become realities, we have to take risks and perform the necessary steps to reach our goals.

But things don’t always go according to plan.

We can feel discouraged when we are off-track or when the circumstances seem to work against us.

Maybe you felt you should've made the varsity squad and didn’t. Or maybe you plan to be a business major but struggle in economics class.

How do we stay encouraged and motivated when the plan falls apart?

Proverbs 19:21 instructs us that though we may have personal plans, the Lord's purpose in our lives will win the day. Submitting control of our lives to God is no easy feat, but He is bigger than our circumstances and outmatches our problems by a long shot.

We need to have faith that He handles things according to His plan.

Does this mean we shouldn’t have goals?

No, we need to continue to dream big and live big in our athletic, spiritual, and personal lives.

We need to trust that God is in control despite our circumstances -- whether we lose the game we should've won, whether that relationship ends, or whether we don't do as well on a test as we had hoped.

God has a mission field for you, and He is teaching you exactly what you need to learn at exactly the right time. He provides guidance and instruction to mold you into the person He calls you to be.

If discouragement overwhelms you, go to God in prayer, and ask Him for help and strength during the difficult times. Be confident that God is faithful and has your back. His plan will prevail through any and all difficulties you face today.