His Plans for Me – Positioned (Part 3)

“The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”— Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

 

God’s plans for us are not only personal and proven, but we are also positioned for His purpose. How does God work out His plans in our lives?

 

As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him.”

That includes even the way He works out His plans in us. His process may not always match our expectations, but like a skilled potter shaping clay, God lovingly molds us through His divine strategy.

 

But how does He do this?

 

God, in His faithfulness, positions us for purpose. His placement is never random or accidental. In His wisdom and timing, He aligns people, places, and moments to shape our journey. Here are four ways God often positions His people, along with biblical examples to encourage your heart.

 

He positions the right environment

 

Sometimes, the providence of God leads us into places that seem far from ideal. Yet, these very places become the soil of sanctification and the forge of spiritual formation.

 

Consider Joseph—betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, unjustly imprisoned, and seemingly forgotten in Egypt. Imagine the anguish of his heart as he wrestled with the delay and apparent detour from the dream God had once given him. “Where is God in all this?” he may have wondered.

 

And yet, every environment Joseph found himself in was divinely ordained as preparation for elevation. From Potiphar’s house to Pharaoh’s palace, the invisible hand of God was sovereignly orchestrating his journey (Genesis 39–41).

 

Sometimes, the environment God allows can be deeply painful. The very people you trusted may turn against you. Words spoken over your life can be cruel, unwholesome, and demeaning. In your darkest hour, it may feel as though no one is there to comfort you. Even those you love may drift away or disappoint you.

 

Yet, dear friend, you are not alone in this. Jesus Himself walked this road. He was betrayed by a close companion. He was denied by His disciple. He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and left utterly alone in His moment of greatest agony.


“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...” — Isaiah 53:3

 

And yet, He endured it all—for you and for me.

 

He did not turn away from the cross, because His love for us was greater than the pain. He entered into our suffering so that we would never walk through suffering alone.

 

So when the environment feels hostile and the loneliness feels unbearable, lift your eyes to Jesus. He understands. He has been there. And He remains with you.

 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses...” — Hebrews 4:15

 

Let your wounds draw you closer to the One who was wounded for your healing. In your isolation, know that He is present, faithful, and working even through the pain to shape you for His glory.

 

Are you in a season that is stretching your faith? Be encouraged: the environment you're in may be God's providential workshop, shaping you for a future calling not yet revealed. Though the outcome may be hidden from view, rest in this truth—God is in absolute control. He is both wise and compassionate, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Rather than resist the season, ask the Lord:

 

·       “What are You teaching me, Lord?”

·       “How do You desire to work through me in this trial?”

 

For even in the most difficult circumstances, God is at work, conforming us to the image of His Son and positioning us for His divine purposes.

 

Reflective Questions

 

  • What painful environment am I currently in, and how might God be using it to shape me?
  • Have I experienced rejection or loneliness like Jesus? How does knowing He understands help me today?
  • Who can I reach out to for support, and how can I also be a comfort to others in pain?
  • How can I intentionally seek Jesus’ presence and peace amid my struggles?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know the depths of our pain and loneliness. You have felt rejection, sorrow, and abandonment, yet You remained faithful and loving. In my own suffering, help me to lean into Your presence. Comfort my heart, renew my strength, and remind me that I am never alone. Use this trial to shape me more into Your likeness. May Your grace be my refuge and my hope. In Your precious name, Amen.

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