“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” 

- Proverbs 16:9 

Sometimes new beginnings don't look like new beginnings. Sometimes they look like endings. A job you have been at for years suddenly lays you off or fires you. A plan or relationship falls apart, and the life that you were building is laid bare.

In the last year, I have walked alongside a young woman whose husband was arrested for a double life she had no idea he was living. He will most likely never get out of jail. I have also walked alongside another dear friend whose husband took his own life. In both cases, there was no warning, and no red flags. It’s impossible to understand. Both of these women were thrust into new beginnings they didn’t plan for or even want.

Grief can have so many layers. As a divorcee, I can empathize with loss and having to begin over. It is so difficult, and you grieve not only the loss but the loss of what you had hoped for and planned. You question yourself and your judgment because how could you be so wrong? Dreams that don’t work out and plans that fall apart are just a small part of grief. When doors close, and we find ourselves standing in the middle of a life we never expected, it's easy to assume that we failed and God doesn’t care. Why would He allow such suffering?

But God is grieved with us. We make plans because planning is good. But we are not God. We can't see everything, and we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but God does, and He meets us there. He doesn’t give us the strength for new beginnings ahead of time. He gives it when we need it. Scripture has many moments when God's people thought they knew where they were going, only to discover God had another route. Joseph probably never planned on being sold into slavery by his brothers, but God used that situation for Joseph’s good. He raised him up into a place of authority where he ultimately saved his brother’s lives.

Sometimes surrender sounds like: "God, this isn't what I wanted. But if this is where You are leading me, I'll follow." That's not giving up. That's faith. It’s trusting that God is good and He desires to bring goodness and beauty out of the pain and suffering you are going through.

Maybe you are navigating a situation that has leveled your heart. Can you trust Jesus with a future that looks different than you imagined? He will be with you every step of the way.

Prayer: Jesus, I surrender my plans, hopes, and heartbreak to You. Help me trust You when life doesn't look the way I expected, and my heart is shattered. Give me faith to believe that Your plans are still good even when life looks so different from what I hoped and planned. Establish my steps and lead me where You want me to go and be ever near to me. Amen.  

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd

If your dreams have changed, it does not mean God has changed His heart toward you. Sometimes what feels like an ending is really a redirection. The dream you held may look different now, but God is still present in the shift, still guiding your steps, and still writing something meaningful with your life. Take a moment to breathe, release what you’ve been carrying, and come honestly before the Lord. Use the journaling prompts below to reflect on what’s changing, what God may be teaching you, and how you can trust Him in this season.

Journal & Reflect

• What dream, plan, or expectation has changed in this season?
• What emotions come up when you think about that change?
• In what ways might God be guiding you, even if the path looks different than you expected?
• What is one thing you can surrender to God today?  

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Proverbs 16:9 mean?

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that we may make plans, but God ultimately directs our steps. It’s a gentle invitation to trust His wisdom, even when life takes an unexpected turn.

What should I do when my dreams change?

Bring your disappointment to God honestly. Grieve what has changed, then ask Him to show you what He is doing in this new season. Changed dreams do not mean you are abandoned.

How can I trust God when I feel uncertain?

Start with small acts of surrender. Pray, journal, and take the next faithful step instead of trying to control the whole outcome. Trust is often built one step at a time.

Is it wrong to want things to go my way?

Not at all. God understands our hopes and desires. This devotional reminds us that even good dreams may need to shift, and when they do, God is still working for our good and His glory. 

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, 
When my dreams change, help me not to lose hope. Thank You that You are still good, still faithful, and still guiding my steps.

Give me peace for what I cannot control and courage to trust You in the unknown.

Help me surrender my plans and believe that Your ways are higher than mine.

Lead me into what You have prepared, and teach me to rest in Your perfect timing. 
In Jesus' name, 
Amen.

Message from Kara

If your dreams have changed, I want you to know that you have not failed, and you are not forgotten.

Sometimes God’s redirection is hard to understand in the moment, but His love for you has not changed.

I pray this devotional reminds you that He is still guiding your steps with care, wisdom, and purpose. 

With Love, 
Kara 

Applying this to your Daily Routine

Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.

👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com

Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Blushing Floral by Elizabeth Lalama | Personalized Scripture Journal

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, these devotionals may help you find peace:

Daily Devotional • Mark 9:23 • All Things Are Possible with Faith

Daily Devotional • John 14:27 • Receiving the Peace Jesus Gives