What to Do When You are in a Planning Slump

You may have noticed by the name of my website that I love to plan. 🙂  I always feel more comfortable about doing anything where I have a clear plan. Even situations that seem daunting can be handled much easier with a plan.

As much as I love a good plan and all the details that go along with it, I am finding myself stumped at creating plans these days. You’d think with this wonderful and beautiful new website that I would have great plans for it. I do have great plans for it, however I’m finding it hard to get excited about those plans.

I’ve been praying and seeking the Lord over the last few weeks as I’ve felt in a slump over not knowing what to do. It has been hard to find the motivation to just do even the simple things I know need to be done to move myself forward to achieve the goals I’ve set for this website.

God has reminded me of an important truth:

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV

We can make all the plans in the world, but it is the Lord that sets the pace and makes firm those plans. We don’t do it all on our own.

I think that may be part of my problem. I’ve focused a lot on what I need to do, or what I think I need to do, and I’ve become overwhelmed. Giving God the opportunity to go before me and establish the pace has not been something I’ve thought of until I studied Proverbs 16:9 in depth.

I’ve always thought I set the pace and am the master of the outcome for my goals. In reality, though, I’m not. I’m really a control freak and it has finally got the best of me.

How about you? Can you relate to this at all? Do you tend to control your plans?

So, what am I going to do about it, you may ask.

Well, first I’m going to spend more time communicating with God and make sure my plans line up with what He has appointed me to do. This will require much more time than I have been giving Him. The only way I can know if I’m on the right path is to spend time with God.

Then, I’m going to get all the details out of my head and put them on paper. As I mentioned above, I have become overwhelmed by all I think I need to do. Most of the time when I feel this way all I have to do is write everything down. I can see what really needs to be done and it becomes less overwhelming.

Finally, I’m going to let the Lord set the pace. Honestly, I’m not totally sure how that is going to happen. For now, I’m going to do what I know to do until I hear a clear word from Him to stop, slow down, or keep going.

This may sound too simple, but sometimes simple is what we need to sort out the complexities of life. I pray God will honor my efforts and bring clear direction to my life during this season.