It’s Not What It Looks Like (Bethany Downs)

I spent many years asking God the biggest question of all time - Why?

This question was formed by countless ruthless circumstances of living in a broken world. It became my survival tactic. I would worry myself about the various “why” moments and circumstances. I would try to figure it all out as if I could control the details to prevent more moments or circumstances with similar impact. I would run through various scenarios in my head to prepare for anything that could happen as a survival instinct. 

I am the Bear Grylls of “why” thoughts. I am prepared for any and all scenarios! Here is a sneak peek into the whirlwind of my mind -

“If someone says this, I could respond like this then they might say this... 

What if they do this? Then I will pivot and do this… 

What if this step of this project does this? Then I can try to add this to help here and there… 

What do I need in my bag for this trip? Oh! Someone might forget this item, so let me ensure I have enough for every “just in case” scenario. Wow! Here is a reel on surviving a snowstorm…”

That is only barely scratching the surface of how my mind works.

Eventually, I realized that I was not simply being prepared. I realized I was trying to control every detail of every outcome. There would be waves of disappointment that crushed me because I would prepare for something, pray for it, and then it would not happen. I would believe in what I prepared. I was never really considerate of what God might be preparing. My circumstances became distracting and eventually became the measure of God’s glory. 

Amongst the revelation of comparing outcomes with His character, I realized it isn’t what it looks like. I mean that we always set our measurements to the plans we create based on our circumstances. This proves the bandwidth of our faith if you take the time to process it all. We get disappointed because we measure our expectations of what we “thought” He should do for us. I’ll take it even deeper… we think we know what to expect when scripture teaches us that we are designed not to understand what to expect. We are designed to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5, Deuteronomy 6:5).

For the one still waiting for something in their life to happen - 

maybe it is a husband, a job, or a home - 

I promise you that it is not what it looks like. 

God’s plan is more than what you are imagining. 

Think about it! Has anything in your life ever turned out the way you planned it? I highly doubt it unless you’re the person reading this that knows that life is a process and “going with the flow” comes naturally to you.

Whatever you’re thinking it looks like… that’s not it. 

You are not the creator; however, God is. Have you ever heard an entrepreneur, mother, carpenter, or any creative person say, “I thought of every detail and made a plan. I followed every step, and it was exactly how I had imagined each step. I didn’t need to adjust or pivot. I accomplished every detail from my original thought”?

NO! There is always a process, never a formula. There will be more because IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! 

“We can make our plans, but the Lord orders our steps” (Proverbs 16:9). He orders those steps that get you to add or subtract in your life. He closes the doors. He alters dreams. He casts a new vision. It’s not what it looks like! He knows what “it” looks like, and “it” is far more than what you could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

He is always orchestrating His will for your life. The challenge in this post is asking yourself daily, “Am I surrendered to His will, or am I surrendered to my thoughts about my desires? One is obedience, and the other is pride. If you have something in your life that does not require praying daily throughout the process, then it’s probably not what God assigned for you. It’s probably what you decided for yourself.

Take this moment to begin praying to see it another way.

Pray to be stewards of his secrets (Ephesians 3:6-12 NLT).

Pray. Pray. And pray again because it is not about what it looks like. It’s about where His presence is! The details are in His Glory and Majesty. You can’t envision that. You can only experience it as it is revealed. 

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A little bit about Bethany...

I grew up in Limestone County, Alabama, surrounded by a large and loving blended family. My life is a testimony of God’s faithfulness, woven through every season. In 2018, I moved to Nashville and found a home at The Belonging Company (TBCo), where I’ve had the joy of serving others. I love reading, and spending quality time with friends. I am completing my graduate degree in marriage and family therapy, with a deep hope of fostering healing and revival within families.