Finding Wisdom in Proverbsනියැදිය

Flexibility

Shifting Gears Without Changing Direction

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Flexibility allows you to adjust to a changing situation.

Some people are naturally better at this than others, but all of us need some degree of flexibility, for we live in a changing world.

My wife heard a fascinating comment on the car radio while we were cutting across the edge of Georgia on our way from Tallahassee, Florida, to Dothan, Alabama. She scribbled it down so I could look at it later. “The key to success in life is how well you adapt to Plan B.”

There is a world of truth in that simple sentence. So many of us are frustrated because we’re still working on Plan A. That’s the one where everything works out, where your marriage lasts forever, where your children grow up without any problems, where you climb to the top of the career ladder, where everyone loves you and no one hates you, where all your dreams come true, and you live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, Plan A never pans out. Life isn’t that simple or that easy. Meanwhile, the people who are frustrated by the failure of Plan A are overtaken by the folks who have decided to make Plan B work instead.

What’s Plan B? It’s the reality that your divorce is final, and your marriage is over. It’s the reality that your first career choice was a mistake and now it’s time to start over. It’s the reality that you don’t have the money to buy the bigger house you want. It’s the truth that you have cancer, and your future is uncertain. It’s understanding that some people who seemed to be close friends aren’t there for you when you really need them. Finally, it’s the reality that you lost the election even though you were clearly the better candidate.

Born into poverty and educated at home, Abraham Lincoln ran for office and was defeated, failed in his first business venture, had a nervous breakdown, and was defeated in five more elections. But he never gave up, and in 1860, he was elected president.

Plan A not working out for you? Don’t despair. Plan A never works out. Your success in life is largely determined by how well you adapt to Plan B.

Here are two suggestions for those who feel overwhelmed by circumstances: First, embrace change as a natural part of life. Solomon says as much when he writes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). If you live long enough, you’ll eventually see it all — birth and death, war and peace, building up and tearing down, winning and losing, loving and hating. Nothing stays the same. You can fight change, but you can’t stop it.

Second, embrace the only person who never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Leaders come and go; children are born, grow up, and die. But Jesus Christ never changes! He remains the same. He is the one constant in an ever-changing world.

Anchor your life in Jesus, and you can face the future without fear.

Lord Jesus, You are the still point in our turning world. Help us to find our security in You alone. Amen.

1. What was your Plan A? How are you doing on Plan B?

2. How well do you embrace change?

3. How can a person who loves order and regularity learn to grow more flexible?