Your Mistake Doesn’t Change God’s Mind

What if I’ve totally messed up God’s plan for me?!

I’ve heard this quite a bit lately. There seems to be a fear among God’s lovely ones; that means you and me. The fear is that maybe we’ve done such a bad thing that we totally messed up God’s plan and purpose for us. There are a few who are even stating that because someone did something that was thought of as bad by others, that person can no longer be used by God and their purpose is ruined.

What a load of lies.

Lovelies, God is not mad at you. He’s not mad at me. He knows we aren’t perfect. That’s why Jesus came and paid the ultimate price for us by giving His life for us. Why does that seem so hard to believe? Because it’s just so simple, I guess.

I can tell you that for too many years I lived in fear, guilt, shame, intimidation, and the weight of things other people thought were bad. They kept me frozen in a perpetual state of control where I couldn’t function unless someone else thought it was okay for me to do or say. If someone disagreed with me or my ideas I cowered. I eventually would just lock myself away, sometimes physically but most of the time emotionally and mentally so I wouldn’t have to face the truth. Rather so I wouldn’t have to face what someone else called truth. It was in fact nothing but a lie.

The truth is I was living by someone else’s standards instead of God’s standards. I wasn’t living according to the Word of God, nor was I functioning in the calling God had on my life. I was controlled by outside forces. Maybe you are, too.

Until my healing in 2012, I was nearly non-functioning socially, mentally, and emotionally. Then one day I woke up. I made a decision. I trusted God and He healed me and the rest is a phenomenal journey that I continue even today. Do I still have issues? Yes. Do I still have obstacles? You bet. Am I still intimidated by others? No.

Lovely ones, just because we make a mistake doesn’t mean that God can’t use us. It doesn’t mean that your purpose is re-routed to something different. It’s not. God doesn’t go backwards. We do. God stays the same and so does His Word. When we take a detour He simply waits for us to catch back up. But neverdoes God go back on His Word. If He has a purpose for you (and He does) then nothing you do is going to mess that up or revoke it.

Look at Jonah. God told him to do something and instead of going to do it, Jonah ran. He ran in the opposite direction, as far away from what God told him to do as he could. Because of it, Jonah nearly caused other people harm, he got thrown overboard into the sea during a terrible storm, he got swallowed up by a great fish, and spent three days in the belly of that fish (and he didn’t die). What he did do was have three days and nights to think about what he’d done. That gave him enough time to come to his senses and ask God to forgive him.

The beauty of this story is after Jonah repented (said he was sorry) the fish spit him out on the shore, three days’ journey from the place where God told him to go in the first place. So in essence, God sent this great fish to get Jonah and carry him to his original destination. But get this, when God talked to Jonah again, after he’d disobeyed God and made a huge mistake, look what God said to Jonah:

“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message I have given you.” ~Jonah 3:1-2 (NLT)

If you’ll look at the first chapter of Jonah, God told him in verse two, “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But after Jonah’s disobedience, God still told Jonah to go deliver His message to the people of Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed. God’s Word never changed. His purpose for Jonah never changed. It was just delayed for a bit.

What about you? Has God’s purpose for you changed because of the things you’ve done? No. It’s just been delayed. God still loves you. He still has a plan for you. He has a great big plan for you. That has never changed. God is still waiting for you to turn around. That’s allowed, you know. You’re not too old. So don’t let anyone try to tell you because you messed up God’s plan for you is ruined. They don’t know because it’s not their plan or purpose. Your purpose is yours and only God can give it to you, no one else. Remember that, lovely ones. Your purpose is between you and God.

Now brush yourself off, wipe your eyes and straighten your tiara. Take a deep breath and let it out. You may be a little battered and bruised, maybe a little smudge of dirt here and there but that’s okay. Reach out your hand and grab onto the outstretched hand of God. Tell Him sincerely and humbly, “I’m sorry I’m late. Please forgive me.”

Listen as He lovingly says, “I’ve been waiting for you, dear one. Now let’s move forward.” Then follow Him into 2017 and into your purpose. It’s going to be exciting!

Blessings!

Shelley

Shelley Wilburn is the author of the books Walking Healed and the Walking Healed Companion Bible study. Find her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and more. You can also follow Shelley on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.