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Sometimes we believe we are being helpful or encouraging but what we are really doing may align with a human point of view – but not God’s. Our understanding of God’s point of view is limited at best. We don’t understand His ways. We are unsure of His timing. We wonder at the methods He uses to bring about His plans.

Sometimes we don’t really align because we are unsure of what God’s plan actually is. We may be seeking but not getting any answers. We may be praying for direction and understanding but God’s voice remains silent – for a time.

But sometimes God can speak His plans to us explicitly and we still miss the mark. We hear what He says, but we don’t understand the reasoning behind it. The plan doesn’t seem to make sense to us. We want an easier plan. A plan more like the one we pictured in our minds.

Whichever place we are coming from the same truth remains. We are human. We are sinners. We may be saved and well-intentioned, but we are still not equals with God. Our thoughts and plans will always be from a human point of view (at least this side of eternity). God’s will always be a complete and perfect understanding. After all, He sees all things and knows all things.

When God sent us Jesus, he sent us One who would be both man and God. He gave Jesus the words to speak and to those closest to him here on earth, God even revealed his plan in advance. But here’s the thing – even as the Son of God was speaking and sharing what would happen to prepare them – revealing the plan – the disciples missed it. They didn’t like it. They didn’t like when Jesus spoke this way.

Let’s look at the passage out of Mark chapter 8:31-33: “Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.”

Was Peter a bad disciple? No. Was he trying to thwart God’s plan? No. Was he trying to support and encourage Jesus? Yes. Was he actually doing that? No.

Jesus knew that his time was limited with his disciples. He knew the plan. God had already given it to him – clearly. That is why in this passage (and others) he is preparing his followers for what is coming. He knows the cross lies before him. He knows the horror. He knows the price – but he also knows the purpose. He is not limited to a human point of view – but shares God’s.

“Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.“

Friend, it’s hard to trust God’s plan when it seems counter to what we expect. It’s hard to trust God when life seems to crumble around us. When there is loss. When there is hurt. When there is pain. When there is unmet need. But God and His plan can be trusted. He sees what we cannot see. He knows what we do not know. There is a purpose behind everything He does. He is not trying to hurt us. He is trying to help us. He is not trying to condemn us. He is offering to cleanse us and save us. Why? Because He loves us.

We need to trust Him with it all. We need to place all our questions, our needs, our hurts, our futures – all of it into His capable hands and trust that He will bring forth a plan that may not align with ours – but is for His glory and ultimately our greatest good. He sees the big picture. He has His reasons. It all serves a purpose. None of it is wasted. Trust Him. He has proven time and time again He can be trusted.

Blessings!