Taking a cue from my message, “Crash: When the Plans Change,” (Acts 27:1-28:10) here’s a playbook for navigating into what’s next:

1.  Remember that plans change, but vision remains the same. (Acts 27:9-11)(Thanks, Andy Stanley and Visioneering)

2. Understand that sometimes the plan is out of our control. (Acts 27:11) Unanticipated events, choices of others, and circumstances sometimes take the wheel for a period of time. When this happens, it is now “big picture” time.  Step back, take a deep breath, and try to get the perspective of a bigger view.

3. Acknowledge that the vision for your life is sometimes realized in a different way than you originally thought. There’s nothing that takes God by surprise or that He hasn’t planned for – even our mistakes.

4. Realize that hope and stability can be found in instability. (Acts 27:21-25) Uncertainty provides a powerful and unique opportunity for courage and faith to be strengthened.

5. Strive to obey God more than your plans. (Acts 27:30-28:10) Take you eyes off of your goals for a minute and place them more intensely onto God and His guiding.  “Seek the Kingdom of God* above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ”So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

Read Part 2 here.

Side Note: * See & hear my friend and pastor, Brandon Thomas delve into “Plan B:  When Life Doesn’t Go According To Plan” (Inspired by Pete Wilson‘s book of the same name).