When The Plan Falls Apart:

Actually, The Plan came together really well for many of you this year and at the Conference meet. Congratulations on an absolutely powerful year. But, even with the successes, you have faced the challenges. You know the power of preparation. You train for weeks—months even—strategizing, conditioning, visualizing success. “This is my moment.” But sometimes, it doesn’t go the way you planned.
You just don’t execute in your race. The injury hits. The performance falls flat.
You gave it your all… and it still wasn’t enough.
Now what?

1. Remember: You Are Not Alone
   The Bible is full of people who had their plans fall apart. Joseph dreamed of greatness but found himself betrayed and imprisoned (Genesis 37–39). David was anointed king, then hunted like a criminal (1 Samuel 19). Paul wanted to preach the gospel but was shipwrecked and beaten more than once (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).
   Yet in each case, what seemed like a setback became a setup for God’s greater story.
   “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21
   When your plan unravels, take heart. It doesn’t mean God’s plan has failed. It may mean He’s doing something greater than you can see right now.
2. Let Disappointment Build Your Grit, Not Break Your Spirit
   In Romans 5:3–4, Paul writes:
   “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
   You don’t have to pretend like it didn’t hurt. But don’t waste the pain. Let it grow your resilience. Let it sharpen your focus. Let it drive you to come back stronger—not just physically, but spiritually.
   When there is nothing but splintered pieces of wood lying around after the crashing experience, gather the pieces and use them as kindling for the next competition.
3. Anchor Your Identity in Something Deeper
   When the results don’t reflect your heart, when the medal slips away, when the highlight reel is missing your face—remember this:
   “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you… he will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17
   God doesn’t love you more when you win, and He doesn’t love you less when you fall short. Your worth is not in your performance. It’s in your position—as a child of God.
4. Keep Showing Up
   One of the most courageous things you can do after a disappointment is to lace up your shoes and try again.
   Jesus said in Luke 9:62,
   “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
   You were made to press forward. Shake off the dust. Learn from the loss. Keep showing up.
   Because your story isn’t finished.
   Because God isn’t done with you.
   Because sometimes, the comeback is even more powerful than the dream.

So what do you do when things don’t go the way you planned? You grieve the loss. You gather your courage. And then, you give it to God and grow.
The plan may have failed, but your faith doesn’t have to.
Train hard. Trust harder. Run the race—His way.
You guys are Awesome!
Larry