His Way Is Better
10/9/2026 1:57:00 PM | Spiritual Formation
Written by: Abigail Thompson
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
We know that God has a plan for us, we've been told that a million times, so why doesn't it always feel like it? If you're anything like I was a few years ago, the thought of graduating is super exciting, but also terrifying. As a student-athlete, balancing practice schedules, weightlifting, games, and academics can be overwhelming, but it becomes your identity. When I was a senior at Lipscomb, I couldn't wait to be done with the studying, the schoolwork that felt never ending, the classes, etc., but the one thing I didn't want to leave was my team. As much as I thought I hated the workouts before the sun came up, the late-night practices, the soreness, and the exhaustion, I was so sad to leave it all. It felt like that is what I was supposed to be doing, practice and games were where I thrived, so what was I supposed to do after? This is where trusting God's plan is hard, but more important than ever.
It doesn't matter if you're a redshirt Freshman or a fifth-year Senior, playing a fall or spring sport, or if you are facing an injury or holding a championship trophy, it's always nice to feel like you have everything figured out. I always felt the most comfortable when I had a plan for my life. I was going to graduate, go to graduate school for mathematics, stay in Nashville, start teaching math, stay close to family, and stay close to all my college friends and teammates in Nashville. Well, it didn't turn out that way. I did go to graduate school, but instead I got a graduate degree in engineering, I moved to Wisconsin, started working in software engineering, and I am 11 hours away from my family. Needless to say, my plan didn't work out. Instead of staying comfortable, I decided to trust that God knew what he was doing, even though I never in my life thought I would be living in Wisconsin.
I'm sure if I asked any of you what you think your life will look like in 5 years, it would be vastly different from where you actually will be in 5 years and, as scary as that is, it will help you grow so much more. Some of you might be planning on playing your sport professionally, others of you might be hoping to get that dream job, and I'm sure some of you have absolutely no idea what you want to do after you graduate (We've all been there). All I can say is lean into the uncertainty. You aren't supposed to have everything figured out (which is why it might feel so hard to figure things out sometimes). You will face hard times when it feels nearly impossible to hear God's voice and other times it will seem more clear than ever before to you, but just like sports, it takes practice. You won't just magically wake up one day and know what God's plan is for you in life, it doesn't work that way. It takes prayer, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and trust.
If you don't know where to start, start here. Pray. If you need some help, here are a few prayers that I have found work for me when I have no idea what is going on in my life and I need to just step back and let God take the reins:
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This breath prayer is super quick and really helps me with relieving anxiety about the future.
(Inhale) Lord take away my expectations, (exhale) and help me trust in you.
This one is a bit longer but is a great starting point. Add your spin on it and make it fit your needs!
Lord, I surrender. I am your clay. Mold me in the way you have envisioned and use me to help your kingdom. My life is yours, help me to serve you and your people, in whatever way you see fit. Use my talents for the good of others and help me to find fulfillment in serving you. Help me to glorify you, both on and off the court/field/pitch, in all that I do. Amen.
Â
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
We know that God has a plan for us, we've been told that a million times, so why doesn't it always feel like it? If you're anything like I was a few years ago, the thought of graduating is super exciting, but also terrifying. As a student-athlete, balancing practice schedules, weightlifting, games, and academics can be overwhelming, but it becomes your identity. When I was a senior at Lipscomb, I couldn't wait to be done with the studying, the schoolwork that felt never ending, the classes, etc., but the one thing I didn't want to leave was my team. As much as I thought I hated the workouts before the sun came up, the late-night practices, the soreness, and the exhaustion, I was so sad to leave it all. It felt like that is what I was supposed to be doing, practice and games were where I thrived, so what was I supposed to do after? This is where trusting God's plan is hard, but more important than ever.
It doesn't matter if you're a redshirt Freshman or a fifth-year Senior, playing a fall or spring sport, or if you are facing an injury or holding a championship trophy, it's always nice to feel like you have everything figured out. I always felt the most comfortable when I had a plan for my life. I was going to graduate, go to graduate school for mathematics, stay in Nashville, start teaching math, stay close to family, and stay close to all my college friends and teammates in Nashville. Well, it didn't turn out that way. I did go to graduate school, but instead I got a graduate degree in engineering, I moved to Wisconsin, started working in software engineering, and I am 11 hours away from my family. Needless to say, my plan didn't work out. Instead of staying comfortable, I decided to trust that God knew what he was doing, even though I never in my life thought I would be living in Wisconsin.
I'm sure if I asked any of you what you think your life will look like in 5 years, it would be vastly different from where you actually will be in 5 years and, as scary as that is, it will help you grow so much more. Some of you might be planning on playing your sport professionally, others of you might be hoping to get that dream job, and I'm sure some of you have absolutely no idea what you want to do after you graduate (We've all been there). All I can say is lean into the uncertainty. You aren't supposed to have everything figured out (which is why it might feel so hard to figure things out sometimes). You will face hard times when it feels nearly impossible to hear God's voice and other times it will seem more clear than ever before to you, but just like sports, it takes practice. You won't just magically wake up one day and know what God's plan is for you in life, it doesn't work that way. It takes prayer, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and trust.
If you don't know where to start, start here. Pray. If you need some help, here are a few prayers that I have found work for me when I have no idea what is going on in my life and I need to just step back and let God take the reins:
Â
This breath prayer is super quick and really helps me with relieving anxiety about the future.
(Inhale) Lord take away my expectations, (exhale) and help me trust in you.
This one is a bit longer but is a great starting point. Add your spin on it and make it fit your needs!
Lord, I surrender. I am your clay. Mold me in the way you have envisioned and use me to help your kingdom. My life is yours, help me to serve you and your people, in whatever way you see fit. Use my talents for the good of others and help me to find fulfillment in serving you. Help me to glorify you, both on and off the court/field/pitch, in all that I do. Amen.
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