🌿 When God Redirects the Path
From Pride to Peace: Trusting His Unexpected Provision
There is something humbling about thinking you know exactly what your next step should be… and then watching God gently, and sometimes firmly, redirect you.
In my recent search for employment, I was applying for the kinds of jobs I’ve worked in for the past 15 years. The high-level roles. The higher pay rates. The ones I was fully qualified for. On paper, it all made sense.
But God had something different in mind.
Instead of one high-paying position, He opened the door to four completely different opportunities. Unexpected ones. Humbling ones. Beautiful ones.
If I’m honest, He had to work on my pride first.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
I realized I was seeking employment based on pay, not purpose. Based on status, not service. And in His kindness, God began reshaping my heart.
He moved me out of my familiar field (at least for now) and into avenues I would have never considered:
Working in childcare
Helping a working mom get her child home safely from school
Continuing virtual executive assistant work, but on a smaller scale
Working in the service industry, folding and organizing closets and drawers
And here’s the beautiful, almost humorous part…
I love making things look pretty and functional. I love helping people. Children have always been drawn to me; I can usually get an upset child smiling in minutes. I still get to use my administrative gifts, just differently.
God didn’t remove my gifts. He repositioned them.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
What I thought was a setback was actually a recalibration.
I humbled myself to the idea of making less per job and instead working multiple jobs. And in doing so, something unexpected happened, my heart shifted from pride and greed to gratitude and peace.
He demolished my pride and replaced it with:
Humility
Appreciation
Excitement
Anticipation
Patience
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” – James 4:10
This new season allows me to:
Choose my schedule
Work around my family’s needs
Get paid weekly instead of waiting two weeks
Serve in tangible, hands-on ways
It is different. It is new. It stretches me.
But it is also good.
I don’t know what God is ultimately preparing. Maybe this is the season. Maybe it’s preparation for something not yet ready. Maybe He’s building character for the next assignment.
“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 hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
I give Him all the praise and glory for His provision, even when it looks smaller than what I originally wanted.
Because what He gives in humility brings more peace than what I once chased in pride.
🌱 Takeaway
Sometimes God reduces the paycheck to increase the character. When He redirects your path, it is not punishment, it is preparation.
💛 Encouragement
If you are in a season where things look different than you planned trust that God is not confused. He is intentional. He may be shaping your heart, expanding your capacity, or positioning you for something you cannot yet see. Stay soft. Stay obedient. Stay grateful.
💬 Engagement
Have you ever experienced God redirecting your plans in a way that didn’t make sense at first, but later you saw His hand in it? I would love to hear your story. You can email me privately at amesgodnewsletter@gmail.com or leave a comment.