I was reading in Proverbs 19 recently, and the study notes by verse 21 led me to a number of other references.

These verses became a comforting yet challenging reminder, especially for those of us who are very goal-minded. As we learned this year with COVID, we need to remember who is in charge of our lives and rely on Him for our decision-making.

Perhaps these verses will be helpful to you, too. They are all from the ESV. 

Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

James 4:13-15: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Proverbs 21:2:  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Proverbs16:1-2:  The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

Proverbs 6:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Matthew 6:33:  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Read together, the point becomes very clear: We can make our plans, but it’s all up to God.