The phrase “man plans and God laughs” is a proverb which is often used to express the idea that no matter how much we plan and try to control our lives, ultimately our plans are subject to the will of God.
The phrase is believed to have originated in the Jewish Talmud, which is a collection of ancient rabbinic teachings. It continues to be spoken of in the modern day – and continues to be relevant.
Proverb meaning
The proverb is meant to remind us that life does not always go as planned. We may have the best intentions and make the most detailed plans, but ultimately our lives are in God’s hands.
We may think that our plans are fool-proof, but God has a different perspective and may have other plans for us. After all, as the Holy Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 – God has a plan for us.
When the proverb mentions that “God laughs” – it is important to note that God doesn’t laugh at us in a hurtful or vindictive way. It is merely said as a reminder that while we have our plans, God is in control.
The proverb is also a reminder that we should not take ourselves too seriously. We can’t control everything and we should not get too attached to our plans.
This is important, as the last thing we want is to put so much of our time into planning events, holidays or days out – only for them not to work out. That can be a terrible feeling!
We should remain open to life’s surprises and be prepared to accept the unexpected. It is important to remember that while we may have our own agenda, God always has the final say.
The proverb is also a reminder that we should remain humble and have faith that God will provide. We should not rely solely on our own plans and efforts but instead trust that God will guide us in the right direction.
A reminder to live life?
Some may argue it is also a reminder to live every day to the fullest. You may have the most thorough plans in place for the future. But sadly, something terrible could happen. Therefore, we can’t be sure that our plans will work out.
When our plans don’t work out as intended, it is important to remember that God is there for us. He has a plan for us – and if our plans don’t seem to be aligned with this, we have to have faith that God will help us.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, the proverb “man plans and God laughs” is a reminder that although we may have the best intentions and plans, we should remain humble and trust that God will provide for us.
We can’t control everything in our lives, and it is important to remain open to life’s surprises and accept the unexpected. Anything can happen – but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – often it can be a good thing!
