When Plans Fall Apart: Finding Strength and Purpose in God’s Unchanging Presence

Life is full of plans—some carefully laid out, others spontaneously made. But what happens when those plans fall apart? In this week's sermon by Josh Wade, he addresses this very question, offering a message of hope and faith rooted deeply in Scripture. Through the lens of familiar superheroes—Superman, Batman, and the Flash—Josh explores how even heroes face pain and disappointment, yet find renewed purpose through strength beyond themselves. His message is a timely reminder that while our plans may crumble, God’s presence and purpose never fail.

The Reality of Broken Plans

Josh begins by acknowledging a universal human experience: moments when life’s plans suddenly unravel. These are not mere inconveniences, like forgetting a grocery list, but seismic shifts that shake faith to its core—moments that make us question, “God, why me?” Whether it’s a long-held vision for health, career, family, or future, the harsh reality is that sometimes life “pulls the rug out” from under us.

Yet, Josh points to an unwavering truth proclaimed throughout Scripture: Plans fall apart, but the presence of God never does. This sets the foundation for the sermon’s exploration of strength, pain, and purpose.

Lessons from Superheroes: Strength, Pain, and Purpose

To frame his message in a relatable and engaging way, Josh draws parallels between Biblical truths and three iconic superheroes. Each hero embodies different facets of human experience and struggle, providing vivid examples for spiritual reflection.

Superman: Strength That Is Not Enough

Superman is the ultimate symbol of strength—he is bulletproof, can fly, and perform incredible feats. Yet, as Josh highlights, Superman is not invincible emotionally or spiritually. In the Henry Cavill Man of Steel movie, there is a pivotal scene where Superman’s father, Jonathan Kent, asks him not to intervene in a deadly tornado, illustrating that even immense strength cannot always prevent pain.

Josh uses this to reflect on real life, where strength, faith, and effort sometimes fall short of preventing hardship. He reminds listeners that God’s grace is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The apostle Paul, despite his many struggles and prayers for relief, found contentment not in his own strength but in relying on God’s sustaining power.

Batman: Pain Shaping Purpose

Unlike Superman, Batman has no superpowers. He is simply a man scarred by trauma—the murder of his parents. Yet, rather than allowing pain to disqualify him, Bruce Wayne channels it into purpose. He trains, studies, and becomes a guardian for his city.

Josh draws from Biblical examples like Joseph and David, who experienced betrayal, imprisonment, and years of hardship, yet were shaped by these trials into God’s instruments of blessing and leadership. Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 capture this truth beautifully: “He intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”

The message is clear: pain does not have to be wasted or hidden. Instead, it can be brought to Jesus, who transforms brokenness into power and purpose.

The Flash: Moving Forward, Not Back

The Flash, known for his speed and ability to travel through time, represents a desire many share—the wish to undo past mistakes and fix what’s broken. Barry Allen tries repeatedly to change the past but learns that altering one moment can fracture the future.

Josh connects this to the weight of regret many carry. Yet, through the story of Peter—who denied Jesus but was later restored—and the woman at the well—whose messy past did not prevent her from receiving Jesus’ living water—the sermon reassures listeners that God calls us forward, not backward.

Scripture exhorts believers to “forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13-14) and to trust that God is “doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

God’s Unchanging Presence in the Midst of Brokenness

The sermon’s heart is this: Though plans fall apart, God’s presence is constant. Pain, disappointment, and even failure are not signs of God’s absence but opportunities to lean into His grace and purpose.

Josh’s message offers comfort for anyone wrestling with life’s “storms.” Whether dealing with broken relationships, health struggles, or unfulfilled dreams, the Bible reminds believers that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

Furthermore, Romans 8:28 promises that God works all things—including failures and setbacks—for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Embracing God’s Purpose When Life Falls Apart

Josh challenges listeners with a profound question: Will you trust God’s purpose even when your plans fall apart? This is not a call to passive resignation but an invitation to active faith—pressing forward, worshiping amid waiting, and allowing God to shape wounds into strength.

The sermon closes by pointing to the cross as the ultimate symbol of hope—a reminder that pain and death do not have the last word. Like Batman’s bat-signal, which shines as a beacon of help, the cross shines as a beacon of God’s healing power and unbreakable purpose.

Final Thoughts

Josh Wade’s sermon, through its creative use of superhero stories and deep Biblical insights, offers a refreshing perspective on coping with life’s disappointments. It affirms that while human strength and plans are limited, God’s grace, presence, and purpose endure forever.

For anyone struggling with the unexpected detours of life, this message is an invitation to stop running from pain, to stop trying to fix the past, and instead to walk forward in faith—trusting that God is already in tomorrow, working all things for good.