Up front, I haven't previously responded to this thread because I don't believe God has individualized plans for each of us nor do I believe God directs certain experiences. However, I respect your freedom to believe it. Everyone's experiences are different and while mine don't lead to me believing certain things, other's experiences could very well lead them to believe very differently. I believe our experiences and our individual needs to maintain sanity and equilibrium greatly influence what and how we believe. (In other words as Obi Wan said "Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.")InquiringMind wrote: ↑19 Sep 2022, 23:36 The life he got was better than the one he had wanted, and God stopped him from moving down one path and pushed him towards a better one. I guess all I can do is hope that's true for me.
That said, this is why I quoted the above. I've actually always disliked this story, but mostly because it doesn't match my own experiences. As I get very near retirement and look back at the major turn my career took as a result of doing what I believed God wanted me to do I am most certainly not better off than had my career continued on its prior trajectory. It should be noted that this major change also became the core of my faith crisis. In my case I can't say the bush grew back bigger and better, it is in fact quite the opposite. But my behind is in the past and I am ready to embark on the next portion of my journey - on the path I am choosing without worrying about what "God wants." And God and I have come to an understanding (or I have come to an understanding of God) and we're good - I don't bother God, God doesn't bother me.
It does appear to be human nature to hear what we want to hear or see the confirmation of our own belief or desire to believe when there really may not be a confirmation there.
And one more observation regarding the story - I'm not really sure this whole idea of God molding us into what God wants us to be is really scripturally supported (except perhaps in one parable that's trying to prove a different point). Again, I respect the idea that many people have that God is involved with their lives, but it's one of several Mormon paradoxes. From my point of view God can't really be the vineyard keeper pruning at will for our own good and at the same time allow us full agency. I'm not really trying to be crude, but sh*t happens - God directed sh*t would be a whole different story.