People use the search bar of their Internet browsers to look up answers for information on every topic imaginable. Its also a very popular way of searching for biblical scriptures.

One of the top verses searched is Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Why is this verse sought out, searched for and quoted so often?

Jeremiah 29:11 touches upon two powerful desires of the human mind and heart:

1. We want reassurance that God has a plan and purpose for human life. In fact, the very popular New International Version translation reads: "I know the plans I have for you..."

2. We want reassurance God has blessings in store for us.

The verse provides great comfort by confirming that God does indeed have a plan for our life, and that His plan includes wonderful blessings.

But this verse is short on details as to what our Creator's plan entails and what sort of blessings He has in store for us. It is all to easy to take a verse like this and fill in the details on these two points with our own hopes and desires.

What we think would be a great plan for our life may not be what our Father has planned. And it may not be in our best interest. Likewise, our idea of how we would prefer to be blessed may not be the same as what He has mind, and may not help shape us into the sort of person that fits into "the plan."

God plainly tells us that He thinks differently than we do. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts in your thoughts.'"

Is it possible to know details about God's plan?

Yes, you can know God's amazing plan for your life because it is spelled out in the pages of your own Bible. And you might be surprised that what you actually find in the pages of the Bible is different from what you have been told is there.

To gain deeper understanding of the plan God has for your life, request our free Bible study aid: "Why Were You Born?"

This small but important booklet will carefully walk you through what the scriptures really say about the plans God has in mind for you, plans for good outcomes and a positive future.