The path we're on is not always the one we've envisioned.  The things we thought we saw in our future are not always guaranteed.  There are many curves in the road. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us - plans to prosper us and not to harm us. This means God is with us and He will bring us through it, but it doesn't promise that all that we experience here on earth will be good. The truth is there will be trials and tribulations but in the end our eternal reward of Heaven will be what prospers us.