Promise…something I have had to cling to this year.
Anyone who knows me at all, you KNOW that I am a planner! I thrive on schedules, routines, and being prepared. I make plans…that’s just what I do! But this year, the enemy has worked overtime to derail the plans that my husband and I have worked hard to accomplish. It’s been a year of heartache, disappointments, and at times, uncertainty. Of all the things we have been up against this year, do you know what I have struggled with the most? The uncertainty. The enemy has tried to use the unknown as a playground for fear. But do you know what…FEAR IS A LIAR!
Life isn’t fair. Sadly, we live in a world where bad things often happen to good people. When those things happen, it’s my nature to want to put a plan into place to fix it! But I learned a long time ago that although we may not be able to control every situation and outcome, we CAN control our attitude and how we deal with it. John 16:33 says, “we WILL have troubles here on earth.” It’s inevitable on this side of heaven, but that verse doesn’t stop there! Jesus goes on to say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This year, I have had moments where I have questioned myself, my family, my plans, and my future. But one thing I have never questioned is God’s faithfulness. He has been my constant in a season with so much uncertainty. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I have held onto that promise over and over this year and I truly believe that with all of my heart. My husband and I have always tried to live our lives with purpose and especially in recent years, our greatest desire has been to live our lives completely devoted to the Lord. I have spent countless hours over the years seeking the Lord, asking Him to reveal to us His plans. There’s nothing I want more than to do what He has called us to do here on earth for the short time He has placed us here. I believe The Word when it says we were created for a purpose and that He has good plans for us. I believe that! Do you? As the Lord has shed light on His plans and purpose for our lives, my husband and I have made plans and done everything in the natural and to the best of our ability to live out the plans He has for us! We have made mistakes along the way, but I am so grateful that His mercies are new every morning and that He is faithful to complete the work that He has already begun(Lamentations 3:22-23 and Philippians 1:6)!
When things don’t go the way we have planned, we have a choice. We can choose to look at our situation through our fleshly eyes and be resentful, bitter, upset, and use our words to tell others how we were wronged, mistreated, or justified…OR…we can choose to look at our situation through the lens of The Word (TRUTH) and be hopeful, content, comforted, and use our words to speak the promises of God. People will disappoint us, but God promises us that “No man can close the door that the Lord has opened for you!” That means that even when our plans fail or appear to be failing, God’s plans for our lives will prevail to those who seek and obey Him! That is a promise I have had to cling to this year! There have been moments where I have cried out to God and said, “Lord! We don’t deserve this! This isn’t fair! We have been faithful! Why, Lord?! Is this really in Your plans?!” And in those raw moments with my Savior, His presence was tangible and His voice was as clear as ever as His promises filled my heart and He gently reminded me to “Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Jesus is my constant. He is my Rock! If there is anyone or anything I can fully put my trust into, it is Him and Him alone! He has never failed me and He never will. I may not understand His ways at times, but I trust that His ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9) and I have peace in that and can rest in knowing that. You will never hear me question God’s goodness as long as I live here on this earth. He has been so so good to me. If I listed out the troubles we have faced this year and allowed those things to become my focus, it would easily ruin my year as it would override all the good that has happened this year...and there have been so many blessings and joyful moments even in the midst of trials. That’s what the enemy loves! If He can get us to focus on what God isn’t doing for us, we fail to recognize everything that He has done/is doing and that will keep us in a place of bondage and fear! When hard times come, lean into Jesus! Recognize there is an enemy, but what the enemy means for harm, God will use for good to accomplish His purpose (Genesis 50:20)! That’s a promise! Trust in Him! Trust in His promises! Trust in His plans for your life! They are GOOD plans! Ask the Lord to change your focus today.
I’m reminded of the Israelites. God delivered them from slavery and gave them a promise! He promised to take them to a new land…one that was plentiful where they wouldn’t have to work hard for food, one where the land was plush and water was abundant. He had a good plan for them and He desired to see them free! They witnessed God’s miraculous powers on this journey! An angel of God guarded them all and the Lord Himself lead the way by cloud and a pillar of fire at night! The seas were split and they walked across on dry ground! The enemy’s army was swallowed and drowned by the sea! Bitter waters were made sweet, manna rained down from heaven for bread, quail was sent to provide meat, and water poured out of rocks! These people witnessed God’s goodness, felt His presence, heard His voice, and yet, the moment hard times came, what was the first thing that came out of their mouths? Complaining and grumbling! Their focus shifted from the promise to the problem! When that happened, anxiety and bitterness overcame them and they actually believed that God brought them out of Egypt, out of slavery, just to watch them suffer and die in the wilderness! Lord, help us! Guard our tongues! Keep us from complaining and grumbling about our circumstances Lord! Guard our hearts so that we don’t lose hope in your promises! Complaining and grumbling kept the Israelites from their promise and it will keep you from yours too! I don’t know what you are going through today friends. You may be going through what feels like your own personal hell. I am not discounting your pain. But let me assure you, God has good plans for your life. Take hold of the promises that He has spoken over you and declare them over your life, over your family, and over your future. Trust in Him. When you feel your promise slipping through your fingers and it appears everything the Lord has promised you is gone...cling to His promise and guard your words! Don’t let your problems dismantle your promise. God is good and He IS faithful to fulfill His promises! Whether you are standing on the promises of God that are for all believers or you are standing on a specific promise that God spoke directly to you, cling to it! Don’t let your troubles cloud your perspective from all of the miracles and blessings He is pouring out over you. God isn’t caught off guard by our troubles. He goes before us and although we may not understand why things don’t turn out the way we have planned or thought they would, rest in the fact that even when the enemy uses situations to cause pain and trouble in our lives (and even if our pain is a consequence of our actions), God is with you and He will work all things for good according to HIS plans and purpose. Trust in Him. In a land full of complainers, be a Joshua and go claim your promise!
