Sometimes life does not turn out the way we imagined, and sometimes even when we get everything we thought we wanted, it’s not all it was cracked up to be. Sometimes we strive, and strive, and strive, only to eventually find ourselves empty, hurt, or even betrayed. When we find ourselves disappointed or wounded by people or situations, we must remember that God is not the one who has caused our pain. Most of the time the problems in our lives are caused by our own sins and misjudgments or the sins and misjudgments of others.
John 10:10 Tells us that we have an enemy who is a thief that does his best to steal, kill, and destroy. So anything that has to do with stealing or killing or destroying is clearly the enemy’s handiwork. Do not blame God for that which is covered in the enemy’s fingerprints.
In this same scripture Jesus goes on to say that He came to give us life, and life to the full. He will lead us out of the places of destruction and despair and into an abundantly blessed life, if we will allow Him to be our first love, our first priority.
Jeremiah 29:11 says,
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
So in order to find hope and a future:
1.Make God the center of your life. Read His word daily. As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Don’t calculate without God.” Trust in His timing and perfect provision.
Mathew 6:25 (Amp) Do not be worried or anxious about your life!
Mathew 6:26 continues, Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (NIV)
Mathew 6:33, in the Amplified Translation goes on:
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Focus first on God and following Him and He will take care of all your needs.
2.Take one step at a time. Don’t worry about Step 20 if you are on Step One or Step Two or Step Three. Seek Him ONE day at a time, one task at a a time, one moment at a time, always fixing your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)
3.Daily, hourly, moment by moment remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the King James Version reads, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
An end based on the what He has for you. His best! Not our best guess of what we think is best. What He knows is HIS best for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the Complete Jewish Bible Translation says: For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.”
4.Remember that recovery and moving forward takes time, and work. You have to do the work!!
You have to take the time to work on yourself, create new habits, and change the way you think by filling your mind with the truth of God found in His word, rather than worries or anxieties. Neuroscience shows that you can change your neural pathways, and heal your own thought processes by speaking the Word of God out loud over your life and circumstances. But you have to do the work!
Stand Firm and keep on working towards His best for you! “Be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
5.Remember- You are growing in the waiting as you trust God to line up the right resources, His chosen connections, and the optimum opportunities which will all work together make His plan complete.
Ephesians 6:7 says: Work as for the Lord and not for people.
Stay the course He sets for moving forward and He will give you opportunities to grow and learn and heal and be successful.
6.Stay faithful to God, even if the enemy throws roadblocks or temptations in your way. Resist the temptation to be discouraged! Discouragement is just as dangerous as fear. Remember, God has already won the battle. Remember the enemy is merely being as loud as he can, as much of a distraction as he can, for he knows his time is limited. He can rail all he wants, but in the end, God will silence him forever. So don’t give in to his lies.
Joshua 1:9 says,
Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you may go!
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Battle fear! Battle discouragement! These are enemy spirits. Rebuke them in Jesus name and they must flee.
No one can stand against the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20:6
No weapon formed against you shall prosper!
Isaiah 54:17
If God is for us no one can be successful against us!
Romans 8:31
With God on our side, all the powers of hell can rage, but victory belongs to the Lord. So let’s be very careful to be SURE He really is Lord of our lives! Nothing held back from Him. Let’s be very careful to be SURE He really is the center of our lives!
Stand Firm and HOLD your hard won ground. Victory rests with the Lord!
Proverbs 21:31