Can you believe we have entered a new year? And with this new year I am sure we have all made the goals we plan to accomplish. My mom, my husband, and I, for example, are on a diet to detox our bodies from the insane amount of sugar we consumed over the Christmas season. (I must admit, I have already tweaked my diet twice now). I’m sure many of you have decided to eat healthier also. Some of you may want to exercise and get healthier in general. Some may want to watch less TV while others may want to read and pray more to deepen their relationship with the Lord. Some may be excited to leave 2023 behind and enter a new year; while for others, the uncertainty of 2024 brings fear and worry.
I remember a time when I literally worried constantly about entering a new year. The blank canvas brought fear instead of excitement. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and panic attacks the first few years of ministry and my thought patterns were negative and fear based to say the least. The lens of my mind was only focused on the bad happening around us. I became worried about everything from my children to “is this mole normal.” Getting through my day was hard enough without adding a new year to it. But one day I read Jeremiah 29:11:
I began to take this verse literally and memorized it. I began to realize that God had and has a good future in store for me. The hardships I was facing were only temporary. God was going to take the bad and bring good out of the horrible circumstances for me. When I surrendered my will, my pain and my dreams to Him, He was able to work in my life. As long as I stayed in the Word and meditated on scripture and prayed, God gave me peace about my future.
He has a good future in store for you also. God’s plan for you and I should give us great hope for our future. Joyce Meyer wrote that “God has a plan for each of us. It is a good plan, an uncommon plan, a great plan; it is not an average, mediocre plan.”
Isn’t that exciting! God has you here for such a time as this to fulfill His plan for your life!
Bible Verses About God’s Plan:
Esther 4:14
Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalm 33:11
The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
If you are dealing with fear about your future, I encourage you to run into God’s loving arms and allow Him to take away your fear. Get into the Word and allow it to transform your mind. If you are dealing with circumstances beyond your control and fear about your future is uncertain, then know that you are not alone and you are in my prayers. Micah 7:7 says: ”But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. “ God hears your cries and He is at work in your situation even though you may not feel it or see it. He never stops working on your behalf. Be encouraged and begin to dream again.
God loves us and He never wants to see His children wandering around aimlessly with no future hope. He stands there and encourages you to move ahead. His plans for us are good and full of hope. We may not be spared suffering, pain, or hardship, but God, in all His wonderful power, will see us through to a glorious conclusion and a future that is bright.
Finding Joy In Today 
Leave a comment