Jeremiah 29:11

When you think about the future, what do you feel? Are you filled with questions? With doubt? Anxiety? Fear? I definitely am. Who isn’t, right? The unknown is scary, terrifying actually. Not knowing how school is going to go, how moving to new places will turn out, new bosses at jobs, relationships and so much more can lead us to uncertainty and that’s when those anxiety-filled thoughts creep in. If you’re like me, you initially try to calm yourself by doing things that you think will make you happy. You know, the basic “light a candle, put on a face mask and watch your favorite show” type of comfort. Then we blow out the candle, wash off the clay mask and turn off the TV, just to return to the same thoughts you were previously left with. Trying to distract yourself for a little while can temporarily work, but at the end of everything, your problems and worries didn’t go anywhere, they just got delayed. Dealing with anxious thoughts and feelings regarding the future is usually difficult, and that’s normal- but I think we all forget that we can’t rely on ourselves to find peace and calm, even answers to the big scary life questions, without God. The Bible offers many sweet reminders for us to carry in our day to day, and refer to, as we go throughout our lives and encounter these inevitable thoughts and feelings that everyone comes upon at some point. I want to share some of them with y’all. Everybody needs to see these verses and embed them in their heart as sweet reminders of God and His sweet wishes for us. These always help me feel better by recognizing that all I can do or say will never make me feel better- true happiness comes from God, and our rest and security can be found in Him and His promises, alone. 

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11

If this verse doesn’t offer you an overwhelming calm and sigh of relief, I don’t know what will. HE plans for us to prosper. HE plans for us to have hope. HE plans for us to have a future. 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is The Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

You can hope and wish and “mAnIfEsT” all that you want, but you don’t have a way to push off what God has planned. What you do and say can never take away the promises and plans of God. If you truly think you can derail God’s plan for you through thought… check yourself, you are not that powerful, sis. 

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Dedicating your life and plans to God will straighten your paths as you go forward in life. Things will not be perfect, they’ll rarely be easy, but they will always turn out how they’re meant to and you’ll be so glad you trusted God’s plan for your life as opposed to yours. With God’s compassion for you, you can choose to tap into the grace that’s always available for you. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

God is always there with the answers to our questions. He will always listen to us, with no hesitation, and tell us either “yes”, “no”, or “I have something better in mind.” Lean on Him, pray to Him, trust Him. 

“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 than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

When you are doubting and questioning what to do, look to God. God knows all, He knows best and He never seeks to harm us. Turn to God and trust His wisdom, kindness and goodness. 

Remember that you can’t do it alone.

You were never meant to.

XOXO,

Tay