Like most young adults I sometimes find myself struggling to believe the truth of who I am and who God says I am. I have found it can be so easy to just let the things going on around me steal my attention and make it hard for me to remember who God says I am and the promises He has given throughout scripture. It is so easy to become distracted and forget that there is a plan and purpose for each of our lives even when we do not see it.
It reminds me a lot of the song Way Maker. The lyrics say, “even when I don’t see it you’re working, even when I don’t feel it you’re working. You never stop working”. Come on! Our God is amazing, He walks with us through all our struggles, and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. There are so many things that are constantly vying for our attention that it can be extremely hard to keep our focus on Jesus and not allow those distractions to keep us from the promises found throughout scripture.
That being said I remember a conversation I had with a mentor a few years ago. While walking through a difficult season I had reached out and asked for advice on a matter. She told me something I wish I had thought about sooner, she told me it was not my job to define myself. If you want to know who you are it starts by knowing whose you are. Our identity is anchored in the word of God and the purpose He has placed on our lives. Hold firm to the promises of God and allow what He says about you to define who you are and how you see yourself.
He knows just what you need, and He has a plan and purpose for your life that is far greater than anything you could ever begin to imagine. By holding firm to the promises shown throughout scripture you have an anchor of hope you come back to no matter what life may through your way. Life is hard and messy at times, but it’s also so beautiful and full. When you begin to understand that I think that is the moment you realize you are not alone, and you never have been. Scripture tells us that before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs God knew us and had a plan and purpose for each of our lives.
I was recently reminded of the goodness of God in my own life. I have been mentally exhausted lately, and if I’m being honest, I hadn’t really felt like taking the time to read my bible even though I knew I needed to. I’m willing to bet that some of you have found yourselves in this situation yourself on a few occasions. It was like I was stuck in a fog of sorts and unable to find my way out. Opening my Bible app on my phone I read a passage that stopped me in my tracks.
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it though?” -Numbers 23:19
I don’t know about you, but when I read those words, it felt like a gut punch. It was one of those stop you in your tracks moments where I felt like God was saying ‘have I ever failed you?’. Honestly, I was a bit ashamed in that moment. I was ashamed I had allowed circumstances to distract me and keep me from remembering that my God never fails to keep His promises.
He has never once failed me, and He will not start now. He is good and He is kind. No matter what life may throw at us, we serve a good and faithful God friends. He will hold you firmly in His hand and guide you ever step of the way. When you have Jesus, you have everything you could ever need. You are held firm in His hands, no matter the situation.
It is vital that we understand that we can do nothing in our own strength, but when Jesus comes into the picture there is no limit to what we can do. As long as our faith in anchored within the word of God we don’t have to worry.
His plans for us are good and His mercies are new every morning. It doesn’t matter what is going on around us, when we know the one who holds tomorrow, we have everything we could ever need. We don’t have to worry about what tomorrow will look like as long as we know the one who holds tomorrow. Hold firm to the promises of His word and watch as the piece begin to fall into place.
Much Love friends,
Alianna