Assurance

I went to bed really late last night and tossed and turned beginning at 4:30 this morning (when my husband wakes up). I was determined to sleep in though because as you know, I’m on vacation. Finally, around 7, I conceded to get out of bed. Before I did though, God placed on my heart Jeremiah 29:11. I believe this was God’s way of reassuring me that I’m doing His will. I needed His assurance before beginning my day because yesterday I was about ready to throw in the towel.

I’m at the stage of this “platform building” where I need to make videos. Organic growth based on what I normally post has decreased quite a lot, so apparently, it helps to mix it up a bit. I’ve tried making a couple of videos, but it’s still really stressful. Like every other new thing I’ve tried this year, there’s time spent learning the thing, testing the thing, researching some more how to best do the thing, etc. So, the anxiety of all of that interfered with my sleep this morning.

Backing up…

…so yesterday was spent planning a social media “strategy(?)” and that’s when I wanted to quit. It was overwhelming. I just want to write a book and write for you here. Now I don’t have any time for writing. But then I realized even if I self-publish, I’d have to do all this social media stuff anyway. So, it comes down to, do I want to be a “real” writer (as in doing all the necessary things)? Is this what God wants me to do?” Then, I woke up with a portion of Jeremiah 29:11 on my mind – and I mean the first thing when I woke up! Not the whole verse; just “plans…to give you a future and a hope.” When I got out of bed, I kept reciting that to myself so I wouldn’t forget. I wanted to look it up. By the time I sat down at my laptop, I had forgotten it.

So, I sat down to write. I googled “bible verses about new beginnings, and went to my favorite website for finding verses, and guess what?! That Bible verse was the second one on the list, and it was darkened to indicate that I clicked on it recently (which I did because it was our verse of the day earlier in the week.) God is so good! I hope you’re as in awe as I am!!!

I know this was a whole lot of me, me, me this morning, and I’m sorry about that. It just worked out that way. However, it does show God’s presence in our daily lives. He’s always there for us. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Do you need assurance?

If you need assurance as I did this morning, meditate on this:

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8 ESV

Question

Isn’t it amazing that the God Who created the universe would love each of us so very much?! It blows me away.

Prayer

Lord, I am so in awe of You. Who am I that you are mindful of me? (Psalm 8:4) You hear my thoughts and answer my prayers before I even pray them. You are with me always and my hope, joy, and peace reside in You alone. My prayer for the New Year is that I learn to always go to You first, that I do Your will. I also pray that You grant me wisdom and discernment in my daily walk. Thank you, dear Father, for love, grace, and mercy; for Your blessings. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.

Peace be with you

I pray that you all have a peaceful transition into the New Year ❤