Exchange Your [you fill in the blank] for the Good the Lord Has Planned for You

For many years I thought I had nothing to say or to share.  If I did, who would listen to me or even believe me.  I love to write!  In my earlier years of writing, I was discouraged from writing by these words from a teacher, “There is no way a sixth grader can think or even write this way; someone older wrote this for you.”  From that point, I developed a coping mechanism that I would allow myself to live by.  I am not going to write anymore.  After all, my experience was one of hurt, defeat and humiliation.  I would protect myself from ever feeling that way again in any setting and especially in a public arena.  

It took many years for me to allow myself to be released from the bondage of being held captive to what once was.  I finally arrived to the point where I asked myself, “Do I remain stuck where I am or do I want the new and all God has for me?”  Oftentimes, we can’t receive the new because we are holding onto the old, what was, what was done to me, and it will never happen for me.  The grip of fear to move forward can be crippling, but we can overcome it with His help and guidance.  

God wants to use what is barren, what has lain dormant—not producing, and make it fertile.  God has more for us.  He wants us to see ourselves as He sees us.  He wants us to see Him as omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.  

Exchange your defeat, humiliation, fear, doubt, lack of confidence, insecurity, and so much more, for His more in your life.  He will indeed make rivers in the deserted/abandoned places of our lives to flow again.   

Scripture Readings: 

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Philippians 4:13 – Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. 

Psalm 30:11 - You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. 

Prayer:  Thank you Father for your grace and mercy! Strengthen us for the journey and the task at hand that you have for us.  Thank you that our future is in your hands.