Can you even imagine what God has in store for you? If you follow His word and live a life to please Him, you can be sure that remarkable days are ahead!
Expect the Best
We really ought to expect the best, anticipate good things, and make the most of where we are. The simple truth is, no matter how much we might feel stuck or like things haven’t changed in a hundred years (slight exaggeration there!), God has us where we are for a reason! In time we will look back and we want to be able to look back and feel that we really made the most of the time and opportunities!
And that’s where expecting the best comes in. We can be all glum and down on where we are and how things are, or we can flip the script. What if we looked at our circumstances with a new wisdom and fresh perspective? What if instead of being dull and passive, we discovered the adventure and opportunities right in front of us?
Now I get that not all times in life are easy or desirable. Losing a loved one is hard, setbacks are difficult, and sometimes life just brings a lot of challenges! But can you even imagine if instead of passively accepting these things, you said a prayer of bold faith and anticipated coming out of the season of trials? The Bible says sorrow is for a time, but joy comes in the morning. In the midst of the struggle and the trial, choose joy. True, there is still pain and heartbreak, tests and trials, but remember: the joy of the Lord is our strength!
We don’t have to go it alone, can you even imagine the difference in a situation if you sought the joy of the Lord? Even if you’re worn down, even if you are terribly low, even if you have nothing left to give. Claim the strength, the determination, the courage that comes from God alone! Declaring our victory in the Lord helps us expect the best and press on to fulfill the role God designs exclusively for us!
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” – Psalm 30:5b
Immerse Yourself in the Now
I’ll be the first to admit that I often think about what’s ahead, I consider 101 possible situations and incredible dreams. But can you even imagine the purpose and joy you can find when you thoroughly immerse yourself in the now? When I cast my mind to Bible stories and characters, I think of how, though each of these characters were made for more, they made the most of where they were and that propelled them forward.
Ruth was faithful and loyal to her mother-in-law. She gathered in the fields, she worked among the people. But then one day she married the king! When Joseph was sold into slavery, he became the best slave he possibly could, always working towards positions of management, eventually becoming second in command! David – a man after God’s own heart – kept the flocks and tended animals, but he did it wholeheartedly, as unto the Lord, definitely not as unto his brothers. God blessed his efforts and had him anointed king!
Can you even imagine the fulfillment, the purpose, peace, joy you might experience if you fully immersed yourself in the now – right where God has you? Instead of constantly fighting where you are or trying to avoid the work or inconvenience, immerse yourself! Let God use you in remarkable ways! And then be ready for the growth and the change as it comes, knowing full well that you gave your best in this season!
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Col. 3:23
Always Look Forward
Anticipate the future, look forward to what’s ahead! Not in such a way as to avoid the present, but in a way that expects good things! Keeping an eye on the future is also a good way to grade your current performance. Thinking long term results helps us avoid making foolish or thoughtless decisions now.
Can you even imagine what God is going to do in this next year? May we as a people earnestly turn towards Him, eager to hear His voice and follow His lead! He can do remarkable things and He always makes a way for His people!
I can’t help but think that the hardest things lead to some of the best things, so if that’s where you find yourself, take heart! Incredible things are ahead! Stay the course, confident that God knows what He is doing!
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9b
May God draw you closer to Him and reveal Himself to you in new and wonderful ways! Look for Him, talk to Him, give Him your best in all you do!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2024/03/27/the-lord-will-provide/