In Every Season, Be THANKFUL - 5/18/21
“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
Every time I read Jeremiah 29:11, I cry. It’s so overwhelming to think that He is planning “me” and “you” an amazing future, especially when we’re walking out our journeys of recovery. It’s hard to sit in the middle of something life-changing and even be able to grasp a thought of there being a future. Oftentimes we’re led to ask, “Why? If God loves me, why would He let this happen? If God loves me, He would’ve let me be stronger.” He’s settled us where we are, He’s planted our feet right where He wants us, for a purpose. We always think we know what’s best for us, and often, it’s the path that’s less painful, but then He has to step in and show us we don’t always know what’s best for us. We can’t see the whole picture, like He does, and if we could, we wouldn’t have to trust Him. Those are the hard days, the hard weeks, and months. Those are the breaths that come hard, and the nights when sleep isn’t a part of your story. Philippians 1:6, Paul writes, (from prison I might add)
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
I truly believe that just like Paul, we are where we are, for a reason. Our God doesn’t make mistakes, so allow Him to work in your life, even if you feel imprisoned, and bound by what brought you to recovery. My prayer is that with each week, you will feel the chains lesson and begin to walk in thankfulness for your story.
Our lives are not lived without struggle, chaos, fear, agony, and yes, defeat – sometimes much defeat. In each season, seek Him, and find Him. Leaves change, droop, and eventually detach from their branches to lie broken on the ground, and this may be just how you feel, but, like the leaves, seasons don’t last forever, but what we learn from them does. He has a Plan and it’s unfolding with each breath.
Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.”
There is both hope and a future, so be thankful for this season, and what you’re learning. Be thankful you chose recovery, not everyone has the courage to. You are brave and you will be victorious, my friend.
Victory is yours!
Shelley Taylor
(originally posted in Fellowship of the Parks NFW - Celebrate Recovery blog)