My Dear One,
You will get through this. Honest.
I realize that it does not seem that way from your perspective. Exhaustion and anxiety threaten to engulf you, but believe Me, they will not defeat you.
Like a concerned mother watching her toddler in a crowd, My eyes never lose you. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry (Psalm 34:15). I see every tear, every fear, and every waking hour. Has it occurred to you that I have allowed every single concern so that you will more quickly turn to Me?
Do not fear that you will totally give up. When all your energy is gone, that is when I do My best work. My power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I care for you deeply. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Stop crying out to Me, and move forward. [Your enemies] will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by (Exodus 15:16). I answer your prayers as you wait in silence. In quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15). Remember the sign of the rainbow that I gave to Noah? I have given you a sign in your beating heart as well. Every pulse is My signal that I am still working in you.
Quit expending so much energy worrying. Instead spend it on having faith in Me. You have only a limited amount of “oomph.” Why do you put so much of it into wrinkle lines on your face? Let go. Relax. Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). I was in charge before you came along, and I will be afterwards. Your anxiety is not going to make anything change—trusting Me will.
Granted, part of the problem is the evil one, but he is not in control. Yes, he hates you and would love to devour you in one swift gulp. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), but his plans cannot thwart My purpose for you. Even now, I am strengthening and protecting you. The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Fill your mind with My words, not with his negativity.
Nothing Satan does “slips” by without My notice. Sure, he has asked for permission to sift you. Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat (Luke 22:31). I am praying for you and am assured that your faith will not fail. I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers (Luke 22:32). Use My Name in your prayers and you will see the evidence of his downfall. I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Luke 10:18).
Every suffering on your plate has been allowed because I know it actually strengthens you and allows you to see Me more clearly. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). You have been praying for that, remember?
I am the God of all comfort. Watch today for evidence of My comfort because it is on the way. In the future, when this is all over, you will be able to comfort others who are going through the same thing. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3–5). Do not forget the pathway on which you have trod.
Stop for a moment right now and offer up your gratitude for every problem before you. A thankful heart will frustrate the evil one into dropping his current plan for your defeat. Acknowledging Me is the first step to resisting him. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:9).
I delight in My plans for you—plans for a bright future with hope. 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). My plans are far beyond your imagination. Just stay under My wing and I promise you will not miss a thing. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). I am busy sewing together the tapestry of your life—and I must say, you are coming together beautifully. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I love you deeply.
Question to consider: Where is God calling you to see the difficulties as opportunities to minister to and bless others?
©2016 Thrive.