Can you believe it is a new year? I am declaring a year of breakthrough, blessings, and abundance for both you and me. However, perhaps you think that maybe this year will just be another year of struggle. Another year of disappointment, conflict, and pain. If you feel this way, you are not alone.
These last few weeks and months I have wondered, what am I doing with my life? Why do I feel discouraged? Perhaps you’re like me and your emotions can be all over the place, and sometimes you may feel lonely in the journey.
I know we may feel alone and even wonder what life is all about, but as a follower of Christ, we are not alone and there is a plan and purpose for our lives. It is so important for us to renew our minds with truth, and a great way to do this is to start the day by reading a few verses or chapters in the Word of God, the Bible. It will radically transform you and help turn that hopelessness to hopefulness.
I want to encourage you with a few verses that have spoken to me, and I hope they will minister to you. When we feel like we are all alone, a great verse that can bring comfort is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). You and I are not alone in the adventures of life. You and I are not alone in the ups and downs. God is right there with us—even if we don’t sense Him, the Word of God says He is. We don’t trust in what we feel, we trust in what the Bible declares.
Another verse of encouragement is Zechariah 4:6b, which states, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” When we feel we need to fight with all of our might, we need to stop. Whatever is in front of us, we will not need to walk it out alone. Jesus will be with us every step of the way.
You and I are blessed to walk our lives with Christ. He will help us, direct us, listen to us, and hear us. As I was doing my daily devotional the other day, in the book of Proverbs I read, “Don’t get sidetracked” (4:27).
Sometimes we get caught up in worldly things or watch what everyone else is doing in their lives. Stay the course. With God’s strength, push forward in whatever challenges come your way. The enemy wants to discourage you and cause you to be fearful and anxious in life. Don’t listen to him. The Lord Jesus sends us love, compassion, and what has been highlighted to me recently, supernatural peace.
Can you believe in Philippians 4:6–7 it literally tells us how to handle anxiety and how we can have peace that is beyond our understanding? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (emphasis mine).
During times of feeling fear and anxiety with all areas of life, God wants to overwhelm us with His peace. A peace that manifests during a storm. A peace that will calm our minds and hearts to make rational decisions during tough and challenging times in life. Have you ever experienced this?
I know in my life recently I have felt this peace. I don’t quite know how to explain it, but it feels as if a calmness comes over you when the world around you is crumbling. When nothing seems to be going right, this peace settles your inner being to help you respond in a Godly fashion and not a fear-based reaction.
If you haven’t experienced this, pray and ask the Lord to pour out His presence and peace that surpasses all understanding. May the Lord bless each one of you, and may His peace calm you in every way. There is hope. If you have read this and are not a Christian but want to accept Jesus Christ in your heart, read, believe, and confess the following words.
“Jesus, I ask that you come into my life and my heart. I know I am a sinner, and I ask that you forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and that God raised you from the dead. Jesus, I believe that you are Lord and Savior. Help me grow in my relationship with you. Thank You. Amen” (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9–10, Romans 10:9–10, Ephesians 2:8, Acts 3:26).
If you believe and confessed the above prayer, I believe that you are saved. You have made the best decision in your life and your new journey has begun. My recommendation is to find a church that teaches from the Word of God, get into the Bible, and find a Christian to mentor you. If you have any questions specifically about this prayer, you are more than welcome to reach out to me.
Blessings, Jon Dudek
Isaiahministries.cc