Daily Devotional

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
-Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

AFTER a difficult year, we thought smooth sailing was ahead. And it was - temporarily. We had moved five times in five years, and I could sense the winds of change starting to blow again. Uneasiness began to run through my veins as I fought off nagging fears of the unknown. Following a recent death in our family, I was facing money problems in addition to serious health concerns of my own. Instead of taking comfort in God's promises, it was too easy to panic as life moved us out of our comfort zone.
Any time struggles come, we may view their very presence as a sign of something wrong. After all, can't all difficulties be avoided by following the commands in the Bible? No. God doesn't guarantee us a trouble-free life. Truly living for God means we can expect to encounter some difficult situations. Nonetheless, we can rest in the promise that God will be with us every step of the way.
True, we can avoid many problems by following God's laws; but we can't control everything. God, however, always has a plan for our lives. This plan is meant to bless us and give us hope for the future. Whenever doubt threatens to cloud God's promises, we can know that, no matter the circumstance, we are always in God's care.

Christa Sterken (Oregon, U.S.A.)