Stepping out fearlessly doesn't guarantee no opposition, but it does indicate that your life is hopeful about the future. - GB
Hi friend, welcome back to another post! I apologize for the unexpected break last week, but hope to bring the last part of the mini-series for this month.
In the previous two posts, Fearless and Step Out I discussed some practical things and offered some challenges to aid some spiritual growth.
Today, I want to take it to the next and final step in this series, in a post I've titled: Future and Hope.
So, what happens when we say no to fear, step out in faith, but things don’t go as planned? What then?
Just to keep it real with you. I have faced something similar in the last few weeks. I felt led to take a step of faith fearlessly, but then the outcome I was hoping for didn't happen. Questions began to fill my mind. Doubt tried squeezing its way in... All the what ifs suddenly showed up.
Then the Lord reminded me of a promise I've read so many times.
Jeremiah 29:11 states: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” KJV
Making decisions not rooted in fear and stepping out in faith doesn’t always guarantee the outcome we are looking for. Yes you read that right. That outcome you're hoping for as you step out fearlessly might not happen. However, if your trust and hope is in Christ, He will give you something far greater: "an expected end."
What is this ”expected end?”
The English Standard Version [ESV] translates this same verse as this: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
For a long time, I use to think “expected end” meant that God will grant me whatever I was hoping for at that time. The only problem with that interpretation is that, the more I explore the verse, the more I realize that instead of always getting the outcome I'm hoping for; there are times when God goes over and beyond what I'm hoping for. And in the end, I get something even better: future and hope.
Future and hope are some of the greatest words to a resilient Christian. In fact, I dare take it a step further and say that both words cannot truly exists without the other.
Without hope future is bleak. Without a future there’s no need for Hope. Stepping out fearlessly doesn't guarantee no opposition, but it does indicate that your life is hopeful about the future, no matter the outcome.
Conclusion
So back to the question earlier: what now? I can't tell you what the answer is, but I can promise you that God's plan includes a bright future (just like the beautiful flower in the image) and hope.
So what if your current situation look bleak/ scary? And what if you don’t know what the next step is/should be?
My hope and prayer is that you wait on God and rely on His promise of an ending that’ll provide both future and hope!
I look forward to hearing some powerful testimonies from you soon. Can’t wait to keep sharing the work God is doing in my life.
Quick Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the gentle reminder. Thank you for helping me to fearlessly step out. As I step into the calling/ current situation/ that may include hardships/ difficulties/ joy/ success…. I’m asking that you give me the courage to go through it all with patience, perseverance and joy. Please give me faith to wait for your promise of a hope-filled future. Father, please use my current circumstances to not only change me positively; but also impact those around me in a way that leads them back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Stay Blessed
❤
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