One minute I’m confident and the next minute I’m full of doubt. Have you ever felt that way? Sometimes I write it off as just a cloudy day, knowing the sunshine will bring back my enthusiasm. But I see a pattern, one that needs breaking. “Jesus, I need a little help here.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT

Every Christian knows this verse and can usually quote it in one version or another. It is the supporting scripture we hold close that God indeed has a plan for us. Having said that, I want to home in on the one part that struck me: I know the plans I have for you.

Think of it this way: I, God and Creator of all things, already know and have designed and orchestrated a particular plan for you. Mind boggling.

Now, knowing this, look at this next scripture.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭GNT

I picked this translation because of its wording: Never rely on what you think you know. Therein lies my problem. I am a solid over-thinker.

I wanted to include the scripture about knowing God’s will, thinking that would put an end to my doubt, but what I found surrounding it surprised me.

So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

And because of God’s gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭GNT

Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. This is right in line with simply obey the Lord, from the Proverbs quote. And then there’s the mention of how our thoughts influence us for better or for worse in both verses.

What I haven’t mentioned is what I found in Jeremiah before and after the quoted verse. It fits right in with this whole concept. Take a look:

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭4‬-‭7‬, ‭10‬ ‭NLT

What was my takeaway in all this? Live my faith in awe of God and don’t let my thoughts dissuade me from believing He has a plan and will bring me to it.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Images from Canva.