One of the bible verses I learned at an early age was Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..."
It was a verse I fell in love with instantly but always remembered momentarily.
However, about 3 weeks ago, I came across that verse while reading a novel in the train and I found myself thinking about it all day. When I got in bed that night, I picked up my bible and decided to read the whole chapter. I have always believed that God has good things in store for me but this particular night, this verse ministered to me in a different way. (You know how you have always known a scripture and then one day you see it from a different and more intense angle? that was what happened to me).
The following day, I called my beloved uncleT and as usual, we talked about new developments in our lives and then as always, before hanging up, he asked about my spiritual life. I remember telling him of how Jeremiah 29:11 ministered to me in a different way the previous day. In fact I remember myself being so pumped up that I referred to an important exam I had written 3weeks earlier. I told uncleT that even if I did not perform well enough in the exam, I would not feel bad because I believe God has a plan for my life and no matter the situation, nothing would stop it from materializing. I felt in pain in my tummy after letting out those words and the thought of not excelling in the exam made my heart skip a beat.
Fast forward 3 days later. I check my result and BOOM. BOMBSHELL..!!.. ok, so I did not do horrible, in fact I scored well above average, but it was not what I wanted, the score was not enough to make me a competitive applicant. And to think I had confidently put all my application together, I was in total shock. I did not even know how to react and the last thing on my mind was to cry. Anger started building up within me and before I knew it, sadness settled over my face. I was devastated!! I wanted to talk to someone but I could not. I was over at a friend's for a birthday and the last thing I wanted was to be a wet blanket. As I fought to contain myself, I remembered the conversation I had with uncleT.
It was a verse I fell in love with instantly but always remembered momentarily.
However, about 3 weeks ago, I came across that verse while reading a novel in the train and I found myself thinking about it all day. When I got in bed that night, I picked up my bible and decided to read the whole chapter. I have always believed that God has good things in store for me but this particular night, this verse ministered to me in a different way. (You know how you have always known a scripture and then one day you see it from a different and more intense angle? that was what happened to me).
The following day, I called my beloved uncleT and as usual, we talked about new developments in our lives and then as always, before hanging up, he asked about my spiritual life. I remember telling him of how Jeremiah 29:11 ministered to me in a different way the previous day. In fact I remember myself being so pumped up that I referred to an important exam I had written 3weeks earlier. I told uncleT that even if I did not perform well enough in the exam, I would not feel bad because I believe God has a plan for my life and no matter the situation, nothing would stop it from materializing. I felt in pain in my tummy after letting out those words and the thought of not excelling in the exam made my heart skip a beat.
Fast forward 3 days later. I check my result and BOOM. BOMBSHELL..!!.. ok, so I did not do horrible, in fact I scored well above average, but it was not what I wanted, the score was not enough to make me a competitive applicant. And to think I had confidently put all my application together, I was in total shock. I did not even know how to react and the last thing on my mind was to cry. Anger started building up within me and before I knew it, sadness settled over my face. I was devastated!! I wanted to talk to someone but I could not. I was over at a friend's for a birthday and the last thing I wanted was to be a wet blanket. As I fought to contain myself, I remembered the conversation I had with uncleT.
I was stunned I did not know what to make of it. Part of me felt it was the statement I said to uncleT that made my result not too rosy, that if I had just shut up my mouth maybe God would not have tested me with this. The other part of me felt that God actually prepared that verse for me and the new revelation in order for me to be able to handle what was already planned out to happen. As I tried to make sense of it, I realized God did not change his mind about my result the very last minute; He already had everything planned out, even before I was born. He definitely prepared me all week in order to handle the situation.
At this time, I forced a smile on my face as I softly recited Jeremiah 29:11 and kept orienting my mind into the fact that God has GOOD plans for me and this is one of the GOOD plans. I shut my eyes and I said a couple of words of prayer. I thanked God for the result, I thank God for preparing me for the news and I thanked God for the good plans he has in store for me.
I felt very happy afterward and was able to get dressed for my friend's birthday dinner and stay happy throughout my stay, and presently am still a happy person.
At this time, I forced a smile on my face as I softly recited Jeremiah 29:11 and kept orienting my mind into the fact that God has GOOD plans for me and this is one of the GOOD plans. I shut my eyes and I said a couple of words of prayer. I thanked God for the result, I thank God for preparing me for the news and I thanked God for the good plans he has in store for me.
I felt very happy afterward and was able to get dressed for my friend's birthday dinner and stay happy throughout my stay, and presently am still a happy person.
Still, I have no idea why all the efforts and late nights I kept in order to study for my exam did not materialize. I don't understand how I did so well in the practice tests and did not measure up in the exam.
But I know and I understand one thing:
THAT GOD has GOOD plans for me, plans to PROSPER me and NOT to harm me, plans to give me a HOPE and a FUTURE.
And as God said concerning his children in 1 Corinthians 2:8
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."
And no matter what kind of failure you have to deal with right now, remember JEREMIAH 29:11, also keep in mind that "ALL things [absolutely everything] work together for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose".
And no matter what kind of failure you have to deal with right now, remember JEREMIAH 29:11, also keep in mind that "ALL things [absolutely everything] work together for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose".
Very thought provoking.makes you wonder, when we say things, do we just say them because we haven't gone through a lot? Or do we say them be because we know that no matter what, we know God's plan is the ultimate and he will give me a very bright future? Or do we just say it so that others can say 'oh, that young lady has a strong faith'? Or do we say it because we know that after he has tested and tried us, we will come out purer and finer than gold from the refiner's fire. This really got me thinking...great job Bk. May God take you to greater heights.
ReplyDeleteAmen.those words are very encouraging
ReplyDeleteHang in there girl! Our pain is His way of showing His love. I'm like that you understand that even if you can't figure out what is going on now, you don't need to worry regardless because He has plans set in stone for you, even if you don't know what it is.
ReplyDelete....keep writing sis
ReplyDeletelot of the things you say are things that go on in my head sometimes but i really cant put them to words...but we all know God know our innermost thought and his working everything out for our good