Years ago, I was in a very challenging season that entailed caring for a friend for well over a year. It was a very trying and tiring season with many circumstances that brought extreme stress. It is one of the toughest seasons I’ve walked through.

I recall the moment when I found out that this friend had deceived me. I was on a business trip, away from home and alone when I found out.  I’m still amazed today that I      continued to function during that week, being professional, smiling, contributing and being present. It was a hard business trip to say the least!

I remember sitting in my hotel room, speaking to a friend overseas who had been involved in this circumstance with me and listening to how things unfolded and how the deceit was revealed. It was all so shocking and so surreal. Thoughts swirled, my mind was racing, I was confused. How was it possible that everything I’d believed about this friend had been a complete lie from start to finish? I couldn’t understand it, process it or articulate it. I was stunned, speechless!!

Did I mention that after that phone call, I had to attend a business dinner? Ha! Got to love the timing of things sometimes right?

I remember the moment later that night when I had the revelation “what is it that God has ahead for me that the devil would try to use this to discourage me?”

It was powerful, eye opening!! This revelation caused me to get up, dust myself off and step forward into what God had called me to in my next season.

Our world today looks extremely different to how it looked 6 months ago. So much has happened in such a short space of time, so much has changed, the landscape is so new. None of this is what we expected or imagined. Yet, here we are, in this very different world that keeps changing and bringing challenge, uncertainty, disappointment and confusion…to name a few.

There are people that have been ok in this season, that have embraced it, run with it, got on with it etc. There are people that have had struggles in this season and in the spirit of being honest and open, I’m one of those people.  I’ve found myself in shock, almost frozen at times, discouraged, confused and experiencing disbelief at what is going on around me. I’ve never been one to laze about in sweat pants (I don’t even own any sweatpants!!) with dirty hair staring into space whilst sitting on the sofa eating potato chips and that hasn’t changed. I’m still not that person. I get up each day, shower, get dressed, do my hair and make up, cook dinner, do laundry, work, etc. I am still fully functional, but I’ve struggled. Grieving the loss of my mom, caring for my almost 80 year old father from 7,000 miles away, family betrayal and the death of friends due to Covid haven’t helped in this already challenging season.

But in the midst of all of this, I am reminded of that revelation from over a decade ago “What is it that God has ahead for me that the devil would use “this” (ALL of “this”) to discourage me?”

What is it for you that is causing you to stop moving forward, that is confusing you, causing you pain that makes you stop? Whatever it is, know that what God has ahead for you is far greater, far wilder, far better than what you can see or imagine!!
Whatever your “this” is, don’t let the devil convince you that where you are now and that what you see now is all there is for you. God’s word warns us that the devil comes only to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Don’t let him use your “this” to kill, steal and destroy your dreams, your purpose and your future!

I told my husband the other day that despite what we see, despite what is going on, I have this sense of excitement and hope that cannot be explained. It makes no sense at all. But I know what it is! It’s God’s promise of what is ahead that brings my spirit to life, causes me to have joy and hope. I know that it’s the hope of the Lord for the things that are ahead! He never fails us!

Jeremiah 29:11
“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” NLT

Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” NIV

Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” ESV

Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” NLT

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” NLT

Deuteronomy 31:6
“For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” NLT

John 16:33
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” NLT

Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest” NLT

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” NIV