• Because the blessings and benefits far outweigh the struggles…

In transparency, I’m preaching to myself a little today, because like you I need to be reminded of this…

Just yesterday, I became very discouraged about a personal situation we have been working through, and I thought we had the answer to the problem… Long story short, it didn’t work out as planned…

Sure, I felt defeated… felt like sitting down eating a half gallon of ice cream, and honestly for a minute, felt that glimpse of fleeting hope.

Then I felt the presence of God surround me, and The Holy Spirit brought this Scripture to me to remind me and comfort me…

Isaiah 43:1-2

1 ‘But now, thus says the Lord , who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.’

Friends, it’s not a matter of if you pass through “deep waters”, but when…

But be encouraged, that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone, Jesus is always right there with you.

I wanted to share few takeaways from these verses, and I hope these minister to you as they did me:

• I have nothing to fear
• I am redeemed (Christ bought me as I am, and He takes ownership of every problem that comes with me)
• My identity is defined by God, not my current struggle
• Don’t be afraid to venture into the deep waters (take chances, believe in myself)
• No matter how bad things my look in the moment, God is able to work things out in my favor