For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

 

In these turbulent times, change in our world is sudden and often violent. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) released data showing a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. Volatile times result in stressed and anxious people without hope for the future. But God has placed His followers in this time and place, not for us to freeze in fear, but for us to overcome with hope. The Bible book of Jeremiah says, ‘”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”‘ (Jeremiah 29:11). 

How do we lay hold of this hope when living under constant threat of instability? We counter volatility with heavenly vision that’s counter-cultural to the world’s view of circumstances. Instead of asking how we can pursue safety, certainty, and wealth as our end goals, we ask how we can pursue Jesus and His purposes. We are unshakeable when our driving force to follow Christ is so relentless that if He leads us into loss, persecution, or threat, we trust Him to work even that together for good (Matthew 6:33)! 

Heavenly vision is unshakeable because it’s based on the sure, unbreakable promises of God–promises that assure us that God is in ultimate control and is good (Romans 8:28, Psalm 46:10), that He is always with us (Psalm 23:4, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 41:10), and that what we see now is not the end of the story (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Revelation 21:4). Ask God to give you heavenly vision for your life and unshakeable hope in His goodness toward you.

For a free Bible study on Living a Life of Peace in Troubled Times, go to guidelines.org/peace. To hear this again, read or share this, visit guidelines.org.