Tag: fear

Hope in the Waiting: Trusting God’s Plan through Jeremiah 29:11

tuckerlinda

“‘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

There’s something about these words that brings peace to my spirit every time I read them. In a world full of uncertainties, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me that even when I don’t see the full picture, God does—and His plans are always rooted in goodness, even when the path feels unfamiliar.

I’ve had seasons in my life where nothing made sense—moments when the walls felt like they were closing in and I couldn’t understand why things were happening the way they were. One of those seasons is actually unfolding right now. A door I never expected to close has shut behind me, and I find myself standing at the edge of the unknown, wondering what God has in store next.

And yet… this verse keeps showing up. It’s like a divine whisper reminding me that I’m not forgotten. That even now, especially now, He is at work behind the scenes.

Looking Back to Look Ahead

When Jeremiah wrote these words, the Israelites were in exile—far from home, displaced, and discouraged. They were waiting for deliverance, unsure of when or how God would move. And what did He tell them? I know the plans I have for you. Not “I’m working on a plan” or “Maybe things will get better.” He was already sure. Already certain. Already preparing.

God’s timing is rarely what we expect, but it’s always what we need. Sometimes, His greatest work happens not in the breakthrough, but in the waiting.

The Power of the Pause

Maybe you’re in a season of waiting too. Maybe your plans have unraveled. Maybe what you thought was certain has slipped through your fingers. If so, I want you to know this: God hasn’t forgotten you. You are not behind. You are not lost. You are right where He’s working.

Waiting doesn’t mean God is silent. It means He is still preparing—shaping your heart, strengthening your faith, aligning your path.

A Prayer to Anchor You

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the promise of Jeremiah 29:11. When fear creeps in or uncertainty tries to take over, remind us that Your plans are greater than ours. Give us peace in the waiting and trust in the process. May we cling to Your truth, even when the road is long, and believe that our hope and future are secure in You.
Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • Where have you seen God’s plan unfold unexpectedly in your life?
  • What is one area where you need to trust Him more deeply today?

Strengthening my Faith

tuckerlinda

Find one to two verses to study and share. As I searched for what verse to study and share, I thought about how faith cannot exist without trust. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” ~ Psalm 56:3–4

This verse is a beautiful reminder that trust doesn’t mean fear never comes—it means we know where to turn when it does. That shift—from fear to trust—is where God meets us.

Reflecting on this verse, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” This shows us something important: faith and fear can exist at the same time. You don’t have to be fearless to trust God. Trust is a decision, not a feeling. You bring your fear to Him and say, “Even here, I will trust You.”

“in God I trust and am not afraid.” Why?
Because praise leads to peace. Trust changes perspective. Remember, God is bigger than the fear. Sometimes you have to speak what you’re choosing to believe, even before you feel it. Trust becomes a spiritual muscle—it grows the more we use it.

“What can mere mortals do to me?” What others say or do might hurt, but they can’t undo God’s plan for your life.

Psalm 56:3–4 teaches us that fear is real, but God is greater.
When fear shows up, so does the opportunity to grow deeper in trust. And when we remember His Word, speak praise, and declare our trust, fear loses its power.

“What am I afraid of right now, and what would it look like to put my trust in God in this area?”

What has God already promised me in His Word?

What truth can I hold onto when fear rises again?

How might God be growing my faith through this?