Promises, Promises

Have you ever given your word; your promise to someone, only to find keeping that promise is more of a challenge than you ever thought? Conversely, has someone given their promise to you and then failed to keep your trust?

A little over a year ago, while dealing with pain and fatigue from several autoimmune disorders, God and I had a conversation. While the full conversation is too lengthy for a blog post, the result was a promise.

I promised God:

I will carry this “thorn” if I am then able to do your will to lead women into their SIGNIFICANCE in Christ.

I would accept the autoimmune disorders and related pain, fatigue and all that comes with it if God allows me to write for him and lead women into their significance.

Done.

God immediately cleared a path, in pure God-the-miracle-maker fashion, making a way for me to write Significance of a Princess Warrior, a Bible study scheduled to be published later this year. He has paved the way for me to lead women into their SIGNIFICANCE, filling His desire for my life.

Making this promise has been riddled with challenges and days that I want to break my word. On one such day, with tears streaming down my face from the pain throughout my body, I cried out to God, asking Him to point me to a scripture in His Word that would help me to not give up. Anything God, just a Word, something to remind me this pain is for a purpose.

A Word.

This simple phrase resonated throughout my being.

I gave my word to God that I would carry this thorn if I were allowed to do His will. Simple in comparison to what He has done for me. He gave His WORD to me at the cross.

Not once has God gone back on his promise to me. A promise that he would never leave me nor forsake me; a commitment to prosper and not harm me, give me hope and a future; a guarantee of eternal life if I simply believe in Jesus Christ my Savior.

God has never failed to fulfill His promises to me. And, even when the days are filled with tears, I pray I will do everything possible to keep my promise to Him.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

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 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV