I am writing this for the one. If I am battling something then probably at least one other person in the world is too. If it's you, I don't want you to ever believe the lie that you are alone. So I will write this for you:

When you want to run; When you feel like you are just not good enough; When you believe you are the weakest link; When you think they could definitely find someone else who would do much better than you; When you have been praying for the same thing for so long and you still haven’t seen it... Please don't run. Don’t hide. Don’t quit. Though part of you is begging to! Stay. Stand your ground.

“This is the fight of my life
Gotta keep looking for the light
I’m in a war for my mind
Oh I need You in this fight of my life.”

"Fight Of My Life" song by Rend Collective

Speak the truth. Start with a whisper if you have to. Just speak it even if at that moment you feel like a hypocrite as you hear the words come out of your mouth. And then say it louder. Declare it!

A good place to start is Psalm 23. It’s easy to find. The truth about your life is all there: who you are, what God is doing and where He is taking you. It’s all wrapped up in the tender care of your good Shepherd Jesus. How astounding it is, all that He can pack so richly into just 6 verses! Receive them as your very own and speak them over yourself today and tomorrow and into eternity.

Overwrite the disheartening soundtrack that repeats relentlessly in your mind that you can't seem to silence. This is when you dig your roots down deep and you find the Source of your life. And it's Him, El Shaddai, God who is more than enough. It's only Him. This is when you find out what faith is. When you can not see. When you feel like you're going in blind and you're going it alone. But you are not alone.

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you:Do not fear I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

This is when you grab hold of His hand and you walk by faith, not by sight. You can't see with these natural eyes but your spirit knows that His good plans are out there for you and He is going to get you there. This is the dark before dawn. The enemy, the devil, wants you to think there is no new day coming. If you focus on the darkness you will never wake up. The whisper is that night is going to last forever. But that is a lie!

The day is coming.The most glorious dawn that you have ever seen. The most beautiful and spectacular plan that God has for you. His surprises for you are God-sized! The masterpiece that he is weaving together on your behalf right now is exceedingly and abundantly above all that you ask, think, dream, hope or imagine. You need to make a choice when you don’t feel like it. When it’s really hard. When your very flesh cries out that you can't help it and things will never change. It’s a choice to align your thoughts and words with the Living God’s thoughts and words that are in the Bible. And you need to speak it out, and step out. Your circumstances don’t get to lead. Your flesh that manifests through your emotions doesn’t get to lead.

“You can’t cast out the flesh. You have to crucify it!”

John Bevere

This is how you plant seeds into your future. It is by faith with your words that you plant a crop and reap a harvest. You want the wheat and oats, the tomatoes and the carrots. You want what feeds and nourishes you. Not the thorns and briers that choke and block out the light.

“In the next few years you will shift from battle focus to reaping what you have sown. You will shift from warfare and drama to being the Joshua’s and way makers of this new era! The blueprints are in your hands. Bloodstained. Crumpled. They may not feel valuable but it’s a roadmap out of the wilderness for so many.”

Nate Johnston, March 28/2025

I find myself here many moments in the week: blueprints scrunched in my fist, soaked in blood sweat and tears. Along with a list of obstacles and impossibilities as long as my arm. Though my heart aches right then, joy comes. Joy comes. As sure as the light of a new day. With the presence of Immanuel, God with us, and the assurance that He is faithful to fulfill what He has begun.

So hold your ground. Let your hands relax open and lift in surrender. Surrender to His goodness flowing over you. To His relentless pursuit of your heart. To His unquenchable love igniting your flame. And when you look up and see your brother, your sister, walking in their "reaping with joy", you may be tempted to think: “Oh no it's too late! It's too far away for me. I will never get there.” Instead lift your head and put your eyes on Jesus. Know that He will never fail you nor forsake you. He says:

“Fear not little flock, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Luke 12:32

Take heart and choose to stir up rejoicing. Sing out loud and raise your weary hands and celebrate with your brother and sister. Dance on the head of doubt and fear, jealousy and discouragement. Because we are one body and their victory now is the prophecy of yours next.

And don't stop sowing! Generously. Frequently. By the hands full. Cover all the dark bare soil as you do . Fill the air with your declaration and stir it all around you. Proclaim to the night what Jehovah Shalom, God is my Peace and Wholeness, has said to you. Knowing that God’s word is seed that does not die. Confident that you will reap an abundant harvest because you will not quit. And neither will He.

“Isn’t darkness where the garden
Starts to grow?
Up from the dirt
Up from the earth
There’ll be resurrection rising
Like a rose
I know He’s always working
Down underneath the surface
Whatever we buried
Will burst into life again
I know in Heaven’s timing
We’re going back to Eden
Where all that is buried
Will burst into life again”

"Reap That Joy" song by Rend Collective