"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
A close friend of mine recently sent me this bible verse to meditate on. Whilst I am familiar with this verse I had never taken the time to reflect on the meaning of what God is saying to us.
During Covid, I began to feel isolated and anxious. At the time I was in the second year of my Law degree and I constantly pondered what the point of studying was, where I would end up and if these feelings would ever end. Since the end of Covid, I have found this feeing has never truly left. In the depths of loneliness I have found myself lost in the large totality of the world.
It can be easy to forget exactly how God is described: omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient. All powerful, all loving and all knowing. In this verse, the nature of God is encapsulated and reflective of the well-known description of God.
I often find myself pondering how I got to the point of life that I am currently at and what the future holds. Jeremiah 29:11 has reminded me that despite my feelings of confusion about what the future holds for me, I can find peace in knowing that the Lord knows exactly what he has in store for me. Plans which will lead to me prospering, plans which break the chains of isolation, loneliness and anxiety.
Although feelings of hopelessness may arise and life events can feel all consuming and overwhelming, turning to God at these times will provide a welcome blanket of peace through leaning on his word and what he has spoken over your life.
I would like to encourage you to meditate over this verse and see what the Lord may reveal to you. Whether you're confused about a future career, family situation or academic goals, all things work out for the good of God who has a blessing over your life.
WHERE TO FIND LARAH
Larah is a mental health advocate who is passionate about educating people about mental illness and their rights