All it takes is one encounter with Jesus to change the trajectory of your entire life. I remember a day I encountered Him that changed my life forever. I was at a retreat in the mountains a few months after my husband and I had gotten married. A handful of very close relatives were not able to make it to our wedding to celebrate with us for various reasons. Therefore, I went to the retreat feeling rejected, sad and disappointed. One afternoon, a woman announced to our group that we would be having a quiet time. She invited us to take a walk to the end of the lake, where a wooden cross sat near some rocks. By the cross was a bowl of folded-up pieces of paper with Bible verses on them. She and the other leaders instructed us to choose a verse, find a quiet place to sit, read it, and then pray about what God wanted to show us.
When we received the go-ahead, I strode to that cross! I couldn’t wait to see what verse God would have for me. I got my paper, found a rock, sat down and read this verse: “But now, says the Lord- the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1 CEB). The words “You are Mine” impacted me with unexpected force. I couldn’t help but cry because I knew Jesus was telling me I was His, and He accepted me.
Because Jesus loves me, I don’t carry the feelings of rejection, sadness, and disappointment I once felt. The revival had a life-renewing impact. The truth from God’s word changed how I saw my situation, which then changed the trajectory of my entire life, and I was able to confidently move forward, releasing the negative emotions to Jesus and letting His Word transform my thinking.
Friend, when we experience disappointments that are out of our control, it’s easy to carry around negative emotions and perceptions associated with those circumstances without even realizing it. Bring your negative emotions to Jesus, release them, and let the truth from His Word transform your mind. Pray. Search through the Bible and see what His Word has to say about it. Doing this will change your life.
What situations do you need to surrender to Jesus today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the days You’ve encountered me while I was in pain. Thank You for Your Word, your encouragement, and for changing the way I see and feel about certain hard situations in my life. Please continue to reveal to me life-changing truths from Your word so my mind can be renewed. Amen.
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