Promises.

We've all got it. We've all got our big, giant, icky, smelly knot. A knot that has impacted our lives in ways that we didn't think were possible. Our life has been picked up, rolled down a hill, and dropped into an alley. You face a constant struggle to stay positive; so you reminisce on the old times hoping that they save you. But in the end, they seize to exist.

My memories consist of: three-day-weekends at a cabin with fresh spring water swimming by, lazy days sitting in a beanbag playing "Halo Reach" from sunrise to sunset, long physically draining hikes in preparation for even larger hikes, and romping through the forest in our truck. All the memories are ones I wish I could hold on and experience for the rest of my life, but let's me honest... That big, giant, icky, smelly knot took that wish away. 

Why am I making you begin to think about these heart-tugging memories? Well you see, there are promises. Promises that are utterly and completely satisfying to those that drench their souls into and with them. 

Promise 1: There's a plan for you. Yes, I know you're going through a terrible time. You're probably thinking to yourself, no one understands, no one gets it, and no one gets me. I've heard it all and I've thought it all. Here's something to recognize, no thought can out stand the truth and the hope that is found in God's promise to us about where we're going in the midst of this hardship. 

     Jeremiah 29:11 reads: "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" 

Promise 2: You were given this life, this hardship, to endure because you are strong enough. When a curve ball is thrown and this big, giant, icky, smelly knot hits you in the face; we, by human nature, think this is too big for me to handle. There's absolutely no way I can get through this and if I do get through this there's no way I'll continue to survive. Right? No, Wrong. 

     Isaiah 49:29-31 reads

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Promise 3: You are eternally and unconditionally loved. As females, even as males, we can struggle with loneliness. I know, loneliness is an awfully isolating and consuming feeling. We seem to have it in our minds that "no one can love someone like me." Our hearts and our expectations get so incredibly tampered with in today's world. We see posts on social media labeling: power couples, relationship goals, homecoming proposals and even prom proposals. All these small, yet complex factors point us to loneliness; however, they fail to point us to God's love for us.

     Romans 8:38-39 reads

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How mind blowing is it to figure out that this big, giant, icky, smelly knot does not and will not dictate our life? There is a plan that is uniquely crafted for each individual. There is an intangible amount of strength with us, we just gotta unlock it. Finally, there's an undeserving bundle of  love that covers us and seeks us out every moment, every second, every minute and every hour of every day. These are promises. Promises that have the power to save you, you just have to believe in them. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue (words)