a blank canvas

My heart is so heavy.  I have a friend that is going through some really tough things.  We talked today, and the pain that she is experiencing is like nothing I’ve seen in my adult life.  The bummer is that she’s suffering at the hand of another person.

A significant part of the pain in this situation is the utter powerlessness that she feels.  She has not chosen this.  She cannot control it. There appears to be no solution on the horizon.  Depression sets in as she imagines what the future may hold.

I prayed with her on the phone, and continued praying after we hung up.   Driving in the car to pick up my kids, the Lord stirred in me.  This distinct truth popped into my head:

The future belongs to God.

I was overwhelmed with joy and relief.  I think that I was getting lost in my friend’s pain and grief.  Why do we forget this absolute truth?  The future is like a blank canvas that ONLY God can paint on.  The future is like a song that ONLY He can write.  Others may betray us, wound us, steal from us, or leave us, but that does not mean that they are in control of our future.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”   Proverbs 19:21

“I know that you (Lord) can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”  Job 42:2

“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.   But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”   Psalm 33:10-11

“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

There is no need to fear the future.  There is no need to fear what a person can do to you. God is in control and He is guarding the canvas of your future with His life!   How blessed you will be when He reveals the glorious masterpiece of your future.