Tonight I said something before filtering it through my brain, and it scared me. It went something like this: “I really hope I get to experience _____________ (broken part of me; you could fill the blank with "freedom") before Jesus comes back, *laughs* but I’m not sure I’ll ever get there.”
There are a lot of things wrong with this, so I’ll go one at a time.
In admitting this sentence, I realized a new stronghold within my heart I had not fully realized until I uttered the previous statement - there are some parts of me I believe are out of God’s reach. I’ve always articulated that God can bring miracles out of the darkest situations because I am the living proof of that from multiple scenarios, but here I am subconsciously believing that I still embody exceptions to His promises. Though the details of this stronghold are probably different from others’, I think most, if not all, Christians struggle with this same subconscious hypocrisy: we believe in God’s promise(s) for others that we do not believe for ourselves.
So, I’m making a (no where near complete) list of his promises for ALL PARTS OF ME and for ALL PARTS OF YOU:
> God promises to do the impossible.
“But he said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
> God promises redemption and forgiveness.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a new heart.” Ezekiel 36:26
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12
“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19
> God promises prosperity.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34
“If I will not open for you the windows of the heavens and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field.” Malachi 3:10-11
> God promises healing.
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.” Jeremiah 30:17 (This means emotional ones too.)
> God promises guidance.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths, Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7
> God promises peace.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165
> God promises protection and deliverance.
“He shall cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid fo the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” Psalm 91:4-6
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; you will stretch out Your hand again the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.”
> God promises the second coming of Christ.
“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
There are obviously many more examples and many more promises, but this is an overarching starting point. God has not forgotten you, and He has not forgotten me. He will use our dirtiest, most damaged parts for our good and His glory, but that process cannot begin until we COMPLETELY trust him with those pieces of ourselves. That part of you that you think is an immovable character trait or a relentless temptation, he can take that too. He evolves me everyday, and he will continue to do so. And isn’t that the greatest news? He’s no where near finished with us yet.
