A Confident Heart: Week 5 - A Place of Surrender

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When I went to college, I never expected to get married as soon as I graduated. I expected to get my degree and then a masters and maybe even a doctorate. I wanted to have a good career and be a confident, independent woman.

Well, God had other plans for me. I did graduate college with a B.A. in English from Clemson University. I was so excited about entering into the work field, but it never really happened. I had lots of experience for someone right out of college with internships and two years of paid journalist experience under my belt. However, when I graduated I moved and lost many of my previous connections and the result was no steady job, no solid career, and it seemed, no confident or independent woman.

I do not have any regrets. I still love writing and journalism, which I use whenever I can. This is why I love blogging so much. I married a wonderful man the fall after I graduated and I could not be more joyful or thankful for him or life we have built together. When we had my daughter, I was able to stay home with her and keep the house and spend lots of time with her. These are especially days that I wouldn't trade for anything. I believe she is who is because of the decisions that lead up to these days. I believe our family is stronger because of surrendering to God's direction even when I didn't understand it.

I'm not entirely sure where God will place us next. I thought I would have a houseful of kids by now, but God had other plans. I thought I should be looking to go back to work, but God seems to have other plans. I'm not sure what God has planned, but I know it will be great. I thought my life would be completely different than it is right now, however, God has blessed me by knowing me better than I know myself. I love where God has brought me and I am excited to see where He will take me from here.

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James 4:7 -- "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

When you surrender yourself to God and walk in His plan for you, you can accomplish great things through His strength and guidance. When we try to walk our path, it can lead to disaster. I thought I wouldn't be confident or independent without a career, but I have so much more than that. I have love, joy, peace, confidence and security in my Lord. I am dependent on Him and rely on Him to get me through every day.

Resist those who tell you that without a career you are not influential. That is the enemy speaking, trying to lead you away from God and the peace He provides. I will never impact the world more than through my daughter and through my relationships with others.

I do not need independence because I can do nothing. But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I need dependence on my God who is stronger than anything this world can bring against me.

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I do not find my confidence in my actions, my accomplishments, my failures or what others say about me. I find my confidence from my God who says that I am uniquely made a for great purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). I can be confident about who I am and what I can do because God guards and guides me in His purpose for me, to grant me life and life abundantly.

It is from a place of surrender that we can fully live in the purpose God promises for our lives.

 

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This inspiration comes from a 

Bible study I am doing through 

Proverbs 31 Ministries on 

"A Confident Heart" 

by Renee Swope.