You are here on purpose. In this family. In this community. In this city. In this state. In this nation. On this earth. On purpose!

Have you ever doubted that? Have you ever questioned why you are here and whether your life has purpose?

Here’s truth to encourage you: God designed your life on purpose. He placed you in this exact place at this specific time—on purpose and for a purpose.

Here’s truth to encourage you: God designed your life on purpose. He placed you in this exact place at this specific time—on purpose and for a purpose.Meaningful, tweetable quote. Click To Tweet

Why do I believe this? Because God’s Spirit spoke this in my heart during a time when I questioned my purpose.

Feeling like a failure, incompetent, and unneeded, I cried out to God. He responded: I put you on this earth, in this place, in this family because you have something to contribute.

Something to contribute! The people in my life are better because I’m here! That changed me.

Discouragement rages, along with the pandemic. We’re hearing news reports of widespread “low-grade depression.”

Negative thinking leads to depression. Depression leads to negative thinking. We need to interrupt this cycle.

Try focusing your thoughts on this: God designed my life on purpose. He placed me in this exact place at this specific time—on purpose and for a purpose.

Next, ask him to guide your steps and show you how to begin finding and fulfilling that purpose. The first step might be as simple as displaying the joy and confidence of the Lord among the people your life touches—family, friends, work associates, strangers in the grocery store. We can smile with our eyes—even if a mask conceals our mouth.

Wouldn’t that be a sweet thing! All of us wiping the gloom from our faces and offering a smile—when there seems no reason to smile.

Maybe you’re battling the virus. Or someone you know is fighting for his life. Or the unthinkable has happened—you’ve buried someone you love.

Despite the heartbreak and upheaval, I still believe everything that touches our lives must pass through the hands of our loving Father. Can I explain his purpose in the Covid nightmare? No. Can I trust him anyway? Yes!

And I can think of many reasons to smile.

God is good. Covid does not change that fact.

God loves me. Covid cannot separate me from his love.

God will meet all my needs. Covid will not negate this promise.

Life is different. Christmas will be different. This year has been one to remember…and one to forget.

We can’t let despair have the last word. We can go forward in joy, knowing our Lord is still able and adequate for whatever this day brings!

This year has been one to remember…and one to forget. We can’t let despair have the last word. We can go forward in joy, knowing our Lord is still able and adequate for whatever this day brings. Click To Tweet

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not  unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Please share a favorite promise that is carrying you through these difficult days. And I’d be grateful if you’d share this article with your friends.

© Dianne Barker 2020