This week I visited the local store I use to ship packages. The owner there has become my friend, and she says, "Cherlyn, I've not seen any emails from you in a while; how are you?"

I realized it had been a little while since I had written, and I am in a place where I can now articulate what has been happening.

In my previous notes, I shared how I was in transition. And how God was using this season to strengthen my wings in new areas.

But what I haven't mentioned until now is the warfare I've experienced. When I said YES to writing a prayer journal on the Provision of God, my household was pummelled with hit after hit financially. It was more than our current income could bear, and the FACTS said we would be underwater and taking on significant debt.

If you know my story, I've been here before. 

But what the enemy tried to use to beat me up became another battleground to see if I really believed the promises of God.

In the face of my circumstances, my FAITH stood firm. I didn't know HOW or WHEN God would provide, but I trusted who He is and the promises He made. His name is Jehovah Jireh, My Provider, and he promises that he doesn't just know our needs, but He will supply them.

God is faithful. He has never let me down, and he wasn't going to start now. So, ironically, I was the first to use the new prayer journal He had me write, and the promises of God were my anchor. 

When the prophet Elisha gave the widow strategies to pay off her debt, I trusted God would do it again for me. And He did. I watched God provide a new source of income for me. Honestly, it wasn't what I wanted, but I was obedient and took a short-term assignment back in the corporate world as a consultant. 

Transition doesn't always look like we think it will.

Yes, there are new and beautiful things to embrace, but there are things we must let go of and unpleasant things we must do. Our faith is tested repeatedly to see if our foundation holds, and if we're not keeping our eyes on Jesus, then we will not be equipped to walk through it.

Here's what I know.

Hebrews 13:21 says God has equipped us with everything we need. But we are NOT equipped unless we look to God for it. (I even put this on a mug).

Jesus tells us to seek God's Kingdom first, and He will take care of everything else (Matt 6: 31-33).

I've learned we make it through by focusing on the only One who can turn our problems around for His glory and our good.

A recent post by Chuck Pierce struck me, "Many are confused, for you have one definition of things working out for your good, and God has a totally different definition of what 'good' looks like for your future."

When we transition, we must give up what we think it will look like and embrace what God has for us because it will look different. Sure, we can quote Jeremiah 29:11; I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. And yes, His promises are good, but we have NO IDEA how this looks. 

If we hold on to our ideas, hopes get deferred, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus and let His plan for us unfold, we will experience all He has for us and His provision along the way.

I hope this encouraged you.  

~ Cherlyn

If you need to stand on the promises of God for provision, as I did, then let me tell you about my newest book. Hey God, A Guided Prayer Journal for Provision.

There are times in all our lives when we need God's provision.

Whether in times of plenty, just getting by, or needing God to show up supernaturally, God's word has something to say.

Every verse in this prayer journal directly relates to God's promise of provision.

This Guided Prayer Journal includes:

• 60 topical scriptures in 100 pages, with weekly themes, declarations, and prompts for journaling.
• Each two-page design provides a space to identify what you are grateful for, write out the daily verses, reflect on the reading, and journal a prayer to God.
• There are weekly formats for those who need structure and no dates for those who like flexibility and fluidity. Begin when you are ready and go at your own pace. 
• See the video of the inside 👉🏻 HERE👈🏻

Get your copy here!