These assurances, found throughout the Bible, offer guidance, comfort, and strength to navigate life's ups and downs.

In this article, we will explore the profound significance of embracing God's promises, understanding of their transformative power, and learn practical steps to incorporate them into our daily lives.

This article is the eighth of a blog series offering practical steps rooted in Christ and biblical principles to help you build resilience and trust in God's plan. Following these steps, you'll learn to navigate life's trials with faith and confidence, leaning on Christ's everlasting support.

If you missed it, click to read Overcoming Doubt and Fears Through Faith, the seventh article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trust: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships Part Two, the sixth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trust: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships, the fifth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trusting God with His Plan After Trauma, the fourth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trusting God, the third article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Building A Resilient Faith: Jesus Our Model, the second article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Understanding Biblical Resilience, the first article in this series. 

Understanding God’s Promises

What are They?

Do you believe the Bible or your circumstances? 

It can be hard to find the courage to believe again after the wounds of trauma, but know that if you are in Christ through faith, God is fulfilling His promises in your life. 

You are qualified in Jesus alone. 

Romans 8 tells us that if we believe, we are already in Christ, and being in Christ is not based on your performance. If Christ is in you, you are always "in the spirit." 

Don't let your past or behavior disqualify you from God's promises. If you believe in Jesus as your righteousness, you are in Christ and qualified for 2 Corinthians 1:20!

"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you."  -Romans 8:9

Don't get caught up in the "what ifs" and "what abouts." Take a moment to believe God. Trust that He desires good things for you and is working to prosper you.

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." 

Amen means to establish. 

You establish God's promises in your life by believing and speaking them.

This isn't about persuading God; it's about agreeing with His Word. When was the last time you spoke God's truth over your situation? There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible—find one that applies to your situation and speak it. Trust that God loves you and is faithful. He hasn't given up on you, so don't give up on Him. Trust Him, your Heavenly Father who loves you and wants to give you His Kingdom.(1)

God’s promises can be found throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Mining the scriptures in areas that pertain to your circumstances and applying them opens your eyes and understanding to the promises God has for you in that situation.

The nature of God’s promises are based upon His Character. God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. The Bible Project states that the word faithful comes from the word Emet, meaning “faithfulness” or “truth.” This is God’s character.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, -Exodus 34:6 NLT

Gain A Scriptural Foundation

Below are four key Bible verses illustrating God’s promises for a healthy foundation:

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” -Luke 12:29-31 NIV

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” - Matthew 6:33  NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” -Romans 8:28 NLT

The Significance of Embracing God’s Promises

Embracing God’s promises creates powerful changes within you. It is not simply saying them, it’s believing them at a heart level and trusting Him with every moment and circumstance of your life. Let’s look at what happens when we believe Him and embrace His promise.

Personal Transformation

When you embrace God’s promises, your perspective changes. It bring’s about a change in your outlook and life. 

Strengthening Faith

The role of God’s promises help you in building an overcoming faith

Overcoming Challenges:

Proclaiming God’s promises in your circumstances helps you navigate and overcome life’s difficulties.

Some of God's Promises in the Bible

Promise of Salvation:

For in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world in order that he should judge the world, but in order that the world should be saved through him. John 3:16-17  LEB

Promise of Provision:

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 NIV

Promise of Peace:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. -Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Promise of Presence:

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:20 NLT

Promise of Healing:

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. - Psalm 147:3 NLT

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. -James 5:14-15 NIV

Personal Stories of Embracing God’s Promises

Emma’s Story:

Forty years after excitedly running into Sunday School at six years old, being pulled into the darkness and violated by a churchgoer, leaving the church, and becoming addicted to drugs, Emma met Jesus. The religion she learned as a child transformed to a personal relationship with Jesus. Through this relationship, she was empowered to face the truth about what happened to her, forgive those who meant her harm, and break-free from the addictions that held her captive. Through embracing the promises of God she lives free, writes, and helps others find their way through recovery with Jesus.

With a heart surrendered to hope, Emma clung to the promises of God. His word became her anchor in the stormy seas of life, guiding her through the depths of despair to the heights of victory. Now, she lives a testament to the unwavering faithfulness of a promise-keeping God.

Crystal’s Story:

For three decades, Crystal carried the weight of a monstrous secret, a shadow cast by a father’s betrayal. But in the heart of darkness, she discovered a light, a beacon of hope in Jesus Christ. With His unwavering love as her guide, she dared to confront the demons of the past. Through tears and fears, she unearthed the buried pain, allowing it to surface in the safe embrace of God's love and faithfulness. With each step towards healing, she traded chains for wings, finding freedom in the truth and restoration in His promises. Today, Crystal radiates a joy that defies explanation, her life a testament to the power of redemption. Her relationships, once marred by shadows, are now bathed in the warmth of love and trust, a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of grace and forgiveness. A testament to a life transformed by trusting and embracing God’s promises.

Practical Steps to Embrace God's Promises

Regular Bible Study:

Invest in daily scripture reading as part of your routine. Study a topic or a person in the Bible.

Prayer and Meditation:

Prayer and meditation on God’s word will help develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, As you are consistent in this practice, you will recognize and have experiences of His promises as His Word comes alive in you. 

Faith in Action:

In every circumstance practice yielding to God’s will. Filter every thought, word, and action through the Word of God.

Community and Support:

Being in fellowship with a faith community supports you in embracing God’s promises.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Dealing with Doubt:

In Trust: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships Part Two, Article 6 of this series, we discussed doubts and fears and how to overcome them. We showed that doubt and fears are intertwined, defined perspective trust, and five practical ways to learn to overcome doubt and fears.

As a reminder perceptive trust is:

•  Understanding that only some people are trustworthy.
• Involves knowing trust is earned through consistent, honorable, and ethical behavior.
• Accepting the harsh reality that people you love will sometimes disappoint you.
• Knowing that God will never let you down.

Patience and Trust:

When you know God, you understand that He sees all, knows all, and is the be all God who has a plan for you. When you walk in that truth, you lean into His way, practice His truth and patiently trust outcomes to Him. His timing, not our own, is always best!

Staying Focused:

Staying focused on God and His promises is crucial to embracing them and living a wholehearted life. Staying focused requires being intentional. Here are four ways to practice staying focused:

• Spend time in His Word–mine it for His promises and ask Him how it applies to your life today. 
• Listen audibly to the Bible or His Promises as you sleep. This will help you the following day. 
• Trust God’s Word and promises more than anything. When someone says something to hurt you, be quiet and yield to God’s way of communicating with understanding that this is not your business. 
• Stay focused on His promises, no matter what distractions and difficulties come your way.

What to Do When Tempted

Chip Ingram outlines very specific scripture to pray when we doubt or are being deceived by the fiery arrows. Taking up the shield of faith is absolutely imperative at this time. When we are tempted by doubt, believing calling out the character, Word and promises of God over our lives will extinguish the power of the flames against us. As they hit the shield we are hidden behind, they will fall to the ground and be left burning till they are ashes and blow away with the wind.

In areas shown below, there is a scripture of promise from God. It is our job to believe and receive, taking it up and wielding it at the right time against the deception of the enemy against us.

Temptation to Sin

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not tempt you beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will always provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. -1 Corinthians 10:13

Financial Needs

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19

Strength and Endurance

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

Adverse Circumstances-Testing

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. -James 1:2-4

Uncertain Future

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He behold from those whose walk is blameless. -Psalms 84:11

Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Personal Crisis

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he restores my soul. He leads me beside the still waters, for His namesake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for though art with me, thy rod, thy staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever! - Psalm 23

Embracing God’s promises is a journey that builds your confidence in His faithfulness. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go like you think they will. He is always working behind the scenes to draw you closer to His promises being fulfilled in your life and His plan. 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12

In our next article, we discuss Developing a Christ-Centered Mindset.

Resources:

(1) Recrafted from God Says Yes to Over 3000 Promises. Clint Byars. Copyright 2016.