Write the vision and make it plain. Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

When a dream comes from God and you commit yourself to it, it will 'surely' be fulfilled.  Yes, you will stumble, be stretched to new limits and maybe even stagger across the finish line, but you will make it.  You will get to the Promised Land.

Look at Moses: he had a history-changing message to deliver to Pharaoh, yet he was a poor speaker.  He had marriage problems.  He was a 'sole trader' who had to reach his breaking point before he learned to delegate responsibility to others.  He had a problem with his temper, as a result God said, 'This is the land I promised, I have let you see it, but you will not cross over into it." (Deuteronomy 34:4 NIV).  But Moses finally got there! 1,400 years later he stood with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration: right in the middle of it!

You say, 'I have failed so badly.'  David committed adultery, yet his psalms bring strength to multitudes and he's quoted in pulpits around the world.  God didn't excuse David, but he forgave him and used him.  'David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God  was buried'  (Acts 13:36 NKJV).

The Bible describes God as, 'ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness' (Nehemiah 9:17 NKJV).  Notice the words 'ready to pardon.'  God is ready when you are, all you have to do is turn to Him.  Before Habakkuk wrote about his vision, he said, 'I will watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected' (Habakkuk 2:1NKJV).  Corrected but not discarded!  Isn't that wonderful? That's how God's grace works!

He restoreth my soul [peace of mind]. Psalm 23:3

When life overwhelms us we usually look for one of two things.  We may look for somebody with all the answers. The trouble is, when you look to someone for that which only God can provide, you set that person up to fail and yourself up to be disappointed.  Alternatively, we may look for somewhere with fewer problems.  Paul Harvey wrote, 'After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, Patricia Christy vowed she was going to leave on the first plane.  She was determined to get as far away from the horror of hurricane damage as she possibly could and have a restful vacation.'  Harvey said, 'I just heard from Patricia Christy.  She was standing in line for fresh water on the Hawaiian Island Kauai, having just gone through Hurricane Iniki!'

Sheep get anxious when storms come, predators roar, or they are forced to move to unfamiliar territory. How do they handle such times?  By moving closer to the shepherd!  Have you lost your peace of mind today?  Read the following Scriptures; they will help you move closer to your Shepherd:

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them.  (Psalm 5:11 NKJV).

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV).

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.  (Nahum 1:7 NKJV).

For the Lord remembers us and will bless us.  (Psalm 115:12 NIV).