Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Our Scripture for the year has been Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Some view the “renewing of the mind” as a supernatural recreation of what sin has corrupted, while others see it as a strategy for leading the abundant life Jesus promised.

This year, we have all faced unchanging circumstances that make us feel stuck. We know God’s promises, yet our medical reports and bank accounts tell a different story. However, Scripture reminds us that “the things we see are temporary, but the things we cannot see are eternal.”

Don’t be discouraged by what you see; it’s not permanent. Your child may be off course, but that can change. Your health may seem poor, but it’s temporary. Your dreams might feel impossible, but they can still happen. Shift your perspective from permanence to possibility: “It may look this way, but I know it can change.” Trust in what you know—God is in control and will fulfill His promises.

Consider a caterpillar watching a butterfly fly. It may think, “Why can’t I fly? I’m stuck here forever.” But within its DNA lies the potential for wings. Though it struggles for a third of its life in chrysalis, that struggle is temporary. Eventually, it will emerge as a butterfly soaring through the sky. In fact, during its transformation, the caterpillar’s body completely breaks down before it reforms into a butterfly. This process of metamorphosis is a powerful reminder that change often comes with profound inner transformation, and the struggle has a purpose. This transformation is the same word used in Romans 12:2.

Your life may echo the caterpillar’s doubts: “You’ll never fly; you lack experience.” But prepare yourself—your wings are coming. You were made to soar, not to crawl through life in loneliness or struggle. Your current situation isn’t permanent. Stop letting your circumstances discourage you—they’re temporary. God is working behind the scenes.

When circumstances say, “You can’t get well or achieve your dreams,” remember the caterpillar’s journey. You may feel stuck now, but God assures you that your wings—your healing, promotion, and breakthroughs—are coming.

Your vision of flying may differ from God’s plan. You think you’re doing well, but wait until you see what God has in store. He will open doors you never imagined, bring the right people into your life, and reveal talents you didn’t know you had.

In 1 Kings 18, during a severe drought, the prophet Elijah told King Ahab, “I hear the sound of abundance of rain.” Despite the clear sky, he believed in his spirit rather than in what he saw.

Are you believing your eyes or your heart? You may see lack and struggle like a caterpillar on the ground, but God whispers abundance and breakthroughs. What you hear is more powerful than what you see. Focusing on problems keeps you stuck in a caterpillar mindset.

Scripture says, “We are transformed by the renewing of our mind,” echoing the caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly. You must align your thoughts with positivity. If you think, “I can’t get well,” you’ll hinder your growth. Like Elijah, who saw drought but heard abundance, you must choose to believe God’s promises.

Elijah ascended Mount Carmel to pray and instructed his assistant to look for rain. The young man returned without a hint of rain, yet Elijah knew that appearances could shift. He told his assistant to check six more times, continuing to search for the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Faith fuels persistence, but it’s hard to have faith without hope. Trust God’s promises over appearances. You may perceive a caterpillar grounded in reality, but faith transcends logic. Doubts may arise: “Where are your wings? Why the delay?” Remember Elijah, who declared rain amidst drought; faith persists despite the odds.

You may not see immediate signs of fulfillment, but declare your belief in God’s promises—even when reality contradicts them. Miracles often arise from seemingly insignificant beginnings. Elijah noticed a small cloud, but his faith knew it would become a downpour.

Believe despite worsening circumstances. Elijah prayed in the drought and faced discouragement, yet those trials foreshadowed abundance. Like a caterpillar in a dark chrysalis, transformation often comes from uncomfortable stages before we take flight.

If you feel trapped, remember that this is part of your journey; your wings are developing. Don’t despair; you’re close to discovering your true self. Those challenges weren’t merely bad luck, but trials, and God was with you through them. Your faith and persistence will lead to wings that elevate you beyond struggles with mediocrity, addiction, or depression.

If the enemy had known your outcome, he would have retreated. Instead, he pushed you into these challenges, unaware they were part of your transformation. God turned His intentions for harm into your gain, and you emerged ready to soar into abundance.

What you face may seem overwhelming, but God knows how to defeat giants. Nothing can stand against Him—no sickness, addiction, or obstacle is permanent. The Creator of the universe is working on your behalf, straightening your path and changing hearts in your favor. You will emerge stronger, rising to heights you never imagined.

Don’t limit God’s promises to your faith; elevate your faith instead. If you could do it alone, you wouldn’t need wings. God has an incredible future for you. You may feel excitement mixed with doubt about its attainability, but remember, God doesn’t make promises without a way to fulfill them. He asks you to believe. Belief opens supernatural doors for unimaginable miracles. The mistake lies in reducing His promises to what seems possible.

Sometimes, we wait for God to elevate us, but He waits for us to elevate our thinking. Let go of a limited mindset; expand your faith. Your upbringing doesn’t define your future; God has new levels for you. Even if obstacles loom large, don’t be swayed by appearances—they can change. Like Elijah, I sense abundance, healing, and breakthroughs ahead. Your caterpillar days are over. Expect acceleration, promotion, healing, new opportunities, and the fullness of your destiny sooner than you imagine. I hope this message speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!