This Is the Unparalleled, Transformative Power of God’s Promises
I grew up in the oilfields of Oklahoma, where the wind goes sweeping down the plains. At times, my life moments resonated around the hum of a pumping unit. Its steady, up-and-down rhythm mirrored a heartbeat. Soft. Sound. Safe. But at other times, life swirled like a storm, with fragments of hurt and fear searing my heart and mind.
As I entered my adult years, responsibilities built layer upon stressful layer. As a military spouse, veteran, and working mom of four, I often felt frustrated. I sought tiny moments of refuge on my bathroom floor. I allowed the waves of doubt to crash against my heart as I watched the storm clouds swirl. In them, I saw my life and the past pain that I carried.
God’s Promises
But in a season I’ll always treasure, I saw great strength in the promises of God. I saw the beauty of them glistening as treasures strewn around my life–His chosen love letters to the one He calls “beloved.” Like the Apostle John, Jesus sees my heart and knows my name.
When I stopped trying to survive, I saw a comforting truth: God would never leave me. In Jeremiah 31:3, God reminds the prophet that “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” That love, in its simplest form, can sustain us when the winds of life blow at our door.
The world tells us to strive to find a purpose for our pain, but God’s word offers a different approach. His love invites, “Come and rest with me.” In the rest, we see a great love that transcends hurt, fear, or regret.
In a world that tells us to find and control our purpose, God offers a different approach. He says without hesitation, “Come and find me.” And at the mention of His name, our souls long to follow.
The promise that God offers is that of His heart–to love us and to love the world. It’s not a simple offering. For those of us who strive to be children of God, we see the great sacrifice of the offer. We receive a gift that we can never completely earn.
For me, that one promise opened a labyrinth of lanes to explore. I am still unwrapping the endless, puzzling promises God made to His chosen people. Today, I am beginning to understand the truest and deepest anchor of my soul.
Tuning In To God’s Promises and Presence
And I offer this simple practice to you too. I shifted my mindset from scarcity to enough. I realized that, despite my challenges, God’s blessings were always there. When we recognize God’s goodness in our lives, we become more attuned to His promises and presence. And isn’t that what we are striving to find? To find the peace that passes all understanding. We desire the peace of knowing that, despite the storm, God’s love will always prevail.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to get swept away by our worries, ambitions, and the endless pursuit of purpose. But a grateful heart can transform our view and deepen our bond with God.
Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. It helps us see the blessings in our lives. Each day offers countless chances to express gratitude. We can appreciate the sun’s warmth, the laughter of loved ones, and the lessons from challenges. When we pause to acknowledge these gifts, we create space for joy and peace to flourish.
One simple way to cultivate gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. Each evening, take a few moments to jot down three things you’re thankful for that day. It encourages reflection. It helps us appreciate the little, often unnoticed moments. Over time, gratitude may become your lens on the world. It will help you find beauty and divine purpose in daily life.
Let’s not forget the power of expressing gratitude to those around us. Experts tell us that our heart energy can radiate three feet from our body. A heartfelt “thank you” can uplift spirits and strengthen our connections. In a world that values individual success, let’s celebrate each other. Acknowledging our loved ones’ efforts fosters a culture of kindness. It reflects God’s heart in our relationships.
Gratitude turns pain into purpose, struggles into strength, and doubt into faith. As we journey together toward a peace-filled life, let’s focus on gratitude. What would happen if we looked for blessings in every situation? How would our lives change if we focused on God’s promises? Let’s share our stories and encourage each other. Together, we can build a community based on thankfulness and joy.
In the end, embracing God’s promises brings peace and gratitude.
Let’s take this journey together, inviting God’s love and blessings to illuminate our paths.
What are you grateful for today?
What promises has God given you, like gifts that you are waiting to open?
How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily life?
Let’s build a community that celebrates the power to transform our lives.
Meet Danita Cummins
Danita Cummins is a seasoned career and business coach with nearly 30 years of experience in the Department of Defense, where she has led diverse teams in Special Operations and cutting-edge technology deployments. In her transformative book, Promise over Purpose, Danita offers a refreshing perspective on achieving a fulfilling life by shifting focus from the relentless pursuit of purpose to grounding oneself in God’s promises.
Danita is also the Founding Director of the Alpha Life Pregnancy Center, where she supports women through pregnancy decisions, parenting, adoption, and infant loss. She hosts the Entrusted to Lead Podcast, exploring the intersection of leadership and faith-driven values. Her passion for creating meaningful, one-on-one coaching experiences shines through in every aspect of her work, helping leaders and organizations achieve their full potential.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
