Your Future Has an Owner

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

 

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

I bet you can relate to the following. Recently, one afternoon I started to have a thought come into my mind about my future. It was an imaginary scenario that was negative and heavy. The enemy was trying to get me to envision the years to come in my life as chaotic and unhappy. (Doesn’t this happen to all of us?) This is a perfect example of what Ephesians 6:16 describes as a “fiery dart.” One of the adversary’s favorite topics to attack in our thoughts is the future. In this way, he attempts to sow fear into our daily living.

On that particular day, Holy Spirit interjected into what was happening in my mind. I am so thankful for His interventions! Immediately, I sensed Him calling out that thought dart as a “vain imagination.” He pointed out to me that the aforementioned negative imaginary depiction of my future doesn’t exist. Furthermore, it is completely irrelevant. Entertaining it would be a waste of time and emotional energy because of just how non-existent it is.

I was listening, so He kept talking. He depicted my future as a solid substance already created, already defined. He whispered to me that all my days to come are entirely, securely His. My future is holy because it belongs to Him. It’s doubly His: He bought it with the inexpressibly expensive price of His blood and I gave it to Him. By definition, something that is set apart unto God is holy. He is very protective of that which has been rendered His.

As Holy Spirit gently communicated it to me, Spirit-to-spirit, the eyes of my heart were perceiving all of this truth. I could see that His ownership of my future is not alterable. Any fake alternate version is a lame nothingness. He strongly instructed me to not give any space to it in my thoughts and imagination. I verbalized my surrender to His instructions and my agreement with His words to me.

A short while later, I was on the phone with one of my daughters. She expressed worry about her own future. I immediately recognized then that Holy Spirit had downloaded the above truth with impeccable timing. This was clearly for her too. It was a joy to be able to share with her what He had just freshly been sharing with me. She, too, was strengthened and encouraged.

The same day, just a little while after that, Holy Spirit got talkative again. I cherish how much He loves to communicate with us when we are leaning in to listen! The thought came into my mind that I am recognizing more quickly these days when the enemy is trying to attack me with fear. I am learning that I don’t have to succumb to the heaviness that the voice of dread tries to put on me.

Instead, I can connect with remembering who Jesus is and His unshakable love towards me. I cannot be separated from this unbreakable, loyal love of His. Honestly, I have been learning this lesson in a particularly intense way for about ten years now. This particular day described above, Holy Spirit interjected again and pointed out that through this very long process, He Himself has been “training my hands for war and my fingers for battle” (Ps. 144:1). He has been so eager to do so; to show me how to rise above the storm with Him, to “come up here” (Rev. 4:1).

My friend, every battle you and I will ever face is more training ground for overcoming. Every struggle we endure is moving us further into the role that belongs to us as Overcomers, as more than conquerors. Our heavenly Daddy only allows battles that He plans for us to win. Every day, He is teaching us to win. Be encouraged today. He Himself is with you, and who can be against you?

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What would happen if we would allow Holy Spirit to paint His pictures in our imagination regularly instead of giving space to the false pictures the enemy tries constantly to throw up on the screen of our mind’s eye?


16 thoughts on “Your Future Has an Owner”

  1. I can relate, Jennifer! In James Clear’s ‘Atomic Habits,’ he begins by emphasizing the importance of our identities. For example, do we see ourselves as ‘sinners saved by grace’ or as ‘the righteous of God in Christ?’ Many think those phrases are equal identities, but the latter envisions us as conquerors, not captives to negative thoughts.

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  2. What a great message, Jennifer! Yes, the fiercest battles take place in the mind. I try to give the Lord my mind every day, “casting down imaginations and every argument that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to Christ.” I love how the “helmet of salvation” shields our minds from the enemy’s lies, threats, accusations, temptations, and distractions.

    When I was younger, if I ever imagined life in my 70’s, I would picture a very dull scenario. I never could have imagined the adventures, the new experiences, the people I’d meet – both in person and virtually – the excitement of having the Lord at the helm of my life. Even as recently as last night, I have been seeing Him work the most unlikely circumstances into His plan. I’m overwhelmed with His genius – and His ability to understand and cater to my hyperactive mind that is always wanting to learn more, experience more, know HIM more. ❤

    Thanks for sharing these truths, Jennifer. You are such a blessing! 🙂

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    1. Aw, Annie, you bless me SO much with your words! Thank you with all my heart for each and every one of them.

      Amen and amen, the helmet of salvation makes all the difference in the world! Holy Spirit pointed out to me that “the hope of salvation” is such an important nuance in that protection: having a genuine hopeful expectation that He is intervening with His saving, rescuing power in every detail of my life, continually, is such a POWERFUL filter for my thought life!

      Hearing you testify, having arrived into your seventies by His faithfulness, and experiencing His ongoing grace in such tangible, rewarding, satisfying ways is such an encouragement to me. My heart is full of gratitude as I sit here and take in what you have imparted. I love you, my sister!

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      1. I love you too, sister! 💕

        I love the idea of having a filter on our minds! I pray that for my grandchildren, that if they’re being taught anything (directly or indirectly) that’s contrary to the Truth, they would either not hear it, not understand it, not remember it, or not receive it. 👨‍🚀

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  3. Yes Jennifer, we all have these moments when even the weather seems to to be groaning with the same refrain, A-men to theme in your post. The Holy Spirit indeed will keep leading us ever forward but maybe more slowly one step at a time. Standing with and for Him but learning to travel one step at a time. Hold His Hand for stability but overcome one step at a time with praise, joy and thankfulness.

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  4. An important point when considering Jeremiah 29 is that this was just before Israel was to be taken into captivity for 70 years.😰
    While Father’s promises are certain, we must keep them in context.
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.

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    1. This is so true; they were going into captivity because of their disobedience… they forfeited blessings that would have been theirs if they had not had lustful eyes and wandering hearts! And still, He had their best interest at heart.

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