Resilient: Powerful Hope in a Dangerous WorldSample

Have you ever wondered why you were born into the family you were born into, why you have the talents and abilities you have, or why you have faced the challenges and difficulties you have faced? The truth is, none of these things are accidents or coincidences. They are all part of God's plan for your life.

In Ephesians 1:4, the apostle Paul writes, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world." This means that God chose us, you and me, before the foundation of the world to be his own. He chose us to be loved, valued, and accepted by him, just as we are.

These verses remind us of the incredible love that God has for us and the plan that he has for our lives. He chose us before the foundation of the world, before we were even born, to be holy and blameless in his sight. This means that God loves, values, and accepts us just as we are.

And not only did God choose us, but he also predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ. This means that through faith in Jesus, we become children of God, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that come with that. We have the assurance that we are loved, accepted, and valued by God and that we have a place in his family.

He also chose us for a purpose. He has a plan for our lives, a plan to use us for his glory and the good of others. And no matter what we face in this life, we can trust that God is in control and working in our lives for our good and his glory.

So today, remember that God chose you. He loves you and has a plan for your life. He has given you the talents, abilities, and experiences you have for a reason, and he will use them for his glory and your good.

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to you personally that God chose you before the creation of the world? How does this affect your daily life and thoughts about yourself?
2. In what ways do you see God working in your life, leading you, and guiding you to fulfill his purposes for you? Can you think of specific examples of how God has used your experiences and challenges for good?
3. How does knowing that God has chosen us to impact our relationship with others and our view of them? How can we extend God's love and acceptance to those around us, knowing that he has chosen them just as he has chosen us?