Surrounded

I had a really cool realization this morning about God’s plan and purpose. Not only does God bring the right people at the exact time we need them…

He ALSO protects us
from those
who do not play
a part in His plan
and purpose for our lives.

As I’m sure you are, I am exceedingly grateful for “my people.”

I have my amazing husband, groups of women, individuals and family who support and love me.  They fill all the gaps and when I get a little low, God sends them my way to tell me all about my strengths and why I’m important. God is amazing!

My realization this morning though was about people who don’t serve His purpose in my life. We all have those people who bring us down. Their negativity is toxic. The thought of even crossing paths makes us cringe. Their heaviness and manipulation serve only to tear down others.

As I was journaling this morning, Holy Spirit helped me see that it’s NO accident that I’ve not been exposed to these people. It’s by HIS design. God knows what my heart needs and doesn’t need.

He knows my heart because He created me.

God has orchestrated movements and trips and gatherings to ensure the toxicity remains away from me. Those people do not further His Kingdom or HIS purpose in my life so OF COURSE He would ensure their distance from me.

This scripture popped in my head as I was writing…..

Psalm 91:4 – “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Shield  = buffer, cushion, protection
Rampart = barricade, wall, barrier

I jumped down my ‘word study’ rabbit hole when I noticed the end of that scripture. I didn’t think that the two words ‘shield and rampart’ were that different and wondered why both words were used.

But they are different.

God’s faithfulness to us creates a shield or buffer between us and those who don’t serve any purpose towards His plan and purpose in our lives. A shield provides protection.

AND…. His faithfulness also builds a rampart or barricade/wall/barrier between us and them.  The definition of rampart is “a structure that complements or supplements something else.

This is why both words are used in the scripture. He creates a buffer, puts distance between us and them. Then, he barricades us by building a barricade around us. His faithfulness makes certain that we are protected from those who don’t serve a purpose in His plan for our lives.

Because I’ve worked hard to align myself with His purpose, He has protected me. I’ve surrendered my life, my business and my identity to Him. In turn, He has surrounded me with amazing people who serve Him and the purpose He’s placed on my life.

I’m gonna repeat that…..

He has surrounded me with amazing people who serve Him and the purpose, He’s placed on my life.

Friend, don’t you just LOVE how God works?

Aren’t you in amazement at not only those He brings into your life but His protection and shield from those who would be in opposition to His plan for you?

My prayer for you today is that you recognize who God has placed in your life to serve in His plan and purpose. I pray that you see how He has shielded you from those who don’t help Him with the plan and purpose for your life. I pray you are able to clearly see how He is working on your behalf to prevent certain people from having any exposure to you as well as any influence in your life. I pray you can see how He is protecting your heart. I pray that this week, you have more laughter, light hearted moments and pure joy than you’ve had in a long time. I pray you gain new clients from places you never even realized you’d made a connection. I pray that all uncollected accounts receivables are resolved with no effort on your part. In Jesus Name, Amen

Very Humbly Yours,

Jennifer Edwards
Surrendered and Surrounded

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”
Romans 12:2 TPT

“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.”
1 John 3:1 TPT

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash