For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. – Romans 8:29
Dear Younger Me,
You’re going to get stronger, tougher and wiser than you are right now. You will become more forgiving, trusting and loving in the days ahead. You have heights and depths and widths of potential in using the abilities and opportunities God has gifted you with that you don’t even see yet, but you will. God loves you just as you are, but He loves you enough to not leave you as you are. He has an end in mind, to make you into the person He created you to be: a faith-walking, difference-making, joy-experiencing image-bearer. He has committed Himself to your long-term transformation as He molds and shapes you to become more like Jesus, and, surprisingly, one of the ways He’s going to refine you is through the fire of hardships. You’ll struggle to find answers on your own, but in time, you’ll learn to ask God for His wisdom which will never fail you. You’ll worry and doubt and fear often, but the day will come when you’ll begin to trust in God and experience peace and courage. You’ll fall short over and over again, but you’ll discover that His grace is sufficient for you as He forgives and frees you from sin. You’ll feel like many tasks in front of you are impossible, but it’ll become clear that they are no match for you when you rely on Jesus Who gives you strength. Here is what I want you to understand about difficulties: sometimes God will change the situation; sometimes God will use the situation to change you. Through every heartache and hardship, God is at work teaching you to look to Jesus, and transforming you to look like Him. When you face troubles and trials, don’t give up hope, because God hasn’t given up on you. You may feel like everything is falling apart, but He’s actually putting you back together again so you can feel, think, speak and act like the person you were born to be. When you look back, you’ll find this to be true: your circumstances may not be different, but you are.
Sincerely,
Older You
