Fear of the unknown can be all consuming. Crippling even. We get stuck in a never ending cycle of wondering what the future holds. Some of us have been conditioned to expect the worst. I know that is true for me. Daily... multiple times a day, I must RENEW MY MIND and remind myself of God's TRUTH regarding this matter. (Jeremiah 29:11) - "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." He is a loving father, our creator and he does have a plan and purpose for each of us. He is our protector and our provider.

I know this however, doubt creeps in. I subconsiulsly believe the lies of the enemy. It disguises itself as "responsibility." It starts by having me question my reality and how I could have prevented it or how I can control it so I never end up in this situation again. But the truth of the matter is I did NOT see this coming, I could NOT have prevented it and I surely have NO control over it. I will find myself beating myself up... But I know that He knew this would happen and made a way. Look at the story of Job. God knew that Job was a good and faithful servant. Satan said that he was only faithful because God blessed him. It says in the Bible that Job a rigeous man, was teasted by God by losing all his wealth, children, health, but despite his suffering he remained faithful to God and was ultimately restored to a better cndition than before, receiving twice as much wealth nad a new family, he lived a long life with renewed blessings after enduring his trials.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowdge him and He will make straight your paths." Wherever you are going, God has already been there and paved the way for you. "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." - (Deuteronomy 31:8). He knows his children that is why he tells us these things because of our sinful nature we believe the lies of the enemy that we are seperate from him. But the truth is God lives with in us. The holy spirit dwells within us. (Romans 8:9) The Spirit of God dwells in you. The Holy Spirit helps believers to pray, comforts us and gives us words to say. He is everwhere at all times, every step of the way.

As many of you know I am in the middle of a divorce. I was with my husband for 20 years. Lots of uncertainty is now before me. Everything is changing. I'm being forced to start all over. At times I feel like I'm an 18 yr old child leaving the nest. However, this time is different, Instead of being full of excitement I'm full of anxiety and fear. There's so much at stake... and I'm responsible for a little girl now too. When I say I have to start all over I mean just that.

I was let go from my position in July, I have no job and it's been like this for the past 7 months. I have been living on the money from the sale of our marital home and that's dwindling. I have been applying yet, been turned down time and time again. Daily I'm recieving messages like this: "Thank you very much for applying for the position. Our team has reviewed your application and while your qualifications are impressive, your background and experience are not close enough to the position requirements." or "while we are impressed with your experience we have decided to not move forward with your application at this time" or "unfortunately after careful consideration, we've decided to move forward with other cantidates who more closely matched our requirements for this role". Needless to say it has become rather discouraging to recieve these notifications multiple times each day.

I am constantly reminding myself, "you only need one job. The right one will come in due time."

I've been hunting for a position in the alcohol space and cpg industries where most of my background is. Sales and Marketing, brand consulting. However, those arenas are going thru major change to. The beverage space is over saturated, new brands are coming out each and everyday and the space on store shelves is very limited. They are working within budgets that are allowing for limited staff and those that are being selected are industry leaders with a proven track record. And as for the alcohol industry has taken a huge hit because consumer trends are shifting. Therefore major cuts are being made. Brown Forman just laid of 12% of their global sales force and closed their barrel-making plant. It does not look good out there. On top of it, I was a stay at home mom for the past 15 years. There is a HUGE gap in my resume, although I started my own company and published my first book, employers are opting to use AI to sift through resumes, so good luck even being noticed. As a result I am so overwhelmed with fear and anxiety when I start to consider my current situation and the state of the industry.

I have to remind myself that God is in control. That he sees me. The scriptures say, HAVE NO FEAR - Do not be afraid over 365 times in the bible. Trust in his goodness he will not fail. "God is within her, she will not fail." (Psalm 46:5) He loves us and works ALL things together for our good. (Romans 8:28) so why am I fretting? Because I believe the LIE that I am alone.

However, if I were to look back at all the trials and tribulations I've endured, he has ALWAYS been there beside me.

The birth of Karly. I always dreamed of having a baby to call my own but the doctors told me that would never be possible. (im-possible) God placed the desire on my heart. (Psalm 37:4)- "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of you heart." He put it in my heart, and also spoke to me in a dream confirming that desire, "Take a leap of faith, quit your job, put me first and I will bless you with a baby girl named Karly." We just celebrated her 14th birthday. God's promise came true. It says in (Isaiah 55:11) "So is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Or the time he told me that my house would sell for $800,000 flat and we had it listed since January with little to no interest, then, BAM just as He said, it happened. He asked me to watch a particular movie first and then it would happen. This was in May. I did not want to watch the movie he asked me to. I put it off, however no sooner I was finally obedient and finished the movie a call came in... "hello! I'm a realtor with ...., my clients would like to come by to see your home. We are in the area, would it be okay if we came in the next 10-15 min." They arrived and approximately 5 min later, we get another call, "hello! my clients are very interested in your home, however, they were wondering if you'd be willing to accept $800,000 flat" Really?! $800,000 flat!!! YESSSS!!! YESS we would. That's exactly the number God told me it was going to sell for and it happened.

They put in their offer on paper and requested us give them $5,000 toward a kitty for a new airconditioning unit upon closing. The home was original, no updates, with the heat and humidity FLORIDA is known for they wanted to be protected. We agreed. And God returned that to us with interest!!!!!!! Shortly after we closed on the home, we received a check in the mail for the amount of $6,212.81 God is "awe"some!

So now let's bring this back around. Although our home sold for a significant amount of money, we bought when real estate was at an all time high. To afford what we had was a stretch... the home we purchased was the only single family home for sale in all of Wesley Chapel at the time. The school district is top in the state and we wanted to be sure Karly's education was the priority so we trusted that God would make a way and he did. There happened to be an interest only loan available... it was risky however we decided to take the leap of faith and make it happen.

And look how He delivered. Not only we get the opportunity to live in a beautiful home on a conservation lot with a spring in the yard. Complete with an inground pool that had sound bowls and a fountain. It was majestic, God provided us with the means to move on from here.

Unfortunately, a number of unexpected things happened and I am where I am, but as I'm typing I'm reminded that this was NO surprise to God. He provided me with the position with Divine Distillers to get me approved for the home I'm renting and the means to sustain myself during this storm of my life. A good father would not force their daughter to over work and stress herself while healing.

Several times I heard the Lord say, REST. I did not listen, then I broke my toe. And I was forced to sit down and be still. Surrender to him. He then told me that he would RESTORE and that is indeed what has been happening. Lately I've been hearing the word RESTITUTION. And that has begun, I was in a class action lawsuit from Cottonelle Flush Wipes back in 2021 and I just received an email notification early this morning stating that my payment will be in the first batch from the settlement by the end of Q1 - March 2025. That's "WONDER"FUL news! Just when I could really use it, it's on it's way. And a few weeks ago I recieved payment from Divine Distillers too. They owed me some past due invoices and they were able to make good on part of one of them. I'm so grateful! Again, money just when I need it!!!

I've been selling books - last weekend I sold 14 books and this week alone an additonal 3. That's fantastic!! I can feel the tide is changing. I just need to keep believing that God is who he says he is and that he has me in the palm of his hand and there is a time for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to breakdown, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

My time is coming!!! move forward, take one day a time and most importantly DO NOT WORRY

(Matthew 6:25) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them, Are you not much more valuable than they?" Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

Trust in God. Rely on his guidance and provision for the present day. "Give us this day or daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) And continue to PRAISE him and thank him for all he has done and is yet to do.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Have an attitude of gratitude. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and LOVE and a SOUND MIND." (2 Timothy 1:7) Believe it. That's what it means to have faith. He's got you.