At times, we feel as if our lives are out of control and our purpose is not being served. In those moments when we feel melancholy and defeated, remember that the Lord Jesus has declared that he has us on his mind. We are living in troubled times and are desperate for answers and solutions. If we listen closely, we will hear the voice of our father encouraging us with his word and urging us to continue holding on as we seek his face.

It is certain that we are living in the last days, and it will take "craaaazy faith" to continue standing upon God’s promises. With the present instability of the economic system, many of us are seemingly living through some of the most difficult times of our lives. I am 100 percent assured that the Lord has not given up control of this Earth. He is still and will always be the only catalyst moving the nations and his people toward their prophesied destiny.

For those who have sold out their lives for Jesus Christ, there is a point of distinction: We still have hope for our future. God spoke to Jeremiah to encourage his people as they were facing captivity in Babylon. He told them that even though they would experience the pain of captivity, God would not forget them. The false prophets had told lies, telling the people that their captivity would be for a short period, when in fact they were destined to spend many years in despair.

My point today, beloved, is that you may experience pain, frustration and lack for a season, but as we learn the lesson designed for our life, Jesus will rescue us. What you are going through will not last forever. God has us on his mind and has our future in view.

I will write more about this next time. Until then, I love you and am praying for you.

Scripture reading: Jeremiah 29:11 "‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’"

• To contact the Rev. Roxanne Harper, an author, mother of nine and pastor at Jesus Christ for All Nations Ministries in Tracy, e-mail roxaneh@jcfans.org. All religious leaders in the Tracy community are invited to write columns for Reflections on Faith.