“… the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!” Job 42:10 (NLT)
In a short time, due to circumstances beyond my control, life changed dramatically.
As a result, the financial situation for my three children and me went from secure and life-giving to unpredictable and insufficient to sustain even our basic needs. Desperate fears about how to provide for my family pulled me into a pit of despair.
But one night I had a dream, and everything changed.
In this dream, I was slumped over, crying, completely broken, and spent — my waking emotions playing out in my sleeping subconscious. Then I noticed a figure entering the room.
Rather than fear, a strange sense of calm and safety washed over me. I immediately thought it was Jesus. He spoke softly and gently with a deep, tender, loving voice: Why didn’t you come to Me earlier? I will restore what’s been lost and broken.
I abruptly awoke, feeling like I’d experienced a divine encounter. Those hope-filled words kept echoing in my mind. Words I had longed to hear, reaffirming that God was watching over me and had the power and plans to restore my life.
Why didn’t you come to Me earlier?
I believed I had come to Him — many times. However, instead of surrendering my problems and trusting Him, I just told Him about the issues and continued trying to solve them myself.
Rather than trusting for miraculous provision, I fretted and worried over whether He would come through or not. I continually felt crushed and hopeless under countless adversities — much like Job.
In one day, Job lost his 10 children along with all his possessions and wealth. Shortly after, he was afflicted with a horrible skin disease.
Job didn’t understand why he had to suffer so much. He expressed heartache and anger at the pain God was allowing. He was impatient about how long it was taking God to bring about restoration.
Yet through it all — and despite his emotions — Job knew full surrender and trust were necessary. He trusted God’s will for his life and continued to praise Him. As a result, not only did Job’s faith soar, but his life did as well.
God blessed Job and his faithfulness. Today’s key verse, Job 42:10, says “the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!” God also restored Job’s relationships, gave him a new household of children, and allowed him to live happily to a ripe old age.
God always has a plan to heal and restore. Although I don’t know God’s exact plans for my future, I do know He is good, and I fully believe He is working to restore my heart and my life.
Total surrender and trust will always open the door for God’s restoration to begin.
Jesus, today, I fully surrender to You and ask You to help me have a joyous, expectant faith as I wait for You to move. I trust You and Your ways, plans, and timing from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In her book Love Life Again, Tracie Miles challenges us to stop waiting for circumstances to fall into place to be delighted with our lives. Through personal stories and powerful insights from Scripture, she helps us identify our stumbling blocks to joy and offers tools, challenges, and action steps to help us take control of our own happiness.
You can also check out her new book, God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence.
Visit Tracie’s blog to download her free resource, “10 Tips for Handling Change Well in Your New Season.” You can also connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (NLT).
How might your outlook change if you began trusting that God has plans to provide for you and restore what’s broken in your life?
List what greatly needs restoration in your life today. How can you express your trust in God each day as you expectantly wait on Him to meet these needs?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
© 2025 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
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