Sometimes I like to watch health programs. They're informative and they give me good perspective. When I see someone dealing with a debilitating illness it makes me appreciate my own health. And I love the stories where people get healed and/or overcome their conditions. Often the programs get very emotional, and they use reenactments and interviews to tell the patient's story. Sometimes I get so caught up in the patient's life when they're sharing the story that I find myself praying and intensely concerned as the patient is faced with a potentially fatal crisis. If they don't receive surgery they will likely die, if they do receive surgery there's a good chance they will die. Then I realize, hey the patient is telling this story. I'm watching them be interviewed. They look healthy, happy and undeniably alive. Obviously they came out of their struggle alive. Praise God!

Well it's the same with the promises of God. When God gives you a promise He is telling you the end of the story. You may not know about everything that happens along the way, and you may encounter some very serious and frightening experiences before you reach that happy ending, but you can trust that you will get there. You don't have to get frightened and upset because God has already shown you the ending. The promise allows you to be a prisoner of hope. I've watched some programs that looked quite hopeless. The prognosis was poor, the death sentence was proclaimed, there was no cure in sight, but I know it turns out fine despite all that because I'm looking at the proof.

God's Beloved if you have a promise from God, if He has given you a Word about your future - consider it already done. No matter how bad things may get, see yourself as a survivor who will one day share your testimony. Remember it ain't over until God says it's over.