Prosper: to be successful or fortunate, especially in a financial or material way. Prosper often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used broadly, much like the words succeed, thrive, and flourish.

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.”

Prospering in Christ

We’ve heard this scripture so many times that I wonder if we truly take a moment to consider what it means.

A few weeks ago, I had a dream where I settled for a distorted version of the promise the Lord has been showing me. In the dream, I questioned whether this was what God had intended all along—whether I had misinterpreted His promise or simply set my expectations too high. Though this version of the promise didn’t feel right, in the dream I hesitated and then accepted it. I think because it resembled some version of the promise, I didn’t want to disappoint the Lord by rejecting it. But the moment I accepted this counterfeit, strife immediately followed.

When I woke up, the dream left me unsettled. I began reflecting on everything the Lord had revealed to me about His promises. I repented—wondering if I had been resistant to His will, trying to impose my own version of His plan or settle for something that was never meant to be mine. After a good amount of prayer and reflection, the discomfort didn’t leave. And then, my mind shifted back to the scripture.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” echoed in my mind, a gentle reminder that His plans are to prosper us. Then, another scripture came to mind:

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

I realized my dream was a warning—an opportunity to sharpen my discernment and refuse anything less than what God has promised. The enemy doesn’t just try to steal our joy, our resources, or our lives. He seeks to steal our truth, our destiny, and our hope in a big God—the One who promises prosperity despite what we see. Of course, the enemy wants to deceive us into accepting a counterfeit version of God’s promises.

A New Beginning

I love how the Lord places us back on our feet, fixes our focus, and moves us back on the straight and narrow path He originally set in place for us. I’m thankful for this correction in the form of a dream.

How does He correct you? Are you open to those corrections?

Just Give Me Jesus

Prospering can take on many different forms. However, the root of it is Jesus. We can’t possibly prosper without knowing He is our reward. Aligning ourselves with His purposes is aligning ourselves with His heart-no greater reward exists.

Isaiah 30:21: “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left”. 

It may take more time. It may require more work. It may demand deeper healing. But don’t settle for anything less than what Jesus paid the price for. We serve a big God, and we can expect big things in His name.

Amen.