Trusting God While Navigating New Chapters
Our GBFC Youth and Young Adults take over our Devotionals for the month of June and we look forward to the exhortation they will share. Please make sure to leave a word of encouragement in the comment section-it only takes a minute.
SCRIPTURE: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

As I sat down to write this devotional, I wanted to highlight the success of completing my first year(s) of college and reflect on how far I’ve come. When I began my educational journey, I never imagined I’d be finishing my undergraduate degree in just three years. While this is incredibly exciting and something worth celebrating, I often find myself overwhelmed by feelings of impostor syndrome, doubting my abilities and achievements, and worrying about what comes next, despite the progress I’ve made.
Now, as I get closer to earning my bachelor’s degree, preparing for the LSAT, and aiming for a doctoral program, those feelings of anxiety creep in again. It can feel suffocating at times. But when it does, I turn to 2 Timothy 1:7. This verse grounds me. It reminds me that my success is not accidental—it’s aligned with what God has purposed for me. I deserve to be here, not because of my own strength alone, but because God placed me here with intention.
Understanding that this verse emphasizes empowerment and confidence, without fear, and allows you to stay disciplined and rooted. There is purpose in your interests, power in your accomplishments, and pride to be taken in your journey.
Whether or not you’ve experienced these feelings yourself, when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, here’s a prayer you can turn to:
PRAYER: Lord, help me navigate these new chapters. Reshape my understanding and help me believe in the power You’ve placed within me. There is beauty in every challenge, and I know You give Your strongest soldiers what is fitting. Let me fully accept that what You’ve given me is what is meant for me. Instill confidence not just in myself, but in You. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Sis. Shannon Towns
Now, as I get closer to earning my bachelor’s degree, preparing for the LSAT, and aiming for a doctoral program, those feelings of anxiety creep in again. It can feel suffocating at times. But when it does, I turn to 2 Timothy 1:7. This verse grounds me. It reminds me that my success is not accidental—it’s aligned with what God has purposed for me. I deserve to be here, not because of my own strength alone, but because God placed me here with intention.
Understanding that this verse emphasizes empowerment and confidence, without fear, and allows you to stay disciplined and rooted. There is purpose in your interests, power in your accomplishments, and pride to be taken in your journey.
Whether or not you’ve experienced these feelings yourself, when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, here’s a prayer you can turn to:
PRAYER: Lord, help me navigate these new chapters. Reshape my understanding and help me believe in the power You’ve placed within me. There is beauty in every challenge, and I know You give Your strongest soldiers what is fitting. Let me fully accept that what You’ve given me is what is meant for me. Instill confidence not just in myself, but in You. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Sis. Shannon Towns
Archive
2026
January
"BE PREPARED" and "DO A GOOD TURN DAILY"The Devil Subtly Rocks Me to SleepUNBELIEVEABLESUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS WITH Pastor Wayne CockrellAsk for DirectionNew Year, Same GodGiving and ReceivingWhom Might the 'Me' Be?CAUGHT Off GODAre You Sure, Lord, This is For Me?SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellOh, the King IS ReturningOur Joy is God’s GloryCaught Off GOD – Part 2Thinking Like JesusThe Cage MatchWeight Loss Goals for 2026SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellPEACE: A CallingUse Me Lord, Even MeDon’t Miss JesusA Revival for SurvivalA BIRDS-EYE VIEW, AND BEYONDThe Choice Is YoursSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellThe God-Man GlorifiedEvil Is Not InvitedOpen and ReadGOD: 'BIG' ENOUGH FOR ALL, 'SMALL' ENOUGH FOR METhe Ungrateful HeartWe are the Lord’s
February
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellTAKE THIS PERSONALLYSHARPEN THE EDGEExercising My FaithTake Me Back, LordTis So Sweet to Trust in JesusNo One is Greater than JesusSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellACHIEVERS For HIS GloryStewards of Our MarriageSharpen The Edge {Again}Set-Up for a MiracleOur AimA Valentine's Day Card to Our Heavenly GroomSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellSPIRITUAL ERsBehind the Closed DoorSHARPEN THE EDGE pt 3No Room for Discrimination in the BodyA Supernatural LoveBelieve GodSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellSTAY FOCUSED: Run YOUR RaceTake Over for Your Glory"FRUITFULNESS", Never Out Of SeasonLove Has Everything to Do With It STILL PRESSING ONA Bit of Wisdom from ‘Sayings’
March
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellWHO HINDERED YOU?”God’s Awesome Sufficient GraceMary Served Despite the Cost (Blessed Woman #1)Eateth Thou This? Drinketh Thou This?Spiritual Effect of Biblical ProportionsOur ChargeSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellWhatever Happened to CONTENTMENT?God’s Overflow “Through” ObedienceA Samaritan Meets The Messiah (Blessed Woman #2)‘UNTIL’Superstitious or SpiritualTHE GOSPEL OF JOHN: AN ENDEARING LOOKSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellThe Believers’ High-Def LifeBroken for His GlorySarah’s Legacy in Faith (Blessed Woman #3)The CleanseJesus is REALSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellOur Best InterestKeep Standing No Matter WhatSister Cheryl Torain - A Modern-Day Virtuous Woman (Blessed Woman #4)In Praise of MundanenessGet Yourself TogetherOn AssignmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellJesus’ Manner of Deep LoveA Better Covenant, Jesus
April
Recent
Becoming a Visible Image of the Lord
May 6th, 2026
WITHIN the DREAMT
May 5th, 2026
REMEMBER
May 4th, 2026
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
May 3rd, 2026
The Insurmountables
May 2nd, 2026
Relationship Over Routine
May 1st, 2026
Decision Making from a Biblical Perspective
April 30th, 2026
The Christian Blues
April 29th, 2026
Safe
April 28th, 2026
Moving Parts
April 27th, 2026
11 Comments
Amen. Keep trusting God he will direct your path. Prov. 3:5,6.
Amen. Such a good message my sister. Good one!
Amen Sis Shannon. Congrats on your accomplishments. Continue to trust the Lord. He’s doing great things in & thru you!
Amen Shannon! Keep trusting Him and He will continue to guide you!
Amen Sister Shannon! Trust in the Lord alone He never fails! Very Strengthened Devotional!
n
Praise the Lord Shannon for what the Lord is doing in you to do through you for His Glory!!
Amen and amen, breaking through the wall doubt to get a work accomplished yes, Shannon, and amen! Thanks for this Word!
Amen!! God has placed us here with intention!! Before we were conceived in the womb we were set apart! Thank you for this reminder to let my light shine because my success is NOT accidental but orchestrated by God.
To God be the glory, Sis. Shannon, for your present and future accomplishments! Keep your eyes on Christ!
AMEN! THANK YOU!
Amen Sister Shannon, we are here by intention, and the Whom by which we're intended is faithful to see us from 'A' to 'Z', with each chapter in between an adventure discovering the sufficiency of grace, practicing the presence of God. 'Be of good courage and He will strengthen thy heart, all ye who trust in Him.'