Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30

Sometimes a person's name can attract the wrong kind of attention from people, or cloud the opinion of others towards them. For instance, the name of Mary means "bitter rebellion". We can't be too sure but it may seem likely that Mary had a difficult time growing up, and perhaps her name wasn't much of a help to her. Yet, in spite of her life's circumstances, God chose to favour Mary because He saw beyond where she has been or what has happened to her, but the possibilities of who she can become and who she really is.

Her story perhaps echoes ours.

God's thoughts about us are always opposite to what we usually believe about ourselves. Like Mary, we often feel fearful and incompetent when God can fully trust us to obey and fulfil His purpose for our lives. Unless and until we dare to believe God for what He says in His Word about us, and are willing to act out in faith to possess His promises — we stay paralysed by our doubts and fears.

Again like Mary, we must learn to let go of our personal fears, insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. Just go with God boldly and submit to what He has promised according to His Word.

Where you are right now, you put yourself there.

You didn't arrive suddenly or unexpectedly. Your current state and status of life is the culmination of whether you "responded" or "reacted" to the path God calls you to take. If you think you have missed God somewhere along the way, please don't beat yourself up. Forget the past if it is holding you back from following and trusting God.

Just start again with God and move forward to all things new. That doesn't mean you won't encounter hardship or stressful circumstances. It is the courage to obey and honour God that matters.