What's In a Name?

My name is Lori, which means laurel-crowned or victorious. I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve wondered about that name. Since becoming a Christian, I have learned that God places a great deal of significance to a given name. In the Bible, God gives names and even re-names individuals as part of the fulfillment of His Word. Abram became Abraham; exalted father. God told Hagar to name her son Ishmael which means God hears and told Abraham to name the son he and Sarah would have Isaac; meaning he laughs. Not to mention the name of Jesus meaning the Lord saves. There are many other examples of the significance God places on names in His Word and I believe that the name itself is sometimes a part of the fulfillment of the plans He predestined for each of us. So, if I believe that, I have no choice but to believe that I was always going to come out the other end of each trial victorious. I know that now. I did not always know that.