Devotionals for the Heart: When you realize God is faithful through it all

God is Faithful
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

—Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

This year has been one of the hardest for me.

In many areas of life, I feel slammed to the ground. My heart has gone numb, and I feel like I’ve lost myself. Day by day, I just survive—carrying out responsibilities even when it means doing things I despise. The world makes me feel unworthy and unseen, no matter how hard I try. I stumble, lose balance, and question my purpose.

I often ask myself, What am I even fighting for? It feels like I’m wrestling the wind—facing endless, unseen struggles. Each night I come home from the office physically and emotionally drained. For months now I’ve stood alone, holding myself up, with no one truly understanding my pain. I spin inside the storm, not knowing when it will end. In that endless waiting, I lose the energy to survive. At times, all I want is for someone to rescue me.

Recently, I felt urged to go to church even though I hadn’t wanted to for months. The sermon wasn’t a structured teaching but more of a testimony from an elderly pastor. At age 70, he had lived through many ups and downs with God, leaving a legacy by building schools for underprivileged children. His mission is simple—providing hope for those who might never dream of education.

Honestly, I went to church because the topic of the day was about finances. I was desperate for a glimpse of hope, a way to escape my burdens while supporting both my family and my sick mother. At first, I couldn’t follow the speaker’s message. But then he said something that pierced me. He said, “We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but one thing I know: As long as I have the opportunity to serve the Lord, I will do it.”

The pastor reminded us that life’s true purpose is not in what we demand but in what we give. Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) echoed in my heart: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

In that moment, my own vision resurfaced—the vision to help unfortunate teens. I realized how buried I had become in my personal suffering.

The pastor then shared about his seven grandchildren—three of them in top, expensive universities. Yet God provided for all of it. His story reminded me of my own daughter. She was accepted into a prestigious university I could never have afforded on my own. Still, God made a way.

I broke down, overwhelmed with tears. How could I forget His faithfulness? For all the essentials of life, God never failed to provide. Yet I had been demanding, ungrateful, and impatient, trying to force God to remove my pain instead of trusting His plan.

Responding to God’s call is never easy. He doesn’t hand us a full blueprint; He asks for obedience—one faithful step at a time. I had learned this lesson before, but somehow, I forgot. As fragile and forgetful humans, we are quick to doubt. But God, full of grace, never abandons us. His love is not transactional. He loves us simply because we belong to Him.

Philippians 4:7 (NIV) comforts me. It says, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That is the peace I need to refocus.

Now, as I cling once again to His promises, I feel His peace covering me. The storm around me has not vanished, but my heart has shifted. I know my next step: to repent for doubting Him and to walk forward with renewed faith.

Where have you been demanding answers from God instead of trusting His step-by-step leading?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your unconditional love and mercy for me. I often fail to trust You. Even though You pulled me out of the pit many times, I still doubted You. Please forgive my sin and my doubtfulness toward You. When I feel challenged, remind me that You never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for reminding me that I need to surrender to your perfect plan. It is your agenda, not mine. Please Lord, never tired of reminding me. I will be still and know that You are God until I can see your perfect timing. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Deserved” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Carrie Underwood ft. Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Faithful God” by I AM THEY. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Yes And Amen” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Constant” by Maverick City, Jordin Sparks, Anthony Gargiula | Ft. Chandler Moore. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: "He's Been Faithful" featuring TaRanda with The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: "Through It All" by Andrae Crouch. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.