Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God tells us to go

When God Asks You to Go Where You Never Wanted to Go
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

Imagine if Ruth said no.

When God whispered to Ruth’s spirit, urging her to leave her homeland to follow Naomi to a foreign land where she may face rejection, I wonder if she trembled in fear. If Ruth had been focused on what she could see, she probably wouldn’t have followed her mother-in-law to a foreign land. As a young woman newly widowed, did she desire to one day remarry?

If so, why did she opt to travel to Israel where prospects would be slim? Oh, I’m sure there would be men of marriageable age, but were Israelite men willing to marry a Moabite woman? Not likely. If her goal was marriage, then it seemed she should’ve stayed in Moab and married one of her own people.

If the thought crossed her mind, she didn’t let it stay there. Instead, Ruth pledged loyalty to Naomi saying, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17 ESV). Had Ruth given into fear and what she could see in the short-term, she would’ve missed out on the immense blessings that came from her obedience, including marriage to Boaz, children, and opportunity to be part of Jesus Christ’s lineage.

Let’s also examine the real-life stories of three more Bible characters: Saul (also known as Paul), Esther and Abraham. What if Saul had refused to listen to Jesus Christ when He confronted him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31)? Saul never would have been changed for the better by God and made a new man to be on mission for Christ. What if Queen Esther who had hidden her Jewish heritage from the king, had allowed the possibility of death to hold her back from approaching the king’s throne, uninvited, to speak to him on behalf of her people (Esther 4 and Esther 5)? Finally, what would’ve happened if Abraham had chosen to stay in a familiar place when God called him to leave his home and everything he knew to go to a foreign land and start over (Genesis 12:1-4)?

God called each of these people to trust Him and to step out into the unknown. Ruth, Esther, Paul, and Abraham each had a choice: They could fix their gaze firmly on what they wanted (a spouse, a life of meaning, life itself, comfortability) and go the way they thought would take them where they wanted to end up or they could go God’s way, even when He asked them to go in what seemed to be the opposite direction.

Saying yes to God’s call meant saying no to what was easy in the interim. But the joy and blessings that follow surrender are worth more than anything any of those people from the Bible era—or any of us in this modern day—must give up.

There have been moments in my own life recently where it seems the Lord is stretching my faith. There are things on my heart, and whether these desires of my heart are from the Lord, I don’t know. But I do know that the Lord is consistently giving me the opportunity to grow and surrender. There are times when I long for something, and I feel in my heart the quiet whisper from the Lord. “Okay, I see what you want. Now trust Me.”

And just like that, He asks me to go what seems to be the opposite direction. Like Ruth. Like Abraham. Like Paul. Like Esther. And like every single one of us.

Now, let me clarify. This is not God telling me, “Oh, you want to be a writer? Don’t write. Go and do something completely different.” But it’s more about things that are beyond my control.

There are times when my heart is filled with faith, and I choose God’s way even though I can’t even fathom how or if the dots will ever be connected. It’s so important for us—albeit difficult, and I often fail miserably—to trust God and surrender to Him even if the answer is no. But the times when He finally connects the dots in a way that only He could’ve done, there’s no way I or anyone else could take credit for such things. It’s in those moments that I can only stand amazed and say, “Jesus got me here.”

But sometimes I choose fear and go my way because it doesn’t seem God will get me where I want to go. Then, when I finally reach my destination, I realize what I wanted is no longer within my reach. Circumstances changed, and had I gone the way God asked me to, I would’ve ended up where I wanted.

Dear friend, surrender is a beautiful thing. I praise God for His mercies and grace that are new every morning even when I fail. I want to encourage you today to follow God no matter what the cost. Even if He says no because He truly does know best.

I advise you to always go with God, even if He challenges your faith and asks you to go in what seems to be the opposite direction from the things you want.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, 

Forgive me for not trusting You with everything. Please help me to lay it all down and to choose Your way even if it doesn’t make sense with what I can see. I know Your ways are higher than my own. I choose to believe Your Word over my fears. Please help me. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I don’t deserve it. 

In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Trust You Again” by RH Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God Speaking” by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Surrender All” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: "I Will Go" by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: God can still make miracles for you today

God Still Works Today
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

—Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

I grew up in a Christian home, attended church regularly, and read Scripture.

I knew the truth, but for some reason it didn’t fully register with me that God never changes, and He still works today. Oh, I knew that. I was taught it by my parents, after all, and I read such truths in Scripture.

The God of the Bible parted the Red Sea, provided manna in the wilderness, raised people from the dead, and enabled a donkey to open its mouth and speak like a human. At the time, I hadn’t seen any miracles compared to that, so I assumed God no longer worked miracles.

For some reason, I guess I just thought that if miracles happened today, they happened to other people. Sometimes I wonder if we don’t see miracles because we don’t need or expect them. Now, don’t get me wrong. God is not a genie who will perform a “miracle” just because we ask Him to. His ways are higher than ours, so a miracle or answer to prayer may not always come in the form we were hoping for.

But how many times do we stress or take matters into our own hands when we’re supposed to be turning to God to supply our every need? As Paul reminds in Philippians 4:19 (ESV), “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Is it possible we don’t see a miracle because we’re not asking for one?

When I was younger, I thought God didn’t make miracles anymore. At least, not like He did back in the days of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I realize now that’s not true. God may not have parted a literal Red Sea in my life, but He made a way when there was no way, opening doors only He could open. He may not have given me manna from heaven, but hasn’t He provided everything I needed?

How is it that those dreams in my heart, those dreams that were next to impossible, are now part of my reality? Only God. The same God Who turned water into wine, raised people from the dead, opened the eyes of the blind, and called the lame to walk still works today. And in case you’re wondering if God still works miracles as radical as opening the eyes of the blind or raising the dead to life, yes, He does.

There was once was a man in our monthly prayer gathering who was dying of cancer. In fact, we didn’t realize it at the time, but doctors had told him he should prepare for his funeral. But God had other plans and completely healed him, and he is now cancer-free. Another time, a friend of mine had an eye problem “unexplainably” healed at a worship gathering. And the list could go on.

Time would fail me to share all the miracles I’ve seen or the ways God has worked in my life. In ways, big or small, the Lord is always moving and working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). I remember last year when I prayed for a specific opportunity, the Lord opened doors and answered prayers in ways I’d never thought possible. Do you believe that God never changes and that He still works today?

I pray you do and that you’ve seen it!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God,

Thank You for the truth that You still work today. Forgive me for not believing this truth earlier. Help me to remember all the miracles and the ways You’ve worked in my life. And keep me encouraged in believing that you still make miracles today!

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Famous For (I Believe)” by Tauren Wells, Jenn Johnson. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: God can give you clear vision and guidance

God Will Make Our Paths Straight
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Trusting God is a constant theme in our lives. We never truly arrive at a perfect level of trust, and we’re constantly growing in our walk with the Lord.

The anchor text above (Proverbs 3:5-6) is one of my favorites for multiple reasons, but recently, I read the last portion of it with fresh eyes. Allow me to explain: We’re commanded to trust in the LORD with all our heart and to refrain from leaning on our own understanding. We’re told in all our ways to acknowledge Him, but do we ever notice the promise at the end? “He will make straight your paths.”

Do you know what this means? We don’t need to fear or try to take control of our “destiny” because if we’re following the Lord, He will make straight our paths. Even now there are times when fear creeps in and I want to take control because, in my sinful nature, I wonder if I can trust the Lord with my future. It sounds so terrible to admit this out loud. I know I can trust Him but sometimes that head knowledge doesn’t reach my heart, and I don’t live it out in my faith walk with Jesus Christ.

Do I truly believe it with all my heart? Do I believe that if I’m following the Lord, I’m not going to miss out on anything I’m supposed to have?

I’ve always been a dreamer with high aspirations. The world would laugh if they knew of the secret desires of my heart, but I know God puts dreams in our hearts for a reason. They might not turn out quite the way we expected, but in His way and in His perfect timing, God will meet the desires of our hearts.

A couple months ago, the Lord challenged me to follow Him wholeheartedly without allowing myself to become distracted by fears or how my circumstances appear. He reminded me I don’t need to try to be someone I’m not or force myself to seize opportunities that clearly aren’t for me because everything I’m supposed to have—from the experiences to the friends who are meant to be in my path—will be there if I’m following the Lord. I don’t need to force anything. If I’m following the Lord, He will make my path straight, and I will end up where I’m supposed to be.

Dear friend, I don’t know the specific desires of your heart. But God does. Trust Him. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, thank You for making my paths straight and for leading me through this life on Earth. Thank You that I can trust You with my life no matter what. Please help me to trust You where You lead. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ calls you to step out on faith

Walk on the Water
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

—2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

Remember Peter in the Bible?

In Matthew 14:29, Jesus Christ calls him to step out of the boat into the great unknown and walk on water. No one in history, save the Lamb of God Himself, had ever walked on water. Jesus could walk on water because He was God. But could Peter, a mere mortal, accomplish such a feat unheard of to humankind?

After Jesus calls him, Peter steps onto the waves. One step led to another. Perhaps excitement thrummed in his chest. Can you imagine? God had called Him to do the impossible, and he was doing it. How must he have felt?

The elation and bravery quickly faded when Peter “saw the wind” (Matthew 14:30 ESV). It was the middle of a storm. I can almost imagine the waves fiercely slapping his ankles. Fear choked him, and his greatest fears at the time were realized as he began to sink into the depths of the waters beneath him.

What ran through his mind then? I don’t know. Perhaps Peter questioned his ability to walk on water. He was, after all, a mere mortal. Or perhaps Peter realized that it wasn’t his ability at all but faith in the One who could do the impossible that had allowed him in turn to do what he’d never imagined possible.

When the apostle started sinking into the ocean, perhaps he thought it would be the end of his life story. Perhaps he thought he might disappear beneath the depths of the waters forever. But Jesus had other ideas and plans for Peter.

Reaching out His hand, Jesus grabbed hold of Peter and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31 ESV). Jesus didn’t leave Peter to die but instead rescued him and challenged his faith.

This made me think: How many times does the Lord call us to “walk on water”? To walk out into the depths of the unknown and to do something that seems impossible? How many times do we hold back in fear, allowing what we can see—or what we can’t—to set the limit when God calls us higher?

Remember what the Bible says in Luke 1:37 (ESV), “For nothing will be impossible with God.” If the Lord calls us to it, He will see us through it.

Even if the path before us is unknown, there is such joy to be found on the other side of obedience when we faithfully walk to where God has called us. Had Peter chosen to fix his eyes on Jesus and to walk on the water, he wouldn’t have sunk. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we acknowledge that it is only by His grace that we’ve made it here thus far and only by His grace we will continue on this journey.

Imagine what awaits us on the other side if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. I know I don’t want to let fear hold me back from what God calls me to do. Do you?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God,

I’m sorry for allowing my fear to hold me back from “walking on water” with You. I know You can do the impossible. If You’ve called me to step out on faith, then please help me to obey You and to follow where You lead. I don’t want to miss out on the amazing things You have planned because I’m afraid. Please increase my faith! In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Walk on the Water” by Britt Nicole. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to set an example for the people in your life

You are Called to Set an Example
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”—1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)

Did you know that you are called to set an example to the people around you?

Regardless of your “qualifications” or what you feel you may lack, God has called you to set an example for those in your life. While Paul is specifically addressing Timothy in this verse, a young pastor friend of his, this admonition applies to anyone in any stage of life.

It doesn’t matter if you feel like you are “too old” or “too young”, “not enough” or “too much”, God has a plan for you. You can make a difference right where you are regardless of whether you feel “capable” or not.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV), “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Doesn’t that spark such hope in your heart? It does in mine. Take Moses, for example. When God called him to go back to Egypt to tell Pharoah to let His people go, Moses protested, saying he was “slow of speech and of tongue” (Exodus 4:10b ESV).

When God said to Jeremiah, “I appointed you a prophet to the nations”, Jeremiah protested, saying he was “only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:5-6). God responded, saying, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 ESV).

Both Moses and Jeremiah had reasons to protest, but as is the case for Paul and all of us, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God has called you, dear friend. You are irreplaceable and have a purpose in this world unique to you, an identity that God has given you unlike anyone else. Don’t believe the lie that you shouldn’t because you “can’t”. That’s where God is glorified, in our weaknesses and when we humbly recognize we can’t do it on our own but need God to do it through us.

God wants us to make a difference where we are right now. If God has called you to something today, don’t wait. Don’t hesitate because you “can’t” because even when you “can’t”, He can.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, thank You for this truth that You have called me! Thank that no matter how I feel about a situation or about my capability, it’s Your truth that stands. I know I can do all things through You who can strengthen me (Philippians 4:13). In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Garden in Manhattan” by Josiah Queen. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to stay humble when God gives us good gifts

Boast in the Lord
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

—2 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV)

It can be so tempting for me, if my circumstances are pleasant and blessed, to boast in my circumstances. Now, boasting in my circumstances doesn’t necessarily mean talking about how great I am or saying the words, “Look at me!”

But it could mean boasting in my mind even if words of pride never leave my lips. It could mean relishing a position I’ve been given so much that I start to look down on others, thinking I’m better than they are.

God loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11), gifts we don’t deserve but that He chooses to give us anyway. Why then should we adopt a mindset of pride and a false belief that we deserve these gifts?

Instead of boasting in the gifts the Lord has given us, we are admonished by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians to “boast in the Lord.” God doesn’t want us to boast in His gifts, in the created things that He gives us. If our sense of pride is found in what changes, be it our circumstances or things of this world, then we shall be sorely disappointed when our circumstances change or things of this world fail us. If we put our security in anything other than the Lord, then it most certainly will crumble. Instead, our sense of security and identity needs to be found in Jesus Christ.

I love making a difference or doing something important. Since I was very young, I wanted to live a purposeful, meaningful life for Jesus. Whenever God chooses to bless me with an amazing opportunity, I can often be tempted to think better of myself than I ought, falsely believing that I am “better” than someone else or that I deserved such an opportunity. I can also struggle with trying to find my worth in those created things, those opportunities, or gifts from God.

I’ve always loved acting and prayed for an opportunity to use that gift. When I was 14 years old, God provided an opportunity when a Biblical theater group started in my area. Through that group, I’ve grown so much as a person in the last seven years and have had the opportunity to combine acting and sharing the love of Jesus with others through my interactions with fellow cast and crew members and through the story told on the stage.

I don’t deserve God’s good gifts and blessed opportunities, such as my wonderful experiences as an actress. However, because of His grace and mercy, God chooses to bless me as He blesses others in different ways. I’ve come to know that identity is not meant to be found in anything other than the Creator Himself. Please don’t find your identity in the things of this world. Instead, find your security in the Lord. If you find yourself starting to boast in the things of this world, turn it around and start boasting in the Lord, declaring His goodness and faithfulness.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, please forgive me for boasting in the things of this world and for finding my security in created things rather than You, my Creator. Please help me to sing Your praises and bring glory to Your holy name all my days. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “All My Boast is in Jesus” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: God's opinion is the only one that matters

 

Work Unto the Lord
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”—Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

As a writer, I want everyone to love what I write. My hopes are that they will be touched, moved, pointed to Jesus Christ. But the reality is when I’m focused on pleasing people, then I’m focusing on the wrong thing.

As much as I hate to admit it, no matter how hard I try, there is always going to be someone who I can’t please. If my goal is to please mankind, then I’m going to work with a short-sighted mindset. My thoughts may range from “What does [this person] think of this?” to “Did I please [so-and-so]?”

And as a result, by trying to please everyone, I’m going to find myself dissatisfied because not everyone will be pleased. But the Bible says in Colossians 3:23 to “work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.”

We are called by God to fulfill His calling in our life. Sure, our work is meant to build His Kingdom and to encourage other believers, but we are not to focus on finding approval from anyone other than God. When a servant does the bidding of his master, he shouldn’t worry about what those around him think. He needs to be focused on obeying his master, regardless of what other people think.

I was reminded a while ago that even though Jesus was perfect, He didn’t please everyone either. In fact, He actually had people who hated Him and His work.

We can learn from Jesus because He focused on what His Father (God) thought of Him instead of what others thought of Him. If Christ had focused on the disapproval of a few, what might’ve happened to His ministry? Instead of focusing on people-pleasing, Jesus focused on doing the will of His Father, which allowed His ministry to grow into what God had ordained it to be.

I want to encourage you today with these words: Don’t focus on pleasing the crowd but instead, zero in on pleasing Your Creator (God). He alone has called you to good works and retains the right to define you.

It can be so tempting to compare ourselves to someone else, but the truth is, we’re not to compare our best to someone else’s best. God has gifted each of us with individual talents. In the realm of writing, for example, my style of writing may be different than yours, but God can use both of us to minister to people.

When we’re following the call of God and truly giving Him our best, then that’s enough. Even if it looks different from someone else’s best.

Sometimes when I’m sitting down to write, I struggle with wondering if it is “good enough” or if it will impact anyone. I’ve learned though that when I do my best and give the results to God, He’ll do the rest. Most often when my writing feels inadequate to me, God will send someone who shares with me the impact it had on their life. This reminds me that apart from God, my work is inadequate. Only God can give my work meaning and allow it to have an impact on people.

It's hard for me, but I’m slowly learning to trust God with the outcome and to remember to always work to please God, not mankind (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, please forgive me for forgetting that Your opinion is the only One that matters! Forgive me for living a life to please others when I should be living to please You. Thank You that Your opinion is the only One that matters. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Proud” by Influence Music and Melody Noel. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ fed thousands with one meal

When Jesus Did a Miracle with Fishes and Loaves
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”—John 6:9 (ESV)

Sometimes, like this little boy mentioned in the Bible verse above, we might feel like we don’t have much to offer Jesus Christ.

We may look at our life, what we have in our hands, and think that it doesn’t look like enough for God’s purposes. Maybe, as we look around and compare ourselves to other people, we think that we need more. More knowledge, more experience, more of anything to be used by God or to make a difference in His Kingdom.

I struggle with this frequently. I think: “Is my calling worthy enough?” and “Will it please God?”

Dear friend, we are worthy because God is worthy. We are not saved because of anything we could ever do but because of Who He is. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

God has callings for each of us. He has placed us in our specific families, neighborhoods, and countries on purpose. Indeed, He has also placed specific people in our life for a reason.

But more than anything we could do for God, He wants us to cultivate a relationship with Him first and foremost, and second, cultivate a relationship with the people He’s placed around us. In Him, we are enough because He is enough. Remember this verse: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 ESV).

Remember the little boy I mentioned in the beginning of this devotional?

I wish I could’ve been there to watch this scene unfold. What might he have been thinking when he offered his measly meal of five loaves and two fish to the Son of God? Perhaps he stepped forward with a humble heart, fully trusting Jesus could work a miracle with his little offering. Or maybe his heart stuttered and sank when he saw the thousands of hungry faces around him. After all, it seemed it wouldn’t be enough for even a portion of the large and hungry crowd to leave satisfied. But regardless of what he felt, filled with faith or fear, the little boy chose to give Jesus the food he had. It wasn’t much, but it was more than enough for Jesus to multiply.

How many times do we refrain from offering God what we have because it doesn’t seem like enough? Or how many times do we look at our circumstances and think that God can’t multiply our minimal? Now, this is not an excuse to give God less than our best. But what about when our best doesn’t feel good enough?

Dear friend, God isn’t waiting for us to have “enough” before we offer Him what we have. Instead, He wants us to offer Him what we have and watch Him multiply the fish and loaves.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I often look at what I have to offer You and feel so unworthy. But I know You don’t care about anything I could offer You but my heart. Lord, I give You my heart and trust You to use it for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fishes and Loaves” by Josiah Queen. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: God cares about the desires of your heart

The Desires of our Hearts
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

—Psalm 145:16 (ESV)

What desire do you have on your heart?

As humans, we naturally want so many things: a satisfying or well-paying job, a family of our own one day. Honestly, you could fill-in-the-blank with anything.

We know God loves to give us good things and bless His children, so at first glance, this verse might seem to contradict reality. After all, we don’t always get what we want when we want. Sometimes, we don’t get what we want at all. What gives?

Notice what this verse says: “[God] will satisfy the desire” not “God will give us everything we want.” It’s so hard to want something specific and be told “No” from God. Maybe you’ve been there or are still there. I get it. I’ve also been there. I often wonder why God says “No.” Why can’t I have what I want? And while we’re at it, why can’t I have what I want now?

The truth is, God is sovereign, and there could be a variety of reasons why He says no or makes us wait. If He were to give us everything we wanted when we wanted, then we would be the gods over our own lives, and we’d have no reason to trust Him. In other words, God would be a genie to us. Second, He could be protecting us from unseen harm. Other times, God might say “No” because He was better plans in store for us. Or maybe, it’s simply not a “No”, but a “Wait.”

I believe that God will give us the desire of our hearts if they are aligned with His will for us. If our wants are not aligned with His plan for us, then He will change our hearts to want what He wants. Even though it’s so hard to surrender our plans, God truly does know best. After all, His plans are for our good, to give us a future filled with hope, and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11).

As a young child, I had specific desires God laid on my heart, dreams that looked impossible to achieve. I prayed so hard every day, faith filling my heart, yet not seeing any answers to my prayers. Eventually, I gave up those desires to God, fully surrendering them to Him. It wasn’t until years later that God brought those dreams to life again, resurrecting what I’d laid to rest, and showing me that He does fulfill the desires of our hearts. It may not be in our timing (most of the time it probably isn’t), but the desires of our hearts are there for a reason.

And even if I don’t get what I want, I have found that whatever I want pales in comparison to the desire of knowing and loving Jesus. That, more than anything, is the deepest desire of my heart. Often, God will ask me to surrender a desire or a dream. Sometimes, it means truly letting go because it’s not His best for me, but other times, it’s because it’s not time yet. When my heart is “empty” and longs for something else, it’s then that God steps in and fills the void in my heart, reminding me He’s the only One who can truly satisfy me anyway.

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV) says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

The desire of truly knowing and loving Jesus Christ and walking with Him will always be met.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, it’s so hard for me to believe that You will fulfill the desires of my heart when there are so many unanswered prayers and unmet wants in my life. But I know, more than anything, that You are the ultimate desire of my heart. I know that desire will be met even if in life I don’t get what I want. Thank You for the truth of Your love! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Secret Place” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: Consider this while you're waiting on God

In the Waiting
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

—Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)

Are you in a season of waiting?

I can relate.

Right now, I feel like I’m in a season of waiting. I'm waiting on God to show me the next step and to provide the answers I seek. Waiting is hard, and I’ll be honest, I don’t always like it.

Maybe you’re waiting to hear the results of a test. Or maybe you’ve been praying the same prayers and are beginning to wonder if the cry of your heart has even been heard. Dear friend, I don’t know where you are right now, what you are waiting for. But I promise you this: God sees you and hears the cry of your heart.

As painful as it can be sometimes, even waiting serves a purpose. When we wait, we are given opportunities to trust God in ways we might not otherwise. Waiting stretches us. It grows our faith. Certainly, it tests our patience!

Life can be such a mystery. There are hard times but there are also beautiful things to look forward to. It can be so tempting to want to rush through the hard times. But it’s the times of waiting, the hard times, that build character. Waiting is hard, but don’t miss the beauty that can be found there.

When I find myself growing impatient while waiting, I’m challenged to consider if my impatience is a result of a lack of trust in God. Sure, it’s easier to trust God when He gives us the answers we want when we want. But do I trust God if His answer is “No”? Do I trust God if His answer is “Wait”? Do I trust God even if I don’t have all the answers?

Personally, impatience for me usually stems from a fear that I’ll miss out on something, that I need [fill-in-the-blank] to make me happy. However, I’ve learned that only God can truly satisfy me. Don’t let the enemy tell you lies and lead you to believe you’re missing out because you’re not yet where you wish you were. God has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). He will make sure you are where you’re supposed to be at the right time and not a moment before.

Trust Him.

God is working even in the waiting.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I often find myself growing impatient and wanting to rush through the waiting seasons. Please help me to trust You. Nothing is wasted. Please help me believe in my heart that You are working in the waiting, even when I can’t see it. I believe that every season has its purpose. Thank you, Lord, for being patient with me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others.

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: Trust God

Trusting God Even When We Can’t See
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”—Matthew 16:25 (ESV)

Trusting God is hard, especially when I really want something, and God doesn’t seem to be doing anything to give me what I want. Can you relate?

Our circumstances may testify to one thing, but God is not limited by our circumstances. In fact, I think that when our circumstances look the bleakest that this is when God shows us His power. Even as I write this, I hold hopes and dreams in my heart. Dreams not yet fully realized, dreams I don’t know if I will see ever come to fruition. But I am challenged daily to trust God even when I can’t see all the ways He is providing.

Trusting God has been a key theme for me this year. I can’t tell you how many times I struggle to have faith. I’m often tempted to look around at my circumstances and become discouraged, but I fail to remember that present circumstances do not necessarily determine the destination.

In Matthew 16:25, Jesus Christ says that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. Does this mean that we will be a martyr for Christ? Not necessarily. But I do believe, in a practical sense, He is calling every single one of us to lay down our dreams and what we hold dear at His feet.

Are we willing to lay down everything, even if it means losing it, and give it to Jesus?

This is a challenge for me everyday as I find myself struggling to lay down what I want and surrender it to the One Who loves me most. I used to pride myself on having control of my life. I gripped God’s good gifts with an iron fists, terrified of losing anything. I’ve mentioned before that my mom was diagnosed with cancer last year. I love her so much and greatly feared losing her. During that season, for the first time in my life, I felt completely helpless because there was a situation I couldn’t change. I had to learn to surrender to God’s plan.

God calls me to lay everything, even my hopes and dreams, at His feet.

And you know what? When we lay down our hopes and dreams at the feet of Jesus and truly trust Him with everything, then we will find that in Jesus, we have everything we need. Right now, I have so many unanswered questions about the future. There are so many things I can’t change that I wish I could. I wish I could change XYZ about my finances, relationships, and so on. Can you relate? But the fact is, there are some things in our life that no matter how hard we try or wish were different, we simply can’t change and some answers we don’t need to know right now.

Through the uncertainty, God is calling me to trust Him even when I don’t have all the answers. Whenever I begin to fear the future, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and am challenged to trust Him. What unanswered questions do you have today? Do you feel God calling you to trust Him?

Let’s Pray: Dear Father God, please help me to lay down my hopes and dreams and entrust them into Your care. I know You care about me and that my hopes and dreams are better in Your hands than in my own. Help me to trust You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Lay it Down” by Sanctus Real. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others.

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always count our blessings

Counting My Blessings
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”—Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

These words were penned by the Apostle Paul as a letter to the other apostles in Philippi, during his imprisonment for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Physically, Paul was likely very much in need, yet he wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

It might be hard to imagine anyone content in prison. But Paul, by the grace of God, found reason to rejoice! Such as when, during a different imprisonment as chronicled in the book of Acts, Paul and his friend Silas shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the jailer. How many of us would think of singing hymns and sharing the Gospel while in jail like they did during that time?

Maybe you are not in a physical prison, but is there an area of your life where you might find yourself experiencing discontentment. Maybe you compare your financial status to your co-worker or your relationship status to those younger than you.

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found myself wrestling with discontentment. But discontentment only steals my joy. When I’m so focused on what I don’t have rather than what I do, I’m not grateful for the gifts that God has given me.

If you read my devotionals that I wrote last year, you may remember that my Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier in 2023. Even during such a frightening time, we had so much to be grateful for: the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, brothers and sisters in Christ who rallied around us, the right doctors whom God provided to perform various surgeries at the right time. Yes, all of us—including our Mom—were thankful for the painful ovarian cyst even though it had left her immobile for months. Why?

Because it preceded the discovery of cancer. Without the pain it caused, we wouldn’t have known she had cancer until it was too late. After walking through cancer as a family, I truly believe there is there nothing we could go through where we cannot find God (Psalm 139:8). Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That alone is reason enough to rejoice and be grateful!

If Paul could be content within the walls of a prison and have a heart filled with gratitude knowing nothing can separate him from the love of Christ, then perhaps we too can learn to be content no matter what we’re facing.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I know that the boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6). Please help me to be content and trust You. Please help me keep counting my blessings and finding reason to be thankful no matter what circumstances I may find myself in. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schleuter. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God's plans are better than our own

God’s Ways Are Greater Than Mine
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

Trusting that God knows best can be a difficult lesson to learn. If you’re anything like me, then I’m sure you have plans. Perhaps hopes and dreams that eventually become plans. Maybe you’re planning to go to college or pursue a career that you’ve long admired as a child.

As much as we try to, the fact is that we don’t have control over everything in our lives. When God’s plans don’t line up with our own, it’s tempting to become angry.

I’ve been there.

When it comes to long-time choices like careers or even smaller decisions like what groups to join, classes to take, or trips to embark on, we may have our plans. But at some point, if we go ahead without truly seeking God, He will intervene and show us that it was not His plan.

Now, that might sound harsh, and like I said before, it can be a tough pill to swallow.

But God only has our ultimate best interest in mind. When we truly surrender to God and His will for our lives, we will find that His plans are so much better than our own.

I remember when I was a child, I had plans to pursue acting full-time. I thought that perhaps I would get a job in the Christian film industry. I began heading down that path and focused on acting. Looking back, God was trying to get ahold of me and show me that acting wasn’t all He had for me. But in my stubborn deafness, I refused to listen until one day God revealed to me that He had other plans.

At the time, I inwardly rebelled against them. Acting was part of my plan, and I didn’t want to change my plan. When God revealed to me that the plans I had for myself weren’t what He had for me, it was incredibly disappointing at first. No one likes to realize that their entire life plan isn’t the path they should be going down.

Maybe my plan sounds less dramatic than your “entire life plan.” Maybe it’s your goals for this year, this month, or tomorrow. Maybe it’s a job opportunity that logic tells you should take but you know in your heart God wants you to trust Him and choose another, less “obvious” option.

I encourage you if you don’t know what God’s plans are for you, ask Him. He will show you. Maybe we won’t know where we’re supposed to be 10 years from now. That’s okay. But He will guide us through each day. And if our hearts are in tune with His Spirit, then I believe that He will unveil His plan for each of us. Sometimes God’s plans for us unfold slowly and not as quickly as we would like, but we can trust that He will show us His plans for our life in His perfect time.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, please forgive me for following my own plan. Please help me to be in tune with You and to listen when You call. Father, I want to hear from You! Please help me realize that I don’t need to know every single part of Your plan for my life right now. Teach me how to rest in You and trust You to make everything clear to me. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Control” by for KING & COUNTRY. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: A life lesson on pouring out your heart to God

Take it to Jesus
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”—Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

A few years ago, I went through a difficult season.

I struggled with trusting God, not because of anything He had done, but because I had falsely believed something was from Him when it was not.

When God didn’t give me that which I thought should be mine, I wrestled with anger. I tried not to be angry. But I became angry towards God, and without meaning to, pushed Him away.

I couldn’t understand why God blessed someone else. Didn’t I deserve it?

Yes, dear friend. Those were my thoughts. I see now how proud I was. If only I had realized then that my anger did not stem from simply wishing the gift was mine, but it went deeper. I believed I deserved the gift, and when God gave it to someone else who I thought less deserving, I was angry and blamed God.

Now, let me clarify. In my head, I knew God was not to blame. But it was much harder for my heart to grasp that truth. Thus began a long season of wandering in the metaphorical wilderness.

Allow me to explain. I still prayed. I wanted closeness with God. But I didn’t know how to find it anymore. I couldn’t come to Him with all of me—my brokenness, shame, grief, hopes and dreams—because I feared disappointment. Even though I wanted intimacy with Jesus Christ, my own fear of disappointment became a barrier that separated me from Him. I didn’t know how to have a close relationship with Him. This began a spiritually dry season that lasted for three years.

It didn’t end until earlier this year when I broke down in desperation and begged God for His Presence. I begged Him for closeness. When I reached the end of myself and my heart truly starved for God, He began to unravel everything in my life—removing my distractions, fears, and disappointments—until there was nothing left but Himself.

I thank God. God desires closeness with us (even more than we do). Sometimes, it takes suffering to draw us closer to God. Earlier this year, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She matters more to me than anything else in the world. When she h.ad cancer, it was as if God was asking us, “What if I ask you to let go? Will you still believe that I am a good God?”

It was a long journey of truly surrendering the future to God and choosing before we knew the outcome to have joy regardless. I can tell you that God did not see fit to take her. She is alive and cancer-free today! But through such a deep time of suffering, our family was drawn closer to God. Veils were removed and our hearts were exposed before Him. Suffering will do that to a person.

Before Christ’s death on the cross, only the high priests could enter into the Presence of God. But when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51). I believe that God wants all of us, our exposed hearts.When we come before God and hide parts of ourselves from Him—our fears, disappointments, anger, etc.—it as if there is a veil that separates us from God.

Dear friend, the veil was torn when Jesus died on the cross. Why then do we create our own veil and hide from God as Adam and Eve (humankind’s first parents) did after they sinned? Remember: God wants all of us—our messiness, brokenness, shame, guilt, disappointments. It is too burdensome to carry these things on our own. It can wrap around our hearts like chains that will choke the life out of us. Instead, let us take our burdens to Jesus and lay them at His feet then leave them there, trusting Him to carry our burdens for us so we can travel lighter and be closer to Him.

Let’s Pray: Dear Father God, I am chained by all my own emotions so that I can’t feel You. There is a veil over my heart that should not be there. The veil of the temple was torn, so I could come to You and have a relationship with You when Jesus died on the cross. Please forgive me for allowing my distractions and fears to come between us. Help me to lay down my burdens at Your feet. Thank You for bearing my burdens so that I wouldn’t have to. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Take it to Jesus” by Anna Golden. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others.

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Knowing and embracing your true identity

Our Identity is in Jesus Christ
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. –2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Dear friend, your worth is not determined by what you do. Does that come as a surprise to you?

As someone whose personality is rooted in uniqueness and identity, I can tell you that I struggle with this frequently. It can go two ways: I am either proud of “who” I am based on what I do (as an actress, writer, daughter) or sickened by it (I’m a sinner who has made mistakes, which can lead me to believe that I am a mistake).

Do you see the problems with that way of thinking? For example: If my identity is tied to my job, then if someone critiques my performance at work or my choice of a career, then I might begin to think they are critiquing me. I may think if they don’t approve of my career choice then that means they don’t approve of me.

At least for now, I believe that God has put me on an unconventional career path. It doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, and sometimes, I can question it myself. But even when I wonder if this really is God’s will for my life, He provides in the most unexpected ways, reminding me that He cares for me.

The other day, God impressed on my heart this message of our identity being separate from what we do. While I am sharing it with you now, this was a message that I needed to hear first.

I thank God for this message because I often need the reminder that my identity is separate from my career, my ministry, my hobbies or even the wrong things I’ve done.

Dear friend, the same goes for you. What do you take pride in? Awards? Accomplishments? Titles? God has given them to you as a gift! But they don’t define you.

What happens if you lose your job, if the title is given to someone else or when your children have left the nest? Who would you be if all that was stripped away?

If you are a child of God, then that is your identity. Doesn’t that make you feel so much better and lighter knowing you don’t have to carry the burden of “who” you are anymore? Take a moment and let this truth sink in: You aren’t responsible for your true identity and it isn’t tied to your performance or the titles you may or may not have.

Rest in the knowledge that He who made you calls you the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8), His beloved (1 John 3:1), His chosen one (Ephesians 1:4).

No other sense of identity will truly satisfy. One day, titles will be stripped away, awards will tarnish, accolades will fade. But you can rest in knowing that God’s love for you will never be stripped away, it won’t tarnish, and it certainly won’t fade.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, thank You that I don’t have to be enough on my own. Because of You, I am enough. You love me, despite all my failures, and You love me whether or not I have a title. Please help me to rest in that knowledge and to surrender to You my “identity”. Please help me to know in my heart that what I do does not define who I am. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Who I Am” by Ben Fuller. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning how to praise God through it all

Learning How to Praise the Lord
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Paul’s admonition in the verse above is easier said than done. Rejoice always? Pray without ceasing? Give thanks in all circumstances? Ha. Surely not!

The Bible doesn’t say that we should rejoice in only “pleasurable”, “some,” or even “most” circumstances. It says we are to rejoice in “all circumstances.”

That’s a pretty tough pill to swallow. Especially when life is traumatic, amid a cancer diagnosis, or when the future is unclear.

You might be thinking, “Well, that’s easy for you to say because you’re not going through what I’m going through right now.”

Maybe.

Maybe not.

A few months ago, my mom was diagnosed with the very beginning stages of ovarian cancer. It came out of nowhere. What followed was the most frightening time of our lives. We were terrified. Were we going to lose our mom? It was the most uncertain time of our lives, a time where we had to surrender everything to God.

Yet in the midst of it all, God drew us closer to His heart. A few months after the initial diagnosis and her second surgery, my mom was preparing to go hear her results. I remember sitting at the dinner table with my family a few days before her appointment. “We need to thank God in all circumstances,” I said, “and that includes cancer.”

During the most frightening time of our lives, God grew our faith and stretched our trust in Him in ways I’d never seen before. Despite the fear and pain of the last few months, how could we not see God? How could we not see His hand in everything?

Even my little brother grew in his faith walk with God in a way I’d never seen before. With tears in his eyes, I remember him telling Mom, “I believe you’re going to be a walking miracle.”

The day our mom went to the doctor to receive her results, he said that he wanted to make a cake with the name of the hospital on it. Had it ever been done before? He didn’t know, but he wanted to make a cake to celebrate even though, at the time, he had no way of knowing what her results would be. The rest of us agreed, saying, “Yes, let’s make a cake!” We said we would put the words, “Give thanks in all circumstances” on the cake as well, because no matter what Mom’s results were, we wanted to praise the LORD.

We had already made the decision to praise God regardless of the outcome. But when her results came back clear, and we received the joyous news that she was cancer-free, don’t you think praising God is exactly what we did?

Even though our story had a happy ending, I know it’s not the same for everybody. But living through one of the darkest, scariest times of my life, I can tell you that choosing to worship God no matter what, well, it’s worth it.

I believe that it is in the darkest times that hope shines the brightest. In a similar way, we notice a candle gleaming in a dark room, but would we even notice it if it were outside where the sun is shining?

Friend, pain will either draw us closer to God or push us further away. It depends on how we choose to respond. No matter what we’re going through today, let’s choose to praise the LORD!

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, thank you for giving me reason to rejoice even when all is dark! Please help me to praise you no matter what happens. You are good and kind and hold my future in Your hand. Thank you for hope! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Praise the Lord” by Micah Tyler. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlynnauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to forgive everyone who hurt us

Why We Need to Forgive
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”—Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Have you ever been hurt?

If you’ve lived on this Earth for any amount of time, then you’ve probably been wounded in some way. Maybe you’ve been hurt by the words of a friend or their inconsiderate actions. Maybe you were hurt physically. Maybe they meant to hurt you.

Maybe they didn’t.

Either way, you know what I’m talking about. Pain is not fun, especially when it’s caused by another person. Maybe we feel like we were in the right, and they’re the ones who need to apologize. Maybe that’s true. Maybe we did nothing wrong. Maybe, in cases such as abuse, we are the victim. Or maybe we’re seeing the speck in their eye while completely avoiding the log in our own (Matthew 7:3-5). God calls us to forgive one another as Jesus Christ forgave us.

Gulp.

When we really think about it, we have no right to withhold forgiveness from someone. No matter how wronged we’ve been, no one could ever hurt us as deeply as our sins have hurt Jesus. He suffered in every way we do (I would say even more so) and never sinned.

Jesus was unjustly accused. He was beaten. His flesh was torn, and they crucified Him for a crime that He didn’t commit. Even when He was unjustly treated, He did not defend Himself, but He stayed silent. And He forgave them.

Even if we weren’t there physically spitting in Jesus’s face or mocking Him, we have still sinned, and our sins hurt Him. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 (ESV), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

But Jesus still chose to die for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV) says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when we were at our worst, Jesus loved us. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, chose to die for us even though we didn’t deserve it.

Why then would we withhold that same forgiveness from others?

Forgiveness is hard. And what do we do if the other person doesn’t even ask for it? It is a truly humbling experience to forgive when the other person doesn’t ask. Maybe they were right to begin with and we must humbly realize our error. Or maybe they are truly wrong, but they still think they’re right. It’s not about right or wrong anymore, is it?

I heard once that we don’t forgive for their sake. We forgive for our own. It’s true because holding on to bitterness and anger will only serve to make us bitter and angry. We should not want that to happen to us! As difficult as it is to forgive, we must. Not simply for the sake of the other person, but so that we may find freedom. Sometimes, we also must forgive ourselves. Is there something that you are angry at yourself for? Do you blame yourself for something that happened this morning? A long time ago?

Dear friend, choose to forgive yourself. Jesus forgave you. He proved it when He shed His blood for you on the Cross as stated in John 3:16 and Ephesians 1:7. Therefore, you must also choose to forgive yourself. Jesus didn’t die so you would live enslaved by unforgiveness, bitterness and anger. He wants you to live in freedom!

Do you think that choosing to forgive the other person and yourself will bring about the freedom your heart longs for? I believe it will because the Bible says so, and forgivness has set me free too!

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I know that You forgive me for all my sins. You proved it when You sent Your Son to die on that cross for me. Please forgive me for withholding forgiveness from others. They are sinners, as am I. You have died for them, as You have me. You love us all. Please help me to forgive others and even myself as You have forgiven me. Thank You for giving me freedom. Please help me learn to walk in it. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Forgiveness” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlynnauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog