Devotionals for the Heart: God is our refuge when life wears us down

Finding Refuge When the Weight Is Too Much to Bear
A devotional by Erica Bryant

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”—Psalm 61:1-3 (NKJV)

Life has a way of shifting on a dime.

One phone call, one doctor's report, one sudden change in circumstances, and the ground beneath us can feel unstable. Recently, I received bad news. It was a crushing weight that seemed only to grow heavier as it consumed my thoughts, leaving me completely overwhelmed in every sense of the word.

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the word “overwhelm” means “to cover over completely” or “to overcome by superior force or numbers”, or “to overpower in thought or feeling.” This was my exact reality. I felt buried beneath the news, defeated before I even had a chance to process it. It was simply too much to carry, too much to bear. Yet, as we so often do, I tried to carry it anyway. Day after day, I dragged that heavy burden around, attempting to just keep “doing life” while carrying a load that was literally crushing me.

Then, I remembered to cry out to God.

Running to the Rock

In Psalm 61:1–3 (NKJV), King David wrote: “Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” David knew troubled seasons well. While scripture doesn't detail the exact crisis behind this psalm, it reveals something far more important: In times of trouble, David knew where to run.

Notice how David opens this psalm: “Hear my cry...attend to my prayer.” He starts by asking God to hear and attend to his prayer. It wasn't that David doubted God’s willingness to listen. Rather, it was the raw cry of desperation; much like asking a loved one, “Do you hear me?” when the pain is so deep you just need to know you aren't alone. David knew God heard him, but he needed the grounding reassurance of God's presence in the midst of his trouble.

When life's circumstances push you to the edge and your heart feels submerged in waters that are too high, you don't need a quick fix; you need a higher foundation. You need to be led to the Rock that is higher than your circumstances. This is more than just a place where God lifts you above the immediate fray and surrounds you. That Rock is Jesus Christ, and that place is His presence.

Where Does Your Heart Lead You?

We all experience hard times, but the real question is: In those moments, where do you run?

When the weight becomes unbearable, it's easy to retreat into temporary numbing mechanisms:

• Escaping into alcohol, drugs, or food
• Retreating into oversleeping or endless doom scrolling
• Burying ourselves in busy work to avoid feeling the pain
• Acting like everything is okay while we're collapsing inside

None of these remedies can ease the load of an overwhelmed heart. They only delay the reality waiting for us when we wake up or put the phone down.

Instead of turning to things that temporarily dull the pain, we are invited to turn to the One who is a genuine shelter and fortress—a safe place for us, even while the storm continues to rage. You were never designed to carry life's heavy burdens in your own strength. When your heart feels overwhelmed, run to the Rock. Run to Jesus. He is strong enough to handle every problem. And He cares enough to carry you!

Running to the Rock

Running to the Rock means shifting your focus from your big problems to an even bigger God. When your emotions are spinning, running to Jesus is a step-by-step choice to trust Him.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, I advise you to take these three steps:

Step #1: Cry Out When You Are Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1-2a (NKJV) says, “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You.” David does not wait until he feels better to pray. He prays from his state of brokenness. Make prayer an immediate response, not a last resort.

Step #2: Ask God to Lift You Up

Psalm 61:2b (NKJV) says, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” David recognized that the Rock is too high for him to climb on his own strength. He needs help to get there. Surrender control. Stop trying to climb out of your problems on your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to pull your mind and heart up to God's perspective.

Step #3: Remember the Goodness of God

Psalm 61:3 (NKJV) says, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” David runs to God because he remembers God's perfect track record of protecting him. Practice holy remembrance. When a new storm hits, remember to intentionally look back over your life and list the times God has already protected, sheltered, and saved you.

The next time life threatens to overwhelm you, remember this Biblical truth: You don't have to carry the weight alone. There is a Rock higher than your circumstances, a shelter stronger than any storm, and a Savior (Jesus Christ) who invites you to come just as you are—broken, weary, and desperate. Run to Him. He is waiting.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When the weight of life feels too heavy to bear, remind me that I was never meant to carry it alone. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I am. Help me run to Jesus, my shelter and strong tower. When I feel overwhelmed, help me to run to You first, not last. Lift my eyes above my circumstances to see Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your perfect love. In my weakness, be my strength. In my fear, be my peace. In my brokenness, be my healer. I surrender this pain to You, trusting that You care for me and that You can carry what I cannot.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Lead Me to the Rock” by Carly Fletcher. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “A Secret Place” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “One Thing I Know” by Selah. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Healer” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica N. Bryant is a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, and author who desires to see believers live in the complete freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

As the founder of Sparrow's Song Ministries, Erica invites a community of believers to get to know God by falling in love with His Word. Through Bible study resources, devotionals, teaching, and mentorship, Sparrow's Song encourages others to grow in intimacy with God and walk daily in the power of His Holy Spirit. She began The Word W.O.R.K.S. campaigns to help believers walk in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success.

Erica is a writer with several published works including devotionals for adults and children, topical and textual Bible studies, and Scripture journals. In her debut book, Dwell: Living Life Fully Knowing that the Holy Spirit Lives in You, Erica draws from her own journey of healing from childhood trauma, rejection, and the struggles of fear and anxiety. With honesty and hope, she invites readers to embrace the life-giving truth that God's Spirit resides within them. Erica believes that when you know the Holy Spirit dwells in you, everything changes.

Erica is a passionate speaker who effectively communicates God’s Word with clarity and conviction. She speaks a relevant word to hearers and ministers to their hearts, inspires practical application, and empowers them to grow in faith and purpose.

Erica is a devoted wife and loving mother who actively serves in various roles at Strait Gate Deliverance Center.

Ultimately, she is just a girl in love with God and she is a soldier for Jesus Christ.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why Jesus Christ wants us to focus on Him

Fixing our eyes on the One who gave His life for us
A devotional by Regina Marcazzo-Skarka

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”—Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

Hebrews 12:2 is one of two verses that I recite to myself most mornings before I get out of bed every day. I chose the verse as one to keep me grounded and focused on the one who saved me instead of the trials and sadness that sometimes drag me into a pity party and make me feel far from God.

Do I think Jesus Christ was happy about the race He willingly marked for himself to suffer and die on a cross? Jesus who lived a perfect, sinless life, was surrounded by two criminals and jeered at by countless people watching His crucifixion. To top it off, He was worn and in pain from being tortured and nailed to the cross.

But He did it because of the joy it would give him knowing that we would spend eternity with Him in glory. How can we live a life worthy of His sacrifice?

It is not easy or possible but praise God that we don’t have to. After all, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As Christians, we take part in the lifelong sanctification process and are called to follow the path Jesus “pioneered” for us by focusing on Jesus and reflecting on what He did for us and how He lived while He was on Earth. Jesus not only died for us to save us from our sins; He gave us an advocate (the Holy Spirit) to live inside us and guide us while we are still living in this fallen world. Jesus gave us everything we need. I am grateful.

If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get sidetracked and let the things of the world become a source of discouragement. We should try not to let our mind stray to negativity or sadness. Instead, we should strive to move forward, trusting God’s perfect will for us with the help of His Word (The Holy Bible), through community with other believers, and by using our experiences to help others. Sometimes we just need to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

But how do we fix our eyes on Jesus when there are so many distractions and so much pain that we hear about every day via the news and other sources?

Feasting on God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and fellowshipping with other believers is important, as is praying without ceasing. Thinking about the lives of Bible heroes and the trials they endured can also lead to gratitude and wonder thanks to the power of God. Reading through the great faith chapter (Hebrews 11) in the Bible and remembering the lives of incredible men and women who obeyed God through trials and tasks that most of us could never imagine, is very inspiring—especially when we read that some of those people we read about in the Bible never saw the promised outcome on this side of Heaven.

I’ve often tried to figure out who amazes me more: Abraham who ventured into unknown territory then brought his son Isaac to be sacrificed, or Noah who appeared as a fool building a gigantic ark because God told him to in preparation of the flood God would send. Noah built the ark despite everyone thinking he was crazy because rain never poured out from the sky. And there are so many more true stories in the Bible about heroes of the faith who obeyed God without question.

Hebrews 12:1 begins with “therefore” which refers to the great faith chapter as a reminder of how well the heroes of Hebrews 11 trusted God even through intense adversity and how we should remember that faith and trust God as we navigate both hardship and good times.

I may not always like the race marked out for me, but I love the idea of running that race with perseverance and with gratefulness always remembering how Jesus, my Savior, died so that I could live.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for your sacrifice on the cross and the pain you bore to save me. I praise You for filling me with the Holy Spirit and ask that I be reminded to seek Him in every decision. I pray that throughout my life I would grow in my faith and that I would live my life sharing You with those who do not know You. Help me to fix my eyes on You every moment of my day. Help me to show love to others like You showed love to me. Teach me how to live a life that shows a reflection of You in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Follow Christ” by Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans & Bob Carlisle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Fix My Eyes” by for King and Country. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Every Moment” by Forever Jones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” by Charity Gayle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Knowing You, Jesus” by Graham Kendrick. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Everything” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “Mercy Tree” by Lacey Sturm. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Marcazzo-Skarka is a writer, a journalist, and a lover of Jesus Christ, her family, church, mission trips, travel and foreign languages. 

Having traveled to over 25 countries, her exploring the world has only just begun. She has also been part of numerous mission trips both domestic and international. She loves getting to know people, their languages and their culture. A life dream of hers is to speak five languages. So far, she speaks English, French, Italian and some Spanish. Her goal is to improve her Spanish speaking skills and to learn a language with a different alphabet, perhaps Arabic.

Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages from City University of New York, Hunter College; a Master’s Degree in Journalism from New York University; and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language from SUNY Stony Brook. Regina has studied in France. Regina has also studied, lived and worked in Italy.

She taught high school French and Italian for 17 years before retiring from teaching. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist, both freelance and as a staff writer for local Long Island, New York weeklies. She also spent two years as a United Nations employee in the Department of Public Information. She currently writes full-time for a weekly newspaper in St. Lucie County, Florida.

Regina is currently working on proposals for two books that she is writing.

She is blessed with an awesome husband of 34 years and two children, their spouses and three treasured grandchildren.

~*~
Connect with Regina:
Website: https://reginamarcazzoskarka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipeoutworry/
Email: ginamarcazzo@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you feel stretched to the limit

Stretched to the Limit
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

—1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Imagine a rubber band being stretched to the limit.

Think of stretching it until it will not stretch any more. When you do this, the band becomes tight and rigid because it has reached its capacity. It will not go any further, and it might possibly break under the strain of being pulled so tightly.

This was the image I had flash in my mind while talking with my daughter the other day. She was tired, discouraged and basically done with waiting. She is in God’s waiting room for many areas of her life and she is quite frankly, over the waiting. She was stretched out to the max and couldn’t hold it any longer.

The reason the rubber band analogy popped into my head was because I began to think how it is always the hardest right before the end, before the answer, before your name is called in the waiting room. It seems that waiting can be easy at the beginning (although it seems tough at the time) but becomes increasingly difficult the longer we wait.

When I was in my season of affliction for five years (suffering because both of my feet were broken), I thought one month of this hardship was unbearable to experience. But then six months of suffering turned into a year which rolled into five years. I waited and waited and waited to have healing. My injury was such that there really was no type of healing. It was that bad. But God. He chose to heal me. It just happened one evening without any fanfare, extra-long prayer time or anything extraordinary. Just a few quiet, gentle words from the Lord. He said, “You are healed. Walk in it.”

Before my healing, I was stretched to my limit. So many times, I told my family that I just couldn’t do it anymore. I did not know there would be an end, even though I believed God could heal me and would one day.

So, what does one do when one is at this place, at the end of the stretched band?

Let’s go to God’s Word (The Holy Bible) for the answers we need. As our anchor verse (above) states: We need to cast our cares on Jesus Christ, because He cares for us. For a visual example of this, let’s look at the process of fishing. Casting is what a fisherman does with his line. He throws it far from him. He aims the line toward a spot in the water where he thinks there are fish, then lets it go in that direction.

Similar to a fisherman casting his line, we are to cast our cares far from us—in the direction of Jesus. We are to aim towards Him and give Him all our anxieties. All. Not some. Not the ones we want to chew and stew on, but all of them. Why? Because He cares for us. Jesus does not care as the world does (changing how they treat us based on their mindset and mood). Jesus genuinely cares for us. His love for us is pure, unconditional and everlasting (Romans 8:31-39).

While in Tanzania, Africa, recently, my husband got very sick with fever, chills, shakes, lightheadedness, the works. He was ghastly pale and miserable. As a wife, it is so hard to see my man like this. We were at the tail end of our two-week ministry time there, with one more big day ahead of us. It was a Friday night. I was away in the kitchen and he was in another room. He texted me saying, “I need you.” When I rushed into the other room, I found him sweating profusely, in a chair, almost slumped over. This happened in a matter of minutes as I had just gone to the kitchen to prepare supper.

I began praying and ministering to John (my husband). I moved him to the bathroom area, got a bucket and began the vigil. I prayed out loud. I sang. I read Scripture. In about an hour, he felt well enough to crawl into bed, but I suggested a shower because he was drenched in sweat. He managed that, then collapsed into bed.

About midnight, this scene was repeated over again. We knew God was with us, as we could feel His loving care and attention. We never felt abandoned. We rested knowing He was giving us what we needed at the time. After the second round, John was able to sleep until morning. He was weak, but much improved.

That Saturday was the last full of ministry and he was to go on a boat to visit Gombe and possibly find outlying villages that can only be reached by boat. They were on Lake Tanganyika, putting in at Kigoma. Yes, there are still villages which have no outside contact—and these are along the coast of this massive, long lake. The missionary we were with had wanted to see if any village could be touched with the gospel and help. They never made it to Gombe, but they made it to three villages which were open to having teams come, having outsiders minister to them and their children. One village had an immediate need for their water supply. One of the Tanzanians on the boat was able to discover all that was needed was a spigot to have the whole village with a clean water source.

We rejoiced when they returned with this good news. John’s miserable night paled in comparison to the opportunity he had to be a part of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to three villages. God heard our prayers and all along had a plan to use this time to prepare John and me, for getting the gospel out, into new territories.

Does God remove our trials? Not always. But He uses them for His glory and our good. He has all our anxieties in His hand and He, in His goodness, works them for His splendor. And we get the privilege of being included in powerful work.

To Him be the glory.

Let’s Pray: Lord, You are Sovereign and You are in charge of my life. And for that to happen, I give You my life anew. Right now. And fully. Completely. I don’t want control because my ways are so limited and without understanding. But Your ways are full: of mercy, goodness, grace, glory for You. I trust Your sovereignty, even without my having to know the end, the middle and the beginning. Because You truly care for me with unending love. I am deeply thankful and in awe of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Keith & Kristyn Getty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For Your Glory” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Live at Passion City Church). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Mission Field” by Blessid Union of Souls. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family. 

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 26 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than 10 years, a Bible study writer for six years, and a devotional writer for more than four years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own journey of more than five years with broken feet. She hopes to to encourage others with her faith walk and real-life stories.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: How I learned to trust God through life trials

Unlocking the Mystery of How to Trust God
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Being a Christian for two decades doesn’t mean I understand and know how things work regarding believing or trusting God.

I’ve been through troubled times that made me wiser, but when I am experiencing a time of comfort and peace, I forget all the lessons learned. We are human and are easily shifted. In times of suffering, we come to God, begging Him to help us. But when we are out of the trials, we quickly forget how God works in our lives.

Ever since I had to be a caretaker for my sick husband, it was an unforgettable lesson. After he passed away, God redeemed me when I was scared for my finances. From time to time, I treated God as a transactional relationship. When another trial in life hit me, I realized I had been wrong in how I treated God. He never was a transactional God. In fact, in any circumstance, He is there to help me. I just didn’t know how to maintain that mindset that I had to trust God.

One day, this thought came to me after I had failed to pay my son’s school tuition. “How could I trust God?” I was worried along the way. I couldn’t even sleep at night. I turned and tossed in my bed, worried about how to find a way to pay for my son’s education. However, I held on to Philippians 4:6 (NIV), which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I didn’t know how to apply that Bible verse. How could I not be anxious when all the financial needs for my family fall on me? And then I read another verse in Matthew 6:25 (NIV), that says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” I still don’t know how to train my mind not to worry. I keep looking for the answers. What does the Bible teach us about how to fully trust God? According to Matthew 6:33 (NIV), we are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The answer is to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. When I fill my mind with God’s words from The Holy Bible as I read it, spend time with people who faithfully follow Jesus Christ, and listen to Bible-based sermons, I feel my spirit is lifted higher and God-given peace floods my soul. I can feel that fears and anxiety melt away and I stop thinking about my worries. I start to think about more significant things in my life and I let God take care of my problems.

As I cast my cares on God (1 Peter 5:7), things began to change, and I can see things clearly. Does it solve my problems completely every time? Not really, but at least it gives me some peace. I have confidence that God will send help in my time of need. He will listen to my requests when I fix my eyes on Him. This is how I finally unlocked the mystery of how to trust God.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father in Heaven, 

Thank You so much for your promise to take good care of me. You will never forsake me. The Bible says You care for the birds in the sky, and you’ll also care for me as I am worth more than birds. I pray that I will never forget how to draw myself closer to You and fix my eyes on you only. Let me trust You every second of my life. Don’t let me doubt. Please meet my every need. I trust You and I love you, Lord. Please continue to work in my life.

In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

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

Song of Reflection #2: "Cast Chorus" by Psalty, Ernie Rettino & Debby Kerner Rettino. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You Are My Hiding Place,” conducted by Selah. 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.

Devotionals for the Heart: How to experience peace during storms

Experiencing Peace Through the Storm
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”—Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

When was the last time you were in a storm or going through something challenging and yet, you felt peace? This question came to my mind while reading the Bible study, “Create in Me a Heart of Peace” by (in)courage ministries.

I’ve written about these studies before, but they are so good that I highly recommend the whole series. Anyway, as I’m reading about peace, week two in this particular study talks about how peace is a posture. This brought the question to my mind: “When was the last time I was in a storm or going through something challenging and felt peace?”

My mind immediately went to the season where I was drowning in grief but felt such peace in my soul. It was August 2020, and my grandfather passed away—not of COVID, gratefully. But I was saddened that it was his time to rest in peace. To this day, I still cannot believe he is gone. As I’m navigating a new life without my grandfather’s presence, God tells me to have another baby. And if you know me, you know this is all God. So, in November of 2020, I got the two lines on a pregnancy test that told me I’m expecting! But this dream was very short-lived as a few days later, I experienced my first miscarriage, and a new level of grief entered my body.

Fast forward to March of 2021. I’m still grieving my grandfather, still grieving my baby who didn’t make it, and then my mother-in-law died. And yet, I felt peace. It wasn’t because I wasn’t missing my loved ones. I was missing them hard. My grandfather passed unexpectedly, and my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Although that doesn’t make her passing any easier, I was missing them while still grieving the loss of my baby. But there was peace.

Let me tell you why. I was deeply rooted in God’s Word at that time. Remember: Peace is a posture. At that time, I was reading Priscilla Shirer’s Elijah: Faith and Fire Bible study. I don’t know if you can tell, but Bible studies are my thing! Although this study wasn’t about peace, being rooted in God’s Word, studying it, praying, and staying focused on God and not the grief and chaos around me led me to peace. A peace that only Jesus brings.

In the current Bible study I’m reading by (in)courage ministries, Becky Keife writes, “Peace always sounds like such a pleasant quality or experience, doesn’t it? The tranquil sound of a babbling book. The gentle spirit of a sweet friend. A quiet afternoon with the company of a good book. On the surface, peace is the absence of anything unpleasant. But a peaceful environment is not the same as a peaceful soul.” Take a breath and let that sink in!

The only way I was able to feel peace in my soul during that heavy season of grief was because of Jesus. There’s no other way! So today, I’m asking you, when was the last time you went through something challenging but felt peace in your heart? And if you haven’t, what can you do today to help you prepare for your next life’s challenge and be at peace?

Remember: Challenges in life do happen, but with Jesus, we can have peace (Philippians 4:7).

Let's Pray: Dear Jesus, I pray for whoever is reading this that they will encounter your peace. The peace that only You provide. The peace that calms our soul and anchors us. Lord, I thank You for the peace You provide because there’s nothing like it. When the world feels like it’s on fire, You are with us and keep us calm. I pray that we can all experience that internal peace no matter our current circumstances. In your name, Lord, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I’ll Give You Peace” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heidy De La Cruz is a published writer/author and podcaster. She writes the weekly newsletter “Into My Thoughts” on Substack where she shares personal development content, life experiences with life lessons, and faith-based encouragement posts. 

Heidy is the host of “The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast” where immigrants share their stories about moving to the United States. She is also a podcast coach and helps those who desire to host their own show launch.

Heidy holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She works as a Medical Coding Analyst.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and their two kids.

~*~
Connect with Heidy:
Website: https://heidydelacruz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why you should hold fast to your faith in God

Hold Fast to Your Faith in God
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis 

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” – Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)

Holding onto ropes while water skiing is crucial. So is it while repelling. Having slipped and slid while repelling, I was very thankful for that rope. Having drunk half a lake while attempting to conquer water skiing to any level of aptitude is another story. I’ve tried and tried, but lake water is not my favorite beverage.

Holding onto the rails of a roller coaster seat is mighty fine. I like speed—but ups and downs are another matter. How about, holding onto a shoulder when stepping down a curb? Since my feet injury so many moons ago, I welcome that assurance of strength and someone to catch me if I were to fall.

Holding onto faith. How does one do this? In this doubting world, I’ll admit it is a challenge of huge proportions. While the rest of the world stumbles, holding onto a firm foundation is out of the ordinary. While others are dropping like flies all around, the one still standing is, well, standing.

What gives? How can one be confident in faith?

According to Hebrews 12:2, Jesus Christ is the Author of our faith. He is the Creator and Writer of faith. He made it and gives it to us as an ongoing act of love. Because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus gives us the tools to please His Father (God) who, thanks to Jesus, is our Father too!

Faith is believing when one cannot see—even when one can see and is scared half to death. Faith is trusting because the situation or circumstance is out of our control. We are powerless. We are limited. We are stuck. Faith is believing God will be by our side. He will lead us when we do not see the road up ahead. Faith is holding on when all else is saying let go.

The world tells us to make our own decisions, be strong, follow your heart and do it your way. It sounds so good on those billboards and in those commercials. And even sung in elevator songs. But, does it pay off in the end? Is there peace now? Do we have the assurance of life with God by just doing it?

Holding onto Jesus is a choice we make. Holding on without letting go is a decision we make daily and it is not an easy one. It is difficult. Challenging. Trying. Tough. And it goes upstream against all the fish swimming the other way.

By holding on to faith, we are showing God we believe in Him. We are proving our faith to Him. We are choosing to believe and not doubt. Doubting is real, and it is tempting—especially when all around us is crumbling. Especially when—in my case—you are suffering from broken feet for almost three years.

How does one conquer doubt? Good question.

Call out to the Author of the faith. Much like addressing the author of a book to correct an error, one goes to the source. Let us call out to God and hold on while expecting Jesus to hold us. He is our Refuge, our Rock, our firm foundation. He is our everything. By holding onto Him, we in turn find we are being held fast by Him. And that, my friends, is a very good place to be!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for faith as it is the assurance of what we believe. And believing in You is what I want most. I believe You are good. I believe You are holy. I believe You are for me. I believe You have me in Your everlasting arms because You are faithful. Thank You for giving me Jesus so I can hold on and be held. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “You Are For Me” (song) by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children and one brand new daughter-in-love, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served in the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 23 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s.

Whether it’s singing in our church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for two years, and a devotional writer for about one year.

Kerry Sue writes about finding God’s Sovereignty in our pain and suffering.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/

Devotionals for the Heart: God is the Ultimate Author of Redemption

Nature Finds a Way, but God is Still in Charge
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

The forgotten house stood there in the field, its clapboard siding missing in some places, and in others barely hanging on. Vines and small trees grew up, over, and within it, to the point that the house looked like it had almost been swallowed by Mother Nature. It was beautiful, and with the right lighting I would’ve taken a picture, maybe tried to paint it. We passed it on our drive back from camping last weekend, and there are many houses just like it. We often see them dotting the countryside, often on rural back roads, someone’s forgotten home overtaken by time.

It’s almost sad even in its beauty. To think—someone once lived there, laughed there, perhaps birthed children or even died there.

Sometimes I imagine walking into a house like this, trimming back the leaves and clearing out the clutter, sweeping the dirt from the floors and patching it up. There I’d live in my tidy little nature-home, secluded in the South Carolina forest. Of course it probably doesn’t have running water or electricity, way too rustic for my modern tastes, but in my fantasy that never matters. I live at one with nature, tending a garden and digging a well as people did for century upon century.

It’s funny how we humans feel like we have so much control over everything. We are intelligent, God-created beings, and when we cooperate, powerful things can happen. We build roads, install water systems, invent medicine, and educate the masses. We spread the gospel from one corner of the earth to another … even as we create complex political systems or go to war with the neighboring countries. We do so much good in the name of the Lord, yet we also do evil that is rooted in our own selfish drives and motivations. We mow our lawns and trim back trees and clear roads and build skyscrapers or condos in marshlands and forests. We live there, among the trees or near the water, an interesting symbiotic relationship.

And yet no matter what we do, if we stop our efforts for just a couple of days, look what happens. Lawns quickly become straggly and unkempt, and eventually overgrown. Trees creep in and block pathways. Erosion and storms dismantle roads and other human-made systems

Nature reclaims itself. It’s silent and patient but so persistent, working always in the background, striving to live and grow once more.

I bought a T-shirt this weekend, mostly for my husband, because he loves the Jurassic Park movie series. It says “Nature always finds a way” and has a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur skeleton on the front. It’s a reference to the movies, which if you have not seen them are basically about how scientists have figured out a way to bring dinosaurs back to life, which (as you can imagine) causes lots of death and destruction.

But the saying doesn’t apply just to dinosaur movies. Nature usually does find a way. Things shift into sudden motion sometimes, much like a marble we’ve dropped at the top of the hill. It’s almost impossible to stop. It will roll and roll, gaining momentum. What happens is beyond our control.

Sometimes we find ourselves in catastrophic life situations. Maybe it’s generational poverty and believing society’s lies about how credit cards will solve all our problems, and we wind up in massive debt. Maybe it is major depressive disorder or some other mental illness that has grown so big you cannot see your way out.

That’s where my daughter is right now. While she’s just trusting God will make a way, she herself cannot see an end to this. It’s hard not to feel hopeless in situations like this, isn’t it?

Sometimes situations do spiral out of control, or at least far beyond our control. And sometimes, left unattended, these problems grow so quickly, like trees and vines and leaves and grass overtaking an abandoned house somewhere in the South Carolina forest.

Yet God is the ultimate author of redemption.

I love the scripture in the Bible where the prophet Ezekiel is talking to God about dry bones coming to life. Can you imagine? Read Ezekiel 37:1-14 for the full power of the verse, as God shows Ezekiel a valley filled with dry bones and urges Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones: “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV).

God does indeed do just this, and the bones come to life before the prophet as God promises He will do the same for His people Israel.

What is hopeless to you is not hopeless to God. Life happens. Nature happens. Sickness happens. Our own actions cause consequences, and others people’s actions do as well.

But our God is the God of Noah and Esther and Ezekiel and Saul-turned-Paul. He is the God of redemption, breathing life where life was once gone. God raised Lazarus from the tomb, and Jesus, raised Adam from the dust, and God can raise us, too. He can make miracles happen at any moment.

So today I invite you to keep your eyes on El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty. Know that you belong to Him and you are safe in Him, for He loves you now and always.

Let’s Pray: Lord, as even dry bones can come to life in You, help me remember You can salvage even a sinner like me. Thank You for Your compassion, mercy, and great love. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “In Your Arms” (song) by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

Jessica has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: Deep Joy

Joy Deep Down
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”– Psalm 8:2 (NIV)

I love the notion that most of us first heard and sang the song, “I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy (Down in My Heart)” by Heritage Kids, at a very early age.

While I don’t personally remember when I first learned it or sang it, I have witnessed it being sung by the youngest and smallest children. Many of them were singing it before they were actually able to talk, speak clearly, or hold conversations that were understood by others. Nonetheless, many of us witness children sing this song with so much enthusiasm and exuberance despite the fact that many of them may not actually know what it is they are singing about.

In their few years of living, they have not actually had a chance to experience a life that has allowed them to understand the depths of what joy is. But it is their innocence coupled with their limited scope and worldview that attributes to their ability to sing with so much passion and reverence.

And then comes life, maturity, and adulthood. This is when we know what we are taught, but ‘joy’ is harder to put into words. There is so much that you face from day-to-day. The interesting thing about life is that these are opportunities to groom the gift of joy that was given to us as small children. When the world around you seems to be crumbling and nothing makes sense, it can seem like the appropriate response in those moments is to feel defeated. Be it work, finances, family, friends, or physical or mental health, at some point these things can become difficult. It can appear as though so many things are stacked against you that it would make sense to feel oppressed or broken.

However, when you find yourself in those challenging moments and what you see and experience in the natural can be daunting, you have an unexplainable feeling to describe how great you feel. Despite how disconnected things appear to be, you still go through every encounter feeling empowered, protected, and thrilled at the thought that is often expressed as “I’ve got this!” That is joy. The wonderful thing about this level of joy is that it is not the encouragement that you say to get yourself through a particularly difficult season. It is a genuine feeling as you are going through that difficult season.

Psalm 8:2 (NIV) tells us, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Because of the joy you sung about as a child, you learn about joy as a Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Life teaches you to praise your way through. The praise is what activates the joy.

Singing the song in our youth plants the seed. Difficult storms of life provide the water. His continuous provisions, protection, and comfort provide rays of sunshine. It’s not until you have endured the storms and the conflicting heat which both test the depths of your roots and the strength of your leaves that you are truly able to see, understand, and experience joy at its full capacity in your life. The harvest that comes from that initial seed is what proves that you truly understand what joy is.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for life and for showing us all that it has to offer: the good, bad, ups and the downs. Thank you for entrusting us to your servants who planted the seeds of joy so we were able to experience the growth that produces this Fruit of the Spirit (joy). Experiencing your joy teaches us how to gravitate to you in everything we do. So, thank you. Our desire is to spread that joy to others and plant the seeds. We can only hope that we are able to see the harvest that started with the seeds you called us to plant. Thank you for giving us joy and helping us understand its value in our lives. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more.’ With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts. 

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry.

When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.

Devotionals for the Heart: Trust God

Why is it so hard to trust God?
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

– Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well. When work projects are up to date, when kids are behaving at school and bringing in good grades, when communication is going well between you and your spouse, but what about when things are going downhill?

Why is hard to trust in God when you get that unwanted diagnosis? Or maybe when you get a phone call from your bank that your account has been wiped out? Why is it so hard to trust God when it seems like life is beating you up endlessly? Because we are human, that’s why.

Our flesh is weak, and we want to know everything. We want to know that right after treatment that diagnosis will be gone, but we don’t. We want to know that the money will be replaced tomorrow, but we don’t. We want to see the light at the end of the tunnel but only God knows all. He is the only one who knows what is going to happen and why things do happen.

The uncertainty of life drives us crazy, but the Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10 (NIV), “Be still, and know that I am God.” He is always working, around the clock, nonstop! God never rests. He will get you through whatever challenge life has placed in front of you. All you have to do is trust Him.

Last year was probably the biggest test of faith we’ve all faced: 2020 was filled with so many uncertainties, but as people of faith we were called to stand apart and not be anxious. Literally, the whole year was not knowing what was going to happen next. Therefore, we had to have complete trust on God. We must lean on God. We have that reminder in Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

There have also been many times when I question what I’m doing, like my career and even with writing. I’ll think to myself, “Will all this writing be worth it? Is it even helping anyone?” But right when I start doubting myself and want to give up, God always reminds me of why I’m doing this—it’s all for Him. Someone will tell me how they related to my blog post or they will tell me how they enjoyed my poems, but the glory will always be for God. I need to trust Him in all aspects of my life.

The Bible never tells us that we won’t face hard times in our lives, but it does tell us that God is with us (Isaiah 41:10). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). So, in the middle of the storm He is right there with us getting drenched, while also guiding us towards the sunlight.

If you are facing a difficult time right now in your life, I pray that you would be able to truly release the situation to God and trust that He will figure it out. Trust that He knows the ins and outs of the situation and has a solution for you. Think back to other challenges you may have faced and how He helped you get through it. He will do it again, and again, and again. Because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

Let’s Pray: Lord, let us always remember your faithfulness, especially in those hard moments that we find ourselves losing trust. Let us remember that you will be there for us always. I pray that our trust grows more each passing day. Thank you, Lord, for everything. Amen.

P.S._ Listen to this song “Do It Again” performed by Elevation Worship for the hope your heart needs and a reminder of God’s power to perform miracles in your life.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hello, my name is Heidy (Reynoso) De La Cruz.

I am Dominican-American and I’m passionate about writing! I write poetry, encouraging blog posts about personal experiences and any message that God has stored in my heart. I am working on publishing my first poetry book.

First and foremost, I am a daughter of Jesus Christ. I am also a wife and a mother. I have my master’s degree in Healthcare Administration through Belhaven University’s online course. I have my bachelor’s degree in Science with the concentration of Psychology and Healthcare Administration.

I currently work in the medical field as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, and I’ve been in the medical field for the last six years. I love my career!

My hobbies include writing, reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with my family.

~*~
Connect with Heidy:
Blog: https://heidyreynoso.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/
Read my poetry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidyspoems/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heidyreynoso13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidyreynoso13

Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting God to be with you in troubled times

End Strong
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:

Romans 1:18-32, John 16:33, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:4-8, 2 Peter 1:2-4, 

Matthew 22:29, 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB)

The passage the Lord laid on my heart for this blog is not an easy one to read. However, it is pertinent for all believers to know as our world devolves before our very eyes. So many are looking for 2020 to be over, and the 2021 year to be less stressful. Will it be, though, according to the Word of God?

We can read Romans 1:18-32 and think it was just for the time the apostle Paul was living in, but we see so many of these same things happening in our own society. God is not honored, relationships are being promoted in ways the Lord never intended, people are filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice, arrogance, and mercilessness. These are not new things just this year. We see more of it now, perhaps due to technology giving us access all the time, however, the root of all of this has not changed. This is the human condition apart from the love and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we need to always be aware this world is not our home. We were made for something much more than this, and when we put our hopes in a better time here on this earth, we are setting ourselves up for needless disappointment. In John 16:33, Jesus says we have tribulation in this world. Not that it will be easy and sunshine all the time. Taking it a step deeper, Jesus tells us that we will have daily trouble (Matthew 6:34). How does that match up with our way of thinking? Do we believe that our Christian life should be trouble free? Many of us live as if the troubles and trials we face are something unexpected. (1 Peter 4:12) From the mouth of the Word of God we are told the opposite, yet so many of us are depressed and anxious when our days do not go smoothly or our plans do not turn out the way we expected.

Jesus was very clear when He gave us the first part of John 16:33, but that’s not the part we remember. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.” Then He tells us we will have tribulation and that HE has overcome it. We have Philippians 4:4-8 which guides us through how to keep our minds and hearts in peace, yet we do not utilize what God has given us. Instead, we drown ourselves in the tribulation, expecting something to miraculously pull us out. Too many believers have ignored the Word of God, which is life to those who read it. We have 2 Peter 2:1-4 to remind us. We are no different, sometimes, than the Pharisees Jesus was talking to in Matthew 22:29 when He said we don’t understand the power of God.

Will 2021 be a better year? If you are looking for the circumstances of this world to be what makes it better, then it won’t be. If you are looking for your relationship with God to grow deeper and richer, then there’s every reason to believe it will be an amazing year filled with trials and tribulations to bring you closer to the One Who has overcome the world.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, we have put our eyes on the things around us so often, thinking they are what makes us happy or hold our peace. You told us that the joy of the LORD is our strength, yet we have forgotten it too many times. Remind us of Your truth. Keep Your Word ever on our hearts and lips that we may live this life in such a way that others will want to know the hope which lies within us. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for when times are tough

Times Can Be Tough
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

All of us will have trials and tribulations in our lives. It's a given. Not every day is a perfect, beautiful day. We were never promised that. At any time, we can be going through a trial, walking beside someone who is struggling or at the very least knows someone who is. Some days are harder than others to cope with what is seemingly thrown at us and we wonder how much more?

Going through years of bullying and depression, often I wondered if anybody heard my cries or even cared. I saw others around me going through tough times as well and eventually kept those feelings inside. It felt hopeless at the time—I was trying to fix it by myself. Can you relate?

Yet, there is hope. No matter what we are going through, there is Someone who cares. Someone who loves us—who already knows what the ending will be. But I had forgotten about Him in my effort to go it alone—have you?

In these times, we must lean even closer to the One who gives hope, comfort and bring us through to the other side. His name is Jesus. With Jesus, the trials don't go away because we are believers. We will still have them. But with Jesus, we can be confident that He is bringing us through a season to mold, shape and grow us to make us better. This is something difficult to grasp on this side of the situation.

The following verse reminds me of what I need to be doing during trials:

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
~Romans 12:12 (ESV)

As we lean into Jesus, our trials and tribulations are not erased immediately, though some can be. But Jesus is the One who will give us the strength to see it to the end, at which time we look back and see where we’ve come from. Sometimes He gives us strength just for that moment we are in. Other times, He gives us more. Through constant prayer and scripture reading, we begin to realize that His plans are better than ours and He has our greater good on His radar. Eventually, our storm has calmed and the blue skies have returned.

In my case, it was not a quick end. My struggle was over a thirty-year period. But as I look back, I now see the hands of God all over my life. He shaped me to be more thoughtful about my words because I’d been hurt by so many, compassionate towards others since I didn’t know what they were going through, and especially to find a reason to laugh every day or at the very least, a giggle.

I pray if you are currently going through a struggle in your life, you will lean into Jesus and pray with the hope that only comes from Him to guide you through this time. Know He is listening to your prayers. He cares and loves you dearly, friend.

"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope."~Romans 15:13 (ESV)

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years. She is a mom to their grown daughter Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW.

She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.

~*~
Connect with Tammy: 
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com