Devotionals for the Heart: What God wants us to do when we are uncertain

Walking by Faith During Seasons of Uncertainty
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”

—Hebrews 11:8-9 (NIV)

Fall has always been my favorite season.

Colorful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin spice lattes are a welcome change from the heat and humidity. I find nothing more satisfying than the sound of acorns under my feet as I walk through the woods.

Change is inevitable for us spiritually as well. God doesn’t want us to remain stagnant, so He takes us through seasons designed to prune us, promote us, and refine us. Not all seasons feel good, especially when God pulls us away from relationships, habits, and emotional attachments that can't go where He's taking us. When the landscape of your life feels unfamiliar and unsettling, God uses this divine disruption to move you forward.

We’ve all faced seasons of uncertainty when God’s plan seemed hidden. We question why prayers are still unanswered or when things will turn around. But God knows our faith won’t grow if He lays out the entire roadmap.

Imagine how Abraham felt when God called him to leave the comforts of home for a land God promised Abraham would inherit. Without knowing what to expect, let alone the roadmap to get there, Abraham stepped out in faith because he trusted God to keep His promise.

God didn’t expect Abraham to figure out how to reach the Promised Land, but to believe that He already did. Abraham’s faith in the midst of uncertainty reminds us that when everything feels chaotic and uncertain, we aren’t falling apart—we’re falling into place—as God positions us for the promise we’ve been praying for.

True faith isn’t about knowing how our story unfolds but trusting the One (God) who does. Every time we choose to walk by faith and release our grip on the outcome, we’re allowing Him to guide our steps, even when it’s uncomfortable.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark to punish us. He is preparing us for the future that He’s already planned for us. God knows that if He told us too much, we would continue to be burdened with anxiety and addicted to control and clarity.

When my lab tests showed some abnormalities last month, my doctor sent me to a hematologist as a precaution. The moment I realized his office was located at the cancer center, I immediately feared the worst. Later that evening, despite what my mind was telling me, the Lord reassured me I would get a clean bill of health. This experience taught me that instead of trusting my emotions, I must trust God’s voice and the promises He’s spoken over my life.

In the midst of uncertainty, we don’t have to be afraid of the dark, because the same God who led Abraham through the desert to the Promised Land in the Bible story is leading us too in our modern era. When we reach the destination He’s planned for us, we will look back and realize that every step He asked us to take was worth it.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I’m faced with uncertainty and my heart is overwhelmed with fear, help me remember to resist the urge to figure everything out myself. Because You are Sovereign, I don’t have to fear what happens next because You go before me, and Your plans for me are always good. I know You are with me, so I will choose faith over fear and prayer over panic as I trust You to take me safely to my next destination.

In Jesus’s name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Everything Falls” by Fee. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s passion to follow Jesus Christ is woven throughout her writing. She loves using words to encourage women to embrace their identity in Christ so they can experience victory in every area of their life. 

In 2024, Sarah was a featured speaker in the 28-Day Devotional Challenge. She also launched her new Substack newsletter, "A Peaceful Pace", which inspires her readers to let Jesus Christ set their pace in a world that values speed at all costs.

Sarah’s short stories have appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. Her latest short story is featured in a new book published by Guideposts, titled Too Amazing For Coincidence.

Her devotionals have appeared in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts.

Sarah is a dog sitter who lives in Minneapolis with her dachshund Frank. Her hobbies include cooking and vacationing each year on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

~*~
Connect with Sarah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ can calm any storm in your life

When Jesus Is In Your Boat
A devotional by Julia Wilson

“They all got into a boat and began to cross over to the other side of the lake. And Jesus, exhausted, fell asleep” –Matthew 8:23 (TPT)

Since transport in Biblical times was on foot or by boat, I imagine the disciples because they were fishermen, were used to being in a boat. They would also have been used to being in rough seas. So I can only wonder what was different about this storm described in Matthew 8:24 as “a violent storm.”

There are times in life when we drift along being perfectly content. We are used to little blips and then it is calm again. But now COVID-19 has hit the whole world. It is a situation none of us have experienced before and it is frightening. Like the disciples we feel blown off course. Daily lives have changed. We cannot see our friends and family as we are in lockdown. Symptoms range from none to death. It is a scary time, but when Jesus is in your boat, you do not need to fear. In Matthew 8:26, Jesus said, “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?”

Nothing surprises Jesus. Nothing scares Him and that is why He sleeps as the storm rages. COVID-19 does not scare Jesus, and if we know Jesus, it should not scare us. Yes, we must obey the government’s rules to “Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.” But we who believe in God and know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, have unwavering hope. We know that when fear comes knocking, we can run to Jesus because by faith, we know that He will calm us, just as He calmed the storm.

There is an old saying, “Do not tell God how big your fear is. Tell your fear how big God is.” When we have wobbles, and we all do, we must “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). When we look to Jesus, He will calm the storm inside us, whether it is COVID-19 or anything else. We need to activate our faith muscle.

When Jesus is in your boat, you can rest assured He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Whatever you face in life, Jesus will be with you.

What happens when a storm hits and Jesus is not in your boat? Cry out to Him and He will be with you. He never ever left you but sometimes in life, our fear blinds us to His presence. We fail to see, hear or feel Jesus but that does not mean He has left us, it merely means we took our focus off Him.

When I was little, the biggest, boldest, bravest person in my life was my Dad (I realize this may not be the case for everyone). My Dad protected me because he loved me. When I was afraid I could run to him. When I was hurting I could run to him. When I wanted to feel loved I could run to him. My Dad was always in my boat.

Jesus asks us to see Him in the same way. He wants to be in our boat of life. He wants to help us to feel safe, to heal us when we hurt and He wants to love us. 

Jesus is asking you today: Will you let me into your boat? Will you put your faith in Me so I can be with you through all the storms of life? Will you let Me love you?

COVID-19 is unknown and feels very scary. Jesus can help us overcome our fears when we rest in Him. In these uncertain times, why not put your faith in Jesus. If you don’t know Him, then you can, today, right where you are, just reach out to Him.

Let Jesus be in your boat today and let Him calm any storms that rage inside you.

If you have never said yes to Jesus, may I lead you in a prayer today?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and I invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

My name is Julia Wilson but I also go by Christian Bookaholic.

I live with my husband and five cats in a small town in Worcestershire on the banks of the River Severn (England). We have four grown up children and three granddaughters.

I have always loved reading and have always been surrounded by books. I used to work as a teaching assistant for special needs in the local high school. Ill health forced me to stop working in December 2015. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known as M.E.) and fibromyalgia. I now have plenty of time to read and review books!

Our eldest son set up my Christian Bookaholic blog. I review every book I read. I read over 300 books a year. I read Christian and mass market. I prefer stories set from 1850 onwards. My favourite type of books to read is stories set in WWI and WWII, and Russia under Czar Nicholas II.

I am a historian, having a Combined Humanities degree where I majored in History and minored in English. I also love swimming. I only learned how to swim in 2017 and go swimming four mornings a week for 90 minutes before breakfast, it keeps my joints going.

I am also a crazy cat lady. I absolutely love my cats. I have grown up with cats and cannot imagine life without them. My dream is to own an old fashioned seal point Siamese … but not while we have our young rescue cat as she hates other cats!

I love God and love going to a large lively church called Lifecentral. I cannot imagine life without God. He gives a peace even when life does not. He guides my life. He is my Rock.

Devotionals for the Heart: A Prayer from Habakkuk to help you release

Habakkuk Prayer of Release
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” 

–Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)

Many years ago, my spiritual mentor shared these verses with me in an assignment intended for healing.

At the time, I was questioning the goodness of God. Circumstances had occurred that were throwing off plans for my career, my recreational interests and even my family life. I felt rocked to the core and at a loss for what to do. I sat waiting for the resolution of the problems so that I could continue on with my path.

As I was waiting, new opportunities opened up. A new volunteer position was available at a local homeless shelter that fit my specific skill set. I recall thinking that the position would help me get my mind off of the losses I was experiencing. It would be a healthy diversion.

The Habakkuk 3:17 assignment was to rewrite the Scripture to make it specific to the issues and fears in my life. References to the fig tree, fruitfulness, and flocks were replaced with physical disabilities, lack of productivity and broken relationships. I laid out my concerns in worst-case scenarios.

Displaying my greatest fears was an exercise in vulnerability. It felt like I was unzipping myself and revealing a shriveled, scarred heart. That was only half the workload. After uncovering my hurts and highlighting my fear, the rewrite was to include the “yet clause.” A clause that says, “even when and even if these things happen I will remain.” To finish the assignment would require a statement of integrity in faithfulness.

This divine assignment represented God asking me to trust Him in a time when I was questioning Him. Things I thought I had a right to – my body, my time and my relationship – were not at all mine! God was asking, “Will you trust Me, even now?”

That day I wrote the Habakkuk, “Prayer of Release,” I made a vow to the Lord that even if my worst fears come to light, yet I will rejoice and take joy in Him. I let go my will for my life. Given the choice, I decided to exchange grief for joy. It was indeed a healing assignment!

It’s no coincidence that the volunteer opportunity led to a powerful partnership with God in recovery ministry. Holy Spirit-filled work ensued. Miracles occurred. The circumstances of my personal life had not changed, but to call it a healthy diversion was a gross understatement. I experienced God in a whole new way.

This Scripture came to mind as more recent events have me grieving again. Familiar feelings and questions trigger the need renew my vows. Those vows of “I will praise. I will be joyful,” settle the questions of, “What will I do when and if?”

I invite you, my friend, as I was invited, to a healing assignment of making these verses personal. Be vulnerable and illuminate your dark places. Then complete the vow with your “yet clause.”

I’d like to share my example that I wrote for my assignment:

Though my body be permanently broken and painful,

And I am completely incapacitated.

Though I see no light and money is scarce.

Though my closest relationships remain sources of pain

And I am rejected by those I love most,

Yet I will sing praise to my Lord.

Yet I will be joyful in the God who is saving me

He is my strength ... He is the one who makes things happen

He gives me the “feet” I need to walk the path.

Expect your vow to release you into a new area of blessing!

Rather than waiting for situations to change, give God your faith via praise and honor. It will result in a powerful partnership and miracles in your life too!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: "What If?"

Removing the “What If?”
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

By the time this blog is posted, I will have faced a yearly fear and the outcome will be known.

Each year, at the scheduled time for my mammogram, I become nervous. The reason for my nervousness and fear is because 13 years ago, I went to the doctor for a routine mammogram and the diagnosis was not what I expected. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I am very good about getting my regular checkups and mammograms. No changes had been noticed in my body and I was sure the same report would be given that year. All would be fine and an appointment for the next year would be scheduled. No problem.

Yet, that particular visit was followed by a “call back”. The nurse on the phone told me there might be something wrong with the film so I needed to have pictures taken again. No problem.

My husband drove me to the place to have the additional pictures done. We were so confident all was well and he even sat in the car in the parking lot and waited for me.

After the second set of pictures were taken, I was asked to sit in a room and wait for the doctor. Another technician came in the room and told me she would view the results right there while I waited. We chatted and all was well until her voice quieted and she said, “Mrs. Henderson, I will be right back. I need to get the doctor.” No problem, or so I thought.

As the doctor entered the room, the atmosphere changed instantly. Fears of “What if?” ran through my mind. “What if there is a problem? What if I have cancer? What if I need surgery? Should someone go get my husband? My Mother had breast cancer.” These questions and more had my heart racing.

My first instinct was fear when my first action should have been prayer. Yes, prayer came but only after fear appeared first. Why didn’t I remember to pray first? Praying always gives me comfort and peace. Yet, that time, the “What if’s?” got to me first.

The diagnosis of breast cancer, the surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and medications I still have to take provided many lessons over these past 13 years. First, remember to pray. Read God’s Word and soak in His message. Isaiah 41:10 tells us to not fear because He is our God. He will strengthen us and help us.

Yes, God strengthened me and my family. God helped us. God reminded us time and time again that He is always with us. We are blessed by His love.

I am praying this yearly mammogram will have a good report. No matter the outcome, I will lean on Him and know He is with me always.

Blessings,

Melissa Henderson

~*~
Author Bio:

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by precious grandson (Rowan).

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies and reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.

Thankful Thursday: God is With Us

It's Thursday and I'm thankful for the fact that God is with us.

He is with us in the calm.

He is with us in the storm.

He is with us even when we cannot feel His Presence.

Why? Because He created us and He loves us with ALL of His divine heart.

We are living in troubled times with terror and uncertainty in every corner of the world. But I'm here to tell you that the Maker of humankind, the Creator of the entire Universe, is still on His Throne. Nothing goes unnoticed and at the right time, He will intervene. Until the day of His judgment, you can trust Him to be there for you as an inexhaustible resource.

So go to Him. Tell him what you want. Tell Him what you need. Express your deepest desires and most heartfelt emotions to Him and then have the faith to believe that not only did He hear you but He will answer. Read Isaiah 65:24.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

He loves you too much to leave you to figure out life on your own. Ask Him for wisdom. He's always willing to give you a healthy dose of it, freely (James 1:5)!

God is Good even when life isn't and one day, it will all make sense. But until that happens, hang on to His Word (The Holy Bible), read His Letter (The Holy Bible) and keep holding His Hand.

Here's a song for reflection, followed by a Bible passage (Psalm 46) that reminds me of God's unshakable Sovereignty and gives me hope during troubled times.

Psalm 46 ~ King James Version (KJV) ~ Source: BibleGateway.com

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.