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Scripture About God’s Presence: 7 Verses With Applications
The morning glories are climbing the neighbors’ porch beams when I stop along the road and come to a realization: I have not been attentive to God’s presence lately. I’ve been hustling and striving and failing to stay in step with him. After returning home, I pull out my Bible in search of Scripture about God’s presence. I want to remain attuned to him throughout all my moments. Scripture About God’s Presence: 7 Bible Verses Below are the verses I find, writing them in my journal and soaking in the transformative truth of God’s Word. If you want to become more attuned to God’s presence, I invite you to spend…
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3 Ways to Hold on to God When You’re at the End of Your Rope
Someone tied a ragged rope swing over the creek last summer. I walked by that rope all winter, its frayed edges hanging grey and frozen over icy water. Sometime in the middle of those long winter months, the old rope started to remind me of the truth I needed when the sun hid its face for weeks on end: Sometimes you have to reach the end of your rope and lose your grip before you realize God was holding onto you the whole time. It’s not easy to hold on to God when your life falls apart and your grip loosens. But maybe the best news of all is this:…
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23 Bible Verses for Encouragement in Hard Times
A vase of salmon-colored zinnias rests on the dining room table. I stare at it through tear-filled eyes, feeling discouraged by the grind of life. Pulling out my Bible, I decide to stand on God’s Truth as I work through my emotions. Slowly and deliberately, I copy a list of Bible verses for encouragement into my journal. Perhaps you need encouragement today as well. Let’s spend some time in God’s Word together. Then, we’ll talk about how to apply these Scriptures to our lives. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to encourage you in the Lord. Bible Verses for…
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How to Cling to the Lord When You’d Rather Cling to Control
Recently, I sat with a friend in the sunshine as we caught up on life. We talked about our dreams, our families, and our desires to control our circumstances. We agreed that we want to cling to the Lord instead of clinging to control but walking it out often feels impractical. Most of us want to learn to cling to the Lord and turn to him when life gets tough, but we tend to grasp for a sense of control before we even think about turning to God for help. Learning to Cling to the Lord I want to learn to cling to the Lord, but I often hold onto…
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God, Lead Me in the Right Direction: 9 Prayers for Guidance
I recently drove ten minutes to the North Country Trail for an hour of hiking beneath the naked arms of the hardwoods. As I walked, I considered my life, my daily rhythms, and the state of my soul. “God, lead me in the right direction in my life,” I prayed. Every few months, I slip away to talk to God about the direction of my life. Mostly, I want the assurance that I’m walking according to God’s plans. Perhaps you need this space, too. Today, we’ll talk about how to find God’s direction and the importance of seeking his guidance. God, Lead Me in the Right Direction We all need…
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How to Find Freedom From Your Secret Sins
A hint of frost rests on the once-lavender heads of the Canada thistle today. I sit at the window with intentions to soak in God’s restorative presence, but what settles upon me sends a chill down the nape of my neck, like frost on a clear winter dawn. The chill is my body’s response to the reality that the secret sins of my life are not hidden from the One who paints the dawn with shimmering ice. Most of us have secret sins. We want to find freedom, but we feel stuck, and we’re not sure what to do about it. This post will help you find freedom. I also…
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Why Is Motherhood So Hard? (Encouragement for Weary Moms)
The dim glow of daylight rises over the tree line, and I stare at the light as it ascends mandarin over the shadows. “Why is motherhood so hard?” I whisper. The thousands of quiet struggles of motherhood have worn me thin lately. This morning, I make up my mind not to complain. I will give thanks instead. Nevertheless, I’m still tired. Why Is Motherhood So Hard? There are fleeting moments when I remember life before children: The way my boss affirmed my efforts at work; the way my friends cheered me on for following my dreams; and the public accolades of my teaching career. It seemed people were quick to…
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How to Be a Woman of Gentle Strength
Our little boy turned six last week, and he’s been asking me to spend the first moments of the day lying in his bed as we discuss kindergarten. I’ve been learning to live with a gentle strength that puts his needs above my desires. For this reason, I set aside my coffee every morning and follow him up the stairs. We lie in his bed and talk about raising his hand in class, responsibility, and why he should take his coat off when it’s 80 degrees in his classroom. Important things. I’ve been thinking about living a more grace-filled life lately, and I know pursuing this kind of life means…
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8 Encouraging Bible Verses About Change in Life
I wrote this post about how to embrace change as we adjusted to life with a tiny new member of the family. If you feel like any area of your life has been flipped upside down lately, these words are for you. Be sure to keep reading to the end of the post for eight Bible verses about change in life, followed by a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God amid changing circumstances. Navigating Transitions (With 8 Bible Verses About Change in Life) Our family recently stepped into a transition that startled us all. After nine months of enduring my couch-bound illness, we welcomed our…
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Balanced Spiritually: The Lie You Might Believe About Balance
This morning, snowflakes waltzed on the trodden lawn like tufts of cotton grass bobbing on a summer morning. I’d been thinking about the importance of being balanced spiritually, and that balance felt lacking. Life has felt ridiculously out of balance this winter. A weekly routine once filled with dozens of gratifying and varied tasks has been replaced by what feels like one all-consuming task that drains me of every ounce of energy. It feels as if the twenty equally filled buckets of my life are suddenly empty, and I’m called to pour my life into one prevailing, overflowing bucket that dominates the realm of my daily existence. Today, we’ll have…
