Overcoming Trials
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15 Bible Verses for a Struggling Marriage
Even the strongest marriages go through difficult times. When these times come, our marriages need secure anchors to hold us through the storms of life. Today, we’ll explore 15 Bible verses for a struggling marriage. Bible Verses for a Struggling Marriage I invite you to meditate on these words and apply them to your marriage. God is a God of restoration and healing, and nothing is too hard for him. If you are in an abusive marriage, seek help. Do not continue in the pattern of abuse. There is a time to set boundaries and walk away. If your marriage is simply going through a difficult stretch, ask God to…
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8 Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times
Instead of sitting in my usual chair beside the window, I recently went to the porch at daybreak. Something about being immersed in the morning light felt nothing short of redemptive. Opening my journal, I was reminded of a different season. The page offered prayers for hope in difficult times. Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times We’re not in the middle of a crisis right now, but as I read the prayers from years ago, was filled with hope for the long winter months ahead. Perhaps you need hope today as well. If so, here are eight prayers of hope to encourage you. Be sure to read to the end…
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12 Healing Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
We all face heartache in life. When these times come, an invitation always awaits: We can turn to the One who always understands. Today, we’ll explore 12 Bible verses for a broken heart and soak in God’s truth for our painful moments. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free download to help you find healing and hope in God’s presence. Bible Verses for a Broken Heart Let’s take some time to uncover what God’s Word says about healing a broken heart. God’s Definition of “Good” Romans 8:28 is often quoted in difficult times: “God causes all things to work together for good to those…
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God’s Purpose for the Storms of Life
The sky opened wide this afternoon, and raindrops the size of marbles splashed in tiny pools upon our faces. We ran through the forest as thunder growled, surprised that the canopy overhead did so little to protect us from the rain. I had no way of knowing that the afternoon thundershower was about to be a reminder of God’s purpose for the storms of life. God’s Purpose for the Storms of Life As the dusty trail turned slick with mud beneath our feet, my son’s laughter was drowned out by the roar of falling sky meeting leaves and earth. We reached the truck saturated and mud-covered up to our knees,…
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10 Spiritual Warfare Prayers for Such a Time as This
The spiritual climate surrounding us is becoming increasingly evil. As we aim to shine God’s light into this darkness, let’s not forget that spiritual forces move in response to our prayers. Today, we’ll join together in praying 10 spiritual warfare prayers for our personal lives and for the world around us. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free eBook to help you live in victory. 10 Spiritual Warfare Prayers At times, we might feel tempted to assume that our prayers don’t make an impact on the world around us, but this is not true. A friend recently reminded me that some parts of God’s…
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Has God Abandoned Me? 7 Promises for Your Hurting Heart
I awaken to the sound of wind rattling the windowpanes. Rain beats against the house like an intruder attempting to break through the walls, and I pray the old windowpanes can keep it at bay. When the storms of life rage, it’s easy to look to the ominous sky and ask, “Has God abandoned me to weather this storm all alone?” Has God Abandoned Me? Perhaps you know how it feels to cry out to God in your storm and find only silence. Maybe you’ve been looking heavenward and wondering why God seems to have left you to navigate your storm without his help. I’ve faced plenty of battles, but…
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God’s Greatest Gifts in Unexpected Places: Reframing Setbacks
The forest smelled like damp ferns and a hint of smoke from the smoldering campfire. As I sat alone on the porch of the tiny cabin, I embraced the serenity of one of God’s greatest gifts: the treasures found in his created world. The song of a nearby hermit thrush ushered me into an ethereal world, and I watched as droplets of morning rain clung to the railing like teardrops. I was just beginning to quiet my mind when they arrived. Two little boys barreled out the door full of laughter and the unbridled desire for adventure. As they struck the earth with their homemade jackhammers and asked me dozens…
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How to Lament With God: Finding Healing Through Honest Prayer
Years ago, a friend encouraged me to lament with God after a difficult loss in my life. “It’s important to let all these feelings out because they can lead to bitterness toward God if you hold them in. Tell him what you’re feeling. He can take it,” she said. Taking her advice, I went to the woods on a snowy winter evening. I let the tears flow as I sat along a quiet stream. I also let my anger out as I threw rocks into the water and told God that what happened didn’t seem fair. Verbalizing my anger, frustration, and confusion, I didn’t hold anything back from him. After…
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8 Bible Verses About Not Being Afraid: Finding Courage in Christ
We all deal with fear. In these moments, we can defeat fear by standing on God’s Word. Today, we’ll explore eight Bible verses about not being afraid. First, I invite you to join me in the wilderness as fear threatened to paralyze me. We’ll talk about overcoming our fears in practical ways. Then, we’ll dig into God’s Word for eight verses about not being afraid. 8 Bible Verses About Not Being Afraid Sometime after midnight, the coyotes woke me from a deep and dreamless sleep. As they sent their sad serenade into the inky night sky, I arose and went to the window. Our beagles joined in the melody, and…
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Rolling Our Burdens Onto God: Finding Peace in Surrender
Robins chatter on the lawn, delighted after an early morning deluge chased the earthworms from their sleepy hideaways beneath the earth. As I watch them from my chair beside the window, I think of George Müller, who was known for the idea of rolling our burdens onto God.* Perhaps what I need most today is to roll my heaviest burdens onto the Lord. We don’t have to carry our burdens and cares alone. God invites us to cast our burdens onto him and allow him to sustain us (see Psalm 55:22). Rolling Our Burdens Onto God What does this look like? Let’s consider a few insights to help us release…
