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4 Positive Affirmations for Hard Times
Are you facing a difficult situation right now? I invite you to join me as we uncover four positive affirmations for hard times and difficult circumstances. Speak these words when life is tough and you feel discouraged. 4 Positive Affirmations for Hard Times This week, the robins returned to our wilted lawn. I envisioned the coming days with emerald grass and sapphire skies overhead. I turned the calendar to March two days early because I just couldn’t wait. Perhaps I was wishing my life away, but I wasn’t overly concerned. I wanted to wish away the long, cold months of winter and welcome sunny afternoons in the backyard with little…
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Trials of Faith: 3 Promises for Tough Times
We all face trials of faith. When these times come, we can respond in a variety of ways. Some people blame God for trials, take offense, and turn away from him. Others try to fix the broken circumstances as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, some of us numb ourselves or escape into work. Today, we’ll talk about how to grow through trials of faith instead of being thrown off course by them. Trials of Faith Last year at this time, the valley behind our house flooded. After three days of rain, the ice encasing the creek finally gave way, and the whole valley was swallowed in the icy torrent. Standing at…
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How to Overcome Storms of Life: 10 Insights
Not long ago, we awakened to a world encased in a silver sheen of ice. Crystal droplets, frozen in time, hung from the railing of the deck like daggers waiting to fall. The wind howled, and frozen shards flew from the jostled branches of the poplar tree. The scene prompted me to think about how to overcome storms of life. How to Overcome Storms of Life The storm raged all day. When I came home from getting groceries in the evening, our daughter, Bekah, was outside attempting to feed our three pet beagles. Our beagles are hunting dogs, and they are happiest living in a well-insulated kennel in the backyard;…
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Rejection Is God’s Protection: 8 Truths to Stand on
Last year, I faced a crushing setback in my writing career. I almost walked away from writing to pursue a different line of work. Yet as I sorted through my emotions, one truth became clear: Often, rejection is God’s protection. Perhaps you’re facing painful rejection today, too. I encourage you to give yourself time to grieve the loss of your hopes and expectations. Be kind to yourself as you process your feelings and give yourself space and grace to lament what was lost. In the meantime, remind yourself of this truth: God closes doors in our lives for our protection. What If This Rejection Is God’s Protection? Often, God’s protection…
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A Prayer for Strength and Healing When Life Hurts
The Queen Anne’s Lace stands in full bloom—sprinkling the fields with flourishes of ivory. Admiring it from the window, I utter a silent prayer for strength and healing. Not long ago, I slipped into the woods on a balmy evening. As I gazed into the murky creek water, I assessed the state of my soul and realized I was wrestling with uncertainty. The creek bottom exhaled the pungent scent of decaying earth, and I immediately sensed an invitation: Anyone can declare trust in God when life’s going well, but it takes faith to declare our trust when life feels uncertain. A Powerful Prayer for Strength and Healing: “Lord, I trust…
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How to Put Your Hope in Jesus When Life Is Hard
The wind that ripped and tore all day finally calms, and I slip into the valley to walk in the silence. I’m here because I need to remind myself to put my hope in Jesus instead of putting my hope in climbing out of the valley of discomfort. Have you ever faced a valley so deep you wondered how you would possibly climb out of the darkness? Maybe the death of a precious loved one left you reeling with pain. Perhaps your marriage fell apart, your dream died, or you faced a devastating diagnosis. If you’re anything like me, you wanted to put your hope in Jesus, but, mostly, you…
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A Powerful Prayer for Healing Your Hardest Memories
Like a quiet sea at dawn, an orchid ocean of clouds hovers above the northern skyline. Even the oaks stand in awe—their lush summer canopies outstretched in reverence. I look to the heavens and utter a powerful prayer for healing as I think of a friend who’s been dealing with the sting of hard memories. Does any part of your past “sting” when it comes to mind? A stinging memory is sharp. It pricks you and deflates you—like a bee sting or a needle to a balloon. A stinging memory just might take the wind out of your sails or lead you into the pit for a few hours, a…
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What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered
Have you recently faced the loss of a dream? Maybe you’re wondering what to do next, and you’ve been wrestling with God about this dream. You are in the right place. Today, we’ll have an honest conversation about what to do when your dreams are shattered. I invite you to join me in the woods with my little boy, and we’ll talk about bringing our broken dreams to the Lord. What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered The earth breathes a new aroma, and we sit by the creek to watch the crocus rise. I could use a dose of hope today, but I don’t mention my heavy heart…
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The Power of Trusting God: 7 Ways to Grow in Trust
Layers of altostratus rest above the western tree line like wet towels hastily folded. Splinters of sapphire peer through their sparse creases and remind me of promises for better days to come. Closing my eyes, I remind myself of the power of trusting God in hard times. The darkness will pass. Light is coming for us all. We all need this reminder from time to time. The Power of Trusting God in Hard Times Not long ago, I sat with a friend whose heart was broken. We talked about how to find healing when we’re hurting, and I shared as much insight as I could offer. Whether you’re sitting beneath…
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8 Comforting Bible Verses for Trials and Tribulations
Are you walking through a difficult time in your life? No matter what you’re facing today, God wants to encourage your heart. He is with you, and he will never abandon you. Let’s take a look at eight comforting Bible verses for trials and tribulations. 8 Comforting Bible Verses for Trials and Tribulations The spring beauties are pushing white petals through the beige of last autumn’s fallen canopy, and I wonder if they’re some sort of sign. Would God really speak through the petals of a dime-sized white flower? In some quiet way, I wonder if he sent these little miracles to remind me that even amid the trials and…
