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Life-Changing Scripture About Leaning on God in Tough Times
Dawn breaks beneath a bitter chill today. The sparrows don’t seem to mind. They chatter at the feeder while their Maker dabs the world with tufts of white lace. I watch from my spot by the window as I search for Scripture about leaning on God. Winter is beginning to wear on me, and we’ve only just begun. I have a feeling I’m going to need some strong words to carry me through the long months to come—months when leaning on God will be the secret for pressing forward. You might not be worn down today, but a time will come. A time will come when you need an anchor. …
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When Trusting God With Your Future Doesn’t Come Easily
We threw out the old calendar—the one with the tattered edges and scratched-out plans—and we burned it to ash last week. We watched the flames lick it up like they were happy to say goodbye to the year and all it held. As I watched the tangerine flames dance in the wind, I considered the secret for really trusting God with your future—whether you’re coming out of the best season of your life or the worst. As I reflected on our past season, I gained courage. I also thought about the many times in Scripture when God’s people told stories about his past faithfulness. Maybe we should follow their lead.…
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Why Jesus Is My Hope—Even in My Disappointment
As the season changes here, I’ve been intermittently looking back and looking ahead. I’m reminding myself of one truth: Jesus is my hope for the future, and he is my hope in the face of my deepest disappointments. I don’t know what your past season looked like. Maybe you put everything you had into your career, and there’s still no fruit to be seen. Maybe you lost the job you loved. You might have had goals for your finances, your waistline, your marriage, or your ministry. Maybe some of these areas are worse off now than they were when you had all that hope. Even worse, you might have achieved…
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God Is Always Listening and Hears Our Cries
Today’s devotional post is adapted from my new 31-day devotional Mornings With Jesus. If you enjoy this post, find your copy of Mornings With Jesus at the bottom of the page. I pray this new online devotional book blesses you richly! And now, a gentle reminder that God is always listening. God Is Always Listening and Hears Our Cries “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). We’re living in the grey days of winter as I write these words. Already, I find myself craving the light and life of springtime. The winter seasons of waiting can feel never-ending as…
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7 Bible Verses About Feeling Empty Inside
Snow is sparse on the muddied earth, and I’m not so sure I want to get out of bed and face the day. I should probably find my Bible and look up some Bible verses about feeling empty, but I lack the motivation. Instead, five simple words scroll across my mind. They’re the words of Leanna Tankersley: “Each day we begin again.” My soul needs these words today. I need the simple reminder to get out of my bed and begin again. God’s mercies are new every morning. Every time I begin again, I trust in these mercies to fall fresh on me. 7 Bible Verses About Feeling Empty (and How…
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God Gives Good Gifts to His Children
I sit by the window as God infuses the sky with light, and I begin the day in my usual way. I begin naming the gifts. God gives good gifts to his children in plenty; however, I’m often too busy to pause and give thanks. God Gives Good Gifts to His Children This morning, I’m using a prayer guide to keep my wandering mind from straying too far. The author suggests asking ourselves what we are most grateful for and relishing the gift that comes to mind. He writes: “If I am most grateful for my sister, for example, I place her lovely face before my mind’s eye. I see…
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Mama, Let Go of Your Desire to Control
I’m so excited to share a guest post from my friend Tabatha today! Tabatha has been an inspiration and encouragement to me time and time again, and I think her words will resonate with every woman who has a hard time with the desire to control the outcomes in her life! Here are Tabatha’s words: As a lover of the outdoors, kayaking has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. For many years I’ve envisioned gliding on the still waters of a serene lake while greeting the morning sun . . . The glorious autumn leaves surrounding me as I listen to the sweet music of birds…
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“Has God Abandoned Me?” (3 Promises From God)
I sit in the canyon where the granite is ribboned with a thousand shades of earthy beige. I’ve come to this canyon to find answers and seek direction for my life. Feeling alone and uncertain, I whisper painful words to the wild Wyoming sky: “Has God abandoned me?” I’ve endured some rough years, and I can’t help but wonder what God thinks about my life. Is he looking at me with folded arms and a disappointed scowl on his face? Is he rolling his eyes and writing me off? I surely deserve to be written off. I’ve been living for myself and not for him. And here in this valley,…
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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, frayed edges hanging grey and frozen over icy water. Sometime in the thickest part 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: Hold on to God, and when you reach the end of your rope, you’ll find he was the one 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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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 wanted to cling to the Lord instead of clinging to control; however, walking it out is never easy. I wonder if you can relate. Maybe you long for a close and thriving relationship with God, but you tend to get caught up in the troubles and worries in life. Perhaps you start your days with a few quiet moments spent seeking God in prayer; however, by lunchtime, you’ve hardly glanced in his direction for hours. You want…
