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The Pain of Waiting on God: How to Endure It
Five colorful bluegills swim in the shallows of the creek. They seem to be waiting for something. I watch them while the kids splash in the emerald swimming hole, and I get to thinking about the pain of waiting on God. Most of us are waiting on God for something. We’re waiting to pay off our houses, acquire promotions at work, or step into our dreams. We’re waiting for summer vacations and weekends away from work. The Pain of Waiting on God It’s easy to spend our entire lives waiting for what comes next and miss the lessons that can only happen in the waiting room. Most likely, you’re waiting…
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Bible Verses About Closed Doors and Disappointments
A scrim of periwinkle clouds hangs low in the morning blue. I stand at the window and admire the scene with an aching heart. The thrum of disappointment beats in cadence with my pulse, and I think of an often-repeated adage: “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” I’m not sure who said this first, but in my experience, it’s not always how life works out. Today, we’ll start by looking at six Bible verses about closed doors. Then, we’ll explore our reactions to life’s disappointments. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God…
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How to Process Disappointments Biblically
As you know, I love supporting other writers. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of my close writing friends. Despite the fact that we live on different continents, I consider my friend Hadassah a kindred spirit. We regularly check in with each other on a personal level, pray for each other, and share our hearts. I’m honored to share Hadassah’s words with you today as she writes about how to process disappointments biblically. Here’s my dear friend: How to Process Disappointments Biblically Do you want to know how to process disappointments biblically? Perhaps you had certain goals and dreams this year that didn’t come to fulfillment. Life is…
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Angry Cleaning: 3 Ways to Move Toward Peace and Joy
I recently went for a walk with a friend who confessed to Angry Cleaning. I didn’t have to ask her for an explanation because I’ve Angry Cleaned more times than I can count. Unlike “Rage Cleaning,” in which we intentionally pour our frustration into the cleaning process, using our anger for good, Angry Cleaning is act of cleaning angrily, often because others are not helping us. I invite you to join me as I walk through the woods with my friend, and we’ll learn how to move away from Angry Cleaning, Angry Cooking, Angry Working, and Angry Parenting. Angry Cleaning A thread of silver water twists its way through an…
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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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6 Questions to Ask When You’re in a Bad Mood for No Reason
Spring rain falls warm and soft against my skin. After the wind-swept months of winter, this rain feels like grace. I lift my hooded face to the grey sky as it spits the cleansing rain, and I have an honest moment about my life. Lately, I’ve been in a perpetual bad mood for no reason I can identify. In a Bad Mood for No Reason You probably know how it feels to wake up on the wrong side of the bed in a ball of twisted sheets. You might blame your bad mood on your hormones or your fighting kids. In truth, bad moods happen because of what’s inside of…
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4 Insights to Help You Keep Trusting God When It Hurts
A pale, yellow aspen leaf flutters from above. The shape of a teardrop, it swirls on some unseen current and lands at my feet. Picking it up, I’m reminded of the One who counts our teardrops and stores them in a bottle. It’s not easy to keep trusting God when it hurts. Circumstances have been difficult here throughout the past months. Hopes and dreams have crashed and burned, and at times, it felt crushing. Trusting God When It Hurts Most of us have tasted the bitter flavor of broken dreams. Whether you were asking God to lead you into a relationship, give you a child, or bring a long-awaited vision…
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God Will Make a Way: When God’s Ways Don’t Make Sense
A thin band of pale light hovers over the horizon like a breath only partially exhaled. I watch from my window like I’m waiting for the day to exert itself by letting go of the light it holds in restrained lungs. I’ve been wrestling with God lately—the kind of wrestling you do when you begin to doubt the promise that God will make a way. I open the Bible with the turquoise cover, and my eyes fall upon the words: “For the Word of the Lord is right, and all his work is done in faithfulness” (Psalm 33:4). It sure doesn’t feel like God’s faithfulness when the dream you were…
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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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11 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. 11 Bible Verses About Feeling Empty (and How…
