Jennifer Slattery's Blog, page 4

Surprise endings – Guest post by Kelly hall

Surprise Endings by Guest Blogger Kelly Hall

I never could have imagined the surprise that awaited me at the end of the day.

Our son, David and his wife Danielle, were staying in our home for a few months as they transitioned to new jobs and a new home. It was a sweet gift getting to know them as a couple and watching them navigate through life decisions.

They were the ideal house guests: closets were organized, furniture was rearranged, broken things were repaired, our dryer was replaced, and all of our computer/phone issues were resolved. Danielle organized a “paint day” and we chose a blue-grey slate for an accent wall in their bedroom. We painted the entire room, while David repaired holes in the walls, moved furniture, removed blinds and cleaned up when we were done.

I could hardly believe the difference. It was gorgeous!

And I was exhausted!

Later that evening, over snacks of crackers and cheese, Danielle asked me to go downstairs so we could talk about painting my study.

Not at all excited about the prospect of another exhausting day of painting four walls, baseboards, window sills and doors, I followed her as she threw open the door to my study.

I couldn’t believe my eyes!

Danielle had already finished the hardest job of all – the rich blue-grey slate of an accent wall had completely transformed the room! My response reminded me of game show contestants who discover a brand new car awaits them behind door number three. Barely intelligible words and loud gasps were interspersed with wild flailing arms and punctuated with wide-eyed delight.

Best surprise ever!! Over-the-top-extravagance! Beyond anything I had even imagined!

It reminds me of the way God often surprises us with His goodness – throwing open doors suddenly and unexpectedly – revealing lavish gifts of personal love – when we least expect it and often when we need it the most.

In uncertain times, when we can’t see what God’s up to, He gives us a powerful promise to help us remain anchored to His heart of love:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)

If your patience is being tested and your heart laid bare by a season of unanswered prayers, remember that God often does His best work behind closed doors. We can always be confident that God is with us and that He also goes before us, preparing surprise endings for us that will warm our hearts and elicit wide-eyed delight.

Lord, today I choose to throw off my weariness with the breath-taking reminder that You are working behind closed doors, preparing extravagant surprises just for me. Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you for the evidence of your personal love and care that is all around me.

Get to Know Kelly Hall

Kelly Hall is a wife, mom, Bible teacher, speaker, author, occasional blogger, and the host of the Unshakable Hope podcast. She has a unique story enriched by her four children, three of whom have special needs. She and her husband, Lee , raised them in the constantly challenging world of Air Force military life. Their story evolves into an unexpected journey of chronic illnesses, medical treatments and ongoing caregiving.

She is intimately familiar with the ache of unanswered prayers and experienced in the anguish of wrestling with the Lord through the weariness of long waits. Her family’s deepest comfort is the unshakable hope we have through faith in Jesus Christ—through Jesus and Him alone, we have hope that holds us even when life shakes us.

Catch my and my cohost Carol’s conversation with Kelly in the Faith Over Fear podcast episode titled, “How God Frees Us From Imposter Syndrome.”

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Refreshing Our Prayer Life Through Remembering

(This first published on January 30, 2020.)

Have you ever paused to consider where you might be now if not for God’s intervention? I need to do this regularly, otherwise I become complacent, prideful, and entitled. I begin to focus on minor inconveniences—a traffic jam that makes me late for a meeting, or an unexpected bill that eats my coffee fund—rather than Christ and eternity.

Worse, I forget to listen and I resist surrender. I deceive myself into thinking I have all the answers, that I alone hold the outcome of my future. And with every forgetful step, my pride rises up, urging me to follow the god of self.

I know that god well, and I know precisely where she leads. Her progression from selfishness to isolation and broken relationships. Uncontrolled finances. Unresolved hurts and unchecked faulty perceptions. Lord, help me remember those dark, confused places and every battle You won on my behalf.

Perhaps that’s why Scripture often encourages us to remember and warns us not to forget.

In Deuteronomy 6:12 the Israelites were told to “take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” In Psalm 78, we learn the people rebelled because “They forgot what [God] had done, the wonders He had shown them” (NIV). But perhaps most powerfully are Christ’s words, spoken the night before He died, when taking the bread and the wine: “Do this in remembrance of Me” Luke 22:19 (NIV).

Because in the remembering:

I find courage to relinquish my grip, knowing I’ll always land firmly in my Savior’s hands. He’s proven Himself faithful again and again. He’s demonstrated, through my blunders and moments of surrender that His knowledge greatly exceeds mine and His ways truly are best.

I find strength to keep moving, regardless of how steep the climb. Why? Because God’s helped me conquer similar, perhaps even rockier, terrain before, and the strenuous hike always pales compared to the beauty experienced upon the mountain’s peak.

I gain peace as I contemplate God’s steadfast presence and all the years and days and hours that He faithfully walked beside me. I couldn’t always hear Him, and there were times I couldn’t feel Him, and yet, He was there. Always, just as He promised. And also, just as He promised, He will be with me now, today, and tomorrow, and forever more.

Through remembering, praise and strength fill my heart and soul, and the joy of Christ floods my being.

And so I wonder, why don’t I practice this discipline more?

Sometimes my prayers turn perfunctory. I go through my list and often repeat the same requests day after day. While there’s nothing wrong with asking for God’s help—in fact, He bids us to lay all our concerns before Him– I long for more.

Throughout my daughter’s life, she’s asked for many things, and rightly so. We fed her, clothed her, purchased gifts and paid for experiences with us and her friends. When she’s concerned, hurting, or frightened, I hope her father and I are the first people she comes to. I hope she knows we’ll always draw her close and will never turn her away.

But when she simply comes, to connect and spend time with me—those moments are priceless.

Scripture suggests God feels the same way about us. When we pause to reflect, to remember, who He is and what He’s done. When we really take time to sit in those memories, to let them bolster our hearts and our souls.

What are some ways you pause to remember? How do you make those moments times of intimacy between you and your Savior? What are some ways you keep your prayer life fresh and vibrant? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments below. And make sure to connect with Jennifer Slattery on Facebook and Instagram.

Additional resources:

What Does the Bible Say About Remembering on Open Bible

Remembering Then But Now on Bible.org

A Holy Reminder by Jana Kelley

Remembering God’s Blessings by Dr. Charles Stanley

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Releasing a loved one into God’s care-Guest post by Cherrilynn Bisbano

My adult son needed restoration physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I begged God daily to help Michael overcome his challenges. I’d cry myself to sleep worrying about his future. After many phone calls and website searches, we found another place to hopefully help my cherished boy. But could I handle having him so far away—800 miles from home?

I needed to let go and allow God to work in my son through this program, even though he had tried two others. We removed Michael from one and he was asked to leave another due to his lack of impulse control. I had the habit of rescuing my son from difficult places because of his autism and ADHD.

The Holy Spirit encouraged me to study Hannah, whose story is found in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel. Hannah prayed boldly and with all her might. Her prayer moved the heart and hand of God.

Now, with this program as our last hope, I prayed the staff would understand my autistic son and work with him.

Three days after I dropped off Michael, I walked and listened to an audio book on living a life for Christ. The narrator told a story about a young boy who found a caterpillar and brought it home, where his mother placed it in a jar with leaves.

The boy watched the caterpillar weave a chrysalis. He observed it every day for a week, until he saw the cocoon move. Realizing the creature was struggling, he ran to get scissors, which soon revealed a wet butterfly. The boy watched the insect struggle to fly—then die.

The Holy Spirit was loud and clear. If you rescue your son from this program he will be just like the butterfly. He will die.

I shut off the audio book and cried. “Lord, I commit him to your care. You must help me be strong.”

I had studied butterflies in the past. I knew they needed to battle to free themselves from the darkness. The fight strengthens their wings to fly.

The next day I received a call from Michael. He was hysterical, saying, “Mom, you have to come get me. I have bug bites all over me, and I’m allergic. I hate this place. People are mean. I don’t feel safe. I’ll run away if you don’t come for me.”

I’d never heard him so frantic. I cried, yet I remembered what the Holy Spirit had communicated to me the previous day.

“Michael, I love you. I’m sorry you are going through this. Give me until tomorrow to figure this out.”

I sobbed. Lord you need to help them help my son. I want to take him in my arms and make it all better, but I can’t. It will kill him spiritually. Help him Lord!

That afternoon I shared what the Spirit had told me with a leader from the facility, who said, “I’ll speak with Michael and share this with him.”

The leader called an hour later, saying, “Michael is fine now. He had a fit, and now understands this is his home for the next year.”

I praised God and cried happy tears. I realized Michael belongs to God.

I continue to pray boldly for my son and those he journeys with through the program. Michael has been there for three months now, and I see a remarkable change in him already. My mama’s heart misses him, but he’s in the safest place—the will and hand of God!

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer in both fiction and non-fiction. She is a coach, ghostwriter, editor, and speaker. You can find her published in several online magazines and blogs along with books.  

Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released in October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard. She lives with her son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Deeper than blind faith – guest post by Julie Coleman

She was probably thirteen or fourteen, which was the common age at which girls were pledged to marry. Her betrothed was likely much older: a man who had made his way in the world enough to financially support a wife. A while back, he had come to her home to offer for her.

Once he and her father made the legally binding agreement, he returned to his home to make reparations for the day he would bring his new bride home. She, in turn, put her efforts into learning what she needed to know to be a good wife. It was in this waiting and preparation period that an angel suddenly appeared with earth-shaking news.

When he announced her coming pregnancy, it is striking to read of Mary’s simple faith in her response. “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant,” she simply said. “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 NASB*).

Didn’t she have questions? The angel had supplied her with only the briefest of details. A betrothed woman found unfaithful to her vows would be viewed as an adulteress, or worse, a harlot. With the angel’s shocking announcement, Mary’s world had been turned upside down.

Yet her response was to unquestioningly place herself into the strong hands of the God she loved.

How could she do that? I am sure I would have demanded a lot more information before I took that plunge.

You can only trust someone you know. Mary’s intimate relationship with God is obvious in her spontaneous praise that we read in Luke 1:46-55, often referred to as the Magnificat. She speaks of God’s faithfulness, holiness, and mercy. Her words are obvious references to several passages in the Old Testament: from the Psalms, Isaiah, Habakkuk, 1 Samuel, and Malachi. In the days of little to no formal education for girls, Mary had made it her business to find out about the God of her ancestors.

Mary did not have “blind faith.” She trusted a God she already knew intimately. Her faith was based on His character and proven history with His people. And so, when faced with frightening circumstances, Mary was able to completely put her trust in the God she knew. There was nothing “blind” about it.

Seeing Mary’s simple, willing response to the angel’s news inspires me to know God on that kind of level.

We can’t expect to trust a God we barely know. We have what we need to glean an intimate knowledge of Him. He has revealed everything we need to know about Him in black and white. Each story in the Bible shows some facet of His interaction with people, His faithfulness, or His love. His holiness and power are clearly shown. His wisdom is made plain in its pages.

How can we prepare ourselves to trust God? Open our Bibles and dig in regularly. What we will learn about Him will someday enable us, even in overwhelming circumstances, to trust Him.

Just like Mary.

 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.  Psalm 9:10 NASB*

Get to know Julie Coleman:

 Julie Zine Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or crafting. More on Julie can be found at her website JulieZineColeman.com and Facebook.

Check out her latest release, On Purpose: Understanding God’s Freedom for Women Through Scripture

Many Christian women are torn between the church’s traditional teachings on gender roles and the liberty they experience in secular society. But what if the church’s conventional interpretations aren’t really biblical at all? Julie’s new book, On Purpose, is a careful study of the passages in the Bible often interpreted to limit women in the church, at home, or in the workplace. Each chapter reveals timeless biblical principles that actually teach freedom, not limitation. On Purpose was named the Golden Scrolls Book of the Year as well as the Director’s Choice Award at the Selah Awards. 

Buy it HERE.

*New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Eternally impactful prayers

(Note: This first posted on Nov 12, 2020.)

If our prayers reveal our hearts and desires, than mine demonstrate that I’ve become overly entangled in today. Or perhaps more accurately, that I frequently lose sight of eternity. I ask God to alleviate my friends’ and loved ones’ pain, to protect them from harm, and to pour His blessings upon them. And while there’s nothing wrong with those requests––God wants us to bring all our needs before Him––He invites all of us to go deeper.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the prayers of Paul, recorded in his letters to ancient believers. He was perhaps the most effective missionary and church planter in the history of christendom. He was a man of action, but he was also a man of prayer. Of powerful, soul-stirring, life-changing prayer.

Here’s what I find significant. The people Paul prayed for were experiencing intense persecution. Deep pain. Most likely fierce fear. They were losing jobs, their homes, and for some, their lives.

So, how did Paul pray for them? Did he ask God to keep them safe? To alleviate their suffering?

Perhaps, but those aren’t the requests recorded and preserved for all time. Instead, we see a man completely focused on Christ and His mission–His mission for the world, and for every person Paul encountered.

To the Colossians, he wrote, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because … of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people …” (Col. 1:3-6, NIV).

He thanked God for their faith and the fruit it bore.

To the Thessalonians he wrote, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 1:2-3).

Again, he thanked God for their faith and the fruit it bore, and the endurance Christ had given them.

To the Philippians he wrote, “… In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV).

Do you see the pattern?

I’m sure Paul felt the same concern for his brothers and sister in Christ that you and I share for our loved ones. While I imagine he prayed for their welfare and provision, he remained focused on their growth in Christ.

He understood, in a way my heart easily forgets, that God had called each of those ancient believers to something glorious, something eternal. To become like Christ and live for Him.

I want to do the same.

This doesn’t mean I’ll stop asking God to protect, bless, and provide for my friends and family. But it does inspire me to expand my view to see them and their situation through His eyes, through the lens of eternity.

Yes, I want God to care for my loved ones today. But even more, I want Him to grow their faith, change and strengthen their hearts, and empower them to change their world.

Let’s talk about this! How often do you pray for your loved one’s spiritual growth? Who might God be calling you to pray for today?

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Finding God in my pain

Before I share my story, I want to acknowledge God responds to each of us differently, for reasons we may never understand this side of heaven. If God presently seems silent, or you can’t “hear” Him above your pain, I hope this video I shared on social media last week encourages you.

Now to my story.

There I stood, surrounded by a room full of women who were obviously connecting deeply with the Lord, and I felt nothing. I realize we won’t always tangibly sense God’s presence. I also know not to gauge my faith based on emotion and experience, both of which tend to become swayed by my circumstances. But I came to the event, traveling 1,350 miles, for two reasons: to see precious friends I typically only engage with online, and to encounter Christ.

Worse, as I sought Him in prayer, asking Him to search my heart and remove everything that stood between us, I realized it had been a while since I’d felt the fullness of His Spirit. Numerous weeks, in fact.

I don’t talk about this often, but it’s been a challenging season. I’ve battled chronic pain for nearly ten years, but normally keep it well managed. While it has, on occasion, increased to nearly unbearable levels, the intensity has always eventually decreased. Therefore, I’ve consoled myself with the reminder that the severity won’t last indefinitely.

A couple months ago, however, the pain spiked and remained. It was also part of the reason I felt so spiritually empty the opening session of the Communicators Collective, an event designed specifically to refuel and encourage Christian women called to write and speak. The longer I stood, the deeper the ache in my legs and the sharper the stabs of pain shooting up my back and through my arms.

That evening, knowing the physical consequences, should I stay much longer, I left by eight, just as the event leader Angelia Donadio took, the mic to deliver the opening message. This also meant standing and walking out in front of her and a roomful of people who, I feared, found my behavior rude.

That night was one of my worst yet, made all the more painful by the anguish gripping my soul. I was angry at God for allowing my suffering to continue for so long, and frankly, rarely prayed for healing anymore. I’d spent years begging for a miracle that never came. I also began to question my future. What if the severity of my pain lasted indefinitely? Would this be the rest of my life?

Nerve endings on fire, muscles cramping, with gritted teeth, my soul cried out, Lord, where are you?    

The next morning, sleep deprived, still hurting, and more discouraged than I’ve been in some time, I contemplated not attending the rest of the event. I might not have, if my husband hadn’t said, firmly, “You need to go. You need to finish what you started.”

He’s rarely spoken into my life with such authority, and both instances have led to powerful encounters with God. I soon discovered, this time was no different. It just so happened that a recent Faith Over Fear guest, Pam Farrel, spoke on a leadership panel that day. In fact, her episode, recorded with my co-host Carol McCracken, had dropped that very morning. It also “just so happened” that the panel host, Becky Harling, guided the discussion on honoring one’s limits. I leaned in as Pam talked about some of the numerous things her fight against ovarian cancer have cost her. While my journey hasn’t been anywhere near as difficult, it has cost me a lot, including my ability to travel for speaking engagements. The long car rides, hours on my feet, and late nights have simply become too much, and I grieve that.

Then she shared something that filled me with praise but didn’t resonate personally until the next day. She talked about how intense pain brought her to the doctor, where they found a cyst that had become twisted around her ovaries.  They also discovered her disease. “They call ovarian cancer a silent killer,” she said, “because it doesn’t usually produce symptoms.”

In other words, her pain saved her life.  

The following morning, I felt God captivating me with John 8:12, which reads, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” In my Bible’s margin, I wrote, “To follow, one must keep their eyes on their leader, remain close, and trust that He is indeed leading.” I immediately thought of the pillar of fire God used to guide the Israelites through the wilderness toward the Promised land. While I didn’t yet fully understand the robust message God was (and still is) communicating to me through that verse, and the Old Testament connection, I knew I needed to keep my eyes on Him, not my pain.  

That day, I sought Pam out and asked if we could speak. As we did, I shared how much I resonated with her story along with the sorrow I felt for relinquishing something I’ve long enjoyed. I recognized God was using me in other ways, like through podcasting and video devotions. I also realized those mediums allowed me to reach hundreds of thousands more people than I ever had through a speaking engagement.

“I don’t know why this is so hard,” I said. “Except that it feels like I didn’t choose it. Like pain stole this from me.”

“You need to think about it differently,” she said. “Our world is changing, and God is setting you up for what’s ahead.”

I understood what she meant. With a plethora of powerful content easily accessed online, fewer women attend in-person events. While I don’t know how long my season will last, I do know God is increasingly shifting me to new territory. As He was doing with the Israelites who trekked through the wilderness so long ago. They thought Moses was leading them, and whenever they didn’t understand or like the direction they were heading, they wanted to find a new leader. Similarly, I had thought my pain was leading me. But God was, and always is, our ultimate leader. That doesn’t mean He caused my pain. Scripture makes clear, He is not the author of evil. But He did use it to grab my attention.

Circling back to that discouraging evening at the Communicator’s Collective when it felt like my throbbing legs kept me from experiencing God. I thought my pain kept me from hearing Him, and for a time, it did. But in the end, He spoke through it.

I found God not in the absence of pain, or in spite of it, but in it.        

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

When Sorrow and Thanksgiving Meet

My soul aches from wounds left from my bio-mother’s rejection and abandonment and celebrates the love God gives me through my mom-in-law who embraces me with open arms.

I lament the chronic pain that steals my sleep and praise God for the soft pillow upon which I can rest my weary head.

I’m saddened by ways and times my unhealed self hurt family and friends and express deep gratitude for the wholeness to which my Lord draws me.

I grieve the people I won’t see this holiday season and am thankful for the smiling faces I will.

I recoil at the increased evil advancing in our world and shout hallelujah for God’s light that always breaks through the darkness.

And even as I feel the weight of all that’s hard and uncertain this season, I lift my chin, fix my eyes upon my Savior, and realize, I have much cause for thanks.

If you can relate, I wrote this post for you.

* ~ * ~ *

On another note, my latest release, Christmas on the Ranch, has hit the Walmart shelves! Snatch a copy at your local Walmart, Barnes and Noble, or online!

From the back cover:

A Christmas in the Hill Country

Could lead to a new beginning country living is the last thing caregiver Evie Bell wants—but she goes where the work takes her. And this time, that’s a Texas ranch full of terrifying bulls and a handsome cowboy and single dad. Thankfully, the position is temporary. But spending time with Monte Bowman and his twin daughters while caring for his great-aunt will only make it harder to leave. Evie’s here to help this family—not join it. And there’s no place for her at Monte’s side…especially once he learns the secret she’s been hiding.

Buy it HERE.

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

When Our Greatest Need Leads to Our Greatest Blessing

(This first published on October 3, 2019)

What if your greatest need, your greatest challenge, strategically leads to your greatest blessing? What if, in your place of struggle, of uncertainty, God is chiseling away all that is shaky and false to lay beneath you a sure and steady foundation? What if, when it feels as if everything around you is shattering, God is actually using those broken pieces to create something eternally beautiful and precious?

My mind likes to shoot straight to fear. When our car breaks down, or our daughter struggles, or maybe someone I love experiences a health challenge, I’m tempted to forget. To forget that God is with me, with us. To forget He’s ever present, certain and true. That His love is big enough to cover every need and hurt. But most of all, I’m tempted to forget that He is in my difficulty, using the situation to reveal hidden lies lurking in my heart. Shining His light on what is diseased in order to bring life and light to what’s gone dead.

For years, I felt food insecure. Even with a full pantry and well-funded savings account, financially, everything felt uncertain. I remembered my time wandering the street of Tacoma, of eating potatoes, and lets be honest, large quantities of malt liquor.

My vision from that time was selective, distorted. I remembered the hard more than God’s hand. And so, I lived in fear. Fear that, at any moment, the life I’d created—that I thought I’d created—would unravel.

In essence, I made much of myself and little of God. I placed my husband’s paycheck, or working car, or our checking account in place of my faithful Provider. Yet, in the deepest recesses of my fearful heart, I intuitively knew that none of those things had the power to carry me. But in focusing on all those lesser, powerless, ever-shifting provisions, I forgot who was and always has been holding me.

My focus on the “bread” hindered my view of the “Baker” and this kept me from resting firmly in His embrace.

This was precisely what happened some two thousand years ago, when Jesus and His disciples encountered a large crowd of hungry people. We likely miss the magnitude of this situation as most of us have never truly been food insecure. When we want something to eat, we run to the store or hit the nearest restaurant. But for ancient man, hunger was a real and pressing concern.

And so, seeing their hunger, Jesus said to Philip, one of His disciples, “You feed them.”

To which Philip replied, in essence, “Um, what?”

“Philip answered Him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” (John 6:7, NIV). Peter responded much the same, saying “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:8, NIV).

Like I so often do, Philip and Peter allowed their need to blind them from their Provider. In that moment, the need felt huge and their God felt small.

Have you ever been there? I have. And when I land in that place, God doesn’t chastise me or turn away. Instead, He draws me close and says, “What you have is enough, because I, who always am enough, will make it enough.”

That’s precisely how He responded to His disciples. “Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish’” (John 6:10-11, NIV).

Did you catch that? Jesus didn’t just give the people a little. He didn’t feed them enough to hold them over until they could find another meal. He gave them each as much as they wanted. He gave them an abundance, because He is the God of abundance, and He wants us to know that He alone, not our jobs or our paychecks, will meet our needs.

God calls us to utilize what we have, not obsess over what we lack. When needs arise, it’s easy to become paralyzed by our lack. But even in our lack, we have hope, because we have Christ. And the same God who used a simple lunch of five loaves and two fish can use our meager resources and feeble strength to perfect all that concerns us.

In fact, sometimes, oftentimes, He will allow us to land in situations that feel hopeless so that we can truly and securely grab hold of the only One who is hope. That is a precious blessing that will never fade or disappoint.

What are you facing today? What might God be showing you through it? In the middle of your struggle, what lies are rising to the surface? That God doesn’t care? That He won’t provide for or protect you? That He’s distant or not listening?

What does truth say?

Share your thoughts, stories, and encouragement with us in the comments below, because we can all learn from and encourage one another!

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

 

Remaining fully present in life’s figurative or literal storms – guest post by Jessica Brodie

(Please note, the below post is not intended to minimize anyone’s pain or hardship. I share it because I found the reminder to see good, even if but a single ray of light piercing through an otherwise cloudy sky, in the present encouraging and a practice to which I aspire. I know there is good in each moment because God is with me in each moment)

I woke up one Friday to no electricity, no cell phone signal, and a neighborhood that looked like it had been through a war. Strong winds and tornadoes from the hurricane left behind a nightmare of destruction. Signs of disaster surrounded me—neighbors with downed trees, some on their homes. Roads blocked.

And the rain was still coming down.

Two days prior, I’d been weeping over feelings of stress and overwhelm, trappings of my busy everyday “normal” life. Now, those feelings seemed so petty in comparison to what we faced today. Perspective slid into alignment with the perfect click of hindsight, replaced with understanding about what really matters.

God, life, family, food and shelter, basic human kindness … that’s what really matters—not work deadlines or to-do lists. Not all those silly surface worries that had consumed me days prior.

After the wind and the rain had subsided, my husband and I walked our acre of land and surveyed the house. Gratitude welled up in my heart. Unlike so many others, we’d somehow escaped with not a downed tree on our property. We were without power, and would be for several days, but our house was unscathed, and none of us was hurt. We had a generator that would keep our food from spoiling and camping gear that made the ordeal somewhat like an adventure.

Yet not too far from me, people were mourning lives lost from that same storm, houses demolished, roads washed away, and whole towns underwater.

Just like that, lives changed. For some, everything changed.

This week, I’m keeping that gratitude close to my heart, and I pray you’ll do the same.

We all go through suffering and hardship in our lives, some far more than others. We never know when we’ll say “I love you” to someone for the last time, or whether the things we take for granted will suddenly be gone.

What we do have is right now—today. We have this moment to be alive, to allow gratitude to swell in our hearts and minds, to share love, mercy, and compassion with fellow humans, to care for each other in the way Jesus commanded us. We have this moment to bask in the sunshine and breathe in the cool morning air, to laugh with a loved one and glorify our Savior.

God commands us not to worry over and over again in the Bible. Jesus told us Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (NIV).

The past is gone, and the future could be taken in an instant. What we have is right now, this beautiful moment.

Let’s savor it knowing that we are beloved today.

If you know someone who would benefit from reading this blog, please share this with them.

Get to Know Jessica Brodie

Jessica is an award-winning Christian journalist, author, blogger, and editor. She is the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won more than 118 journalism awards during her tenure. She is the author of two devotionals, Feed My Sheep (2019) and More Like Jesus (2018), and editor of Stories of Racial Awakening (2018) and Called by God (2020), all from her newspaper’s Advocate Press. She also writes fiction, represented by Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency, and her novel The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis contest for unpublished contemporary fiction from the American Christian Fiction Writers. A speaker and contributor to Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and the United Methodist News Service, she has a faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com. Subscribe to Jessica’s YouTube Channel HERE.

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/

Strength for the weary – Guest post by Becky Harling

Our already busy and fast-paced world seems to be continually speeding up. As soon as I create margin in my life, I find myself bombarded with numerous opportunities to fill it. And there are days when I simply feel weary.

If you can relate, I hope you’l gain encouragement and some helpful insights from my sweet friend Becky Harling’s post. (This first posted on her blog.)

Do you ever feel completely spent—like you’re running on empty? Maybe you’ve been battling a relentless illness, or perhaps you’ve been pouring out your heart in prayer for a loved one without seeing change. Or, maybe you’re simply tired from the daily grind, struggling to keep up with life’s demands. Whatever the cause, we all experience seasons of exhaustion. In those times, we desperately need to find renewed strength. But how do we access it?

David reminds us in Psalm 18:1, “The Lord is my strength.” And Isaiah offers hope when he writes, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

The key to finding strength lies in hoping in the Lord. But what does that look like practically?

Praise: An Anchor for Your Soul

One of the most powerful tools God has given us is praise. When we lift our hearts in worship, we shift our focus off our circumstances and onto the greatness of God. Worship isn’t about feeding God’s ego; rather, it’s a channel through which the Holy Spirit fills us with Christ’s strength, right in the middle of our human frailty. As we praise Him, we become more like Him, strong and steadfast.

When I feel weary, I know God is inviting me to pause and praise. Recently, I learned that an oncologist has been giving his patients my book, The 30 Day Praise Challenge, to help them face the challenges of chemotherapy. Why? Because as they praise God, they find the strength to face each day. Friend, you cannot praise God without being strengthened—praise connects you to God’s power.

Scripture: Power for the Weary

The Word of God is more than just text to read; it’s a weapon against weariness. When we pray the words of Scripture, we stand on God’s promises, and the enemy of our souls, who wants to drag us into discouragement, is forced to retreat. Having a few key verses ready to pray over yourself can be transformative. Try verses like Psalm 27:1, Ephesians 2:6, and Isaiah 40:29-31 when you’re feeling depleted. When God’s Word becomes your prayer, His strength infuses your heart.

Community: Strength in Connection

When weariness hits, our tendency can be to withdraw, but isolation only increases the burden. Instead, we need to lean into our community and let others carry our burdens with us. God designed us for connection, knowing that our hope is strengthened when we journey together. Be vulnerable, let others in, and allow their prayers and encouragement to lift you. Often, God uses the hope of those around us to renew our own.

Weariness is a reality we all face at times, but the good news is, we don’t have to face it alone or in our own strength. The next time you feel tired and depleted, pause to praise, pray Scripture over yourself, and reach out to trusted friends. I believe you’ll experience hope and strength rising in your heart as you do. Remember, God is always ready to meet you in your weariness and infuse you with His boundless strength.

Get to know Becky Harling:

Becky Harling is an author and speaker, host of the Connected Mom podcast, and certified coach with The John Maxwell Team. She helps those looking to move beyond their personal obstacles to live life intentionally with purpose and passion. She offers mastermind classes and seminars on leadership, communication and personal growth. In addition she offers personal coaching for those looking to grow emotionally, professionally or spiritually. Connect with her on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and follow her work on Amazon.

Learn more about her latest release, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World:

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Loneliness is an epidemic, but you can live life with a deep sense of belonging.

If you’ve ever felt that ache to connect and belong, you’re not alone: three out of every five people are suffering from loneliness. No group is excluded—married, unmarried, parents, pastors, leaders, elderly, and teenagers. We all experience moments . . . or long seasons of heart-aching loneliness. And it hurts. It can hurt right to the core.

In Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, relationship expert, mother, grandmother, and John Maxwell Certified Coach Becky Harling taps into the deep ache of loneliness and shares with readers a rich theology of belonging. Does God ache for us? What does it mean that we belong to Him? How do we establish a deeply bonded relationship with others? What steps can we take to improve our relationships?

Because we were made for God and for community, relational isolation or brokenness is incredibly painful. But we don’t have to live isolated and unconnected. In fact, we must not. Our souls were designed for more. Deeply rooted in Scripture and joined with reflection questions, this book shows us how we can strengthen our relationships and experience deep connection.

And make sure to listen to her conversation with my cohost Carol McCracken on the Faith Over Fear podcast.

https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/