Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 10

Losing the Battle? What to Do When Life Seems Impossible

Life is hard, but sometimes it seems impossible. If this is the perspective from your window, perhaps you can identify with King Abijah and the army of Judah.

In his corner of the world, it was ugly.

And scary.

You’d think a force of 400,000 valiant warriors would be enough to guarantee a victory, but the enemy had 800,000. Outnumbered two to one by a superior fighting force, things weren’t looking good for the army of Judah.

But instead of raising the white flag, Abijah, the army’s king, took a bold stand.

“Don’t you know that the Lord God of Israel gave us this land?” he shouted across no-man’s land to Jeroboam and his army (2 Chronicles 13:15). “You turned your back on him, but as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him.”

Then he issued a final warning: “Do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper.”

You’d think, after making such a declaration of trust in God, things would have gotten better. But they didn’t. Battle conditions went south faster than a college kid on Spring Break.

While Abijah was telling the front half of the army what he thought of it, the back half was sneaking around behind him to set up an ambush.

“When Judah looked around, to their surprise, the battle line was at both front and rear.” Like a bowl of M&Ms in a room full of toddlers, they were not only surrounded, but about to be consumed.

But if brave Abijah and his army were going down, they were going down with God’s name on their lips.

“They cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout.”

Guess what happened next?

“God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand.”

Five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain . . . “and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.”

I don’t know about you, but some days I feel like Abijah and his army. Surrounded by things that seem too powerful to overcome in my own strength, I have two choices: surrender or stand.

You face the same decision. Will you surrender to the emotions and circumstances that threaten your peace, safety, and well being? Or will you stand on the promises of God’s Word and trust his power to meet your needs, defend your cause, and deliver your soul?

When the battle grows fierce around us and the enemy squeezes hard on all sides, there’s only one true option for the children of God. We must stand our ground, cry out to the Lord, and watch for his deliverance.

Are you facing a challenge that seems impossible? 

Stand, cry out to him, and wait for the victory. 

The post Losing the Battle? What to Do When Life Seems Impossible appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories11 Simple Ways to Cope When Grief and Loss Interrupt Your Holiday SeasonWho Needs Black Friday? Deep Discounts on Gifts to Help Those You Love Draw Closer to God5 Ways to Handle Disappointment as a Christian 

A Humorous Look at How Daily Bible Reading (and flossing) Can Change Your Life

After almost forty years as a dental hygienist, I’ve come across a few clever statements. These are two of my favorites:

You don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.

Brushing without flossing is like washing your hands without cleaning between your fingers.

If I’m trying to lighten the mood during an appointment, I’ll raise one finger, place the other hand over my heart, and declare, “Be true to your teeth, and they’ll never be false to you.”

Often, my patients will say, “I know flossing’s important, but ____________.” Then they’ll fill in the blank with an excuse. “I’m too busy, sleepy, clumsy, unmotivated.”

For twenty years, I used every one of these excuses too–but not about flossing. (I suspect the dental board might revoke my license if I didn’t floss!) I used these words to explain (and sometimes justify) why I didn’t read my Bible regularly.

“I know Bible reading’s important, but I’m just too busy.”

“I know I’m supposed to read my Bible, but I’m exhausted. Every time I sit down to read, I fall asleep.”

“I know it’s important, but I don’t understand a lot of it.”

“Every year, I commit to read the Bible through, but I lose my motivation.”

I treated Bible reading as an extra, not as a vital part of my life.

Don’t laugh. Learning the importance of flossing has reinforced the importance of reading my Bible.

Stay with me. . . .

I’m sharing the rest of this post today on Our Daily Bread’s God Hears Her blog. Click HERE to read on 🙂

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post A Humorous Look at How Daily Bible Reading (and flossing) Can Change Your Life appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               

1 Simple Question that Can Change Your World

As I walk the streets of my neighborhood, I encounter others who exercise early in the morning. There’s the blonde lady with the big dog, the runner who whizzes by, and the dark-haired woman who walks her two Brittany spaniels. Sometimes I see a middle-aged man with a Jack Russell terrier, and other times I pass a young guy who huffs and puffs his way around the block.

I like seeing my neighbors, but our encounters have been superficial at best.

One day, however, I implemented an idea I read about in The Simplest Way to Change the World. The author, Brandon Clements, committed to impacting his neighborhood for Christ, set a goal to introduce himself to everyone he passed. By doing this, he began friendships that might one day open doors for him to share the gospel. 

The first morning, I met Lisa. She’s a teacher at an alternative school in the district. And Bonnie, a physical therapist. Marcella, I discovered, works at a nearby hospital. Bruce (and his Jack Russell, Panda) manages a golf store in the mall, and Jeff is the father of four young boys. 

With a little effort and a friendly greeting, I went from nodding and smiling at strangers to beginning relationships with new acquaintances. Making the effort to learn their names was the first step in understanding more about them. 

The same has been true in my relationship with God. For years I walked with him, but didn’t really know him. I’d nod and smile, acknowledge Him, and occasionally exchange words, but until I took the time to learn His names, our relationship was superficial at best. 

Then I read the story of Hagar in Genesis 21 and learned that one of God’s names is El Roi, the God Who Sees Me. This name helped me understand, in a deeper way, that God sees everything that happens in my life and will never abandon me. 

Then I read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, and I learned another of God’s names – Jehovah Jireh – God Will Provide. Because of this name, I realized I can trust God to supply my needs. 

When I encountered the name Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner, in Exodus 17, I understood that God can bring victory in seemingly impossible battles. 

Every name I’ve learned has taught me something new about the personality, presence, and power of God. This knowledge has acted like a catapult, launching my relationship with him forward. 

The more I learn about his character, the more I trust Him. The more I trust Him, the bolder my faith steps become. The bolder my faith steps become, the more peace reigns in my heart. 

Someday I might meet a neighbor who doesn’t have a very good name or reputation. It might not be wise to form a friendship with them. 

But I never have to fear learning God’s names. 

Every one I encounter reinforces the fact that God is more wonderful than anything I could ever imagine. In his name is everything I need. 

If you struggle to trust God, or maybe you just want to learn more about Him, I encourage you to study His names. But before you do, strap on your safety harness. You’re about to begin a trip that will launch you forward in your journey with God. 

And what a marvelous journey it will be. 

One of my favorite resources to study God’s names is Kay Arthur’s devotional, Lord, I Want to Know You, but an internet search on Names of God will also yield much material to study.

And if music inspires you, this Aaron Jeofrey music video, “He Is,” will make your heart soar. 

About Refresh Your Hope, 
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers. 

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

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5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children
4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend
What Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us
6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution

The post 1 Simple Question that Can Change Your World appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories11 Simple Ways to Cope When Grief and Loss Interrupt Your Holiday Season4 Ways to Help a Hurting FriendWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us 

11 Simple Ways to Cope When Grief and Loss Interrupt Your Holiday Season

Today I’d like to introduce my friend Marilyn Nutter. Marilyn has walked a path many of you have walked—the path of grief. Today she shares with us how to navigate the holidays when you’re grieving. But Marilyn’s help doesn’t stop here, because grief doesn’t limit itself to the holidays—it’s the unwanted gift that keeps on giving. Scroll to the bottom to read more about her newest book, Hope for Widows, releasing soon, but available for pre-order now. Grab a copy for yourself or someone you love who’s wrestling with grief and struggling to find the new normal after loss.

When Grief and Loss Wreck Your Holiday Season

By Marilyn Nutter

Christmas cards with family photos, invitations to holiday parties, and cookie baking- fun, food, and festivity mark the season. Faces erupt with delight when a knock at the door signals arrival of family who travel distances to be together at Christmas. We love meet-ups -that is- until we don’t. 

Grief and loss during the holiday season are meet-ups that are unplanned, uninvited, and unwelcome. They not only make an appearance, but stay for an extended visit. 

Grief and holidays awkwardly occupy the same space, irrespective of a holiday. When a widow signs a single name on a card to her grandchildren, loss is front and center. Sounds of Christmas music echo in stores, energizing and encouraging shoppers to “get into the Christmas spirit,” but for grievers, the melodies and lyrics are harsh and painful. The empty chair at the dinner table and fewer gifts under the tree announce, “he isn’t here.” Decorations and dazzling lights, rather than sparkle, become a glare.

How do grievers manage and even find joy when we meet holidays?

My husband suffered a fatal heart attack two days before Christmas while we were out west with family. Less than twenty-four hours later, the calendar proclaimed  Christmas Eve. The next day Christmas morning appeared, right on schedule. For the sake of grandchildren ages five and seven, and by God’s grace, we went through the motions of opening gifts. As we look back at images frozen in print, we held beautifully wrapped gifts, but we were numb. Our eyes told the story of sadness. The red eyes remained, untouched by filters.

Through my experiences meeting holidays now for eleven years, I want to offer hope that grief changes shape and intensity. You won’t always feel the way you do today. The person you love remains absent, but the pain is less and tears are fewer. God wires us this way. We don’t remain numb. We still miss our person, but move forward in life in our individual timing. 

Just as we are uniquely created, and our grief is as individual as snowflakes, our approach to holidays is personal. Our needs and personalities are different, family traditions, dynamics, and ways of observing holidays are different. Love languages- how we offer and receive love with friends and family- are different. There is no one size fits all in living, grief, or holidays. We cannot compare our holiday or grief experiences with anyone.

So the question comes, how will I choose to observe, remember, and yes, even celebrate? In my grief and mourning, and by drawing from experiences of friends who have also lost a spouse, these surfaced in our conversations.

11 Simple Ways to Cope

Share your thoughts, preferences, and expectations with the people you’ll be spending holidays with. They can’t read your mind. Perhaps this year you’d like everyone at your house, or you want to go away to a cabin, or light a candle of remembrance at your dining room table, or you don’t want a tree, or… 
Give yourself permission to think and wait before accepting invitations Unless you know your answer is yes or no, plan to say, “Let me get back to you.” What will it mean if you go  or if you don’t? Are you ready to attend that particular event?
Learn to recognize your triggers. Is it healthy for you this year to avoid Christmas movies, certain gatherings, or certain events?
Give yourself a peaceful environment. Let light into your house or burn a fragrant candle. What suits you better- soft instrumental music or just quiet? 
Find a widowed friend who understands and is further along in her grief journey. Meet for coffee or a meal and share what you’re thinking and how you’re doing during the season.
Take care of yourself with good nutrition, walks, and sleep. 
If a parking lot and a crowded mall send you to tears, simplify with on-line shopping or gift cards.
Speak your husband’s name and share a holiday memory so others know you want to remember and talk about him. 
Cry. We’ve been designed by God to cry in sorrow. The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept.” He wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. Psalm 56:8 tells us God knows our sorrows, records our tears, and stores them in bottles. Crying is a natural response to grief.
Ask for help. Do you need a ride somewhere, bins taken down from the attic, or packages mailed? 
Be intentionally grateful in small ways: the morning sunrise, a call from a friend, strength to do a task. Practicing gratitude in simple things adds to our big picture of healing. 

How will you spend these holidays while you grieve and mourn? What will you do, when will you do it, and why? Only you can decide your best fit because grief is unique and personal. Acknowledge the present. If we are honest, holidays are different from year to year. When children need naps, Christmas day has a different schedule. Teens want to sleep in on Christmas morning and gift opening is delayed. Families are scattered, loved ones marry and relocate or share holidays with in-laws. And so, with the loss of a loved one and the empty chair at Christmas, we embrace one more change and acknowledge it’s a painful and permanent one. But as each year evolves and becomes different, it won’t always be as hard as it is today.

This last thought is the most important:

Remember,

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Read the Christmas story with fresh eyes. Have a devotional quiet time for encouragement and hope looking for God’s promises of comfort and love. Journal your responses. These practices last beyond the holiday season. When you turn the calendar to January 1, every Scripture and biblical truth remains and will carry you through the coming year.

If Marilyn’s devotion spoke to you, you’ll want to check out her newest book, Hope for Widows. Here’s a description:

Hope for Widows is a valuable source of encouragement and comfort written for widows guiding them in loss to hope. Marilyn offers 65 brief readings that cover widows’ universal experiences with empathy and poignant honesty. She applies Scripture to grief and mourning and looks with transparency at how widowhood dramatically changes a woman’s life. Amid the readings are opportunities to journal treasured memories, reflect on the additional losses that accompany the death of a spouse, and appreciate unexpected gifts. 

This book presents the truth of Scripture to combat lies you may be prone to believe in your newly single life, shares quotes related to loss, offers prayers from the Bible, and provides exercises to build trust by looking at the character of God from A to Z. The book is also written for those who know widows, providing insight describing the changes and challenges a widow faces. Read this book on your own or find topics helpful for discussion in women’s ministries or grief support groups. Though nothing can fix this irreversible loss, Hope for Widows offers connections in your grief, guiding you to see hope, grace, and camaraderie on an unfamiliar path.

The post 11 Simple Ways to Cope When Grief and Loss Interrupt Your Holiday Season appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               
Comments11 Simple Ways to Cope When Grief and Loss Interrupt Your Holiday Season by LoriAHatcherWho Needs Black Friday? Deep Discounts on Gifts to Help Those You Love Draw Closer to God by LoriAHatcher5 Ways to Handle Disappointment as a Christian by LoriAHatcher5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children by LoriAHatcher4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related Stories4 Ways to Help a Hurting FriendWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution 

Who Needs Black Friday? Deep Discounts on Gifts to Help Those You Love Draw Closer to God

If you’re like me, you’ve noticed the increasing hype as we draw closer to Black Friday. What you may not have noticed, however, is that Amazon is offering some deep discounts in advance of Black Friday. Over the past few days, I’ve watched prices drop 1/3 or more on books—my very favorite gift of all.

If you’d like a head start on your Christmas shopping and a chance to grab books that will draw your loved ones (think teachers, friends, Bible study leaders, pastors, babysitters, neighbors, etc.) closer to God, I’d like to share several of my books on sale on Amazon as of the time of this writing.

I have no idea how long these discounts will last, so don’t wait!

Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible

$11.69, save $5.30 (31%) from the list price of $16.99

That’s in the Bible? I’ve never noticed that before!

 

It’s probably been too long since you’ve newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a bible verse that pops with truth. But that’s about to change!

 

Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.

Perfect for: New believers, believer who want to learn more of the Bible, Sunday School teachers, Christians who need a boost for their devotional time.

Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise

$10.99, save $6 (35%) from the list price of $16.99

Unlock a Powerful Prayer Life!

 

For some of us, our prayers are filled with anxiety: What do I say to God? How can I know He’ll answer? For others, prayer can seem routine: I always say the same thing. I don’t feel powerful or passionate. Then there are people who are on fire for prayer. No matter what stage you find yourself in, Refresh Your Prayers will help you establish a deeper, closer connection with God each time you pray. 

Perfect for: Those hungry to go deeper in their prayer life, those who long for a dynamic prayer life, those whose prayer life feels stale and stagnant.

Refresh Your Hope, 60 Unshakeable Reasons Not to Lose Heart

$12.60, save $6.39 (34%) from the list price of $18.99

You have every reason to hope.

 

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Perfect for: Believers struggling with grief, hopelessness, fear, or discouragement.

Moments with God for Couples: 100 Devotions for Drawing Closer to God and Each Other

16.99, save 15% with Amazon couponInvite God into your marriage with this 100-day devotional specifically created to draw you closer to your spouse and to God.

Whether you’ve been married for a month or 50 years, reclaim the joy in your relationship that sometimes gets lost amid personality differences, moments of pride, and life circumstances. From the Moments with God series, this volume will help you and your spouse make space to reflect Christ in your marriage every day through relatable stories, relevant Bible verses, and practical applications.

Perfect for: Married or engaged couples who desire to grow closer to God and each other but struggle to have a daily time in the word together or have no idea how to begin. Fun, funny, but deep.

The post Who Needs Black Friday? Deep Discounts on Gifts to Help Those You Love Draw Closer to God appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories5 Ways to Handle Disappointment as a Christian5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend 

5 Ways to Handle Disappointment as a Christian

You raise your children in the Lord, and they behave in ways that break your heart. You marry a man who promises to love, honor, and cherish you ’til death do you part, but some days he acts like he loves his job more than you. You join a church—the church—convinced it’s a match made in heaven, only to discover it’s led by flawed and frail people just like the church you left. Jobs, finances, health, people, and relationships all have the power to disappoint us. 

How should we—believers in Christ—handle the disappointments that hurt our hearts and weary our souls? 

I’m sharing these five ways over at ReviveOurHearts.com today. I’d love to continue the conversation. Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

Lori in Person

And if you live within driving distance of Edgefield, SC, please join us for a special women’s ministry event, hosted by Women in the Making. On Saturday, November 13, we’ll gather to Share the Hope. We’ll explore four unshakeable reasons to have hope, connect as sisters in Christ, and enjoy a soup and salad lunch. Did I mention it’s free? Join us at 3 Pecan Park, Edgefield, SC from 11-1. No RSVP necessary, but bring a hope-hungry friend!

Click on the graphic below for more details.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post 5 Ways to Handle Disappointment as a Christian appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children4 Ways to Help a Hurting FriendWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us 

5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children

Nothing strikes more fear in the heart of a Christian parent or grandparent than to hear statistics about how many young people have turned their backs on God. We love God, and we want our children and grandchildren to love Him too. We understand the heartbreak of life and the terror of a Godless eternity so we yearn for them to experience the peace and joy that only comes from walking with God. Yet, many of us feel inadequate to shepherd our children’s or grandchildren’s souls.

The weight of responsibility overwhelms us. 

What should I say? 

What should I do? 

How can I teach my kids about God without messing it up? 

What if I get it wrong, and they turn away?

Many times, our overthinking paralyzes us, and we do nothing. (Or very little.) We leave the bulk of spiritual training to the “professionals,” the Sunday school teachers and youth ministers.

Thankfully, long before Sunday school and professional Christian workers, God provided simple guidelines to help parents raise their children in the faith. This model has worked for centuries—even millennia—as Old Testament believers passed on their faith to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, down through the ages and into today. 

To read the rest of this post, hop on over to Revive Our Hearts by clicking HERE.

Hear Lori Speak:

And if you live within driving distance of Edgefield, SC, please join us for a special women’s ministry event, hosted by Women in the Making. On Saturday, November 13, we’ll gather to Share the Hope. We’ll explore four unshakeable reasons to have hope, connect as sisters in Christ, and enjoy a soup and salad lunch. Did I mention it’s free? Join us at 3 Pecan Park, Edgefield, SC from 11-1. No RSVP necessary, but bring a hope-hungry friend!

Click on the graphic below for more details.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post 5 Simple Ways – Pass Along Your Faith to Your Children appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories4 Ways to Help a Hurting FriendWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution 

4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend

What do you do when someone you care about is struggling? Perhaps they’re sick, or angry, or discouraged. Maybe a child has broken their heart or their marriage is in shambles. Maybe it’s not one big ugly, but a lot of little uglies that have them down. They’ve lost their perspective, and their faith is flickering. You know you can’t fix the situation, but you love your friend, and you want to help. What can you do? 

Here are four ways to help a hurting friend: 
1. Pray 

We’re in a battle, and the enemy of our souls prowls around, seeking whom he can destroy. Thankfully, we have powerful weapons in our arsenal. Jesus, at the Last Supper, knew he’d soon be arrested and separated from his disciples. He warned Peter of the coming trial. 

“Peter, Satan desires to sift you as wheat.” Then he said something profound and powerful. “But I have prayed for you.” 

The forces of evil in this world want to discourage and defeat Christians. But Jesus, the Lover of our souls, who is infinitely more powerful than Satan, is praying for his children. When we add our prayers to Jesus’s, we join forces to support those we love.

Every time I pray for my loved ones, I can be confident that Jesus has gone ahead of me and is interceding on their behalf. And while prayer, on the surface, seems passive, it is the most dynamic thing we can do. 

2. Love them, even when they’re not very loveable. 

Hurting people hurt people. It’s sad, but it’s true. Ironically, those who are hurt and angry often direct their negative emotions toward those who love them most. When this happens, our natural response is to pull back and distance ourselves from them. Well if that’s the way they’re going to act, fine. I’ll leave them alone. 

Instead, ask God to enable you to love them even more. Try to see life through their eyes. Imagine how you’d feel if you were in a similar situation. Share these thoughts with them. “If I’d just lost my job, I’d be feeling pretty scared right now.” This may open channels of helpful communication and direct them into healthier ways of expressing their feelings.

Determine in advance that no matter what they say, you’ll respond with love. Conflict doesn’t start with the first person. It’s the second person’s response that determines the course of the conversation.  

3. Look for practical ways to serve them. 

Kathy, a patient of mine, lost her husband to cancer after an ugly seven-month battle. He was admitted to a hospital 90 miles away the week after Christmas. Shortly after they arrived, she received a series of text messages. When she opened them, she saw pictures of her three best friends–at her house. 

What are you doing in my house? she texted back. 

We’re taking down your Christmas decorations was their reply. 

Kathy’s friends couldn’t stand vigil at the hospital, but they wanted to support and encourage her. Instead of fretting about what they couldn’t do, they did what they could—something practical that still brings a smile to Kathy’s face years later. 

4. Leave room for the Holy Spirit to work. 

The Lord may give you the opportunity to share scriptural truths, promises to claim, or comforting Bible verses. Do it. 

But don’t be surprised if your friend isn’t ready to receive your words. If they respond negatively, take a step back. The Holy Spirit will continue to work, even if your friend appears to have closed the door. 

Watching a loved one struggle is hard. We feel helpless, because we want to fix their problem and lift their burden. Sharing words of faith from your own experience, praying, and listening when they feel like talking will help them heal. Continue to love them, and look for ways to serve them. Finally, trust the Holy Spirit to speak to your loved one’s heart and restore their joy. 

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning

Psalm 30:5 

What about you? What do you find helpful when a loved one is struggling? Leave a comment in the comment box below.

And if you live within driving distance of Edgefield, SC, please join us for a special women’s ministry event, hosted by Women in the Making. On Saturday, November 13, we’ll gather to Share the Hope. We’ll explore four unshakeable reasons to have hope, connect as sisters in Christ, and enjoy a soup and salad lunch. Did I mention it’s free? Join us at 3 Pecan Park, Edgefield, SC from 11-1. No RSVP necessary, but bring a hope-hungry friend!

Click on the graphic below for more details.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post 4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               
Comments4 Ways to Help a Hurting Friend by LoriAHatcherWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us by LoriAHatcher6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution by LoriAHatcherThe 9-Word Prayer that Will Change the Way You Witness by LoriAHatcherOne Good Reason Why We Don’t Have to Understand Everything to Believe by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesWhat Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us6 Tips for Successful Conflict ResolutionThe Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie Waters 

What Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us

I was hanging out with my grands several years ago and slicing apples for a snack. Caroline (3) sat beside me on the kitchen counter while Andrew (1) waited at my feet. I handed him an apple slice, made sure he was munching happily, then went back to slicing. 

Pfhhhtt. Splat.

Something warm and wet hit my foot. 

“Andrew! What are you doing?” 

Pfhhhtt. Splat. 

 A slimy piece of apple skin sputtered from his mouth, and, this time, landed on the floor. He’d taken a bite, chewed it until the fleshy part disintegrated, and spit out the skin. 

“He doesn’t like skin on his apples, Gigi,” Caroline remarked. 

Apparently not. 

I took the remaining apple wedge from him to trim the skin off. 

But Caroline was faster. 

By the time I’d wiped the apple goo from the floor and my foot and picked up Andrew’s apple piece again, she’d nibbled all the skin off her apple wedge. 

“Here Andrew,” she said triumphantly, holding out the naked fruit, “no skin!” 

He scrutinized her gift for skin remnants, then popped it into his mouth, cheeks bulging like a well-fed chipmunk. 

Later, as I reflected on the exchange between the two, God reminded me:

1. He created us to be unique, with different likes, dislikes, and preferences. A preference for skinless apples is one example. We need to remember that different isn’t wrong, just different. How much better would our relationships be if we graciously allowed room for “different” without treating it as right or wrong? 

2. He created mankind in his image with a natural capacity to love, share, and serve. Caroline’s thoughtful act of service to her brother is a sweet example of this. We can be similarly sweet.

3. He provides an endless source of patience and grace to help us deal with the often-amusing, sometimes-annoying quirks of our families and friends. Lord, make us as patient with others as you are with us. 

I’d like to issue a challenge – consider the ants (or grandchildren, cats, dogs, trees, birds, sky, or anything else that catches your eye). Study it. Prayerfully ponder. Invite God to reveal himself to you through what you see. Then leave a comment below to share your observations. 

I can’t wait to hear how God shows himself to you.

“Go to the ant . . . consider her ways and be wise.” 

Proverbs 6:6

The post What Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories6 Tips for Successful Conflict ResolutionThe Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie WatersWhen Life Hammers into Your Quiet 

6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution

When was the last time you and someone you cared about had a conflict?

How’d it work out?

Did you interact respectfully or blow up in a full-fledged tantrum? Did you draw closer together at the end of the conversation or farther apart.

Pastor/Teacher Chip Ingram says,

“Conflict is inevitable. Every time you bring two people together, there will be conflict. The question is NOT ‘how do we have a conflict-free marriage?’ The question is “how do we deal with the conflict that WILL come?’

A recent walk through a neighborhood reminded me of the different ways people deal with conflict.

Consider the neatest pile of yard trash I’d ever seen.

The homeowner had cut every limb exactly the same length. The tops of the branches faced the street, the cut ends faced the yard. Each limb lined up a foot from the road like soldiers at attention. He’d tucked four palm fronds neatly among the other evergreens at evenly spaced intervals, adding a decorative flair to an otherwise monochromatic pile of greenery. It was picture worthy. 

Farther down the street, another neighbor had also dragged yard debris to the road. His pile looked nothing like Neat Nate’s. An irregular mound of soggy leaves graced one end. A hodgepodge of carelessly flung branches, yard netting, and a Chick Fil A box completed the display.

A third neighbor added his contribution to the trash man’s collection—a black bag filled with unknown contents tied tightly and flung to the road. 

The variety of trash piles reminded me of the most helpful part of Chip Ingram’s study, Experiencing God’s Dream for Your Marriage, the section on conflict resolution.

I thought about my family’s history of conflict resolution. Sometimes we’ve been like Neat Nate. We’ve organized our conflict and given it socially acceptable labels. The Silent Treatment. Adolescent exploration. Boundary Testing. Passive aggression. Micro and macro disobedience. Somehow giving it a trendy name and pigeonholing it made us feel a little more in control of our struggles. 

At other times we’ve been too weary, frustrated, or hopeless to do anything other than dump our conflict on the side of the road for all to see. Our transparency was a cry for help and prayer. 

Finally, there have been times when we were too ashamed, too disheartened, and too hopeless to do anything but throw a big, black bag over the top of it so no one but us would know how ugly it was.  

Ingram, in the study, makes two significant points about conflict: 

1. Conflict is normal. 



2. Conflict is an opportunity for growth.

As Chip says, “Conflict is inevitable. Every time you bring two people together, there will be conflict. The question is NOT ‘how do we have a conflict-free marriage?’ The question is “how do we deal with the conflict that WILL come?’” 

After this study, we set a few ground rules, in advance of our next conflict, to ensure we fight fairly. 

Here are our ground rules for fair fighting:

1. If I’m not ready to talk about what’s bothering me, I’ll tell you. I will not give you the silent treatment and leave you wondering. 

2. If we agree to delay the discussion, we will address the issue in a timely manner. No sweeping stuff under the rug until it accumulates into an ugly mess. 

3. During our waiting period, we will still act in a loving manner toward each other. (No monosyllabic answers, cold shoulders, or drawing uncrossable lines down the middle of the bed.) 

4. When we talk, we will use “I feel” sentences instead of “you always” or “you never.”

5. We will listen actively, repeating what the other has said if necessary.

6. We will acknowledge that while conflict can come from selfishness, as Ingram says, it can also arise from differences in belief, perspective, and style. Conflict is not always because of sinful behavior. Sometimes it’s simply the result of two very different people living in the same household.  

Perhaps, like my husband and me, you’ve always thought of conflict as dangerous and harmful. In light of this different perspective, we’re encouraged by Ingram’s statement that if we deal with conflict in a healthy way, our marriage will not only survive, but THRIVE. 

What have you learned about healthy conflict? Do you have a rule for fair fighting you’d like to add to my list? Why not leave a comment and share your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you.

And if you live in the Columbia, SC, area and would like to learn how to pray with power, please join me at First Baptist Church of Ridgeway on Saturday, September 30, from 9-3. We’ll laugh, learn, and worship together as we explore the sometimes mysterious, God-ordained means of talking to God. This event is free, but attendance is limited and you must register by emailing Phyllis at phan38@aol.com. Click the image below for more information.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

 

An unshakable hope.

 

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post 6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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