Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 13

When You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children

(A recent guest post I shared on ReviveOurHearts.com)

It wasn’t until my daughters graduated and were out of the house that I truly understood my powerlessness. 



In the days leading up to their exodus, I slowly realized I would no longer be a daily influence in their lives. How am I going to take care of them? I wondered. How can I continue to influence them when they’re so far away?



I felt helpless and afraid. Who’s going to stay awake to be sure they get home safely? What happens if they get sick? And my worst fear of all, what if they stop attending church and stray from the faith? These looming dangers easily eclipsed the more minor issues I’d worried about when they were children. 



More important, they revealed the lie I had believed—that my children were safe as long as I was nearby. And that I had the ultimate power to protect them from harm, bad influences, and spiritual apostasy. Without intending to, I had usurped God’s role, at least in my mind, as their guardian and protector. 

Wielding the Weapons of Warfare

When my daughters moved away, I came face-to-face with my own impotence. Simultaneously, I discovered two powerful weapons in the battle for our children’s hearts—prayer and God’s Word. 



While I had already established a prayer routine, something shifted significantly in my heart. Prior to their leaving, I’d stick prayer on my parenting efforts like a bow on a Christmas box. Now the Lord was showing me that I needed to move away from physically and emotionally parenting my children and move toward spiritually influencing my children through diligent prayer. 



He helped me realize that while I couldn’t be everywhere my children were, God could. And He cared for them even more than I did. Imagine that.



Some parents of adult children have the added burden of a strained or hostile relationship with their children. They feel doubly impotent and frustrated. Prayer breaks through that and accomplishes what we never could in our own efforts.

God’s influence isn’t limited by time, space, or daylight hours. He can and does work in the hearts of our children, even while they sleep.

God’s influence isn’t limited by time, space, or daylight hours. He can and does work in the hearts of our children, even while they sleep. And He desires to draw those most precious to us into a rich relationship with Himself and will use our prayers (morning, noon, or middle of the night) to help bring this to pass.

Five Prayers

If you’ve realized anew your powerlessness in influencing your children, here are five prayers I’ve adapted from the Bible to pray for them. (Italicized portions differ from the original text.) Personalize each prayer by inserting your child’s name.

1. Psalm 25:4–7 

Show ___________ your ways, O LORD; 

teach my children your paths. 

Lead them in your truth and teach them. 

Be to them the God of their salvation; 

for you I wait all the day long.

Remember, your mercy O LORD, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Remember not the sins of their youth, nor their rebellious acts; 

according to your steadfast love

remember them,

for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

2. Colossians 1:9–11

Lord, almost from the day I knew we were expecting, I’ve not ceased to pray for __________, asking that my children may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of you, fully pleasing to you: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of you; being strengthened with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

3. Ephesians 3:14–19

For this reason I bow my knees before you Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of your glory you may grant __________ to be strengthened with power through your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in theirhearts through faith—that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled with all your fullness.

4. Ephesians 1:16–20

I do not cease to give thanks for __________, remembering my children in my prayers, that you, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give them the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of you, having the eyes of their hearts enlightened, that they may know what is the hope to which you have called them, what are the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of your power toward those who believe, according to the working of your great might that you worked in Christ when you raised Him from the dead and seated Him at your right hand in the heavenly places.

5. Psalm 30

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me. 

Do the same for my beloved child.

O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;

you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 

Save __________, too.

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,

“I shall never be moved.”

By your favor, O LORD,

you made my mountain stand strong;

you hid your face;

I was dismayed.

To you, O LORD, I cry,

and to the Lord I plead for mercy 

on behalf of my child:

“What profit is there in their death,

if they go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!

O LORD, be my helper!”

Please turn for me my mourning into dancing;

loose my sackcloth

and cloth me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Are your children far away—relationally, physically, or spiritually? Take heart. You are not powerless. You have the greatest weapon in the world available to you. As James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous man [or woman] is powerful and effective.”

Through prayer, you can influence their lives in a great and mighty way, no matter where your children are. 

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 When You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?The Kind of Christian Life I WantHave You Forgotten to Have Fun? 

Feeling Hopeless in Your Marriage? 5 Reasons to Have Hope

Think back to your wedding day. Whether you’ve been married for ten years or ten months, I know the memories are vivid and emotionally charged. 

Your husband-to-be looked so handsome—and so nervous. And you, in your fairytale dress, felt more beautiful than you’d ever felt before. Surrounded by those who loved you, you promised before God to love, honor, and cherish each other forever. 

You meant it with your whole heart—and you still do—but life isn’t a fairytale. Some days, marriage is hard. Really hard. 

If you’re feeling discouraged in your marriage today, I’d like to share five biblical reasons you can have hope.

1. The 80/20 ratio prevails in life and in marriage.

When we’re in the midst of a tough spot in our marriage, we often feel as though our relationship will always be bad/sad/hard. We’ll always be fighting. We’ll never communicate well. We’ll continue to struggle and never be happy.

Truth be told, in most situations, the 80/20 ratio prevails. Eighty percent of the time, our marriage is good—or even great. Twenty percent of the time it’s bad/sad/hard.

The same is true in life. Most of life is good—or even great. Occasionally, hardship comes. Sickness interrupts our health. An unexpected financial challenge strains our bank account. Depression casts a shadow over our hearts. When we enter a challenging season, it’s easy to think life will always be this way. But it won’t. Challenges will come and challenges will go. 

“In this world,” Jesus prepared His disciples, “you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). 

When we remind ourselves of the 80/20 ratio, we acknowledge the hard times while recognizing they’re a small portion of a good life.

When we remind ourselves of the 80/20 ratio, we acknowledge the hard times while recognizing they’re a small portion of a good life. If you’re in a 20 spot, remind yourself of the happy times. Flip through fun family photos or reminisce together about shared experiences or memorable seasons. Remember the beautiful things about your husband and your marriage.

Allow the 80/20 ratio to help you remain hope-filled, even when circumstances seem hopeless.

2. God’s not finished with you—or your spouse.

If you’re like me, you often grow frustrated with yourself. Why do I still struggle with selfishness? Why am I quick to complain and slow to affirm? Why do I take the easy way out instead of choosing to do the hard things?

We wonder about our husbands too. When will they take the spiritual lead in our homes? Make better financial decisions? React with self-control rather than anger?

When I compare my physical, emotional, and spiritual life to where I’d like to be, I sometimes grow discouraged.

The promise of Philippians 1:6 gives me hope: “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Writing to the Philippian church, the apostle Paul knew they had a long way to go in faith and maturity. But he loved them anyway. They were fellow heirs of the kingdom of God. Partners in the work of the gospel. And dear friends. 

We can have this same perspective of grace and love toward our husbands. Listen to Paul’s heart: 

“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you” (v. 3). Are you thankful for your husband? We should be, in so many ways.

 
“Always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer” (v. 4). Do we pray for our husbands, every day, with joy? 

 
“Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (v. 5). If your husband is a believer, then he’s not only your partner in life and marriage, but in the work of the gospel—of God’s kingdom. Do we see ourselves as partners in a greater work than anything visible?

 
“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (v. 6). Do we believe this? Take heart from it? Wait in patient trust as God continues the transformation He began in our husbands (and ourselves) at salvation? 

When we’re tempted to lose heart, Philippians 1:6 can help us respond with grace and hope, knowing God is always working. Even when we can’t see it.

3. Your marriage is the best example of Christ’s love for the world.

It’s not a coincidence that God chose to compare the marriage relationship to His love for His Bride, the Church. Listen to Paul’s description in Ephesians 5:25–33:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

When we love like God does; remain faithful during hard times; exhibit patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control; and serve each other with humility, we model God’s love for the Church—His Bride for all eternity. The watching world notices this kind of love.

4. You can’t see everything God is doing through your marriage 

Every day, God is using our marriages:

To refine our faith and develop our character (Rom. 5:3–5, 1 Pet. 1:6–7).
To demonstrate to believers and unbelievers what committed love looks like (Eph. 5:26–33).
To guide and shape our children (Deut. 6:6–7).
To advance His kingdom by demonstrating God’s love to the world (John 13:34).
To glorify Himself (1 Cor. 10:31).

5.God wastes nothing.

We can work through any marital challenge with the assurance of Romans 8:28—that God is working all things to our greatest good. When we cooperate with Him, He uses the sandpaper of married life to smooth the rough spots in our character and produce something beautiful. He uses the messiness of family to stretch us, humble us, and grow us in faith and prayer. And He uses the joy and the love we experience to give us glimpses of His heart for us and sweeten the promise of heaven. Second Corinthians 4:17 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (ESV).

If married life right now is more 20 than 80, pray, seek wise counsel, remind yourself of these five truths, and take heart. “For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them” (Hebrews 6:10). 

God sees you. 

God hears you.

And He will work in and through you. 

This post appeared first on ReviveOurHearts.com.

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 Feeling Hopeless in Your Marriage? 5 Reasons to Have Hope appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesThe Kind of Christian Life I WantHave You Forgotten to Have Fun?How to Help When Your Friend Is Hurting 

The Kind of Christian Life I Want

Don’t you wish following Christ meant your life was always easy, healthy, and happy?

 If our life was prosperous and successful, wouldn’t this make people want to follow Jesus? Wouldn’t the beacon of our shining life pierce the darkness of this squalid, suffering world with such brilliance that all would come to its light? 

If I were God, this is the way I’d script it. And for a few verses, this is what the faith life looks like in Hebrews 11, known by many as The Hall of Faith. This chapter lists shining examples of mighty warriors, conquering kings, and fearless leaders. Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses. Even those whose lives might not have started out well, like Gideon and Rahab, ended victoriously and filled with faith. 

Listen to what these believers did: “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again” (v.33-35). 

The Kind of Christian Life I Want

YES! This is the kind of Christian life I want. I want to shut lions’ mouths, escape from deadly peril, and pray dead people back to life. Absolutely this! If you’re honest, it’s what you want, too. 

But I can’t ignore the end of the chapter. The verses that begin with the word others. Others who were tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, and slain. 

Whaaaaat? Oh no, THAT’s not what I signed up for. 

“destitute, afflicted, tormented . . .” 

When familiar passages come alive, it can be both exhilarating and frightening. Such is the case with this one. 

We can’t ignore the fact that sitting alongside the mighty, shining headliners are the not-so-mighty, not-so-shiny believers whose lives didn’t follow the Powerful and Prosperous script. Many were homeless fugitives who suffered mightily for the cause of Christ. Yet they’re included in the Hall of Faith. And given top billing. “. . . of whom the world as not worthy,” the writer of Hebrews declares. 

It’s apparent from Hebrews 11 that God sometimes calls his children, like Daniel and Moses, to battle beasts and challenge super powers. Other times he calls his children to a grander service – that of suffering. He calls them to cling to faith when there’s no earthly reason to. To demonstrate, by faith, that if God allows difficulty into their lives, he’ll use it, somehow, for their good and his glory. 

Listen to his final commendation – for all those listed in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith, shiny and unshiny, celebrated or scorned: “These were all commended for their faith . . . .” 

Superstar or Sufferer?

I don’t know which you are today, a superstar or a sufferer, but I know this – if you’ll cling tightly to God as you travel the path before you, He’ll walk beside you all the way. He’ll empower you to face your fears with dignity and grace. He’ll fill you with peace that defies understanding. When you reach the end of your resources, your patience, and your hope, He’ll provide exactly what you need. 

And he won’t waste a second of your experience. Nothing is purposeless or insignificant. It’s all part of His grand plan to draw you and others closer to himself. 

I admit, I’d rather be a shiny superstar than a suffering servant. But I don’t get to choose. My Father, who knows what’s best, charts the course of my life. Because of the words of Hebrews 11, however, I know I can trust Him to use every trial to accomplish His purpose, both in my life and in the lives of those around me.

Superstar or sufferer, He’s given us our marching orders. I invite you to ponder, embrace, and plant your feet on their truth: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 



Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 



Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb. 12:1-3). 

Now it’s your turn. How has God used your circumstances to reveal himself to you and others? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. And if you’d like, leave your name in the comments below, and I’d be honored to pray for you.

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 The Kind of Christian Life I Want appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Corrected Links — Have We Forgotten to Have Fun?

For some fun-killing reason, several of the great links I included in yesterday’s post wouldn’t work. But I’ve corrected them. To see the full post (with live links) and add some fun to your day, CLICK HERE.

And if you missed the bacon story, CLICK HERE.

The post Corrected Links — Have We Forgotten to Have Fun? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               

Have You Forgotten to Have Fun?

“Many of us have forgotten to have fun.” 

These words from author and (my) agent Bob Hostetler shocked me. Until I realized his statement was true. 

“Writers get so caught up in deadlines, and word counts, and edits that we forget what drew us to writing in the first place – the pure pleasure of the craft.” 

You’re probably not a writer (although some of you are), but regardless of our profession or life circumstances, Bob’s words apply to us all. 

Have you been so busy paying bills, keeping house, and meeting obligations that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your marriage? 

Have you been so busy training your children, overseeing their education, and keeping them safe that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your parenting? 



Have you been so busy caring for an aging parent or spouse, taking them to appointments, and meeting their physical needs that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your relationship? 

Have you been so busy meeting your quota, climbing the ladder, and planning your next career move that you’ve forgotten to have fun in your work? 

I took Bob’s class at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Black Mountain, North Carolina. As he taught “The Well-rounded Writer,” he outlined his goals. “I’m going to teach you writing as ministry, business, and craft. But first, I’m going to help you have fun. I want to remind you why you fell in love with writing in the first place.” 

Then he invited us to participate in an exercise entitled “First Lines.” 

“Choose a first line and write a story about it,” he said. I chose this first line: “There’s nothing quite like the smell of . . .” 

How would you complete this sentence? And what would the paragraph say? 

In a moment I’m going to share my story, but before I do, I’d like to pose the same question Bob asked me. “Are you so busy doing __________ that you’ve forgotten to have fun?” 

Be honest. 

If the answer is yes, it may be time for intervention. I Googled “Fun family activities,” “fun date nights,” or “fun things to do in your workplace” and included a few of the more promising finds below. Why not scroll through the ideas and pick one? Then do what it takes to make it happen. You’ll be glad you did. So will the others around you.

“101 Fun Things to Do with Kids this Summer”

“Laugh for a Happier Marriage” on Family Life Today. 

25 Ways to Have Fun at Work

Fun Activities for Seniors

Maybe this post sparked a few ideas of your own. I’d love for you to leave a comment at the bottom to tell us what you did to add fun to your situation. Who knows? Your bright idea may inspire someone else’s, which may inspire someone else’s, until everyone remembers a thing or two they love about the life they’re living. 

Now, are you curious about how I finished the sentence, “There’s nothing quite like the smell of . . . “? 

Here goes:

There’s nothing quite like the smell of bacon. It draws men from everywhere. Trust me, I know. 

If you’ve ever flown out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, you know that the first smell to greet you as you make your way up the long ramp between the TSA checkpoint and your gate is the smell of bacon. 

There’s a little kiosk at the end of that ramp, and every morning at 4 a.m., someone starts frying bacon. For three years, that someone was me. 

That’s how I learned the power of bacon. Within minutes of firing up the griddle and slinging the greasy strips of pork onto the sizzling surface, men would begin to line up. Handsome men in business suits, maintenance workers in coveralls, and everyone in between – all drawn to the smell of bacon—and me, their cheerful cook. 

I worked there every summer — until I married – a pork-loving, business man who queued up at my kiosk every month for a year so I could serve him bacon. 

(In case you’re wondering, this story is an amalgamation of truth and fiction. Which parts do you think are true? Leave your guess in the comment box. I’ll tell you which is which in a day or so.) 

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 Have You Forgotten to Have Fun? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesHow to Help When Your Friend Is HurtingAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?A Little Lesson in Big Generosity 

How to Help When Your Friend Is Hurting

Your friend is in trouble. 

Big trouble. I’m not talking thrown-in-jail kind of trouble, although that certainly could be the case. I’m talking about life circumstance trouble. Maybe she’s struggling through cancer treatment, trying to stay strong in a fractured marriage, or battling depression. Or perhaps she’s unemployed, hopeless, or desperate. 

Too Broken to Fix

Even from a distance her situation seems too broken to fix. You don’t have a clue how to ease her pain. You’re powerless to change anything, and you fear that if you try to say or do something, you might trivialize her struggle. The last thing you want to do is add sorrow upon sorrow. Because you don’t know what to do, you don’t do anything. 

Which is probably the worst thing any of us can do. 

The book of First Samuel describes the biblical equivalent of one of the scenarios above. Chapter 23 opens with David running from the maniacal King Saul. Although David has conducted himself toward Saul with loyalty, courage, and integrity, Saul has treated David as an enemy. Time after time Saul mustered his army and marched out to destroy David and his followers. Although David had multiple opportunities to kill Saul, he chose not to, recognizing that Saul was God’s anointed king over Israel as long as the Lord allowed.

Growing Weary

But David was growing weary. 

Always on the run. Separated from his family. Responsible for the men who followed him. Struggling to feed everyone. Exhausted from battle. Discouraged from persecution. Doubting God’s call on his life and wondering what’s next, David described himself in Psalm 63 as being “in the wilderness.”

Then Jonathan. 

Jonathan, the son of Saul, but the best friend of David. A righteous, God-fearing man, Jonathan balanced the weight of his lineage with the weight of his integrity. Although he remained loyal to his father until they died together in battle, he remained a committed friend of David until death also parted them. 

During one of the darkest times of David’s life, Jonathan went to him. In the wilderness. Defying his father. Disregarding his inability to change anything about David’s circumstances. Bringing nothing with him but his faith and his friendship, Jonathan entered into David’s pain and eased his sorrow. 

“Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God” (1 Samuel 23:16). 

This is what he did: 

“And he said to him, ‘Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that’” (v. 17). 

Remember the Promises

Jonathan reminded David of God’s promises. Years earlier Samuel had prophesied that David would one day be king over Israel. But it hadn’t happened yet. In the waiting years, when the path seemed to lead in the opposite direction, David may have found it easy to lose sight of God’s promises. This is why God sent Jonathan. 

When a friend is struggling, stooped under the weight of circumstances and isolated in the wilderness of trial, it’s easy for them to lose sight of God’s promises. We can remind them. 

When their dreams are dying, we can remind them that no plan of God’s can be thwarted (Job 42:2). 

When they’re battling an illness and unsure of the outcome, we can remind them though they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they need not fear, for God is with them (Psalm 23:4). 

When they’re struggling with a broken marriage, a prodigal child, or a hopeless situation, we can remind them that nothing is too hard for God (Luke 1:37). 

Loyalty and Friendship

Then we can pledge our loyalty and friendship, vowing to walk beside them through their trial. 

“So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD” (v. 18). 

Jonathan’s visit didn’t change David’s circumstances. Scripture tells us, “David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house” (v. 18). But by entering into David’s pain, reminding him of God’s promises, and renewing their friendship, he “strengthened his hand in God.” 

What a gift to someone who is struggling. 

Now it’s your turn. Who in your life needs a friend like Jonathan?

Be that friend today. 

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 How to Help When Your Friend Is Hurting appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               
CommentsHow to Help When Your Friend Is Hurting by LoriAHatcher4 Benefits of Slaying the Dragon of Worry by LoriAHatcher7 Tips to Help You Wait in Faith by LoriAHatcherAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials? by LoriAHatcherWould you like a sneak peek at something special? by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?Please Stop Bashing the Church4 Benefits of Slaying the Dragon of Worry 

4 Benefits of Slaying the Dragon of Worry

 If you asked me to name something I’m really good at, you know what I’d say? 

Worrying. 

I’m really good at worrying. I mean, really, really good. I can worry while I work, cook, clean, shop, bathe, even sleep. One morning this week I woke up from a very scary dream – about something I’d been worrying about. 

You have to be very, very good at something to be able to do it in your sleep. So it’s official. I’m very good at worrying. 

Sad thing is, I thought I’d conquered worrying. I came to Christ many years ago in large part because of my propensity to worry. As an 18-year-old high school senior, I worried about everything. The past, the present, the future. I’d worry about what hadn’t happened, what could happen, and what had happened. 

My inability to control the circumstances of my life humbled me and made me realize how much I needed a great, big, powerful, loving God to control my life. 

Shortly after I surrendered control of my life to God (he already had it anyway, but it was important for me to acknowledge this), I learned that worrying is a sin. Philippians 4:6 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” 

So if God says, “Do not be anxious (i.e. worry),” and I worry, I’m sinning. And I really don’t want to sin. It hurts me. It hurts others. And it hurts God’s heart. 

So, little by little, I learned to surrender to God the things that frightened me. And I found him faithful. 

Most of the things I worried about never happened. Those that did taught me valuable lessons about God’s ability to care for and provide for me. Every time I trusted God with something instead of worrying, several things happened. 

4 Benefits of Slaying the Dragon of Worry

First, I didn’t feel as anxious. This is huge. Did you know anxiety can cause a multitude of physical ailments including (but not limited to) headaches, dizziness, depression, stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, a weakened immune system, muscle tension, and insomnia? 

In contrast, Philippians 4:7 promises when I pray instead of fret, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Second, I felt happier. Let’s be honest. It’s hard to be happy when you’re fretting over something like a dog gnawing a bone. Worrying people are grumpy people. Ask my husband. Or my kids.

Third, I became a better witness for Christ. Truth be told, it’s hard to convince someone else to trust God with their life, their soul, and their eternal destiny if I can’t even trust him with that unexpected bill or sticky situation at work. 

Finally, I experienced more of God’s power. When I prayed about situations beyond my control instead of fretting about them, I invited God to work in and through the situation. Worry is like a car whose tires are stuck in the mud – the tires spin and spin and spin, expending a whole lot of energy and going absolutely nowhere. In contrast, prayer is the tow truck that hooks its mighty winch to the front bumper and pulls that hopelessly-mired car free. 

Oftentimes the very act of praying, even before God answers, lifts the heavy cloud of fear and discouragement. This allows hope and joy to break through like sunshine after a cloud burst. 

I know these truths. I’ve experienced their power. I’ve walked in the victory that comes from applying them to my life. So why do I still struggle? 

Because I am flawed and frail. 

Unfortunately, we don’t conquer sin once. We battle it. Every. Single. Day. 

As long as we wear the robe of flesh that tethers us to our earthly existence, we’ll battle the sins that so easily beset us. Worry is one of them. But be of good cheer. We have hope. 

We Can Win the War against Worry

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). 

In Christ, we have what it takes to triumph over worry, fear, and a multitude of other sins. Every time we catch ourselves worrying and choose to pray instead, we win. And every victory makes the next victory easier. 

Like a smoke detector that senses a fire, sounds the alarm, and triggers the sprinkler system, our spirit will learn to sense fear, sound the alarm, and douse the flames of worry with a deluge of prayer. Little by little, we can conquer worry and replace it with prayer. 

Instead of being known as someone who’s really good at worrying, I want to be known as someone who’s really good at praying. I suspect you do, too. Let’s grow in this discipline together. 



Father, you are so faithful. You’ve answered thousands of prayers and never given me a reason to doubt your love and care. Help me trust you more every day. Teach me to recognize worry as soon as the first wriggle of fear manifests itself in my spirit. Help me to use the power you’ve given me to capture it and wrestle it to the ground in prayer. Show yourself mighty on my behalf and use me as a witness to others of your amazing love and power. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

If you’re a worrier, what strategies do you employ to help slay the dragon of worry? What benefits have you noticed when you experience victory? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

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 Benefits of Slaying the Dragon of Worry appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?Please Stop Bashing the ChurchWhat to Do When Faith Becomes Complicated 

7 Tips to Help You Wait in Faith

Time moves slowly than when you’re waiting.

Most days, time speeds by. I blink and it’s Christmas again. I open my eyes to a new day and discover that my daughters are a year older (and so am I). I pay my taxes and find that they’re due again. Like an Olympic luge competitor, I tip my day into motion and discover I’m already at the finish line.

There are, however, a few exceptions to the speeding chute of life. One is when we’re waiting for important results that will affect the course of our lives. 

A legal or financial judgment.

Medical test results.

An acceptance letter.

Waiting for any one of these makes time move as slowly as a grandma on the interstate.

Thankfully, God’s Word provides wise counsel for how to wait in faith.

7 Tips to Help You Wait in Faith.
1. We purpose not to fear.

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psa. 46:2).

2. We reaffirm our trust in God, who holds our days in his hands.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psa. 56:3).

3. We appeal to God’s mercy instead of bargaining and negotiating with him on the basis of our good works. 

“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy” (Dan. 9:18).

4. We pray with fervency and persistence, as long as there is hope. 

David prayed this way when his infant son lay dying.

“While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live'” (2 Sam. 12:22).

5. We decide in advance to accept whatever comes from God’s hand, trusting that God’s grace will enable us to bear it, even if the verdict isn’t what we hope. 

“What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

6. We remind ourselves that God is for us, that he can use everything for good, and that his ultimate purpose for our lives is to redeem us and point others to himself.

In this we place our hope. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

7. We fix our eyes on the finish line. 

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

If you’re waiting for a verdict today, large or small, I pray the time will move quickly. I’m praying for you—that you will accept God’s grace to face whatever lies ahead with faith and courage.

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 7 Tips to Help You Wait in Faith appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesAre You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?Are You Sad or Satiated? Here’s a Reason to HopeA Little Lesson in Big Generosity 

Are You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials?

Are you scorching under one of life’s trials?

Is the heat of parenting making you crispy around the edges?

Are the scorching rays of cancer, aging, or a myriad of other health concerns searing your skin and sapping?

Are you sweating under and unrelenting forecast of financial, relational, or spiritual challenges?

Allow me to lift the umbrella of God’s shade over your heat-stroked head.

I never understood why people carried umbrellas on sunny days until I moved to the South. They used to be called parasols and were quite the fashion statement. Made of cloth and edged with ruffles, parasols served a purpose beyond style. They protected a woman’s skin from the damaging effects of the sun and kept her body from overheating. 

I’ve never seen someone carrying a parasol, but I do occasionally see someone carrying an umbrella when the sun’s shining. I totally get it. The summer sun in South Carolina can be merciless. It can be pretty intense in the fall and spring too. Shade of any kind (even the Mary-Poppins-black-umbrella-type) can make a 10-degree difference in body temperature. 

Parasols, Umbrellas, and Shade

I thought about parasols, and umbrellas, and shade recently as I drove south on I-77. The sky was clear, and the sun shone brightly. My left arm, resting in a patch of sunlight, felt like a marshmallow roasting on the end of a stick. 

Until an 18-wheeler carrying Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce drove up beside me. It moved between me and the hot afternoon sun and cast its long shadow over the length of my car.

The temperature inside the car dropped instantly. The glare eased, and my toasted marshmallow arm stopped sizzling. I sighed as the soothing shade cooled everything it touched. 

The Refreshing Power of Shade

The refreshing and restorative power of shade isn’t new. David the psalmist/shepherd wrote about it in Psalm 121. He knew what it was like to sit for hours in the Judean sun watching his sheep graze. He also knew the value of a well-placed shade tree or drifting cloud. Perhaps this is why he described God as “the shade at your right hand.” 

Listen to his words: 

“The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” 

What a beautiful picture of God. 

The Shade of His Presence

When the glare of our circumstances distorts our perspective, the shade of his presence enables us to see with clarity. When the heat of trials threatens to incinerate us, God’s presence cools the flames. When the blazing rays of difficulty beat down upon our heads, God positions himself between us, refusing to let them consume us. 

If you’re melting under the heat of a fiery trial right now, let God be your sunshade. Allow him to refresh you by spending time in his Word. Rest under the protective canopy of prayer. Take refuge in the shadow of His presence, knowing that He watches over you. 

I rode in the shade of the Sweet Baby Ray truck for miles until the interstate took me west, and the heat of the sun eased. As my escort and I parted, I thanked the Lord for a tangible reminder of the way he cares for his children. 

And I vowed to seek out the shade of his presence instead of stubbornly navigating the scorching highways of life without him.

If you’re sizzling under a fiery trial right now, I’d love to pray for you. Leave a comment below. And if you have another idea for finding God’s shade, please share it in the comments.

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 Are You Scorching Under One of Life’s Trials? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesPlease Stop Bashing the ChurchA Little Lesson in Big GenerosityWhat to Do When Faith Becomes Complicated 

Would you like a sneak peek at something special?

Greetings, Refresh readers!

I hope your summer’s off to a wonderful start. Would you like to see what I’ve been up to?

For some reason, many iPhones don’t load the pictures that accompany these blog posts, and this post is FULL OF REALLY FUN PICTURES. To be sure you can see them all, click HERE to view the post on my website.

First, something that’s been in the works for THREE YEARS and counting — Refresh Your Faith’s sister book — A Word for your Day, 60 Devotions to Refresh Your Mind. Like Refresh Your Faith, this devotional will take you all the way through the Bible, one book at a time, in 66 readings. Instead of an uncommon verse from each book, this book will spotlight an uncommon word from each book of the Bible.

You’ll read devotions exploring spectacular words like Surprise, Glory, Embrace, and Refuge. Each story-driven devotion will make your heart sing and refresh your mind. It will also remind you that every book of the Bible is relevant and powerful. This volume will release in early 2024, but today, I get to show you the cover of A Word for Your Day. Are you ready?

TADA!!!

What do you think? I hope you like it as much as I do. Please let me know what you think in the comments below.

Here are a few more pictures from my spring.

With the launch of Refresh Your Hope in early January, I had many opportunities to share a presentation based on the book called “Share the Hope — 4 Unshakeable Reasons Not to Lose Heart.”

Let me know if you’d like me to bring Share the Hope to your church.

These events opened up a spot on WIS-TV’s “Soda City Live with my favorite news anchor, Dawndy Mercer Plank.

I spent a super-productive week in Alexandria, Virginia hanging out with my daughter and favorite grandpup, Halsey the French bulldog. Can you think of a nicer place to work on the final edits for A Word for Your Day?

Halsey’s an excellent listener and great inspiration. Watch for his story in the next edition of All God’s Creatures, Devotions for Animal Lovers.

In the midst of writing and speaking, we celebrated my dad’s 87th birthday. He usually wears a baseball cap, so we all donned our caps to honor him. Aren’t we cute?

In between Dad’s birthday, we hosted our daughter, son-in-law, and Halsey for a few weeks, celebrated her birthday, then headed off for the funnest week of the year — beach vacay with the grandkids. Every year we snap a picture sitting on the same bench at the beach. The youngest was only a few weeks old in the first picture. Now look at him!

I’ll close with something you’ve probably never seen before — a dog in a dental chair. Many of you know I work my day job as a dental hygienist when I’m not writing devotions. This year our office added Belle, a golden retriever puppy to our staff. As you can see, she does a great job of calming anxious patients and making the rest of us smile 🙂 Now you know now why I love BOTH my jobs.

As we wait for the arrival of A Word for Your Day, I’m hard at work on the next next next devotional. Can’t share the details yet . . . one book at a time. Will you pray for me, that God will speak through my words to magnify His Word. Thank you for being the best group of readers EVER. I’m very blessed to have you in my life.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing this summer. Leave a comment below and join the conversation!

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 Would you like a sneak peek at something special? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesPlease Stop Bashing the ChurchA Little Lesson in Big GenerosityWhat to Do When Faith Becomes Complicated