Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 14

How to Hear God’s Voice — and that Fiasco on the Mountain

In an attempt to hear God’s voice, the fiasco on the mountain was truly a pathetic scene. The prophets of Baal were desperate to prove the superiority of their false God. They worked themselves into a frenzy. They danced. They sang. They called out. 

After hours of such nonsense, Elijah’s patience with their theatrics wore thin. He taunted them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27) 

Humiliated, the prophets renewed their efforts to attract their god’s attention. They cried louder. They cut themselves until the blood ran in rivers down their arms. 

And heaven’s voice was silent. No thunder clap from the clouds. No bolt of lightning. No booming voice declaring their god’s presence. Just silence. And, perhaps, a snicker from the lone prophet who watched their antics with disdain. 

This big-screen showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is a familiar story. Captured in all its glorious detail on the pages of 1 Kings 18, the epic battle (which wasn’t a battle after all) between the God of the universe and the gods of this world ends just as we expect it to. God displays his power with miraculous signs and wonders, vanquishes his enemies, and leads even the unbelieving to testify, “The LORD – he is God! The LORD – he is God!” (v. 39). 

What prompted God to show up? 

A two sentence prayer from Elijah: 

“O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again” (vv. 36-37). 

Two sentences composed of mostly one- and two-syllable words. A simple, heart-felt plea from one of God’s children. 

If you, like I, find God’s willingness to respond to simple prayers amazing, we’re not alone. The prophet Amos also marveled at how available and accessible God is. “He is here: the One who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man” (Amos 4:13). 

He is here. 

Think on this for a moment. The God who forms the mountains and creates the wind . . . is here. Where we are. With us. 

But it gets better. 

Have you ever sat in a room with someone who is physically here, yet a thousand miles away? Shrouded in mystery and silence, their thoughts were as incomprehensible as a Supreme Court brief to a first-year law clerk. 

But, wonder of wonder, our God isn’t like this. He doesn’t require us to employ dramatic and extreme measures to get his attention or discern his thoughts. Our mighty, all-powerful God is not only with us, but also, in the words of Amos, “longs to reveal his thoughts to us.” 

What other god is like this? 

If you, like Elijah (not the prophets of Baal) would like to experience God’s power, and if you, like Amos, want to understand God’s thoughts, it’s not hard. 

First, seek God earnestly. 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). 

Second, talk to him in prayer. 

Prayer isn’t elaborate or ostentatious. It’s a conversation. Moses talked to God “face to face,” and we can, too, (even though, for a time at least, we’ll have to imagine God’s face). 

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them” (Psalm 145:18-19). 

Third, allow God to speak to you through his Word, the Bible. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). 

As we approach God earnestly, talk to him in prayer, and allow him to speak to us through his Word, we’ll come to understand his heart and mind. No shouting, dancing, or bleeding. Just a conversation with the God of the universe who longs to reveal his thoughts to us. 

Imagine this.

If you live within driving distance of Ridgeway, South Carolina, and could use a solid dose of unshakeable hope, I’d love for you to join me at First Baptist Church of Ridgeway on Saturday, March 25 at 11:30. We’ll enjoy lunch together, laugh, get to know each other, and consider together four reasons why we can experience unshakeable hope. Please RSVP by text to Phyllis at (803)239-7238, Here’s a sneak peak 🙂

Click here if you can’t see the video: https://share.icloud.com/photos/074R04ANJDAlQbbFqrtB7HbaA


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 Hear God’s Voice — and that Fiasco on the Mountain appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               
CommentsHow to Hear God’s Voice — and that Fiasco on the Mountain by LoriAHatcherWhat Went Wrong with Peter? Living and Dying with Jesus by LoriAHatcherNature Can Teach the Church a Surprising Lesson by LoriAHatcher10 Compelling Reasons For Hope–Today and Every Day by LoriAHatcherTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related Stories10 Unshakeable Reasons to Hope – Today and Every DayTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life4 Ways to Banish Worry from Your Life 

What Went Wrong with Peter? Living and Dying with Jesus

“What do you think happened to Peter?” I asked my pastor/husband. 

I’d been reading the account of the Passover week, and Peter’s loyalty to Christ stood in sharp contrast to his betrayal. At the Last Supper, Peter declared he was willing to die with Christ. When the mob came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he bravely defended Jesus. He swung a sword and chopped off a guy’s ear. Yet a little servant girl scared him so badly he swore and said he never knew Jesus. 

What happened? 

“Peter was willing to fight,” my husband said, “but he wasn’t willing to surrender his life.” 



Some days, I am Peter. I share the Gospel bravely. Defend Jesus with passion. Pledge my allegiance to the cause of Christ, and declare, “As for me and MY house, we will serve the Lord.” I want the guts and the glory.

But I’m unwilling to lay down my life. 

I want revenge when someone wrongs me. 

I expect praise when I serve unselfishly. 

I think others should set aside their preferences in favor of mine. 

I’m surprised when people mock my faith. 

I feel like God has betrayed my trust when pain and trials enter my life. 

I, like Peter, am willing to fight for Christ, but I’m not always willing to surrender to him—especially when life doesn’t turn out like I expected.

Trials and hardships? I didn’t sign up for this. 

Sickness and death? Can’t I just pray and God will spare us?

Animosity against me because I’m a Christian? I don’t deserve this. 

Disappointments, hurts, and betrayals? This happens to the unsaved, but Christians should be exempt. 

What does Scripture say?

About trials: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

About sickness and death: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psa. 73:26). 

About persecution for our faith: “Remember the word that I said unto you, ‘The servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). 

About disappointments, hurts, and betrayals: “I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting” (Isa. 50:6). 

Surrendering to God’s will, as Peter discovered, is much more difficult than fighting for God’s cause. Cowards can fight, but only the bravest surrender. 

And only when we surrender our will to God will we discover what it really means to live. 



“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mat. 10:39).

Peter discovered that people experience the greatest joy imaginable when they surrender their lives to Christ. Listen to his words in 1 Peter 5:6-7: 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 

Peter learned that to truly fight for Christ, we must surrender to him. No holding back. No hedging our bets. No escape clause. No emergency chute. 

All in. 

All out. 

All His. 

Three times the gospels describe Peter’s actions: “He followed at a distance.”* 

Following at a distance caused Peter to deny Christ. 

“Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ . . . And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:60-62). 

Today, will you join me not only in defending Christ, but also in surrendering our lives to him?

*Mat. 26:58, Mark 14:54, Luke 22:54

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 What Went Wrong with Peter? Living and Dying with Jesus appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories10 Unshakeable Reasons to Hope – Today and Every DayTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God Today 

Nature Can Teach the Church a Surprising Lesson

It’s a beautiful thing when people work as a team. 

A well-executed series of plays that leads to a touchdown. (Did you watch the Super Bowl?) An orchestra of musicians playing the same composition on different instruments. A platoon of soldiers walking in precision rank and file. 

The nature world displays similar examples of teamwork and community. A herd of elephants circles to defend its young against predators. An ant colony scouts for food, nurtures their larva, and protects their home. Dolphins work together to find and capture food. 

In the Everglades, after a pod of dolphins uses its echolocation to identify a school of fish, they form a circle around their prey. Fish out of the water are easier to catch, so one dolphin breaks off from the circle and executes a surprise maneuver. Beating its tail hard against the water, it circles the ring of dolphins. 

The up and down motion of its tail stirs up silt on the bottom of the ocean, forming a cloudy ring. The fish, startled and confused by the murky water, panic. They leap from the water, right into the hungry mouths of the dolphins. 

 Within a few minutes, the pod of dolphins swims off with their tummies full of fresh fish. 

Even more graceful than dolphins fishing together is the picture of community Paul paints in 1 Corinthians 12. 

 “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (v. 12-13). 

Some are evangelists, Paul says, sharing the good news with the world. Others are pastors, teachers, and preachers. Others give, serve, or pray. 

Whatever our gift, he encourages us to use it in tandem with other members of the church to share the good news, and advance the kingdom. When we collaborate, we become God’s hands and feet in the world. Or, in the case of our dolphin friends, the fins and tails. Working together ensures everyone’s needs are met and the world witnesses a beautiful testimony of God’s people doing life together. 

When the world looks at your church, what does it see? Lone wolves drawing boundaries around their territories? Or clever dolphins joining forces for the greater good? 

What’s your part in the family? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

And check out this YouTube video to see the hungry dolphins in action.

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 Nature Can Teach the Church a Surprising Lesson appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               
CommentsNature Can Teach the Church a Surprising Lesson by LoriAHatcher10 Compelling Reasons For Hope–Today and Every Day by LoriAHatcherTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life by LoriAHatcher7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God Today by LoriAHatcherOne of the Sweetest Ways to Change the World by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God TodayBringing You an Update and a Smile – Share the Hope 

10 Unshakeable Reasons to Hope – Today and Every Day

Every day we have a choice where to look for hope—in created things or in our Creator. The world tells us to hope in money, luck, determination, relationships, skills, and our own abilities. God tells us to look to Him.The world disappoints us—again and again, but God will never fail us. The hope He offers doesn’t rise and fall with changing circumstances. It is solid and secure.God’s version of hope doesn’t promise to deliver our personal definition of happiness. It assures us He’ll order the events of our lives to refine us and make us more like His Son. Only there will we find the deep and abiding joy we crave.Charles Haddon Spurgeon once shared that New Zealanders have a word for hope that signifies “the swimming thought.” He used the term to describe the hope God offers, “because when all other thoughts are drowned, hope still swims.”3 Here are ten reasons from God’s Word I shared recently on the Revive Our Hearts blog for you to swim in hope this year. 

Here are 10 Biblical Reasons to Have Hope today and every day.1. God is good.

We never have to question God’s motives or methods. He cannot act outside His nature, and His nature is always good. We can trust Him, even when He allows circumstances that aren’t good

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion: therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, 

to the one who seeks him; 

it is good to wait quietly 

for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:24–26 niv)

2. God is faithful.

In a world of broken promises, God’s character holds fast. He is a promise-keeping God. As Joshua declared to the Israelites, “Not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed” (Josh. 23:14 niv). We can trust Him for the future based on His faithfulness in the past.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 niv

3. God never leaves us or forsakes us.

One of Satan’s sneakiest lies tells us that God abandons us in our distress. God’s Word says otherwise. Isaiah 43:1–2 esv tells us:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by name, you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; 

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, 

and the flame shall not consume you.” 

4. God knows everything.

The longer we live, the more aware we become of how limited our understanding is. This awareness becomes especially keen during our parenting years.How should we educate our children? How should we discipline them? What’s the best way to impart spiritual truth? These questions and many more can overwhelm us if we forget that God, who knows everything, eagerly shares His wisdom with us when we ask (James 1:5).

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33 niv)

5. God never stops loving us.

Many wrongly assume God’s love is based on our performance. When we “fail” God in some way, we believe He will wipe His holy hands of us and direct His love toward someone more worthy. We can learn to rest in the security of God’s love when we take to heart verses like Titus 3:4–5, which remind us that because we did nothing to earn God’s love, we can’t do anything to lose it. God loves us. Period.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4–5 niv)

6. God always hears our prayers.

When my children were little, I could pick out their cries above the voices of a dozen children. Their slightest whimper awakened me in the middle of the night. But even my Super Mom ears didn’t hear every request for help or comfort. God, however, never misses a whisper, especially when we pray. Although His answer is sometimes long in coming, we can rest in hope because His ears are always attentive to the cries of His children.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.(Psalm 34:15 niv)

7. God is trustworthy.

It took me many years to learn to trust God. Frankly, I’m still learning. Every detour from the path I think I should be on invites me to revisit my faith and confidence. Ultimately, my response comes down to one question: Do I trust God? Do I believe He knows what’s best for me, even when it looks different than what I’d hoped for? Can God use hardship, trials, sickness, and loss for my good and His glory? Is His holy plan better than my human plan?

As for God, his way is perfect. (Psalm 18:30 niv)

8. God renews us day by day.

Mothers are the hardest working people on the planet. I don’t have statistical data to back this up, but I know from experience that, unlike other professions or callings, a mother’s job never ends. From before her first child awakens to long after her last child closes his eyes, she is working. Nurse, educator, counselor, chauffeur, housekeeper, shopper, seamstress, chef, instructor, advisor, the job description goes on and on. Only through the supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit can we even begin to accomplish our to-do list. The good news, the hope-filled news, is that each morning brings new mercies and a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit when we admit our helplessness and lean on God’s strength.Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 niv)

9. God never wastes pain.

Jesus warned His disciples that we would have trouble in this life. We’re not immune to the effects of living in a sinful world. Sickness, loss, trials, and a multitude of other challenges can cause us to doubt God’s purposes. “Why, Lord?” we ask, and wonder if God is cruel. Or, worse yet, that He doesn’t care at all. The Bible assures us that while we may not understand why, we can hope in the promise that God never wastes pain. He always uses it to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5 niv)

10. God is generous.

For many years, I subconsciously viewed God as a miser. Verses like 1 Timothy 6:8 esv, “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content,” led me to believe God was a minimalist. That He would fulfill His obligation to feed and clothe me, but nothing more. But the more I read God’s Word and learned His character, I discovered that our Father in heaven loves to “give good things to those who ask him” (Matt. 7:11 niv). He invites us to “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10 niv). He delights in blessing us with unexpected demonstrations of His love.

No good thing does he withhold 

from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11 esv)

I pray that these ten biblical reasons and the thousands more tucked into the pages of Scripture will “fill you with all joy and peace” and cause you to “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 niv).May hope swim in your life forever.Note: This article first appeared on ReviveOurHearts .com. It contains adapted excerpts from the book Refresh Your Hope: 60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart, and is used with permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing (OurDailyBread.org).

Some Really Happy News

Thanks to many of you who ordered copies of Refresh Your Hope, this happened! (If the picture doesn’t display in your email, click HERE to see the post on line. Because of reviews and sales, Amazon recognized Refresh Your Hope as a #1 New Release in its category. This is the first time one of my books has earned the coveted orange stripe on Amazon, and I’m thrilled. This means Amazon will promote the book to more hope-hungry people! Lord, send HOPE into hurting people’s hearts!If you haven’t already (46 of you have), would you please review Refresh Your Hope on Amazon? Honest reviews help people find good books, and my immediate goal is to reach 50 reviews. CLICK HERE to leave a review. Thanks so much!

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 10 Unshakeable Reasons to Hope – Today and Every Day appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer LifeBringing You an Update and a Smile – Share the Hope4 Ways to Banish Worry from Your Life 

10 Compelling Reasons For Hope–Today and Every Day

Every day we have a choice where to look for hope—in created things or in our Creator. The world tells us to hope in money, luck, determination, relationships, skills, and our own abilities. God tells us to look to Him.

The world disappoints us—again and again, but God will never fail us. The hope He offers doesn’t rise and fall with changing circumstances. It is solid and secure.

God’s version of hope doesn’t promise to deliver our personal definition of happiness. It assures us He’ll order the events of our lives to refine us and make us more like His Son. Only there will we find the deep and abiding joy we crave.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon once shared that New Zealanders have a word for hope that signifies “the swimming thought.” He used the term to describe the hope God offers, “because when all other thoughts are drowned, hope still swims.”3

Here are ten reasons from God’s Word for you to swim in hope this year. 

Here are 10 Biblical Reasons to Have Hope today and every day.
1. God is good.

We never have to question God’s motives or methods. He cannot act outside His nature, and His nature is always good. We can trust Him, even when He allows circumstances that aren’t good.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion: therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, 

to the one who seeks him; 

it is good to wait quietly 

for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:24–26 niv)

2. God is faithful.

In a world of broken promises, God’s character holds fast. He is a promise-keeping God. As Joshua declared to the Israelites, “Not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed” (Josh. 23:14 niv). We can trust Him for the future based on His faithfulness in the past.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 niv)

3. God never leaves us or forsakes us.

One of Satan’s sneakiest lies tells us that God abandons us in our distress. God’s Word says otherwise. 

Isaiah 43:1–2 esv tells us: 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by name, you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; 

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, 

and the flame shall not consume you.” 

4. God knows everything.

The longer we live, the more aware we become of how limited our understanding is. This awareness becomes especially keen during our parenting years.

How should we educate our children? How should we discipline them? What’s the best way to impart spiritual truth? These questions and many more can overwhelm us if we forget that God, who knows everything, eagerly shares His wisdom with us when we ask (James 1:5).

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33 niv)

5. God never stops loving us.

Many wrongly assume God’s love is based on our performance. When we “fail” God in some way, we believe He will wipe His holy hands of us and direct His love toward someone more worthy. 

We can learn to rest in the security of God’s love when we take to heart verses like Titus 3:4–5, which remind us that because we did nothing to earn God’s love, we can’t do anything to lose it. God loves us. Period.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4–5 niv)

6. God always hears our prayers.

When my children were little, I could pick out their cries above the voices of a dozen children. Their slightest whimper awakened me in the middle of the night. But even my Super Mom ears didn’t hear every request for help or comfort. God, however, never misses a whisper, especially when we pray. Although His answer is sometimes long in coming, we can rest in hope because His ears are always attentive to the cries of His children.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.(Psalm 34:15 niv)

7. God is trustworthy.

It took me many years to learn to trust God. Frankly, I’m still learning. Every detour from the path I think I should be on invites me to revisit my faith and confidence. Ultimately, my response comes down to one question: Do I trust God? Do I believe He knows what’s best for me, even when it looks different than what I’d hoped for? Can God use hardship, trials, sickness, and loss for my good and His glory? Is His holy plan better than my human plan?

As for God, his way is perfect. (Psalm 18:30 niv)

8. God renews us day by day.

Mothers are the hardest working people on the planet. I don’t have statistical data to back this up, but I know from experience that, unlike other professions or callings, a mother’s job never ends. From before her first child awakens to long after her last child closes his eyes, she is working. 

Nurse, educator, counselor, chauffeur, housekeeper, shopper, seamstress, chef, instructor, advisor, the job description goes on and on. Only through the supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit can we even begin to accomplish our to-do list. The good news, the hope-filled news, is that each morning brings new mercies and a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit when we admit our helplessness and lean on God’s strength.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 niv)

9. God never wastes pain.

Jesus warned His disciples that we would have trouble in this life. We’re not immune to the effects of living in a sinful world. Sickness, loss, trials, and a multitude of other challenges can cause us to doubt God’s purposes. “Why, Lord?” we ask, and wonder if God is cruel. Or, worse yet, that He doesn’t care at all. The Bible assures us that while we may not understand why, we can hope in the promise that God never wastes pain. He always uses it to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5 niv)

10. God is generous.

For many years, I subconsciously viewed God as a miser. Verses like 1 Timothy 6:8 esv, “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content,” led me to believe God was a minimalist. That He would fulfill His obligation to feed and clothe me, but nothing more. 

But the more I read God’s Word and learned His character, I discovered that our Father in heaven loves to “give good things to those who ask him” (Matt. 7:11 niv). He invites us to “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10 niv). He delights in blessing us with unexpected demonstrations of His love.

No good thing does he withhold 

from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11 esv)

I pray that these ten biblical reasons and the thousands more tucked into the pages of Scripture will “fill you with all joy and peace” and cause you to “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 niv).

May hope swim in your life forever.

Note:  This article first appeared on ReviveOurHearts .com. It contains adapted excerpts from the book  Refresh Your Hope: 60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart , and is used with permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing (OurDailyBread.org).

Some Really Happy News

Thanks to many of you who ordered copies of Refresh Your Hope, this happened! (If the picture doesn’t display in your email, click HERE to see the post on line. Because of reviews and sales, Amazon recognized Refresh Your Hope as a #1 New Release in its category. This is the first time one of my books has earned the coveted orange stripe on Amazon, and I’m thrilled. This means Amazon will promote the book to more hope-hungry people! Lord, send HOPE into hurting people’s hearts!

If you haven’t already (44 of you have), would you please review Refresh Your Hope on Amazon? Honest reviews help people find good books. CLICK HERE to leave a review. Thanks so much!

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.

1 Emily Dickinson, “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers (254),” Poets.org (Academy of American Poets), accessed January 6, 2023, https://poets.org/poem/hope-thing-fea....

2 J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom, Never Beyond Hope: How God Touches and Uses Imperfect People (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2000), 15.

3 C. H. Spurgeon, “Unanswered Prayer (no. 3344),” Christian Classics Ethereal Library, accessed July 14, 2021, https://ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermon....

The post 10 Compelling Reasons For Hope–Today and Every Day appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesTry These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God TodayBringing You an Update and a Smile – Share the Hope 

Try These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life

Years ago, a friend challenged me to fast and pray one day a month for my adult children. 



When she suggested it, I had mixed feelings. I love my children. I want God’s best for them. I also love food. And I have a high metabolism that requires me to eat often. My kids call me “The Toddler” because I eat every few hours to avoid headaches, lightheadedness, and weakness. 

I thought long and hard when my friend suggested a prayer plan that involved going without food for extended periods.



As I weighed the benefits against the losses (no pun intended), I realized that I wanted God to release His power in my family’s life way more than I wanted a comfortable stomach and a headache-free life. For the last nine years, I’ve set aside one day a month to fast and pray for my adult children. 



I shared biblical reasons for fasting recently in a post called “Powerful Reasons to Fast—Even When You Don’t Want To.”(If you missed it, perhaps you’ll want to read this introductory post before continuing.) 

Why do some Christians fast? Here are three of the most common reasons:

I’m guest posting over on the Revive Our Hearts blog. To read the rest of this post, Boost Your Prayer Life with these 10 Powerful Fasting Tips, click HERE.

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 Try These Powerful Fasting Tips to Boost Your Prayer Life appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories4 Ways to Banish Worry from Your LifeHow to Have Hope while You’re Waiting7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God Today 

7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God Today

Taste buds. Yep, that’s what I wrote in my journal today. Thank you, Lord, for taste buds.

Has it ever occurred to you that God didn’t have to create us with taste buds? He could have made us like dogs, who have one-sixth the number of taste buds humans have.

Without taste buds, we’d eat simply to supply our bodies with enough calories to survive. It wouldn’t matter what we ate, as long as we filled our stomachs. Like pumping gasoline into a gas tank. Or watering a plant. 

Instead, God gave us 7,000 glorious taste buds with the ability to sense sweet, salty, bitter, salty, and savory. Oh, the pleasure we experience when we taste the summer sweetness of a ripe watermelon. Or the salty deliciousness of a giant bowl of buttered popcorn. Or the savory, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a perfectly cooked steak. 

First Timothy 6:17 gives us a glimpse of why God infused our bodies and our world with sensory pleasures.

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” 

1 Timothy 6:17

Did you catch the second half of this verse? “God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” 

When God created the world, He designed it for our pleasure. He created flowers with heavenly scents, sunsets with a rainbow of colors, and kittens with silky-soft fur. He made bumbly puppies with sweet-smelling puppy breath, chattering squirrels to make us laugh, and friends and family to enjoy life with. 

God could have made the world utilitarian. Monochromatic. Efficient. Dull. Instead, he created it with a billion spots of delight and pleasure. Our precious Father, who richly gives us all we need (and so much more) fashioned the world for our enjoyment. 



What a gift. What a God. 

Today, as you make your way through the world, take a moment and pause. Smell the air. Feel the sunshine or the rain. Savor the taste of your food. Ponder the things that bring you pleasure. Then, thank your Creator, the God who loves you so much that He surrounds you with gifts to enjoy. 

See. Hear. Touch. Smell. Taste. Be grateful. 

Now it’s your turn. What has God created that you especially enjoy? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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 7,000 Delicious Reasons You Can Thank God Today appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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One of the Sweetest Ways to Change the World

When you grow up in a small town in New England, you don’t have much to brag about. Nestled on the shores of Narragansett Bay, the sleepy little town where I was born is home to about 23,000 people. 

But once a year, it goes from obscure to ostentatious.

On July 4th, Bristol, Rhode Island makes headlines by hosting the oldest continuously-running Fourth of July parade in the world. As a Girl Scout from troop #229, I proudly marched with my band of sisters in this parade on more than one occasion. 

Organized in 1785 by Henry Wright, a Congregational minister and veteran of the Revolutionary War, the celebration attracts more than 200,000 visitors from around the world. It’s not uncommon to see the Today Show broadcasting “The Military, Civic and Firemen’s Parade” from a perch on Hope Street. 

To prepare for the celebration, the town paints the town red. And white. And blue. 

Literally.

A tri-color stripe down the middle of Hope Street marks the parade route. Fire hydrants painted to look like minute men dot the primary thoroughfare. Bunting, flags, and flowers adorn every home within ten miles of the town center. It’s no wonder Bristol has earned the nickname, “America’s Most Patriotic Town.” 

When my family moved from Rhode Island to South Carolina, I discovered that the biggest parade in Columbia took place in the winter.

Smart.

Very smart.

In a land where July temperatures often reach 100 degrees or more, hosting a grand celebration in one of the cooler months of the year makes sense. 

The Columbia Christmas Parade has all the parade elements I grew up with and more. Because Columbia is home to Fort Jackson, the largest basic training facility in the country, we always see an impressive display of military power. Fly overs by jets from Shaw Air Force Base, rolling tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers from the fort, and music by the Army band add a chest-swelling patriotic touch. 

I was halfway through my senior year of dental hygiene school when parade organizers invited me to represent the Allied Health Department. Dressed in my white uniform and cap and accompanied by a five-foot wooden tooth, I waved and smiled until my face hurt. 

One of the funnest parts of the parade was throwing candy to the kids along the route. (Ironic considering my lifelong pledge to fight tooth decay, but hey, it was Christmas.) Before event organizers decided it was dangerous and banned the practice, we had the freedom to fling handfuls of candy into the crowds that lined the streets. 

Sweeter than Candy

Reveling in the memory of digging into that bucket of candy and scattering sweets far and wide, I realized something. Although safety concerns ended the tradition of distributing candy at a parade, we as Christians can share a blessing that far surpasses Fireballs, Starburst, and Jolly Ranchers. 

We can scatter prayers. 

God showed me this early one morning as I walked the streets of my neighborhood. What if you scattered prayers the way you once scattered candy? the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart. Fling them far and wide. See how many people you can touch in my name today. 

So I did. 

I prayed for my closest neighbors as I walked past their houses.

Father, bless that hard-working university professor. Help her shine the light of Christ in her classroom.



Heal that precious friend with cancer and keep her faith strong. Meet her every need according to your riches and glory. 



Protect that young couple as they travel. Give them a restful time away and bring them home safely.

I also prayed for neighbors I haven’t yet met, flinging petitions their way with abandon. 

Lord, there’s that young girl I pass every morning jogging with her dog. Keep her safe. Keep her pure. If she doesn’t know you as Savior, help her find you. 



And the man who leaves for work every morning at 6 a.m. Bless his home and his family. Draw him close to you. 



And the grumpy lady who never smiles. Help her find joy. 

Unlike the big bucket of candy on the parade floats, these sweet offerings multiplied the more I scattered them. I prayed for the police officer who lives at the entrance to our neighborhood. For the contractor who parks his trailer in a cul de sac. For the couple whose toy poodle barks every time I walk by. 

The house with a fleet of bicycles reminded me to pray for the next generation that will one day lead our country. After noticing the home with a Navy flag, I prayed for our military and their families. The house with the handicap ramp led me to pray for the health and safety of all my neighbors. 

Everywhere I walked, I scattered prayers with abandon, knowing God hears every one of them and promises to fulfill his purpose in each person’s life. 

What a privilege to be part of his work in the world. 

Would you like to join me? What if, instead of mindlessly walking, driving, or moving through your day, you grabbed a bucket of sweet prayers and flung them wherever you went? Who knows how God might use your petitions to accomplish his work in the lives of those around you. 

One day we’ll be part of the parade to end all parades. Instead of a red, white, and blue stripe down the middle of the road, we’ll march on golden pavement. The King of kings and Lord of lords will lead the throng, and behind him will walk people from every tribe, tongue and nation. 

How many will be there because of your prayers? 

Now it’s your turn. How have you incorporated prayer into your daily routine? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

If you live in the Columbia, South Carolina area, please join me as I Share the Hope at Dunn’s Chapel on Saturday, September 28. I’d love to see you there!



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 One of the Sweetest Ways to Change the World appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Bringing You an Update and a Smile – Share the Hope

Greetings, faithful readers!

Thank you so much for your love and prayers during the release of Refresh Your Hope, 60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart. Releasing a book is a crazy, exhilarating, exhausting experience.

So many questions run through an author’s mind.

Will they like it?

What if they don’t?

What if I get a terrible review on Amazon?

What if no one buys it, the publisher loses money, and I never get to write another book?

On release day my grandkids and I celebrated by going to Sonic, their favorite frozen treat place. (Yes, we live in the South. We eat ice cream all year long.)

As I prepared to launch this book, I sensed the Lord impressing on my heart to do something different from a traditional launch party. I chose to do a series of women’s ministry events, called Share the Hope, based on the book. This is why I wrote the book — to share the hope we have in God with hope-hungry people.

We held the first of what I hope will be many Share the Hope events at my home church, New Testament Baptist, a small church in Columbia, South Carolina.

As we welcomed women from all over town, we laughed a lot. We admitted some of the crazy things we’ve done over the past few years in a fun get-to-know you exercise.

How many of you had to cut your own hair during the lockdowns?

How many got dressed for a meeting from the waist up only?

How many ran out of toilet paper?

How many stockpiled toilet paper?

Next we sang hope-filled worship songs like In Christ Alone, Even If, and All My Hope Is in Jesus.

After giving away a slew of door prizes (don’t we all love to win a prize?), I shared inspiration from God’s Word and Refresh Your Hope, “4 Unshakeable Reasons Not to Lose Hope.”

We talked about what true, biblical hope is and what it’s not. How we can stake our lives on the truth that God saves, God sees, God provides, and, one day, God will reward those He loves. We laughed–a lot. And maybe cried a little, ’cause life’s hard.

When my presentation was over, we broke up into groups and shared the areas we struggle most in to have hope. Then we applied what we’d talked about to our situations. We agreed God has an answer for every challenge that faces us. We came away braver, more encouraged, and more hopeFULL.

Here’s my amazing team! Valerie, Mandy, Linnea, Katherine, and Debbie (not pictured)

To celebrate the hope we have in Jesus, we fellowshiped over pineapple/pecan/cream cheese sandwiches (thank you, Mandy), chicken salad croissants (thank you, Debbie), mouth-watering cheese balls and crackers (thank you, Valerie), fruit, and cupcakes. Can we admit that the inner child in all of us cannot pass up a cheery-looking cupcake loaded with icing??

It was a grand, hope-filled day. And wonder of wonders, I get to do it all again this Sunday, January 22, at Kittiwake Baptist church from 4-6 and on Saturday, January 28 at Dunn’s Chapel in South Congaree from 9:30-11:30. If you’re in the area, please join us! Scroll to the bottom of this post for more information.

The Reviews Are Coming In

In the meantime, my kind readers have been busily posting Refresh Your Hope Amazon reviews. Here are a few:

“My bookshelves are crammed with other devotionals from previous years, and while some are okay, many are milky, mushy, dribbles of only nice thoughts. There’s no meat. Refresh Your Hope gives me something to chew on …daily.” ~ R.D.

“Have you ever wished to comfort a friend who needs hope? Or give them a hope-filled little gift that would last past your phone call? Past your visit? After the flowers die? After you’ve run out of words? This is your book.” ~E.B.

“Well written & much needed in today’s weary world.” ~W.A.

If you’re reading Refresh Your Hope, I’d be honored if you’d write a review (CLICK HERE). It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a brief thought or two about what you like. My goal is to reach 50 reviews soon. Once we hit that magic number, Amazon will promote it and help other hope-hungry people find it.

Thanks for reading all the way through. You’re family, so I wanted to keep you up-to-date on what’s been going on. Thank you for your support and prayers!

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 Bringing You an Update and a Smile – Share the Hope appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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4 Ways to Banish Worry from Your Life

There’s a stray cat in the neighborhood, and for whatever reason, it’s homed in on you. 

It howls at your doorstep. You shoo it away. When you come home at night, it’s lurking in the bushes. You rush inside, closing the door firmly in its face, but the next morning, there it is—waiting for you. 

In a moment of weakness, you let it inside. Stroke it a few times. Let it nap in the sunny spot on the carpet. Feed it—just a morsel, because it’s crying so pitifully. Before long, it’s sleeping in your bed, kneading you with its paws, disturbing your sleep, and leaving its hair everywhere. 

Worry is a lot like a stray cat. It lurks in the corners of our lives, waiting to pounce. No matter how many times we shut the door in its face, it’s always there, waiting. 

Sometimes we succumb and let it into our heart’s home. We give it full access to our minds and emotions. We feed it what ifs, and it thrives. Before long, it takes over. Nothing—not even sleep—is safe from its needle-sharp claws. It crowds out our peace and leaves evidence of its presence clinging to everything. 

Four Ways to Banish Worry from Your Life 

1. Recognize worry for what it is—and unwelcome guest. Worry has no place in the life of a believer. For years, I excused my tendency to worry by saying, “I can’t help it. I’m a natural born worrier.” This is true. But believers aren’t natural any more. We’re supernatural. Because we have the Spirit of Christ living in us, we can triumph over the frailties of our human nature. We don’t have to be enslaved to them. 

2. Don’t entertain it. Worry, like that stray cat I referred to, often shows up at our door. We can’t help this, but we can choose not to invite it in. Memorizing promises from God’s Word, praying, and keeping a thankful list can help us bar the door. “Be anxious for nothing,” God’s Word commands us, “but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

3. Don’t feed it. Worry has the amazing ability to grow. The more we feed it, the fatter it gets. Following our thoughts down dark pathways, through sinister possibilities, and around terrifying turns fuels our fears, providing a nourishing diet for it to thrive. When we starve it by redirecting our thoughts, speaking truth into the situation, and channeling our ponderings into purposeful action, we cut off its supply. 

4. Banish it with truth from God’s Word. Spending time in the Bible every day supplies a powerful antidote for worry. Reading true-life accounts of God’s faithfulness to believers down through the ages inspires us to trust him. Exploring the characteristics of God teaches us how much he loves us. Watching God’s plan of redemption play out on the pages of Scripture gives us glimpses of how God can also work in our lives. Worry flees in the face of truth, and the Bible is the best source of truth available. 

If you’re struggling today, I hope you’ll take the garden hose of faith to the stray cat of worry. Truth be told, this unwelcome guest will continue to pester you this side of heaven, but these tips will provide a powerful way to guard your home and your heart. 

Now it’s your turn. How do you banish worry from your life? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

If you live in the Columbia area, please join me as I Share the Hope at Dunn’s Chapel, S. Congaree, on Saturday, January 28. I’d love to see you there!



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 Banish Worry from Your Life appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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