Hope in the Wait

I remember as a child waiting in anticipation for my birthday or for Christmas to arrive. Time moved slowly and the waiting dragged on forever.

As an adult, that time moves much more quickly. It seems like Christmas is around the corner again before last year’s gifts are put away. And waiting for birthdays isn’t quite as exciting anymore.

Waiting for the calendar page to turn—that’s not so hard. Until time ends, one month will flow into the next, guaranteed.

But waiting on God is hard. Some days it feels impossible. And other days it takes me right to my knees in tears and frustration.

Perhaps you’re waiting on God too...

…for physical healing.

…for employment.

…for a child to come home.

…for a relationship to be restored.

…for a loved one to come to faith.

Whatever it might be, there will be days when waiting on God is just too hard.

Days when I think I cannot do it one more day. I can’t wait patiently without worry and fear. And on those days, peace gets edged out. In its place are anxiousness, nausea, headaches, tears, depression, anger, and despair.

Despair that feels like hitting bottom, where there’s no place deeper to go—because with despair comes hopelessness.

Hopelessness covers the world in darkness, but not completely. Never completely.

Because the darkness can never extinguish the Light.

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

John 12:46 NLT

Jesus came into this world to show us the Light—His Light that never dims. It never goes out. {Tweet this}

We may become blinded to it at times, but it’s there, shining like a beacon—a symbol of hope leading us back to Him.

For where there is Light, there is hope. Always hope.

On the days when the waiting feels like too much—there is hope. {Tweet this}

Hope for a better tomorrow.

Hope that what we’re anticipating and waiting for is right around the corner.

Hope that soon God will reveal His plans for us.

Hope because God is in the wait with us—strengthening and comforting—bringing rest to the weary and calm to the panicked—picking us up when we hit the ground in despair.

Waiting for the seasons to change becomes methodical. Waiting on God never does.

We may not know what’s coming next, but God does. Our waiting and our future is in His hands.

His safe, strong, and more than capable hands.

In Christ,

Laura

**There are times when sadness and despair don’t improve. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression (ex. emotions you can’t control, fatigue, lack of energy, not being able to sleep, always wanting to sleep, and/or thoughts of self-harm), please don’t be afraid to seek help. Getting help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.**

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com / This post was rewritten from a one that originally appeared on 5 Minutes for Faith.]

Linking up with: Kingdom Bloggers, #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Purposeful Faith, #RechargeWednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, #TuneInThursday, #HeartEncouragement, Faith ‘n Friends, Grace & Truth, Spiritual Sunday, #FaithonFire

Change Offers Opportunity

I'm trying to look at unexpected change differently. Instead of scary and unknown, which it can be, I'm trying to look for what it might offer.

Unexpected change offers unexpected opportunities. {Tweet this}

Like the change itself, I don't know what those opportunities might look like, but I want to know they are there. It's a matter of having a positive outlook, rather than a negative one.

It's not easy. Some changes can be devastating and it takes years to work through the grief. I know that. 

I'm talking about the types of changes that can be fearful or challenging, depending on our attitude—looking for a new job, meeting new coworkers, moving, or doing something outside of our comfort zone.

Fearful is walking through the day with dread, assuming anything new will be bad.

Challenging is walking forward with an open mind and without preconceived assumptions, trusting that God has a plan. It doesn't mean everything will be easy or perfect. It means we don't make new opportunities more difficult because of a bad attitude.

When we only see what we stand to lose, change is frightening and depressing. But when we acknowledge what we might lose while at the same time looking ahead at what we might gain, it feels different. 

Change itself is unsettling, but when we look for new opportunities there's also a glimmer of hope. {Tweet this}

And when hope is there, it changes everything. Whether or not we see it is up to us.

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: Five Minute Friday, #TellHisStory, #TeaAndWord, Purposeful Faith, InstaEncouragements, #RechargeWednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, #TuneInThursday, #HeartEncouragement, #FaithonFire, Faith ‘n Friends, Grace & Truth, Spiritual Sundays

When You’re Not As Okay As You Say You Are

I keep saying I’m okay, but honestly, I’m starting to question that.

I wrote this to a friend a few weeks ago in an email. I thought I was okay. It was my standard answer when someone asked how I was doing. But privately, I was starting to wonder.

I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I was forgetting things that I wouldn’t normally forget. I was irritable, on edge, and about to cry at any moment. But…I thought I was doing okay. Until I wasn’t.

Maybe you know the feeling when so much is piled up and if one more thing gets added to the pile—just one. more. little. thing.—you will break.

I had reached my breaking point. I finally realized it and admitted it. And it felt good. It didn’t ease the pain of losing a loved one or make current situations simple, but the I’m-okay-mask didn’t feel quite so suffocating. {Tweet this}

I felt like I had to share this revelation and maybe some hope for someone else coming to the same conclusion about herself.

I posted this to a few of my Facebook friends…

Your breaking point just might be the moment you realize and admit that you’re actually not as okay as you keep telling people you are. But God is bigger than our breaking points!!

What breaks us does not break God. He’s bigger than the weight we’re carrying and the masks we’re trying to wear. {Tweet this}

What can we do when we realize we’re not as okay as we keep saying we are?

Please join me at Candidly Christian where I'm sharing 5 steps to take when you find you're at your breaking point...When You're Not As Okay As You Say You Are.

Have you experienced a time when you thought you were okay until you realized you weren’t? How did you feel after that realization?

In Christ,
Laura

Linking up with: Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, #GracefullTuesday, Trekking Thru, #RechargeWednesday, #TellHisStory, #porchstories, Let's Have Coffee, Moments of Hope, #DestinationInspiration, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, #FaithonFire, Grace & Truth, #BVNetworkParty

Hope For When Your Hope Feels Lost

A few months ago, I wrote an article titled Hope Changes Everything. Shortly after I posted it on my own blog, it also ran on a website called Thoughts About God. There it received more exposure which led to comments and questions from readers in other countries.

The common question was…

How do I keep hoping when it feels like all hope is lost? {Tweet this}

That's not an easy question to answer. Everyone has to deal with something in life, whether it's in the past, going on right now, or something that will happen in the future. Everyone’s “something” is hard and the longer it goes on, it can feel like hope is fleeting. {Tweet this}

Without knowing individual situations, I tried to respond based on what I've learned in my own experiences…because sometimes just knowing someone else is also struggling makes a difference.

Maybe you've been asking the same question—how do I keep hoping when it feels like all hope is gone?

Please join me at Candidly Christian to continue reading where I'm sharing 4 Things I've Learned About Staying Hopeful...Hope For When Your Hope Feels Lost.

In Christ,
Laura

[Photo credit: Candidly Christian]

Linking up with: Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, Trekking Thru, Let's Have Coffee, #porchstories, #RechargeWednesday, Sitting Among Friends, #HeartEncouragement, #gracemoments, Grace & Truth, #FreshMarketFriday, Faith 'n Friends, #FaithonFire, #DestinationInspiration, #BVNetworkParty

Hope Changes Everything

A couple of weeks ago, before our recent snowfall, I looked out the window into our backyard. The grass was brown and the trees were bare. The bird feeder was empty and uninviting. (We fill it when the ground is covered with snow.)

It was a depressing scene, and yet I saw hope. In a few months the trees will have buds and the grass will turn green again. The birds will return to their nests and baby birds will learn to fly.

I know there is hope in the dead of winter because spring will come again. Every year. Without fail, the cold days will become warm again.

The weather seasons will change, but sometimes the seasons of life feel long and drawn out.

I can't imagine what it's like to go through life without knowing Jesus.

With Jesus, I know I'm not alone and that no matter how long winter seems to last, I know it will not go on forever. {Tweet this}

Without winter, there would be no spring.

Without death, there would be no resurrection.

Without the valley, I wouldn't see the mountain.

Without the hard days, I wouldn't enjoy the good days.

Without chaos, I wouldn't appreciate the quiet days.

Without Jesus, there would be no light to break through the darkness.

I don’t know what season of life you’re walking through, but I encourage you to not give up.

The calendar pages turn and the new life of spring will be here before we know it.

God is most certainly at work, whether we can see it or not. Life seasons change, often much slower or quicker than we would like. But in every season there is hope.

Because of Jesus, there is always hope. And hope changes everything. {Tweet this}

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, Trekking Thru, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #RechargeWednesday, #porchstories, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Moments of Hope, #gracemoments, #DestinationInspiration, Sitting Among Friends, Faith 'n Friends, Grace & Truth, #FaithonFire 

Called to Wait

I don’t know anyone who particularly likes to wait. Waiting in line, waiting for a delivery, waiting for a repair person to arrive, waiting on our children and spouses…waiting can be tedious.

And waiting can be hard.

Especially when we’re waiting on God.

When we wait on God, we don’t know His timing, what the future will look like, or if our days will go the way we want them to.

We don’t get to see the full picture of our lives like God does. And yet, He tells us to wait and trust Him.

It’s not easy because waiting can feel like a waste of time. There’s a sense of loneliness as we watch others move ahead and we’re stuck behind…waiting.

But we are not left alone. As we wait, God promises to be with us. And God always keeps His promises. {Tweet this}

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Which means God with us.)

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

His very name is God with us. It’s Who He is.

God promised us a Savior and He kept His promise.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

He is Immanuel. God with us.

While we wait and let God work, He does not walk away and He doesn’t leave us. Instead, He draws us close to Him and helps us wait.

He makes hope possible when we see no reason for hope.

He fills our hearts with joy that we can’t explain and won’t find anywhere else.

He renews our strength and energy when we have nothing left inside of us.

He gives us the ability to see His blessings in the midst of difficulties, and He brings peace to our lives where peace doesn’t make sense.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

That’s God—helping us wait on Him.

Waiting can make us feel like we’re not doing anything, but we are doing something. We’re leaning in to Him, learning to trust Him on a deeper level.

Waiting is hard, but it is not time wasted.

Without waiting, we would miss out on the way He draws us close to Him and works in us to change our hearts.

Without waiting and trusting Him, we wouldn’t experience hope when we feel hopeless, joy in the midst of unhappiness, and peace that we can’t explain. {Tweet this}

Not through anything we can do ourselves, but all because of Him.

Immanuel—God with us.

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Aaron Burden/Unsplash]

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #RechargeWednesday, #porchstories, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Salt & Light, #GraceMoments, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, #FaithonFire

6 Verses to Start Your Day

How we start our day makes a difference—in how we feel, in our attitudes, and in general, how the day will progress. Today, I’m sharing six Scripture verses that make a difference in my morning. {Tweet this}

6 Scripture Verses to Start Your Day

Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening….

Praising God first—before we’ve seen what He will do, takes practice until it feels natural. Not sure how to do this?

*Start with praising God each morning for His love, with an openness to wherever He might lead you during the day.

*Praise Him throughout the day for the beauty you see around you.

*At the end of the day, reflect back. Thank and praise Him for His closeness throughout the day, His work and beauty you saw around you, and for His promise to continue to be with you through the night and into the next day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

No matter what happened yesterday, last week, or what might happen today, God’s love and compassion for us will never run out. No matter what comes our way and how crushing it feels, we can trust Him to help us through it.

Philippians 4:13 CEV

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

I usually read this verse in other translations that read, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (NLT) But I like the slight difference in how the CEV reads…the strength to face anything. Before I have to do anything (even getting up in the morning), I know that whatever comes that day, I can face it or approach it—because Christ gives me the strength and ability to do so. {Tweet this}

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Where our thoughts go, our hearts and emotions will follow. When we focus on all that could happen in the world, our thoughts go to frightening scenarios, most of which are not our current reality. But, when we focus on Jesus, we will find peace through Him—peace we can’t find anywhere else. Even when life throws us a curve ball, we can experience peace because we have fixed our eyes and minds on Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Some mornings I just don’t even want to get out of bed or face the day, especially when I think of doing it alone. But, we are not alone. God not only walks beside us in everything we have to go through, but He personally walks ahead and plans the way. There is nothing we go through that He is unaware of. Where we see no purpose in what we’re walking through, God knows. He knows what’s ahead of us and around the corner, and promises us we don’t have to be afraid…because He won’t leave us.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

All we can see is what we’re facing and what surrounds us, and some days, it looks pretty bleak. But, that doesn’t mean it will always be like that. God knows His plans for us long before He reveals them to us. He knew Jesus would walk this earth long before His people saw it happen. No matter what we see today, God’s plans are full of Hope—hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for our future. Because of Jesus, there is always Hope. {Tweet this}

What Scripture verses help you begin or walk through your day?

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Moments of Hope, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Recharge Wednesday, #ChasingCommunity, Faith on Fire, Porch Stories, Grace Moments, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

Hope for Your Future

“There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah31:17a NLT

There is hope for your future because…

…of who God is (not who we are.) {Tweet this}

…of His great love for us.

…God keeps His promises.

…He does not change.

…of how He’s worked in the past, and how He’s at work today.

…how He sees us (not how we see ourselves.)

…nothing is impossible for Him. {Tweet this}

…God sees us, hears us, and knows what we’re going through.

…He sees the big picture of our lives that we cannot see.

…God knows the plans He has for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah29:11 NLT

In Christ,

Laura  

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: Five Minute Friday, Moments of Hope, #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, From Messes to Messages, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday, Porch Stories, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Faith on Fire, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Jami Amerine

When God Answers with an Oxygen Mask

Have you ever wondered why you can see God’s hand in some areas of your life, but not so much in others? Maybe like me, you’ve even asked Him.

It’s not that you’re not thankful, you just want to know why.

That was a conversation I had with God a few months ago.

The Back Story...

The second half of 2016 was rough. After multiple large, unexpected expenses, loss of my part-time job when my position was eliminated, and ongoing family medical concerns, I was tired. I knew God was walking with me. I’d seen His work along the way. But, still, I was worn out.

As January 2017 began, the one-after-another extra expenses had slowed down. There were still bills to be caught up on, but I began to see some new employment opportunities.

I saw God at work in obvious ways in several areas of my life and watching His plan unfold re-energized my hope.

There was still one area, though, where there was no visible change—my loved one’s medical concerns. Every time I tried to move forward to make something happen, I felt like I hit a brick wall. My efforts went nowhere and I wondered if I was supposed to stop trying.

As I showered and dressed one morning, I had one of my heart-to-heart talks with God. I thanked Him for the opportunities He was presenting—I knew without a doubt He was at work. And in the next breath, I asked why. Why was He helping me and not my loved one? 

Why was I feeling hopeful in one area and hopeless in another?

I knew that He hadn’t chosen sides and that His help wasn’t limited to me, but sometimes what we know and feel don’t work together. {Tweet this}

I'm so excited to be a featured guest at Candidly Christian today! Please join me there to continue reading...When God Answers with an Oxygen Mask!

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo Credit: Candidly Christian]

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Moments of Hope, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, From Messes to Messages, Porch Stories, Writer Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, #ChasingCommunity, Grace Moments, Faith on Fire, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

God’s Healing Through a Song

When I opened the envelope, I thought I knew what it would say. In fact, I was so sure, I was already mentally planning my next steps. But, what I expected was not what was printed in that letter. I was stunned and stuck in the place I was standing.

What I read was good news, but it was also news that would disrupt our world for a while.

It was news that sent my emotions, and my daughter’s, into a freefall. I was instantly overwhelmed with the letter’s implications—the details that would have to be quickly taken care of, the financial risk, and how it would affect every member of our family, including our fur baby.

And did I mention the emotions?

Pouring out what I didn’t feel I had in me, I helped my daughter process through what she was thinking and feeling. Between the two of us, the fear, what ifs, and unknowns were too numerous to count. So were the tears.

I spent the next day making phone calls and confirming details, some I knew and some I’d just been made aware of. I sat at my kitchen table and cried when one piece of news was better than I had anticipated. I knew God had gone before us and was working out the details. And yet, I was still scared.

How could I see God’s hand and all that He was working in our favor and still be afraid? Because I’m human. {Tweet this}

I can be thankful for God’s provision and still feel vulnerable. 

I can trust Him and still be unsure of what my next step is. 

I can praise Him and still cry because I feel so broken. 

And, I can know God is with me and still feel afraid of what I can’t see ahead.

The week before, I’d fallen in love with the song “O My Soul” by Casting Crowns. I turned up the volume every time I heard it on the car radio and decided it was my new favorite song. That same week, I found the CD at the library and checked it out. Little did I know that my new favorite song would get me through my overwhelming week.

“O My Soul” was on constant replay in the car and at work. When I couldn’t listen to it, I heard the song in my head and thought about the meaning of the lyrics. I cried and I prayed. I was overtired and worn out. I wondered if I should stop listening to the song because I couldn’t listen to it and not cry, especially on my way to work. But I couldn’t stop playing it—I knew that one song was holding me together.

And that’s when I realized—God had given me something audible to cling to that only He knew I would desperately need in the days to come. His love and promises spoken to me in the way of music.

When I felt exhausted, I knew He was holding me. 

When I felt empty, He was filling me up. 

And when I was unsure what to do next, He turned me in the right direction.

God was healing me in ways I wasn’t aware I needed. {Tweet this}

It wasn’t immediate, but after a week or so, I could listen to the song without shedding more tears. I felt calmer and stronger. Still tired, but less worried.

There are still many unknowns, what ifs, and how will we? questions. But we’re taking them one at a time and looking for where God has already sorted out the details.

And I’m praising Him and thanking Him every step of the way.

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Pixabay.com]

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, Grace Moments, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Rich Faith Rising, Porch Stories, Faith 'n Friends, #FaithOnFire, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

12 Verses for the Gloomy Days

Where I live, the rainy and gloomy days of March have continued right into April. It feels like it’s been weeks since we had a sunny day, and I’ve heard from several people that the weather is affecting their moods and attitudes. As I listen to the rain while I write, I have to agree.

The weather has an effect on us. So does life. Dirty dishes fill the sink, families share the same cold or flu over and over, unexpected household repairs come in multiples, bills pile up, we’re stretched in too many different directions for too long, and…I’m sure you can add something you’re dealing with to this list.

Whether it’s the overcast weather or the depressing days that string together, it takes its toll on us. We become worn out and need to remind ourselves that the sun will shine again, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time.

More importantly, we need Someone to cling to, especially during the days that take more from us than they give. Someone who doesn’t show up for only a few minutes and then leave again, but Who stays and walks with us through the valley we feel stuck in.

I’ve been searching Scripture for the verses I need on the gloomy days. Here are a few that might help you too.

12 Scripture verses for the gloomy days…

Isaiah 60:19 NLT {Everlasting light}

“No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

John 1:4-5 NLT {Life and Light}

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Psalm 33:22 NLT {Hope}

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

John 8:12 NLT {Light in the darkness}

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Psalm 40:1-3 NLT {Trust and God’s help}

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

2 Samuel 22:29 NIV {Light}

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV {Hope}

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Isaiah 9:2 NLT {Light in the darkness}

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

Psalm 42:5 NLT {Hope}

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Psalm 119:105 NLT {Light for my path}

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Jeremiah 31:17a NLT {Hope}

There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.

1 John 1:5 NLT {God is light}

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

What Scripture verses get you through the gloomy days?

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: FreeImages.com]

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofhisbeauty, Moments of Hope, Purposeful Faith, From Messes to Messages, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #HeartEncouragement, Writer Wednesday, #ChasingCommunity, Faith 'n Friends, #GraceMoments, #FreshMarketFriday

Called to Believe

believe—to accept something as true; to feel sure that someone is capable of a particular action; to have a firm conviction in the truth of someone or something.

Believing without seeing takes faith and trust. Faith in God—the One who never changes. And trust in God, through whom all things are possible. {Tweet this}

Abraham believed.

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Romans 4:17 NLT

  

Abraham believed God’s promises. He believed that nothing was impossible for God.

We are called to believe like Abraham did, no matter what we can or cannot see in front of us. {Tweet this}

We are called to believe…

…with God, anything is possible.

…God can redeem and change situations.

…He walks beside us, even when He chooses not to change a situation.

…in miracles, simply because of who God is.

…God is in control, especially when life feels out of control.

…there is hope because God always keeps His promises.

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 
Romans 4:18 NLT

Like Abraham, we are called to believe because God is who He says He is.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

Mark 11:22-23 NLT

When we doubt, we will start to question if God is really able. We will start to wonder if He’s really in control. We will try to rely on our own abilities, instead of trusting God’s wisdom. {Tweet this}

Believing takes faith and trust. Faith in God—the One who gave us Jesus, who conquered sin and death through His death and resurrection. And trust in God, who is for us, not against us.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12 NLT

We are called to believe we are children of God because Jesus paid the price for our sins. 

Not through anything we can do, but all because of what Jesus has already done.

Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."

John 20:29 NLT

May we believe when we see God’s work in our lives, and may we believe when God is quiet and we long to see Him.

May we believe like Abraham that God’s promises are true. And because we believe, may our faith and trust grow deeper and stronger.

In Christ,

Laura  

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: #HeartEncouragement, Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace Moments, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofhisbeauth, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday