Have you ever expected an answer from God or prayed for Him to show up in your situation, but instead of a clear response or sign all you felt was silence? As if your words were bouncing off of the ceiling instead of making their way to God.
I’ve been there.
Often when we seek God’s guidance we look for response our human ears can validate or hearts can easily feel. We expect answers and signs that line up with our way of thinking. Sometimes we get that, but often we don’t.
Have you ever felt unsure or hesitant about something God told you to do? Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Why would He choose me for this role” or “How will I be able to complete this task?”
I’m there right now. I’m overwhelmed, anxious, and a bit terrified.
Over the last three years God has called me out of my comfort zone more than I like. I’m naturally shy, not a lover of the spotlight, yet God has placed me in leadership roles at work and at church making it impossible for me to hide behind my insecurities.
I know I’m not the only one who’s felt this way. It’s not a popular thing to admit but I know it’s a very real struggle for many (if not most) Christians. I felt this way a couple of weeks ago.
Typically, my morning routine consists of me listening to worship music as I get ready for work, reading my bible for 5-15 minute before making breakfast, then praying during my morning commute. But that day I wasn’t feeling it. I simply had no desire to open my bible or spend any time with God.
Doesn’t that sound terrible?
In one week what has been the best year of my life will come to a beautiful end. I’m sad to see it go, but I'm excited for what’s next. So I thought I’d give it a proper farewell and acknowledge all the wonderful lessons and memories this year gave me.
25 you've been amazing. From the very first day I felt it. You marked a new season in my life, a fresh start.
This year I fell in love - with God, with myself, and the life I’ve been given. I discovered new passions, stopped chasing after a relationship status, and started chasing after my God-given purpose.
Most (if not all) of us have been in a situation that seemed hopeless. We’ve prayed to God and sought after his guidance. We asked Him for answers, pleaded for His intervention, but didn’t see the results we hoped for.
God is sovereign and knows everything that has happened and will happen to us. More than that He loves us. We won’t always understand His methods and plan, but the book Romans does tell us that for the believer in Christ, God works all things for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
This week has been a rough one. I got some news last week that left my heart hurting and my stomach in knots. I won’t go into details, but I know many of you have felt this way before too.
I’ve never been one to embrace vulnerability or talk about my feelings openly. I’ve always tried to handle it secretly. I thought being emotional was weakness and by holding it in I was being strong. But I was wrong. I’m learning that I can’t do it on my own. We were never meant to do any part of this life on our own.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way,
Starvation can be defined as suffering severely from hunger.
We recognize physical hunger by physical symptoms such as a growling stomach or headache, and emotional signs such as anger and irritability. We can recognize spiritual hunger in the same way.
I was talking with a friend the other day at small group. We were discussing how our week was going and sharing our prayer requests. She began telling me that she needed prayer for discipline
Friends, it's been 2 months since my last post. I sorry I didn't let you know ahead of time, but I needed to take a hiatus. To say I've been busy is an understatement. Amongst other things, work has been stressful and I moved into a new place a couple of weeks ago.
For the first time in what seems like forever, I rested. I came home from Church on Easter Sunday, and laid on the couch for six glorious hours (getting up only to grab another cinnamon roll from the kitchen).
I didn't plan it this way.
Last week, during my morning commute, I was listening to the one of my favorite radio stations. A woman (let’s call her Jane) called in to share about an experience she recently had.
She began by stating how she woke up late for work and was rushing to get ready. Already 20 minutes late, she was driving down the highway and saw a man on the side of the road. She felt led to pull over, so she did. The man asked to use her phone so he could make a call. Jane hesitantly gave him her cell phone and he proceeded to call 911. As she continued to listen she realized he was calling to report a suicide…his own.
I absolutely love working with children, but lately it’s been hard. I’ve felt more dread than joy on the days I’m scheduled to serve in my church's nursery. Before each shift I try to press into God’s strength and not rely on my own, but still (at times) I feel overwhelmed. This past Sunday was no exception.
After a short break between shifts, I arrived back early and decided to listen to worship music. I was singing Here Now by Hillsong United:
2015 was full of challenges, but what made it memorable was the joy, freedom, and adventure I found in pursuing God and His plan for my life.
I realized it was up to me to live the life I wanted - one I’d fall head over heels in love with. In 2014 I went through a series of life changes that forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and consider what was truly important to me.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 42:11
As I sat in my car reading this verse, my eyes filled with tears. "I don’t understand why I feel this way", I thought to myself. How is that I can have so much faith in God’s plan for my life and still struggle with a great amount of fear, doubt and worry? My spirit believes, but there are doubts in mind and fear in heart trying to convince me that this won't work out, it's not going happen for me, it's my fault, and I'm not good enough.
