Come to Jesus with Child-Like Faith

We are invited to come close to Jesus with child-like faith. Jesus taught a powerful lesson on faith when He blessed the children. The simplicity, trust, and joy of children shows us practical ways to a deeper relationship with God. Consider how you can come to Jesus with the faith of a child. Faith like a child, simple and pure—this is a choice we all have every day.
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A deeper relationship with Jesus can begin with a fresh glimpse of His heart.

Consider the many ways Jesus invites us into a deeper relationship by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember how special it felt to receive an invitation to a party when you were young? Or how much it hurt to be left out? Invitations make us feel wanted, included, and accepted. In formal language, an invitation requests the pleasure of one’s company.

We all have a deep, God-given need to feel loved, valued, and accepted. God wired this need deep into the DNA of our souls. We spend a lot of time and effort striving to meet our needs to be loved, valued, and accepted.

Invited to come with a child-like faith.

Jesus beckons us to come close, to experience a deeper relationship. One vivid example is found in Mark 10.

People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming]. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them.
Mark 10: 13-16 AMP

Why is child-like faith important to Jesus?

Jesus set aside the plans and agenda of the disciples. He valued spending time with the children. Reprimanding the disciples for discouraging the children to come to close, Jesus made it clear what was important.

There’s a subtle lesson here. It’s easy to focus on our agenda and miss the blessing of being present with Jesus. Which mentality do we want to have—one that is so focused on what we want to do or a mindset that is taking our cues from the Lord?

In this passage, we see what was important to Jesus. He welcomed, received, and blessed the children with undivided attention. Isn’t that what our souls long for?

A deeper relationship with God begins now. Faith like a child, simple and pure—this is a choice we all have every day. Share on X

One way we come close to Jesus is by trusting Him. When we are willing to choose faith, we don’t have to know all the answers or fix every problem. Responding to the Spirit, we receive the simple grace to overcome worry.

The children don’t have to prove themselves or earn the acceptance of the Savior. They come without hesitation, free from fear of disapproval or rejection. Fear isn’t a part of this story which give us a vivid glimpse of Jesus’ affection for the little ones.

Faith like a child. . .

Children come whole-heartedly. When my children were small, it was an event when Daddy came home. No pretense, no resistance, no barriers. They ran to the door, knowing Daddy would scoop them up in his strong arms.

On our hard days, my daughter would get upset to the point of inconsolable crying. My husband was the one who could best calm her frantic emotions.

Carrying her to the swing on the porch, he stroked her downy soft hair away from her hot, tear-stained face. Whispering his love, he rocked her until cries gave way to quiet breathing.

Resistance softened as she rested her head against his chest. All that was wrong became less important. It was his patient strength and loving presence that settled her heart.

When I take time to reflect on child-like faith, many of the things I worry about seem less important. I sense a settling in my soul, just like my daughter calmed in the arms of her daddy. Joy washes aside preoccupation when I remember to come to God with child-like love.

Jesus blessing the children is a picture of Jesus’ love.

One day I unexpectedly came across a painting of Jesus with the children. This painting hangs on the walls of a secluded chapel at Ridgecrest, a Lifeway conference center in North Carolina. I’m not sure who the artist is.

My heart skipped a beat as tears welled up in my eyes. I wanted to peel back the canvas and jump into the picture– to sit on Jesus’ lap. To listen to his words and to see for myself the loving look in his eyes.

I’m not sure how long I stood there. Captivated by the painting, I had a fresh realization that Jesus welcomes me to enjoy his presence. I snapped this picture with my phone to remind myself of an extraordinary moment that was an invitation.

It is the faith of a child brings us to Jesus, for if we don’t respond, we miss the blessing of this invited intimacy.

Though I couldn’t physically enter the painting, I accepted his offer to come close with the faith of a child. By capturing my attention, the Spirit invited me to stop and engage more fully with a truth about Jesus I had read many times. And I received a blessing. Immeasurably and beautifully blessed, I experienced God’s love in a precious way.

Place yourself in the picture of Jesus blessing the children.

Can you see yourself in this scene? Picture yourself as the child that comes close. Make the holy choice to respond to the invitation to come to him with the simple faith of a child.

When you struggle to feel worthy, remember that Jesus invites you to come close.

Did you know that the word blessed, eulogeo, is a word that spills over with goodness? Blessed is a powerful word that has become trite with overuse.

When Jesus blessed the children, this is what he was doing: celebrating with praises, asking God’s blessing, consecrating with a blessing, causing to prosper, making happy, bestowing blessings on, and giving the favor of God.

There are moments we long to rewind the tapes in our head that tell us we are unworthy or unwanted. Set aside past experiences when someone discouraged you, made you feel unwanted or unimportant.

Don’t we all need to shift our attention from accomplishing our agendas to responding to the heart of God, the one who invites us to come close? Respond to God’s invitation to experience His love more deeply.

Simple ways to express faith like a child.

Cultivate a habit of joy.
Receive the love of Jesus with your whole heart.
Let yourself feel excitement about spending time with Jesus.
Turn to Jesus in your good moments, hard moments, and in the in-between moments.
Stop trying to prove yourself or clean yourself up before coming to Jesus. Come as you are!
Choose to trust Jesus without having to understand all the details.
Let Jesus tend to your inner child as you depend on Him to lead, help, guide, and comfort you.
Let go of the pressure to have all the answers and fix every problem.
Rest in Jesus and let Him calm your heart.
Express your love for Jesus daily.

This is your moment to embrace child-life faith.

Make this your moment to believe that God seeks the pleasure of your company. Come to Him with child-life faith that is simple and filled with joy. Let his blessing fill your heart with the security that He loves you.

Accepts you.

Values you.

Accepts you.

Yes you.

Come close with child-like faith, friend, and be blessed by His Spirit.

Jesus invites us to come close with child-life faith by the power of the HolySpirit.

My gift to help you cultivate child-like faith.
Enjoy a copy of the graphics from this post to help you remember to trust Jesus with child-like faith every day.

Click here for a free printable graphics from this post. (No email needed).

What other ways can you think of to express the faith of a child in your relationship with Jesus?
*This is an updated post from 2019. It is also part of my By His Spirit retreat content. You can watch the first session here.

Related Posts to Deepen Your Relationship with God

How to Stay Focused in Prayer
When You Long for God to Speak to You
Simple Ways to Meditate on God’s Word
8 Powerful Ways to Connect with God When He Is Silent
15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction to Focus Your Attention on God (with printable)
Discover Six Important Truths About Listening to Go

Learn more simple ways to love God and grow in your faith.
Are you longing to deepen your relationship with God in a way that makes a powerful and transforming difference in your life? Holy in the Moment shares my personal journey in finding hope and healing for anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and insecurity as well as biblical insights and practical ideas to live fully in Christ (affiliate link). Bring the reality of grace, healing, and holiness into your daily experience with intentional choices:

overcome anxiety, perfectionism, negative flesh patterns, and shame
experience the freeing power of abiding, surrender, and relying on Christ
deepen your prayer life, listen to God, and flourish in His Word
identify false motivations and beliefs hidden beneath thoughts and feelings
find healing for hurts and vulnerable emotions
thrive in your identity in Christ

Are you ready to experience holy moments? Read a free sample chapter here.
Click here to order your copy today.

little girl in the grass blows the seeds of a dandylion.

Healthy Habits

5 Tips to Reset Healthy Habits for Spirit, Soul & Body

5 tips to reset healthy habits or cultivate new routines for your body, soul, and spirit. Introducing a fresh new website update to help you cultivate a deeper life for your best spiritual, mental, and physical health. I write about biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and build healthy habits for living well.

*Don’t miss the book bundle giveaway at the end of this post celebrating our website update!!

Introducing My New Website and Brand Update

Say hello to a fresh new look and updated brand! I’m thrilled to offer a newly designed website to help you go deeper with spiritual practices and healthy habits that bring faith and health together for a life you love.

Be sure to look around at all the new pages on this website and the many practical resources to help you enjoy a deeper relationship with God and live a healthy life.

Here’s a huge shout out to Susan Stillwell of Fistbump Media for helping me bring my vision into reality! I’d love to know how you like the the update, so please leave a comment!

Do you feel stuck in patterns, thoughts, and emotions that drain life from your soul and possibly impact your health? Are you longing to thrive with vibrant hope, health, and wholeness in Christ?

Friend, I’ve been there. I’ve had my emotional battles with anxiety, perfectionism, and insecurity, as well as health challenges with Grave’s Disease and thyroid issues.

I wrote what I learned in this journey in my book, Holy in the Moment. (Read a free chapter here.) We all have our struggles, but what makes the difference is growing deeper in faith and finding healthy ways of moving forward.

Married for 34 years to my Marine husband, I am a military wife and mom to three young adults. Professionally, I am a fitness instructor, author, blogger, speaker, and trained discipleship mentor.

Like you, my days are full, and it’s challenging to build and maintain life-giving routines and habits. Finding a good rhythm of spiritual disciplines and healthy practices is vital to feeling our best inside and out.

A Deeper Life of Hope AND Health this Year

Hope and healthly living begin with a spiritual foundation that impacts our mental, emotional, and physical wellness. Feeling good begins on the inside—our relationship with God as well as our thoughts and emotions.

As a fitness instructor, I help clients increase and maintain physical strength, endurance, balance, and mobility. I’ve been blogging since 2009, helping women deepen faith with spiritual growth. I worked in two separate lanes–faith writing/speaking ministry and the fitness industry.

A few years ago, I lost my sister to a devastating battle with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). It was a heartbreaking, but powerful reminder that each healthy day is a gift.

Caring for my baby sis as she lost all ability to move was a sobering reminder of how important it is to attend to our health. We know this, but maintaining motivation and consistency in the ups and downs of life is challenging, isn’t it?

How many times have we sacrificed or overlooked the importance of taking care of ourselves while working hard and caring for others? As women–moms, daughters, wives, professionals, and friends– we wear many hats. We face many demands on our time and energy. Even when we have strong healthy habits, life happens. It’s easy to get off track.

Too often, we separate nurturing our soul and spirit from our physical health. The reality is that it all works together! God created us to live fully in all aspects of our being. He made us to thrive-holy and whole.

Do You Need to Reset Healthy Habits in Your Routine?

Reset is a word that resonates with me right now. The struggle is real.

Last November, I was in a funk–feeling off emotionally and struggling to stay motivated with healthy habits. The second anniversary of my sister’s passing hit me harder than I anticipated.

Then came the busy season of December. For the first time, all of our newly-married children planned to spend the holidays with their in-laws. Empty-nest holidays brought an emotional adjustment that comes with this new season of life.

My routines and my internal and external spaces felt haphazard and a little overwhelming. To get more done on big work projects, I neglected daily habits that help me stay healthy, productive, and manage stress. Some of these habits included staying hydrated and skipping exercise because my schedule was busy.

Not sleeping well some nights made it too easy to hit the snooze button, throwing my morning into rush mode. The spiritual practices that nurture faith and help me stay connected with God were sporadic and dry.

My workspace became the catch-all extra storage and piles of paper took on a live of their own. (This is a continuing challenge for me).

Every time I saw the mess on my desk and the piles of STUFF that had built up in my office, frustration made my shoulders tense with a feeling of claustrophobia. “I can’t work in here, but I don’t have time to clean up now,” I’d grumble to myself, grabbing my laptop to work somewhere less chaotic and cluttered.

The level of clutter in my workspaces and the inconsistency of healthy habits made me grumpy, as stress buzzed in my head. Honestly, it took a little time to notice what was happening. My routines, thoughts, and emotions were all telling me I needed to stop and reset my healthy habits for my body, soul, and spirit.

Can you relate to this downward spiral of thoughts, feelings, stress, and off-track routines?

I Needed to Reset My Healthy Habits.

Determined not to start this year overwhelmed and off-kilter, I knew I needed to do a reset of healthy habits physically, mentally, spiritually, and functionally.

Here’s what I’m doing:

Refocusing on consistent time with God, getting up 20 minutes earlier.
Prioritizing basic healthy habits of rest, hydration, nutrition, and exercise.
Evaluating my calendar and simplifying my to-do list.
Tackling the nightmare in my office, I removed items that didn’t belong, decluttering surfaces, and organizing the buildup of papers.
Spiritually, I’m in the process of decluttering my soul with the Lord in much the same way. (That’s a post for another day, friend).

Here’s what I’m not doing:

Setting unrealistic expectations and goals.
Lecturing or getting down on myself for needing a reset.
Being impatient with slow, but steady progress.
Cramming too many tasks into a single day.

My soul has more room to breathe. I literally feel lighter, happier, and more energetic! Something wonderful happens when we embrace the small building blocks of faith and health. I call this a reset-mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It feels great to refocus on the daily actions that help me feel my best and be my best, so I can give my best.

The Body, Soul & Spirit Connection for Healthy Habits

Body, soul, and spirit–it really is all connected, my friend.

My end of 2023 is a vivid picture of how important daily practices are for living well. A lack of consistency in one area of life spiraled to impact thoughts, emotions, and motivation in other areas. We’ve all experienced this challenge at times. Maybe you’re there right now, feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. I get you, believe me!

The beautiful blessing of good habits and workable routines is they help us consistently do the things that empower us to feel our best and be our best.

Busyness, distraction, or overwhelm derail our good intentions to maintain healthy living physically, mentally, and spiritually. Patterns, habits, routines, and goals need a periodic reset, creating fresh energy and commitment to faithful living.

5 Tips for Cultivating Hope and Health this Year

Today is your time to refresh and reset goals, habits, and routines that help you to thrive. As you make plans, get organized, and pursue goals for this year, here are a few helpful choices to practice:

Rely on Christ to help you invest in your spiritual, mental, and physical health.

The simple habit of prayer makes a difference on our good days as well as the hard days. Share your desires, goals, plans, needs, and challenges with the Lord, asking for the help of the Holy Spirit. Pray about the routines and patterns that need attention, asking for motivation, wisdom, and clarity for the steps you need to take today.

Embrace progress over perfection in your daily habits and goals.

Growth happens slowly and we often don’t notice the small steps of progress. Focus on one or two habits at a time, seeking daily actions that will keep you moving forward. Allow yourself time to grow and change. Be patient with yourself in the process.

Celebrate your wins.

It’s easy to discount the many small victories on the way to reaching larger goals. We tend to overlook the importance of daily faithfulness and consistent growth over time. Make time to acknowledge your hard work, good choices, intentional steps along the way. It’s important to recognize what’s not working, but don’t neglect to celebrate growth, progress, and change.

Keep making healthy choices.

Cultivating a deeper life of hope and health doesn’t happen by accident. Making healthy choices occasionally, won’t bring the growth and well-being we desire. Consistency over time is worth the work. Whether you want to grow in spiritual disciplines, improve your eating habits, get in better shape, or overcome negative thought patterns, focus on the next good choice. When you slip up, don’t dwell on your setback. Embrace the next daily practice that will help you keep moving forward.

Trust God with the results.

Commit your goals, work, and daily choices to God. Give your best effort, relying on Christ to work in and through you. Trust God to lead, guide, and provide each step of the way. As you trust God with the results, you can let go of the stress of trying to control outcomes.

Which one of these healthy habits could help you most today?

Reset Your Healthy Habits with the Wellness Challenge

If you’d like extra help and motivation to cultivate or reset healthy habits in your life, join me for The Wellness Challenge. Jump-start health and wellness for your best year ever. Seven days to focus on foundational practices to nurture your healthy body, soul & spirit. Set do-able goals to take care of all of you as we start a healthy year together!

We’ll meet in your inbox with a boost of motivation, quick tips, and a daily challenge. Invite a friend or group to join you! If you want to participate, sign up below. There are no set dates to this challenge, so you can start whenever works for you, and you can repeat it as many times as you find helpful:).

Start well. Stay well. Live well.

Enter to Win the Healthy Habit Book Bundle

Join me in celebrating the website update and the gift of healthy habits for spirit, soul, & body. Due to issues with Rafflecopter not working properly, I’ve extended the deadline to Feb. 29. Leave a comment on this post to let me know you’d like to enter and get my newsletter. I’m sharing a few of my favorite books + a few other goodies I know you’ll enjoy!

Holy in the Moment for healthy spiritual habits.
Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer for a healthier soul.
Green Smoothies for Life for healthy eating ideas for smoothies and great meals.
Faith Can Move Mountains Journal to process your healthy habits with God.

Plus a water bottle and Holy in the Moment Quote Plaque to remind you to choose faith in every moment. Enter and enjoy!

*The links above include affiliate links at no cost to you.

Reader Favorites to Enjoy

Cultivate a deeper life with God and healthy habits with these popular posts. Click on the image to read more.

Spiritual Growth

10 Most-Loved Posts and Best of the Blog of 2023

In this post you’ll find Ginger Harrington’s top 10 posts and reader favorites in 2023. This is the best of the blog with biblical wisdom for a deeper life of hope and health. Cultivate healthy habits and spiritual practices for your body, soul, and spirit.

Whether you are new around here or been one of thousands of long-term readers, enjoy the top 10 posts and reader favorites from Ginger Harrington in 2023. After all, health and wellness begins in the heart and soul, shaping our beliefs, attitudes, and habits. Build better health for the whole person and get more resources from Ginger in The Deeper Life Collection for subscribers or take The Wellness Challenge today.

You’ll find a variety of posts including devotions, Biblical wisdom, how-to’s on spiritual growth, help for healthy habits, real-girl struggles, and sharing life as it is–all with the focus on healthy thriving in our identity in Christ. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the journey!

10 Biblical Ways to Show Love

This post features an excerpt from one of the chapters in my award-winning book, Holy in the Moment. Loving one another is often easier said than done. We have good intentions to love others well, but it can be challenging to get our focus off ourselves to put others first. The Bible shows us practical ways to express love that make a real difference. According to Google, this is the most-read post on my site this year. READ MORE

Six Important Truths About Listening to God

Discover what the Bible says about listening to God with six truths from Isaiah 50:4-5. Hearing God in Scripture helps us to develop deeper faith as we learn how to listen to God. Experience the benefits of listening to God when reading the Bible to accelerate your spiritual growth. Enjoy this updated version of one of my most read posts on how to listen to God. READ MORE

What is Spiritual Rest and Why Do We Need It?

What is the meaning of spiritual rest and why is finding rest for our soul important? Spiritual rest is easy to overlook until we face the burnout of mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion. Worry, anxiety, anger, frustration, bitterness, unforgiveness, and stress burden our souls. Different from self-care, soul care restores our spirit, empowering us to experience peace and perseverance when we face challenges. READ MORE

10 Bible Verses for a Healthy Soul

What does it mean to have a prospering soul? If your physical health was in the same condition that your spiritual health is, how healthy would you be? Vibrant health includes more than the physical condition of our bodies. Are you neglecting the health of your soul in your pursuit of your best life? 3 John 2 shows that as we grow in faith, spiritual blessings overflow into other areas of life. In this post you will find 10 Bible Verses for a healthy soul. READ MORE

15 Ways to Overcome Distraction and Focus Your Attention on God

In today’s digital age of distraction, it is difficult to focus our attention on God. Learn to overcome distraction to focus your attention on God with the simple ideas in this post. Discover practical tips to help you listen to God and develop spiritual attention, as you become more aware of his presence. Increase your ability to listen to God, to calm your mind when thoughts and tasks pull you many different directions. READ MORE

A Prayer to Put on the Armor of God + Printable

Spiritual battles are a part of daily living. Discover how to put on the armor of God with a free Armor of God Prayer based on Ephesians 6. From small skirmishes to all-out war, prayer is a vital part of putting on the armor of God. Prayer empowers us to receive the spiritual strength of God to stand firm. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us to pray at all time with all kinds of prayers as part of our spiritual battle plan. This post features on of my top free resources in the Deeper Life Collection. READ MORE

Help for Moments When Anxiety and Worry Get the Best of You

We all need encouragement and help when powerful emotions, fearful thoughts, and difficult circumstances get the best of us. Spiritual wisdom, biblical truth, and practical strategies are keys to deepen faith and peace to respond rather than react when anxiety strikes. Be sure to get your free Emotional Health Workbook for processing your emotions at the end of this post READ MORE

6 Healthy Ways to Process Your Feelings with Faith

Discover more healthy ways to process your feelings with faith to help you work through painful emotions and stressful challenges. Consider Bible verses that can help us process painful feelings. Emotional health is vital for a healthy soul, empowering us to be aware of and cope with our feelings in positive ways. How we handle our feelings can foster emotional health when we work through our emotions with Christ. READ MORE

A Father’s Legacy and Father’s Day Sermon

Fathers have the capacity to leave a powerful legacy for their children and the generations to come. The legacy a dad leaves has to do with the things he passes on to his children, what he gives them in terms of love, support, wisdom, character, and faith. Don’t miss the printable blessings to pray for Fathers at the end of this post. The greatest thing that we can do beyond loving and appreciating the fathers in our lives is to pray for them. Watch Ginger’s Father’s Day Sermon honoring fathers at the end of this post. Read more.

HOLY IN THE MOMENT

Simple Ways to Love God And Enjoy Your Life

A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back.

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Best of the Blog 2023

Here is the linked list for your convenience and quick reference. Enjoy reading my best content according to reader favorites! Which post is your favorite? This is a great post to share with friends you’d like to introduce to my content!

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Embrace Truth

10 Benefits of Reviewing What We Learn from God

Discover the benefits of reviewing what you learn from God in your Quiet Time, devotions, or Bible study. Are you ready to maximize spiritual growth and begin the new year with a powerful learning and journaling tool? Whether you journal with words, Bible journal with art, or keep study notes, this tool will ignite spiritual growth. This post shares one of my most powerful long-term practices for a deeper relationship with God and spiritual health.

Have you considered the value of clarity in what God has been teaching you? When you are refreshed and mentally focused, we can fully enter into the new things God will do in your life.

A Spiritual Preparation for a New Year

There’s something cathartic about preparing for January, the first month of the new year. Think about the reasons we make resolutions for new growth and clean out closets this time of year.

If our physical lives need to set goals and clear the clutter, how much more to we need to mentally and spiritually prepare our hearts for the days to come?

One of the ways I transition from one year to the next is to review the lessons learned and the truths I’ve embraced.

I sometimes end the year in such a frazzle, that it takes me a few weeks to dig myself out of the physical and mental busyness that seems to explode in my home during December. You too?

For me, this past year was a milestone year–exciting and extremely busy, filled with blessings I am deeply grateful for. At the end of the year I felt like I was sprinting to the finish line trying to cram too much into the end the year. I was mentally and spiritual depleted.

The last thing I wanted to do was think about dragging all my unfinished tasks into a new year, feeling behind before it even began. Maybe you have felt that way too.

I needed time to refocus and recharge. Reviewing what I learned from God gave my soul time to catch up with my life. It gave me fresh faith to start the year with a fresh perspective.

Other years, I have the bandwidth to review my quiet time journal at the end of the year. Looking back at the verses, insights, and truths that encouraged me through the year reminds me of the truth that God speaks through the Bible. Sometimes I need this reminder of the big picture of a year, especially when it seems God has been silent for a while or I feel discouraged.
Whenever you have time to review your journal and the lessons God has taught, you will benefit from reflecting on what you’ve learned. Whether you find time at the end of the year or the beginning of the next, try this powerful practice to deepen your relationship with God and apply the truths he has brought to your attention.

Time to Refocus and Refresh Your Faith

To be honest, this girl had to take a step back for some rest and a deep dive with God. I wrote myself a permission slip to dial back the crazy and enter this new year slowly.

I needed rest for the body, but even more important, rest for my soul. There is such a thing a sustainability–our bodies will let us know when we’ve over-reached our capacity. (Our families will too. . . )

I needed time for my soul to catch up with my busy and time to prepare my heart what’s next.

I call it a Soul Sabbath for my year and all I need is time, my Bible, and my journal from the past year.

This year, I was able to set aside a day to give my attention to God for an extended time. (Yep, I wrote myself a permission slip to do that too. I even turned off the phone.)

Other years, I’ve spread it over several days for 30-60 minutes a day. Sometimes I do this is December, sometimes I review in January. I also review whenever I finish a Bible study or finish a journal/notebook.

Do what works for you, however you can carve time to refresh and refocus with God at the end or the beginning of the year. Just do it!

Try This: Schedule time to review with God. Write a permission slip for your soul. What will work best for you? A long block of time or reviewing during your normal devotional time?

What Has God Taught You?

Journaling is one the ways I record and process what God is teaching me each day. It is a way to give God my attention and process what the Holy Spirit is teaching me as I read the Bible. According to a an article from Lifeway on trends in women’s ministry, there is a renewed interest in reading the Bible and journaling.

The holy habit of reviewing the lessons God has taught me in the past year refreshes my spirit as I remember the many ways God has been faithful. Listening to God through reflective Bible reading helps us to grow closer to God. I prayerfully look back over my journal, looking for the big picture and main themes of what I’ve been learning as I read and meditate on the Bible throughout the year.

We all need time to recognize and celebrate the big picture of what God has taught. My thirsty soul needs time to soak up the goodness of God and understand a clearer vision of His heart for my next steps.

What we learn today prepares us for the road ahead. It is also a time to simply rest as I lay aside all the doing and scurrying, my heart ready to be filled anew with the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit.

Seeking clarity as I review my journal, I watch for concepts and verses that are repeated through the year as I reflect on the big wins and difficult challenges. Try a simple prayer to get started: “Lord, show me the most important things You want me to remember.”

Try This: Write a topic at the top of each entry in your journal. This way you can quickly track trends in concepts.

Questions to Consider When Reviewing Your Journal

As you pray, ask God these questions. Reflect as you think through the questions.

What verses came up several times in my journal?
What topics are repeated?
How did God speak to my challenges through reading His word this year?
What was the over-all tone of the year spiritually? Was is it a season of struggling, strengthening, preparing, serving, or flourishing?
Am I more or less grateful than last year?
What seems to be the most important things God has taught me this year?
How can I apply these lessons in the coming months?

On the pages of my journal, I begin to see the broad strokes of what God has been teaching me in the day to day. I’ve developed more helpful strategies for my devotional time. If you’d like to learn more about how I do this, leave a comment at the end of this post.

Review is a Way to Till the Good Soil of Your Heart

“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 2And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Matthew 13:22-23 NASB

The only way to prevent God’s word from getting crowded out in the thorns of our busyness, the thistles of our cares, and the weeds of our wayward hearts is to give time, attention, and intention to prepare our souls to fully receive God’s word (seeds).

There is great value of doing this through regularly reading and studying God’s word. Recording what we learn empowers us to remember and review, which fosters faithfulness and growth. Seeking to be faithful with our moments and days is part of creating a lifetime of holy moments.

Giving God our time and attention is a vital way of tilling the soil of our hearts for Him to multiply the fruit of His word in our lives. Using your journal to review what you have learned is powerful, whether it is at the end of the week, month, or year–or even the end of a Bible study.

This takes time. I’ll be honest. But it is time that is so very worth it!

Reviewing what God has taught me has become one of my favorite ways to spend time with God. It also is a powerful maximizer for spiritual growth.

I’ve also seen how this practice has accelerated spiritual growth and nourished my writing and speaking.

I realize this isn’t a popular concept in the frantic pace of today’s world where busy is the new holy and productivity is often confused with maturity. When we give God our time, attention, and obedience, He does great things in and through us. It begins with preparing your heart and giving God your attention.

10 Benefits of Reviewing What We Learn from God

Greater clarity and deeper time with God will give direction and ignite growth. When we are aware of what God is teaching us, we can join Him in the moment by making intentional choices to apply what we’ve learned.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION: Meditation and prayer allow God reveal what is most important.
CLARITY AND DIRECTION: We gain clarity and direction when we look for repeated concepts and the big picture of what God has taught over time.
GROWTH: Rather than be forgotten, lessons learned turn into wisdom with time to mature through application.
FAITH: Fear turns the corner to faith and unbelief bows to truth when we embrace the truth God teaches.
REST: Weariness finds rest when we spend time with God. Meditating on what God has taught us refreshes our soul and builds our faith.
PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: The Holy Spirit can reveal where our perspective needs to shift from self to God. Truth reveals the motivations of our hearts.
STRENGTH: Struggles transform into strength when we trust God is working in our lives. Attending to what we learn reminds us God is with us in our challenges.
GRATITUDE: Remembering what God has done ignites gratitude in our hearts.
JOY: Take time to celebrate what God has taught you–the lessons learned and the victories won.
FRESH GOALS: Yesterday’s lessons become today’s goals to multiply the value of what we have learned.

Download this list, print, and tuck into your Bible to remind you of the many great reasons to take time to review the things God speaks to you through His Word. Maximize spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with God when you capture the most important things God teaches you over a period of time. As we apply the most important things God speaks to us, our spiritual health increases as well as a strong biblical foundation for our faith. Be encouraged by the fact that God speaks to your as you meditate and journal on His Word.

Click here to download a printable version of this infographic.

Application of God’s wisdom is where transformation and growth happens as spiritual meets the practical in our lives. ““He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much. . .” (Luke 16:10). Though the context of this verse refers to money, the principle also applies to the value of what God teaches us in the moments and days of each year.

Spiritual preparation paves the way for intentions evolve into habits. Knowing + Doing = Blessing!

Maximize spiritual growth when God-lessons become spiritual goals. Being faithful to grow in what God is teaching will prepare you to receive God’s fresh blessings in the days to come.

How do you apply what God is teaching you? Leave a comment and share what works for you.
More Posts to Deepen Your Time in God’s Word

How to Stay Focused in Prayer*
Discover Six Important Truths About Listening to God*
Six Short Devotions to Help You Listen to Jesus
5 Simple Ways Silence Can Deepen Your Faith
15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction to Focus Your Attention on God

*An all-time top 10 post.
A Free Resource to Go Deeper with God

Grab your Spiritual Growth Pack of tip sheets. This power pack includes tips, prayers, and truths to help you thrive in your relationship with God.

Turning This Practice into a Habit of Hope
If this method of reviewing the year has been meaningful to you, you may enjoy this week’s Habits of Hope podcast episode and blog post. It offers a lighter, reflective conversation about how reviewing what God has taught us becomes a Habit of Hope—one that helps us carry wisdom forward with intention and trust as we begin a new season.
Think of it as a companion to the deeper work you’ve just read—an encouraging conversation that helps reflection turn into formation.

👉 Listen or read: How to Start the New Year with God: From Reflection to Formation

Christmas

25 Ways to Enjoy a More Meaningful Christmas

Part of the magic of Christmas is the joy of family traditions. Meaningful Christmas traditions create memories that connect families through the years, often passing from one generation to the next. Decorating the tree, holiday baking, and reading the Christmas story have been part of every Christmas I can remember. Each year we look forward to favorite activities and events that have become part of celebrating Christmas. Our family also enjoys trying new ways to enjoy time together at Christmas that make for a more meaningful Christmas. Consider this list of 25 meaningful Christmas tradition ideas. Which one could become a new Christmas tradition in your family?

Christmas traditions help focus on the meaning of Christmas.

Counter the push of consumerism and commercialism this Christmas with sacred traditions that focus on Christ and time with family. In the busyness of the season, it is easy for meaningful moments to get lost in the rush. Activities, parties, and events can make it hard to spend time together as a family if we aren’t intentional. Preparing for the rush of the Christmas season with good planning can help us make those meaningful moments happen. Take time to think about what special traditions and activities you want to ensure happen for your family. Schedule them on the family calendar and share the dates with your family. This often works best when you plan as a family, taking into account various schedules and events already planned. As you choose activities, consider which ones will help your family focus on the meaning of Christmas.

Try a new sacred tradition each year to create holy moments for your family.

Traditions are memorable part of Christmas. Making Christmas cookies, hanging outdoor lights, and attending church on Christmas Eve are a few of the traditions we do every year. Our family looks forward to these traditions as we connect with the meaning of Christmas and enjoy time together. We also incorporate new activities that are of interests as our family grows and changes through the seasons of life.

Though many of our traditions are still a fun and meaningful part of Christmas, we’ve added new things that have been very special. One year, a visit with relatives in North Carolina was a very special addition to our Christmas. When our girls were home from college, they enjoyed having a devotional time together, reading and discussing Bible verses or devotions. One year we took a trip to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, enjoying the lights, carols, and festive shows. We’ve been back several times and it’s always fun.

As much as I love traditions, it has been very special to add new activities over the years. We are starting a new tradition…of trying something new each year. Trying new things, means adjusting some of the “normal” traditions so that we aren’t running ragged by Christmas day. As you plan ways to make Christmas meaningful for your family, consider this list of ideas. Which activity could help your family enjoy time together, focusing on the true reasons we celebrate the holidays?

25 Simple Ways to Enjoy a More Meaningful Christmas

To keep things fresh, consider starting a tradition of trying one new thing each year. Involve your kids in choosing a new activity to add to your celebration. Maybe each year a different child gets to help choose the activity.
Give gifts of service or time to someone in need.
Read Christmas devotions by candlelight at dinner or before bed each night.
Create a Family Christmas Journal. Let everyone write letters to God expressing thanks and praise for God’s blessings. Add favorite verses and a few family pictures. Write notes of appreciation for each other in the journal. Write down special moments to remember. Let younger kids draw pictures. What fun to save your family Christmas Journal, adding to it through the years.
Create a Christmas memory book or photo album. Enjoy adding new pictures each year. Makes a wonderful gift as well!
Collect Christmas cards in a basket. Pray for one family at each meal as you draw a card out of the basket.
Write down something that is your gift for Christ, kind comments for family members, or reasons for gratitude and place in a white stocking or special box throughout December. Share the contents of the stocking as part of your Christmas Eve celebration.
Take a short trip together to visit family or a fun destination.
Celebrate Advent.
Attend a concert of sacred music.
Make an Advent Jesse tree, adding one handmade ornament each day. You can request a free download to make ornaments from Ann Voskamp’s best-selling Christmas book here.
Give a daily gift of encouragement to others.
Pay kids for chores to use for a gift for Jesus. Put money in a gift box to use for Angel Tree or Toys for Tots.
Share the Gospel through the book, Legend of the Candy Cane. (affiliate link) Or share the story with this free printable tag from Happy Home Fairy.
Support a missionary or relief organization.
Draw family names for mystery gifts of service each week in December. Try to guess who had your name.
Send Christmas cards, Scripture verses, or care packages to deployed military.
Give a Christian book or devotional to read as a family.
Invite those without family around to join your family for Christmas.
Wrap and hide the Baby Jesus from your Nativity. Let kids search for the Baby Jesus as the first or last gift of Christmas.
Make a birthday cake for Jesus.
Choose a Christmas verse to pray for each member of the family. Mark it in your Bible to pray throughout the year.
Commit to practicing kindness daily.
Attend a Christmas Eve service.
Act out the Christmas story—dressing up is fun for young kids.

Which of these simple ideas will help you enjoy a more meaningful Christmas with your family? What is one way you stay focused on the holy in your holiday this Christmas?

Enjoy a Free 7-Day Christmas Devotional for a More Meaningful Christmas

Get a free Christmas devotional from Ginger when you sign up for my newsletter! Enjoy this beautiful ebook to spark hope in your life this Christmas. Focus on the meaning of Christmas with this resource in your quiet time, family devotions, or small group. From my heart to yours, I wish you a Christmas season filled with worshipful moments with Christ.

Enjoy the Best of Christmas from Ginger

A curated collection of Christmas content from award-winning author and blogger, Ginger Harrington. Take the Christmas Worship Challenge, read inspiring devotions, download free gifts, gather ideas for family fun, make a special gift, and chuckle with Ginger’s Christmas humor. Read the story of Ginger’s Christmas miracle in a free chapter from her book, Holy in the Moment. Enjoy the best of Christmas that you’ll want to come back to year after year!

Read, listen, or watch the story of a Christmas miracle I experienced where God taught me about faith, hope, and healing. This is a behind-the-scenes podcast and related blog post featuring content from the first chapter of my award-winning book, Holy in the Moment. (This is an affiliate link.) A poignant story from one challenging Christmas in my life was truly a Christmas miracle. Give the gift of holy this Christmas–Holy in the Moment makes a wonderful gift to encourage faith in a practical way. Learn more about the book here.

Download your free chapter here.

*This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.

Faith

23 Bible Verses to Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

The Bible teaches the value of giving thanks with a variety of truths and instructions that help us cultivate a grateful heart. Giving thanks is also an important practice for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. This post explores what we can learn about gratitude from a variety of Scriptures on giving thanks. Don’t miss the free Gratitude Journal Download at the end of this article.

Most people agree that being thankful and showing gratitude are important. Hashtags like #gratefuleveryday and #gratitude, and #gratefulheart are popular, especially this time of year. According to Top Hashtags, gratitude hashtags are trending for 2023 on instagram and TikTok. But we don’t need to follow social media trends top know that thankfulness is important.

Before our children could talk, we taught them sign language for the words, “please,” “more,” and “thank you.” It was amazing how quickly they understood and repeated the signs. As they began to talk, we spent a lot of time teaching the importance of manners. “Say thank you,” I often prompted when they received a compliment or a gift.

The Importance of Thankfulness and Gratitude for Your Well-Being

Can expressing gratitude improve your mental, physical health?

Though we know gratitude is important, we may not realize the powerful role of thankfulness in our well-being. Being thankful can become a mindset that improves physical, mental, and spiritual health. Dr. Caroline Leaf writes that negative emotions impact our brains, but positive feelings of love, joy, appreciation, and gratitude increases our resistance to disease and “changes the shape of our DNA for the better” (Switch on Your Brain, p. 35, affiliate link).

Other researchers show that thankfulness has these additional benefits for health and well-being:

Better mood
Decrease anxiety and depression
Increase quality of sleep
Reduces stress
Promotes happiness
Helps with pain
Improves self-esteem

What Does it Mean to Be Thankful?

The Cambridge dictionary defines thankfulness as “the feeling of being happy or grateful because of something.”

The biblical meaning does deeper than feelings and is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. To be thankful is to express gratitude to God with praise and adoration.

Beyond mental and physical benefits of thankfulness, the Bible teaches us about the spiritual blessings of gratitude in our relationship with God and with others. Exploring Bible passages on giving thanks provides many lessons on the spiritual value of gratitude.

23 Verses to Help You Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Consider the importance of what we can learn about giving thanks and gratitude from this selection of Bible verses. As you read, reflect on what God’s word reveals about the importance and benefits of thankfulness as well as instructions to help us cultivate the habit of thankfulness as a core value.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth (1 Chronicles 16:8-12).

Giving thanks to God is listed with other worshipful actions to express honor and gratitude to God. Each of these actions can help us deepen our relationship with God.

Prayer: call upon His name
Worship: singing and giving God glory
Speech: Talk about His wonders
Attitude: be glad
Dependence: seek the Lord and His strength
Focus: Seek His face continually
Remember: Don’t forget the great things God has done

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV).

This specific instruction is repeated 77 times in the Bible. Repetition points to the importance of the goodness and faithfulness of God that deserves our thanks. Gratitude is a foundational response to the sovereignty of God.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2 ESV).

In this passage, David commits to thank God for wonderful things He has done. Some consider this psalm to refer to David’s victory over Goliath. Written directly to God, this passage can inspire us to express whole-hearted gratitude to God in prayer.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7 ESV).

Psalm 28 is a lament where David faces danger with faith. In troubling times, David’s faith is strengthened as he expresses gratitude to God.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night… (Psalm 92:1-2).

Thankfulness can be a regular pattern throughout the day as we declare the wonder of God’s character. Think about ways you can weave thankfulness into routines of your day to help cultivate a grateful heart.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good… (Psalm 100: 4-5a).

This is one of my favorite passages on thankfulness. In this Psalm we learn a valuable insight about connecting with God. Entering God’s presence with gratitude and praise honors God and prepares us to worship.

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:14).

In this intimate reflection, David meditates on the wonder of how God has made him. We often struggle to value the unique and wonderful way God has made us. Giving thanks can shift our attention to the powerful truth that we are created in God’s image.

Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence (Psalm 140:12-13).

This verse links thankfulness and dwelling in God’s presence. Let your gratitude take you into a deeper relationship of abiding with God.

“Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name; the righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me” (Psalm 142:6-7).

David prays while hiding from his enemies. He turns to God in the midst of danger and discouragement making the decision to entrust his circumstances to God. This passage gives us a powerful example to follow of trusting God with a thankful heart in life’s challenges.

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans1:21 ESV).

This sobering passage show us the danger of slipping into patterns where we do not honor God or give Him thanks. Habitual ingratitude darkens thinking and perspective.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58).

No matter what we face, we can thank God that in Christ we will be victorious over sin and death. Remembering this truth strengthens our motivation and resolve to stand firm as we do God’s work.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).

This passage reveal several reasons to give thanks to God for his continual leadership and presence in our lives.

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” (Ephesians 1:16 ESV).

Paul affirms the Ephesians, sharing how he regularly thanks God for them in prayer. It’s important to thank God for the people in our lives in prayer.

“And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:4).

Paul instructs us on the importance of our words—both the attitude and content of what we say.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

This is one of my favorite passages on prayer. When we feel anxious about the uncertainty of life, Paul reminds us ask for God’s help with a thankful heart. Thankfulness helps us focus on God’s faithfulness when we feel anxious.

“And let your living spill over into thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7 MSG).

I love the simplicity of The Message in this verse. How purposeful are we about gratitude? When we cultivate grateful hearts, there is a natural overflow into the way we live. Thankfulness becomes an organic way of being rather than a set activity or action.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15-16).

This passage on thankfulness focuses on characteristics of the body of Christ and the power of God’s word within us.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).

Honoring Jesus through motivation and gratitude is a habit to infuse all of life. Whatever you do in word and deed—that covers it all. This verse shows us that gratitude should be a natural part of our life with God.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians ESV 4:2).

In this instruction on effective prayer, Paul encourages believers to develop a consistent prayer life with a thankful heart. Prayer and giving thanks are paired together, highlighting the importance of gratitude to God.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

The words “always,” “without ceasing,” and “in all circumstances” point to a prayerful way of living that includes joy and thankfulness no matter what challenges we face.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV).

Supporting leaders in prayer is an important role for believers. We may not always agree with the decision’s leaders make, but they need God’s guidance and help. It’s interesting that praying for leaders includes gratitude.

Building the Spiritual Habit of Giving Thanks in Your Life

Cultivating a thankful heart impacts our lives in countless ways. It isn’t always easy to choose to give thanks, but it is an important spiritual habit to pursue reaping mental, physical, and spiritual benefits drawing us into a deeper life with God. Which of these verses could help you have a more thankful life? Leave a comment and share what resonates with you about gratitude today.

Download Your Free Gratitude Challenge Journal

Challenge yourself to apply the tips in this post with your free gratitude journal. 30 days of prompts and encouragement to cultivate a more grateful heart. Join thousands of readers who have benefitted from this simple resource. Download and print your copy today!

References

Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch on Your Brain:The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health (Includes the ’21-Day Brain Detox Plan’)

The Top 10 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude

Can Expressing Gratitude Improve Your Mental, Physical Health

Embrace Truth

6 Habits of Hope to Increase Your Trust in God’s Faithfulness

Habits of hope increase our trust in God’s faithfulness. Discover six practical ways to increase your trust in God’s faithfulness on your good days as well as your hard times. Practice these habits to hold on to hope as you recognize and rely on the faithfulness of God in your life. Ready to get started?

The Online Wiley Library defines Biblical hope as “the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.” Knowing and experiencing God’s faithfulness strengthens our faith to hold onto hope even in the worst moments of life. Cultivating habits of hope equips us to trust in God’s faithfulness when we need it most.

One of those moments blindsided me when my sister was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). My heart broke at the terrible news of this terminal diagnosis that would gradually rob her of all ability to move and even breathe. Questions and fears spiraled in my head, making it hard to catch my breath at times.

How could this be?
Why would God allow this to happen?
How are we going to make it through?

There were many hard days–we often joked it was like living in a puzzle. As soon as we would find a way to navigate one problem, she would loose more strength, bringing more challenges to overcome. I discovered that habits of faith positioned me to receive God’s strength, hope, and endurance I needed in the hardest season of my life. Having practical ways to trust God strengthened me to be a source of help and hope for my sister as she navigated her final days with courage.

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Faithfulness?

The Bible has much to say about God’s faithfulness. On verse that stands out to me is Psalm 33:4:

“The Word of the Lord is faithful and true;

He is faithful in all He does.”

A key attribute of God’s character, his faithfulness provides a firm foundation for our faith and hope. Because God is trustworthy, we can expect to experience his faithfulness in our life.

But it doesn’t always feel like God is faithful.

Have you experienced this tension between faith and experience? Between knowing facts that God is faithful and recognizing through your experience that God is faithful? Habits of hope bridge the gap when we wait for God in our hard places. This feeling of dissonance is part of every person’s journey of spiritual growth. Believe it or not, it can be a way God increases your faith and shows you his goodness.

Experiencing God’s Faithfulness in Hard Times

In the Bible, there are various words for the concept of knowing. One of them is ginosko. We can find this word in John 8:32 where Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In this verse he is talking about far more than knowing truth on a factual level. Ginosko is knowledge that goes beyond information and often is related to intimate knowledge built through relationship.

Caring for my sister as her health and mobility declined, put us in daily situations we had to depend on God. I found that spiritual habits helped guide my thinking during this emotional time.

The power of habit can increase our trust in God’s faithfulness. Share on X

Each time we recognize and respond to God’s faithfulness in our life, we have the opportunity to grow in faith.

God wants to build an intimate relationship with each of us. One where we know him more deeply as we experience his faithfulness and love in the midst of our problems.

Please understand that I’m not speaking from theory or giving platitudes to feel better. Nobody has time for that. We deeply benefit from practical habits and mindsets that empower us to rely on the goodness of our faithful God in every circumstance. God used these practices to minister to my heart even in the darkest moments of caring for a loved one dying from ALS. I hope they will help you build a foundation of experiencing God’s faithfulness in your life as well.

Six Habits of Hope to Increase Your Trust in God’s Faithfulness

1. Look for God’s faithfulness.

Consider how often we miss ordinary moments of God’s daily blessings in our lives due to not paying attention. Lamentations 3:23-24 tell us about God’s faithfulness:

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB)

Take a moment to reflect on the truths of God’s faithfulness in this passage. Unceasing love, kindness, and mercy, as well as compassion that will not fail. I love that these gifts of grace are fresh every morning. This means, you can’t ever use them up, run out, or fall short. God will always be faithful.

Because God’s word tells us he is faithful we can look for his faithfulness with active faith. Expectation, hope, and waiting are all powerful acts of trust in the faithfulness of God.

This isn’t expectation that demands God prove his faithfulness to us. But rather, it is anticipation built on trusting God’s Word.

Consider how your faith will increase when you note daily examples of God’s goodness, whether big or small. Here are a few ideas to get started:

Keep a list of answered prayers.
Write down daily blessings of God’s faithfulness.
Note “God Moments” in a journal, notebook, or margin of your Bible.
The Daily Examen includes a practice of noticing moments you felt connected to God the end of the day.

When watching for God’s faithfulness becomes a daily mindset, you will notice many ways God is active in your life. The more you recognize his faithfulness, the more your faith will increase. Nurturing your faith today, will prepare you to trust God more fully when you experience difficult times.

2. View God’s faithfulness as a fact, not a question.

Faith requires we trust in God even when we don’t see tangible evidence of his faithfulness. It’s tempting to want proof of God’s faithfulness before we trust him. We want to see it, then believe it. This mentality views God’s faithfulness as a question for debate rather than a fact of his nature.

Habits of hope equip us hold fast to the Word of God, especially when life is hard. Meditating on the truths of God’s character helps bring our expectations and prayers into greater alignment with God’s nature.

Remembering the truth of God’s faithfulness can also protect us in spiritual warfare. The enemy often plants suspicious thoughts in our minds, stirring up doubts about God’s trustworthiness. When the truth of God’s faithfulness is debatable, we play into the enemy’s hands, leaving us with shaky faith.

What if . . . we stop having that debate in our minds?
What if . . . we don’t give the enemy an opportunity to create doubt?
What if . . . we embrace the truth that God is faithful and begin to see our challenges from that perspective?

Our circumstances do not define God’s faithfulness. God is faithful IN your challenge. Share on X

When you catch yourself feeding fear with “what if” questions, change your answer. Tell yourself the truth– a very practical way to stand firm in the truth God’s faithfulness, especially in difficult times.

What if things don’t work out? GOD is faithful.
What if make a mistake? God IS faithful.
What if I fail? God is FAITHFUL.

You catch my drift, right? Don’t think I’ve got this down. I can worry with the best of folks, but I’ve learned the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness as a habit of hope.

3. Draw near God rather than let doubt drive you away.

Don’t let doubt or disappointment drive you away from God. What if you change the pattern of doubtful questioning by seeing difficult moments as a signal to turn to God. Share your fears and emotions. Invite Jesus into your thoughts and emotions, seeking his comfort and guidance. Use the following questions or prayers to lean into God:

“Lord, show me how to pray right now.”
“Lord, open my eyes to your faithfulness today.”
“Lord, what do you want to show me about yourself in this challenge?”
“Lord, what do you want me to understand about myself or this problem?”
“Lord, thank you that you are with me. Comfort me with your Spirit.”
“Lord, I entrust my hopes and emotions to you. Show me how to navigate this hard time.”

Even when you don’t understand his plan, believe in his faithfulness, and trust his heart. Hold onto hope and don’t let go. God often reminds me of this quote from Charles Spurgeon when I have questions and confusion in tough situations.

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”—Charles Spurgeon

Our struggles are meant to take us deeper with the Lord, not drive us away from our faith for God.

4. Experience emotions but don’t let them rob you of hope.

Our emotions play a huge role in whether we truly believe God is faithful.

When we struggle to find emotional equilibrium in stress, loss, or uncertainty, focus on the reality of God’s faithfulness and truth. It’s easy to feel disconnected from God’s presence when we feel sad, lonely, heartbroken, or angry.

Have you ever said something like this: “I just don’t feel like God is with me right now”?

Feelings carry messages about what we believe in the moment. They reveal what we think about our situation, other people, ourselves, or even God’s faithfulness.

As we learn to recognize and process our emotions with God, faith increases as we embrace what is true. We often miss these verses that sandwich the familiar Lamentations 3:23-24:

“So I say, “My strength has perished,
And so has my hope from the Lord. . .This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:18, 21, 22-24 NASB)

Jeremiah practices a powerful habit of hope by affirming God’s faithfulness in the midst of discouragement, depression, and despair. Even when it doesn’t feel true, speak the truth to your soul: God’s compassion and grace is new for you every morning. He is faithful.

5. Make an intentional choice to trust God with hope.

And how do we do that? One moment at a time.

This has been a theme that has brought freedom from anxiety and worry in my life. So much so, God gave me the opportunity to write a book about it!

Holy moments happen when we choose to believe God is faithful, rather than default to fear, stress, or doubt. When we’re faced with problems, the present moment is the time to rely on God‘s faithfulness.

We can’t re-write yesterday’s experience or schedule tomorrow’s intention to trust in God. The more we practice the holy habit of choosing faith in the moment, the more we see the reality of God’s faithfulness in our story.

If your faith doesn’t feel strong enough to slay giants like David, ask God for faith to pick up the stone and put it in your slingshot. Rely on his provision for faith you need to take your next step. Trust him with now—how life is and how you are.

6. Respond to God’s faithfulness with gratitude.

Cultivate a daily habit of gratitude and worship to nurture hope. I wonder how many prayers God has faithfully answered that I didn’t notice or didn’t thank him for. Can you relate? Remember the story of Jesus healing ten men whose lives were destroyed by leprosy (Luke 17:11-19)? How convicting that only one returned to express his gratitude!

As we cultivate a thankful heart, gratitude helps us to notice the big and the small ways that God is faithful in our lives. Gratitude trains us to see God at work around us. Daily gratitude helps us to be faithful in the small things. As Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10 ESV).

Isn’t it interesting that in God’s faithfulness, he helps us learn to be faithful as well? Gratitude opens our hearts to the work of God around us. I’ll be honest, there are times when this is hard to do. Embracing God’s faithfulness makes us deeply thankful that we are not alone in our struggles.

When you don’t have the answers, thank God because he’s faithful.
When your heart feels like it might drop out of your body, thank God because he’s with you.
When the darkness feels overwhelming, thank God for his light.
When you wonder if you’ll ever feel happy again, thank God with your tears because he’s collecting every single one of them.
When you worry that you could never make up for your actions, thank him because you are already forgiven.

Trusting in God’s faithfulness is a dynamic journey of daily choices that create habits of hope. Some days will go better than others so it’s important to trust God with the process. Today is not the end of the story.

Believe God to be who he says he is and trust him to do what he says he will do. Share on X

Habits of hope pave the way from knowing the fact of God’s faithfulness to a deep, relational knowing through our experience. Begin to practice these daily habits of hope to help you recognize and rely on God’s faithfulness. Start now to build habits of hope in your life. They will bless you on your good days and increase your faith on your hardest days. These habits of hope were game-changers for me both during my sister’s illness and in grieving her passing.

Which one of these faith-building practices do you most need in your life right now? What habit of hope helps you hold trust in God’s faithfulness when you experience hard times? Leave a comment and share a hope builder in your life.

A Free Resource Just for You

Meet your new favorite resource to cultivate habits of hope in your life. Nurture your soul today for stronger faith when you need it most. Available as a free resource for a limited time!

The Daily Examen

With roots in the Catholic contemplative tradition, The Daily Examen is a helpful way to reflect on your day and grow in intimacy with God. There is also a phone app that provides prompts to help you connect with God’s faithfulness with the Daily Examen. You can explore the phone app here.

Close up of woman's hands holding out a potted plant to illustrate habits of hope in God's faithfulness.

Prayer

20 Powerful Blessings and Scriptures to Pray for Godly Marriage

Get a free printable list of powerful Scripture prayers for marriage and Bible verses to pray for marriages. We pray for our children’s marriages with these marriage prayers and blessings. May this collection give you special words to pray for marriages in your life–your’s or someone else’s! Be inspired with biblical principles that foster good marriages and strong families .

A blessing is the profound act of willing and speaking good into the life of another person. One of the most well-known blessings in the Bible is found in Numbers 6:22-26:

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

“‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’

In this passage, God stresses the importance of blessing others with his presence and goodness. In Living in Christ’s Presence, Dallas Willard explains, “Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn’t just words. It’s the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person.” It is the gift of willing the good of another in the presence of God. (affiliate link at no cost to you0.

The Importance of Praying for Marriage

We’ve just returned from our son’s wedding. I’m still basking in the afterglow. I catch myself reliving the sacred moments as I enjoy the pictures again and again. In a short time, our family has doubled as all three children enter into sacred unions to form families of their own.

Our son enters more deeply into manhood as a husband, promising to love, cherish, and provide for his beautiful bride.
Our daughters leave days of adolescence and childhood behind receiving new names as they become wives.
Three couples begin the process of building a life together in the care and keeping of God,

God reminds me of the many years we’ve prayed for each of our children’s spouses, even before they were born. Through the years, we’ve asked God to nurture, protect, and bless each future husband or wife. With a grateful heart, I rejoice witness the fulfillment of these prayers as three young couples stand before God, committing to love one another for a lifetime.

Now the shimmer of the wedding celebrations settles into the daily choices and challenges of building a godly marriage. It is no small matter to merge two distinct personalities, histories, and lifestyles together. In the days to come, each partner will discover many new things about their beloved and themselves as they learn the art of loving well. Though many days will be filled with joy, they will also face challenges that require patience and sacrifice. (photo credit below: @zachbradleyphotography)

Scripture Prayers for Marriage

Though many of these Bible verses are not specifically marriage verses, they address character, words, and actions that grow faith and foster healthy relationships. The Bible teaches us much about how to love one another which is foundational for strong and godly marriages. Use the Scripture prayers for marriage in this post to inspire a regular habit of praying for your marriage.

Each passage includes concepts that I have prayed for my own marriage through the past thirty-four years. They are underlined in my Bible, many of which I memorized over the years to help me remember to apply them to my life. They have shaped my faith and guided me as a wife.

Now I pray these Scriptures as a blessing for my children and their spouses. I hope it will inspire you to bless the marriages of your loved ones with God’s favor and provision. (I have written these prayers to bless my children, but you can change the pronouns to pray for your own marriage. You will find both versions in The Marriage Blessing download available with this post.)

20 Powerful Blessings and Bible Verses to Pray for Marriages

Use this list of Bible verses and Scripture prayers for marriage to strengthen relationships with a spiritual covering.

Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Lord, it is no small thing to bring two families together through marriage. Help our children to joyfully establish their own households. Blend the best of each background into a beautiful new family. Bless our children as they look to each other for the things Mom and Dad used to provide. Teach them what it means to be one flesh as you bring a healthy and holy unity to their relationship. Inspire our children to invite you into the transition of becoming one. Lead and guide them into what that looks like in the reality of establishing a home in daily tasks such as getting to work on time, making decisions, and cooking dinner.

Matthew 6:33-34

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, teach our children to look to you to meet every need rather than worry about provisions. Whether the need is spiritual or physical, show them you are faithful to provide the needs of each day.

Mark 10:9

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

Lord, in today’s world there are many things that can destroy a marriage. I pray for protection over this marriage. Let nothing and no one separate the two precious hearts you have brought together.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Lord, give our children hearts to obey your command to love one another. Deepen their understanding and experience of your love for them in a way that changes the way they love each other.

Romans 5:5

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Lord, pour out your love on this marriage through the power of the Holy Spirit. May they each pursue knowing you with purpose and passion. Equip them with the gift of your Spirit that is the true hope of a healthy and happy marriage. Bless our children with the power of your love working in their hearts.

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. . .

Lord, help our children to be devoted to one another in friendship and love that grows stronger through the years. Help them to honor one another, putting the other person first. May they cherish one another, seeking ways to honor each other on a daily basis.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. . .

Lord, guide them on the days when love doesn’t come easily. When conflict, disagreements, or differences divide, remind them to stop and pray. Let love calm strong emotions and reconcile misunderstandings. Move them to respond with love rather than react with pride, anger, or frustration. Help them to work out issues rather than harbor resentment. Give them humble hearts that don’t insist on their way or have to say the last word. May they always love with faith and hope that strengthens them with endurance during difficult days. Build a healthy relational foundation with your unconditional love that never fails.

Galatians 5:22-23a

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . .

Lord, bless their home with joy and laughter for a lifetime of sweet memories. Bless them with the fruit of your Spirit to build a strong foundation for a long and healthy marriage. May they always express the fruit of Your Spirit with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Draw their hearts close to yours and teach them to depend your resources for selfless love and faithfulness.

Galatians 5:25-26

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Lord, may our children desire to live in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Be their leader and guide as they depend on you to not give into the flesh patterns such as pride, strife, and envy.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Lord, let your calling inspire our children to love each other with gentleness and patience, committing to prioritize unity and peace in marriage. May they always seek to please you with attitudes, words, and actions. Help them to act with integrity and faithfulness, especially when they struggle to get along. Bless them with unity as they schedule plans, make decisions, adjust to changes, and navigate conflicts. Don’t let disagreements place them on opposite sides, fighting against each other rather than for each other.

May each one embrace US over ME, making WE more important than the momentary difference.

Ephesians 4:14-16

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Lord, though this passage isn’t written for marriages, I pray that you will help our children continue to mature in faith and godly character. Help them to grow spiritually as they grow in marriage. Let their conversations be truthful and motivated with love. Cultivate their unique personalities, gifts, skills, and temperaments into a beautiful, strong, and healthy relationship that is a valuable part of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Lord, teach our children how to process anger without sinful attitudes, reactions, or actions. Navigating powerful emotions like anger is one of the great challenges of living together. Help them to work through anger productively, not allowing bitterness, resentment, or division give the enemy opportunity to weaken their relationship.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Lord, give our children the self-control to guard their speech. Let this verse become a filter for how to communicate well. Help them to build the holy habit of being purposeful with words to build one another up. Give them a check in their spirit before venting words that can tear down their relationship.

Ephesians 4:31-32

All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Lord, may kindness and compassion be the normal for their marriage. Help them to guard their marriage with forgiving hearts, always remembering their own need for forgiveness. Equip them with healthy communication skills to work through discord.

Colossians 3:12-17

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Lord, help our children to pursue love and godly character with energy, faith, and intention. Motivate them to seek you first in all things as you work in their hearts. Let unity, kindness, and gratitude create a oneness in marriage that only comes from your Spirit. Give them the desire to abide in your word, growing in wisdom and godliness that infuses all they do.

1 Thessalonians 13:12

May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another. . .

Lord, bind hearts in love as only you can. Deeper, wider, true, and higher—let your love increase and abound in this marriage. Let love for you and for each other grow stronger in each season of life.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Lord, give our children a holy boldness to depend on your power, love, and discipline to work within their marriage. Don’t let fear keep them from doing what is right or working through challenges. Help them to trust you when uncertainty or trials stir up worry and fear.

Hebrews 10:24

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. . .

Lord, let this couple inspire one another to show love to each other and to others as a consistent way of living. Give them generous hearts to do good deeds and seek to be a blessing in all they do.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Lord, give our children ears to listen to the heart, the unspoken words and deeper emotions that are often unsaid. Help them make the most of the good and the least of each other’s faults or weaknesses. Let love be the priority as they make daily choices to love in practical ways. When sin creeps in, may reconciliation be the goal that wins the argument.

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

Lord, thank you for this marriage. Strengthen our children with the power of your Spirit to be filled with the fullness of your loving Holy Spirit. You are the source of all they need to thrive in live, love, and marriage. May they come to know your love more deeply in ways that empower them to love each other in the faith and fullness of your Spirit. I ask you to bless their marriage above and beyond the words of my hopes and prayers for my children. Fulfill your beautiful purpose in bringing these two people together in love. Be glorified through this marriage with a legacy of faith that continues to future generations.

10 Ways to Use this List of Blessings and Bible Verses to Pray for Marriage

Whether you are praying for your child’s marriage or for your own, there are a variety of ways to use this list. Consider the following ideas or come up with a few of your own. Get the free printable list of Bible verses and prayers to make the most of this practical list to pray for marriages in your life.

Pray through the entire list on a yearly or monthly basis.
Meditate on one verse a day or one per week.
Share specific verses in cards or texts for your spouse or child.
Use verses as journal prompts for reflection or written prayers.
Add to the list with additional verses and prayers.
Discuss how you might apply these truths in relationships.
Explore the verses as part of a family Bible study on marriage or relationships.
Reflect on verses with God to identify areas for personal growth and transformation.
Memorize a few verses so you don’t forget to apply them.
Add verses to wedding photo album.

What other ways could you use this list to pray for marriages and relationships in your family? Be sure to share your ideas in the comments below!

Get the Printable Version of This Post on Praying for Marriage

Share the Gift of Marriage Prayers and Blessings

As you will the good of your family in the presence of God, I hope you will be inspired to love whole-heartedly in your own relationships as well. Look forward to seeing God’s gift of love working in the marriages you support in prayer. Do you have a favorite blessing or Scripture to pray for marriage? Do you know someone newly married or a couple seeking to revitalize their relationship? Share this post or the link for the printable list to encourage them as they seek to cultivate a healthy and happy life together.

Photo credits for the images in this post.

I’m thrilled to share a few photos from my children’s weddings in this post. Photo credits are in order of the photos in the post.

5 Ways to Restore Your Soul This Summer

Ready for a Summer Soul Refresh? Take a break from busy by making time for things that restore your soul. This summer, let’s live well with intentional choices to nourish body, soul, and spirit– this is the heart of a summer soul refresh. Check out the free summer bucket list for your soul at the end of this post!

Have you ever come home from vacation so tired that you need another vacation? Maybe your soul is out of sync and you feel more than a little frazzled. Take a break from busy by making time for things that restore your soul. This summer, let’s live well with intentional choices to nourish body, soul, and spirit– this is the heart of a summer soul refresh.

Really, there’s just so much to love about summer! Whether you like to plan summer fun with a bucket-list packed with activities, or take a more casual approach, it’s time to get inspired for a great summer to refresh your soul.

Make this a great summer with 5 Simple Ways to Restore Your Soul. Free Bucket List of Summer activities to refresh your life. #summerbucketlist #refresh #relax #spiritualgrowth

“Holiness inhabits the small things, faith for our moments, simple and short. Added together, holy moments change lives and steer destinies in God’s direction. But it all comes down to attitudes and choices made . . . one moment at a time.”–Ginger Harrington, Holy in the Moment

These are the words that open the first chapter of my book Holy in the Moment. They speak of a concept that is a theme in my life, the power of our choices in the moment. And they are great words to keep in mind as we enjoy the summer season.

Let’s offer our moments for God to renew our hearts, re-vitalize our energy, and re-focus our perspectives. Whole-hearted living is the best way to enjoy this summer. Body, soul, and spirit—we are created to experience the wholeness and fullness of life in Christ. How can you set aside time for God to replenish your soul in the coming weeks?

For here’s the truth, summer days will slip like sand through our fingers if we let them. How do we make the best use of the time given, each day wrapped in the gift of twenty-four hours? Time to rest, play, visit, travel, create, read, and relax–these are just a few of the things on my list of summer plans. How about you?

Practice the Art of Mindful Living this Summer

Is your soul healthy? The art of mindful living keeps our eyes open to the glory of God around us. Notice and appreciate things like sunlight sparkling on water, the cardinal that lands on the porch, the laughter of children chasing fireflies on a warm evening.

Travel and vacations, children coming home for visits, longer evenings, and gatherings with a few friends provide great opportunities to make memories and invest in meaningful moments with people we love. Around here, we love hosting cookouts and game nights. Train Dominoes, Hand and Foot, Monopoly Deal, and Code Names are a few of the favorites our family and friends enjoy. Have you ever hosted a game night?

What’s good for your soul this summer? One of my favorite summer soul-care activities is summer reading. I already have a stack of books calling my name. Kicking back with a great book and my toes in the water is my all-time favorite summer refreshing activity. How about you? What helps you re-set your soul?

Soul Care When Your Summer is Busy or Stressful

Especially when summer is busy, stressful, or just not what you expected, mindful living and intentionality go a long way to keep your soul from spinning into overdrive. This summer, relaxing moments and lazy afternoons are on my wishlist, much harder to make happen. It the pace of this particular year, I make myself stop and take small breaks to put my feet up, refocus, and practice gratitude.

I’ve been working on settling my sister’s estate for the past six months. Preparing her home for a new owner has been emotional and challenging as I commute between TN and VA, taking care of two houses. Now more than any other summer, I need to be intentional about making time to restore my soul.

The heaviness of grief of losing my sweet sister to ALS brings an emotional need to make time to feel the feels and lean into Jesus despite the busyness of these days. The simple grace of shifting my thoughts from busy to grateful releases the stress of the moment. Being purposeful to plan ahead for fun moments with family and friends takes more effort, but it refreshes my heart to laugh, celebrate, and enjoy life.

Choices to Restore Your Soul During a Stressful Summer

I fight my tendency to push back time to relax or restore until after the work is done. That strategy leaves me ragged, as my body aches from the push of hard work and the stress of trying “to get it all done.”
I remind myself to take things one day at a time.
I pray in the moment for energy to finish what is before me. I ask God to empower me to appreciate the blessings in each day as it is.
And I mark time on my calendar to do add a few soul restoring moments to the schedule.
I plan for fun moments with family and friends–even if it is weeks out.

Somehow, planning moments to step back and rest feels like a permission slip to set aside the work even if there are still many tasks on my do-list. For many of us, out schedules stay busy in the summer, so it is all the more important to carve out time to replenish energy and enjoy summer days. Trust God to help you find ways to restore your soul, whether your summer is relaxed or busy, carefree or stressful.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul. . . (Psalm 23:1-3.

You’ll find lot’s of easy ideas to rest and restore this summer in this post and in my popular resource, Summer Soul Refresh, a bucket list of 31 soul-renewing ways to make the most of warm summer days. Join our community to get access to my Subscriber Library of premium content including the Summer Soul Refresh.

Summer moments are the perfect time to refresh with simple choices that renew our energy, refocus our relationships, and restore our souls. Grace to live well in little choices–isn’t this the blessing we crave?

5 Ways to Restore Your Soul This Summer

Delight in simple pleasures. Sit on the front porch, twirl sparklers on the 4th of July, slurp on popsicles in the yard, or read a book by the pool. Celebrate the simple things this summer and let the happy moments win the day.
Eat healthy. Visit a farmer’s market. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables for healthy summer menus. Enjoy salad suppers or fire up the grill. Nourish your body with healthy eating. Purpose to try one new recipe each week to revitalize summer suppers.
Focus on fun. Bring back game nights, invite friends for dinner, go roller skating with the kids. or have a water gun fight. Fun times create great memories that can deepen relationships and keep life fun. One thing’s for sure, happy moments are good for the soul!
Enjoy more time in God’s Word. I love the way the schedules loosen their grip, freeing a little more time to meditate on God’s word or read books that foster spiritual growth if we are purposeful. Summer is a great time to change up your spiritual routine with a new devotional, praying through the Psalms, or experimenting with Bible Journaling.
Be creative. Creativity refreshes the soul, keeping hands busy in a way that allows the mind to tap into the vitality of creative energy. When we are creative, we look at the world in a different way. Imagination, art, color, texture, sounds, and story are all components of making something beautiful. It is a kind of play that ignites our imaginations. Start a DIY project, color a picture, make a scrapbook, paint a wall, make a collage, plant a garden, or enjoy a craft project. These are just a few ways to spend some refreshing summer hours.

Trust me, intentionality creates big dividends in our health, relationships, work, emotions, and spiritual growth. Today is a gift, so enjoy the present and make this a summer to remember!

Good-for-Your-Soul Posts to Enjoy

Introducing My New Website and Brand Update

A Deeper Life of Hope AND Health this Year

Do You Need to Reset Healthy Habits in Your Routine?

I Needed to Reset My Healthy Habits.

The Body, Soul & Spirit Connection for Healthy Habits

5 Tips for Cultivating Hope and Health this Year

Reset Your Healthy Habits with the Wellness Challenge

Start well. Stay well. Live well.

Enter to Win the Healthy Habit Book Bundle

Reader Favorites to Enjoy

10 Most-Loved Posts and Best of the Blog of 2023

A Father’s Legacy and Father’s Day Sermon

Best of the Blog 2023

Get Ginger’s Best Free Resources for a Deeper Life

Christmas traditions help focus on the meaning of Christmas.

Try a new sacred tradition each year to create holy moments for your family.

25 Simple Ways to Enjoy a More Meaningful Christmas

Enjoy a Free 7-Day Christmas Devotional for a More Meaningful Christmas

Enjoy the Best of Christmas from Ginger

The Importance of Thankfulness and Gratitude for Your Well-Being

What Does it Mean to Be Thankful?

23 Verses to Help You Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Building the Spiritual Habit of Giving Thanks in Your Life

Download Your Free Gratitude Challenge Journal

Related Posts

References

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Faithfulness?

Experiencing God’s Faithfulness in Hard Times

Six Habits of Hope to Increase Your Trust in God’s Faithfulness

1. Look for God’s faithfulness.

2. View God’s faithfulness as a fact, not a question.

3. Draw near God rather than let doubt drive you away.

4. Experience emotions but don’t let them rob you of hope.

5. Make an intentional choice to trust God with hope.

6. Respond to God’s faithfulness with gratitude.

A Free Resource Just for You

The Daily Examen

Related Posts

The Importance of Praying for Marriage

Scripture Prayers for Marriage

20 Powerful Blessings and Bible Verses to Pray for Marriages

10 Ways to Use this List of Blessings and Bible Verses to Pray for Marriage

Get the Printable Version of This Post on Praying for Marriage

Share the Gift of Marriage Prayers and Blessings

More Posts to Deepen Prayer in Your Life

Practice the Art of Mindful Living this Summer

Soul Care When Your Summer is Busy or Stressful

Choices to Restore Your Soul During a Stressful Summer

5 Ways to Restore Your Soul This Summer

Good-for-Your-Soul Posts to Enjoy

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