Letting Go so You Can Move Forward
Are you free from the past?
Four years ago a few women met to talk about big dreams, casting a vision for the future. With our eyes on God, we prayed and planned, reaching toward a calling far too big for anything we could accomplish on our own.
As we began to move forward it took faith to imagine the dream was possible. This was the January day that Planting Roots, a ministry for military women, became more than an idea. This was the beginning of a God-sized adventure.
For me personally, this opportunity came during a season of discouragement. Fear, and anxiety had been frequent visitors robbing me of peace in too many military transitions.
I felt stuck in the same old struggles.
Tempted to hold back, I realized I didn’t want to play it safe, continuing to carry the regrets of the past or the complaints of what wasn’t working. As a new calling inspired a fresh direction, these words spoke life and courage to my soul:
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.—Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Getting unstuck.
Single-minded focus begins with our thoughts, but also includes our priorities. I’m discovering there is a mental and spiritual discipline to making the choice to let go of the things that keep us from moving forward. Today defines the distance between yesterday and tomorrow, and faith fills the gap.
Many of our past things are good, blessings like a great church, a welcoming neighborhood, a successful work environment, a promotion, good health, or happy kids.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#HolyintheMoment”]We need to remember that mistakes made in the past do not have to dictate the future.[/tweetthis]
Feelings of shame, discouragement, or guilt based on past history do not have to weigh us down, making us feel like we’re trudging through the muck of past situations.
Focusing on the past is walking backwards into the future.
Here’s what I’m learning:
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#anxiety #goals #phil3:14″]Gifts for today, courage and freedom are not found in the past. [/tweetthis]
Blessings for the present, they are received when we keep our focus and priority on following God. Between past and future we have this decision in our hands today—the choice to trust God and rely on His provision as we make our next steps, decisions, and plans.
Four years ago I could not have imagined what would be happening in January 2018. Planting Roots now has a volunteer staff of 35+, we’ve held 6 conferences in 6 states in 3 years, and we’re hosting conferences in Ohio and Europe this spring. In my personal writing, my first book releases next month! This is the crazy-wonderful goodness of God! I stand in awe at what God has done.
Friend, here’s the question that stops me cold:
What I would have missed if I had not let go of the past?
What could this year look like for you if you focus on the priority of God’s call for your life? If you make the holy choice to let go of just one thing that has kept you stuck?
Our heavenly Father offers a divine invitation to be free from the thoughts, beliefs, habits, and actions that tempt us to stay stuck rather than stretch forward in faith. God’s upward call includes His desire for each of us be free from the past by relying on Christ to lead us forward. For this day and this year, let’s be intentional with our thoughts, goals, and desires.
Because we’re forgiven. . .
Because we’re loved. . .
Because we’re free. . .
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#followgodscall, #followinggod”]We can be brave, knowing we have the power of God leading us on.[/tweetthis]
Friends, it is worth the journey! Let go of the past so you can move forward to the good works God has already planned for you (Ephesians 2:10).
For the rest of this post, including 5 steps to getting unstuck, join me at Planting Roots!
Would you do me the favor of sharing this graphic on Pinterest, FB, or Twitter to help get the word out about the book?
Getting Ready for the Release of Holy in the Moment
Exciting things are happening around here. We recently completed the final edits for the typesetting and the book was sent to the printer! In an earlier post, I shared about finishing the manuscript and gave a peek behind the scenes of writing my first book.
HOLY IN THE MOMENT is becoming very REAL at the moment.
I’m celebrating this milestone and gathering my launch team for the book release March 6. More about that later in this post!
I’m thrilled to share the message of hope, healing, and wholeness in Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life. Here’s a little about the book so you can see why I’m so excited to see this dream become reality as the book releases in a few weeks!
About Holy in the Moment
Confusing holiness with productivity and performance, it’s all too easy to scurry through the day leaving a trail of the undone that calls out condemnations and spurs us to try harder to please God.
Feeling less, we take on more, and try harder, be better, do more is the rant of souls that have swallowed the compelling lies of this chaotic, bent world. The myth that we can do it all, have it all, and be it all drives us to lose focus with too many yeses and too many shoulds.
What a relief to recognize we don’t have to make ourselves holy and acceptable to God. Rather than requiring our perfection, God simply asks us to offer ourselves, to place our lives in His hands.
The truth is that holiness is a secret to freedom and joy, empowering us to live out of our identity in Christ. How do we bring the reality of grace, healing, and freedom of holiness into our daily experience? How do find the holy in the hard times of life? How do we bring our thoughts, emotions, and actions in line with our faith?
On choice at a time.
With each choice to trust God and rely on Christ, God does the sacred soul work of healing, wholeness, and holiness. For me, these are the truths and practices that God has used to help me overcome struggles with things like anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, discouragement, and insecurity.
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!–1 Thessalonians 5:23 MSG
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#BookRelease, #HolyintheMoment”]Are you longing to celebrate life with holy habits to impact both today and eternity?[/tweetthis]
Are you searching for ways to be more purposeful, to live well with sacred choices to . . .
- love God and believe He is faithful?
- abide and rest in Christ?
- stop and pray?
- listen to God’s guidance?
- embrace God’s truth with obedience?
- spot faulty thinking based on lies you have believed?
- process feelings in a healthy way?
- enjoy life with good attitudes?
- love others well?
- invest in family and friends?
- rely on Christ as you work?
We will explore these questions and more. [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#HolyintheMoment”]Whole moments are for giving love, heart, soul, and strength to God, others, and ourselves.[/tweetthis]
Did you know that pre-orders impact a book release in a really important way?
Pre-order your copy today and make a difference. Ya’ll I’m so excited and can’t wait for you to enjoy the book! Want to stay up to date with the book release and the latest posts from Ginger? Subscribe to Ginger’s newsletter here.
Here are a few places you can pre-order the book:
Join the Team and Help Get the Word Out!
Does the message of choosing holy in the moment resonate with you? Would you be interested is sharing hope and healing with others? If so, please spread the word about the book!
I’d love to have you apply to join my launch team, a tribe of influencers willing to spread the word about Holy in the Moment. You can be a very special part of bringing the practical and life-changing message of choosing to trust Christ in the moment. An active launch team is a crucial part of a successful book release. The simple gift of sharing your influence makes a big impact!
I am currently setting up a launch team for the upcoming release of my debut book, Holy in the Moment. Launch Team members will be the first to read the book!
Team members do a variety of things, but the basics include:
- Pray!
- Read an advance digital copy of the book.
- Leave a short review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, Goodreads, or other book retailers as soon as the book is released. Links and instructions will be provided.
- Share my book and blog with your friends on the social media platforms you use. You will be provided with graphics and content to make sharing quick and easy.
- If you have a website, write a book review, interview the author on your blog, or share a video testimony about how the book impacted you.
- Participate in book launch events like a Facebook Release Day party.
- Join the exclusive Holy in the Moment Launch Team Facebook group.
To apply, click here to fill out the form.
Linking with the fabulous bloggers at #TellHisStory and #coffeeforyourheart.
Peek Behind the Scenes: Writing My First Book
When was the last time you needed to take time to rest your mind?
This may sound like a sure would be nice kind of question, but I’ve been grappling with this question lately.
In my last post, I talked about feeling like my brain ran out of words after finishing my first manuscript on time.
I’ve studied writing for a long time and this topic has not come up. Maybe I’m just being lazy, acting entitled because “I just wrote a book?”
Nah.
I know the Holy Spirit authored the book, but that didn’t mean the process was easy.
It was the hardest work I’ve ever done. And the best. The most precious.
Friends, peek behind the scenes of writing my first book. Most of these lessons apply to life, not just writing.
Writing Holy in the Moment has been a tremendous walk of faith, daily putting one foot in front of the other on a high wire of faith–because that’s where the Holy Spirit creates–at least for me in this book.
As a blogger, used to writing 500-800 words at a time, I definitely experienced a learning curve in working with a long-form project.
Fueled by the faithful prayer of many, I didn’t write this book in the comfort of what I knew I could do, the ease of “I’ve got this.” So to all of you who have prayed for me, I am tremendously grateful for your prayer.
What began years ago as an idea for a simple devotional expanded to a full-on, non-fiction book, a manifesto of living holy, loving well, and finding freedom from the things that keep us stuck.
(Click on the gratitude graphic for a free download).
I’m grateful for the entire process and I’m looking forward to the next step of this adventure, as the book has just been sent for the copy edit, having been approved by my editor. Another big Woohoo!
Holy in the Moment shares the life message of what God has been teaching me through deep struggles with anxiety that have plagued me far too often over the years.
Sacred ground of God’s work in my life, each page is an offering of personal stories, truths, lessons learned, and practical steps God has worked into my life as I’ve become aware of the deep cost of the pressure of perfectionism and the fear of rejection.
Relying on Christ in the moment is a holy choice that makes a practical difference in every area of life.
Friends, the tension between fear and holiness wasn’t in my outline, but I’m thankful the Holy Spirit had a deeper intention. God has made me brave in the writing of the book, for the go-to of my flesh is to keep my inner-crazy to myself, thank you very much!
So all this to say, I’m learning that writing a God-driven book begins and ends with following His lead. You may start with a firm outline, but allowing the Holy Spirit to highjack your plan will take you places you never expected to write.
You will not write on your timetable or comfort level–and yet God knows exactly what He’s doing and He will not be late.
I hope I’m learning lasting lessons about taking life and work one day at a time at the pace the Holy Spirit sets. About working in faith and being able to choose to rest in trust even when the process doesn’t look like I anticipated.
And isn’t it just like God to ensure that I have to apply the premise of the book as I write each chapter?
Why is this? I think it is because God takes the time to work a book into your life before it ever comes out on a page. That’s why the process isn’t quick or easy.
I wouldn’t want it any other way. Not really.
Trusting God in the process of our work is a concept that applies to relationships, jobs, parenting, marriage, and every meaningful area of life, because walking by faith means…
working by faith
loving by faith
writing by faith
parenting by faith
growing by faith
_____ by faith (fill in the blank)
Learn to let the Holy Spirit lead, trusting Him with the journey, the direction, and the results.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#HolyintheMoment”]Each time we choose to trust God with the process and the outcome, we choose holy in the moment.[/tweetthis]
Are you in a season of intense work in some area of your life? Trust God with your work today. With each new day, make the holy choice to trust Him again.
On Finishing Holy in the Moment and a Gift
Pssst…Don’t miss the free graphics to print at the end of the post.
Finish.
Submit.
Celebrate!
I am one seriously grateful gal to have finished my book Holy in the Moment!
On time! Yippe-Skippie!
The week before the Nov. 1 book deadline, I had the privilege of speaking at our San Diego Planting Roots conference.
I wasn’t quite sure I could finish before leaving for San Diego–but God was right on time. 10 pm the night before I left, the book was ready to submit.
Coming back home, I thought of all the things I needed to do. Jump back in the saddle and keep moving. That was my plan.
Sometimes it’s best not to make a plan.
Today I sit at my desk for the first time to write. Feeling like my brain stripped a few gears to finish my manuscript on deadline, I’ve been catching up on life.
Real life.
Nitty gritty things like cleaning the bathroom, grocery shopping, and removing inches of dust from every surface of my house. Every single one.
Things like getting back into a semi-normal sleep pattern and spending time with people and seeing beyond the two feet between me and the computer screen.
Cleaning up my office was a multi-day project.
It’s been glorious.
And a little weird.
I’ve broken every rule of blogging and social media as all activity on the computer has come to a standstill. I know bloggers aren’t supposed to do that major no no.
The blogging/social media world is a little like show biz in the pressure that “the show must go on” in order to keep growing your traffic. That was not my plan.
So much for the rules and plans.
Here’s the sanity wisdom I’m learning: Let God lead.
When you need to rest after a season of intense writing, take a break and trust God with the results. Because here’s the truth: the world will not notice if I am not blogging or posting on FB. But the real people in my world and the longevity of spiritual and creative work will suffer if I allow myself to burn out.
This doesn’t come easily. I wake in the morning with a list of “I should’s,” and the pressure starts muttering before my first sip of coffee. In this space of rest, I’m choosing to allow God to lead. Squelching the ough-to’s and should’s, I’m letting God refresh my soul.
This looks different than it’s looked in the past. On the outside, it seems much less spiritual. I open my Bible and my eyes skitter across the page, refusing to focus. I open my journal and my fingers do not want to curve around the pen. I open my blog and stare at the screen, mind completely blank.
And it’s okay.
At first, I started to freak out, thinking I was doing something wrong. And then I sensed God wanted me to rest, connecting with Him in different ways from my normal.
Writing a Christian book draws deeply from my personal study, prayer, and daily devotions. That’s the way Christian writing should be–if it doesn’t, it likely isn’t the outflow of what God is teaching. Authenticity in Christian writing is key, otherwise it’s easy to loose the heart of it.
So why am I writing about this?
First off–we all face seasons of intense work (physical, emotional, relational, professional…).
This lesson applies to our need to replenish and refresh. Recognize when you need to rest and let God show you how to rest in the season you are in. After the turkey is eaten and the kitchen is clean, I hope you will have an opportunity to put your feet up and enjoy your people this Thanksgiving!
Second reason I’m writing about this: I’m trying to understand this part of the writing/ministry process.
Friend, I’m also so very grateful for you–friends near and far who have taken time to read my work or listen to my speaking over the years. For every word of encouragement, blog post or newsletter read, event attended, or prayer offered, I’m thankful for every single friend alongside.
It is my hope and prayer that you routinely (when I’m writing…) find inspiration and encouragement to keep faith fresh every time you click into my online family room.
My grateful gift for you. Simply click on each image to download and print.
Add your print to a frame and wa-la you’ve got a creative gift for a friend. Or for yourself–a little visual reminder the choose gratitude goes a long way!
From Joy-Immune to Filled With Joy
A Guest Post from Dr. Michelle Bengtson
At a recent event I attended, a dear woman came up to speak with me. After a few minutes of chatting, she asked if she could pray for me. Never one to turn down prayer, I said, “Of course!”
After she prayed, she explained, “I often pray for others to experience joy, but I didn’t pray that for you because it’s obvious you already have His joy.”
She went on her way while her comments lingered in my mind. While she was accurate in her perception, I thought back to the days when they couldn’t have been further from the truth; days when the darkness of depression was all I could see and I feared that perhaps I was joy-immune.
Joy-immune?
Yes, that was a lie I began to believe, whispered to my soul from the enemy whom the Bible says roams around seeking whom he can devour. And devour he did, for many years. Until God with His sovereign hand pulled me from the enemy’s grasp.
I had grown up in a home with a mother who suffered from depression the entire time I lived at home—except we didn’t call it that. It was “just the way she was.” My heart ached for her, because she could have experienced the abundant life Jesus came to give if we had only recognized her suffering for what it was, and battled it head on.
After I grew up and left the home, I went into the field of neuropsychology and diagnosed and treated patients with depression for twenty years before I succumbed to its wrath myself. And when I did, the enemy made sure I felt the shame of it: the doctor who was supposed to have all the answers was now the patient. And worse yet, I tried all the treatment suggestions I had offered to my patients for 20 years, and they helped but they were insufficient to eradicate my own depression.
Now I was not only depressed, but I felt like a fraud. If the very suggestions I had offered to patients for years didn’t fix my own depression, how could I expect them to trust me as the expert in the future?
It was only when God showed me that I had to address the spiritual side of depression that the chains began to fall off.
John 10:10 declares, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In the case of depression, the enemy works to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our identity. He does so largely through our thoughts.
I remember how he worked on me.
Comparison is the thief of joy. It took very little to steal my joy when I looked at what others were doing and minimized my own efforts. The enemy simply had to whisper, “You’ll never be as good as her.”
My peace quickly evaporated when the enemy shamed me with my sin: “Do you really think God can forgive you after what you’ve done?”
I quickly began to question my identity when with my depression, the enemy shouted, “You’re worthless.”
But just like God limited the impact the enemy could have on Job’s life, God does the same for us even in the valley of depression. The second half of John 10:10 says that “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
God doesn’t allow the enemy, nor depression to determine our worth, dictate our destiny, or separate us from the love of God. He offered His son as a living sacrifice to prove His love and our value, and secure our eternal destiny.
Why I would listen to the lies of the enemy over a God who loved me so much He’d die for me, I’ll never be able to explain. But He loved me enough to break off the chains of depression and prove that because of Him, hope prevails.
Scripture says that God is no respecter of persons, meaning He doesn’t play favorites. So what He did for me, He longs to do for you as well. Will you give Him a chance?
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
For a Free eBook on How to Help a Depressed Loved One, click here: http://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-help-a-depressed-loved-one-ebook/
Dr. Michelle Bengtson (PhD, Nova Southeastern University) is an international speaker, and the author of best-selling “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” and the newly released companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study.” She has been a neuropsychologist for more than twenty years. She is in private practice in Southlake, Texas where she evaluates, diagnoses, and treats children and adults with a variety of medical and mental health disorders. She knows pain and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and personal experience with her faith to address issues surrounding medical and mental disorders, both for those who suffer and for those who care for them. She offers sound practical tools, affirms worth, and encourages faith. Dr. Bengtson offers hope as a key to unlock joy and relief—even in the middle of the storm. She and her husband of 30 years have two teenage sons, and reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She blogs regularly on her own site: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com
For more hope, stay connected with me at:
To order Hope Prevails: http://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
Website: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
The Woman Behind My Utmost for His Highest
This month I’m grateful for talented friends who are guest posting as I finish up the manuscript for my debut book, Holy in the Moment. This week I’m finishing my book and traveling to California to speak at a Planting Roots Conference. We all need a bit of help from our friends from time to time, and I hope you’ll enjoy meeting a few amazing women who are using their gifts to spread hope and encouragement.
Today, I’m thrilled to feature an author interview with Michelle Ule. When I met Michelle last year, I was intrigued by the book she was writing, a biography of Mrs. Oswald Chambers. I’m not sure how many times I’ve read My Utmost for His Highest, but Chamber’s devotions have been part of my morning routine for years. And years. Though I read many other books, I continue to come back to Chamber’s devotional.
I hope you’ll enjoy meeting Michelle as she answers one question I asked a single question.
“What surprised you most when you wrote Mrs. Oswald Chambers?”
No one has asked me that–what a fun question.
No real biography of Biddy Chambers existed. That meant almost everything I learned about her while writing my biography Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional, surprised me!
I knew basic facts about Biddy: married to Oswald Chambers, Lady Superintendent of his Bible Training College, extraordinary stenographer, mother of Oswald’s only child and compiler of his books. I knew Biddy traveled to Egypt during World War I with their toddler to work with Oswald at a YMCA’s “hut” north of Cairo for nearly four years.
The woman behind the devotional.
What I didn’t realize was how much we know about Oswald Chambers came to us through Biddy. (Her Oswald-given nickname; originally “Beloved Disciple,” it morphed into B.D. thence Biddy). It soon became clear that while the God-inspired words came from Oswald, the books and his fame were all the result of Biddy’s stenography skills. She “took down” with pencil and paper everything her husband taught during the seven years of their marriage.
When Oswald died unexpectedly of complications from appendicitis in 1917, Biddy was left a penniless 34-year-old widow with a four-year-old child in the middle of insect and disease-ridden Egypt during a world war.
The YMCA asked her to stay on and run the hut until the end of the war. She repatriated to a broken England with her headstrong daughter, then six-years-old, and few resources beyond her trunks full of notes.
From those notes, Biddy compiled 30 books—among them My Utmost for His Highest. With two exceptions, all the books with Oswald Chambers’ name listed as author were published after his death.
Indeed, Biddy crafted My Utmost for His Highest after combing through her notes, pulling selected paragraphs from all Oswald’s teachings into themes which comprised the 366 readings. It’s a masterful editing accomplishment—some of the daily readings are single paragraph excerpts from up to four different lectures woven together for a pointed devotional on a theme.
Even as I’ve examined and thought about how Biddy constructed My Utmost for His Highest, I’m still amazed at what she achieved. It took an encyclopedic knowledge of Oswald’s lectures, combined with an ear keen to the direction of the Holy Spirit to distill spiritual wisdom into 250 succinct words. She did it 366 times to make a devotional which has not been out of print in 90 years.
But it’s not just the accomplishment of “the books,” which surprised me most. Biddy’s example of living her utmost for God’s highest glory amazed me on countless occasions. She chose to follow God’s lead in situations I would not have been faith-filled enough to do myself.
Commitment to trust God.
For example, during the last 18 months of World War I, Biddy prepared faith-affirming pamphlets using her notes. The YMCA printed 10,000 copies each month and sent them to huts all over the world. So many soldiers wrote to thank her, Biddy knew Oswald’s dream of turning the notes into books was what she should do with her life.
When she returned to England in 1919, Biddy took her material to a publisher. He saw no future in Oswald’s lectures and sent her on her way.
Meanwhile, friends offered her a position at a Bible college for female missionaries, the same job she worked before the war at the Bible Training College. Ridgelands would have given Biddy and her daughter a place to live, surrounded by people who loved them, and an important God-honoring task.
But, she felt called to turn Oswald’s notes into books. Should she take the Bible School job and work the books on the side? Or, live in poverty to create the books and pass up the Bible school’s security?
She chose the books and poverty instead of security.
I doubt I would have made that choice.
Yet, by walking close enough to the Lord to recognize His calling on her life, Biddy Chambers compiled a devotional that has encouraged believers since 1927. It was smuggled into POW camps during World War II. Brother Andrew took translations behind the Iron Curtain for decades.
Biggest surprise?
What surprised me the most? Ultimately that so few people knew the stories behind this remarkable woman. Biddy Chambers really did live her utmost to God’s highest glory—in far more ways than what I’ve written here.
She’s been an inspiration to me, a catalyst for my faith and an example for me to emulate. I’m so thankful I got to explore and then write about Biddy Chambers’ life in Mrs. Oswald Chambers.
Here’s a few of my favorite quotes from Oswald Chambers:
“Prayer is the greater work.”
“Prayers change me and I change things.”
“God never gives us discernment to criticize, but to pray.”
“Let God set your words on fire for His glory.”
“The worst sinner can never come to the bottom of God’s love.”
Michelle Ule is the author of Mrs. Oswald Chambers and other published works. You can learn more about her and read her blog posts about Oswald and Biddy Chambers at www. Michelleule.com.
4 Ways to Bless Others When You’re Facing a Trial
A guest post by Sarah Forgrave
When someone goes through a hard time, most of our attention is focused on how to bless and help the person through her trial. But the reality is, when you’re the one facing hard times, it can be difficult to receive help.
You may feel like you’re constantly draining other people’s resources and you have nothing to give back. You may feel helpless and needy with no outlet to express your gratitude.
Having been through chronic health issues myself—and walked with my sister through a heart transplant—I’ve experienced those moments of quiet when you twiddle your thumbs and feel like you have nothing to offer to those around you.
Finding opportunities to bless others makes a difference.
But what if your time of trial could be an opportunity to bless others? It might be in a different way than during the “normal” seasons of life, but perhaps God could use you to minister to someone right where you are.
Whether your trial is health-related or something else entirely, let these ideas prompt you to bless someone near you today.
4 Ways to Bless Others When You are Facing a Trial
Share God’s love through a smile.
I know this sounds elementary, but how many people expect a smile from someone who’s going through a hard time? Now, certainly don’t be fake or phony if you’re not feeling it. But if you’ve found something to be grateful for in the midst of your trial, show that to others through your facial expression.
Especially in the medical field, care workers are surrounded by depressed, angry people all the time. What if you demonstrated something different? What if your peaceful expression could point the way to God’s love in a way those workers haven’t seen?
Ask others how they’re doing and listen.
People may be hyper-focused on how you’re doing and rightfully so. Be grateful for their interest and express where you’re at with authenticity. But once you’ve answered their questions, be sure to ask how they’re doing. Their trials may be far smaller than yours, but there are likely equal amounts of joy and concern. Show them you care by asking and listening.
Pray for the concerns of others.
Now that you’ve listened to the needs of someone else, use any downtime as an opportunity to lift him or her in prayer. You might even want to start a prayer journal to track the prayer needs and praises as they arise.
When you watch TV or cross paths with others, pay attention to the needs you see and lift them up to your heavenly Father, just as so many are doing for you. What a beautiful way to pass the blessing along.
Send notes of encouragement.
If you’re facing health challenges and are confined to a bed or chair, this is a wonderful chance to write encouraging notes to others. You might express gratitude for something they’ve done to help you in your trial, or you might encourage them with Bible verses that have recently helped you.
If you’re not a writer, consider drawing or coloring a picture that could bring someone else joy. When my mom recently had knee replacement surgery, I sent her colored pencils and coloring cards to pass the time during her recovery. She spent many hours coloring those cards and sent them with thank-you notes to those who had delivered a meal or helped in some other way.
The cards became not only an outlet for her to relieve stress, but they became a blessing to those who received them.
No matter what trial you’re facing, I pray you’ll find hope in Christ. As He fills you with His peace, let it flow into the lives of others. You may feel stretched to your limit, but you can be a blessing, even on your hardest days.
When you go through difficult times, what’s one way you can be a blessing? What is one way someone blessed or encouraged you? Love to have you leave a comment and share your thoughts. Many thanks to my friend Sarah for guest posting. You can learn more about Sarah below. If this topic is helpful for you, be sure to check out Sarah’s new book:.
Prayers for Hope and Healing: Seeking God’s Strength as You Face Health Challenges
Amid Pain and Weakness…There is HOPE
In my book, Prayers for Hope and Healing, I offer prayers and devotions for those facing health struggles. The book covers over forty different emotions and scenarios a medical patient might face. Among them are boredom and loneliness.
Serious or chronic medical issues bring a litany of painful and confusing feelings that only someone else who’s been in a similar situation could possibly understand.
No matter the road ahead, you don’t have to face it alone. Even in the depths of your worst emotional and physical pain, God is right there beside you, offering His comfort, love, and peace.
As you read these heartfelt prayers and devotions, let this book be your manual to help navigate the difficult set of emotions that come with health issues. Read it front to back or go directly to the devotion addressing how you feel at any given moment…when you need it the most.
Above all, know that you are never, ever alone.
About Sarah:
Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves inspiring others toward their full potential. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing (Harvest House, October 2017), her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahForgrave
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5 Verses to Pray in the Storm: Praying for Texas and Florida
To our friends in Texas who are recovering from Hurricane Harvey and our friends preparing for Hurricane Irma– we are praying for you. May these verses to strengthen and encourage all who are facing the storms of life.
As I hear from family and friends in the path of storms, my heart is heavy as I pray for our Texas and Florida folks. May God protect and provide in every need.
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”#Prayer”]Texas and Florida: we are praying for you in the storm. Recovering or preparing you are on our hearts.[/tweetthis]
Five Smart Things to Pray for Your Kids This School-Year
This morning I check my Facebook feed and love seeing all the first-day-of school pictures. Now that my kids are scattered all over, it’s easy to miss the excitement and anticipation of a new school year. Once kids are in college and grad school, they don’t send mom first-day-of-school pics.
If yours do, you are a shoe-in for Mom-Of-The-Year for accomplishing the miraculous!
Though my kids aren’t sporting new shoes and a fresh back pack today, I still pray for them as they begin a new semester. In the spirit of looking back, here are five smart things I prayed for my kids during the middle and high school years.
God’s word is wisdom for any age, so join me in praying these verses for your own children, or maybe even for yourself! You may not have considered these verses for parenting, but they cover important areas of growth and faith we all want for our kids.
Pray for God-Confidence
For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.–Psalm 71:5
Let’s pray that kids will trust God and put their confidence in Him. Just think of the mental/spiritual/emotion angst they can save if they have a confident trust in God.
As a parent, it’s easy to get overly focused on the importance of building self-confidence in our kids. I am not implying that self-confidence is unnecessary, but developing God-confidence will bring them through many challenges that self-confidence can’t touch. In addition to praying for God-confidence for my kids, I am asking God to give me wisdom and diligence to encourage them with both my words and my example.
Pray for God-Motivated Work
Pray that our kids develop God-focused motivation in their work, as well as develop strong work habits. This verse is talking about putting your heart into what you do, seeking to honor God.
While we’re at it, let’s pray our kids develop the self-discipline to do the things they don’t always want to do–homework, room cleaning, dish washing, more homework–without whining and complaining. Hmm. . . I better pray this for me as well!
Pray Kids Learn Wisdom From Mistakes
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.–Proverbs 26:11
You may not be familiar with this little gem, tucked away in Proverbs 26. Though rather graphic in imagery, (kid’s like that, right?) this wise saying refers to our tendency to keep repeating the same foolishness again and again. In other words, we can be slow to learn from our mistakes.
Pray that God would bless our children with the desire and the wisdom to learn from their mistakes and foolishness. Self-awareness of their own folly is far more effective than the lecturing or nagging of a parent.
This was a great prayer for the year my 12-year-old decided it would be cool to do push-ups in the middle of a four lane road while waiting for the bus on the first day of school. What can I say. . . sixth grade is just a nutty time!
Pray for Wise Words
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.–Proverbs 12:18
This one is pretty simple: pray that our kids would develop wisdom and thoughtfulness in their speech. Middle and high school years can be filled with emotional drama that often stems from thoughtless or hurtful words.
Taking this concept one step further, pray that our kids would go the extra mile to speak words of encouragement to others.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#backtoschool, #prayingmom”]5 smart things to pray for your kids this school year.[/tweetthis]
Pray for Self-Control
Who doesn’t struggle with self-control at times? I’ll get in line first on this one. Let’s pray our children develop Spirit-given self-control, which is very handy character trait for sure!
What are a few of your best Smart-Mom prayers for your kids this year?
