Why Gratitude Matters More than You Think: How to Be More Grateful
Gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you—it’s a transformative practice that reshapes our lives and renews our hope. In a world where anxiety and stress frequently overwhelm us, learning to focus on gratitude can profoundly impact our emotional and spiritual well-being.
This post and the accompanying podcast episode explore why gratitude matters more than you think, how it connects to hope, and how to be more grateful every day.
Though I work at being a grateful person, sometimes I get snowballed under all the things—the anxiety, the to-do list, the overwhelm. It’s easy to forget to pause and give thanks, as complaining often seems more intuitive than expressing gratitude. Can you relate to this struggle? This is exactly why gratitude is vital—it requires intention and practice to build a habit that enables us to access hope through thankfulness.
This is why we gratitude matters. It takes intention and practice to build a habit that enables us to access hope through gratitude and thankfulness. The daily is where habits are formed, is where we shape our patterns and our rhythms.
Maybe you feel a little uncomfortable with the word “habit.” However, I’ve learned to see habits as beneficial frameworks that help us achieve goals and live fully in our identity in Christ. The habit of gratitude, shifts our focus to our blessings and what God is actively doing in our lives. It affects us on multiple levels—from our brain chemistry (neuroplasticity) to our spiritual perspective, altering our outlook and encouraging a thankful mindset.
Rely on the Holy Spirit to Cultivate a Grateful Heart
Sometimes we really struggle to feel grateful. When I’m stuck in anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, it’s hard to be grateful. It can feel like I’m going through the motions, not from my heart.
Gratitude doesn’t always come easily, especially when overwhelmed with negative emotions. We don’t have to grit our way to gratitude on our own. But here’s the good news: the Holy Spirit is our helper in this journey. When gratitude feels out of reach, I try to remember to surrender these feelings to the Lord, asking Him to foster thankfulness in my heart. This partnership with the Holy Spirit transforms our efforts and makes the practice of gratitude a shared spiritual journey rather than a solitary struggle.
Gratitude Matters Because It’s a Bridge to Hope and Peace
Gratitude is more than just acknowledging the good; it’s about discovering light even on our darkest days. Biblical hope is defined as a “confident expectation of what God has promised,” and its strength lies in His faithfulness (Online Wiley Library). It’s deeply intertwined with faith—not contingent upon the amount we possess but rather on God’s steadfast presence.
My co-host, Larissa Traquair, often says, “We aren’t merely hoping as though tossing pennies in a wishing well; we place our confident hope in the God of the universe, promised through Jesus.” This profound truth reassures us that even in our worst moments, the living hope of Christ within us prevails.
Even on our worst days and hardest times, we have hope because of the life, the ever-living hope of Christ within us.
It’s easy to see gratitude and grief as either or type of thing because we’re defining so many of these words with our emotions, how we feel. When we feel grief or hopelessness or sorrow, we don’t feel grateful. We don’t feel hopeful in that moment.
We can weep and be grateful at the same time. We can grieve and have hope at the same time.
Hope and grief, gratitude in the hard can co-exist when we hang onto the truth that God present and faithful. He’s always good, even in the moments that aren’t good. We can have experience our emotions, but our heart and mind stay connected to hope. Like parallel train tracks, they run side by side. Even though our emotions might be sorrowful, we can still be grateful. We can still have hope even though our emotions may feel grateful in the moment.
Gratitude Has the Power to Change our Mindset
Cultivating gratitude daily feeds our hope by shifting our attention to what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. This connection between gratitude and hope is crucial in maintaining emotional balance and overcoming anxiety. Gratitude has the power to transform stress into serenity by refocusing our thoughts on what we have, rather than what we lack.
Gratitude changes our thought patterns and reminds us of God’s faithfulness, helping us to rise above daily irritants and see the bigger picture of God’s presence in our lives.
Daily expressions of gratitude do more than just lift our spirits; they realign our focus towards what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. This practice not only maintains our emotional balance but also combats anxiety by transforming stress into serenity. As Apostle Paul advises, we should fix our thoughts on things that are admirable and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).
In her book Switch on Your Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf discusses how our thoughts form our attitudes and, ultimately, our life quality. She notes, “The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God…” (p.103). Recognizing this power, we learn the importance of consciously directing our attention to the positive aspects of our lives. (affiliate link)
Paying attention to the good things in our lives is part of the process. You can’t be grateful for the blessings you don’t notice. This verse reminds us of the importance of choosing our thoughts with purpose. Our mindset is key to cultivating a grateful heart.
How to Be More Grateful
Cultivating gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. Small, consistent actions can lead to significant changes in how we view our world and cope with stress. Which of these simple practices could help you strengthen the habit of thankfulness in your life?
Morning Reflections: Begin your day by listing three things you’re thankful for, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
Mindful Appreciation: Throughout your day, take moments to appreciate the small joys—whether it’s a delicious cup of coffee, a call from a friend, or simply a moment of quiet.
Gratitude Journal: End your day by writing down your experiences and why they mattered. This helps embed gratitude deeply into your lifestyle.
Daily Reminders: Set reminders to pause and find something to be grateful for throughout the day.
Volunteer or Help Others: Giving back can significantly boost your feelings of gratitude as you make a tangible difference in others’ lives.
Practice Gratitude in Tough Times: Find something to be thankful for even during difficult situations—this can shift your outlook and emotional response.
Express Gratitude to Others: Change the atmosphere around you and impact others by expressing gratitude openly and often.
Embrace Gratitude, Transform Your Life
Challenge yourself to identify and appreciate one thing each day this week and notice how your perspective begins to shift. Embracing gratitude isn’t always our first response, but it’s achievable with intention and practice. Acknowledge the difficulties without letting them overshadow the good in your life. Each act of thankfulness is a step towards overcoming hurdles with a resilient and hopeful heart.
Ready to dive deeper into how gratitude can change your life? Listen to the podcast episode or watch the video for more insights on why gratitude matters. Join us on this journey and let gratitude transform your spirit, mind, and heart.
Podcast Show Notes
Discover the life-changing benefits of gratitude to fuel more hope in your life. Learn how embracing gratitude not only shifts your perspective but also strengthens your connection with God, infusing your life with hope during everyday challenges. We’ll share practical steps to foster a habit of thankfulness, touching personal stories, and insights into how this simple practice can bring peace amid chaos. Tune in to discover the key to a life filled with joy and hope through the power of gratitude. Join us for a heartwarming conversation to cultivate the power of gratitude in your life.
Gratitude profoundly reshapes our spiritual journey and daily interactions, emphasizing what truly matters in our lives.
Gratitude helps us access hope in a practical way.
Our hope is alive and active because it is anchored in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is our Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3).
Hope does not fade or die but persists through all circumstances because it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ Himself.
Gratitude changes our thought patterns and reminds us of God’s faithfulness.
Gratitude can shift our attention to God’s blessings, changing our neuroplasticity and spiritual perspective.
Hope, deeply rooted in God’s faithfulness, is not mere wishful thinking but a confident expectation of His promises
We can weep and be grateful at the same time, and grief and hope can coexist.
Emotional and spiritual resilience can be bolstered through gratitude.
Personal stories of how gratitude has helped us navigate difficult times and find hope.
The habit of gratitude is formed by daily intentional choices to express gratitude.
We can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us access hope through the consistent practice of gratitude.
Giving thanks daily and journaling three things to be grateful for can help develop a habit of gratitude.
Expressing gratitude to others can change the atmosphere and impact the people around us.
Focusing on what is good, true, right, and praiseworthy can shift our attitudes and bring peace.
Prayer is essential in cultivating gratitude and inviting God’s transformation in our lives.
How to Be More Grateful to Cultivate a Grateful Heart
One of the most downloaded resources in The Deeper Life Collection, this printable PDF will help you cultivate the habit of gratitude in a fun and easy way. Discover the difference gratitude will make in your life when you work through this practical resource. The Deeper Life Collection is a private library of resources available to Ginger’s email subscribers.
Previous Post
Why Trusting God in the Moment Helps Us Overcome Worry and Fear
Related Blog Posts on Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Gratitude Matters: 10 Truths and Tips for a Grateful Life
Celebrate Gratitude with Ginger and Larissa
Thanksgiving is More Than a Holiday: A Moment for Gratitude
Pondering Gratitude
Why Trusting God in the Moment Helps Us Overcome Worry and Fear
Explore how to make intentional choices to trust God daily, using insights from Proverbs 3:5-6 for practical steps overcome fear and worry. Trusting God in the moment gives us peace, clarity, and a deeper connection to our faith. In our fast-paced world, moments of uncertainty, stress, and worry are all too common. But what if I told you that the key to navigating these moments lies in trusting God, not in our own understanding? Read the article or listen to the podcast.
Proverbs 3:5-6: The Foundation of Trust
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a powerful verse that guides us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This verse encourages us to place our trust in God wholeheartedly and to rely on His wisdom rather than our own.
Trusting God in this Moment
“Trust God in this moment,” is a phrase I catch myself saying frequently. This simple yet profound statement reminds me to focus on activating faith in my right-now need. Trusting God isn’t just about the big decisions in life; it’s about the small, everyday moments where we choose to lean on His understanding rather than our own.
Overcome Anxiety with Trust
Many of us struggle with anxiety and worry, especially in these challenging times. The practice of trusting God empowers us to shift our focus from anxiety to peace. Casting your cares on God is wisdom, not a cop-out-it’s wisdom (1 Peter 5:7). When we feel overwhelmed, we can turn to God, knowing that He cares for us and will guide us through our struggles.
Respond vs. React
Respond, rather than react when challenges pop up in your life. In moments of stress or conflict, our natural reaction may be to lash out or become defensive. This isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do–in fact, I really struggle with being defensive. However, taking a moment to breathe, pray, and respond thoughtfully can make a significant difference. James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This principle applies not only to anger but to many of our reactions.
Wholehearted Trust
When we’re in a situation where we need hope, we want God to show up to straighten things out. We might not be able to change the entire situation, but we can change who or what we rely on. Wholehearted trust starts with one moment.
It’s challenging, but breaking it down to the moment level makes it more manageable. What area of your life challenges you to trust God completely? By trusting God in each moment, we build a foundation for a life of faith. When our trust level wavers, ask God for the faith you need to trust Him right now.
Let Go of Control
“Let go and let God.” This popular saying has become cliche, but it can remind us of the power of surrendering control (that we often don’t have anyway…) to God. When we release our need to manage every situation, it’s easier to allow God to lead. This can be particularly challenging in areas where we feel most vulnerable or have strong desires, but it is key for experiencing God’s peace and guidance.
Shift Your Focus from Fear to Faith
Anxiety often keeps us focused on potential problems and worst-case scenarios. “What if’s” spin in our heads on constant repeat. Overwhelm keeps us focused on what’s going wrong. It keeps us focused on our lack and the problem. Shifting our perspective is the next step of trust is a game-changer that opens the door to His peace and provision. Consider Matthew 6:28-34, which reminds us to stop worrying, seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and trust that He will provide for our needs.
Practical Habits of Trust and Hope
Here are some daily habits that can help you build trust in God and increase your hope:
Start Your Day in Prayer: Starting each day by asking God for guidance and wisdom. This sets a positive tone and reminds you to rely on Him throughout the day
Memorize Key Scriptures: Memorize a few verses that address challenges you face.
Gratitude Practice: Cultivate gratitude by writing down things you’re thankful for each day.
Scripture Reading: Read and meditate on Bible verses about trust.
Prayer in the Moment: When situations trigger fear or stress, take a breath and pray
Related Bible Verses
Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Faith grows as we make intentional choices to lean on His wisdom, His provision, His strength, His guidance, responding with grace. Trusting God in the moment is a powerful habit that can transform your life. It helps you navigate stress, anxiety, and uncertainty with peace and clarity. Chose one or two of these practical truths to help you make intentional choices to trust God daily. As you do, you’ll experience His faithfulness and guidance in profound ways.
Watch the Podcast
Don’t miss our latest podcast episode, where we delve deeper into these topics and share more insights and personal stories. If you prefer to watch, the videos are now on YouTube!
Thanks so much for being part of our community. Together, let’s grow in faith and trust in the Lord with all our hearts.
Dive Deeper into Trusting God in the Moment
A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back. Holy in the Moment includes my personal journey in finding help and hope for anxiety as well as biblical insights, and simple ideas to enjoy a deeper life of freedom in trusting God in all our moments (Affiliate link). Enhance your reading with a free discussion and journal guide.
Finding Soul Rest from the Burdens that Weigh You Down
Unlock the secrets of soul rest with insights from Matthew 11:28-30. This in-depth post explores how experience soul rest from burdens that weigh you down. Jesus’ invitation leads to profound spiritual peace, offering guidance on how to lighten life’s burdens through a deeper relationship with Jesus. Includes personal examples of how Jesus is teaching me to release burdens to experience soul rest. Read this article, listen to the podcast episode (at the bottom of this post), or watch on YouTube for this content.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light” –Matthew 11;28-30 NASB
Rest is more than getting enough sleep or taking a break after physically demanding work. Jesus invites us to experience soul rest by entering a relationship where He leads and we follow. This way of living and working is the secret to soul rest, spiritual peace, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Soul rest is not freedom from work or burdens.
The offer in Matthew 11:28-30 is not to find rest by not having to work, free from any kind of burden. This rest is not about the absence of life’s challenges but about how we engage with them, relying on Jesus to guide and strengthen us. Soul rest does not depend on the absence of problems or pain, but in bringing our burdens to Christ. Being yoked with Jesus isn’t about escaping work or life’s pressures but about handling them through His strength and guidance.
Jesus invites us to depend on Him and follow His lead and His way as we work in relationship with Him. “Come to me…and I will give you rest…” implies that rest is a gift we receive from Jesus. Soul rest is a gift, attained not by our efforts, but through accepting Jesus’ invitation to live and learn from Him. Share on X
This is a relational invitation. Jesus promises to teach us a different way of living and working in His “easy yoke.” This yoke is a training tool to help a young ox learn from a stronger ox bearing most of the burden of the work. The younger learns, trains, and grows, becoming stronger and experienced over time. What a concrete picture of our relationship with Christ as we work and learn with Him. I often think of this image of being yoked with Jesus as He bears the weight and guides my steps.
Jesus speaks to the soul-weary burdens that weigh us down.
In this familiar passage, Jesus speaks of two specific challenges we all face in life. The first word is translated “weary” or “labor,” meaning fatigue from hard work, burdens, or grief.
The second problem is being “burdened” by carrying a heavy load placed upon us, much like a heavy pack is placed on a donkey. When the expectations and demands of others weigh us down, we may find ourselves bearing a heavy load we were not intended to carry.
This is an interesting distinction. In context, Jesus refers to the heavy load that religious leaders had placed upon the people. These were extra laws and practices to keep them from disobeying any of the commandments. Jesus came to free us from the burden of the law, the burden of our sin, and our inability to keep the law.
But there are other implications of the many burdens that weigh heavy on our soul. Here are a few I often experience:
- Motivations, mindsets, and lack of boundaries
- Other people’s opinions and expectations
- Unrealistic self-expectations or goals
- Pressure of trying to control outcomes
- Relying upon our own resources, abilities, or strength for success
- Unresolved conflict or harboring unforgiveness
Which of these burdens have you felt lately? Jesus offers a way of living and working that we can only experience in a dependent relationship with Him. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus helps us identify and to bear our burdens. He can show us how to experience the soul rest we need.
The role of spiritual disciplines in experiencing soul rest.
Spiritual disciplines aren’t just practices; they’re pathways to the rest Jesus promises.
These Jesus-lessons are personal for each of us. It all starts with the daily habit of coming. If we do not develop the habit of “coming to Jesus,” we miss out on what He wants to teach us. To “come” is to rely on Christ, to trust Him, to listen for His words, to attend to what He is teaching. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and journaling help us learn from Jesus in a personal way.
To truly find soul rest, engaging in spiritual disciplines is essential. Practices such as prayer, reading the Bible, and meditation deepen our connection to Christ. They help us to learn from Him and recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Though spiritual disciplines help us learn from Jesus, being “yoked” with Jesus is about far more than whether we have a “good Quiet Time.” Spiritual disciplines help us give time and attention to what Jesus wants to teach us. They train us to recognize when the Holy Spirit speaks to our thoughts, patterns, tendencies, and struggles. His lessons can come at any moment of the day when we cultivate the habit of paying attention.
“Lord, what do you want me to know about this burden/situation today?”
This simple prayer has opened many moments for learning from Jesus. Sometimes He gives insights in the moment, but often a thought will flash in my mind when I’m doing something else. Journaling and meditating on related Bible verses helps me process His insights more deeply.
Personal examples of learning from Jesus to live in soul rest.
I want to share a few ways Jesus helps me discover soul rest from the burdens that weigh me down. These are personal examples of what Jesus is teaching me about soul rest from of burdens that weigh me down.
Here’s my how: This simple prayer has opened many moments for learning from Jesus: “Lord, what do you want me to know about this burden/situation today?” Then I pay attention to what He brings to mind. Sometimes He gives insights in the moment, but often a thought will flash in my mind when I’m doing something else. Journaling and meditating on related Bible verses helps me process His lessons more deeply.
- I’m learning to let go of burdens that aren’t mine to carry. Jesus teaches me to differentiate between burdens I should carry and those I shouldn’t. I am often tempted to pick up burdens, to take responsibilities that belong to others. Sometimes I take on the weight of their emotions, decisions, or behavior. This can be a simple doing someone’s chore because I don’t want to hold them accountable. It can also include feeling stressed about things that are someone else’s responsibility.
- Jesus teaches me to entrust my loved ones to Him. I sometimes attempt to control outcomes or fix problems that are not mine to solve. As a wife and mom, I sometimes often worry about emotional well-being of my family. He helps me to give them space to make their own mistakes and learn from their own struggles. He reminds me that He is working in their lives, so I can rest.
- Jesus helps me let go of the shame of failure or disappointing people. He shows me when I fall into the old pattern of allowing hurtful words or opinions to define my identity. Unrealistic expectations of myself can create the burden of shame. He reminds me of the difference between truth and opinion. The Spirit helps me recognize when false beliefs creep into my thinking.
- Learning to trust Jesus with the results of my efforts brings rest and freedom. Jesus teaches me that my work is to trust and depend on Him for both motivation, process, and outcome of my work. I have control over my thoughts, motivations, decisions, and effort. The results and the outcomes belong to God.
- Jesus shows me the difference between a good desire and a God-given desire. There is only so much time and energy in a day and for a life. Trying to do too much is exhausting. Working at the wrong things or for the wrong reasons creates burn out. Navigating the gap between “should” and “called” is a journey of discovering the dreams God has placed in my heart.
- Relying on Jesus to fulfill my calling is daily process of following His leadership. It is a different way of working that feels like the joyful freedom of a child coloring outside the lines to create something unique and new. From beginning to end, I am learning to work in reliance and partnership with Christ.
Does this list of personal examples bring to mind burdens that are weighing you down? How can you trust and follow Jesus to experience the soul rest you need today? Consider a few of the following practical steps to put Matthew 11:28-30 into practice in your life.
Practical steps to experience more soul rest from burdens that do not need to weigh you down.
Are you responding to the invitation of Christ who offers to give you rest for your soul as you live and work with Him? Consider a few specific ways to let Christ teach you His way of soul rest:
- Trust God with the people you care about.
- Pray, “Lord, what do You want me to know about this burden/situation?”
- What ways are you trying to control things you cannot control? How can you release them to God?
- Are there situations or relationships where you are taking responsibility that isn’t yours to bear? Entrust them to Christ.
- Ask Jesus to help you learn how to rest in pressure, conflict, or uncertainty.
- Rest the outcomes of your efforts in God’s capable hands and release the stress of performance.
As Jesus teaches you how to rest, He will help with the burdens that weary your soul. Which of these suggestions do you most need apply today to discover what Jesus wants to teach you about soul rest?
Soul rest comes when you accept Jesus’s invitation to walk with you, help you, and teach you, every step of the way. Accepting Christ’s invitation means learning to live and work in partnership with Him, recognizing that He is the source of our strength and peace.
Leave a comment and share what your biggest need for soul rest is right now.
Takeaways from the Podcast Episode
The podcast and the blog post have some differences due to the podcast being a conversation. Join Larissa and I as we discuss this important topic of soul rest.
- Soul rest is a continuous need throughout life.
- Physical rest is important, but deeper soul rest is essential.
- Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest.
- Burdens can come from both labor and expectations.
- Celebrating wins and closing chapters helps us find rest and transition well.
- Self-expectations and worrying about outcomes can burden our souls and hinder our rest.·
- Spiritual disciplines are pathways to experiencing soul rest.
- It’s important to trust God with our burdens and relationships.
- Setting boundaries can help alleviate soul weariness.
- Finding rest for our souls is essential for our well-being and spiritual growth.
- Rest is a biblical principle, not a sign of laziness.
- Building a relationship with Jesus is key to finding true rest.
- Practical ways to rest include entrusting loved ones to God, short prayers for guidance, and writing reminders.
Recover Your Best Rest
Related Blog Posts
- 15 Habits of Rest that will Improve Your Life
- Why You Should Trust Jesus for the Rest You Need
- How Rest and Solitude Restore Your Soul After Stress or Loss
- What is Spiritual Rest and Why Do We Need It?
Thrive in Your Soul with Holy Choices
A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back. Each of these challenges can become burdens for our souls. Grow in holiness without the pressure to have everything “just right.” Through gentle encouragement, biblical insights, and applicable ideas you can experience a deeper life of freedom in Christ. Transparently sharing my own struggles, I want to help you live from the reality of hope, healing, and holiness. Learn more about rest in the chapter entitled, “Moments to Rest.”
My Favorite Books on Rest
I’ve benefitted from reading books on the importance of rest. Here are a couple of my favorites. Each of the following are affiliate links.
What I loved about this book was the way Saundra Dalton-Smith explains how we need different kinds of rest with practical suggestions for ways to best fit our rest to what we most need.
John Mark Comer builds a compelling case against the culture of hurry that characterizes our digital age. Detailing the cost to our emotional health and spiritual vitality, Comer gives us good cause to re-examine how we use our time and the important need for rhythms of rest.
I appreciate Buchanan’s through discussion on the importance of the Sabbath and how we can benefit from practicing intentional rest in our lives.
If you’ve benefitted from this article and resources, please share with a friend or on social media. This might be the encouragement someone deeply needs today. Help spread the message!
*This post includes affiliate links for books recommended in this post at no cost to you. Disclaimer: This post is written for spiritual growth and encouragement.
Lori Schumaker’s Faith Story of Adoption and Special Needs Parenting
Discover how Lori Schumaker found hope and peace through surrendering to God’s plan in her story of adoption, faith, and special needs parenting. Learn actionable steps to cultivate habits of hope and trust, even during life’s toughest challenges.
Life often takes us on unexpected paths, filled with challenges, grief, and moments of uncertainty. But as Lori Schumaker discovered, it’s in these very moments that hope and faith can shine the brightest. Lori’s story of adoption, special needs parenting, and deep trust in God’s plan is a testament to the transformative power of hope—especially when life feels overwhelming.
With over two decades of ministry experience, a background in education, and certifications in life and mental health coaching, Lori’s journey didn’t just inspire her blog Unveiling Hope—it also provided lessons in faith that resonate with people facing their own difficult seasons.
Through her story, Lori reveals that hope is more than just an emotional response; it’s an actionable habit built on surrendering our desires to God’s will. In her book, she shares, “Sometimes hope is scary. Hoping for the impossible feels a lot like letting go. It’s giving your heart a chance to hurt again. But it’s also giving your faith a chance to point to a God who is bigger than your mountains.”
In this article, we’ll explore the key insights and lessons Lori has learned through her journey, highlighting the power of hope, the necessity of surrender, and the habits we can cultivate to strengthen our faith during difficult times.
The Unexpected Path to Special Needs Parenting
Lori’s adoption journey was not without its heartaches. After being convinced that a particular little girl—Selah—was meant to be their daughter, Lori and her family faced devastating news. The child they had fallen in love with had been adopted by another family.
Lori likened this heartbreak to the grief of a miscarriage: “She may not have been growing in my belly. She may have been across the world, but I loved her as a mother.”
For months, Lori wrestled with God, questioning why this was happening. She had felt such a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit that this child was meant to be theirs. And then, in a miraculous turn of events, Lori learned that Selah had not, in fact, been adopted by another family. In what Lori describes as an act of divine intervention, they were able to adopt her daughter just before her file would have been labeled “unadoptable”.
Selah’s file initially stated that her special needs were limited to a speech delay and flat feet. These conditions seemed manageable, especially given Lori’s education experience.
What Lori didn’t anticipate, however, was that Selah had extensive special needs—something she initially didn’t feel equipped to handle. “I didn’t think I was prepared to be a special needs mom,” Lori reflects. “God had much different plans.” This realization eventually brought Lori to surrender her vision of what motherhood would look like and trust God’s plan for her daughter.
Embracing the Habit of Hope: A Foundation in Faith
One of the most profound lessons Lori shares is the idea that hope is not passive—it’s a habit we cultivate intentionally. For Lori, hope wasn’t just about feeling better during difficult moments. It was about consistently looking to God for strength, guidance, and peace, even when life seemed to be falling apart.
One of the Scriptures that provided Lori with strength during her adoption process was Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Lori explains how this verse became a beacon of hope during what felt like a long, dark night in her life. “The night does seem darker; it feels more hopeless. But when the sun rises in the morning, there’s hope. God used this verse to give me courage and hope.”
Lori’s experience reminds us that hope is a daily practice of trusting that the morning will come, even in the darkest of seasons.
The Power of Surrender: Letting Go to Find Peace
A recurring theme in Lori’s journey is the concept of surrender—letting go of her personal desires and trusting that God’s plan, although different, is better. For Lori, this process of surrender was essential in finding peace amid the chaos and uncertainty of adoption and special needs parenting.
“When I finally surrendered and laid down my vision, my dream, that this was supposed to be our daughter, that’s when the miracles started unfolding,” Lori says. This surrender didn’t come easily. It involved releasing her expectations of what freedom, healing, and a typical life would look like for her daughter.
Surrendering to God’s will is something many of us struggle with, especially when our plans seem so clear in our own minds. But as Lori’s story shows, it’s in surrender that we allow room for God to work. By letting go, we free ourselves from the burden of trying to control everything and make room for the unexpected gifts and blessings of God.
Habits of Hope: Practical Steps to Cultivate Faith
Lori’s journey has given her more than just an inspiring story—it’s equipped her with practical habits of hope we can all apply. Here are some of the key habits she developed to maintain hope, even during great difficulty:
- Stay in the Word: Lori emphasizes the importance of reading and reflecting on Scripture. Even when God feels distant, staying in the Word reminds us of His promises. Scriptures like Romans 8:28 (“All things work together for the good of those who love God…”) provide comfort and reassurance that God’s plan is always at work.
- Keep Praying: Prayer is not just a formality; it’s a way of partnering with God. Lori’s relationship with God was built through consistent prayer, even during seasons of grief and doubt. “If I want to hear from Him, I have to go to Him,” she explains.
- Cultivate Gratitude: Believe in the power of gratitude to shift our perspective. By intentionally focusing on the good, no matter how small, we can create more room for hope in our hearts. Lori encourages others to develop a habit of thanking God for small blessings, whether it’s a kind word, a blooming flower, or an unexpected moment of joy.
- Seek Community: No one should go through life’s challenges alone. Lori found strength in her faith community and encourages others to do the same. Whether it’s through church, small groups, or trusted friends, having people to walk with you can provide much-needed support.
- Persevere Through the Dark Nights: One of the biggest lessons Lori learned was the importance of perseverance. There will be dark nights when hope feels distant, but it’s important to keep moving forward, trusting that God’s joy will come in the morning.
- Stay Faithful in the Small Things: Keep showing up for God, even when you feel abandoned. Lori finds strength through consistent faith practices, trusting that God is working behind the scenes.
Lori Schumaker’s story shares a powerful reminder that hope is more than just a feeling—it’s a habit we can cultivate, even in life’s most challenging moments. Sometimes God brings us to a situation where there’s a wall in front of us, and the only way through, the only doorway, is trust and surrender.
Through Lori’s hope story of adoption, special needs parenting, and surrender, we see the beauty of trusting God through every season. Her journey inspires us to develop habits of hope and surrender, knowing that with God, joy truly does come in the morning.
What areas of your life are you trying to control? How might surrendering them to God open the door to more peace and hope in your life?
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Ready to dive deeper into Lori Schumaker’s inspiring journey of faith and hope?
Tune in to the full podcast episode where Lori shares her heart, lessons learned through adoption, special needs parenting, and the power of surrendering to God’s plan. Enter our book giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Lori’s award-winning book, Surrendered Hearts: An Adoption Story of Love, Loss, and Learning to Trust. Enter the drawing below to win a copy of Lori’s wonderful book!
About Lori Schumaker
With a Master’s in Education, Life and Mental Health Coaching certifications, and over two decades of ministry experience, Lori Schumaker guides others toward unveiling their hope, healing their hearts, and moving forward with confidence. She provides a hope toolkit, inspiration, and teaching needed for this journey through her award-winning blog, Unveiling Hope. Lori also writes for various online publications and books, speaks at local and national events and podcasts, and hosts A Day of Hope retreats. Enjoy Lori’s free resources available on her website, as well as encouraging digital products. Connect with Lori on Facebook or Instagram to continue this conversation of hope.
Build a Consistent Quiet Time: How to Delight in God’s Word Every Day
Learn practical tips to develop a daily quiet time with God, helping you shift from duty to delight. Create a consistent quiet time plan, explore key resources, and find joy in consistent devotion in this guide to a meaningful time in God’s Word. Read the article or listen to the podcast episode.
Finding the time and energy for a daily quiet time with God can be challenging in our busy lives. Between work, family, and other commitments, it’s easy to let this essential spiritual practice slip through the cracks. But God isn’t asking for perfection—He’s asking for your presence.
Quiet moments with God lead to a life filled with peace.
Shifting “Should Do” to “Want To” in Your Quiet Time
Moving from duty to delight begins with a willingness to show up. Be willing to start. Be willing for it not to be perfect. Be willing for God to lead you. Trust God to shape and transform your heart as you meet with Him regularly..
Psalm 1:2-3 says:
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. (NASB)
This passage illustrates the power of delighting in God’s Word, comparing the person who meditates on Scripture to a fruitful tree, deeply rooted and nourished by streams of water. I love this vivid picture of how regularly engaging with Scripture brings spiritual growth and vitality.
It’s not about checking off the “I read my Bible today’ box”. It’s about allowing that time to transform into a desire—to a “want to” rather than a “should do.”
For me, this shift happens when we stop viewing quiet time as a task to complete and start seeing it as an opportunity to meet with God. It’s a sacred time that nourishes our souls, much like the tree planted by the water in Psalm 1. Root your life in God’s Word, and watch your faith grow.
Practical Steps to Delight in God’s Word
Pray for desire: Ask God to stir a desire in your heart for His Word
Meditate on Scripture: Take time to reflect deeply, even on a single verse, letting it sink into your heart.
Find joy in the process: Approach your Bible reading with curiosity and openness, expecting God to speak to you.
When we approach our quiet time with this mindset, we begin to experience our quiet time as a life-giving habit of hope that refreshes our spirit and draws us closer to God.
A Quiet Time Plan Helps with Consistency
One of the most impactful things you can do for your quiet time is to make a plan. Without one, it’s easy to feel aimless or to put it off altogether. As my friend Larissa says, “The time of day doesn’t matter; consistency does.”
Finding a workable time in your schedule is key, whether it’s in the morning, during your lunch break, or in the evening. A consistent time helps build momentum and develop the habit of daily devotion.
How to create your quiet time plan:
Identify a time of day that works for you.
Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can minimize distractions.
Gather any materials you need ahead of time—your Bible, notebook, pens, etc.
Choose a short devotional to guide your reading.
Use a Bible reading plan to provide structure.
Spend a few moments in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word.
Adjust Your Quiet Time Routine as Needed
Whether you are new to the practice of having a devotional time with God or simply looking for ideas to refresh your routine, don’t overthink it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of having the “perfect” quiet time.
For many of us, it’s tempting to wait for the perfect conditions to begin. You can always adjust and grow as you go. Begin where you are, even if that means just spending 10-15 minutes in prayer and reading. Over time, you’ll develop the habit, and you’ll naturally begin to crave more time with God.
Keep a running list of the topics or passages you want to explore next. This way, you always have a plan. If you find yourself floundering without a specific plan, consider starting with:
A Bible reading plan of daily passages (See examples below).
Reflective questions or prompts to guide your study (Get my free Spiritual Growth Pack for my favorite prompts and tips).
Writing down prayers or personal reflections to help solidify what you’re learning.
A 7-Day Bible Reading Plan
If you’re not sure where to begin with your quiet time, here’s a 7-day Bible reading plan to guide you:
Day 1: Psalm 1:1-3 – Delighting in the law of the Lord.
Day 2: Isaiah 55:6-11 – The power and purpose of God’s Word.
Day 3: Matthew 6:5-13 – Jesus teaches about prayer.
Day 4: Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always.
Day 5: Romans 12:1-2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Day 6: James 1:22-25 – Be doers of the Word.
Day 7: Psalm 119:103-105 – God’s Word as a lamp to our feet.
Read Through a Book of the Bible
I usually work through a book of the Bible rather than read a selection of topical verses. Consider one of the Gospels or one of the New Testament Letters, reading a ½ chapter or so each day. Choose the pace that best fits your time and attention span. Here’s a reading plan for Philippians:
Day 1: Philippians 1:1-14
Theme: Thanksgiving and prayer for the believers at Philippi. Paul expresses gratitude for their partnership in the gospel and confidence in God’s work in them.
Day 2: Philippians 1:15-30
Theme: Paul’s perspective on suffering. He reflects on how his imprisonment has advanced the gospel and shares his desire to honor Christ in life or death.
Day 3: Philippians 2:1-11
Theme: Christ’s humility and example. Paul encourages the believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who humbled himself and was exalted by God.
Day 4: Philippians 2:12-30
Theme: Working out salvation and examples of faithfulness. Paul exhorts the believers to live out their salvation with reverence, and he commends Timothy and Epaphroditus as models of faithful service.
Day 5: Philippians 3:1-11
Theme: Warning against legalism. Paul contrasts his former life of legalistic righteousness with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection.
Day 6: Philippians 3:12-21
Theme: Pressing on toward the goal. Paul encourages believers to press on in their faith, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Day 7: Philippians 4:1-13
Theme: Rejoicing in the Lord and contentment. Paul urges the believers to rejoice always and offers practical advice for peace. He shares his secret of contentment in all circumstances.
Day 8: Philippians 4:14-23
Theme: Gratitude for the Philippians’ generosity. Paul expresses his heartfelt thanks for the gifts they sent him and assures them that God will meet all their needs according to His riches in glory.
Helpful Quiet Time and Bible Study Tools
There are many tools and resource that can enrich our personal time with God. Study Bibles, devotional books, journal, and even digital resources can be valuable ways to deepen your time with God.
One helpful tip is keeping a running note or list of what you want to study next. As you read and reflect, God often highlights topics or verses for further study. Don’t let those moments slip away—write them down and revisit them during future quiet times.
Essential Tools for Quiet Time
Bible (Consider a study Bible for deeper understanding)
Journal or notebook for notes and reflections
Highlighters, pens, and post-it notes for marking key passages
There are a variety of digital resources I have found helpful. I don’t rely on these, but each has a place in helping me connect with God more deeply.
Digital Resources to Enhance Your Quiet Time
Here are a selection of my favorite websites and apps:
Blue Letter Bible: A great tool for looking up original text definitions, providing deeper insight into specific verses.
BibleGateway.com: Easily compare different Bible translations. Try reading multiple versions side by side. Here’s an example of Psalm 1:2-3 in NASB, AMP, and The Message: BibleGateway – Psalm 1:2-3.
BibleHub.com: My go-to for viewing parallel translations. Use the “Parallel” tab for easy comparison. Example: BibleHub – Psalm 1:3.
Lexio 365 App: Offers audio reflective devotions using the Lectio Divina method for meditative Bible reading.
YouVersion: A diverse collection of reading plans and devotionals for all types of study.
You don’t need to use all these resources every day, but they can provide valuable insight when you want to dig deeper into a passage.
Grace for Your Quiet Time
It’s important to aim for consistency but also to walk in grace. Life can be unpredictable, and some days may not go as planned. If you miss your quiet time, that’s okay! There are days when I don’t get my quiet time in the morning, but I’ll circle back later in the day or make it up tomorrow.
God’s not up there with a stopwatch—He’s looking at the posture of our hearts.
Flexibility is essential, especially as we move through different seasons of life. What worked for you a year ago may not be what works today, and that’s perfectly fine. Give yourself the freedom to adjust your routine as needed.
Consistency Over Perfection
In the end, building a consistent quiet time isn’t about perfection—it’s about cultivating a heart that delights in God’s Word every day. As you apply these steps in your own life, remember that the journey is ongoing.
Some days will feel spiritually rich, while others may feel more ordinary—but the key is to keep showing up. Consistency allows room for growth, and over time, the desire to spend time with God will deepen into a delight and hunger for His presence.
Questions for Personal Growth
What’s one small step you can take today to create a more consistent quiet time? Whether it’s finding a new space, choosing a Scripture passage, or simply starting with 10 minutes, God will meet you right where you are.
What time of day works best for me to spend focused time with God?
How can I minimize distractions and create a more peaceful space for my quiet time?
Am I giving myself enough grace and flexibility during this season of life?
What tools or resources could help deepen my Bible study
I’d love to hear what’s working in your quiet time and how God is moving in your life! Leave a comment to share your thoughts.
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For more practical tips, listen to our latest Habits of Hope podcast episode [link], where we discuss these topics in depth. Be sure to get my Spiritual Growth Pack, a free resource in the Deeper Life Collection for subscribers. Featuring tips, prompts, and prayers, this valuable resource will help you connect with God more deeply as you delight in His Word.
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Learn Six Important Truths About Listening to God
Discover important truths about listening to God with insights 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.
The Bible shows us God speaks in a variety of ways, including Scripture, the church, and circumstances. Listening to God is noticing when He brings truth, understanding, wisdom, guidance, conviction, instruction, or encouragement to our attention. Most of the time, Christians “hear” God through the spirit rather than with physical hearing. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to help us listen, perceiving when God is speaking to us.
Practicing good listening skills makes us better listeners, both with God and others.
Good listening is a skill to cultivate.
“You aren’t listening to me.”
From the kitchen my husband is telling me that the plumber is coming tomorrow at 3. I don’t really hear him, but somehow I still respond, “Hmm..okay.”
Half-listening is getting to be a bad habit. There, but not really present… How many times do you realize you are only half-listening? This can become a bad habit when we don’t give our full attention.
The Challenge of Learning How to Listen to God
Do you long to hear God speak to you?
Learning how to hear God is an even greater challenge. Though there are some instances in Scripture when God speaks with an audible voice, but most often God speaks in less direct ways. We struggle with listening to God, often questioning the reality of His presence when we don’t feel like are hearing from God. Honestly, it can feel really frustrating.
Encouragement for Listening to God
Hearing God isn’t always as hard as you may think.
Before we go any further, let me encourage you with this simple truth. Hearing God doesn’t have to be a confusing or difficult experience. If you’re like me, I’ve often wondered if God will speak to me. We can make a lot of false assumptions about hearing God. Have these thoughts ever come to mind when you’re trying to listen to God?
Maybe I’m not doing something right, as if there is some magic formula to hearing God.
I believe God speaks to some people, but I don’t think He will speak to me.
I’m too sinful for God to want to speak to me.
God has better things to do that talk to me.
I have to be a super-Christian or spiritual giant to God to speak to me.
Have you struggled with any of these thoughts?
What the Bible Says About Listening to God in Isaiah 40:4-5.
The Bible has many passages that teach us truths about listening to God. One of my favorite passages in the Bible that refers to hearing God clearly is in Isaiah 50:4-5 (NASB).
The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples,So that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.He awakens Me morning by morning,He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.The Lord God has opened My ear,And I was not disobedient,Nor did I turn back.
Many times, God has used the truths in this passage to encourage me in the process of learning to hear God. This short passage has helped me to understand that God is intimately involved in helping us to listen. In fact, God is more interested in our regular practice of listening to Him than we realize.
I love the way the New American Standard Bible translates this passage with the words “He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.” In this passage, the word listen means to hear, listen to, obey, and yield.
Reading the passage in another translation can give us a fuller understanding of the meaning of this passage. Consider how these truths are expressed in the New Living Translation:
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.
As you read the rest of this post, open your ears to important truths about listening to God. Which of the following truths contains a new thought? Which one encourages you in a special way? Notice what stands out to you as you read both the Scripture and the teaching. These are a few simple things to help you learn how to listen to God more clearly.
Six Important Truths about Listening to God.
Truth #1: The Holy Spirit enables us to listen to God productively.
God is speaking every time we open our Bible. Living and active, the Holy Spirit draws our attention to specific truths. He guides our understanding. He is the Spirit of Truth.
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth… John 16:13.
When the Holy Spirit awakens our attention and opens our ears, listening brings insight and hearing moves us to action. Remember, the definition of hearing in this passage means to hear, to listen, and to obey. It’s important to respond to what we hear by applying it to our lives.
When God awakens us, our sluggish thoughts perk up with increased understanding and discernment. What we glossed over rises above the page and a specific truth, instruction, or detail stands out.
Truth #2: When God speaks through His word, we are experiencing God.
Henry Blackaby writes, “Understanding spiritual truth does not lead you to an encounter with God; it is the encounter with God (Experiencing God p. 105). Many are hearing God more often than they recognize. As the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, we are both hearing and experiencing God.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.–John 14:26.
Truth #3: Practice helps us to recognize God speaking through His Word.
Listen to God daily through reading the Bible.
Morning by morning, God awakens me… Intimate and consistent, there is something very personal about these words. The Spirit can whisper gently, like a mother’s touch to awaken a sleeping child. We may expect burning bush experiences, but most often God speaks quietly through His word.
Without the Holy Spirit awakening us, we would not care, but roll over and go back to sleep. When we’re unresponsive, truth fades into the fog of a sleeping spirit and our lack of attention. Meaning is lost in the murmur of countless thoughts muttering in our minds.
Consistency makes a difference in hearing God.
Morning by morning echoes the constancy of a daily habit opening the day by listening to God. He nudges our attention. He opens our attention to hear, understand, and respond.
Hearing God isn’t a skill that is developed in a day–it is built over time.
This means we need to commit to regular time in God’s word, trusting the Holy Spirit to help us listen and obey.
Truth #4: Listening begins with God.
Isn’t it interesting that most of the activity in this passage is on God’s part? He gives. He awakens. He opens.
Our part is to respond. When we grasp this truth, we can let go of our stress about hearing God. He will help us learn to recognize when He is speaking to us. When we focus on responding to what God brings to our attention, we will hear Him more clearly. Develop the habit of asking God to open your ears to what He wants to impress on you when you read Scripture.
Embrace truth. Take it to heart so that it can begin to work in your thoughts, words, and actions.
Truth #5: Listening to God equips us to minister to others.
When we listen, we are prepared to encourage the weary– “That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.”
Not just any word. This isn’t a pat-your-hand-and-bless-your-heart kind of word. Who needs that?
Listening to God regularly, He brings a good word at the right moment, speaking to the true need of the heart. What we have heard, we often have an opportunity to share.
When we make a regular habit of deeply listening to God through His word, it comes back out in powerful ways that make a difference in the lives of hurting people.
God can also prompt us to encourage someone, often bringing them to mind with a purpose. Earlier today, God brought a friend to mind with a nudge to encourage and pray. This is another form of listening to God. I gave her a call. Turns out she was having a hard day and was deeply strengthened by my simple response to God’s prompting.
Truth #6: Listening to God changes us.
When God speaks, the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and learn. Reading, listening, and revelation merge like threads woven into a single cord. We embrace the truth He speaks, and we obey: “I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back.”
When the Holy Spirit speaks God’s truth, it has the power to change us–to turn us from rebellion to obedience. We let go of the frustrating cycles of trying to do it on our own, and obedience moves us forward.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#ObeyGod #Truth”]Never underestimate the power of obeying the words God draws to your attention.[/tweetthis]
How does Hearing God change our lives?
God changes our lives as He opens our ears, awakens our attention, and we respond…one day at a time.
I expanded this blog post in a chapter of my book, Holy in the Moment. For more help and encouragement for hearing God check out the book!
Which of these truths about listening to God encourages you most today?
Hearing and listening to God us to grow deeper with God. Experience the benefits of listening to God when reading the Bible to accelerate your spiritual growth. Share on X
Learn More in the Listening to God Chapter in Holy in the Moment
My award-winning book will give you actionable ways to strengthen your faith and overcome the struggles that roadblock spiritual growth. Discover the transforming power of choosing to rely on Christ in this holy moment. Get more tips, truths, and insights on listening to God as you continue to grow a deeper relationship with God.
Practical Tip Sheets to Help You Grow Spiritually
I’ve put together some of my best tips for spiritual growth, included several pages to help you focus your attention to listen to God. Get a page of prompts you can use when reading the Bible to help you listen to God. You’ll also find helpful prayers and other resources to deepen your relationship with God. Click the button below to get your free Spiritual Growth Pack.
Enjoy More Posts about Listening to God:
15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction to Focus Your Attention on God (with printable)
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Do You Have Spiritual ADD?
15 Simple Ways to Overcome Distraction to Focus Your Attention on God (with printable)
Simple Ways Silence Can Deepen Your Faith
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
*This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.
10 Ways to Connect with God During a Busy Summer
Summer is synonymous with freedom and fun, but amidst the BBQs, family reunions, and road trips, our spiritual routines can falter. How do we maintain a strong connection with God when our usual routines are disrupted by summer fun? Lean into the joys of summer with practical ideas and resources to connect with God despite busy days. Discover ten easy ideas to help you connect with God during your busy summer days. Don’t miss the list of related resources at the end of this post!
Is it just me, or is this year zipping by at lightning speed? When my children were younger, summer was a time to ease off busy school schedules filled with homework, sports, and activities. It was all about playdates, sleeping late, and afternoons at the pool. Ahh….what fun!
Nowadays, I still start the season with that laid-back summer mentality, even though reality paints a different picture. Summer vacation often means a short trip rather than three months off from school. Every year, I’m surprised when my relaxing summer turns out to be just as busy as the rest of the year–just in a different way. Is it wishful thinking or am I a slow learner? Probably a bit of both. Even so, I do love summer. How about you?
Whether your schedule is relaxed or bustling, maintaining a connection with God in summer can be challenging. At the end of the the season, we want to have great memories with family and friends, but we also want to grow spiritually and delight in God. In this post, you’ll find a variety of ideas to enjoy your relationship with God this summer.
10 Ways to Connect with God in a Busy Summer
Travel plans, kids at home, and hosting visitors often disrupts normal routines. When I have a house full of guests for a few days, my schedule shifts (ahem, meaning devotions often don’t happen…). During times of travel, our pace is very different, making my regular devotional time in the summer more challenging.
Are you ready to partner with God to nurture your spirit and enjoy your relationship with God this summer? Change up your quiet time routine with fresh ideas to get into God's Word, enjoying time with God, even if you're on the go. Share on X A summer quiet time doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful.
Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, consider these flexible ways to spend time with God during the different rhythm of summer days: (For your convenience, I’ve added a handy list of resources and links at the end of this post).
- Short Inspirational Content: On your busiest days, read a few Psalms or Proverbs. These short readings can spark rich reflection and prayer. Meditate on brief passages from New Testament letters like Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, or Colossians, which are packed with truths and instructions ideal for summer Scripture reading.
- Journaling Changes: Adapt your journaling habits for busy days. Try bullet-style journaling to quickly jot down thoughts, observations, or prayers. Start a “One Thing Journal” for the summer. Each day, write down a prayer, a verse, a reflective thought, or a quote. Keep it simple and brief, but take time to prayerfully meditate on that one thing. Use my free Grateful Moments journal to focus on one area of gratitude each day.
- Creative Devotions: Engage creatively with your devotions. Try Scripture art, Bible journaling with colored pens, stickers, or washi tape. Paint on a canvas or draw in a sketchbook while meditating on a verse. Coloring devotionals can also be a wonderful creative outlet. Check out links at the end of this post for ideas.
- Worship Music: Begin your quiet time with a worship song or listen to worship music during a prayer walk to change up the pace this summer. Here is a playlist of my favorite songs that help me worship and connect more deeply with God. God and I have logged many miles enjoying these songs!
- Scripture Memorization: Memorize Scripture to engage with God on the go during summer travel. When at home, focus on learning a key verse. While traveling, review and reflect on what you’ve learned.
- Focused Bible Reading: Ask God to inspire you with a specific focus for your summer Bible reading. Consider themes such as the gift of joy, attributes of God, promises in Scripture, your identity in Christ, or prayers in the Bible. Choose a topical approach to make Bible study exciting and insightful during your busy summer (Be mindful to not take verses out of context).
- Team Up with a Friend: Select a book of the Bible or a devotional book and read along with a family member or friend. Plan discussions to share insights, favorite verses, or impactful quotes, which can lead to enriching conversations. These spiritual conversations can happen via text, phone, Facetime, or best of all, in person!
- Mobile Bible Apps: I’m not a fan of solely using Bible apps for spiritual growth. However, there are many good apps that can be a great option to connect with God during the summer or as an addition to your Bible reading. Explore quality Bible apps for an easy way to stay connected with God throughout the summer. I enjoy Lectio 365, which offers short, focused sessions that include listening, reflection, commentary, and prayer in the format of Lectio Davina, also known as spiritual reading. Reimagining the Examen App has helped me learn to go deeper with God in prayer. It is based on the book by Father Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ and offers reflective questions to connect with God based on St. Ignatius’s 500-year-old prayer (affiliate link).
- Christian Book Challenge: Set a Christian book reading goal for the summer to inspire your faith. Aim for three main takeaways from each book to keep motivated. If you haven’t read Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life, add it to your summer reading list to help you cultivate a deeper relationship with God. This book is packed with practical ways to enjoy God, inviting him into every aspect of life. Learn more and get free discussion and journal guide for the book here. Check out my favorite books to cultivate your relationship with God on the Resource Page of this website.
- Nature and Devotion: Nature has a unique way of refreshing our spirit and soul. Take your quiet time outdoors; whether it’s walking, hiking, or sightseeing, these activities can provide moments to connect with God and appreciate the beauty He has created.
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How Will You Connect with God During Your Busy Summer?
Which one of these ideas to enjoy your relationship with God appeals to you? Which idea best fits with the pace of your summer days? Now is the perfect time to delight in God as he speaks to your heart, strengthens your faith, and refreshes your spirit this summer. Choose a few ideas from this list to explore creative ways to weave devotion and worship into your seasonal activities, ensuring spiritual growth doesn’t take a vacation while you do.
Here is a curated list of resources related to this post. *The links in this post contain affiliate links, which means I’m paid a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Books to Enjoy Connecting with God this Summer
Here are a few book recommendations that are geared specifically for this article. Each of these are favorites that have truly impacted my relationship with God, fostering deeper faith and delight in him. The last is one I’m currently reading, but it is great so far.
- Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life by Ginger Harrington
- Enjoying the Presence of God by Jan Johnson
- The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (a classic).
- With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani
- Enjoying God: Experiencing the Love of Your Heavenly Father by S. J. Hill. (Currently reading).
Devotional Books to Connect with God this Summer
These are a few of my favorite devotional books related to this post. Each of these insightful books will inspire you to delight in God and connect with him more deeply-even on vacation! (Hint: Use a Kindle or other e-reader or install a kindle app on your phone or ipad for ease of travel.)
- My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
- Adore by Sara Haggerty
- Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotion Guide for the Beach by Cathy Baker
- If Jesus Loves Me, Why Isn’t This Working? By David Gregory
- Praying God’s Promises: by Linda Evans Shepherd
Journaling Products to Connect with God this Summer
Here are a variety of products to explore if you want to add a creative element to your journaling.
- ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals come in individual books of the Bible or as a set. Try the ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal for Philippians for a short summer experience to explore Bible Journaling. These light-weight paper back versions of individual books of the Bible make these journals easy to travel with (I rarely take my regular Bible on trips due to the weight. Also I don’t want to risk losing my Bible with years of notes and underlined verses!!!)
- Mixed media/watercolor sketch book. I like the size (8.5 x 8.5) and the versatility of paint, marker, or pens. It has a beautiful linen hard cover, which I also love. This comes in a two pack, so I gave one to my daughter as a gift.
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3 Pack Pocket Notebook Notepad with Pen, Mini Small Journal Notebook 3.7″ x 5.7. This small journal set is a handy size for travel or tucking into your purse for quick reflections. If you liked the tiny summer journal or a “One Thing Journal” this is a great option. What I like about the different colors is you can have each journal focus us a specific theme or topic (as in item 2 on the idea list above).
- Spiral Bound Index Card Pack. This product is perfect to keep memory verses organized for easy review (the KEY to scripture memory!!). I have also used these to note favorite quotes and takeaways from books or Bible studies for easy review through the years. (Bonus tip, friend!)
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I haven’t read this, but it’s on my wish list! There are many options of coloring devotionals to explore. As always, be discerning about the content, reading a preview before purchasing.
- Micro Fineliner Drawing Art Pens. This set of black pens features varying widths and is archival quality ink.
- Watercolor Brush Pens Assorted Set
- Prisma Colored Pencils (24 count). I love these pencils, but any colored pencils can add color to your journal. Pencils are a great option if your journal is not geared for mixed media. (Not an affiliate link).
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Zebra Mildliner Double Ended Highlighter, Assorted Ink Colors (set of 10). These highlighters are great for highlighting your Bible, Bible study, or journal.
- 1000 PCS Bible Verse Stickers, Clear Inspirational Stickers. Stickers are a simple way to add a little creativity to your journaling. This set is clear, but there are many options online and in craft stores.
- Washi Tape Variety Pack This is a set of 60 rolls for a good price. I like to add a little color to my journal pages the quick and easy way!
Resources from my Deeper Life Collection
The following items from The Deeper Life Collection are currently free for subscribers to my newsletter. Each of these products are practical and short to focus on a specific topic. I hope you’ll enjoy these resources this summer!
- Holy in the Moment Journal and Discussion Guide
- The Grateful Moments Journal: 28 Days to a More Thankful You
- The Summer Soul Refresh: 31 Ways to Restore Your Soul this Summer
- Habits of Hope: 6 Habits to Hold onto Hope in Every Moment
My Worship Play List to Connect with God this Summer
Well, there you have it. All my best tips and recs to connect with God on a deep level, even if your summer is busy! Bookmark, share, and save this post for easy reference through a wonderful summer! Friend, here’s to a fabulous summer of fun, great memories, and enjoying your relationship with God.
Do you have a favorite way to change up your devotional time with God during the summer? Hit reply and share your thoughts, or comment on one of my related social media posts in the coming days. I’d LOVE to know what helps you enrich your faith during the summer!
Related Blog Posts
- 5 Ways to Restore Your Soul this Summer
- 4 Ways to Make Time for God in a Busy Life
- Learn Six Important Truths About Listening to God
- 10 Practical Prompts for Listening to Jesus in Bible Reading
10 Bible Verses to Encourage Moms When They Need It Most
Today I’m sharing a collection of powerful Bible verses that have encouraged me in 31 years of being a mom. Being a mom takes commitment, hard work, and plenty of love. A gift idea for Mother’s Day is to print the free downloadable list to pray for and encourage the moms of all ages in your life. Tuck this list into a card or gift and bless moms with the gift of encouragement this Mother’s Day or any day when they need it most.
The Joy and Challenge Challenge of Motherhood
My first day of being a mom didn’t go well.
His words were a needed boost of confidence and encouragement I needed.
Mom’s Need Encouragement
Mom’s need encouragement when we worry. . .
- the baby will never sleep through the night
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the toddler will never potty train
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the siblings will never stop squabbling
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the frustrated child will never learn patience and self-control
- the disorganized student will never submit assignments on time
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the disobedient kid will never obey
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the antagonistic teen will never make better choices
- the prodigal will never turn to God
Encouragement for a Mother’s Heart
You don’t have to be Super Mom.
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of me with my kids. We were all so young! So much love and joy in being a mom-I. wouldn’t trade it for the world. This picture is from the days before digital cameras, so it’s a snapshot of a picture in my photo album.
Time really does go fast. Though the years went by quickly, there were many days that were long. Days when I needed strength and encouragement, both from my family and most importantly from my God.
God’s Encouraging Words for Moms
Prayer and scripture are a powerful source of strength, help, and encouragement.
Here are a selection of verses that God encourage and deepen my faith when parenting is hard. One by one, the God has spoken these strengthening words to my heart when I needed it most.
Though I didn’t hear God speak aloud, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to a specific Bible verses. It made all the difference. It still does! Though I am now an empty-nester, I will never age out of a need for encouragement when my kids face difficult times!
God's Word reminds me that being a mom is a sacred journey, not a destination or an accomplishment. Share on X
10 Bible Verses to Encourage Moms When You Need it Most
Encouragement when you struggle to trust God:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. –Proverbs 3:5-6
Encouragement when you are overwhelmed:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . –Isaiah 43:1-3
Encouragement when you need peace:
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You. –Isaiah 26:3
Encouragement when you feel alone and need help:
For He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?” –Hebrews 13:5-6
Encouragement when you need a fresh start:
The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end,
For His compassions do not fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. –Lamentations 3:22-23
Encouragement when you need confidence:
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. –Philippians 1:6
Encouragement when you need more love to give:
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another. . . –1 Thessalonians 3:12
Encouragement when you’re not sure what to pray:
Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. –Romans 8:26
Encouragement when you worry:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. –Romans 8:28
Encouragement when you need to keep going:
Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that or which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:12-14
A Personal Mother’s Day Gift Idea to Encourage the Moms in Your Life
Print this list to tell yourself the Truth, believe the Truth, and pray the Truth to encourage your heart today. Click here or on the image below for a printable version of these verses to tuck into a Mother’s Day card or pray for the moms in your life. Words of encouragement for moms are meaningful.
Enjoy my gift and my Happy Mother’s Day wishes to you, no email needed! Use this list for a fun Mother’s Day craft idea. Write or paste each verse on an index card and decorate with markers, crayons, or stickers. Add more index cards with personal affirmations and expressions of love for mom to make a meaningful Mother’s Day gift she won’t forget! Tie them up with a bow and a tag that reads: Mom’s Encouragement Kit.
Encourage and Empower Your Mom Heart
My award-winning book will give you actionable ways to strengthen your faith and overcome the struggles that roadblock spiritual growth. Discover the transforming power of choosing to rely on Christ in this holy moment. In this book, you’ll read how God brought me through some of my toughest mom moments, teaching me to trust him in all of life in practical ways. Order your copy to day or give this book to the moms in your life.
*This post contains an affiliate link at no cost to you.
More Posts to Encourage Moms
- 14 Things I’d Say to My Younger Self About Being a Mom
- Powerful Truth Gives Direction For Our Children
- Letting Them Go: Faith Prayers For Our Children
- Frazzled Mom, Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Journey
- Mom-i-Tude Adjustment for Frazzled Moms
- Mom, It’s Okay to Cry When You Leave Your Child at College
Honored to Be a Military Wife This Memorial Day
Memorial Day is for honoring our fallen military members. As a military spouse the responsibility that comes with freedom has been a very real part of our lives with 24 years of service to our nation. In those years we have been blessed with live and work in the company of hero’s, both those who wear the uniform and those who support them.
We have rejoiced at homecomings and celebrated promotions, and we have grieved friends we have lost. Today we remember the fallen with grateful hearts and a renewed commitment to uphold the great responsibility that comes with freedom.
The values and experience of military service have shaped our family in countless ways. This Memorial Day I am honored to be a military wife as we honor all who have given their lives for our freedom.
I never planned to be a military wife.
“Did I ever tell you that I want to go into the Marine Corps?” I was shocked silent. I had no words to respond to the young man I was dating.
Little did I know that this question was God’s way of introducing major directional change. This startling question came from Mark, a fella I’d been dating for a just a few months.
All my if-this-works-out daydreams had never covered even a thought of active duty military life. Though my dad served in the Navy in World War II, I knew nothing of military life.
And I didn’t want to.
I wanted to stay put in one place and live a predictable life. I had no real-time context for military life and the journey of a military wife.
Was this guy going to suddenly turn into Rambo?
“Are you going to get a tattoo,” was the first thought that came to my mind as I tried to envision my guy as a Marine. All I could think of was the worst that Hollywood movies had to offer.
I wasn’t quite sure about this whole military service thing. A few months later, while my fella was gritting it out in OCS, Officer’s Candidate School, a co-worker asked if we were talking about marriage.
“I don’t know. He’s joined the Marine Corps.” I said this like he had a disease. My co-worker reminded me that I would be marrying the man, not the job.
“I don’t think that’s true with the Marine Corps. If I marry this man, I am also marrying into the Marine Corps and all that entails.”
Welcome to the military.
Time passed, and my once-civilian boyfriend became my lean-and-green Marine husband. I’ll never forget the swordsman at our wedding who whacked me on my backside with a drill-instructor-firm, “Welcome to the Marine Corps, Mrs. Harrington!”
This was the first time I was addressed by my new name.
Being a military wife is a calling and a blessing.
Thirty years later I can say without a single regret that I am honored to be a military wife. Being a military wife has been both a calling and a privilege as I have supported my husband throughout his military. Military life has shaped our family life in countless ways. I wouldn’t trade this life of honor, sacrifice, and service.
We are all better for it.
The values of a military family.
Commitment to God, country, and duty.
Integrity and leadership.
Camaraderie and faithfulness.
Sacrifice and honor.
Courage and strength.
Faithfulness and loyalty.
These are just a few of the core values that permeate and sustain the military family. Though I may have been a reluctant military girlfriend, I am so proud of my husband and all that he has given to both our nation and our family.
Honoring the fallen on Memorial Day.
Today, I know that I’m not alone in gratitude for those who given their lives in service to our country.
Several years ago, my husband retired. Maybe Memorial Day seems like a strange time to reflect on military retirement. But here is a personal glimpse of the fear of loss that is part of the military wife experience.
As they placed the folded flag into his hands, I exhaled a soul-sigh of relief that he had survived 24 years of service healthy and whole. I have a deep gratitude that my Marine survived deployments, training exercises, and wartime service.
I hadn’t realized that somewhere deep inside, I had been holding my breath. For 24 years a faint white-noise hummed in my heart. An often ignored fear of what could happen if… had become so part of life that I often didn’t notice it.
I know through personal experience many times over that too many who serve in our military do not come home. I have mourned with military wives who receive a flag with grief of untimely loss rather than the joy of celebration. I am currently walking alongside a dear friend who lost her Marine after a long battle with cancer due to exposure to toxic environments in military service. Though this kind of loss is not at the heart of Memorial Day, it is a loss no less.
We also know friends who have sustained physical and emotional wounds. The numbers of service members who suffer from PTSD isn’t fully documented as many are hesitant to seek help. I know more friends than I can count who have been impacted by PTSD. In 2019, “the rate of suicide among active-duty troops was 25.9 per 100,000 troops,” and according to the Military Times, “Military suicides have increased by as much as 20 percent this year compared to the same period in 2019,”
Too many military veterans do not have the opportunity to celebrate retirement with family and friends. My heart breaks for each one of these families both past and present. As a military spouse the responsibility that comes with freedom has been a very real part of our lives with 24 years of service to our nation. In those years we have been blessed with live and work in the company of hero’s, both those who wear the uniform and those who support them. We have rejoiced at homecomings and celebrated promotions, and we have grieved friends we have lost. Today we remember the fallen with grateful hearts and a renewed commitment to uphold the great responsibility that comes with freedom.
A chance to give back by mentoring Marines.
We are in a new season of life this Memorial Day. My husband has recently transitioned into military ministry as a missionary to Marines. This is a beautiful and long-awaited opportunity to give back to the military. community by discipling young Marines. We were very blessed to have wonderful mentors pour into our lives our first few years of military service and early marriage days. Encouragement, wisdom, love, and support gave us a mindset and a spiritual foundation that shaped both of us. The character and faith formation God began in these pivitol years provided a basis for a strong marriage, family, and military career.
For the past ten years, my husband has been waiting in faith for God’s timing to fulfill the calling to serve as a missionary to Marines. In January, he took a position with Tun Tavern Fellowship (TTF), a disciple making ministry started seventeen years ago by a dear friend and mentor, Chris Braddy. The ministry is named after the tavern that is considered to be the birthplace of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775.
It is a joy and honor to help shape the next generation of Christian leaders in the Marine Corps. CBN recently did a wonderful article and video highlighting the need, importance, and impact of Tun Tavern Fellowship! You can watch the video here:
Isn’t that a great video?! We would love to have you on our support team. Please leave me a comment or a message on this website if you’d like more information.
This Memorial Day.
Please join me in remembering those who have sacrificed their lives serving our country.
A military quote that rings in my heart is this truth: We are home of the free because of the brave. This Memorial Day, let us remember the importance and sacrifice of our nation’s military members.
We all owe a debt of gratitude, honor, and respect for the brave men and women who have given the great sacrifice of life to protect our nation. These are the ones we honor with grateful hearts today.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#memorialday”]Truly we are the home of the free because of the brave.[/tweetthis]
Do you have a military member you honor today? Leave a comment as a way to share your gratitude.
When this post was originally written, I had no idea that God would give me an opportunity to help create a vibrant ministry for military women and wives.
About Planting Roots: Strength to Thrive in Military Life
Military women and wives desire connection, stability, hope, and joy. Dealing with multiple moves, frequent deployments, and questions regarding careers, we still must continue to manage careers, develop relationships, build marriages, and raise children. Usually far from family, these challenges can seem insurmountable to accomplish on our own and finding what we need almost impossible.
Planting Roots has a vision that military women and wives will be deeply rooted in Christ, no matter where they find themselves. In order to fulfill this vision, our goal is to build a community providing connection and biblical foundation, challenging each other to find our stability in Christ and His purpose for us in the places we are planted.
We are Planting Roots.
