The struggle ends when gratitude begins.
Category Archives: Words of Encouragement
Feeling confused, depressed, or just blah today? Here are some words of encouragement to help stir up the hope in your heart.
The Secret to Change
Don’t mistake no as the answer.
Persevere
There are times God doesn’t close the door. Someone just told us no. Don’t mistake no as the answer. This is how perseverance grows.
Conversely, sometimes you get a yes and you know that’s not an open door for you. Hold out for something better.
When you know where your purpose, passion and skills intersect for greatness, it turns your questions into answers.
The End is The Beginning
You may have reached your end, but it’s really a new beginning.
Though you may not see the hope at the end of your rope, let go.
Trust.
Free fall into the unknown and find His faithfulness.
When we come to the end of ourselves, we find Him.
Everything under the sun has been leading us to this point of no return.
Have the strength to start over
Caught in the cross hairs of conflict
Are you staring an obstacle in the face and wondering where you took a left turn when you should have stayed right?
The demands here and now have seized your time and you’ve abandoned your desires and dreams because the situation looks overwhelming.
Maybe in the midst of the struggle, you’re still sizing up the situation; is this high tide or low tide? Because if this is as bad as it gets, there could still be a chance to conquer the circulating currents in this conflict.
Whether this is the worst of it or not, you conclude that what lies ahead looks bleak and pretty impossible.
There is a sea ahead and an army behind.
The enemy is barreling down the slopes with speed and gaining ground on your hope.
You’re surrounded so you surrender not just your hands but your identity too, as the doubts close in. Defeat looks imminent.
Now you feel like you’ve failed God, you’ve failed yourself and you’re not who you thought you were.
What if the trouble you’re facing is the very wall God wants to drive you through?
Fear has an overwhelming tendency to increase in us but, praise God, so does courage.
Though the horizon looks hopeless, God has a miracle up His sleeve.
Our initial instinct is to stop everything at once. Yet, when we do that, we short sight the strong arm of God.
Give Him the opportunity to do what He says He’ll do. The Author and Creator cannot fail. This is the very nature of Almighty God.
In our trials, His power penetrates human wisdom to draw all eyes to the throne.
Stop staring at the surmounting surf and advance headlong into the swells of strife, my friend.
Do you feel adrift already, in an ominous ocean with no island in sight? Know that the waters are not beyond God’s reach.
If you’re treading in the deep end, I want to remind you the bedrock of Truth hasn’t been moved by the flood.
Take a deep breath from the bottom of your gut and exhale as you stretch your thinking. Let it lengthen your limbs a little further past their limit.
Now steady the stride of those flailing feet. There’s a Rock for you to stand on and it’s been there beneath the surface of your stress this entire time.
Trust it.
We’re all on a journey into the land God promised us.
Yours might be pursuing higher education, starting a business, selling an idea, or making a difference. Maybe it’s gaining some self-confidence, self-esteem, healing or extending forgiveness.
Stand with me here on the shoreline of your suffering as we scan over the story of Moses and the Israelites.
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. (Exodus 13:17-18)
I’m pretty sure whatever is in the way of your promised land, these guys felt the same futility as they stared at the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army closing in. Their pilgrimage to the Promised Land looked hopeless being backed up against the wall of a massive inconvenience.
It’s senseless to sit here too long wondering why life has to be so hard. Hidden behind the Hollywood highlights of this story, there’s some deep truths that can help move the mountains standing in your way.
First, you should rest. Army or no army, you need rest. This isn’t sleeping through the storm. It’s a peace of mind in the eye of a hurricane kind of stillness. Find a spot to camp out in serenity while you bring to God the concerns anchoring your heart.
Second, use what you have to work with. The Almighty can take what you have and turn it into whatever it needs to be in order for you to accomplish what you’ve been called to. Sharpen the skill saw. Cast out a line to your connections.
Third, press on. Oceans of emotion toss with demands every day trying to prevent us from God’s plan.
When floods of fear feel like they’re going to level your life…
As the rolling tides of resistance wrestle with you all night…
Even If there’s nothing but crickets and crashing waves staring back at you…
Press on.
While you’re waist deep in the waves of doubt or your heart is trekking up and tumbling down the rocky terrain of pain…
Press on.
Wherever the enemy packs a punch and swipes a roundhouse kick that leaves you lying flat on your face…
Press on.
The clouds will come but let the helium in hope carry you higher into the heavens.
Honor God with your trust.
He is with you. He is for you. Do not be afraid.
Keep walking. Keep believing.
This storm is just a season that is about to blow over.
Your faith in His unfailing forgiveness and unconditional love is the way out, my friend.
Summon the Holy Spirit to silence the solicitations on your soul.
Sink down into your stance on the solid stone of Truth.
Wait in expectation and watch as the winds and waves obey His command.
Get ready for God’s big reveal.
Tuck that hope in your heart.
God, I release to You all that I am and everything that I have. I invite You to flood every part of my being and use me for Your glory. Thank You for using what is in my hand.
A great leader takes us where we ought to be
The waterfall is still running
Discovering Joy in the Journey
What I love about the ring of a new year is the hope that’s swirling in anticipation of a do-over. All those leftover disappointments from last year hit the reset button.
It’s uplifting to be around people who believe they can begin again.
However, by the time this post is published, statistics say one in four people will have already abandoned their mission for the year. And unfortunately, these numbers show it will be the same goal that’s been spoken and broken at least ten different times now.
Over the years, I’ve picked numbers and words, scarier dreams and SMART goals. Some are successful, while others get tangled up in small setbacks before Spring. Interestingly enough, 60% of all new year’s resolutions will be dumped by June.
Has this already happened to you?
Perhaps you started the year flying high on your hopes that these coming weeks would be your best ones yet, but no sooner had the party favors been put away, your goals plateaued leaving you on autopilot for a repeat of last year.
The devil is constantly trying to run us off the promised land God has for us.
Pastor Steven Furtick with Elevation Church says this, “resolve cannot change what routine created. In other words, the faith to step out is worthless without the faithfulness to stick it out.”
Powerful. Let those words marinate in your mind awhile. It took me a couple days to soak this in.
There are so many nuggets to draw out in Mr. Furtick’s sentences, but what it says to me in this moment is that reaching a goal is less about the final destination and more about the journey to get there.
New mantra: To rejoice in established routines I walk out today as they develop the faithful habits I need for the following months. This will lead to the goals I plan to conquer that eventually fulfill the dreams God has for my future.
If the mind isn’t satisfied and celebrating in the incremental advances in the moment, we will lose sight of why this goal is tangible and meaningful today.
The end is only a conclusion to the story; the real adventure is in the peaks and valleys. If we’re not grateful for where we are, we won’t appreciate goals when we reach them.
Beware! The devil is constantly trying to run us off the promised land God has for us. There is no room for regret in a life full of God’s good things, so turn over these stones of setbacks and allow them to become the wisdom you need for tomorrow.
Jerry Jenkins, author of nearly 200 books and most notably known for writing “The Left Behind” series and Billy Graham’s autobiography, has a great take on goals and success.
“My father had long counseled me that the popularity of goal setting as a means to success was good only to the extent of the definition of success. “Be the best you can be at what you’ve been called to do,” he said. “And you’ll be more of a success than the person who is the best in the world at it but is not working to his potential.”
So my aim became to obey and let the results fall where they may.”
Remind yourself that God’s promises will come to pass and you have been gifted to carry them out. Give yourself permission to try again, and then pick up that God-given assignment and start, no matter what month we’re in. Drop the pressure to perform and be confident that you already have what it takes to carry out His work. Give Him your best and the rest will be blessed.
Be Content, The Rain Will Come
Are you looking for a new job because your current 9-5 is unsatisfying? Wanting a bigger house, a new city or major vacation? In search of Mr./Mrs. Wonderful?
Dry seasons come and go. When the rain is pours, we pray for the weather to lift. When deserts get too dry, we beg for a flood. Our minds dictate constant change as a solution to the problem; a new job, a fresh relationship, sometimes just singleness. We admire bigger, and better, and are in perpetual search for a purpose.
Contentment is the key.
In life, it’s easy to get so focused on our dreams and goals that we tune out everything else. We can get to the point where we’re not going to be happy until we see ‘something’ happen.
If we have to have ‘something’ in order to be happy, our lives are out of balance. When a lack of ‘progress’ with our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, we lose our peace and don’t enjoy life. It’s a clear sign that we’re holding on too tightly.
What’s the solution? Release it. Freedom comes when you turn it over to the only One who can lift it, change it or sustain you through it. The Maker knows your desires and what’s best based on a future you cannot see. Choose to trust Him and His timing.
There is a season for everything. We were not designed to run a race every day of our lives. We need rest. Peace. Rejuvenation.
Many hours I have wasted ‘hunting’ for my blessings and realized it’s unnecessary when I serve an Almighty who lavishly gives on time, many times without explanation.
Being content for me means, even while my heart desires a husband and children, I will remain content with being single until God brings my Boaz.
Though my workplace denied a raise, I will continue giving my best and stay with the company.
While my home feels too small and the car leaks coolant and lacks air conditioning, I shall remain content with where God has me until doors open and He pours out His blessing in those areas.
My contentment comes from knowing the rain will come on time.
Be careful not to confuse contentment with being comfortable. The satisfaction in being content comes from trusting a change is on the way. It’s not necessarily a change in your circumstance. It could be a change in your heart.
Ask Him for a change of heart.
Instead of being bored when work is less demanding, shift the focus of your priorities and put more time into other areas. Health. Family. Professional development. Future plans. Discovering a new purpose. Helping someone else. Volunteering.
Focus on getting close to God. No, getting closer to God.
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” -Paul, Philippians 4:11
When we learn to be content whatever the circumstances, it takes away the power of the enemy. It takes away his ability to frustrate us. Not only that, but by our actions, we are showing our faith in God.
When you choose to trust His timing, you can live in peace, be filled with joy, and rest in Him knowing that He has good things in store for your future.
The rain will come and when it does, you won’t regret this time of focusing on other priorities in life and preparing to be the best you. Find freedom in contentment and rest in His everlasting peace.
Father, I trust You. I release frustration over the dreams and desires in my heart because You know what’s best for me. I choose to trust Your timing knowing that You are faithful. I will bless You in all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.