As I fell into bed on Sunday night, a scary prayer came to mind: “Jesus, are you even real?” Because if you’re not real, I might just be one of those crazy church ladies. And by the way, how is it that the same woman who gave this morning’s message at church is wondering tonight if You’re real?”
I thought back over the roller coaster weekend that left my heart overwhelmed. I’d tried not to look at bedroom dust bunnies and unwiped kitchen counters as I prepared the message for Sunday morning. I’d taken frequent breaks to talk with my two teens; both were struggling with significant issues. I’d also wondered what woman in her right mind would volunteer to speak two Sundays in one month?
That night I drifted off to sleep asking, “How are you going to answer this prayer anyway, Jesus? Do you even hear me?”
Monday morning I opened my Bible, and these words spoke loud and clear:
Two hours later I came across the same words again. I knew Jesus was answering my prayer from the night before. He wanted to remind me of two things:
1. He has words of eternal life.
I realize much of my prayer life consists of talking at God. “Help my teen girl navigate heartbreak.” “Give me peace in this traffic jam.” “Help me meet this deadline.” “Jesus, can you just help me make dinner???”
Rarely do I stop to listen to God, but when I do, it makes all the difference. Because when I stop to listen, I hear His voice, and I know He’s with me.
When we pause a moment to pay attention to God’s presence or listen for His voice, our hearts are encouraged. When we take a few minutes to read His words in scripture, they spark faith and hope in us. His words of eternal life strengthen our hearts.
2. I have come to believe and to know.
Doubt knocks at my door more often then I care to admit. Yet when I look at what God has done in my life, it’s impossible not to believe He is there and He is for me. My heart takes courage when I remember His goodness:
- God healed me from rheumatoid arthritis 25 years ago. Walking without pain is a gift.
- God provided the last $600 my son needed for a mission trip. He did this out of the blue, after my son realized he could do nothing else but pray.
- God shines all over my 17 year old girl’s face as she tells me over breakfast she’s choosing life today.
- God has given my husband and me a vibrant, loving community of believers, six years after we started the heart-breaking work of church planting in a spiritual desert. If that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what is.
Friend, I don’t know what’s on your plate today, but if you’re like me, you need to have your heart strengthened once in a while.
What scriptures encourage your faith? How about calling one to mind? What good things has God done for you that make you say, “I know He’s real and He’s for me?”
Our hearts are strengthened when we take time to listen for God’s voice and read His Word. Our faith grows when we remember the good things He’s done for us.
Now it’s your turn: What’s a favorite scriptures that encourages you? What has God has done for you lately?
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I link up with Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
This is one of your best blogs. Congrats my wife.
Jose
Thank you, Amorcito. That means a lot coming from you.
This message was right on time for me today, Betsy. Thank you:) Yesterday I read John 15:11 in Lisa’s 100 Days with Christ reading plan. (I’m a couple of days behind.) But my spirit was moved by Jesus words about what defiles us – not what we put in our mouths, but what comes out. I hate to admit it, but I’ve fallen prey to negativity lately. That verse reminded me once again of the power of gratitude – a topic you write about so well:) You are a blessing to me.
Thank you, Kristine. I’m looking up John 15:11 now. I need to keep negativity at by myself. So easy to fall into.
I love how God spoke gently into your life, giving you assurance, and He did it in His time and using His Word. I’m working through Psalm 121 right now with Do Not Depart, and the words of assurance that God “neither slumbers nor sleeps” come to mind as an encouragement to this absent minded mum who so often forgets.
Yes, that is encouraging. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing that, Michele.
Betsy, I have often questioned if Jesus is real lately. I think my heart just needs the big sign in the sky! Thank for the encouragement.
Oh Sarah, I’m praying for you now. For me, it’s been prayer I’ve been praying for months without seeing big answers I’m looking for. But I breathe deep and trust He is working. Praying for you, friend.
Love this! Remembering is soooo important. I’ve begun to practice it on a regular basis and have included it on my “to do” lists. You had rh. arthritis? Praise God for that healing! Had no clue.
Yes I did! I couldn’t walk 6 months, or do too many simple tasks. I had a really severe onset and was an invalid, really for almost 9 months. I’m a walking miracle. My nurse mother expected I’d live with pain most days for the rest of my life. Hallelujah.
I love how your words filled me with exactly what I needed today. The connection between my words about the fruit of hard work and yours was perfect. You added the next layer I needed to understand that “God is Life” and making room and time for Him is necessary.
Your words are ones that fill the empty space with God’s truth just when we need it most. Sending hugs today!
Thanks so much, Mary. I appreciate your encouragement! Blessings on that Monday night study you’re leading!
Sweet Friend, your word bless me. They remind me of David, who “strengthened himself in the Lord.” Remembering what God has done truly does strengthen weary hearts. Praying for you and yours today.
Thanks so much, Ginger! Lifting up a prayer now for you too, friend.
I love the Isaiah 43:19: “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
A new thing is coming; He is coming! Such a comforting promise. Blessings, Betsy.
oh I love that one too, Julie. That was the verse the Lord encouraged us with when we started our church plant. <3
Thanks for sharing this, Betsy — I know I have times of wondering if God is even there, if He’s listening, etc. I was recently encouraged by Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17 (we are studying the books/life of John in a group at church): “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” To know not just that we belong to God, but that Jesus is praying for us!! — I hadn’t really thought much about that (at least not lately) and I found it very encouraging.
Thanks for sharing that, Jeannie. You know, I tend to gloss over that passage, when I read John, but I think I’m going to go back and look at it more carefully now. 🙂
Balm to my soul, Betsy, thank you. Those words from John 6 have been ringing in my ears the last couple days, and many of the heart-strengthening verses the Lord has graciously stuck in my mind and heart have been called on. Some of my go-tos: 2 Tim 4:18, Isaiah 41:10, John 16:33, Romans 8:38, James 4:7-8, 2 Tim 1:12, and- especially when my mind is racing at night, Proverbs 3: 24-26.
Betsy, this is such a wonderful and hope filled post. We all face doubt and I am so grateful for His Word which encourages us on those days? Today? “Whom have I in heaven but you?? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25,26). Blessings!
Betsy,
My life verse is often my go-to verse(s) when I need my heart strengthened:
I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
2 He brought me up from a desolate[a] pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
I remind myself of the pit that the Lord drew me out of. He gave me sure footing and put a new song in my mouth. I look back on all the times the Lord has been faithful – where I’ve raised my Ebenezers and it gives me hope and confidence to go forward no matter what the future may hold. Sure, I am prone to doubt (I think that’s our human default setting), but remembering God’s goodness that is just not for the past, but is for the present and the future is my strength.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Dear Betsy … I love how in the midst of the roller coaster madness, you are claiming God’s promises right and left.
He rides with you, friend. Oh yes, He does …
Thanks, Linda. I LOVE that image of Jesus riding the roller coaster with me. Those things always scared me when I was a kid. : )
I definitely needed this today. Doubt has crept in for several years, due to my son being diagnosed with cancer. It has been tough and doubt has settled in, when I let it. The verse I cling to is Isaiah 40:31. I’ve had to wait on the Lord and be still. When I wait and listen, He renews my strength, I can run and not be weary and walk, but not faint. Only through Him have I been able to stand up and overcome the doubt and hard times. It’s not easy and it’s a daily practice to inhale God and exhale fear and doubt. At times it was a minute by minute task.
My sweet son is on his last week of chemo and I pray his cancer doesn’t come back. God is so good!
Kim, I’m so glad to hear your son is on his last week of chemo. I’m praying along with you right now. Also for you, his grace and love to show themselves real in the face of your doubts. I can imagine you’ve had a VERY challenging last couple of years, friend. Hugs and prayers.
Thanks for this encouragement. It’s easy to talk to God and bring a whole list of requests and problems without actually taking the time to listen to his words of truth. I love the list of examples of times when you’ve seen God’s faithfulness. It’s so important to remember times like these. Psalm 91 is a chapter I go back to again and again for encouragement.
I like Psalm 91 a lot too, Lesley, for those times when my brain will hardly work, hardly process, hardly know what to do in tough times! And yes to more listening.
Betsy,
God is so good to answer our prayers and I’m so thankful for His Word and His promises. Ps. 37:4 and Matt. 11:28-30 today. Celebrating with you on all God has provided for you, my friend 🙂
Those are great verses, Dolly. Thanks so much for reminding me of them. Yes, we have so much to celebrate.
When I first became a Christian, I figured it would be a concrete belief and reliance on faith from that point on. Come to find out, questions ebb and flow throughout life. It’s comforting to know that it’s normal and expected. Great blog Betsy! Glad we collided over at Holley’s.
Right? We keep having questions, don’t we Meg? It’s been reassuring to know I’m not the only one!
Betsy-My pile of overwhelming keeps getting larger but I’m #FindingJoy in how the “joy of the Lord is my strength!” My last post and post for tomorrow speaks to this very theme. I think we’re on a similar path, my friend! Happy to know you’re finding His peace and happy to share your truthful words! Thank you!
This was beautiful, Betsy! I’m so encouraged to know that I’m not alone in my negativity parties as a Christian. I recently threw myself one of these parties and God came to the door w/ Lamentations 3. WHOA! Remembering His faithfulness is most definitely one way to shut down the negativity for me. It caused me to reflect on those times, and then literally days later, He showed up SO BIG w/ a feat of faithfulness that literally blew my little mind. He is so, so good, isn’t He?!
Thank you for your transparency, sweet friend. I just love you so!
Oh yes, Lamentations 3 will do it every time. Because of His great love, we are not consumed. 🙂 Actually, it’s really helped me to know that I”m not alone either. We’re in this together. Kicking negativity out the back door.
YES! Betsy, our #MEMORIES strengthen our faith! You’ve said it so beautifully! I’ll be sharing all over today! Love it and you, my friend! XO
Thanks so much, Liz! Yes to stronger memories and stronger faith!
Beautiful, Betsy. It’s amazing what happens when we stop trudging along in our own strength and turn our hearts toward God. He is so faithful to meet us over and over – and that faithfulness only proves to increase our strength. Love your heart to encourage, friend.
Amen! I need to do lots less of trudging along in my own strength! Totally with you on that!
Oh how important it is to listen in any relationship, but especially in our relationship with Jesus. He is so tender and faithful to speak if we will but listen. This is such a rich post, Betsy. I stopped in from Grace & Truth. Blessings to you!
Thanks for reading today, Leah. I appreciate you.
Thanks for reading today, Leah. I appreciate you.
What a great word, Betsy!
And, yes, we ALL have days when we need our hearts strengthened.
Thank you for such a sweet and encouraging word.
I’m sharing this one all over today!
Sure am blessed by you~
Melanie
Thanks so much, Melanie. I appreciate you and your heart for ministry, friend.
I appreciate your transparency here, Betsy. I am so glad I’m not the only one who has doubted the existence of my Savior. His Word is solid and true, while our feelings are fickle and unreliable. I have chosen to feature your post on Grace and Truth this week. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for featuring me, Aimee. I so appreciate it! Blessings to you, friend.
Betsy, beautiful and encouraging. Oh, the tangles of doubt and lack of faith stops us in our tracks at times. Self-reliance stalls our walk. Freedom. Freedom comes as we sit, pause, hear and soak in Truth and Love. Christ. Happy Thursday! Michele
Thanks so much for stopping by, Michele. Yes, it’s so true that lack of faith stops us in our tracks.