Seek Him Archives - Holly D. Murray

When What You Prayed for Comes with Challenges

Holly Murray — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:56:28 +0000

For a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] many adversaries.

1 Corinthians 16:9, AMPC

Sometimes I wish Scripture read differently.

I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if Jesus had said, “In this world, once you become My follower, you won’t have any trouble,”

Wouldn’t that have been nice? But that isn’t what John 16:33 says. And sometimes, even when we have received the very thing for which we have been praying, here comes trouble, chasing us down.

I was sitting at my desk, with four Word documents, an Excel spreadsheet, and nine tabs open on my computer, and countless tabs open in my head. There was a manuscript awaiting formatting, another project waiting on launch team feedback, a review I needed to finish, and a blog post quietly tapping its foot in the corner of my mind because the first of the month was coming again.

None of it was bad. In fact, it was work I had prayed for. But I am learning that what you prayed for can still stretch you once it arrives.

The Weight of Answered Prayer

Overwhelm does not always come because we are being disobedient. It doesn’t always come because we are distracted by the gazillion things vying for our attention, careless, or outside God’s will, either.

Sometimes overwhelm comes from carrying blessings that matter deeply. A full calendar. Meaningful work. Family responsibilities. Ministry opportunities. A home and yard to care for. People to love. Decisions to make. Precious little ones with peanut butter-smeared mouths stretching up for a sloppy kiss on the cheek right when you’ve finally found your train of thought. Another grocery order to place. One more last-minute errand to run. One more email to answer. And then you forgot it was Wednesday and missed church… again.

Sometimes the very things that leave us feeling weary are the very things we spent years praying to have! Work, family, ministry, and obedience to God can overlap. It is beautiful. And it can be exhausting.

Good Morning, Lord

I recently read a book by Jennifer Dukes Lee called, How to Love Your Mornings, and one simple practice has changed many of my mornings. She encourages readers to ask God what He wants them to do that morning.

I wrote two sentences on a chalkboard hanging on my side of the bed so I can see it every day. There are still mornings I jump straight into my day without giving them a thought. Then there are days like last Wednesday.

Last Wednesday was a day like any other. I wished my husband a good morning and rolled to my side to get out of bed. Then I saw the chalkboard, told God “Good morning” and asked Him what He wanted me to do that day.

Funny enough, I felt a gentle whisper that surprised me.

Work from rest. Work with joy.

I guess I hadn’t really expected Him to answer (a message for another day). But on that morning, since He spoke and I heard, I decided after my morning rituals, I’d do some digging into what He said.

Quiet Time Revelations

I sat with my Bible, phone, notebook, and pencil, and wrote the words He’d spoken so I wouldn’t forget them. As a stared at the sentences, my eyes gravitated to the word work. He’d said it twice. I didn’t feel the need to research them or feel He was correcting me for working. That was a relief. Afterall, I had clients, responsibilities, and real things that needed to be done.

Oddly enough, it was the words in the middle that I felt pulled to look up. Prepositions. Function words. Word nerd that I am, I looked them up in one of my favorite books: a dictionary. When I found the definition for from and with that best fit the sentences He spoke, I looked up the words in a Bible search engine to find their first uses.

The first use of from was in Genesis, in the story of Creation. But the first time it was used in a similar way that He spoke it to me was Genesis 2:2.

And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done,
and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
Genesis 2:2, AMP

You can’t make this stuff up. If you know me well at all, you probably think this is as funny as I did.

I like to rest. I am just not usually good at knowing when I should rest. My husband, children, most of my friends, and a few former bosses can confirm this. There is always something that can be done, that needs to be done, and that I feel responsible to do.

Have I ever told you I am a work in progress?

Well, I am.

For sure.

Where Do We Go From Here

Sometimes the things we prayed for still require order, wisdom, and a deep breath.

I almost live by my calendar. I schedule everything important because while I may still miss something, if it isn’t in my calendar, the likelihood of missing it rises dramatically.

But an area I am still growing in is holding to scheduled days of rest.

Order before blessing, right?

But what if everything is in order? What if you have a plan and you are working the plan, but you still feel overwhelmed?

You are doing what you’re supposed to be doing. You’re obeying His direction. You are living in the very thing for which you’ve prayed. And still, there are moments when you want to chuck it all to the side and take a vacation.

Maybe you’ve been there, too.

Maybe you prayed for the family, the opportunity, the open door, the ministry, the business, the home, the relationship, or the chance to finally do what God put in your heart. And now that you are carrying it, you sometimes wonder why something so prayed for can feel so heavy.

In This World You Will Have Trouble

I suppose those very human, very normal feelings are why John recorded Jesus saying we would have trouble in this world.

Jesus knew we would face discouragement while walking out daily life. Trouble still comes when we are being obedient. It still comes when we are living with the very things we’ve prayed for. And it still comes when we are resting, joyful, and doing all the right things.

Even then, troubles come.

And knowing that it would, Jesus gave us the hope we’d need to make it through moments of overwhelm:

But be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
John 16:33b, AMPC

An Open Door Can Still Have Opposition

Trouble is not always a sign that you made a mistake.

Sometimes it’s a sign that you are doing exactly what God is calling you to do. It is possible that the assignment God gave you will have such an impact for the Kingdom of God that the enemy is fighting you tooth and nail to keep you discouraged, distracted, or convinced you should quit.

Perhaps this is why Jesus tells us to be courageous, confident, undaunted, and filled with joy.

Paul knew a thing or two about troubles, too. In a letter to the church of Corinth, he wrote about a promising ministry opportunity. The AMP version calls it “a very promising opportunity” (1 Corinthians 16:9). But the verse didn’t end with the exciting news of an open door, however. It ends with this: “and there are many adversaries.”

The Message paraphrases it this way:

For the present, I’m staying right here in Ephesus.
A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here.
(There is also mushrooming opposition.)
1 Corinthians 16:9, MSG

David Guzik’s commentary on this passage states, “Paul also knew that opposition often accompanies opportunities.”[i] I find the phrase from The Message about opposition interesting: mushrooming opposition. Mushrooms grow from spores too tiny to see with your eyes, and feed on decaying matter. Doesn’t opposition sometimes feel just like that? Quiet at first. Almost invisible. Then suddenly it seems to have spread everywhere, feeding old fears, doubts, insecurities and lies you thought you’d overcome.

But opposition doesn’t get the final word. God does.

God Gives Grace for the Assignment

Here is where I want to leave you.

No matter what your calling or season of life looks like, God gives you grace for it.

He doesn’t grace you for the imaginary version of your life. He does not grace you only for the calm, clean, orderly, not-a-care-in-the-world version of your calling. God gives you grace for the real thing. Grace for the full calendar, the open door, and the interruptions. Grace for the decision, pressure, and the obedience that feels heavier than you expected. He gives grace for the trouble. Every day, there are new mercies for the season you are actually in.

So when you are being obedient and the distractions come, there is grace for that. When you are working hard and the emails, deadlines, and family pressures feel overwhelming, there is grace for that, too.

Real obedience doesn’t have a perfect outline from start to finish because real life is messy. It is filled with interruptions, struggles, decisions, delays, and moments when you have to ask God all over again, “What do You want me to do today?”

But God has a perfect plan to use it all in ways we may never see coming.

The Perfect Answer

God isn’t waiting for the perfect version of my schedule before asking me to obey. He is only asking for my faithful “amen” to His call. The perfect answer is always “yes” to His plan. My yes combining with His call. Your yes combining with His call.

So what is your next faithful step?

When everything pulls at you, when everything seems full already, and when everything feels important, wisdom helps you ask Him, “God, what do you want me to do today?”

And even if it that one step seems small, that step of faith still counts.

If the thing you prayed for comes with challenges, take heart. God is not confused by the pressure, timing, or responsibility attached to your open door. Ask Him for wisdom for each step you need to take, then take it with Him.

The challenges you face don’t mean His hand is absent.

It may simply mean the yes is asking you to grow.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the open doors in my life. When feelings overwhelm me, I pray my mind stays focused on You and the call You’ve given me. I won’t compare my progress to someone else’s call and I won’t quit when challenges come. Help me to recognize what I need to do today and what can wait. Give me wisdom to know what to do and peace to guide every faithful step You prepared for me. I trust You with everything that is in me. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

References:

[i] Guzik, D. “Study Guide for 1 Corinthians 16 by David Guzik.” Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 6/2022. https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/1-corinthians/1-corinthians-16.cfm

For more about faith and believing for the impossible, get Holly’s book, Believing for a Miracle available in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon.

Honoring God in This Season Journal

Life doesn’t always stay neatly ordered. Seasons shift. Routines are interrupted. And sometimes, you’re left wondering how to honor God right where you are.

This free guided journal was created for women who want to hear God’s voice, stay grounded in truth, and walk faithfully through changing seasons, without the pressure of trying to “fix” everything at once.

What You’ll Receive:

A Printable Guided Reflection & Prayer Journal (PDF)

This thoughtfully designed resource walks with you through discernment, gratitude, and prayer—helping you recognize what God is doing right now.

Inside, you’ll find:

Guided Reflection Pages

Identify the season you’re currently in
Reflect on comfort vs. calling
Discern how God is speaking to you
Process interruptions, uncertainty, and growth
Scripture-based prompts to anchor your thoughts in truth

7 Daily Gratitude Pages (Repeatable Weekly)

Each day invites you to pause and reflect on:

How you’re feeling
What God says about you
What you’re grateful for
What God is saying to you
What you need to do more of—or less of
Your favorite moment of the day
What you’re looking forward to

These pages help train your heart to notice God’s presence even in busy or interrupted days.

Weekly Prayer Request & Answered Prayer Pages

A dedicated space to:

Write this week’s personal needs
Record the Scripture you’re standing on
Pray intentionally for others
Track prayers God answered that week

You can print multiple copies and continue using this section week after week as a spiritual rhythm.

Why You’ll Love This Journal

It meets you where you are.
No pressure. No perfect schedule. Just honest reflection and gentle guidance.

It helps you hear God’s voice more clearly.
Through Scripture, prayer, and intentional reflection.

It reframes interruptions as invitations.
Helping you see growth where you once felt frustration.

It’s practical, peaceful, and deeply grounding.
Perfect for quiet mornings, evening reflection, or moments when life feels loud.

It’s reusable.
Print what you need, when you need it, and return to it in future seasons.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Season Out Alone

God hasn’t forgotten you.
Your current season didn’t catch Him off guard.
And He delights in meeting you right where you are.

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:1

Download the free “Honoring God in This Season of Life” Journal
and begin listening, trusting, and walking with Him—one day at a time.

Ready to Begin?

Enter your email below to grab your free Honoring God in This Season Prayer Journal and Guided Reflections for Trusting God Where You Are and start recognizing how God meets you right now.

Get your free journal today!

Just drop your email below, and I’ll send the Honoring God in This Season Prayer Journal and Guided Reflections for Trusting God Where You Are straight to your inbox.

(It’s a beautiful eighteen-page printable.)

Click Here to Get Your Free Guide!

Have you ever sensed God whispering in the middle of your to-do list?

Maybe it was a nudge to text a friend, an unexpected conversation in the grocery store, or a quiet moment in the car when you suddenly felt seen and sensed God’s presence stirring your heart to listen.

I created Meeting God in the Ordinary for women like us—women who want to live on purpose, listen closely, and follow Jesus even when life feels full (and a little chaotic).

This 30-day devotional will help you:
Recognize God’s presence in everyday life
Respond to His nudges with bold faith
Love others deeply—even in small, unnoticed ways

Each day includes a short devotional, scripture, reflection question, and one simple step of obedience.

Because you don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be present.

Ready to start your 30-day journey?
Download Meeting God in the Ordinary for just $4.99 and discover how small moments become sacred when we say yes.

Get the Devotional Now
(Available as an instant download on my website!)

Click Here to Purchase

Watch the video for more about finding joy in the journey. It will premiere at 4 p.m. on Friday, 9.19.2025. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share with others!

Click here to watch!

The post When What You Prayed for Comes with Challenges appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

Redeemed. No Groveling Required.

Holly Murray — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:55:03 +0000

“Who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.”
Titus 2:14, AMP

This morning I sat outside on the swing reading one of my “no deep-thinking required” books. I read a lot of books to help me grow closer to the Lord or develop skills, but I also enjoy reading stories that expand my imagination. This book was one of those, and as I got to the end, the author made some excellent and unexpected points about God’s grace and mercy overflowing even when we make the most horrific mistakes.

I’m not prone to tears, but I think I might have gotten a little dust in my eyes as I read the author’s closing revelation. She wrote, “God is more than just a salvager. He is a blessed redeemer. God not only forgives, He restores. God not only heals, He blesses” (Spredemann, 2013). While I had not related to many of the specific troubles of the heroine in the Amish story, the truth remains we all face difficult moments in life. Some of those are even of our own making. Regardless of the source of the mistake, God doesn’t just patch up our brokenness, He redeems us.

Redeemed

Titus 2:14 tells us that Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us. The Greek word for redeem means, “to cause to be released to one’s self by payment of a ransom” (G3084, n.d.). To be redeemed is to be so free that nothing hinders us from doing His will, from living a full, happy life. He paid the price; we just need to accept the gift of that freedom.

We all still mess up, saying or doing the wrong thing. When that happens, we decide our next steps. We can blame someone else. We can curl into a ball on the inside and watch the world move on as we harbor hurt, fear, or unforgiveness within us. A better choice is to get up, dust off, and see what God has for us next. But even when we do things our way instead of God’s way, He still has a plan to return us to Himself. He is always in the forgiving and redemption business. He wants us redeemed.

Forgiven

There is not one thing you could ever do that is so bad that God won’t forgive if you ask. This is part of the new covenant He made with us, when His Son died on the cross on our behalf. In Matthew 6:14, Jesus says, “For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (AMPC). He put no other stipulations on the gift of forgiveness, and once forgiven, He sets you free from it. There is no longer any need for guilt or shame. Jesus bore our shame for us on the cross.

“For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing and I will never again remember their sins.”
Hebrews 8:12, HCSB

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”
1 John 1:9, AMPC

Today my heart is heavy for the one who feels they have just messed up one too many times. I’m reaching out to the one who thinks what they did was too embarrassing or shameful to come to a holy God and say, “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” yet again. I plead with you to forgive yourself, forgive others, and ask God to forgive you so you can be redeemed and walk toward His plan for your life with your head lifted.

“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.”
Psalms 3:3, AMP

Free and Blessed

When we receive His forgiveness and the freedom that comes with that, we are redeemed and we begin to overflow with His blessings. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control-all the fruits that come from letting Him prune off the weights that hinder and submitting to His instructions. Overflow always touches more than the one from whom it is flowing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 , AMP

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard-things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
Galatians 5:22-23, MSG

Return to Him. He has a plan for you. God’s love is bigger than your worst mistake. It’s bigger than repeated mistakes! Our Father doesn’t sit in Heaven anticipating our mess-ups so He can punish us. He isn’t waiting for us to grovel for His mercy while holding our sins against us and reminding us of our unworthiness. He isn’t human. Live redeemed. His love and grace are greater than all our sins.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I thank you that You sent Jesus to redeem me. Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me and purchasing my freedom. I choose to forgive every person, from my heart, who has ever done anything wrong toward me. Bless each one and draw them closer to You. I ask You, also, to forgive me for every sin that I knowingly or unknowingly committed. Because of Your love, I am free from all sin and You see me as pure. According to Your Word, You will no longer remember my sin! Sin has no hold on me any longer. I am free. I am Your daughter, and I receive Your love and forgiveness. Now there is nothing that can separate me from You. Thank You, God, for your unfailing love and mercy. I keep myself humble before You and know You are the lifter of my head. I thank You that Your presence in me will help me to overflow in Your blessings!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Let’s Talk!

What scripture is your go-to when you feel you’ve messed up or don’t know how to move forward? Leave it in the comments at the bottom of this post. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Blessings,

References:

G3084 – lytroō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3084&t=KJV

Johnston, J. (1911). Grace greater than our sin [Hymn]. Retrieved from https://hymnary.org/text/marvelous_grace_of_our_loving_lord

Spredemann, J.E.B. (2013). An unforgiveable secret. [Kindle Paperwhite version]. Retrieved from amazon.com

Free Printable Set: God’s Love is Bigger!

Enjoy this God’s Love is Bigger printable set as a free gift. Included in the download are eight colorful photos with “God’s Love is Bigger than Our Worst Mistake” printed on each. Choose your favorite to print or print them all! They are 8×10, perfect for framing!

Click on the link and this printable will open as a PDF in a new tab.

_{(Downloads are only available to hollydmurray.com subscribers: With downloading, you’ll be OPTING IN to Holly’s email newsletter with more encouragement and freebies delivered straight to your inbox! Unsubscribe at any time.)}

Printable: Redeemed!

Enjoy this Redeemed printable, reminding you that you are released from guilt and shame and are truly free. You are worth the price Jesus paid, so remember to live like it! This prints as an 8×10, perfect for framing! File includes nineteen different prints from which to choose, but you get them all! Print as many as you’d like! *You will receive a digital copy (PDF) of 19 prints in size 8×10. Available for $2.99 to download. No physical item will be mailed.

Click on the link and this printable will open as a PDF in a new tab.

These printables are also available in 5×7 for $1.99. Click here to view and purchase.

See the shop for more gift options!

Today’s Must-Read Recommendation:

This Season of Freedom: 5-Minute Messages to Free Your Soul

Get Paula A. Lambert’s 31-Day devotional, This Season of Freedom for more ways to win the battle of discouragement every day.

You’ll find her books as well as books and journals by other authors online at Integrity Publishing. (Purchases also available directly through Amazon.)

Photo Credit: The Beautiful Mess

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Hide-and-Seek

Holly Murray — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 22:51:09 +0000

“God conceals the revelation of His Word in the hiding place of His glory. But the honor of kings is revealed by how they thoroughly search out the deeper meaning of all that God says.”
Proverbs 25:2 TPT

I loved playing Hide-and-Seek as a child. My siblings and I would play it in our big, woodsy back yard or in the house on rainy days. We’d spout chants of “no peeking” and “count slowly” as the three of us ran in different directions away from the fourth child who was “it.”

One of my favorite places to hide in the house was under the kitchen sink. I could curl myself up on the side that didn’t have the plumbing, though I’m sure my mom didn’t appreciate my shifting her cleaning supplies. I could stay quiet there for a long time, hidden behind the dark brown doors.

I’d keep my giggles smothered by my knees as my hands curled around them to keep me in the confined space. Then I’d listen intently until I heard the screams of one of my siblings being found in another part of the house. Quickly, I would make my escape so that I could touch base without being tagged. If my brothers ever opened the cabinet door behind which I was hiding, there’d be no place for me to run. The startled feeling of being found was always followed by the immediate sinking feeling that I was now “it.”

Love of the Game

My love of Hide-and-Seek hasn’t changed much since I’ve grown up. But being “it” is the most fun for me now. I love watching little children scurry to hide from me before I close my eyes and count slowly and loudly.

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of watching the daughter of a friend while my friend worked. The little girl was about three-years-old. Together we played a game of Hide-and-Seek. I closed my eyes and began to count slowly and loudly to ten before announcing, “Here I come!”

My eyes opened. I could hear light giggles and noticed a child-shaped bulge in the curtains by the big picture window. In the space where the curtains nearly touched the floor, ten of the cutest little wiggly toes peeked out.

I spent some time calling her name and announcing the various places I was looking that I hadn’t found her. With each announcement of “no, she’s not under the table” or “no, she’s not behind the chair,” her giggling increased. When I finally “discovered” her hiding in the curtains, she squealed joyfully, eyes dancing, as I uncovered her. We then began Hide-and-Seek again, the hiding place rarely changing between there and under the bare table.

Hide-and-Seek Challenge

There’s not much credit one can take when finding the obvious hider. It took no skill at all to find my friend’s sweet little one. You can’t brag a lot when you tag the person under the sofa cushion. The cushion-covered body is hard to miss! It becomes quite exciting, however, when you finally find a hider in the most obscure place! This makes the game’s challenge very rewarding.

I was thinking over this experience when talking with a friend recently. You see, God plays Hide-and-Seek with His children, as well. The difference is that God doesn’t hide Himself from us. Instead, He hides Himself for us to find. While my friend’s little girl wasn’t intentionally giving herself away with her giggles and visible toes, God is very intentional. He, too, wants us to find Him.

Proverbs 25:2 reads, “God conceals the revelation of His Word in the hiding place of His glory. But the honor of kings is revealed by how they thoroughly search out the deeper meaning of all that God says” (TPT). Digging into the Word helps us to learn more about the principles that help us live a more victorious life. Scripture contains simply-stated rules to follow, to be clear. It also includes hidden treasures that reveal more of God’s character and love for us. Other verses we must ponder and ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand.

Rules of the Game

In one article, Bill Johnson explains one of the reasons for God hiding things for us. He states (2013) that “Revelation always brings responsibility.” Becoming aware of God’s expectations of us makes us responsible to carry out what we’ve discerned. James 4:17 (TPT) puts it this way, “So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin.”

This is not a comfortable truth perhaps, but it is certainly a truth we need to hear. As we begin this new year, I pray that we will all dig into the Word. It’s my desire that we learn more about God, His character, and His love for us. I also pray for nuggets of wisdom that the Holy Spirit helps us to uncover so that we can make application of it into our lives. What excitement we get when we’ve discovered something new that we didn’t understand before!

There is nothing in the Word that will do anything short of giving us abundance in every area as we learn and grow in Him. It’s really just a matter of playing Hide-and-Seek. What truths have you discovered so far this year?

References

Johnson, B. (2013, August 1). God Hides Things to Be Found. Retrieved January 9, 2019, from http://bjm.org/god-hides-things-to-be-found

More from Holly:

To read about how God blesses us when we get busy, click here!

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