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

All Scripture quotations unless otherwise marked are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright ©1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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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!

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

And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:21

Comfort vs. Calling: When God Stretches Your Personality

When I stopped working the other day, I left all the documents open on my desk and computer screen that needed my attention the next morning. I knew exactly what I needed to do next, which client I needed to contact to get some clarity on their project, and which chapter I’d be reading to edit next. My online calendar was pulled up, the desk was tidy, and all my other notebooks were in their assigned slot within easy reach. I could have taken a picture.

Perhaps I should have taken a picture, because the next morning came and my nicely-laid plans and ordered schedule took a nose dive into the abyss. I’d slept on my back wrong and while Saturday is typically the day I set aside as a day off, now I had no choice but to stay out of my office chair. By Monday, even with the heating pad as my new BFF, I still was unable to work.

I have a feeling you know exactly what it’s like when life refuses to cooperate with your carefully laid plans. Maybe your wrench looked different from mine this week, but the frustration? That probably sounded familiar.

Just Give Me a Box

I love a little time off as much as the next gal, but I felt such an urgency to get back to my routine. I love helping my clients and writing, and being forced to take three days without the feeling of productivity and checking off some kind of box was about more than I could stand.

I’m not much for adventure, but I love a good box to check off. Having a predictable list in an organized, structured day is the environment in which I thrive. I like to know what I need to do, when it needs to be done, and to see progress from start to voila! I don’t like wrenches, and back pain was throwing a wrench in my plans. The frustration was palpable.

Maybe like me, you thrive on structure, but everything around you feels a bit chaotic and unpredictable. Maybe you need quiet to refuel, but your life has grown loud and demanding. Or maybe you are the helper everyone can rely on, but lately you feel stretched thin and a little resentful that your number seems to always be the first one people text and you are always the one holding everything together.

If that sounds familiar, I want to say this so gently to your heart. The fact that this season feels hard does not mean you are failing. It may simply mean God is shaping you.

Not because He is disappointed in you.

Not because He is punishing you.

Not because you missed it.

But because He loves you enough to grow you.

The Gift of the Stretch

When routines shift and frustrations rise, it causes me to wonder if I’m cut out to be serving the people God sends my way. But the truth is, God knows my wiring. He made me on purpose for a purpose of His design, and He did that fully knowing my personality “quirks.” The same is true for you.

Your strengths and weaknesses, whether you’re a hot mess or always cool as a cucumber, your preferences, what makes you tick, and what makes you overcome with joy are all unsurprising to God. He knows what drains and restores you, where your mind feels stretched and where your heart is tender.

And if you’ve walked with Him for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that He leads us through seasons that cause us to rely completely on Him.

Remind You of Anyone?

It causes me to think of Moses giving God all the reasons he couldn’t do what God was calling him to do in Exodus 3-4. God didn’t want to use Moses in his own strength, but actually wanted to work miracles through Moses to work the release of the Israelites from Pharoah’s control. Moses had to rely on doing only what God directed him to do to see the results God had planned, and it required a level of dependence on God I’m sure Moses had never known before. God wanted a partnership with Moses.

I believe this is a great example for us. No matter what our season looks like, if we can learn to depend on Him for every step, we would find ourselves seeing more of God’s plan come to life in us. He wants to partner with us in His Kingdom plan. Sometimes we want God to change the season we are in. But sometimes God is wanting to develop us, to stretch us, in that season.

In talking with a friend this week, I confessed that I didn’t like stretching. I like it about as much as adventure and change. I love that she disagreed with me about being stretched. She reminded me that the resistance we feel, being pulled beyond what is comfortable, is actually good for us. It helps us to learn new things about ourselves, other people, and about His love for us. Moreover, stretching can be a gift from God, as we become more reliant on Him and less dependent on what we can do in our own strength. It is part of healthful preparation.

And I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go [unless forced to do so],
no, not by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and smite Egypt
with all My wonders which I will do in it; and after that he will let you go.
And I will give this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians;
and it shall be that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed.
Exodus 3:19-21

When the Enemy Uses Your Wiring Against You

One of the quickest ways to get discouraged is to start believing that the struggle you are facing or the ways you are needing to stretch are evidence that something is wrong with you or you’ve missed God’s direction.

If you love order and predictability, the enemy will tell you that you aren’t safe when you can’t control the outcome. If you are sensitive and deeply feeling, he will tell you your emotions prove God is far away. If you are driven and responsible, he will tell you that if you stop striving, everything will fall apart. If you are a helper, he will tell you that love means overextending and that rest is selfish. And if you find yourself falling in more than one category, his lies are easily compounded and just as relentless.

He does not need a new strategy. He just needs you to interpret this season as proof that you are not enough, you’ll never find success or joy in God’s plan for your life, or that you don’t hear God at all.

But that is not God’s voice.

God may correct you. He may redirect you. He may convict you. But He will not crush you with shame, accuse you, or speak to you with contempt.

So before you assume you are failing, pause and ask yourself, Is this God leading me, or is this pressure driving me?

God is a loving Father who wants to see His children successfully walking out the call He has on their lives with joy, peace, freedom, and every fruit of the Spirit evident! Here is what God’s Word says about how God directs us:

And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way;
walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

A Moment I Remember Clearly

There have been seasons when I felt out of sync with my own life. I was doing all the right things, but I did not feel steady on the inside. I was carrying a lot and trying not to let anyone see how heavy it felt.

I remember sitting with my journal and writing down the events of that day. As I listened for what God had to say, He told me not to worry about anything. I argued back that I wasn’t worried. I was being a good, faithful daughter trusting God’s plan for my life. But He didn’t correct Himself.

In my desire to want to live well, honor God, and check off all the boxes, I was deeply and unknowingly worried. I didn’t want to let anyone down – not my clients, my husband, or God. There was clearly an undercurrent of self-imposed pressure I was carrying instead of releasing it all to God in complete trust and surrender.

And in His simple words, “Do not worry about anything,” He was reminding me that if I wasn’t intentionally releasing my concerns to Him, I might be unintentionally holding some of them to myself.

Cast Your Cares

When you go fishing, you cast your line in the water. Cast means to throw or launch. I used to go fishing with my husband all the time. If I made a good cast, it was usually fairly far away from me where the fish couldn’t see or hear me (I’m not usually “hear a pin drop” quiet when I fish). That is the way I think about the scripture in 1 Peter 5:7, when God tells us to cast our cares on Him. He wants us to throw them far from us, not deposit them neatly at our feet so we can pick them back up in a few minutes.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries,
all your concerns, once and for all] on Him,
for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5:7

What the Lord reminded me of was simple.

You are not doing this alone.

Sometimes we forget that part. We pray, and then we still carry everything like it depends entirely on us. We love God, but we live like the outcome is our responsibility.

Friend, partnership with God does not remove your responsibility, but it does remove the pressure of carrying it alone.

Comfort Is Not the Same as Peace

There is a man in Scripture who had been sick for thirty eight years. That is a long time to be stuck in the same place. A long time to wake up to the same limitation. A long time to feel overlooked.

When Jesus came to him, He asked a question that seems almost too simple.

“Do you want to get well?”

Jesus was not being insensitive. He knew how long the man had been that way. He saw him. He noticed him. He cared. But Jesus was also inviting him to imagine a different life.

Sometimes Jesus asks us questions like that.

Do you want to be free from survival mode?
Do you want to stop living from pressure and start living from peace?
Do you want to keep shrinking back, or do you want to step into what God is calling you to do?

Some of us have gotten used to the way things have been. Even if we say we want change, we are afraid to hope again. Afraid to try again. Afraid that disappointment will hurt too much.

So we settle. We may call it peace, but it is really familiarity.

Jesus does not shame the stuck places in us. He simply invites us to step into something new.

The Stretch Often Targets What You Rely on Most

This is something I have learned over and over.

God often stretches the very area we lean on most because He is inviting us to lean harder on Him.

One day last week, I was driving to pick up a curbside order. The traffic was horrendous and my patience was exhausted. I was flustered and fussing as car after car passed in front of me while I waited for an appropriate clearing to turn right. I could tell I was just downright mad, and there was no reason for it. The correction came quietly but clearly. “Patience is a fruit of My Spirit.”

I wish I could say He only told me once. But He had to tell me twice.

What a good God we serve! He loves us enough to correct us as often as we need it. In that moment, I needed calm. He taught me patience.

When you need clarity, He teaches trust.
When you need control, He teaches surrender.
When you need comfort, He teaches courage.
When you need to feel capable, He teaches dependence.

That is why a season can feel so uncomfortable. It is not always because you are off track. It may be because God is close enough to lead you differently than you would lead yourself. He is stretching us, molding us, wanting to make us more like Him and more surrendered to His call as we partner with Him in every season.

The Bellows of Faith in an Ordinary Life

One of the images God has used to teach me about faith is a fire. A fire does not stay strong on accident. If you ever sat around a firepit, you know it. The flames can be beautiful, but if you leave them unattended, the fire fades to embers.

Sometimes our faith feels like that. Not gone, but dim. Still there, but struggling.

And in those moments, what do you do?

You breathe life back into it.

You do not need a performance. You need a steady breath of Truth. You need to bring your heart back into agreement with what God says, not what the season is shouting.

That is what I mean when I say partnership over pressure. It is the choice to stop striving in your own strength and start paying attention to God’s presence in your everyday life.

One Obedient Step Changes Everything

The enemy loves to overwhelm you with the whole picture. He wants you spiraling in the what ifs, the hows, and the timelines.

But God often speaks in the next step.

Not the whole plan.
Not the ten-year blueprint.
The next instruction.

So here are three questions I want you to sit with today. You can write them in a journal or answer them quietly in prayer.

1. What is one thing God has already told me to do that I have delayed?
2. What is one small step I can take this week in faith, even if I feel nervous?
3. What lie is this season trying to plant in me, and what is God’s Truth?

This is where faith becomes practical. Not flashy. Not complicated. Just simple.

A Gentle Next Step for Women Who Feel Stretched

If this resonated with you and you’re wondering what one practical next step looks like, I created a simple digital resource called God in the Everyday. It’s not a program or a checklist — it’s just a gentle guide to help you notice where God is already present in your ordinary, stretched, imperfect day. You can find it here. Get God in the Everyday here: https://hollydmurray.com/product/god-in-the-everyday/

And if you love visual reminders of truth on an ordinary day, you can browse the mugs and shirts in my shop here: https://hollydmurray.com/shop-2/

If you are not just stretched but carrying something heavy, I also want you to know my book Believing for a Miracle was written from a very real place. It is for the woman who loves God, knows He can, and is learning to trust Him when the need feels urgent and the process feels long. You can find it here. https://amzn.to/4tYEYUE

Let’s Talk, My Friend

I do not want this to be a place where you only read and move on. I want it to be a place where we grow together. So here is a simple question.

Which feels hardest for you right now?

1. interruptions and unpredictability
2. trusting God hasn’t forgotten what I’m believing for
3. obedience that costs you comfort

Reply with 1, 2, or 3 in the comments. If you want, add one sentence about why. You might be surprised how many of us are in the same place.

I’d also like to invite you to share this post with those you love. Others may appreciate the encouragement as much as I appreciate knowing this message has blessed your heart.

Closing Encouragement

Before you close this page, take a deep breath.

God is not asking you to become a different person. He is inviting you to become a deeper one. One who knows to Whom they can run when they need to be carried or encouraged, to get a fresh Word to know they are on the right track.

Your personality is not the problem. The pressure to carry life alone is the problem.

So today, choose partnership over pressure. Choose one obedient step over a fully-fleshed-out perfect plan. And if this season feels uncomfortable, do not assume you are off track. It may simply mean God is stretching you or leading you somewhere new.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You know me completely and still call me lovingly. Thank You that my personality is not a mistake and my limits are not shameful. Help me recognize where the enemy is using this season to plant lies in my mind, and give me wisdom to replace them with Your Truth. Teach me to choose partnership over pressure and to obey You one step at a time. Give me peace as You lead me, and courage to follow. In Jesus’ name, amen.

References:

All Scripture quotations unless otherwise marked are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright ©1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are from the Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

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.

Free Courage Scripture Cards (Printable 4×6)

Download a free set of 4×6 Courage Scripture Cards featuring 17 encouraging Bible verses to help you stand firm, speak truth, and keep going.

What You’ll Receive:

A printable PDF with 17 handpicked verses that are personal favorites

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Why You’ll Love Them

Use these cards to:

• Place around the house as daily faith reminders
• Use as a bookmark for your Bible, devotional, or current read
• Frame a favorite verse for your desk, nightstand, or prayer corner

 

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Enter your email below to grab your free Courage Scripture Cards and start declaring His Word over your season.

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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 Feeling Stretched and Overwhelmed? | Here’s What God Might Be Doing appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, AMPC

Life has a way of shifting just when we think we’ve finally settled into a rhythm. One season flows smoothly, and the next arrives with unexpected changes that stretch our comfort and our faith. Learning how to honor God in different seasons of life requires humility and a willingness to trust Him, even when the changes feel inconvenient.

When Life Slows Down After the Kids Leave Home

When the children moved out and I finally quit crying every time they left after visiting (okay, I’m still working on that one), I began to develop and even enjoy my new routine. Life grew quieter. Slower. And honestly, sweeter in some unexpected ways.

I scheduled my work-from-home days with slow starts with Jesus, cradling a hot cup of coffee while the house stayed still. I only went into the office one day a week. The rest of the time, I stayed in my pajamas, solving problems and completing work tasks from my computer desk at home. Everything stayed remarkably clean. I loved the rhythm of being home ninety percent of the week.

A Career Shift and a New Season of Faith

Then this fall, God threw a curveball.

I stepped away from my full-time position at church and focused fully on my publishing company. It was hard to step away, to be obedient. I felt a little guilty some days when the woman who took over my position would call with questions, or I’d think about things I had always done and wondered to whose plate it had been added. There were days I wondered if I’d made a mistake, especially when the income we’d budgeted was no longer coming in each week.

There were moments when I questioned if I’d heard God correctly. But each time I considered the option to return to my previous job or consider a different one, I felt something within me become uneasy and heard His whisper to trust Him. Even in moments of uncertainty.

Life is rarely static. God sometimes calls us beyond what feels naturally comfortable. He does this, not because He overlooks how He made us, but because He sees a Kingdom need and knows what He has placed within us to meet it. Comfort can make us complacent. It can cause us to forget our need for His strength, wisdom, provision, and mercy. Transformation happens through change, not from being stagnant.

So, I developed a different routine, adding personal writing deadlines and client projects to my daily calendar. I entered my office at the same time I always had, but the tasks were different.

As the days turned into weeks, I became more comfortable. Being home was the perfect fit for my personality, and I was enjoying my new season. I was learning to trust God in ways I’d never had to before, however, and that was stretching me. I had no idea who my next client would be nor when they’d find me. But He’d told me to trust Him, and He’d never failed me before. When I’d sit with my journal in the evenings, He would gently say not to worry. Just trust Him; He had a plan. I would remind myself of that each time my mind considered the future.

I’m not entirely independent. I am married and thankful to have a husband who takes care of many things I don’t even want to learn how to do. But sometimes dependence on someone other than yourself can feel like a weakness. I’m not even sure why that is. Perhaps it’s a pride issue. I mean, why can’t God just call us to do something we can do in our own strength?

Then I think about how much joy I get when my children ask me to help them with something. For me, honoring God in this season means trusting Him to provide when I don’t see the answer. It means asking Him to help me find the words to write that will matter to the one who will one day be reading them. For you, the plans He has in this season may look different. But what I know is that we can do so much more with Him than without Him. And sometimes that means He’ll stretch us in ways we never expected.

Understanding Your God-Given Personality

When I tell people I’m an introvert, they usually don’t believe me, but God knew how He wired me. He understands my introverted heart, my need for quiet, and the way stillness restores me. And yet this Christmas, when we welcomed a puppy, He reminded me that even introverts who love routine need to be stretched.

Suddenly, my carefully settled routine was interrupted by potty breaks, playtimes, unexpected messes, and constant reminders that life rarely stays neatly scheduled. My life was no longer quiet. Just when I’d sit down to work, there’d be a nudge at my feet or a whine from the pen for yet another trip outside (I mean, it’s been a whole ten minutes.) But here, in the middle of a storm of our own creation, God is using this new season to teach me.

I’m learning to have grace for interruptions (and for myself when I fail at that). I’m learning that what God is working in me is more important than the level of my productivity. It’s hard for someone who likes to check off all the boxes, but I’m in process.

Every season, quiet or chaotic, comes with paths He has already prepared, paths designed not only for my obedience but for my growth. He has good plans for my future and for my present. I just need to remember that whatever the season brings, I need to look for God’s hand and direction, and to trust that He knows my unique needs. Hearing His voice and communicating with Him is the key to hope and breakthrough.

But how do we hear His voice in our current season? For me, it’s this uneasiness when I’m about to make the wrong decision, and peace that settles when I’m aligned with His will. It’s sharing my thoughts and process with my husband or a trusted friend for counsel or when His Word speaks directly to my situation. I feel a nudge, get an idea I wouldn’t have normally thought of, or hear His voice whispering to my spirit. You may hear His voice differently, but He promises to give wisdom to all who ask (James 1:5).

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalms 84:11

I can trust Him, because I know He has my ultimate good as His priority.

The Need for Community

As much as I love being home, there are times when I don’t want to leave it. Frankly, it would probably be more accurate to say I hardly ever want to leave it. Staying home feels easier. Quieter. Safer. And I don’t have to put on makeup.

And yet, I know gathering with other believers is good for me.

Small group Bible study stretches me. We laugh together, and it can be so much fun. We get personal. Sometimes that’s hard. But hard and bad are not the same.

Church reminds me that faith isn’t meant to be lived alone, no matter how peaceful isolation can feel. God often grows us through people, even when we’d rather stay comfortable. And there is something that happens when we’re physically present with other believers. There’s encouragement, accountability, and a shared joy that I simply can’t replicate when I’m watching service online at home.

Scripture speaks clearly:

Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another… not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together.
Hebrews 10:24-25

Honoring God sometimes means choosing obedience over ease. It means showing up when you’d rather stay home. And when we mess up, miss it, or choose comfort first, He’s faithful to give us another opportunity to get it right next time.

Change Is Not Failure—It’s an Invitation

This week, I read a post from Hosanna Wong that deeply resonated with my heart. She shared that there are seasons when she doesn’t feel connected to God in the same way she once did—or the way others seem to be.

She wrote:

“There isn’t just one way to enjoy God. He designed your unique personality, placed you in a specific season, and delights in meeting you right where you are.”
– Hosanna Wong

That truth brought relief and reassurance. I love sitting with His Word every day. I’ve found I’m more successful at that when it’s the very first thing I do. Some days I get distracted and my Bible time is delayed. I’ve even missed it altogether. But even on days when I’ve neglected to sit with His Word, He still reaches out and brings a verse to mind. Or I see something that causes me to meditate on a verse I’d heard preached at church. Perhaps, like me, as seasons have changed, the way you spend time with God changes, too.

Seasons don’t take God by surprise. You don’t need to have everything in your life figured out and perfected to come to Him, either. And am I thankful for that! One of my favorite hymns tells us we can come to God exactly as we are! Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened…” So when I’m overwhelmed, have neglected something important, or am tired of pressing forward, He welcomes me to lean into Him for strength, rest, and peace.

Change doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Often, it means God is inviting you to meet Him in a new way. Did you know that God is just as good at speaking to me in the yard while I’m walking the dog as He is when I sit with my Bible in my lap and a coffee cup in my hand? Not that I shouldn’t ever sit with His Word! He speaks through His Word, and I learn more of Him, His character, and how to live life well when I spend time reading it. But He speaks in a variety of ways. He’s always speaking. We just need to tune in to hear what He’s saying.

And when seasons you’re in feel like they’re never going to change? You can trust God even then. He sees you in the painfully long seasons. When the effort of getting up again feels harder. When it feels like you can’t shake the heaviness. In those moments, the One who never changes will be your strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9b, Paul declares that in those seasons the “strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” God’s presence won’t leave you in seasons of struggle, pain, or delay. He has staying power.

Trusting God in Every Season of Life

Scripture reminds us,
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

If you’re in a season where you’re questioning if you heard God right, where the bills keep coming and the income doesn’t seem to be changing, where your carefully ordered life has been interrupted by chaos you didn’t choose (or even chaos you did choose), take heart. He sees you. He’s not forgotten you. Seasons, even the ones that feel never-ending, are temporary. And the same God who whispered “trust Me” in my uncertainty is whispering the same thing to you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for meeting me in every season of life, even the interrupted ones. Help me honor You in both stillness and stretch, in routine and in change. Teach me to trust You when life throws curveballs or feels stagnant, and to recognize Your presence in the unexpected moments of my day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

References:

Hosanna Wong, “Your Relationship With God Doesn’t Have To Look Like Everyone Else’s,” Proverbs 31 Ministries, January 28, 2026, https://info.proverbs31.org/your-relationship-with-god-doesnt-have-to-look-like-everyone-elses-hosanna-wong

All Scripture quotations marked are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright ©1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Honoring God in Different Seasons of Life | Faith, Change, and Community appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Two years of chemotherapy. To an eleven-year-old, it lasted forever. As his mother, it seemed that way to me, as well. The hours we spent praying and speaking the Word were countless. We wrote scripture on index cards and posted them all around the house and in our hospital room with each visit. Whether I was cooking dinner, getting ready for work, or meeting another nurse, I had the Word in my line of sight.

When you want something badly enough, you will do anything. You will do everything! We were desperate for God’s touch and He did not disappoint. God defied every prognosis we were given, and our joy was indeed full.

Another Call

Then we got another call. My sister-in-law received a cancer diagnosis as well. We were devastated as our minds went back to the years of treatment and side-effects our young son had endured. I geared up to fight a battle with which we were familiar. I pulled out the index cards again and began declaring the Word over my sweet sister.

The war waged. After a long season of fighting, I could sense that she was tired. I prayed, declared, argued, and cried out to my Father. I questioned and pled her case, wondering why the answer I was praying for delayed. Giving up was not my desire, but I didn’t know how long I should keep believing for the miracle that was not yet evident.

How Long Do I Keep Believing?

I asked a precious friend for godly counsel. How long do I keep believing and praying over someone who is tired of being sick, tired of medicine, and tired of fighting back? What do I do? What do I pray?

“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.”

Proverbs 27:9, TPT

My friend’s answer was simple and profound. She said, “Keep praying the Word. Never stop praying and speaking the Word, no matter what the circumstances.”

You see, I was focusing on what I was seeing, and in doing so, I had taken a burden that wasn’t mine. In doing something good, fervent prayer, I had assumed liability for the healing. My job wasn’t to heal my sister-in-law. It wasn’t up to me, and I couldn’t bear the burden of when or how healing manifested. My only job was to follow Jesus’ example. He always prayed and spoke the Word of God, and that is what I must always do, too.

Fullness of Joy

God doesn’t always answer us in exactly the same way. There is no magic prayer formula. His command is to ask in His name and receive what He has for us. Keep believing. The fullness of joy we receive isn’t because we get everything for which we ask. The fullness of joy is that we learn to trust Him with every need and situation we face.

We need unwavering faith in His ability and trust He will keep His Word. It really is that simple. It’s not my job to be God. My job is to believe Him. Take Him at His Word. Receive, that your joy may be full.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the powerful promises in Your Word. They are for me!

Your Word says in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are all answered ‘Yes.’ So through Him we say our ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.” I give You all glory for Your promises and agree with Your Word for every promise in my life.

I submit my life and will to You, and trust You with every situation. I thank You for the fullness of joy that comes through trusting You and relying on Your Word. Your Word is alive, active, and working in me, and I will keep believing it. I cast every care on You, knowing You care for me, and I receive the strength and joy of the Lord as my portion today.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Let’s Talk!

Do you have good, godly friends you can go to for prayer or when you have questions? Praise God for your friends! Post their name in the comments below and share with them how they have blessed your life.

If you don’t have a close friend from whom you can receive godly counsel, ask God to bless you with a good friend. Make it a matter of prayer and keep believing. His Word says a man who has friends must himself be friendly (Proverbs 18:24). Be the friend you need to someone else and watch God’s Word work!

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Blessings,

Free Printable:

Enjoy this Thankful Series printable set as a free gift. Included in the download are five colorful watercolor style photos with scripture printed on each. Choose your favorite to print or print them all! They are 5×7, 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.)}

Today’s Must-Read Recommendation:

Empowered: A 31-Day Devotional to Empower Your Every Day

Get Rhonda Matthew’s 31-Day devotional, Empowered to empower your 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.)

The post How Long Do I Keep Believing? appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

“And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!

I was a schoolteacher. When my boys started school, I had high expectations and pushed them to do their very best. I felt it really mattered. In first grade, my eldest was writing full page essays and working through two different math and phonics curriculums along with his other subjects. My youngest completed two curriculums in one school term. I was a stickler for great scores and working hard.

Then, at age eleven, my eldest was diagnosed with cancer. As we learned to navigate a new, unexpected season, I had an epiphany. School isn’t everything. It isn’t life or death. Making straight A’s doesn’t make a person immune to trouble, nor does it make them a better person.

The Things That Really Matter

I wanted (and still want) my children to do well. It is more important, however, that they do what God wants them to do than to meet my personal standards of achievement. I needed to look at my expectations and ask, “Does it really matter?”

My children need to recognize God’s love for them. That really matters. They need to know their parents love them unconditionally. That matters, too. My children need to care more about helping other people and sharing about Jesus than any other ideal I had for them.

How quickly we can get sucked in to life’s pressures and forget what really matters. When we don’t ask what really matters, it is easy to become discouraged as we strive to do all the things and keep up with all the demands. This isn’t God’s plan. He doesn’t want us to grow weary of doing good. But we need to ask what good things God wants us to be doing in the first place. Focus on what really matters and invest our time in those areas.

Focus on What Really Matters

There is nothing wrong with encouraging our children to do their best. We all need to give our best effort. But navigate others to ask God for His help in all He calls them to do, and set the example. Think of all the good surrounding us. It’s so easy to take our blessings for granted.

To the mama who is struggling with changing schedules and the demands of teachers, relax. For the one who is trying to figure out how to solve that math problem in an untraditional way, it is going to be okay. If you find a toy in the middle of the bowl of jello or have baby powder all over the floor, take a picture. I promise you will laugh later. If you feel ready to cry because you’re so tired and the day isn’t even over, take a moment and ask God to help you. He is always listening.

Make Investments in What Matters

These problems will pass. Don’t be discouraged. We won’t always make perfect decisions, but we can give our best effort to make great investments in our family. Take a break and do something fun. Go outside and pick flowers. Throw a ball and lay in the grass. Blow on dandelions and watch the wind carry the white wispy seeds away in the cool autumn breeze. Hug your babies and tell them you love them. Tell them about Jesus and how much He loves them, too. Teach them kindness by example. Focus on what matters.

Babies grow so quickly. Blink and they are entering elementary school. Blink again and they are graduating high school. Your children won’t remember how hard tonight’s homework is or even what their classmate said that hurt their feelings. They will always remember that you took the time to be patient and encourage them, and that you pointed them to Jesus. They will remember the things that really matter.

Don’t throw in the towel. You are going to make it. The season of reaping what you are sowing is coming, and God will give you everything you need to succeed in the meantime. You are His child, after all. He wants the best for you, too.

He wants you to create sweet, memorable moments to look back on and enjoy for years to come. You have wonderful memories to create. Why not start now? Ask yourself, “Does it really matter?” Then focus on what is most important.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I am so thankful I am Your daughter. I know You see me and love me, despite my imperfections and mistakes. Forgive me for every sin I have knowingly or unknowingly committed, and I forgive and release everyone from any wrong they have done to me.

I thank You for the gifts of family and friends. Help me, Father, to focus on what You call me to do – that is what is most important. Help me not to make mountains out of mole hills and to be patient with those I love. Lead me to be a good wife, daughter, mother, and friend. Help me to point others to You.

Thank You for the beautiful memories I have already created and thank You for all the ones in my future! I love You, Father. Thank you for always loving me.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Free Gift: Focus On What Matters 5×7

Download the free “Focus On What Matters” printable as a free gift. 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.)

Do you have a love of fabrics?

Check out the guest post I wrote for Inspired Quilting by Lea Louise. It is tells of some memories from childhood and of a special wedding gift.

Free Gift: Believing for a Miracle

Click here to read the first chapter of Holly’s book, “Believing for a Miracle.” Her books and notebooks are available on Amazon.

The post Does It Really Matter? appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground – in the land He swore to your ancestors to give you. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

I have a confession to make. I’m in a particularly busy season. I finish projects and take on new ones that excite me. I look forward to digging in and start cranking out whatever the project calls from me. Sometimes, I get so focused on what I plan to accomplish that I often skip meals and breaks unless someone reminds me of the time or tells me to stop. Even then, it is hard for me to put away the process.

Yesterday was one of those days. Focused on accomplishing much, I didn’t stop until I realized I had completely exhausted my capacity to type one more thing. I took a break to watch a few minutes of television with my husband, then went to bed. As I lay there, I thought about the next steps in my project and what I needed to do to complete it.

Swamped Season

This morning, the Lord woke me with a thought. I get so busy, and so focused that there are other things I neglect doing. Before I start working, I take the time to get in the Word. I even usually fix coffee first. If I didn’t, those two things might be neglected or forgotten entirely. But the Lord was bringing to my mind something specific. He reminded me that I’ve been so busy that I’ve not yet changed the account numbers on one of my businesses.

We changed bank accounts not too long ago – okay, maybe it’s been a few months. Keith set up all that he needed to do on his end, but we wanted to have funds from one of my businesses to go into a different account. I’ve not yet completed that task. It isn’t hard to do. It really doesn’t take that long. And I have money sitting there doing me absolutely no good because I’ve not done what I needed to do. You see, it isn’t in savings – making a percentage while not being used. It really is just sitting. Serving no purpose whatsoever. Dormant. Unused. Untapped.

From Sterile to Successful

As the Lord spoke to me about this simple fact, He stirred another thought in my spirit. What else lies untapped in my life? You see, He filled His Word with promises. But, we need to reach out and take hold of them – they are ours for the taking, to believe and work until we see them realized. God wants us to shift our season from sterile to successful.

Do you believe in God’s ability to fulfill the promises He made in His Word, or are you just too busy in this season of your life to tap into those dormant promises? The Word works, but it is powerless until you wield it. You must work the Word for the Word to work on your behalf.

Define Your Desire

Need healing? Find Scripture that promises healing and confess them over yourself. Take His Word like a medicine along with the wisdom He gave you and your physicians to administer healing to your body. Keep repeating all doses, until you have the healing for which you believed. There’s never a worry of overdosing on God’s Word.

Do you need a financial breakthrough? God’s Word contains promises for that. Are there relationships in your life that need mending? God’s Word has answers for that, too! Do you need wisdom? Yep, you guessed it. Look in the Word! I’ve yet to experience a problem that isn’t addressed in God’s Word. First, I need to define my desire and believe that God’s Word works. Then, I need to do something with it in order to see God’s promises and purposes come to pass in me.

What is it that you need? God loves you. He doesn’t want you to just live, to endure, to barely scrape by. He wants you to thrive. Declare defeat over the dry seasons and dormancy of your dreams. God’s Word breaks the drought and delivers the downpour. Provision has been made; this is the season to tap into the promises.

[tweetshare tweet=”Declare defeat over the dry seasons and dormancy of your dreams. God’s Word breaks the drought and delivers the downpour.” username=”HollyDMurray”]

To read more on the steadfastness of God’s promises, click here!

Photo Credit to https://fshoq.com

The post Untapped Promise appeared first on Holly D. Murray.

“The Lord answered me: ‘Write down what I show you. Write it clearly on stone tablets so whoever reads it can run to tell others. It is not yet time for the message to come true. But that time is coming soon. The message will come true. It may seem like a long time before it happens. But be patient and wait for it. These things will happen. They will not be delayed.’”
(Habakkuk 2:2-3, ICB)

Pom-Poms

I have some friends in my life who have costumes for seemingly every occasion. These people are so much fun to know! But today, I feel like I need to raid their closets to see if they have any pom-poms. I bet they do! If I could do that, I would be waving them in the air squealing excitedly. I would tell you to keep pressing in. Keep pushing forward and focus on your dreams! Keep dreaming! You’re not too old and you’re not too young! You can do it – don’t give up! I believe in you!!!”

To begin, I think everyone at some point in their lifetime needs their own personal cheerleader. We all have had hopes and dreams.  We’ve had ideas of things we would like to accomplish.  But often, we let the demands of life and fear of our personal inadequacies come between the dream and the reality of seeing it accomplished. Sometimes we need someone who will encourage us to keep going toward those ideals for which we are hoping.

Chasing Your Dreams

This week, my husband was sharing about this very topic at church. He was telling about a God-given dream he had mentioned from the platform several months earlier.  He told about how our pastors had encouraged him to pursue his dream. The first words he used to describe what they did was “pushed him” and then he corrected it to “provoked.”  They had “provoked” him to pursue his dream.

Provoke One Another

The word provoked often has negative connotations associated with it. According to dictionary.com, it can mean, “to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex” (Provoke, n.d.). I have two children, I was a teacher, and I have 3 brothers of my own.  As a result, I completely understand this definition, and it is the first one that comes to mind when I think of the word provoke. But the next three definitions of provoke are my favorites.  And these are the ones to which my husband was referring. Provoke (n.d) means “to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity). To incite or stimulate (a person, animal, etc.) to action. To give rise to, induce, or bring about.”

For certain, our pastors had used their words and behaviors to stir him up to keep pursuing his dream until the dream came about. They didn’t just leave it to him to do on his own.  They kept asking him about it. Our pastors told him that they were excited about it, and that they knew it would be amazing. They believed that he could do it.  They believed in him and his dream.

Elijah

My husband then shared a story about the prophet Elijah. This story is found in the Bible, in the book of 1 Kings. There was a drought in the land, and the Lord told Elijah to go to a specific brook near the Jordan River. God told him to drink from the brook, and that He had commanded the ravens to bring food for Elijah to eat. Elijah obeyed the voice of God. He drank from the brook.  The ravens also brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening.

The brook eventually dried up, however, because there had been no rain in the land. The Lord then told Elijah to go to the village of Zarephath, where he would be fed by a widow. Elijah went to the town, saw a widow gathering sticks, and asked her for a cup of water and a bite of bread. The widow told Elijah that she didn’t have any bread.  She only had a handful of flour and a little oil. She was getting ready to fix that last bit for herself and her son.  After that they would die, since there was nothing else for them to eat.

Do Not Be Afraid

Elijah instructed her not to be afraid.  He told her to make a little bread for him first, then to prepare a meal for herself and her son. Elijah stated that God had said there would always be flour and oil in her containers until it began to rain again and the crops grew. The widow followed Elijah’s instructions. 1 Kings 17:16 reads, “There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah” (NLT).

This part of Elijah’s story is spectacular. But Keith pointed out Sunday that if the brook hadn’t dried up, the widow woman and her son wouldn’t have had enough to eat.  They would likely have starved to death during the drought.  Elijah’s obedience to God’s command brought provision and life to someone else.

Your Dreams Impact Others

This struck me hard Sunday! I don’t know that I had ever thought of it quite that way before, and I made it personal. My obedience to God’s direction could lead to someone else’s breakthrough! God gives us dreams for a reason. They can be a blessing for us, but they can also bring blessing to others.

After church Sunday, there was a precious lady who approached my husband. She wanted to speak with both of us, and I joined their conversation as quickly as I could. The woman told us that she’d had dreams and abilities that had gone dormant in her life.  She reported that as my husband had been talking from the platform about not giving up on your dreams, her own personal cheerleader kept elbowing her. She felt that the Lord was resurrecting those dreams within her. We had the opportunity to encourage her and pray with her before she left and I am now looking forward to hearing reports from her about the progress she is making toward her goals.

Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams

A couple of days later, I saw a post on Facebook from another person telling about how he’d had a dream.  He wrote that he’d been told by a family member that he had believed in his dream all his life, but that maybe he’d missed it. After all this time, it was just time to move on. I found this announcement of defeat heartbreaking. I don’t know what all happened in his life to distract him from pursing his dream.  Legitimately good, noble, or even responsible activities may have caused the delay, but to have your dreams squelched by someone else is regrettable.

Proverbs 13:12 reads, “unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around” (MSG). Sometimes having a cheerleader in your corner provoking you to keep going after hearing what you know God has told you to do is just the break needed to awaken dormant dreams. Once you’ve got that jump start, write that dream down somewhere so that you will see it often and the dream stays alive.

Stand on the Word

You can also find Scripture that you can stand on as a source of encouragement. I saw a video of a friend’s daughter quoting Philippians 4:13. She is two years old, and her mom said that when her children tell her they can’t do something, she has them say their verse. What a terrific thing to train oneself to do! Anytime something negative comes into your mind telling you that you can’t do what God says you can do, quote Philippians 4:13, just as that sweet little girl is learning to do. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV).

There is a multitude of other great Scripture to encourage yourself in the pursuit of your dreams. One is found in 2 Chronicles 15:7. It reads, “But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward” (HCSB). Another favorite is found in the book of Psalms. “May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. Might we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers” (Psalm 20:4-5, NLT).

Get a Cheerleader

Tell your dreams to someone you trust – someone who will encourage you and hold you accountable toward the pursuit of those dreams. Remember what the Lord has laid on your heart to do, and go after it! God gives us gifts and talents for a purpose, and Proverbs 18:16 tells us that those gifts open doors for us.

Finally, keep in mind that as long as you are living on earth, God has a plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 is my most favorite verse, and reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (NLT). Your dreams can make a tremendous impact on your own life.  Likewise, they can be the key to opening doors of breakthrough for someone else. God gives us dreams for a reason, and He wants only what is good for us. Keep pursuing your dreams. You can do it – don’t give up! I’m cheering for you!

For more encouraging words on expecting miraculous things, read the author’s article, Expectation.

References:

Provoke. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2017, from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/provoked

Photo Credit: (Step Out Into Your Dream) – A. Ray

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