Devotions — Kristine Brown, Author

I couldn’t stop the tears even though I was exhausted from crying. I made my way to the front of the church for prayer, again. I had given my struggle over to God last week during Sunday morning service, and the week before that, and the week before that. But I couldn’t seem to rest in knowing He had it all under control. I still dragged around a weight of responsibility that grew heavier each day.

This became a familiar pattern in my life. I read verses. I prayed. I told God I trusted Him with my circumstances. Yet time and time again I found myself agonizing over the same problems. I lived each day feeling more tired than the day before. My joy had been zapped by worry, weariness, and defeat.

I longed for change and wanted to enjoy my dependence on God’s grace in my life. But how? How could I truly cast my cares on Him and embrace the victory He gave?

It’s easy to get so used to life’s struggles that we forget to “rejoice in our confident hope.” (Romans 12:12) But the apostle Paul reminds us of God’s sustaining presence in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

When we understand the freedom that comes with fully depending on God, we will also rediscover the enjoyable life He intends for us to have. It’s here and available to us, if we are willing to receive it.

Accepting the Peace that Comes Through Your Dependence on God.

I recall the overwhelming feeling of worry that accompanied me to church that day. When my pastor noticed tears forming behind my glasses, he made his way over to my seat. I have no doubt God directed him as he administered a dose of tough love that the Lord knew I needed.

“This is not about them. This is about you.” His hand stretched toward my family, then pointed back to me. God’s message pierced my heart. I realized worry over our current circumstances had consumed my thoughts. I needed to reconfirm my dependence on God for the wellbeing of my family and accept peace once again.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27)

In the most uncertain time of the disciples’ lives, Jesus gave them a gift with eternal value. The gift of His peace. Though they didn’t understand what was about to happen to Jesus, they accepted His words and agreed to trust His will.

Jesus’ gift is still available to us, but we need to release whatever we are holding onto today and open our arms to receive it.

If we don’t welcome His peace, we risk allowing fear, worry, and frustration into our lives. Jesus’ peace is more powerful than all of these combined. Let’s thank him for this incredible gift and enjoy peace as we trust our families and futures to him.

I’ve created a special resource just for you— my community here in this online home. It came out of a difficult time, one where I realized how deeply I needed a right-now promise from God for my current season. It’s called 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart.

Each of these 100 promises came into my life by God’s amazing grace. Trust me when I say, an internet search was not involved in putting together this list. Only tears, prayers, and a changed heart. I believe it will change yours, too. Join the community if you haven’t already, and grab your free digital download of this amazing list.

This post is a portion of Kristine’s article, “How to Enjoy Your Dependence on God,” originally published on iBelieve.com.

A Woman Who Experienced a Miracle from God

“The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-2).

God had big plans for Sarah and her husband Abraham. Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars he saw in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Yet Sarah didn’t trust the truth of that promise because of her age. She decided to intervene and give God a little help. So she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham and instructed him to have children through her. In time, Hagar gave birth to Abraham’s first born son, Ishmael.

Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands? Maybe you questioned whether you heard God right. So many times we doubt God’s ability to follow through on a promise, when all we need to do is trust.

So why is trusting God so hard? Why does our faith fizzle out in the waiting?

If you are waiting on an answer from God right now, find encouragement in Sarah’s story. Because even in her doubt – even though she laughed when the angel told Abraham she would have a child – God still performed a miracle. Sarah experienced the miracle birth of her son Isaac.

Maybe the miracle you’re trusting God to provide seems impossible. Do not lose hope, my friend. We often imagine the answer to prayer the way we want it, but God has even better plans. He doesn’t always answer the way we expect, but He is always faithful.

Let’s keep praying for our miracles today, trusting God to work in our lives according to His timing, His plan, and His will.

We can start with this prayer together:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I need a miracle in my situation.

I’ve been praying and praying, but I don’t see anything happening. I know you are working, Lord. Even when I can’t see it or feel it. You are always moving on my behalf. You have a plan, and I choose to trust in you.

Thank you for the inspiration you give in the Bible to help me have faith when I start to doubt. Even when we doubt, your plan still prevails. Thank you for all the times in my life when you’ve been faithful. Sometimes you answer prayer the way I want, and other times the answer comes in a different way than I expected. But you are always with me— guiding, comforting, and working all things together for my good.

You are a miracle-worker, and I know you haven’t forgotten me. As I pray for my miracle, I will keep trusting you, whatever the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.