About the Author

Kristen Strong, author of Back Roads to Belonging and Girl Meets Change, writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with hope instead of worry. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children and live in Colorado...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Kristen,
    As always, your timing is impeccable. I NEEDED this this morning. I feel a little like that person trying to keep too many plates spinning in the air on the tops of thin rods. Being the type of person that I am, I’ve become adept at plate spinning and I can easily come unraveled if any of the plates start crashing to the floor. Needless to say, in this imperfect world, plates will fall…as as they do I have been feeling more and more unraveled. I climb into God’s word and I find comfort for the moment, but soon fear creeps back in. I think that my problem is that I’m “trying” instead of “trusting”. After reading God’s word…I then need to trust in it. The same God who parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites, will fight for me too if I will simply stand and let Him fight. Knowing my fearful heart, God gave me a “God wink” yesterday…an answer to one of the plates that had come crashing to the ground. Oh how He knows me and that I needed this reminder that if He’s got the little stuff…He certainly has the Big stuff. God’s got this and He reminds us through God winks like your sunrise. Now, like you said, we need to keep marching forward. Thank you sweet friend…
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Oh, your words about trying instead of trusting minister to me deeply. May we both remember that He certainly has the big stuff too! Much love to you, Bev. xoxo

  2. Those sunrises…I can’t quit them. Confession: I have so many pictures on my phone of sunrises. I have no idea which ones belong to which days, but–they never cease to humble and strengthen me, all at the same time. Every morning I watch the sunrise as I do my Bible reading, and every day the glory of that sunrise somehow catches me off-guard. As if I haven’t watched it rise day upon day, but each one always feels unique, and special, and — glorious. Shouting glory. Whispering hope. —– Love how you emphasize, in that Psalms verse, “take” courage. Interesting. I like that. —- Thanks for sharing this morning, Kristin. ((hug))

  3. Kristen,
    Thank-you for writing this amazing post it really got to me. I think I will keep those verses from the Red Sea road handy, as well as Psalm 31:24.
    These were my thoughts i wrote down yesterday: “Thank God, so much to look forward to….keep on, keeping on.” I try to keep in mind that despite twists, and turns along the way, there is hope each new day.

    Have a blessed day all,

    Penny

  4. Woah! You really spoke to me this morning. My life has been recently turned upside down, and I am desperately struggling to find answers. I have so many questions! This devotional really inspired me this morning. I think “Take Courage” will be my new mantra in moments of high anxiety. God Bless You!

    • Elizabeth, I’m so sorry for all you’re going through right now. I’m praying right now for the Lord to give you a message of courage that speaks into the heart of your circumstances. Much love.

  5. Wow. Thank you for this. I’ve prayed for God to open my eyes up to the hope He has given me. He always come through and gives me little bits here and there, and today He’s done it again through you. This is great!

  6. “Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Thank you for writing this amazing post , that is what I needed for today.

  7. Oh friend. This is so good for my heart today. I am folding myself into the Gospel.

    “It doesn’t say have courage, it says take courage. Keep on keeping company with Christ and ask Him to take your fears and to embolden your courage.” Amen!!

  8. Really needed this Kristen! Have always struggled with fear and anxiety. Thank you for your peaceful/ love filled words. Blessings and love ❤❤

  9. And I so love this bit “You’ve made it to the edge of the shore, where the waters will part”. Thank you so much for this!

  10. 1 John 4:8: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I struggle remembering this, but with God, we are loved!

  11. Dearest Miss Kristen,

    Thank you so much for this post and for sharing the words God so clearly put on your heart. I definitely know how it feels to be brought out of one situation and feel like you are hitting wall after wall… after wall. Working job after job day after day. Praying to God to save you and guide you towards His plan for your life. Now, God has blessed me with friends, family, job and a life I had only ever prayed for. While we all go through hard, quiet, uneventful times I full heartedly know that God always has something right around the corner for us. We need to enjoy the quiet seasons and seasons of rest. Continuing to look for the little things (like a gorgeous sunrise) and intentionally seek Him and his help in our daily battles.

    This side of Heaven,
    Summer Rae

    Thank you again for sharing!! I love this!

  12. Wonderful insights, Kristen: “[Scripture] doesn’t say have courage, it says take courage,” and “Bravery is not the absence of fear but following God through the fear as you believe God’s promises.” Thank you for the strong encouragement!

  13. Dear Kristen
    I cried through the whole post! I haven’t read encourage for months! But today I read yours. I get to the point of being so weary and tired of “existing” rather than living. The last 5 years I went into a major relapse of a chronic disease filled with unrelenting fatigue, brain fog, coupled with severe back pain. There is no cure or treatment. I live a a roller coaster ride never knowing from day to day , if I will be able to get out of bed, and when I do, what i will be able to do hour to hour. In the beginning I had high hopes of recovery. Now I fear and experience a slow tortuous existence filled with much loneliness due to isolation. I am a senior and I live alone. 2016 was the worst year thus far and I basically shut down and shut God out as I felt he had abandoned me. I know what scripture says, but I wandered into the deserted wilderness. I couldn’t muster myself to draw near to God, but knowing it was a season and eventually it would pass. This last month, a stirring in my heart has begun and I am making baby steps back. I was very vulnerable and in a bluesy mood today, and this am’s devo and now tonight, yours has pierced my heart and I find myself just crying, pouring out my anguish and unknowns for tomorrow. I know God is telling me he hasn’t forgotten me. thank you, Candace