Crystal Stine
About the Author

Crystal is passionate about cultivating a community where faith, fitness, and friendship come together. Author of “Creative Basics: 30 Days to Awesome Social Media Art,” Crystal is a writer, speaker, host of the Write 31 Days challenge, and coach who shares encouragement at her blog, crystalstine.me. Connect with her on...

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Thank you. As I just shuffled from the bathroom back to my bed at 3am in pain physically (just had surgery Friday) and also disappointed in things and people including myself, this encouraged me. I’m definitely in a place where the only option I have is to trust God. To trust that God will take care of this self-sufficient, “I got this” 28 year old. God IS sovereign and is faithful. Faithful to heal and faithful to restore. Most of all faithful to do just what He said. Thank you!

    Jessica

  2. Thank you. As I just shuffled from the bathroom back to my bed at 3am in pain physically (just had surgery Friday) and also disappointed in things and people including myself, this encouraged me. I’m definitely in a place where the only option I have is to trust God. To trust that God will take care of this self-sufficient, “I got this” 28 year old. God IS sovereign and is faithful. Faithful to heal and faithful to restore. Most of all faithful to do just what He said. Thank you!

    Jessica

  3. Ah sweet Jessica – as I stumble back into bed here around 4:30 am, after a restless nights sleep with too much on my mind, I’m so glad God nudged me to check my email. Praying for you in these dark early hours, friend, for healing and restoration and peace. Grateful for a God with arms big enough to catch us all as we lean in today. {{hugs}}

  4. Crystal,
    I so needed this reminder this morning. I wait and I pray for my son’s heart to be softened to his Savior’s knocking. It seems like forever that I have prayed this prayer and yes, in this world of instant gratification, I wonder when is “my” turn coming?? Thank you for the encouragement that God is working in the waiting and I have to trust that I need this time. I suppose that we need to learn to wait patiently…that way when God says, “now”, it will be that much sweeter.
    Blessings to you,
    Bev xx

  5. Crystal,
    I so needed this reminder this morning. I wait and I pray for my son’s heart to be softened to his Savior’s knocking. It seems like forever that I have prayed this prayer and yes, in this world of instant gratification, I wonder when is “my” turn coming?? Thank you for the encouragement that God is working in the waiting and I have to trust that I need this time. I suppose that we need to learn to wait patiently…that way when God says, “now”, it will be that much sweeter.
    Blessings to you,
    Bev xx

  6. I heard a quote recently, “when someone gets recognized publicly it is for what they have done privately for years.”

    Slaying the giant is often the first step. When I recently reached a transition point in my career I looked back. It was countless late nights, mentorship from dozens of managers and friends, late night conversations with my father at the kitchen table that made it all possible. 10 years of cumulative skill building.

    Now I embark upon something new. I feel excitement and fear for the next 10 years of learning 😉

  7. I heard a quote recently, “when someone gets recognized publicly it is for what they have done privately for years.”

    Slaying the giant is often the first step. When I recently reached a transition point in my career I looked back. It was countless late nights, mentorship from dozens of managers and friends, late night conversations with my father at the kitchen table that made it all possible. 10 years of cumulative skill building.

    Now I embark upon something new. I feel excitement and fear for the next 10 years of learning 😉

  8. Terrific insight. I can relate to wanting to achieve things quicker. I’m learning to really relax into this writer calling. A big key for me to see this journey as an adventure and not a time of waiting or paying dues is what you talked about–trust. My, how much more fun life is when we trust God!

    I love what you say about inviting “women of valor” into our lives. I hate asking for help, but the Lord has really used you to help me see how important community is. I’m learning that it’s ok to ask for help. Thanks Crystal.

    • I’m definitely an “I can do it on my own” kind of gal. Group projects in school were always the worst 😉 But God keeps reminding me through scripture that while I can…I shouldn’t. A cord of three strands is not easily broken, right? How much stronger could we be and how much more we could do for the kingdom if we invited others to use their gifts alongside ours?

  9. Terrific insight. I can relate to wanting to achieve things quicker. I’m learning to really relax into this writer calling. A big key for me to see this journey as an adventure and not a time of waiting or paying dues is what you talked about–trust. My, how much more fun life is when we trust God!

    I love what you say about inviting “women of valor” into our lives. I hate asking for help, but the Lord has really used you to help me see how important community is. I’m learning that it’s ok to ask for help. Thanks Crystal.

    • I’m definitely an “I can do it on my own” kind of gal. Group projects in school were always the worst 😉 But God keeps reminding me through scripture that while I can…I shouldn’t. A cord of three strands is not easily broken, right? How much stronger could we be and how much more we could do for the kingdom if we invited others to use their gifts alongside ours?

  10. Thank you for this beautiful post!
    I feel I can be so impatient with wanting the success now! It is hard not to long for the glory days instead of making the current days glorious! Thank you for the reminder that we are being prepared for the future and that His timing is the best timing!

    • Oh I love that so much..stop longing for the glory days instead of making the current day glorious. – yes! I’m writing that down as a reminder and keeping it near my computer 🙂

  11. Thank you for this beautiful post!
    I feel I can be so impatient with wanting the success now! It is hard not to long for the glory days instead of making the current days glorious! Thank you for the reminder that we are being prepared for the future and that His timing is the best timing!

    • Oh I love that so much..stop longing for the glory days instead of making the current day glorious. – yes! I’m writing that down as a reminder and keeping it near my computer 🙂

  12. Thank you for those well written words! I sit in a house with boxes all around me. Packing to move to another state, closer to family to start a business where women coming out of prison could work. Big steps! Sell this house, buy another and move. Looking at some giants. To walk into what God created me to do gives me joy, want to be brave and follow all the way through.

    • Kathy, I’m going to be praying for you today, and for this beautiful ministry. May the giants fall, your courage be sustained, and the vision for God’s plan be revealed in His perfect timing. Thank you for what you’re doing to bring hope and joy into the lives of those women!

    • Kathy, I’m going to be praying for you today, and for this beautiful ministry. May the giants fall, your courage be sustained, and the vision for God’s plan be revealed in His perfect timing. Thank you for what you’re doing to bring hope and joy into the lives of those women!

    • Kathy,

      Prayers for the move to go smoothly and your house to sell quickly! Also prayers for the new ministry to grow quickly! May you be encouraged and sustained by God through this process.

    • Kathy,

      Prayers for the move to go smoothly and your house to sell quickly! Also prayers for the new ministry to grow quickly! May you be encouraged and sustained by God through this process.

  13. Well, my goodness…such a great blessing to read your post this morning! Just exactly what I needed! Thank you for being the “voice” God used to minister to me today. 🙂

  14. I love when God uses the words of another to articulate what I’m experiencing in my heart, thoughts, and life. Thank you for being used by Him. I totally RELATE to where you are and the sentiments you expressed, and He used you to encourage me mightily today. Hugs and blessings to you!

    • I hope I never stop being in awe of the way God uses His words through me to tell a story that means so much to someone else. So grateful you were encouraged – and sending that hug & blessing right back to you 🙂

    • I hope I never stop being in awe of the way God uses His words through me to tell a story that means so much to someone else. So grateful you were encouraged – and sending that hug & blessing right back to you 🙂

  15. Please receive from my heart to yours a humble, appreciative and sincere thank you!! God has lifted me up through your words, giving me strength to face today.

    • And receive from mine a big warm hug and more gratitude than you could know for letting me know I’m not alone today. Praying for you today – God has gone before you, sister, and He’s never surprised by what comes our way.

    • And receive from mine a big warm hug and more gratitude than you could know for letting me know I’m not alone today. Praying for you today – God has gone before you, sister, and He’s never surprised by what comes our way.

  16. Thank you doesn’t begin to express my feelings at reading this post. The giants in my life have been slayed and now I’m TRYING to wait, listen and be patient. Your post touches something deep in me that gives me peace and strength in this waiting period. Thank you for writing it.

    • Oh Tina, thank you so much for sharing with me – your story gives ME the strength to settle into the waiting (and once again lay my agenda and timeline at the foot of the cross).

    • Oh Tina, thank you so much for sharing with me – your story gives ME the strength to settle into the waiting (and once again lay my agenda and timeline at the foot of the cross).

  17. Thank you so much for the reminder that part of trusting God is also trusting in His timing. Like you I have slayed a few giants lately and the waiting for the promises to be fulfilled is so hard. I pray for you and all the commenter as we wait.

  18. Yes…beautiful, Crystal! Waiting is hard. But our waiting is God’s way. That’s where we learn to become more like Him. Oh, it’s so hard sometimes…okay, all the time! That instant gratification thing is truly a product of this world. If only I can learn to embrace the waiting as a precious gift! Thanks so much for sharing your heart. I’ve been right there, too. Praying God continues to bless your inspiring writing as you grow closer to Him.

  19. I would ask “how, oh how, did you know I needed this very message today?” But I already know how – and so do you. Thank you so much, Crystal, for listening to His call when writing this post. You are helping more than you know. I slayed the giant…and recently couldn’t figure out if I did something else wrong on the path…why isn’t my new faith app blowing up the internet?!? And here you said it beautifully. I need to wait for HIS timing, not mine. Thank you, thank you for this Word.

  20. Crystal thank you for sharing your hear with me. I really needed these words of encouragement since I started loosing hope recently. I’ve been a christian for 12 years and found myself not having a real intimate relationship with Jesus and heart hardening and not being able to find anything to thank Him for. I am 33 and lost both parents when I was 18 and had a brain tumor operated at the age of 30 which left me with one side of the face parallised, I lost my job due to this illness. And struggeled with depression. But I came across this blog and signed up for daily emails and how God makes a difference through all of you ladies out there. I cannot express my gratitude in writing. I will just say Jesus uses you powerfully. I started to believe again I have so much to give because I have His power and love. May He lead you in your ministry to those in need of encouragement and He is always there for all of us, I thank Jesus for you and the gift you are serving Him with:)

    • Maya, you have no idea how you’ve blessed me today. Thank you for sharing your heart and your story with me today. Be encouraged, sister. God knows right where you are. He knows every need, hears every prayer, even the ones that never form words or leave our hearts. God created you to do something beautiful for the kingdom and I’m honored to wait expectantly with you to see what He reveals 🙂

    • Maya, you have no idea how you’ve blessed me today. Thank you for sharing your heart and your story with me today. Be encouraged, sister. God knows right where you are. He knows every need, hears every prayer, even the ones that never form words or leave our hearts. God created you to do something beautiful for the kingdom and I’m honored to wait expectantly with you to see what He reveals 🙂

    • Maya,

      You encouraged me to keep on going. I am saddened that you lost your parents so early on, but grateful that you were able to keep believing. May God shower you with blessings, love, grace and mercy. I pray you sense Him giving you a huge hug!! You are an inspiration to all women out there!

      ((hugs))))

      Blessings 🙂

    • Maya,

      You encouraged me to keep on going. I am saddened that you lost your parents so early on, but grateful that you were able to keep believing. May God shower you with blessings, love, grace and mercy. I pray you sense Him giving you a huge hug!! You are an inspiration to all women out there!

      ((hugs))))

      Blessings 🙂

  21. I am realizing I have never arrived and never will arrive. There are always giants to slay depending where I am in my life. It is not always of my own choosing, or expected. I have said “yes” to some things such as adopting many years ago, and now adopting again, have a husband struggling with health issues, Work issues, and issues with my two little boys, and a prodigal. Even though I said yes and did not choose what is happening now, it happens to be part of the package deal.

    I have many giants to slay in the process, I know all of this will be used for good, for me, other people who will most likely never be out in “public” nor I in public, and I know because Jesus is sovereign, He knows the path. The path is extremely hard many days, and I get overwhelmed, and struggle, and feel inadequate. I know it is not me, it is for me the better questions “Am I listening to Jesus and doing what He is asking me to do? Am I keeping on even though many days I would really want to walk away? Do I believe His promises more than what I see?”

    Thank you for the post reminding it is all of the things done in the dark for many years. The Lord told me my prodigal daughter will be many years in coming to Him, we have been dealing with her issues for 22 years now not knowing the root of what they were, and we have boys we are just finding out what their issues are and will be a long process. So, it appears we need to hang on and learn to thrive for the long haul, Jesus is not in a hurry….we/I are.

    Thank you Crystal

  22. I am realizing I have never arrived and never will arrive. There are always giants to slay depending where I am in my life. It is not always of my own choosing, or expected. I have said “yes” to some things such as adopting many years ago, and now adopting again, have a husband struggling with health issues, Work issues, and issues with my two little boys, and a prodigal. Even though I said yes and did not choose what is happening now, it happens to be part of the package deal.

    I have many giants to slay in the process, I know all of this will be used for good, for me, other people who will most likely never be out in “public” nor I in public, and I know because Jesus is sovereign, He knows the path. The path is extremely hard many days, and I get overwhelmed, and struggle, and feel inadequate. I know it is not me, it is for me the better questions “Am I listening to Jesus and doing what He is asking me to do? Am I keeping on even though many days I would really want to walk away? Do I believe His promises more than what I see?”

    Thank you for the post reminding it is all of the things done in the dark for many years. The Lord told me my prodigal daughter will be many years in coming to Him, we have been dealing with her issues for 22 years now not knowing the root of what they were, and we have boys we are just finding out what their issues are and will be a long process. So, it appears we need to hang on and learn to thrive for the long haul, Jesus is not in a hurry….we/I are.

    Thank you Crystal

  23. Crystal,
    I’d forgotten this piece of David’s story, after what I’m sure was one of the biggest adventures of his life . . . and then he had to wait. Seasons of refining and trust are so hard to be patient through. Sometimes I feel as if everyone has already arrived at their destinations, but I love to hear what God is doing in your life to make you ready for all he has for you. Thank you for this piece that inspires my faith and urges me to wait expectantly! 🙂 You always encourage me!

  24. Crystal,
    I’d forgotten this piece of David’s story, after what I’m sure was one of the biggest adventures of his life . . . and then he had to wait. Seasons of refining and trust are so hard to be patient through. Sometimes I feel as if everyone has already arrived at their destinations, but I love to hear what God is doing in your life to make you ready for all he has for you. Thank you for this piece that inspires my faith and urges me to wait expectantly! 🙂 You always encourage me!

  25. thank you for this! i never really thought about the time between david slaying goliath and becoming king. i knew it wasn’t immediate but i didn’t know it was ten years! waiting is so hard! it stretches you and makes you learn to rely on God all the more. and looking back on seasons of waiting in my life, i wouldn’t give up the waiting. it was hard but i grew in those times and am thankful for that. i’m waiting right now on something and i’ll keep trusting God to bring it about because He’s faithful 🙂

  26. this is TRUTH. thank you for sharing it. Its only when all my “props” are taken away when every distraction is gone do I see that “waiting” is the only way and I “need to wait” I hate to wait but its the only way. Amen. thats for being with me in the wait

  27. Crystal…Thank you. Thank you for these words I so desperately need to hear. I can relate so very much to your struggle. I want to be fully prepared for this next season of life. I need to wait fully on my Jesus with a teachable spirit.

  28. Good word Crystal! A good reminder for us all. Love this verse too…another good reminder! 🙂

  29. Wonderful , to hare your words of wisdom Crystal. I hope God for fills your journey God Bless
    Jenny

  30. Wonderful , to hare your words of wisdom Crystal. I hope God for fills your journey God Bless
    Jenny

  31. Wonderful to hear the admonition to “wait upon the Lord,” to encourage my heart today. My prayer for my family has been ongoing for many years. I read in Isaiah about a verse that soothes my heart, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strenght. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint.”

    I need the time to be renewed in my spirit to wait on God’s perfect timing to impact the lives of my family who need the Lord.

  32. Wonderful to hear the admonition to “wait upon the Lord,” to encourage my heart today. My prayer for my family has been ongoing for many years. I read in Isaiah about a verse that soothes my heart, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strenght. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint.”

    I need the time to be renewed in my spirit to wait on God’s perfect timing to impact the lives of my family who need the Lord.

  33. Thank you Crystal for this encouraging post. I believe God knows when my heart needs His strength to press on as I wait patiently on Him. Thank You Father! It is so true…waiting is hard. But I get to trust God and wait on Him. It is with great expectation I look forward to when God says, “Now” Father I thank you in Jesus Name for all that You are doing in the midst of each our waiting.
    What a great and awesome God we serve.
    Love and blessings!

  34. Thank you Crystal for this encouraging post. I believe God knows when my heart needs His strength to press on as I wait patiently on Him. Thank You Father! It is so true…waiting is hard. But I get to trust God and wait on Him. It is with great expectation I look forward to when God says, “Now” Father I thank you in Jesus Name for all that You are doing in the midst of each our waiting.
    What a great and awesome God we serve.
    Love and blessings!

  35. Thanks you so much , Crystal! What you wrote reminds me a beautiful song, easy to sing but not always easy to put in practice.
    May God fill each of us with His grace and mercy during the tough time of waiting

    In His time, in His time
    He makes all all things beautiful in His time
    Lord, please, show me every day
    As You’re teaching me Your way
    That You do just what You say
    In Your time

  36. Thanks you so much , Crystal! What you wrote reminds me a beautiful song, easy to sing but not always easy to put in practice.
    May God fill each of us with His grace and mercy during the tough time of waiting

    In His time, in His time
    He makes all all things beautiful in His time
    Lord, please, show me every day
    As You’re teaching me Your way
    That You do just what You say
    In Your time

  37. Crystle, I so loved reading this post today. You hit it right where I feel too lately. I’m in a time of waiting trusting God in this unknown. And this girl who loves to encourage and wants to be friends with the world wants to rally with and tell you I’m in your corner friend. Praying for you today’s God’s peace, wisdom and guidance. Blessings!

  38. Ten years, huh? For Joseph it was 13.
    Psalm 105:19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
    13 character building years. Together Crystal we will keep slaying those lions, bears and even Goliaths. And in His time, rule kingdoms. Blessings.

  39. Ten years, huh? For Joseph it was 13.
    Psalm 105:19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
    13 character building years. Together Crystal we will keep slaying those lions, bears and even Goliaths. And in His time, rule kingdoms. Blessings.

  40. I’ve written about this as well! It’s one if my favorite aspects of his story. As I wait and pray for God to move in some situations, I remember how far David seemed to be from where he was going and it reminds me to have hope…always!

  41. Crystal,

    I, too, am an instant gratification person. I want what I want now! Waiting is hard for me. I know that God’s timing is perfect.

    This year has been particularly rough for me dealing with my aging dad, medical issues, hubby’s job situation and my job situation. Just when one problem is solved another one pops its head. Through all this God has been faithful to assist me and give me some “women of valor” to pray for me. God has been wonderful and I have prayed more and more intentional than ever before. Also God has answered one big prayer for my hubby’s job. 🙂 Praise the Lord!!!

    I will wait patiently for God to answer my prayers for a better job for myself.

    Blessings ::)

  42. Crystal,

    I, too, am an instant gratification person. I want what I want now! Waiting is hard for me. I know that God’s timing is perfect.

    This year has been particularly rough for me dealing with my aging dad, medical issues, hubby’s job situation and my job situation. Just when one problem is solved another one pops its head. Through all this God has been faithful to assist me and give me some “women of valor” to pray for me. God has been wonderful and I have prayed more and more intentional than ever before. Also God has answered one big prayer for my hubby’s job. 🙂 Praise the Lord!!!

    I will wait patiently for God to answer my prayers for a better job for myself.

    Blessings ::)

  43. Thank you for this Crystal. Thank you for your example and honesty. I needed to hear this…waiting on some big things. Great challenge…to wait expectedly not impatiently. 🙂

  44. WOW! This is literally my story. I could have written the same words with the same references. Last week I cried out to The Lord saying “I’ve diligently been sowing seed in the secret place. Ministering to those in need without asking for anything in return. Writing messages, utilizing my gifts for your glory. When will it be my turn? When will I see my name on the binding? Where are all my Facebook likes?” Oh the Father is so gentle and patient and loving with me as he reminds me He sees what I do in secret and will reward me openly in His way and in His time.

  45. Girl, SO good.
    We all need this reminder.
    I’m forever expecting my children (even and especially the biggest one) to be in their faith where I am after over 30 years as a Christian! Oy.
    We all need more patience – with others and with ourselves.

  46. Girl, SO good.
    We all need this reminder.
    I’m forever expecting my children (even and especially the biggest one) to be in their faith where I am after over 30 years as a Christian! Oy.
    We all need more patience – with others and with ourselves.

  47. Wow! I am so relating with that 10 years…10 years of working abroad but still surviving until this very moment…but have i overlooked the blessings instead of wanting and keep on wanting more? Maybe yes..maybe i was looking so much ahead that I’ve forgotten the many blessings that was poured on me….thank you for reminding me that i am blessed and God is not yet finish on me..the best is yet to come! Keeping my faith! Blessings to you all!