About the Author

Jennifer is an artist living in rural Nebraska with her US Army veteran husband. She loves to create and seeks to reflect the beauty of Christ and encourage others in meaningful, beautiful ways. You can find her and see more of her art on Studio JRU.

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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Oh this is just what I need, Jennifer 🙂 I thank the Lord for using you and your words. I am on my 34th week already and being a soon-to-be first-time mom, I am excited, scared, confused, doubtful and trying my best to trust the Lord (although I must admit that it does not come easy especially with hormones and emotions raging). And then, minutes ago, I just got a call from the hubby of a car accident he figured. Praise God he is okay but the car suffered damages which translates to additional expenses. Was so down and disappointed and frustrated I thought I could give birth any moment. Good thing, God is gracious and He led me to this. Thank you very much. =)

      • Thank you so much, Jennifer. =) Your reply means a lot. Just prayed for you and the people in your life. Lord bless us!

    • Calvin Zusabel,
      Prayers for the soon to be little one! Prayers for a healthy child!! Thankful that hubby is ok. May God watch over you and keep you safe!
      Blessings 🙂

  2. Jennifer,
    I tried posting before, but it didn’t allow my comment?? It was positive – I promise….thank you for a wonderful reminder that the change needs to begin with me and from the inside out.
    Blessings,
    Bev

  3. Thank you for this- I completely resonate with how the “normal” stuff FEELS big until you really have some BIG stuff going on (and then you’re wishin’ for that old normal stuff to be the biggest thing in your life….) Been there, done that, felt that way pretty recently as we watched a child go through some deep, dark waters and tried to help them out on the other side. Nothing else mattered for weeks – months- except that child and their life. So far, so good, but it’s totally rocked our family’s world for a while. “Big” stuff can be emotional and lifestyle issues; unfortunately, these are less talked about and less visible than a diagnosis or a treatment. We found often people don’t know how to come alongside you as well when you’re not dealing with something concrete in the medical world. But we know that God understands, and we have felt His peace and have seen His miracles.

    • You make a wonderful point, Beth. That “big stuff” comes in all sort of ways. May we be open to helping others through all sorts of life events. Grateful He understands it all. Grateful to hear things are good so far in your family.

      • Thanks, Jennifer. And, that being said (what I said in my comment), please know that I am very sorry for all that you have gone through, which was indeed medical and huge and scary. What a load you’ve had to carry. May you feel His strength in these days.

    • Yes, the storms that are not as easy to talk about (broken relationships, wayward children, marriages, emotional issues) can be even more difficult. People can be wonderfully supportive when a medical issue is being dealt with. It is easier to find ways to help. With other things people don’t know what to say or to do. So they don’t say anything. It can be so isolating. I have had so many losses this year and I am overwhelmed with sadness but Knowing God is next to me is all I need. I’m Living moment by moment relying on him. Thank you for the encouraging verses.

      • Iam praying for your storm’s to pass MJ. it can feel very isolating to be going thru issues other than medical. the past 2 month’s I have felt sure I was losing my mind! I pray day by day for the peace I so badly need to be strong and get thru this storm. Please pray for me and my husband to weather the waves! God Bless and Keep You…

        • I completely understand, MJ and Sheri! It is indeed isolating, and sometimes a bit disappointing when you’ve shared your struggles with others, and of course they are compassionate and care, but after that initial conversation, no one ever calls to follow up or see how you are doing with the family/personal/non-medical issue. That’s when it gets lonely. I don’t fault the people at all, because I’ve done it myself over and over again to others, but I am much more sensitive now to continue to connect with people who have shared their emotional and situational and family struggles and not drop off the radar with them after they first tell me about it.

        • Sheri know that you are not alone. I am walking where you walk. I know what you feel. I will be praying for both you and Beth.

          • thank you MJ for your prayers! I pray that you will find GOD’s peace as you walk through the storm. something tell’s me that your storm will become smaller thru your reaching out and sending prayer’s and love to other’s. God Bless and keep you in his arm’s. as I was writing this, the poem “Foot Print’s In the Sand” came to my mind!! do u know it? I’am going to look it up right now and send it to you, Blessing’s and Love to you !

          • Thanks so much, MJ! And I will be praying for you and those of us here who are struggling with emotional pain,

        • (((((Sheri,
          I understand. I have been there also! May God bring you a sense of peace, contentment, and calm to your lives! I know how lonely one can feel when there is no one to talk to about the situation! Praying for you both!!
          (((((Hugs))))) Happy Mother’s day!!

          • Beth, thank you so much! I learned a very big lesson a church. Storm’s will always come and go but how we handle them is what will get us thru! God knows the ending to all of these storm’s so the the more we handle them with Christian Maturity the easier the storm will be, and the more peaceful it will be when we come out of it. hmmm, this really hit home for me, it made me ashamed of all the whining and self-pitying I have been putting myself thru! I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, something that has not been there for a very long time! I flipped on the tv and there was a pastor talking of the very same thing!!! wow, do you think God is trying to tell me something?? God Bless you,have a wonderful day,my sister in Christ !!

      • MJ,
        Praying the storms pass quickly! May God heal your broken heart and give you peace and contentment! I pray you feel God near you enough to hug you and bring calm to your life! Wish I was near you to give you a hug and a shoulder to cry on!
        (((((Hugs)))))!! Happy Mother’s Day!!

    • Beth,
      Prayers for your child. May God change their heart and bring them out of the trial. I pray for peace, contentment and normal to hit your family soon!
      Blessings and Happy Mother’s Day!

  4. Jennifer, I am sorry for the heavy season you are in right now. Your post is just beautiful. And spot on. My storms are small right now. When I’ve walked through some of the bigger ones, their waves have threatened to take me under. You are so right though—when my eyes are on the Lord, when my heart is seeking His, that’s when His peace comes in. It rarely takes the storm away, but He leads me through the storm, His presence comforting me.

    Saying a prayer for you today.

    • I love this – “It rarely takes the storm away, but He leads me through the storm, His presence comforting me.” I wish more folks – esp. Christians- realized this. It doesn’t mean we will have a storm-free life; it means we have a Savior in the midst of it who leads us.

  5. Timing of this is SPOT ON! It may not be a season of heartbreaking things, but it is definitely a season of being overwhelmed by so very much on my plate. I am definitely in a place of feeling tired and weary.

  6. Jennifer,
    I am so sorry for the heavy load you are carrying all at once.
    Prayers for you.

    Thank-you for your post, It is a comfort to be reminded, that yes despite the hard things we will be okay because God is by our side throughout the duration.

  7. Thank you so much for this today! I am so grateful to Jesus, my Rock; He has gotten me through so many horrible storms. I am working through some deep stuff right now and its so tough, but I know that He is there. I pray that each of you feels His loving presence today, that you are lifted up in faith on the stormy seas that threaten. May each of you know His tender touch this morning 🙂

  8. It’s so hard to remember His peace sometimes, let alone feel it. Reminders are always timely. Thank you for sharing your heart today Jen.

  9. Jennifer,

    I am fiercely clinging to this truth today “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” {Isaiah 41:10} Thank you so much for this timely word.

      • I wrote this verse down,,it really hit me between the eye’s. thank u Jennifer, I needed this so badly…more than you can ever know. sometimes when things are so out of control I wonder how I can possibly go on to another day! but I know that God will give me the strength to make it one day at a time. Iam wondering if anyone else ever feels this way ? Thank u , sweet sister, you are my answer for today..Blessing’s

        • I know many people feel that way, Sheri! There have been many times in my life that I prayed to God for the strength to just get through the day. One day at a time. And there He was, each and every day, getting me through. Praying for you today!

          • Thank you Jennifer, it is good to know you are not alone and that you have prayed and found He was there. so much love and encouragement..Blessing’s and prayer’s to you !!

  10. Beautifully said and so full of hope! Of course I’m sharing {and I really like the lighter/white cross – makes the blue look different!}

  11. Thank Jennifer for these beautiful truths and even more beautiful words of Scripture. Isaiah 41:10 and John 16:33 are so powerful and some of my favorite words to read and to hang onto when the going gets tough. I keep in mind He indeed is bigger, and that we are here on earth for a very short time, in light of eternity!
    God is always with us and His Holy Spirit is the Great Comforter!
    Blessings to you today as we pray for our nation and the world on this National Day of Prayer.

  12. This is the most perfect devotional I could have read this week. I missed it the other day, but saw it just now, after overhearing a conversation in the library that sent shivers down my spine. The people were discussing the political motivations in our country right now and how that all fits into the scheme of the tribulation and end times–admittedly, I’m nowhere near a scholar on the subject, and despite knowing where I am going to be after this life is over, the fear that I feel when I contemplate the scary events going on (and what might or might not be on the horizon) consumes me. Every day my mind is constantly aware of a sense of doom, which is discouraging and terrifying. It makes no sense given that I understand God is a God of light and hope, and I know this fear comes from the enemy himself. Finding peace for someone like me, a long time anxiety sufferer, has always been hard and the older I get, with more awareness of the nonsense going on in the world, it just gets worse. So I thank you for this devotional because what I am really needing right now is to know and believe that it really is going to be okay.

    • So happy you found it at the perfect time, MillennialMom! The world can be a downright scary place. There are so many things going on! Praying His peace overwhelms you. He is the God of light and truth and we can rest knowing that!

    • I can so relate to the doom and fear thoughts. I fight it everyday. I know God is in control but I’m in a constant struggle to have his peace.

  13. Jennifer,
    Prayers for your family! May God bring healing to your family member with cancer! Prayers that Chemo and all will go well!! Prayers also for you neighbor and friend. May his family feel God’s arms around them at this time! Prayers for peace and contentment in all situations!
    I was in a similar situation last year. We moved my aging dad into assisted living. He had multiple medical issues and was in ER 4 times. I never knew when phone would ring and it was stressful. That took a huge toll on work and I made many mistakes, ones I don’t usually make. My review was not good this year. It was during that time that hubby almost lost his job–thankfully he was able to go back to hospital and then found a good job with same company closer to home. While my dad is doing much better this year, my hubby is once again in jeopardy of losing his job if the two big medical companies merge. I am on the look out for another job. I have had wisdom thrown my way thanks to reading Bible and Proverbs 31 ministries…Solomon prayed for wisdom; Wait for a solution to problem don’t manipulate-He is at work in you. Such wise words God spoke to me one day. Also got another bright light…Dad will get VA benefits that will allow him to stay where he is! Praise God!
    Blessings to you and Happy Mother’s day to everyone!!

    • So much to go through, Beth! Happy to hear the good news in it all. He is always at work! I pray that you will continue to feel His peace through each of these situations. Thank you so much for your kind prayers.