About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(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. Renee,
    I look to my past and I see all the Ebenezers I have raised to God’s faithfulness. I have experienced a lot of trials in my life, but I can look back and see, that at every turn, God was faithful to never leave nor forsake me and He saw me THROUGH the trial (valley) and never left me stuck there. Sometimes the valleys were deep and wide, but still He walked with me through them. The one thing I have found, is that when I was tempted to stop and stand still, if like the writer in the commentary states, I would just take one baby step forward in faith, God honored those steps and gave me strength to continue to take more.

    I have also learned to pray, with thanksgiving, in a new way. Instead of thanking God only after He has helped me through, I have begun to thank Him in the storm, or trial, or time of waiting for how He is going to answer my prayer. Kind of a thanks BEFORE the blessing approach. This helps my spirit to keep holding onto the hope that God, indeed, will answer and His answer will be good. It may take time….but God does answer. There’s so much we can learn from David about how God is okay with our gut-wrenching honesty. Even if we get angry with Him, He’s a big enough God to handle it. Thanks for this beautiful reminder, Renee.

    Blessings and prayers for all of us missing our dads this day….if your dad is still living – give him some extra loving….
    Bev xx

    • So much goodness here, Bev. “…when I was tempted to stop and stand still, if like the writer in the commentary states, I would just take one baby step forward in faith, God honored those steps and gave me strength to continue to take more.” THIS!!!

  2. How can God’s faithfulness in the past help you trust Him today with your present and future circumstances? I honestly have to dig into His word each and every day. He alone knows my hurts and struggles. My present circumstances are only temporary. My future is in God’s hands. I have to trust in his plans for me. God is good and he blesses and comforts me.

  3. God NEVER has failed me; only we fail Him and yet, HE is always there for us! Through my husband’s serious stroke four years ago, God has been there for me through all of the sad times. When I have cried out for some hope, HE has assured me to never lose hope in Him. May all on earth today, Father’s Day, lean on the most important Father, our Heavenly Father.

  4. Good Morning Renee,
    What a timely read for me this morning. Last evening I read an article that stated 10 reason’s your prayer’s are not being answered. And although all 10 did not apply to me, but a few of them hit the nail on the head. I will reflect on them, and await for the Lord.

    Your words :
    Instead of leaning on his own limited strength and man-made strategies, King David poured out his heart and eventually placed his trust in the Lord, again and again.
    Jumped out of to me with such comfort. I was really asking myself this morning, do I truly trust His promises to me, do I rest in the shadow of His glory. I do trust the Lord, and I will again, and again. It is not a one time event, but over, over.

    Thank you!!!!!

  5. Renne,
    Throughout my lifetime God’s faithfulness has put my trust in Him, and I will be forever grateful.
    Have a blessed day all,

    Penny

  6. I am grateful for healing and the wisdom I possessed a younger woman but didn’t even realize. He has been faithful to me through much physical pain, and healing is mine. He is faithful in all areas of life but we have to let Him be, we can’t really do much of anything ourselves.

  7. Renee,

    Just look at your past & see what God has done for you. Each trial I’ve endured-whether mistakes I made or life happening-God has graciously gotten me through to the other side. As the Psalmist says “yea though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death” I will not fear for thou art with me. He will see us through all trials! I went through a tough trial in January 2016 with my aging dad’s dementia. He was hospitalized for one month. I was scared. Through it all God allowed me to witness a miracle & healed my dad. I got him back for 14 months.

    Blessings 🙂

  8. The fear of enemies, the betrayal of friends and the sins of his own heart? Sounds like a theme- even still today- among every group I encounter.

    Well said:” He took his fears, his sorrow and his greatest downfalls to the only One who could rescue him from danger, despair and destruction.

    Praise God! We have a place to turn when trials threaten to overcome us.

  9. We’ve been studying Davids life in Church! So it’s neat that this came when we just left Church and were talking about David.

    How I LOVE looking to my past and remembering how difficult a challenge felt and to see how God has used that on my journey. I trust that whatever challenge I face today or tomorrow He is faithfully bringing me through it to be a brighter light for his purpose in my life and his purpose for this world and his Church.

    God is so good. Thanks for sharing!