"use strict"; (self["webpackChunkelementorFrontend"] = self["webpackChunkelementorFrontend"] || []).push([["floating-bars"],{ /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js": /*!***********************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js ***! \***********************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports) => { Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; class FloatingBarDomHelper { constructor($element) { this.$element = $element; } maybeMoveToTop() { const el = this.$element[0]; const widget = el.querySelector('.e-floating-bars'); if (elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { widget.classList.add('is-sticky'); return; } if (el.dataset.widget_type.startsWith('floating-bars') && widget.classList.contains('has-vertical-position-top') && !widget.classList.contains('is-sticky')) { const wpAdminBar = document.getElementById('wpadminbar'); const elementToInsert = el.closest('.elementor'); if (wpAdminBar) { wpAdminBar.after(elementToInsert); } else { document.body.prepend(elementToInsert); } } } } exports["default"] = FloatingBarDomHelper; /***/ }), /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/handlers/floating-bars.js": /*!**********************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/handlers/floating-bars.js ***! \**********************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports, __webpack_require__) => { var _interopRequireDefault = __webpack_require__(/*! @babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault */ "../node_modules/@babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault.js"); Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js"); var _base = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! elementor-frontend/handlers/base */ "../assets/dev/js/frontend/handlers/base.js")); var _floatinBarDom = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! ../classes/floatin-bar-dom */ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js")); var _clickTracking = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! ../../../shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking */ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js")); class FloatingBarsHandler extends _base.default { getDefaultSettings() { return { selectors: { main: '.e-floating-bars', closeButton: '.e-floating-bars__close-button', ctaButton: '.e-floating-bars__cta-button' }, constants: { ctaEntranceAnimation: 'style_cta_button_animation', ctaEntranceAnimationDelay: 'style_cta_button_animation_delay', hasEntranceAnimation: 'has-entrance-animation', visible: 'visible', isSticky: 'is-sticky', hasVerticalPositionTop: 'has-vertical-position-top', hasVerticalPositionBottom: 'has-vertical-position-bottom', isHidden: 'is-hidden', animated: 'animated' } }; } getDefaultElements() { const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); return { main: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.main), mainAll: this.$element[0].querySelectorAll(selectors.main), closeButton: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.closeButton), ctaButton: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.ctaButton) }; } onElementChange(property) { const changedProperties = ['advanced_vertical_position']; if (changedProperties.includes(property)) { this.initDefaultState(); } } getResponsiveSetting(controlName) { const currentDevice = elementorFrontend.getCurrentDeviceMode(); return elementorFrontend.utils.controls.getResponsiveControlValue(this.getElementSettings(), controlName, '', currentDevice); } bindEvents() { if (this.elements.closeButton) { this.elements.closeButton.addEventListener('click', this.closeFloatingBar.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.ctaButton) { this.elements.ctaButton.addEventListener('animationend', this.handleAnimationEnd.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.main) { window.addEventListener('keyup', this.onDocumentKeyup.bind(this)); } if (this.hasStickyElements()) { window.addEventListener('resize', this.handleStickyElements.bind(this)); } } isStickyTop() { const { isSticky, hasVerticalPositionTop } = this.getSettings('constants'); return this.elements.main.classList.contains(isSticky) && this.elements.main.classList.contains(hasVerticalPositionTop); } isStickyBottom() { const { isSticky, hasVerticalPositionBottom } = this.getSettings('constants'); return this.elements.main.classList.contains(isSticky) && this.elements.main.classList.contains(hasVerticalPositionBottom); } hasStickyElements() { const stickyElements = document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky'); return stickyElements.length > 0; } focusOnLoad() { this.elements.main.setAttribute('tabindex', '0'); this.elements.main.focus({ focusVisible: true }); } applyBodyPadding() { const mainHeight = this.elements.main.offsetHeight; document.body.style.paddingTop = `${mainHeight}px`; } removeBodyPadding() { document.body.style.paddingTop = '0'; } handleWPAdminBar() { const wpAdminBar = elementorFrontend.elements.$wpAdminBar; if (wpAdminBar.length) { this.elements.main.style.top = `${wpAdminBar.height()}px`; } } handleStickyElements() { const mainHeight = this.elements.main.offsetHeight; const wpAdminBar = elementorFrontend.elements.$wpAdminBar; const stickyElements = document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky:not(.elementor-sticky__spacer)'); if (0 === stickyElements.length) { return; } stickyElements.forEach(stickyElement => { const dataSettings = stickyElement.getAttribute('data-settings'); const stickyPosition = JSON.parse(dataSettings)?.sticky; const isTop = '0px' === stickyElement.style.top || 'top' === stickyPosition; const isBottom = '0px' === stickyElement.style.bottom || 'bottom' === stickyPosition; if (this.isStickyTop() && isTop) { if (wpAdminBar.length) { stickyElement.style.top = `${mainHeight + wpAdminBar.height()}px`; } else { stickyElement.style.top = `${mainHeight}px`; } } else if (this.isStickyBottom() && isBottom) { stickyElement.style.bottom = `${mainHeight}px`; } if (elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { if (isTop) { stickyElement.style.top = this.isStickyTop() ? `${mainHeight}px` : '0px'; } else if (isBottom) { stickyElement.style.bottom = this.isStickyBottom() ? `${mainHeight}px` : '0px'; } } }); document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky__spacer').forEach(stickySpacer => { const dataSettings = stickySpacer.getAttribute('data-settings'); const stickyPosition = JSON.parse(dataSettings)?.sticky; const isTop = '0px' === stickySpacer.style.top || 'top' === stickyPosition; if (this.isStickyTop() && isTop) { stickySpacer.style.marginBottom = `${mainHeight}px`; } }); } closeFloatingBar() { const { isHidden } = this.getSettings('constants'); if (!elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { this.elements.main.classList.add(isHidden); if (this.hasStickyElements()) { this.handleStickyElements(); } else if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.removeBodyPadding(); } } } initEntranceAnimation() { const { animated, ctaEntranceAnimation, ctaEntranceAnimationDelay, hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); const entranceAnimationClass = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimation); const entranceAnimationDelay = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimationDelay) || 0; const setTimeoutDelay = entranceAnimationDelay + 500; this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(animated); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(entranceAnimationClass); setTimeout(() => { this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(hasEntranceAnimation); }, setTimeoutDelay); } handleAnimationEnd() { this.removeEntranceAnimationClasses(); this.focusOnLoad(); } removeEntranceAnimationClasses() { if (!this.elements.ctaButton) { return; } const { animated, ctaEntranceAnimation, visible } = this.getSettings('constants'); const entranceAnimationClass = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimation); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(animated); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(entranceAnimationClass); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(visible); } onDocumentKeyup(event) { // Bail if not ESC key if (event.keyCode !== 27 || !this.elements.main) { return; } /* eslint-disable @wordpress/no-global-active-element */ if (this.elements.main.contains(document.activeElement)) { this.closeFloatingBar(); } /* eslint-enable @wordpress/no-global-active-element */ } initDefaultState() { const { hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.handleWPAdminBar(); } if (this.hasStickyElements()) { this.handleStickyElements(); } else if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.applyBodyPadding(); } if (this.elements.main && !this.elements.ctaButton.classList.contains(hasEntranceAnimation) && !elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { this.focusOnLoad(); } } setupInnerContainer() { this.elements.main.closest('.e-con-inner').classList.add('e-con-inner--floating-bars'); this.elements.main.closest('.e-con').classList.add('e-con--floating-bars'); } onInit(...args) { const { hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); super.onInit(...args); this.clickTrackingHandler = new _clickTracking.default({ $element: this.$element }); const domHelper = new _floatinBarDom.default(this.$element); domHelper.maybeMoveToTop(); if (this.elements.ctaButton && this.elements.ctaButton.classList.contains(hasEntranceAnimation)) { this.initEntranceAnimation(); } this.initDefaultState(); this.setupInnerContainer(); } } exports["default"] = FloatingBarsHandler; /***/ }), /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js": /*!****************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js ***! \****************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports, __webpack_require__) => { var _interopRequireDefault = __webpack_require__(/*! @babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault */ "../node_modules/@babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault.js"); Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/es.array.push.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/es.array.push.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js"); var _base = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! elementor-frontend/handlers/base */ "../assets/dev/js/frontend/handlers/base.js")); class ClickTrackingHandler extends _base.default { clicks = []; getDefaultSettings() { return { selectors: { contentWrapper: '.e-contact-buttons__content-wrapper', contactButtonCore: '.e-contact-buttons__send-button', contentWrapperFloatingBars: '.e-floating-bars', floatingBarCTAButton: '.e-floating-bars__cta-button', elementorWrapper: '[data-elementor-type="floating-buttons"]' } }; } getDefaultElements() { const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); return { contentWrapper: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.contentWrapper), contentWrapperFloatingBars: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.contentWrapperFloatingBars) }; } bindEvents() { if (this.elements.contentWrapper) { this.elements.contentWrapper.addEventListener('click', this.onChatButtonTrackClick.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.contentWrapperFloatingBars) { this.elements.contentWrapperFloatingBars.addEventListener('click', this.onChatButtonTrackClick.bind(this)); } window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => { if (this.clicks.length > 0) { this.sendClicks(); } }); } onChatButtonTrackClick(event) { const targetElement = event.target || event.srcElement; const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); if (targetElement.matches(selectors.contactButtonCore) || targetElement.closest(selectors.contactButtonCore) || targetElement.matches(selectors.floatingBarCTAButton) || targetElement.closest(selectors.floatingBarCTAButton)) { this.getDocumentIdAndTrack(targetElement, selectors); } } getDocumentIdAndTrack(targetElement, selectors) { const documentId = targetElement.closest(selectors.elementorWrapper).dataset.elementorId; this.trackClick(documentId); } trackClick(documentId) { if (!documentId) { return; } this.clicks.push(documentId); if (this.clicks.length >= 10) { this.sendClicks(); } } sendClicks() { const formData = new FormData(); formData.append('action', 'elementor_send_clicks'); formData.append('_nonce', elementorFrontendConfig?.nonces?.floatingButtonsClickTracking); this.clicks.forEach(documentId => formData.append('clicks[]', documentId)); fetch(elementorFrontendConfig?.urls?.ajaxurl, { method: 'POST', body: formData }).then(() => { this.clicks = []; }); } } exports["default"] = ClickTrackingHandler; /***/ }) }]); //# sourceMappingURL=floating-bars.a6e6a043444b62f64f82.bundle.js.map Journey – Journeying In Faith https://journeyinginfaith.com Christian blog Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:49:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://journeyinginfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cropped-transparent-logo-scaled-1-32x32.png Journey – Journeying In Faith https://journeyinginfaith.com 32 32 Come Hungry: An Isaiah 55:1 to 2 Devotional https://journeyinginfaith.com/come-hungry-an-isaiah-551-to-2-devotional/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:50:29 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2459 It was my birthday, and I decided to take my family and a few friends to a buffet restaurant. Our plan was to eat as much as we possibly could. To make the most of it, we skipped breakfast and waited until lunchtime to arrive at the restaurant with empty stomachs.

Ironically, by the time we got there, most of us had lost our appetite. We couldn’t eat nearly as much as we had imagined. But one person in our group understood the assignment.

She kept going back for more, and every plate was piled high with food. We watched in amazement as she enjoyed every bite. Some of us were surprised by how much she could eat, but we were also secretly impressed. At least someone was making good use of the buffet and getting value for the money we had spent!

As I reflected on that experience, Isaiah 55:1–2 came to mind.

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread?... Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food."

God is inviting us to an even greater buffet. This banquet costs us nothing because Jesus has already paid the price. The only thing God asks us to bring is our appetite. He even says, “Let your soul delight itself in abundance.” He wants us to enjoy the richness of His presence and receive all that He has prepared for us. But if God has given us such an open invitation, why aren’t we eating as much as we can? Why aren’t we receiving everything He desires to give us?

Here are two reasons that stood out to me.

1. We Come Already Full

Some people go to a buffet after they’ve already eaten breakfast or snacked throughout the morning. Although the food is plentiful, they simply don’t have room for much. Spiritually, many of us approach God the same way. We come with minds already filled with assumptions, doubts, disappointments, or preconceived ideas about what God can and cannot do.

Perhaps we believe God can forgive our sins but doubt He can heal our bodies. Maybe we trust Him for our daily bread but struggle to believe He can protect our families or open impossible doors. Without realizing it, we limit the God who has no limits. This reminds me of a verse from the beautiful hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

When Scripture tells us, “In everything by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known unto God,” it truly means everything. As the hymn says, we bear needless pain because we are carrying it on our own. If we can trust God with our salvation, we should also trust Him with our future, our health, our finances, our family, our calling, and every burden we carry. After all, He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Before we come into God’s presence, we should intentionally ask Him to empty us of everything that hinders us from receiving. Sometimes what fills us includes doubt, fear, distractions, bitterness, unforgiveness, worldly concerns, hidden sin, etc.

The book of Hebrews reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God and that those who come to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. God loves to reward, loves to quiet you with His love, and rejoices over you with singing. God is a lover, and He wants you to come and enjoy that richness.

Personally, I often begin my prayer time by asking God to search my heart and remove anything that limits my capacity to receive from Him. I believe that is one of the healthiest ways to approach God’s presence: with empty hands and an open heart.

2. Our Appetite Is Too Small

Some people naturally have very small appetites. They may genuinely be hungry, but after only a few bites they are full. Spiritually, many believers are the same. We love God, but our capacity to receive from Him has become limited.

Sometimes this looks like complacency. Other times it is the result of repeated disappointments. Perhaps life has been so difficult that you’ve stopped dreaming. You’ve stopped expecting and stopped believing God for greater things.

As I typed this, I remembered praying for a few weeks about something, and God didn’t grant my request, so I naturally drifted away from the prayer and just went about my normal life. Then one day I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You give up too easily.” I strongly believed He was referring to that request.

So perhaps this is our issue: giving up too easily, whereas God is using the request to refine us, draw us closer, and produce patience in us so we can better steward the answer.

Isaiah 61 paints a beautiful picture of God’s expectations for the delivered. It says they will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. God delivers us so we can impact a whole city, a whole generation, not just better our family or our children. He restores us so that we may display His glory and proclaim His praise. Your life is bigger than your current circumstances.

God wants to enlarge your vision, deepen your faith, increase your capacity, and expand your appetite for His presence and His purposes. But this doesn’t happen overnight.

Isaiah tells us:

"Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

As we spend time in prayer, immerse ourselves in His Word, and continually seek the Spirit of grace and supplication, our spiritual appetite grows. The more we feast on God’s presence, the greater our capacity becomes.

Stay at the Table

Jesus said,

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” (John 15:8)

God is glorified when your life bears abundant fruit. He delights in your growth. He rejoices in your transformation. He desires your life to overflow with His goodness even more than you desire it yourself. But Jesus also gave us the secret in the same chapter: Remain in Me.Don’t rush away from His presence. Keep eating, receiving, and asking.

Be “greedy” for everything God wants to give you, not out of selfish ambition, but with the hunger of someone who knows there is always more of Him to experience. Don’t leave the table until your soul is full.

Prayer

Father, thank You for inviting me to Your table. Empty me of every doubt, fear, distraction, and limiting belief that keeps me from receiving all You have prepared for me. Increase my spiritual appetite and enlarge my capacity to know You more deeply. I receive the Spirit of grace and supplication. Teach me to wait on You, abide in Your presence, and delight in the abundance You freely provide. May my life bear much fruit and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

]]> The Armor of God: Why the Discomfort Is Worth It https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-armor-of-god-why-the-discomfort-is-worth-it/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:57:55 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2449 I remember one day while praying, I saw a soldier standing before me. He was fully dressed for battle with his helmet, breastplate, shield, sword and all.

My first instinct was that this had to be an enemy. As an intercessor, all I knew was how to respond – to attack. My senses were on high alert. Why else would someone appear dressed for war?

But about a day later, the Holy Spirit corrected me by saying “That is who I want you to be.”

The picture stayed with me long after that. The more I thought about it, the more I realized something interesting about armor. Nobody wears armor because it is comfortable. Nobody finishes a long day and thinks, I wish I could wear a breastplate for a few hours. Armor is heavy. It restricts movement and can feel inconvenient.

Yet a soldier willingly wears it because he understands that comfort is not his goal, protection is. Perhaps that is what God was trying to show me, that I had become too comfortable for the battle ahead and needed to be better prepared as a soldier.

Many of us want the peace, victory, and protection that God promises, but we do not always realize that the armor protecting those things can feel uncomfortable to wear.

When Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole armor of God, he is not describing a collection of spiritual accessories, but a sacrificial way of life. And often, that way of life runs against our flesh, against culture, and sometimes against our own desires. The armor protects us, but it also costs us something.

Let’s take a look at armor Paul talked about and the inconveniences they come with.

The Belt of Truth

The first piece of armor Paul mentions is the belt of truth. There is a verse in Daniel that has always unsettled me.

“Truth was cast down to the ground.” Daniel 8: 12

Every time I read it, I pause. Truth cast down, rejected, denied, ignored. Isn’t that exactly what we see today? Truth says we are made in God’s image. Yet increasingly we are told that we can define ourselves however we please. Truth says God created us with purpose. The world tells us purpose is something we invent for ourselves. Truth says there is a right way and a wrong way. The culture around us often says there is only personal preference.

What strikes me most is that those who hold firmly to truth are often viewed as the problem. Standing for biblical values have been tagged different names; old-fashioned, intolerant, judgmental, or unloving. Sometimes it would be easier to stay silent, to bend a little, or to fit in. But then it would no longer be truth.

And that is the discomfort of the belt of truth. It does not always make us popular. Sometimes it makes us stand apart. Yet without truth, the rest of the armor begins to fall apart. The belt may feel tight at times, but it holds everything together. And this leads naturally to the next piece of armor. Because knowing truth and living truth are not exactly the same thing.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

If truth is what we believe, righteousness is how we live. I don’t imagine a breastplate was particularly comfortable to wear either. It protected the heart, but it also came with weight, and righteousness carries a weight of its own. It asks us not only to agree with God’s Word but to order our lives around it. That sounds wonderful until it begins to cost us something.

Recently my daughter came home carrying a burden I wasn’t expecting. After talking with her, I discovered she had been struggling to find friends. Many of the children around her did not share her values. Some were rude to teachers. Others spent their time doing things she knew were wrong. She thought church would be different. But when she found similar challenges there, she was disappointed. Eventually she came to a painful conclusion that maybe she needed to change. Maybe if she acted like everyone else, they would accept her. Maybe if she became a little more rude, a little less different, she would finally belong. My heart broke when I heard that.

And yet, if I am honest, I think many of us have felt the same pressure. Not necessarily to be rude. But to compromise or blend in, to make following Jesus a little less obvious. Reflecting on this, I am reminded of Elijah, who also believed he was alone.

After Jezebel, the wicked queen who ruled Israel alongside her husband, King Ahab, had killed many of God’s prophets, Elijah thought he was the only one left who remained faithful to God.  Yet God showed him that there were still thousands who had not bowed their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19).

The enemy loves convincing us that we are the only ones trying to live for God. But we are not. There are others standing too. Others choosing righteousness and carrying the weight of being different. It may not be comfortable, but God always preserves a remnant, and that should bring us peace, which is interesting because peace itself is another piece of armor.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Peace sounds beautiful until you actually have to pursue it. The psalmist understood this tension perfectly, as its written in Psalm 120:6–7

“I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.”

Sometimes it feels as though conflict is everywhere, in the world and even in the church. I have seen Christians compete over church positions, relationships fracture over pride, bitterness linger where grace should have flourished. And if we are honest, people can make peace difficult. That is why this piece of armor is not as comfortable as it sounds.

Peace often requires us to absorb offenses we would rather return. It requires us to forgive when our flesh wants revenge. It requires us to release hurts we would rather hold onto. I know this too well, there are times I don’t want to let a matter go, where I feel wronged and I want to hold on to the hurt until the person apologizes, which sometimes they never do.

I know choosing peace does not mean pretending nothing happened, it simply means refusing to let hostility make a home in our hearts. But some days that takes real effort. Some hurt run really deep, making forgiveness hard. But we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

The Shield of Faith

I often wonder how heavy those shields must have been, and to think a soldier holds his shield for hours, days, or even weeks, depending on how long the battle lasts. At some point a soldier’s arm must have started shaking.

Faith can feel like that sometimes. We come to God believing for breakthrough; we pray, trust, and then we wait. Then we wait some more. And eventually our arms begin to feel tired.

My sister spoke to someone facing an incredibly difficult situation. Trying to prepare them for every possibility, she asked, “What if things don’t work out the way you’re hoping?” The response came immediately. “Please don’t take away this little bit of hope. It’s all I have left.”  Those words were weighty. Everything else had failed, and the future looked bleak. If this person could no longer hold on to the hope that God would somehow turn things around, they feared they would completely collapse under the weight of their circumstances. Sometimes faith feels exactly like that;  a small flicker refusing to go out or a trembling hand refusing to lower the shield or a heart choosing to trust God one more day.

I imagine Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego felt something similar standing before the furnace. These three Hebrew boys were singled out and about to be thrown in a fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the king’s statue (Daniel 3:16).

Surely God would rescue them, or so they thought. After all, they were standing for Him, refusing to bow and compromise their faith. As each moment passed and the situation grew more desperate, they likely expected God to intervene. Surely He would show up before it came to this. But He didn’t. Instead of being rescued from the fire, they found themselves thrown into it.

And that is often where faith becomes hardest. Not when God delivers us immediately, but when He chooses to walk with us through the flames. For these brave boys, right there, in the middle of the fire, Jesus was waiting. It’s comforting to know He still is. And that is why we keep holding the shield, even when our arms are tired and the battle feels long. Even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Because our faith is not in the fire ending, but in the One who stands with us inside it.

The Helmet of Salvation

Out of all the pieces of armor, this is the one people can see most easily. A helmet identifies a soldier, It tells everyone whose side he is on. I imagine that is why this piece of armor can feel uncomfortable too, because salvation is not merely something we believe privately but something that eventually becomes visible.

The moment we truly follow Christ, people begin to notice differences, and if we are honest, there are moments when we wonder if people will still accept us, or think we are no longer “cool”. Nobody likes rejection.

Yet Jesus never promised that following Him would make us popular. In fact, He told His disciples that if the world rejected Him, it would reject many of His followers too. That can be hard to hear. We live in a generation that values acceptance above almost everything else. We are constantly encouraged to seek approval, build influence, and gain the affirmation of others. Yet the helmet of salvation reminds us that our identity does not come from people’s opinions, rather from Christ.

I often think about the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Jesus had told the story of a rich man who lived in luxury all his life, while Lazarus, a poor man, lived on crumbs from the rich man’s table and had sores all over his body. When both men died, Lazarus ended in heaven because he was a righteous man, and the rich man in hell for not helping the poor man. The rich man begged Abraham to send him back from the dead to warn his brothers about the torment of hell. But Abraham responded by saying if people would not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would not be persuaded even if someone rose from the dead.

At first that seems difficult to understand. But the longer I live, the more I see the wisdom in it. Many people are not lacking evidence, they are resisting surrender. And sometimes, people can go as far as rejecting both the message and the messenger.

But when the opinions of people become loud, salvation reminds us that we have been accepted by God. When rejection hurts, salvation reminds us that we are loved by Christ. When we feel out of place in the world, salvation reminds us that this world was never our final home. The helmet may feel uncomfortable at times, but it protects something precious, our identity in Christ.

The Sword of the Spirit

Unlike the other pieces of armor, the sword is different. Everything else protects, but the sword equips us to engage. Paul tells us that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.

Just as a soldier learns to use his weapon through practice, we learn to handle God’s Word by spending time with it. And if we are being honest, that is not always easy. I can spend time memorizing a passage only to forget parts of it a few weeks later. Perhaps you can relate. There are days when the Bible feels alive and every verse seems to leap off the page. Then there are days when we read a chapter and wonder what we just read.

Good thing we are not alone, we have a biblical example from the book of Acts 8:26 – 40, about an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah 53 which referred to Jesus and the things He had to endure to save us. The poor eunuch was genuinely trying, he had travelled all the way to Jerusalem to worship, indicating his genuineness to seek God. Yet he was confused about the passage he was reading. He would have thought “Why would someone be led like a sheep to the slaughter and not defend himself?”. He wondered who the passage referred to. The passage made little sense to him. Thankfully, God sent Philip who explained the passage and helped the eunuch understand.

I find great comfort in that story, because it reminds me that confusion is not failure. Not understanding everything immediately does not mean we are doing something wrong. Sometimes God teaches us through study and sometimes, He teaches us through teachers. Sometimes, also, He teaches us through sermons, commentaries, conversations, and years of walking with Him.

Learning God’s Word takes time. And time feels expensive these days, with everything around us moving quickly. We want answers instantly, and understanding immediately. Yet Scripture often invites us to slow down, linger, meditate, ask questions and that could be discomforting.

The sword is available to all of us, but learning to use it requires patience and practice. It requires returning to the Word again and again until it begins to dwell richly within us. And when the day of trouble comes, we discover the Word we stored in our hearts becomes the very thing God uses to strengthen us. The sword that once felt difficult to carry becomes the weapon that helps us stand.

Putting On the Whole Armor

As I reflect on all these pieces of armor, I keep coming back to the same realization. None of them were designed for comfort and yet every one of them protects something valuable.

The soldier I saw during prayer was dressed for battle. We are in a battle, whether we acknowledge it or not. Not a battle against flesh and blood, but a battle for our hearts, our minds, our convictions, our faith, and our devotion to Christ, our marriages, and even our children. The good news is that God has not sent us into that battle unprepared, He has provided everything we need. Even better, He has not asked us to wear this armor in our own strength.

When I look closely at each piece, I realize they are all connected to the life of the Holy Spirit within us. They are things the Holy Spirit produces and strengthens as we walk with Him. The burden is not on us to become stronger by ourselves, but to stay close to Jesus and to walk in the Spirit. To keep putting on the armor each day. I know some days it will feel heavy and uncomfortable, but one day we will look back and realize that the very things that felt restrictive were the things God used to protect us. And on that day, we will be grateful that we kept the armor on.

]]> Deuteronomy 31:6 Devotional: God Will Never Forsake You https://journeyinginfaith.com/how-would-you-live-if-you-truly-believed-god-would-never-leave-you/ Wed, 13 May 2026 17:51:36 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2439 My nephew had a school presentation. He was set to stand on stage and present in front of parents, teachers, and his classmates. He practiced diligently, likely spending extra time rehearsing to ensure he would not embarrass himself in front of so many watching eyes. When he stepped onto the stage, he was understandably nervous. He had prepared well, but in that moment, he needed reassurance from one person in the crowd, his mom.

He knew his mom wouldn’t be on stage with him, but simply knowing she was there meant everything. Her expression would tell him how he was doing. Instead of focusing on the many unfamiliar faces, he could fix his eyes on the one person whose approval mattered most. As he scanned the audience, he searched for her. Was she here? Where was she sitting? His mom noticed he was looking for her, so she gently stood up and waved. The moment he saw her, his confidence grew.

As I reflected on this, I found myself asking: How would I live differently if I truly believed the Lord is with me? How would I pray? How would I respond to challenges? How would I handle fear, setbacks, and uncertainty?

Today’s devotional is taken from Deuteronomy 31:6, the words of Moses, the leader God used to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and guide them through the wilderness for forty years.

Moses’ Final Words to Israel

Moses had faithfully led Israel for many years, constantly praying for them and pleading with God to show them mercy whenever they sinned. But during one difficult moment, the people’s stubbornness and complaints caused Moses to become angry and disobey God. As a result, God told Moses that although he would see the Promised Land, he would not enter it himself. Even so, Moses did not allow disappointment or bitterness to define his final days. As he prepared Israel to move forward without him, he gave the people one last powerful encouragement:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

The Israelites stood at the edge of a new season with a new leader, Joshua. Ahead of them were the lands God had promised, powerful enemies, uncertainty, and many reasons to be afraid. Moses knew it would be easy for the people to focus on the size of the obstacles before them, so he reminded them of the truth that mattered most: God Himself would go with them. Their future would not depend on their military strength, experience, or numbers, but on the presence of God.

This serves as a reminder to us as well. We live in a fallen world where challenges are unavoidable, whether in relationships, parenting, career, or health. There will always be reasons to worry about the future. But just as Moses encouraged Israel, we too can take heart. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, confident that God will not fail us. And as we later see God faithfully lead Israel under Joshua’s leadership, we are reminded that He is able to come through for us as well.

Joshua’s Confidence

Joshua took up the mantle of leadership after Moses died, tasked with leading Israel into the Promised Land. Moses had performed miraculous signs and wonders, so Israel held him in deep reverence. Now Joshua was stepping into those same “big shoes,” and there was understandably a lot of uncertainty around him.

But God reassured Joshua that just as He had been with Moses, He would also be with him. The instruction was to be strong and courageous. It would take Joshua holding on to these words in faith to experience the remarkable victories God would bring through his leadership. Yet Israel was also learning something important through this transition, that their success never came from their own strength, or even the strength of their leaders. Their progress had always come from trusting God. As they later expressed in the Psalms;

“It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them.” Psalm 44:3

Although Israel still did what was required of them, training, marching, and fighting in battle, their confidence was anchored in God’s power to deliver them. At times, our challenges may look like giants while we feel like grasshoppers. Stepping into the fight may even look like certain defeat, but we do not wrestle in our own strength, and that is why our victory is secure.

Did Israel face setbacks? Yes. At times, even after God had clearly spoken to them, they stumbled or experienced losses. But they did not give up. They pressed on because they trusted how the story would ultimately end.

What Changes When You Believe God Is With You?

I had been praying about a breakthrough in my life, and I believed I received a word from God to proceed. I tried again and again, but each attempt ended in rejection. People around me encouraged me to move on, to count my losses and let go of the goal. But I couldn’t. I held onto what I believed I had heard, trusting that God would not lead me astray, so I kept pressing forward.

Eventually, just when I felt I had wasted years of effort and money and was ready to give up, God showed up in a way I did not expect. It reminded me that God does not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear, and that even in long seasons of delay, He is still at work. 

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Proverbs 24:16

When life knocks you down, when sickness lingers, when grief overwhelms, or when setbacks come, you know your story is not over. You rise and stand your ground like the warrior you are, because God stands with you. You know who is in control. You know that when you pass through the fire, He is with you.

That confidence produces hope, hope for this life and hope for eternity. So you do not stay down.

Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes

The story of Gideon provides another powerful example, according to Judges 6.

Israel had once again sinned against God, and as a result, the Midianites oppressed them. The Midianites would come like a mighty army, destroying Israel’s crops and livestock and leaving the nation impoverished. Out of fear, the Israelites lived in hideouts in the mountains.

Gideon was threshing wheat in secret so he could hide it from the Midianites and provide food for his family when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said:

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12

Gideon was confused. Although he had heard stories of God’s power and deliverance, his present circumstances looked nothing like victory. He was even hiding from the enemy, and within his own household, his father had an altar to an idol, a stark reminder of how far Israel had drifted away from God. Nothing about Gideon indicated he was a mighty warrior. Yet God saw Gideon differently.

This is a hard truth to grasp at times, especially when our circumstances or past make us feel insignificant. But God does not measure us the way we often measure ourselves. Scripture shows us that we are deeply valued by Him, so much so that He gave everything for us in Christ (Romans 5:8). So even when we feel small or overlooked, God’s view is different. He calls us forward, not because of what we lack or possess, but because of who He is and what He can do through us.

But notice that before God used Gideon to deliver Israel, He first instructed him to tear down his father’s altar to false gods. It was a difficult first step, but it marked the beginning of Gideon learning to trust God above his fears and his surroundings.

It is often the same for us. God works in our lives in ways that stretch and refine us, gently removing the things that hold us back, our fears, doubts, and insecurities, so that we can grow into the purpose He has for us and live lives that make an impact.

God wasn’t focused on Gideon’s past or his present weakness, because He knew what He could do with a life fully surrendered to Him, regardless of the circumstances. Just as my nephew found boldness the moment he saw his mother in the crowd, Gideon found renewed confidence when he overheard the enemy recount a dream that revealed God was fighting for Israel. In that moment, Gideon knew with certainty that God was with him, and it changed everything.

And as God promised, He gave Israel victory through the hands of Gideon.

So how about you? What decisions would you make if you fully trusted that God is with you, guiding you, and not leaving you alone in what you face?

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

God Keeps His Word

God does not make promises lightly.

“I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.” Psalm 89:34

If He says He will never leave you, He means it. His faithfulness does not depend on your emotions or circumstances. He remains present when life is steady and when it feels overwhelming.

I know the enemy is persistent, but we grow stronger as we continue to stand. As we pray, trust God, and refuse to give up, our faith matures. What once felt overwhelming begins to lose its power. so I encourage you, if your voice feels weak right now, keep praying. If your faith feels small, keep trusting.
If you are facing challenge after challenge, do not quit. In time, you will discover that God has been strengthening you all along.

Living Differently Because God Is With You

Knowing that God is with us changes not only how we handle major callings, but also how we live day to day. We can let go of malice, anger, jealousy, and striving because we know who is with us. We no longer have to live as though everything depends on our own strength and we can live at peace with all men because we are certain that He will never leave or forsake us.

Final Thoughts

Like my nephew standing on that stage, we all face moments when we feel nervous, exposed, and uncertain. The turning point comes when we lift our eyes and remember who is with us. The challenge may still be there and the circumstances may not change immediately. But the assurance of God’s presence changes how we face them.

God is with you. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. And when you truly believe that, you can face anything life throws at you and overcome.

]]> When Freedom Becomes Bondage: What Psalm 2 and Hosea 2 Teach Us About True Freedom https://journeyinginfaith.com/when-freedom-becomes-bondage-what-psalm-2-and-hosea-2-teach-us-about-true-freedom/ Fri, 08 May 2026 17:46:15 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2431 Our modern culture celebrates freedom above almost everything else. In many ways, some “new religions” are built around this idea: freedom to define truth for ourselves, freedom to follow our feelings, freedom to live without restraint, and ultimately, freedom to become our own god.. 

But what if the freedom humanity is chasing is the very thing enslaving us?

This question sits at the heart of both Psalm 2 and Hosea 2. Together, these chapters reveal a sobering pattern: humanity resists God, pursues independence, experiences the emptiness of rebellion, and then discovers that true freedom is found only in Him.

Humanity’s Desire for Freedom Without God

In Psalm 2, the nations rage against God and reject His authority:

“Let’s come together and break away from the Creator. Once and for all let’s cast off these controlling chains of God and his Christ.” Psalm 2: 3 – 4

Sound familiar?

It echoes the garden of Eden, where man first questioned whether God’s boundaries were truly good. It echoes the tower of Babel, where people united to build a world centered on themselves rather than God.

And it echoes loudly in our culture today.

Many people now see devotion to God as restrictive. Biblical truth is treated as outdated. Society encourages people to define morality for themselves and follow whatever feels right in the moment.

But when God is removed from the center, confusion follows.

What Happens When Society Rejects God?

Scripture warns us about this clearly in Romans:

“Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done” Romans 1: 28

When truth is abandoned, deception fill the vacuum.

In Daniel 8, Daniel saw a vision of a powerful horn rising up. Because of sin, heaven allowed it to grow strong for a time. This horn opposed God, stopped the temple sacrifices, and cast truth to the ground. In place of truth, deception began to spread.

We see the same thing happening today.

When truth is pushed aside, morality becomes unstable. People begin deciding right and wrong based on feelings instead of God’s truth. Confusion grows, deception spreads, and many lose their sense of direction.

But human emotions are unstable.

Our feelings shift with pain, experiences, age, culture, disappointment, and desire. What feels true today may feel completely different tomorrow.

But God does not change. His truth remains constant even when society changes around us.

Why God’s Truth Is More Reliable Than Feelings

There was a season when my husband and I decided church was no longer necessary. We believed we could worship privately at home and follow God on our own terms.

At the time, it felt reasonable. We would be free of church drama and hurt.

But as I continued studying Scripture, my perspective began to change. I became hungry for deeper fellowship, accountability, and a steady church community. Meanwhile, my husband still held onto our earlier agreement.

Eventually, we sat down and talked through what God had been teaching me.

That moment reminded me of something important: our thoughts evolve. Our feelings shift. Our convictions strengthen or weaken over time.

But God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

What God calls good does not change with culture. What He says about our identity does not shift with trends or emotions.

And sometimes, when humanity insists on rejecting Him, God allows people to experience the emptiness of life without Him.

Hosea 2: The Wilderness That Leads to Repentance

While Psalm 2 shows collective rebellion against God, Hosea 2 reveals something more personal and intimate: God pursuing a people who have forgotten Him.

Israel chased after other loves and enjoyed God’s blessings without acknowledging Him as the source.

So God declared that He would withdraw those blessings.

Not because He stopped loving them, but because He wanted to restore them.

Then comes one of the most beautiful moments in the chapter:

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14

The wilderness is uncomfortable. It is barren, quiet, and uncultivated. It is the place where we see our limitations and weaknesses.

But it is also often where God becomes most real.

Many people encounter God most deeply in seasons of heartbreak, exhaustion, disappointment, or failure. The wilderness strips away illusions and reveals how dependent we truly are on Him.

Sometimes God allows discomfort not to destroy us, but to draw us back.

Every story God writes carries this pattern: He exposes the emptiness of life apart from Him, then lovingly calls people to repentance before they are completely overtaken by it.

Psalm 2 and the Authority of Jesus Christ

Despite our rebellion, God’s response in Psalm 2 is unwavering:

“I myself have poured out my King on Zion, my holy mountain.” Psalm 2: 6

God has already established His King, Jesus Christ.

No rebellion can remove Him from His throne.

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” Ephesians 1: 22

Psalm 2 then gives both a warning and an invitation:

“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry.”

This is ultimately a call to surrender, humility, and worship.

Is Christianity Restrictive or Is It True Freedom?

Many people believe following Jesus limits our freedom. But Scripture teaches the opposite.

True freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want. True freedom is being free from the things that destroy us.

The world promises freedom but often produces bondage: bondage to lust, greed, pride, addiction, comparison and validation.

Sin always overpromises and underdelivers, ask Eve.

Jesus offers a different kind of freedom, the kind that protects, heals, restores, and gives life.

God’s Boundaries Are Protection, Not Punishment

I remember volunteering at an event and asking my older daughter to watch her younger siblings because I noticed some sketchy people nearby.

My second daughter resisted immediately. She did not want anyone watching her. She wanted the freedom to wander on her own.

Later, I explained that my instruction was not about controlling her., but to protect her.

We often respond to God the same way.

We see His commands as restrictive when they are actually loving boundaries designed for our good.

Satan offers counterfeit freedom that quietly leads people into bondage. God offers freedom rooted in truth, safety, and eternal life.

The Ultimate Purpose of Humanity

At the end of life, after every achievement, pleasure, and ambition, Scripture brings humanity back to one simple conclusion:

“Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

The purpose of life is not self-exaltation. It is to know God, love Him, obey Him, and glorify Him. And when we know God, we discover who we were made to be. But freedom separated from truth will eventually become bondage.

The greatest deception of rebellion is convincing people they are free while quietly leading them back into chains.

But in Jesus Christ, true freedom is finally found.

“And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:5

]]> What Does It Mean to See God? (Isaiah 6:1 Reflection) https://journeyinginfaith.com/what-does-it-mean-to-see-god-isaiah-61-reflection/ Thu, 07 May 2026 14:54:30 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2423 Towards the end of 2025, during a time of prayer, a particular verse settled deeply in my spirit:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.”  Isaiah 6:1

At first, I responded by praying, “God, let me see You.” But when no immediate answer came, I eventually stopped. It felt like the prayer had reached a dead end.

Yet months later, in a quiet moment on the way to church, the same thought returned, clearer and more compelling than before. This time, instead of treating it as one prayer among many, I felt led to center my focus on it entirely.

I didn’t fully understand what seeing God meant. I wondered whether it would involve a vision, an audible voice, or some kind of dramatic encounter. There was uncertainty, but also a quiet conviction to continue.

Over time, I began to realize that “seeing God” was not unfolding in the way I had imagined. Instead of something external and immediate, it was becoming something internal and progressive. Here are some lessons I drew from that prayer.

1. Discovering Jesus in the Search for God

In asking to see God, I discovered Jesus. Despite being a Christian for many years, I realized I did not truly understand who He is. I believed in Him and knew about the Holy Trinity, but my understanding of Jesus was shallow.

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  1 John 5:5

As I continued praying, Jesus was gradually revealed to me, first as the wisdom of God, then as the mystery of God. It struck me that God knew everything from the beginning; that He would create man, that man would fall, and that redemption would come through the Word becoming flesh.

The Scriptures prophesied about Jesus, but the fullness of who He was remained hidden. Even Moses referred to Him only as a prophet, with limited understanding. The mystery of Christ was fully revealed after His resurrection.

As Paul the Apostle explains, Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation revealed the exceeding greatness of God’s power;

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 1:19-20

It felt like I was seeing this for the first time. If Jesus is that important to God, why do we sometimes give Him such little priority? Even using the name of Jesus as a swear word. 

As I continued in prayer, my understanding shifted toward one central truth; in seeking to see God, I was being led to know Jesus more deeply.

““Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”  John 14:9

Through the Bible, it became clear that God’s plan from the beginning centered on Christ in a way that was both intentional and hidden. What appeared to be a prophecy about a future figure was actually pointing to God Himself entering human history.

Many religions acknowledge Jesus existed, but the issue is not merely believing in His existence. The question is whether He is truly the Son of God and this is what distinguishes christianity from other religions. 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  john 1: 14

2. Why the Revelation of Jesus Changes Everything

This led me to a difficult but necessary question; if Jesus is so central to God’s plan, why is He sometimes given such little focus in our understanding and expression of the christian faith?

There is a depth to who Jesus is that many of us, myself included, are still discovering. The more I reflected, the more I realized that knowing Christ is not a one-time understanding, but an ongoing revelation.

Even after many years as a believer, Paul still prayed;

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.”  Philipians 3:10

Even now, I cannot say I have fully grasped the meaning of His resurrection or the fullness of His power. But I have come to see that there is far more to Him than I previously understood.

3. Seeing God Also Reveals Yourself

As this understanding grew, something else began to happen, something both uncomfortable and necessary.

I began to see myself more clearly.

In Isaiah 6:5, after seeing the Lord, Isaiah becomes aware of his own condition;

“Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”  Isaiah 6:5

That same pattern began to unfold in me. I became more aware of my flaws, pride, covetousness, and the ways I had unknowingly relied on self-righteousness.

Things I once overlooked began to feel significant. At the same time, my perspective toward others shifted. I found it harder to judge and easier to extend grace, recognizing that I, too, was still being shaped.

4. Transformation That Happens Quietly

Alongside this awareness came a quiet transformation.

Old habits began to lose their hold. A sensitivity toward certain attitudes and behaviors increased. There was a growing humility, not forced, but formed through understanding.

At the same time, something within me was being renewed. Desires that had once faded began to return, and there was a clearer sense of direction, one that felt steady rather than driven by pressure.

It became clear that this process was not about a single moment, but about ongoing transformation.

5. A Personal Reflection on Spiritual Growth

Looking back, I can see that what began as a simple prayer “God I want to see you”, led to something much deeper than I expected.

It was not about a dramatic encounter, but about revelation and a deeper understanding. It was about coming to know Jesus more fully and, through Him, gaining a clearer understanding of both God and myself.

This is still a journey. There is still more to learn, more to understand, and more to experience. But what has become clear is that seeing God is not always about a grand moment. In some cases, like with Isaiah, it may be. But often, it is more about a process of transformation, and knowledge.

Conclusion: A Prayer for Deeper Revelation

My prayer for you is rooted in Ephesians 1, 17 to 19; that God would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that your understanding would be enlightened, and that you would come to know the exceeding greatness of His power.

Because in seeking to see God, you may discover that what He reveals is far greater than you expected.

]]> When God’s Promises Seem Delayed https://journeyinginfaith.com/when-gods-promises-seem-delayed/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:56:54 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2379 Have you ever received a word from God that felt urgent, something that seemed like it would happen right away, only to find yourself waiting… and waiting?

During that waiting season, have you faced more setbacks that made you wonder if you looked like the promise God gave you or if you heard God correctly?

If so, you are not alone.

Many believers struggle with delayed promises, questioning whether they truly heard from God. But Scripture shows us that waiting is often part of God’s process.

Let’s look at the story of Jacob.

Jacob’s Promise Didn’t Look Like a Blessing

Through Isaac’s blessing and declarations, Jacob inherited the promise God gave to Abraham. In fact, Jacob obtained it through deception, misleading his father and cheating his brother Esau.

In biblical culture, a father’s blessing was sacred. Once spoken, it was believed to carry divine authority for fulfillment.

Isaac even requested his favorite meal before giving the blessing so that he could pray from a place of joy and sincerity.

Yet after Jacob received this powerful blessing, his life did not immediately look like prosperity.

Instead, Jacob fled from his brother, laboured under his uncle Laban, and was repeatedly cheated. Meanwhile, Esau, though he did not receive the blessing, seemed to prosper.

Later in life, Jacob told Pharaoh:

“The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult…” (Genesis 47:9)

These words hardly sound like the testimony of a man who carried a divine blessing.

So how do believers move from promise to fulfillment when life does not match what God said?

Here are a few lessons from Scripture and experience.

1. Pray Until the Promise Manifests

Many believers pray until they receive a word from God, and then stop praying.

But receiving the word is only the beginning.

Once God speaks, you need to battle with it.

We see this clearly in the life of Elijah.

God told Elijah:

“Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” 1 Kings 18:1

Elijah did not simply sit back and wait for the rain.

Instead, he went to pray intensely.

Scripture says:

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…” (James 5:17–18)

Elijah prayed again and again until he saw a small cloud rising from the sea.

Even though it was tiny, Elijah knew heaven had heard.

God encourages this persistence in prayer:

“Give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isaiah 62:7)

If God has spoken over your life, your child, or your future, hold onto that promise in prayer. bring it to His remembrance.

Pray until your joy is full.

2. Refuse to Let Doubt Steal the Promise

After God speaks, the enemy often comes with one simple question:

“Did God really say…?”

This tactic began in the Garden of Eden and still works today.

When God gives you a word, both you and the enemy hear it. Satan’s goal becomes stealing that word before it takes root.

Remember how you felt when you first received God’s promise.

Hold onto it.

The story of Daniel shows us something powerful about spiritual warfare in prayer. Daniel prayed, and the answer was sent the very first day. Yet the angel delivering the message was delayed by spiritual opposition trying to steal the answer, until reinforcement arrived.

Your answer may already be on the way.

Don’t let doubt turn faith into weariness.

Like David, speak to your own soul:

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again,  my Savior and my God" Psalm 42:5

Trust that God never lies and that His promises will come to pass.

For what its worth, God did speak to you, He confirmed through multiple sources. Don’t let doubt take that away from you.  

3. Lean on the Holy Spirit for Strength

Waiting seasons can be exhausting.

Sometimes you pray and see no results. Sometimes tears fall. Sometimes your strength fades.

This is why Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

Jesus said that if He did not go away, the Comforter would not come. The Holy Spirit strengthens us when we feel weak.

Scripture reminds us:

“Even youths shall faint and be weary… but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:30–31)

The Holy Spirit refreshes the weary heart.

Too often our first response is to talk to friends when we should first talk to God.

Friends may mean well, but human advice can sometimes conflict with God’s plan.

Even Peter once tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross, saying, “This shall never happen to you.” Though his intentions were good, his words opposed God’s purpose.

In seasons of waiting, let your first conversation be with the Holy Spirit.

Don’t hold back. you feel tired of waiting, tell him. You don’t understand why you are waiting? Tell him. 

I remember an incident in my life when I was believing God for certain miracles, and I thought that because I was a Christian, those miracles should come easily. So I waited, and waited. I faced failure at every turn and couldn’t understand why God seemed to be silent toward me. After the last setback, I cried my eyes out and withdrew from God and everyone else. For about three days, I cried until I was exhausted and emotionally drained. Eventually, I gathered the courage to pray. The only word I could manage to say was, ‘Why?’. Holy spirit graciously answered. I heard a voice within my spirit.  

He said, ‘The vision is for an appointed time.’ I felt relieved afterward and took my mind off the miracle, choosing instead to face life as I should. I wouldn’t say the vision came to pass just a few months later, if I remember correctly, it still took about a year or even two, along with more setbacks, mor prayers, and more fasting. But when God showed up, He truly showed out.

What helped me was the comfort i received from the Holy Spirit. The word to wait for the promise proved that God had me in mind and had not forgotten me.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. i tell people don’t waste your tears with those who cannot really help, cry to God. 

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 58:6

4. Wait on the Lord with Courage

Scripture says:

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” (Psalm 27:14)

Waiting can feel painful, especially when others around you seem to be moving ahead.

But God is never slow with His promises.

Sometimes He is preparing you to steward what you prayed for.

God’s ways are higher than ours, and His timing is always perfect.

Habakkuk reminds us:

“Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come.”

During your waiting season, ask God to reveal the depth of His love for you.

Ephesians 3:18 speaks about understanding the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

When you truly understand God’s love, you begin to realize that your waiting, and even your pain, has purpose.

A loving Father never intends harm for His children.

Sometimes patience shapes us into more compassionate people, helping us understand the struggles of others who are also waiting on God.

5. Learn to Enjoy the Process

This may be the hardest lesson of all.

Waiting does not mean your life has to pause.

Do not wear your struggles on your face. Do not live like someone without hope.

Your God is able to do:

“Exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

So live with joy.

Smile. Love others. Forgive quickly. Keep believing.

The Bible encourages us:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength.

You do not want to arrive at your season of fulfillment exhausted, fearful, or unable to enjoy the blessing.

Instead, delight yourself in the Lord while you wait.

Final Encouragement: God Is Faithful

The waiting season is not wasted time.

God is working behind the scenes, shaping your heart, strengthening your faith, and preparing the promise.

So hold firmly to hope.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Your promise may seem delayed.

But God never fails.

And when the appointed time comes, what God spoke will surely come to pass.

What has been your waiting experience? share with us through the contact me webform.

]]> Speak, Lord, Your Servant Is Listening https://journeyinginfaith.com/speak-lord-your-servant-is-listening/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:02:32 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2374 How to Hear God’s Voice and Grow in Spiritual Intimacy

Many Christians often ask, “How can I hear God?” or “How do I know if it is really God speaking to me?” These are sincere questions that reflect a deep desire for intimacy with God.

Sometimes, we measure our spiritual growth by how much we hear or see. When others seem to have frequent spiritual encounters, it can lead to discouragement or self-condemnation. But God works in different ways with different people.

In Scripture, we see that Samuel heard God’s voice from a young age. Some believers seem to hear God effortlessly, while others are drawn into deeper intimacy through seasons of silence. “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” WE have to understand how God works in us and the grace we have rather than coveting someone else’s.

If God is drawing you to intimacy, you may find yourself becoming restless about not hearing God, your hunger for God may increase, and your prayers may become deeper. Without realizing it, God has spoken to your heart and the restlessness is a measure of grace.

Jesus said:

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”  John 6:44

Often, while you are waiting for a dramatic encounter, God is already speaking to your heart, drawing you into prayer, worship, and obedience.

Why Spiritual Hunger Matters

When God draws you, you may feel restless, hungry for more of Him, and eager to pray. This spiritual hunger is a gift.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”  Matthew 5:6

That desire to know God more is the beginning of learning to hear His voice. When you follow God’s promptings and embrace His invitation to draw near, He will unveil great and mighty things beyond your understanding. Be patient with both yourself and God. Every true relationship requires time and nurturing, and your relationship with God is no exception.

Below are some practical steps that have helped me grow in hearing God more clearly.

1. Develop a Consistent Prayer Life

Consistency is more important than length. Choose a realistic time, whether 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and commit to it daily.

As you pray consistently, God will begin to guide you. You may feel a strong desire to fast, study His Word more deeply, or let go of certain habits. These gentle nudges are often His voice. You do not need to strive for perfection. Instead, see yourself as a child in God’s care, and focus on growing day by day. The Bible says:

“Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14

As you learn to obey these gentle promptings, you grow in spiritual maturity, and your ability to recognize God’s voice becomes clearer and stronger.

At the beginning of your journey, it is completely okay to bring your needs to God during your consistent prayer time. Just as a child asks a parent for food and care, God welcomes your prayers, they are not selfish. Don’t be confused by advice about asking God only what you can do for Him and not what He can do for you. When you are just starting to pray consistently and learning to hear God, that approach can feel overwhelming or confusing. God delights in responding to your needs. As you grow and mature in faith, He will naturally lead you from “milk” to “solid food,” guiding you to focus more on your purpose and spiritual maturity.

2. Do Not Abort the Process

Learning to hear God takes time. The enemy often tries to interrupt this process through distraction, weariness, confusion, and discouragement

Have you noticed how many thoughts come rushing in when you try to pray? Sometimes, so many requests fill your mind at once that you begin to wonder which one to focus on first. This is often the spirit of confusion trying to distract you. In such moments, stay focused on the main reason you began praying and remain faithful.

I once felt God calling me into deeper intimacy, so I stepped back from other activities to focus on prayer. Later, I saw my church needed choristers, and the thought crossed my mind to consider joining the choir. It seemed spiritual and reasonable, I would be working for God. But as I prayed and carefully examined the thought, I realized it would reduce my intercessory prayer time. I did not feel God had released me.

Sometimes, good things can distract us from God’s best plan.

Be willing to ask questions in your heart. Humility brings clarity, and God will answer those pressing questions.

3. Get Back on Track: Choose Faith Over Fear

Life happens. Sometimes we fall out of rhythm with prayer and devotion. When that happens, do not give up.

The Bible says:

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”  Hebrews 3:15

There is always grace for today. God gives us a fresh opportunity each day to choose Him. Even if you falter in your prayer walk, today is a new chance to retrace your steps, realign your heart, and return to His presence.

God may use dreams, visions, or strong impressions to draw you back to Himself. Even uncomfortable dreams can serve as loving reminders to return to Him. Instead of panicking, learn to worship, pray, and realign your heart with His will.

In Hosea 2, we see how God spoke of stripping His unfaithful wife, Israel, of the things He had blessed her with for pursuing after other gods. Yet, after this season of correction, He promised to allure her, to lead her into a quiet, secluded place and speak tenderly to her heart. She would no longer call Him “my master,” reflecting distance and fear, but “my husband,” symbolizing intimacy, love, and restored relationship.

In the same way, God lovingly draws us back when we drift away.

Today, make the decision to desire God more. Every return to Him strengthens your relationship with Him and deepens your walk of faith.

4. Pursue Purity and Holiness

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  Matthew 5:8

To hear God clearly, we must pursue holiness.

God hates sin.

The Bible says:

“Your iniquities have separated you from your God.”  Isaiah 59:2

I remember a time when God once showed me, through a dream, that He wanted me away from a certain environment. Though I was reluctant, Isaiah 6:1 kept repeating in my spirit:

“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.”

God was showing me that something in my life had to end for me to see Him more clearly, something He considered impure. Sometimes, He calls us to step away from certain relationships, environments, or habits so that we can grow spiritually.

When God separates you from these things, you may suddenly find yourself with more time. Don’t fill that space with distractions or entertainment. Instead, use it to pray, reflect, and study His Word, drawing closer to Him with intentionality.

5. Learn to Be Spiritually Sensitive

There was a season when I felt God was silent. Other Christians around me shared dreams and revelations, but I experienced dryness. I wondered if I was doing something wrong, even questioning if God loved me as much as He loved them. I prayed more, fasted more, yet it felt like nothing changed.

Then one night, I had a dream. Finally! But it wasn’t a comforting dream, it showed someone trying to pull me away from God. I had faced this before, and I didn’t want to go down that path again. So, I cried out in prayer for several nights.

Shortly after, a song came to my mind “Mercy Said No” by CeCe Winans. It wasn’t a favorite of mine, so I was surprised it came up. When I listened to the lyrics, it felt like a direct answer to my prayers.

God had spoken.

If I had ignored that impression, I would have missed His response and continued groaning for something He had already answered.

God speaks in many ways. Pay attention to the “small signals.” They are encouragements while you grow.

Why Seeking God Matters

Would Jesus die for you only to abandon you? Never.

You were created for God. In finding Him, you discover your true purpose.

Without God, there will always be emptiness. But in discovering God, you come alive. 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found.”  Isaiah 55:6

Whenever I feel a pull to pray, I remind myself:

“God misses me.”

And it is true.

He desires fellowship with you. He longs for your voice. I think i wept when i read this verse:

"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" Zephaniah 3:17

I imagined the One who is feared in heaven, who dwells in unapproachable light, rising from His majestic throne and dancing over me. I could almost hear angels asking, ‘What is man that You are so mindful of him?’ The thought overwhelmed me, and I broke down. Don’t stay away. Take time today to talk to Him.

He will transform your life, just as He is transforming mine.

]]> The Journey – Part 3 https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-part-3/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:57:18 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2369 I decided to trust that what God had spoken over my life was still true—even here, even now.

Then, without thinking, without planning, I shouted.

“The strangers shall hear my voice and obey!”
“I command you to come out!”

The words left my mouth before fear could stop me. Even now, I don’t know where that confidence came from. It felt like I wasn’t fully in control, like something stronger than me had taken over.

I laughed—a sharp, fearless laugh—and said,
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Come out. Now.”

And then they appeared.

One by one, standing before me in a straight line. My heart pounded as I stepped closer, dragging my sword along the ground. Sparks flew with each scrape, echoing through the silence. I could feel their fear, almost tasting it. They didn’t look powerful anymore. They looked… small.

“For three sins against me, even for four, I will not relent,” I said, my voice steady.

Then I attacked.

I kicked fear hard, sending it sprawling across the floor. It looked shocked. I didn’t stop. I grabbed it, spun it, and threw it into the wall. It screamed, but the other demons turned away, hissing at it in disgust. Its red eye, once fierce and threatening, now trembled with fear.

So even fear can be afraid, I thought.

I attacked again, letting every ounce of anger I’d stored pour through my sword.

“For God has not given me the spirit of fear!” I shouted.
“In the name of Jesus—be gone!”

The blade pierced through fear, and it vanished, leaving behind only green smoke and a bitter, acrid stench.

The others hesitated, trying to escape. At first, they couldn’t move. I walked among them slowly, my sword tracing lazy circles in the air, deciding who would be next.

Then I stopped in front of despair.

“You’re next,” I said.

I saw its fear. I had the advantage. But suddenly, a thought flickered across my mind:

What if this victory was just luck?
What if fear isn’t really gone?
What if it comes back?

My confidence wavered. My grip on the sword weakened.

And in that instant, the other demons scattered, melting into shadows. They were gone.

I stood there, chest heaving and my heart pounding. Then, I smiled. Victory. Not complete, but it was enough for now. They wouldn’t bother me again… at least, not today.

Who knew I had that in me?

I threw my head back and walked with my shoulders high, proud of myself. For a fleeting moment, I thought, I really did that.

Then I heard a whisper, soft enough that I almost missed it:

“Careful. Not by power, nor by might.”

Immediately, my shoulders slumped.

Deep down, I knew the truth. It wasn’t me.

I could still feel the Holy Spirit guiding me.

“Thank You,” I whispered.

And then I saw Him.

Jesus.

He was smiling at me like a proud father, eyes shining with something I could only describe as pure love.

“Come,” He said. “There’s more I need to show you.”

We began walking.

The path narrowed, lined with thorns that clawed at my ankles. I tried to avoid them, but I stepped on one. Pain shot through my foot, sharp and unforgiving.

I stopped, frustrated.

Jesus was the Way. He knew the way. Of all the paths He could have chosen, why this one? I had just finished fighting fear. I had just won. I should’ve been resting, catching my breath, savoring the victory. Not walking through pain. Not struggling again.

I pulled my hand from His when He reached for me. I didn’t understand why He would take me through this. He didn’t say a word. He let me walk alone.

Every step was worse than the last. My feet throbbed and bruised. I couldn’t go any farther. I stopped and turned.

He was still there, watching me, His face full of compassion.

“Do you need Me now?” He asked gently.

“Please… help me,” I said.

He stepped beside me and took my hand.

“Why?” I asked. “Why this path?”

He smiled and led me to a rock. “Here, rest. Let me treat your wounds.”

He bent to bandage my bruised feet. “Did you know you are impatient? That you lose your temper easily? You threw a fist a while ago.”

“I surprised myself,” I admitted, smiling despite the pain.

“I’m glad you’ve learned you can lean on Me,” He said.

Then He reminded me:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

I asked, “Is this like an obstacle course?”

He laughed softly. “The end goal of an obstacle course is a prize. If your soul is worth more than any prize, would you expect the challenges to be easy?”

I stayed quiet, knowing the answer.

“Hard situations show you who you really are,” He continued. “And today, you learned how much you need Me. Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. I would never lead you through difficulty without a reason. You just have to trust My love.”

And in that moment, I understood.

]]> Guarding the Gates of Your Heart – Mark 4 https://journeyinginfaith.com/guarding-the-gates-of-your-heart/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:24:38 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2366 Mark 4:3–4
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.”

One night many years ago, my family gathered together in our living room. The house was full of laughter, conversations, and the warmth that comes from being surrounded by people you love.

We were a large household; about seven children, along with parents and uncles all living together. The living room lights shone brightly, the front door stood open, and for a moment, life felt peaceful and carefree.

Then everything changed.

Someone stepped outside into the compound and heard a faint sound coming from the boys’ quarters behind the house. At first, it was easy to ignore. The voice was distant and unclear.

But as he moved closer, the cry became louder:

“Help!!!”

He rushed toward the sound and discovered that our neighbor had been locked inside his own living room. The door was opened, and the frightened man stumbled out, shaken and distressed.

Thieves had entered his house, stolen his valuables, locked him inside, and escaped.

Sadly, robberies were not uncommon in our neighborhood. That was why everyone locked their doors at night. But that evening, our main gate had been left open.

The thieves did not force their way in.

They simply walked through the open gate.

Perhaps the noise from our house scared them away from us. Perhaps they already had enough and moved on. Either way, one truth became painfully clear, an open gate had invited unwanted visitors.

The Danger of an Unguarded Heart

As I reflected on that memory years later, I thought about Mark 4 and Jesus’ parable of the sower.

In that chapter, Jesus describes different kinds of hearts. The first heart He mentions is like a roadside path.

That image always stood out to me.

A path is open to everyone. Anyone can walk on it, step on it, or drive across it. There are no boundaries, no protection, and no restrictions.

In the same way, many people live with completely unguarded hearts and minds.

Every influence is allowed in. Every opinion is entertained. Every trend is absorbed.
Every voice gain access. Over time, the mind becomes crowded, noisy, and spiritually unstable.

Your Mind Becomes What You Focus On

Science continues to confirm something Scripture has always taught; repeated focus shapes the mind.

What you constantly watch, listen to, meditate on, and entertain eventually forms your thinking patterns.

In simple terms, your mind becomes what it feeds on. This is why an unguarded heart is dangerous.

When the mind is constantly filled with unhealthy entertainment, gossip, fear, negativity, lust, bitterness, confusion, and endless distractions, those things slowly shape a person’s worldview.

Then when God’s Word is planted, it struggles to take root.

Not because the seed lacks power, but because the soil has become overcrowded.

How Satan Gains Access Through Unguarded Thoughts

We see this pattern all the way back in the Garden of Eden.

Satan approached Eve with an alternative version of truth. His words sounded reasonable, logical, and appealing, but they directly contradicted God.

That is how deception often works.

It rarely arrives looking dangerous. Instead, it enters subtly through repeated exposure, compromised thinking, and unguarded influences. Little by little, the enemy gains access he was never meant to have.

Jesus warns about this in Mark 4 when He says the enemy comes quickly to steal the Word that was sown. Just like the thieves who entered through our open gate.

I remember a season when I genuinely enjoyed watching K-dramas. They were engaging, emotional, and easy to unwind with after a long day. At first, it felt harmless, just entertainment.

But over time, I began to notice something subtle shifting in me.

My understanding of spiritual truth started to feel less stable. Many of the stories were built around reincarnation, which goes against biblical teaching about life, death, and eternity. Without realizing it, I began entertaining thoughts that didn’t align with Scripture. I even found myself looking at people and wondering who they might have been in a “past life.”

That thought unsettled me. That was when I realized that not everything we call entertainment is spiritually neutral. So I repented. Not out of fear, but conviction. And have since stopped watching these shows.

Why Guarding Your Mind Matters

In cities like London and Toronto, some roads are marked as restricted or congested areas. Drivers must pay a fee to enter, which naturally reduces traffic and keeps those areas quieter.

But roads with unrestricted access are always crowded, noisy, and busy.

The human mind works the same way.

If every influence is allowed into your heart, peace and clarity cannot remain for long. But when you establish healthy spiritual boundaries, your heart becomes fertile ground where God’s Word can grow deeply.

Guarding Your Heart Creates Space for God’s Voice

God’s voice brings wisdom, direction, warnings, conviction, creativity, or new ideas for the future. But it becomes difficult to hear Him clearly when the mind is constantly overwhelmed by noise.

That is why guarding your heart matters. Guard what you watch, listen to, dwell on, and the voices you allow to shape your thinking.

Close the gates that do not honor God. Because when your heart is protected, God’s Word can take root, grow, and remain strong within you.

]]> When God Interrupted My Busyness https://journeyinginfaith.com/when-god-interrupted-my-busyness/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:17:07 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2356 I truly believed I was doing everything right.

As a mom, wife, employee, and Christian, my life was full. I was productive, responsible, and faithful, or at least I thought I was. My days were packed, my calendar overflowing, and I was serving God in the ways I understood best.

But then God interrupted my life. Not in a dramatic way, but quietly.

He began to speak to my heart, revealing something I did not want to accept:

“You are busy, but you are not in My best plan for you.”

That moment marked the beginning of a major spiritual shift in my life.

Leaving a Home Church and Entering a Season of Transition

Not long after, God began to move my family out of our home church, the place where we were known, active, and deeply involved in ministry.

Looking back, I can see that God had been warning me through dreams and quiet convictions. But I was slow to understand and even slower to respond in prayer.

So when the change finally came, it felt sudden, painful, and unplanned.

We left everything behind, our church responsibilities, and ministry roles, and entered a new church environment where we simply sat and listened.

We were not serving, not volunteering, and no assignments.

Just stillness. And in that stillness, I encountered something I had never properly faced before; Emptiness.

The Hidden Cost of Constant Busyness in Christian Life

At my former church, I was always busy, prayer team, children’s ministry, choir, rehearsals, and all these came with weekly meetings. I was constantly needed and constantly active.

But when all of that stopped, I realized I had built my identity around spiritual activity, not spiritual intimacy with God.

And I also realized something else, I didn’t have deep Christian friendships.

Not because I wasn’t friendly, but because I had never slowed down enough to build meaningful, accountable relationships.

I had been surrounded by people… yet felt alone.

Coping With Silence: Entertainment and Spiritual Discernment

With all the noise gone, I struggled with silence.

I filled it with prayer, and if I’m honest, with seasonal shows on Netflix.

At first, it felt harmless. A way to rest.

But over time, I noticed something shifting in my spirit. The more I watched, the more restless I became. I found myself more emotionally influenced, more distracted, and less spiritually sensitive.

Then God spoke again:

“Stop watching the shows.”

I resisted.

“God, this is how I unwind. You’ve already taken so much from me.”

But the conviction didn’t go away.

It became clear that what I thought was entertainment was also shaping my thoughts, emotions, and spiritual sensitivity.

The Power of Christian Friendship in Spiritual Seasons

Around that time, I began connecting with another woman at the new church. One day, I opened up about my struggle.

Her response changed everything.

She said, “I’m in the same season. Look at it this way;, God is saying Instead of finding pleasure in these shows, why not find your pleasure in God?”

In that moment, I realized Christians are not meant to walk alone in every seasons of our spiritual growth.

That friendship became a source of strength, accountability, and encouragement during a difficult transition.

Lessons From Moses: Why Christian Community Matters

This season reminded me of Moses in the Bible.

Moses struggled deeply with God’s call. He felt inadequate and unqualified. Yet God responded, “I AM that I AM,” confirming that the mission was not dependent on Moses’ strength but on God’s power.

Still, Moses needed help.

God gave him Aaron, someone who could speak when he could not.

And in battle, when Moses’ hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur stood beside him, holding them up until victory came.

This is the power of Christian community and friendship.

We are not meant to carry everything alone.

Why Christian Friendship Is Essential for Spiritual Growth

One of the greatest lessons I learned in this season is this:

Christian friendships are not optional, they are essential.

They strengthen faith, provide accountability, help us stay focused on God, and carry us when we are weak.

God often uses people to sustain us in seasons.

Finding Purpose in Stillness and Obedience to God

A year later, God led us back to our church. But I was no longer the same person.

The need to stay constantly busy was gone. The desire to please people had loosened its grip. And something deeper had been formed in me; stillness, clarity, and dependence on God.

What once felt like emptiness became transformation.

Final Reflection: A Prayer for Every Believer

If there is one thing I have learned, it is this:

Sometimes God disrupts our busy lives not to harm us, but to realign us.

So my prayer is simple:

May you never walk alone in your journey with God.
May you have true Christian friendships, people who strengthen your faith,
who hold your arms when you are weak, and who walk with you until obedience becomes joy.

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.

]]>