"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 Devotional – Journeying In Faith https://journeyinginfaith.com Christian blog Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:41:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://journeyinginfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cropped-transparent-logo-scaled-1-32x32.png Devotional – 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.

]]> 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.

]]> 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.

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