Apr 20
Today’s Truth
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
Friend to Friend
My husband and I were in a waiting period. His company had gone through a merger and was collapsing positions
and territories, which left his employment in jeopardy. For months we didn’t know if Brad would keep his job or if he’d need to find another one. During that time, we had to choose to trust God. And it wasn’t easy.
Choosing to trust God is so daily, isn’t it?
When I only looked at the “what-ifs” of Brad’s job situation – the possible unemployment, the stress of job-hunting, the financial strain of unemployment, and the uncertainty of the economy – my faith and God-confidence shook and waned. Fear and doubt knocked on the door of my heart, suitcases in hand, wanting to move in and take up residence.
On the other hand, when I fixed my eyes on God, looked at His character and at the ways He had brought us through hard times in the past, my faith was strengthened. Courage and confidence knocked on my heart! They are much better residents.
The heart-warming story of Ruth and Naomi is of two women who faced difficult circumstances and an uncertain future. Following the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to move back to her homeland of Israel. Though she freed her daughters-in-law to stay in their home country of Moab and remarry, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side.
Determined and loyal, Ruth held tightly to the mother-in-law she loved deeply and to the God of Israel whom she now called her own. Though our natural tendency in hard times is often to go it alone, I’ve learned from Ruth, and from my own experience, that in turbulent times it’s vital that we hold fast to our faithful God and to the ones we love.
God breathed hope into the souls of Naomi and Ruth through their kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. The book of Ruth goes on to tell a fascinating account of how God lovingly cared for and blessed Naomi as He used the faithful friendship and kindness of Ruth to renew her life and sustain her. She traveled back to Bethlehem as a broken, depressed and bitter widow but was comforted and restored by the loving hand of God.
Like Naomi, when I experience difficult times, I have to choose to trust God.
Some days I choose well.
Some days I don’t.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Choosing to trust God changes everything.
How can we choose to trust God? We decide in our hearts. We recognize that our own understanding will fail us. We submit our ways, our conversations, our attitudes, our relationships, our employment… our everything to the faithful One who not only straightens our paths but walks them with us.
No matter what challenges you face today, take comfort that God knows every issue on your heart and is able to shoulder your burdens. Hold fast to the faithful One. Your challenges do not fall outside the scope of God’s ability to intervene. He is able to bring peace in the pain and strength in the struggle.
Trusting God isn’t always easy… but it is always best.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You know exactly where I am and You know the circumstances of my life. Please give me courage and help me to trust You today.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is the Lord calling you to trust Him with today?
Read the book of Ruth. (It’s only 4 chapters!)
If you struggle with trusting God, know that you’re not alone. Need prayer? Let’s meet in the comments section today. Post a prayer and pray for the posted needs of another.
More from the Girlfriends
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Please pray for our financial needs. My husband is disabled now and we are in the waiting period for approval of his disability.
God knows what I need to hear when I need it most. Your words today were exactly what I needed. My beautiful daughter-in-law Brittany White was diagnosed with leukemia and recently had a stem cell transplant. Our lives changed in a heartbeat 9 months ago. We have clung to God but many times feeling like we’re hanging on by a thread. This is a roller coaster like no other. We have seen many miracles along the way, the power of prayer and the amazing grace of God poured out on us daily. But there are times when our hearts are weary and our faith begins to shake. Just last night my prayer was to TRUST HiM knowing that He is in control …He has the plan…And then I read your devotional this morning on trusting Jesus. It is a day by day…hour by hour…minute by minute choice to trust and not be consumed with fear and doubt. I cannot imagine battling this war without the One who holds the future. Thank you for being used by God to speak to my heart
Please pray for me to fully trust God with our finances.
Please pray for me to trust God and his timing in the man he has for me. I’ll be 35 in May and I’m in full time ministry but I am incredibly lonely :(. I thought I had found a good Christian man recently but his character on social media proved otherwise so I just ended it as I felt the Lord was telling me to. I know I was obedient but I am sad and it obviously isn’t helping me not feel lonely….so please just pray
Please pray with me that my children will find their identities in Christ Jesus and that they will begin to live their live according to the word of God. Lord I pray that my children trust you more that they trust social media. Return their hearts to You Lord.
I thought I was called to be a teacher, but this year has been tough. I go back and forth daily as to whether or not I should leave the profession or stick it out because next year will be better. Please pray that I trust in God and make the right choice.
Dear Kelly – I pray for your loneliness. I pray that your heart feels what your mind already knows – that God and you are enough. I pray for strength as you are patient to see His will. God created Eve so Adam would not be alone. He has placed in our hearts the desire for a partner to share our lives. Do your best to trust His timing. God is never late. Frustratingly from a human perspective, He is seldom early. Blessings in your ministry as you pray to see His will for relationships in your life. – Kristin
We are in the process of putting our home of 27 years on the market. We feel it is a good decision with the incredible “seller’s “ market right now and our need to eventually downsize, but the same market is not good for buyers-so we have no place to go yet once our house sells…which it will do quickly! We are looking for a short term rental, but that is proving difficult. I need…want to trust God’s plan that we cannot see. He has been SO faithful throughout our lives, but fear and worry are taking their toll on me. I ask for prayers to surrender all to Him and feel His presence!
God please help Ashley. Ashley was terminated from her job two weeks ago and she needs your love guidance and support. She needs financial support, a source of income. She needs to know if she is moving in the right direction. She is a single mom out in this world trying to make it. I pray that God you are an on time God who will take care of her needs. Blessings Ashley — God’s Got you
Today’s devotion brought me to tears as it’s so relevant to the struggles I’m having with my partner. He’s financially strained and is struggling to find his footing to bounce back. I’ve struggled with accepting this rough season and my faith has seriously waned. I know God can deliver, but it’s so difficult to see the possibilities now.
Praying for you now, Jessica!
Gwen
Please pray for me and my two children. I lost my son on 9-11-21 he passed from COVID. I miss him so much and some days the grief is overwhelming. My mom got sick in December and passed 1-2-22. God has been amazing through all this and has brought great comfort but it’s a daily struggle. Thank you and God bless you!
Oh, Anne. I’m so sorry for your losses! Praying now that you will continue to trust the Lord and experience deep waters of His peace, comfort and provision in this season.
Gwen
Susan,
I understand completely what you are going through! We had exactly the same concerns about finding a new home after our property sold ONE week after listing. We found our new home not in the town we were looking but 10 miles away in a smaller town where we had never considered. I even prayed for God NOT to send us there. God changed our hearts & expanded our territory! He gave me many scriptures to cling to along the way about peace, His timing, & letting Him guide, but the one that stands out the most is Luke 1:30 (TCT version) when an angel was speaking to Mary, “Do not yield to fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you & has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift.” We close on both properties next week. WOW!
Please pray for my husband and i. We are planning to do fertility treatments. We also need prayer for consistency and parenting our two year old.
We took a leap of faith and moved across the country 7 months ago. Everything fell into place in 30 days! bought a home and our daughter is thriving in school. But my husband has not found a job in the new state. He commutes down every weekend to spend time with us. While currently at his old job. He is in education and is stressed to the max. Becuase of work and becuase of our distance . I’m struggling to believe he will get a Job soon. A Job that will cover the bills. Doubt creeps in and wonder if we made a mistake. I know we didn’t but day after day as we here No! I start to lose faith. Pray for me,my family, my husband he’s carrying a heavy load and depression is taking hold of me. Just so much, the weight is heavy and sometimes hard to bare.
So hard to have a stressed husband! Been there. Praying for you now.
Gwen
My husband and I are in a waiting period right now..we lived in the US for 5 years and came back to SA for family. We have been back now for 11 years. I have a permanent job which I prayed for, my husband started his own company, which are good some months and not so much during other months..
We have been praying for him to get a permanent job with a monthly income as mine alone is just not enough.
God has been so faithful, we have never gone hungry or without a place to stay.
We looked after my mother in law for 9 years before she passed and the house we lived in was sold within a month and we had to leave. We had no place to go and could not afford a place of our own, so friends said that we can move in with them. Keeping in mind that my baby sister and her two younger daughters came to live with us just before lockdown as her husband left them, and she lost her job at the same time. We have been looking after them for two years now, and prayers and a lot of tears later my sister got a Job back in Cape Town. The two girls stawith us until the 8th of April and then left to join there mother. So we have been living in a room coming first of May for a year now, and my sister and children in a separate room outside.
God has been so faithful and please I am not complaining just sharing my heart..
We just want a place of our own and want to be together doing our thing..we have been praying so hard and crying together asking God to show us a place we can move into and a permanent job for my husband..
Things are not the same, between our friends and us, which is understandable. We feel in the way all the time and so quilty. We pay or dues every month and buy groceries as well. Unfortunately my husband has to work from their home, whereas I leave to in the morning and come back in the afternoon.
We are truly grateful that they took us in, I do not know as to where we would have been if not for them opening their doors for us.
So we are in a waiting period for the past year not knowing what to do, we are looking for places to rent but for that to happen we need two incomes on a monthly basis and it feels like we have been praying and praying and that God is not hearing us..
So please prayers for a permanent job for my husband and a place we ca call home, would be much appreciated.
Thanks for sharing this, Tionette! Praising God with you for His provision in hard times… praying with you for His continued provision with housing and a job for your husband. Keep trusting and thanking Him!
In Christ,
GWEN
This devotional really resonated with me as I know God called me to a particular area of the country separating my growing family from our extended family. But it’s hard not having community and I’m struggling in the job God provided in our new home. I’ve received a few opportunities to apply for new positions, none seem to fit quite right. I don’t want to jump ship out of God’s will or waste time pursuing things that aren’t good for me and my family. I also don’t want to stay in a place longer than I should because of fear, something I typically do. Basically, I’m praying for clarity and patience as I trust God to guide me daily knowing He’ll order my steps as I listen for direction especially regarding a new church home and career opportunities. Thank you!
Tough stuff for sure! Praying for the LORD to lead you with clarity and courage, Kay!
Gwen
Please pray for me to decide to trust God with our finances, our car situation and a change with my job.
Praying now, Norma!
Gwen
Father in Heaven, I pray for Karen. We recognize that you are the Almighty, you are God. I lift Karen and her husband up to you my God, you know their circumstances, you know their needs. Fill their hearts with peace that surpasses all understanding, fill their minds with good thoughts and intervene those líes from the enemy, in the name of Jesus! I pray that her husbands disability payments will come through Father. I know that you can God, but I’m asking on Karens behalf if you will…..
In Jesus’ name I ask,Amen!
Amen!
Two months ago I lost my oldest son – it has been devastating. I’m dealing with that but also dealing with a marriage that has been awful for 15+ years. The man is not a Christian, first and foremost. He lies. He just lost his job – again. I have prayed and prayed and feel the time has come to go through with a divorce. He’s not my boys dad and they absolutely despise him and his ways. My family (boys/families) do not come to my home because of him. My life is miserable here. I hold on to and have for years Jeremiah 29:11 as well as Romans 8:28. I hoped to again begin divorce paperwork once I got through internment (tomorrow) for my son but now the husband is unemployed and I refuse to have to pay one dime in support (he is very cheap and would go after anything “for free”). I need a lot of prayer – I pray daily, nightly, constantly. I know God is working not in my time! I am miserable and I know this is not the life God wants for me. Thank you.
Oh, Cindy, I’m so sorry for your loss… and for the pain you’ve been going through. Praying for you now.
GWEN
I am in yet another waiting period with my career and job. It been this way the last few years and when I think I found something great that is gonna last something comes along and messes it up. So please pray for me to finally find the right opportunity that I can stay at for while. Thanks
Been there! Praying now, Mary!!
GWEN
Please pray for me to trust God in this next phase of my life. My job is being threatened, and whereas I’m ready to move on from it for a number of reasons, being made to move, facing unemployment, is altogether different. It no longer pays well, but it’s the insurance that keeps me there as I have various medical issues, the biggest being Crohn’s disease. My husband works two jobs and we’re still struggling financially. I’ve witnessed God’s power and love in the lives of so many, as well as my own, but fear, stress, worry, and feelings of unworthiness have taken up residence in my life. I pray to for breakthrough!!! To walk in purpose, feel His love for ME, and see His hand moving in my life.
Please pray that God sends a husband to my daugther. She will ne 39 in May. I don’t want her to have to live her life alone. She has been dating a nice young man for 6 years but it seems like the relationship is going nowhere. Her sisters both have families and I would like for her to not be alone once I’m gone from this earth.
Please pray that I can trust God while I’m praying for direction. I moved about 3000 miles away from my hometown with my children to be closer to my mom after my dad passed away from cancer. My children have now become adults, are in relationships and my oldest son just bought his first house. They are getting established. I really want to be here with my children, and my mother,but my body is not adapting well to the environment. I have really bad allergies and find it hard to breathe out here in the midwest with sinus issues etc. I’m contemplating going back to the west coast where I can breathe better, but at the same time just don’t now what God’s will is. I have been praying for direction, but not really getting any answers yet. I don’t want to make any rash decisions without knowing if it’s God’s will to leave.
Please pray for me to continue to keep my focus on Gods timing and his will. I am struggling with my boyfriend as he is struggling with mental illness that is holding him back in ways. This is causing a strain on our relationship and his personal life. It’s like he is emotionally checking out because he is so stressed and depressed. My I don’t want to give up but I need God to guide me and show me the way so that my faith is in GOD and not my own understanding.
I also need God to put his hand on my son as he is growing into a young man and and to keep him near you Lord, and not to believe everything he sees on YouTube or social media. God please help him to understand and see you are real and there for him too. I need you Lord.
Please pray for my husband and my kids to be saved. It’s a struggle to see that your loved ones are not saved.
Thanks
Reading all of these comments I want each of you to know that I will pray for you. This devotional hit me where I am today as well. I LOVE Girlfriends in God! Thank you for these wonderful devotionals
I really needed to hear this devotion today. I have been worrying about a lot of things and doubting . Buck just need to be still abs trust God . Please pray for my finances and that I find my future husband soon. Also pray for my family and friends and for the ones who aren’t saved.
Thank you
Asking prayers for my daughter. She has struggled with drugs in the past and GOD had restored her but the enemy one more time has got her. I know GOD is more powerful then Satan. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I have read and prayed thru each comment. I can identify with nearly all of you – Sisters indeed! Kelly – I married for the first time at 35. The waiting was hard as were all the false hopes. I read and re-read Anne Kimmel Anderson’s book, “I Gave God Time” often. And even with the right guy, marriage is no cake walk (we celebrate our 27th anniversary on Friday). There are still times of extreme loneliness as only God and maybe a girlfriend can truly understand our hearts and concerns and hear them the way we share them. Enjoy the freedom you currently have to set your course freely as God wills, rather than to have to discuss and demote your plans to that of your spouse. Continue to serve others, practice hospitality, learn to appreciate how men think and act, by God’s design, and fully know and appreciate yourself and how He made you, too.
And on that note, my husband decided to move us to a totally different climate, 3 states away. I’ve been packing for months. We’re retired so this is his choice, despite my protestations. This week he’s there getting things set up and I’m here packing and saying good-bye to some wonderful women in my life. I’ve finally turned the corner and see the wisdom in the move, tho I still have the fear over the dry heat during the summers and lack of a few close friends, but with God there is endless HOPE! I’ve thought often of Gwen’s many moving experiences, and also Sara and Abraham (and Pharaoh!), and I certainly don’t have it that bad! I’m trusting God for what He has in store for us, despite my fears, and acknowledge that I’ve let fear rob me of His peace at times in the last few months, but the grief was a necessary phase, so I guess I can relate in a small way to those of you who are in a time of significant loss, too. God is greater than all these things. May He continue to write His story on our lives and we bring Him glory in the in-betweens, the landings, and the ending! As Elizabeth Elliot has said, there is always something right in front of us He has for us to do, rather that always looking ahead to the unknown.
I have a serious sinus issue. All of a sudden for the past three days my nose is falling apart inside and wanting to bleed. I’ve had surgery but it did no good. The enemy wants to use this to control me with fear and doubt my healing. Please pray for a divine deliverance. And thank you for making yourselves available. In Christ, Erica
My son ( who is a godly man) has struggled for years with loneliness and the desire to have a wife and family. He doesn’t understand why his brother, cousins, etc have this and he doesn’t. Also, he was just told he would loose his job, June 1st. Please pray for him. Thank you and God’s blessings on your ministry.
I’ve prayed for everyone here and would appreciate prayers, too.
Like a few others, I am also praying for a husband. I’m going to be 37 on the 23rd and have never dated or even been friends with a guy due to fear (of guys and the whole dating scenario, among other things). I developed anxiety disorder and agoraphobia as a teenager and have basically been hiding from people since I was 15. I mean, I only really talk to a couple of people that I trust and I only leave my apartment when necessary and when fewer people are about. My biggest support (my mom) died three years ago. God has been working on healing me of my anxiety but that’s leading to feelings of loneliness and regret over losing so much of my life over these years, and impatience to see big changes. I would love prayers for making Christian friends, too, not just a husband. And for finding/ joining a church, as I’ve just been watching services online so far. I really want to belong and be involved, but am not sure where to go or how to start. I am also starting a business that I feel the Lord has been leading me to build, so prayers for that would be great, too. Thanks!
Dear Jillian F. — Your post spoke to me. First, I want you to know that you are not alone, my friend. You are not the only thirty-something year old who’s never dated. I say that because sometimes we can be critical of ourselves and believe the lie that “we’re the only one.” Not true. Also, I’m so sorry for your loss. I too lost my mom at a young age.
I’m not a therapist, but it sounds to me like you’re struggling with handling your thoughts and emotions. As if you’re serving them (which is draining, depressing, and exhausting) instead of them serving you (which is empowering, enriching, and helpful). Yes, believe or not, your emotions, even tough ones, can actually serve you well. Don’t flee from your anxiety or fears. God wants to do a deep and thorough work in you. He wants to do that in all of us. Jesus did not just come to save us from the penalty of our sins (which is amazing). He also came to heal and restore (also amazing).
I strongly encourage you to seek Christ-centered counseling with someone you connect well with (some churches have counseling). If you absolutely won’t do that, consider reading through some relevant articles on this website (https://nickwignall.com/articles/). I’ve found some of them to be very helpful.
Most of all though, seek Jesus. I’m telling you…He wants you healed and restored. Experiencing healing can be painful and feel daunting, but trust me…no trust Jesus, it’s worth it, and He’s with you every step of the way. Here’s my prayer for you.
Lord Jesus,
I come before you on behalf of Jillian F. Jesus, You are the Healer and the God of Restoration. You finish what you start, and You don’t do shoddy work. I ask, God, that You would turn Jillian’s darkness into light (Ps. 18:28 NIV) and that as You’re doing that, You would keep her lamp burning (Ps. 18:28). Please heal, restore, and make her whole. Transform her, Lord, into being emotionally resilient and mentally fit. In fact, I ask God that You would do such a freeing and liberating work in her that she finally “feels like herself” and can turn around to help others going through what she went through. I ask that You hear and remember her desires — a husband, restoration of years lost, life-giving and healthy friends who love and know You, community, and starting a business.
In Jesus’s Name I pray,
Amen
Dear Lord ,
I pray for peace, love, and healing. I pray for growth and success. I pray for blessings mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually. I pray for confidence and competence. I pray for a family and alignment. In Jesus name, order my steps and increase my faith Amen.
Amen Tiffany, prayers for you Jillian.
Please pray for me. My supervisor is attacking me and doing so by using two of my coworker. He is looking to retire this year and is making a hostile work environment in hopes that I will leave. He was prompted by another coworker that has fed him lies over the years and they got a senior-level employee involved. However, that senior-level employee was terminated. The problem still lingers. I have been in this battle for almost 10 months now. This has challenged my faith a lot. I am fearful because of the unknowing. It bothers me that I struggle with not trusting God when has been so good to me. I know that trouble doesn’t last always but it is so hard while I am going through the storm.