October 2022 Guest Post Sampler

Every month, I guest post at several popular sites. For your reading convenience, I’m gathering them into a October 2022 guest post sampler. Enjoy these previews of the posts, then click on the “read more” link.

Waiting for Hindsight

Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you;
    collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
    set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,
    and won’t take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
    like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
    you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 MSG

Waiting for hindsight is challenging. I know the value of hindsight, but I simply can’t have it in my current season.

If you have been in a valley of long suffering, you likely know this type of tension. I hate living in limbo. Not knowing how long I’ll be in this place feels exhausting. It’s sort of like holding a squat for a full minute rather than ten seconds – the hovering becomes painful and overwhelming.

I’ve been in valleys of long suffering before. Times when I didn’t know what was ahead. Times of hardship, waiting, and yearning for the pressure to release.

Then once I was out of the valley, I had valuable hindsight on the problems, situations, roots, and reasons. Everything seemed to make more sense, even if I didn’t have all the answers. Hindsight provided relief, because I was no longer hovering painfully over an issue with an unknown deadline.

In this current season, I feel stuck in a hard middle with no clear end in sight. The pressure is relentless. Many people are telling me, “I just don’t know how you’re doing it.”

I know God is with me – beyond a doubt. He’s giving me the strength to press on, sometimes minute by minute. I’m blessed to feel his presence with me every moment. In this time of waiting for hindsight along with the relief and perspective it provides, this is what I’m choosing to do.

I’m meditating on Proverbs 2:1-5 and pulling out these virtues to pursue:

Wisdom. If I ask God to grant me his wisdom while I’m waiting for hindsight, he helps me see my struggles from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one. Again and again he reminds me that to him, a thousand years is like a day, and a day is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8). What seems like a long and painful season now may seem like a brief period later, when hindsight is available.
Understanding. I’m asking God to help me understand as much as he wants me to understand in this limbo period. I’m learning to be satisfied with little hints and glimpses rather than the whole picture. Talking with others to get their perspective truly encourages me too. In past situations, my understanding grew fuller with hindsight, and I’m anticipating that future perspective with hope.
Insight. In this season, I’m asking God to give me insight into the bedrock problems that lie under the surface. He’s graciously shown me three deep areas in which I can work on my own healing in preparation for whatever is ahead. I know when I have hindsight on this healing work, I’ll be grateful God granted me insight into those areas, since they were blind spots to me until he uncovered them.

Then I’m trusting in God’s promises that he will give me:

A healthy fear of God. I keep thinking about Job finally getting God’s answers after 37 chapters of suffering and lament. God’s answers weren’t really answers to Job’s problems. Rather, they spoke about the Creator’s unfathomable majesty and power. At the end of God’s speech, Job said, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). I keep repeating this verse to myself, reminding myself that God is writing my story and he is fully in control. He doesn’t owe me an explanation, now or later, because he is God! A healthy fear of his power and omniscience will protect me from getting prideful and entitled in my current suffering.
The knowledge of God. A year from now, five years from now, and ten years from now, I will have much more knowledge about my current situation than I do now. Not just my own knowledge based on reason, but the spiritual knowledge God will lovingly grant me with the passage of time. He will be there with me on the days I look back with hindsight. I will thank and praise him for protecting me when I didn’t even know it, and for guiding me along a path I couldn’t even see at the time. This is where I’m placing my hope. Though I can’t know how the story ends, I know it will be good, since God is always good.

I am writing this devotion from the valley, where you may be today. There are days when I desperately long to get relief from the pressure and want to run up the mountain to see the full story. But God is calling me to keep walking one step at a time through this valley, where his rod and staff are keeping me safe and giving me comfort (Ps. 23:4). I don’t have the strength to run ahead, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be good for me. He’s calling me to trust him right here in the waiting period.

Though I don’t have the gift of hindsight yet, I can anticipate receiving that gift someday with each forward step I take. I can also look back on previous hard seasons and thank God for the gift of hindsight I have on them now. Waiting for hindsight is hard, but I know that my joy will come soon enough (Ps. 30:5), and I pray you know and live this truth too.

Are you waiting for hindsight? Here's fresh encouragement for you. #encouragement #devotion #hope #waiting #hindsight Share on X

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

How to Be Content in a Tough Season

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 19:23 NIV

Do you want to know how to be content in a tough season? I am cultivating the virtue of contentment even though I’m in a tough season right now.

I have a new visual reminder to be content. My daughter and I are big Kendra Scott fans. We love her jewelry designs and the deals she runs for email subscribers.

For my October birthday, I ordered a necklace at 50 percent off. I eagerly awaited the little cardboard box from Texas, which arrived a few days after my birthday order.

I picked a plum colored stone, veined with gold and flecked with blue, from her new line of Elisa necklaces. When I tried it on, I noticed just one fairly large blue fleck and no others on the stone.

I’m a perfectionist by nature, so the asymmetrical focus bothered me. I asked my daughter and my son’s girlfriend what they thought. They said they would probably send it back.

Then I checked the return policy. Birthday discounts are considered final sales. So I had choices – grumble and complain about the imperfect stone, give it away to someone else, or learn to be content with what I have.

My necklace is teaching me an important lesson about being content. The necklace is still beautiful, and it’s even more unique with this “flaw” in design. I’ve decided to not just keep it, but wear it as a symbol of choosing contentment in this tough season.

In tough seasons, it can be hard to choose contentment. I had to spend months lamenting and grieving my situation to get to this point, and you may need to do that first as well. But there comes a time to lay aside the denial, anger, bargaining, and sadness, then step into the new world of acceptance though our situations may have not changed.

The truth is, I’m not content with the tough things. They still stink to high heaven. Everyone who hears my whole story experiences shock, then compassion. God’s not even asking me to be content with those tough things – he knows even better than I how much wickedness is going on behind the scenes.

However, I can be content in a tough season by focusing on what’s good. I often go to bed reciting God’s characteristics back to him, because I know those never change. Reminding myself of God’s unchanging character helps me cultivate a healthy fear and respect for who he is, and that includes being in full control of my situation.

Last night I reread my journals from earlier this year, when the situation was the toughest. I can now see the growth God produced in me to help me arrive at this stage of choosing contentment. Flawed though this situation may be, it still reflects God’s glory because I’m choosing to honor him.

I know God is protecting me from the trouble that surrounds me. His love is shielding me from attacks by human and spiritual enemies. Because of this, I can rest content, untouched by the trouble my enemies wish to inflict on me.

My new necklace reminds me of the challenging journey toward contentment. The blue fleck is like a scar that marks the hurt, but makes the stone even more unique. My painful story is unique too, and I know God is bringing and will continue to bring glory from it in the future.

Here are a few tips to help you be content in a tough season:

Shake up your prayers. Don’t just ask God for what you need. Lament your situation to him. Grieve before him. Then thank him for his unchanging character. Switch between these prayer modes daily, and God will open up the doorway to contentment in time.
Keep a journal. You may not see reasons to be thankful or content right now. But as you look back in the weeks and months to come, God will show you the work he’s doing in your heart and mind, and you’ll be amazed at the changes.
Look for value in what is imperfect. My necklace reminds me to do this. I’m also choosing to be grateful for the blessings in my imperfect house, budget, and relationships. When I intentionally search for reasons to be grateful, I find dozens every day.

I pray that if you are in a tough season, God will show you new ways to be content.

Do you want to know how to be content in a tough season? Here's encouragement for you. #encouragement #devotion #contentment Share on X

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

8 Scripture-Based Affirmations for Waiting

I’m in a season of waiting, and you may be in a similar season. Many people I know are in a season of waiting or just coming out of one.

Yesterday I started saying scripture-based affirmations for waiting. I don’t want my heart to get sick with deferred hope while I’m waiting. So I decided to speak God’s truth over my doubts, fears, and temptations when they arise.

These are the 8 scripture-based affirmations for waiting I’m using, and you can use them too. Simply speak them out loud when you get impatient, frustrated, or discouraged by your wait. Then turn them into a prayer, affirming your faith in God while you wait

1. Lord, I can be strong and take heart while I wait on you.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV

2. Lord, I trust you with my future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

3. Lord, I believe you have a purpose for my waiting season.

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2 NIV

4. Lord, I know you are preparing good things for me while I wait.

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

5. Lord, I believe you are sovereign over my situation.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
Psalm 71:5 NIV

6. Lord, I will be still before you and wait patiently for you to act.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:7 NIV

7. Lord, I put my hope in you while I wait.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5 NIV

8. Lord, I know you are acting on my behalf as I wait on you.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4 NIV

I pray that if you are in a waiting season, God will grow your faith with these affirmations.

Are you in a season of waiting? Here are 8 scripture-based affirmations to help you in your wait. Free printable too! #encouragement #devotion #waiting Share on X

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

God Is Our Protection

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11 NIV

As the leaves have fallen off the trees in my woods, I rediscovered this spiritual truth: God is our protection.

Look closely at the photo above. You’ll see an oval shape near the center of the photo. It’s a giant hornet’s nest.

The tree in which this nest hangs is about 20 feet away from my front porch. The hornet’s nest itself is the size of a large watermelon. I’m sure it housed (or is housing) many hundreds, if not thousands, of stinging insects.

What I’m realizing is that this nest existed all spring and summer without my knowledge. It was hidden by the green leaves, then the yellow ones. Finally, once enough leaves fell, its presence was revealed.

I didn’t know this real threat was present, but God did. I’m an outdoorsy person who spent many afternoons working on the porch, not 40 feet away from the nest. My two dogs love frolicking around and under the tree from which the nest hangs.

In all our hours outdoors, God was protecting us from getting stung. I don’t even remember seeing a single hornet from this nest. And I’m outside every single day, rain or shine.

I’m reflecting on this lesson with awe and gratitude. I could have gotten stung countless times, and my dogs could have gotten stung too. Yet God was gracious to keep us unaware while apparently directing the hornets to fly elsewhere for several months.

If you know about the incredibly hard year I’ve experienced, you know that human and spiritual enemy activity is located right next to me. Since January, Satan has put a target on my physical location to try to steal my peace, joy, and even my mental and emotional health. He has persecuted me and my children through the actions of wicked people.

That’s just the part I know about. But seeing that hornet’s nest this week made me think about all the real and present dangers from which the Lord has protected me this year without even knowing they were near. This encourages me in the fight I’m still fighting, trusting that God is my protection from every possible angle, human and spiritual.

I know people who have kept hornet’s nests on display. I’m thinking about calling my conservation department to get it removed. If they are able to take the nest down and assure me no danger is present, I may display it in my home as a reminder that God is our protection, even when we don’t know it.

I pray that if you are needing reassurance of God’s protection, this devotion encouraged you today.

Are you needing a reminder that God is your protection? Gain encouragement from this devotion. #encouragement #devotion #protection Share on X

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

Write the Word. Build Your Faith.

One simple practice can make a big difference.

You have probably heard that reading the Bible daily builds your faith. But did you know that writing out scripture builds your faith too?

Yes, the simple practice of writing out a verse that you read will help your spiritual growth. It’s a simple spiritual discipline that can make a big difference.

When you write something out, studies show you have a 40 percent better chance of remembering it. This is true whether it’s your to-do list, grocery list, or a Bible verse you want to capture in your mind.

It was also true if you got in trouble as a child in school and had to write sentences as a consequence for a bad decision. Why did the teacher make you do that? Because he or she knew the concept was more likely to stick in your mind and keep you from making that error again.

Your chosen verse can help you focus on positive truths when you are tempted to join a downward mental spiral of negativity.

When you write out a Bible verse, it will not only encourage you throughout the day. It can also guard you from making the wrong decisions. Your chosen verse can help you focus on positive truths when you are tempted to join a downward mental spiral of negativity.

Writing out God’s Word helps you hide it in your heart much deeper than simply reading it. Then it will be easier to pull up from memory as you face moments of temptation. It will also be easier to share with others since it will be on your mind.

How do you get started on this? First, you’ll need to have a notebook with your Bible or devotional. Keep that notebook and a writing utensil handy every day.

As you are reading, pray that God will reveal a verse He wants you to remember. Then write it out in your notebook, perhaps including the date and the reason this verse stood out to you.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV) describes God’s will for us to hide His word in our minds:

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Writing out scripture is just one method of getting God’s Word to stick in our minds. We can add more layers of memorization by talking about them, displaying them, and posting them on sticky notes or online.
The more you refer to your written verse, the greater sticking power it will have in your memory. Turn it over and over in your mind as you view it in your notebook. God will help you draw more wisdom and encouragement from it every time you consider it.

This simple practice of writing out a chosen verse will build your faith day by day. In one month of doing this, you’ll experience a new level of spiritual growth and encouragement. Grab your pen, paper, and Bible and get started today!

This post originally appeared on the UpLiftd section of the KHCB.org site.

How writing the Word builds your faith. #encouragement #devotion #scripturewriting Share on X

Renewed Hope after a Messy Divorce

When you are in divorce recovery and your counselor says your situation is one of the worst cases he’s seen in 30 years, you know you have a messy divorce.

This is what my counselor said to me. His words were hard to hear, yet also refreshingly validating. They even offered the tiny sliver of hope I needed to hold onto as my life swirled in chaos.

Divorce happens for a million different reasons. Mine happened due to addiction, emotional abuse, and infidelity. There were many problems before the divorce happened, and many more problems developed even after the divorce was final, due to severe dysfunction in extended family relationships.

Few people have easy divorces. Most of us struggle with crushing grief, financial stress, brokenhearted children, and life upheavals, just to name a few of the problems. Some of us struggle with feelings of betrayal, loneliness, and shame along with gastrointestinal problems, disrupted sleep, and a desire to numb our hearts.

So where is the hope in this bleak situation? I can tell you from my own experience that it is clinging to God like never before.

Psalm 18:1-2 is one of my favorite scriptures to turn to in times of trouble. It has so many of God’s powerful names that serve as anchors when our lives feel chaotic due to messy divorce.

Here are God’s names from Psalm 18 I clung to when the mess of my divorce swirled around me:

My strength

Rock

Fortress

Deliverer

Refuge

Shield

Salvation

Stronghold

God’s character never changes. That’s why calling out to him with these names is like claiming his unchanging promises for you in your messy divorce.

Psalm 18:6 (NIV) says, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” This is literally what I did many times each day in those early weeks of my divorce recovery.

Here are examples of how I cried out to God, using his names:

“God, you are my shield. You will protect me from the vicious lies people are speaking against me.”

“Heavenly Father, you are my strength. I don’t know how I will get through this day because I’m so grief stricken and sleep deprived. But I trust you to give me strength for the tasks I must complete.”

“Lord, you are my rock. Everything around me has shifted, and my whole world feels like it’s on fire. But I can cling to you like a huge rock that never moves.”

“Jesus, you are my deliverer. I don’t know when the day of deliverance from this mess is coming. But you already see it. I trust that you will not let these problems last forever.”

“God, you are my refuge. I can come away with you and rest from all the drama for a while. You provide a safe place for me away from the mess.”

Reminding myself again and again, sometimes several times per day, of God’s unchanging character gave me hope in my messy divorce. My faith has grown tremendously in my divorce recovery, and God has truly been my secure anchor in the days, weeks, and months that followed the original trauma.

I also found hope in sessions with my Christian counselor, meeting with a Stephen Minister, and speaking frequently with my best friend, who had gotten divorced a few years earlier. These wise people spoke words of hope into my situation—we all need people like this on our side when we face divorce.

If you are facing a messy divorce, you can still find hope. Don’t go through it alone. You need help from a counselor, divorce care group, and/or pastor for several months after your divorce. Most of all, cling to God through all your problems, and you will find hope in the faithfulness of his presence. I did, and I know you can too.

Scripture to Meditate On:

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” – Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What are you crying out to the Lord about in this season of your life?

2. What names of God can you cling to?

3. How has God’s faithfulness found you in the past? What might it look like now?

This post originally appeared on the Dawn app blog.

You can have renewed hope after a messy divorce. Here's how I'm finding it. #encouragement #divorce #divorcerecovery Share on X

Author Interview: Writers are Readers

I had fun with this interview on Karin Beery’s site. Learn some little-known facts about me in this quick read.

A quick read: my author interview that reveals several things you don't know about me! #authorsoftwitter #authorinterview #christianauthor Share on X

Author Interview with Dr. Gladys Childs

I am thankful that Dr. Gladys Childs interviewed me about my new book. You can read the full interview HERE.

Learn more about my book, Hidden Manna on a Country Road, in this author interview with @GladysChilds. #authorsoftwitter #authorinterview #christianauthor Share on X