Oftentimes when people greet one another, they’ll ask “how is life?” and depending on who’s asking, we are usually brutally honest or just give a more generic response. But what this can hopefully encourage us to do is ask ourselves this very question because it helps us come to an awareness that perhaps wasn’t there before.
So, how is your life? How has your life been? When you look back at it, do you mainly remember the pain in it or do you see the highlighted glimpses of God’s faithfulness throughout it? The truth is many of our lives have been hard, painful, or traumatic, and what is also true is that our life has also included the goodness of God throughout the entirety of it. And because we know this, then we can determine that overall life is good—not because everything works out within it but because we know the One working all things together for our good.
Within this good life, there is something else to consider—God’s faithful love. His faithful love pierces through our pain. His faithful love fills us up toward flourishing. His faithful love never leaves or negates us. His faithful love is steadfast, present, and continuous. Therefore, when we pray to God and communicate with others about Him—the words that come out of our mouths get to be praise because in the best seasons of life, His faithful love has been present in obvious ways, and in the lowest seasons of life, His faithful love is what has sustained us.
So our lips glorify Him for who He has always been, and our prayers speak a testimony of a thousand miracles we have witnessed and received. Because His faithfulness has never and will never be a result of how bad or good our life is going, how bad or good we are being, or how bad or good the world is functioning. No, His faithfulness is rooted in His love. And because that is true, we can trust His faithfulness even when our faith is fickle.
This is why prayer is essential in our life. Without it, we lose our sense of connection to the source that gives us life and makes it good. And the truth is, if you feel like your life isn’t really that good by your definition of what “good” is, even that is something you can confess and share with the Lord and ask Him to give you hope in the midst of your pain. So that your lips don’t have to glorify Him out of legalism or feeling like you have to because that’s what a “good” Christian would do, but rather from a place living a “despite” kind-of-life. One that is aware of our realities and circumstances and despite that—our lips glorify Him. This is another reason why we pray, to remember. To remember He has been true, loving, graceful, kind, and steadfast. So whenever we pray, we are reminded of what is true. Him.
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59 thoughts on "A Prayer for Trusting God’s Faithfulness"
God’s love is what sustains us. What a wonderful, priceless gift that is! He never leaves us, despite the rollercoaster faith
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This devotional was so good! Yes! We see His faithful love when life is going great. But that same faithful love is there when we don’t even know whether we are coming or going. He sustains us was a perfect way to describe it. Despite my circumstances, I can still praise because He is the Great I Am. ❤️
Rebecca St. James’ song “River of Life” uses this psalm. I find it so much easier to memorize scripture when it is set to music. Have a blessed day Shes!
Oh yes, David was such an amazing example. I’m guessing he was thirsty, hungry, and probably sleeping on the ground. His enemies were surrounding him, ready to take him down. Yet he keeps his eyes on God the whole time. Fixing his gaze on his vindicator and redeemer.
CT— our sisters have added so many beautiful comments in response to your post, and I echo what they said. Just know that we are all here for you— in prayer, through the tears, if you need to talk, anything you need. Sending hugs and much love to you.
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This reminds me of the song, God is Good, by Francesca Battistelli. Such a great reminder! ❤️ I pray I would put my faith and hope in God’s goodness and not my circumstances.
I remember Tanner saying that people expect to live without any pain. That is just not life. It doesn’t mean that life can’t be viewed as good. My life has been good even with all the painful experiences I have had. I have learned from each one. It makes you stronger especially as you lean into God. He brings us through. He offers comfort and peace. Perseverance, courage, and strength. Where would we be without Him?!
So… I let my subscription box go and thought I would read along still, but haven’t been. (I have been in the word, but not here, and I miss that.) I am going to subscribe again, but have a dilemma because I don’t care for much “stuff” around the house. HOWEVER, if I don’t have a physical study book, I am worried that I won’t be prompted to read along like I did when my study book was sitting on my kitchen table, you know? I have been considering a digital subscription but don’t know how to proceed. I have missed SRT and my sweet sisters. Help, please, sisters.
Happy Friday she’s,
Another great and thought provoking devo, thank you PRICELIS (I love your beautiful name!). “In the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy” (Psalm 63:7). This verse warms my heart. Why does the Bible compare God to a bird that He has wings? I often wonder about this. In another incident Jesus compares Himself to a mama hen gathering the chicks under her wings. The Holy Spirit is also depicted as a white dove. Birds are creatures of the air. They soar high in the air realm, closer to God than us. And we His children are compared to sheep lol. Very interesting concepts.
My soul followeth hard after Thee, Thy right hand upholdeth me (Psalm 63:8).
Early I will seek You, and late at night I will meditate about You before I fall asleep.
Amen.
@HEIDI, @KRIS: such wisdom. Thank you!
@KARRIE: praying for your aunt’s tumor treatment, and strength for you.
@CT: prayers for you and family in season of grief. Hugs.
@SHERRY: ease of anxiety for medical test.
@LYNN FROM AL: Jack’s recovery and dementia. Praise God for a good surgery.
@KATHY: LUNGS PROVIDER? That’s who God is? Such a powerful testimony! Hallelujah.
@KRISTEN: As The Deer is one of my top 5 favorite songs.
@SEARCHING: loved your song suggestions:) Awesome God is great.
@KELLY (NEO): thanks for your reminder about September. How fast the year flies by.
So thankful for you all. Happy weekend everyone.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Loved,and enjoyed and was so blessed by today’s devo. I know I have said this,this is yet another devo reminding me that no matter what life circumstances bring me, God is still good! It is not in His character to be anything else, but GOOD. I know its hard for some to understand, but I remind myself we live in a fallen world with fallen and sinful people (like myself) but we have Holy Spirit to guide us, to push us through when we feel we can’t. OUR GOD remains faithful even when we’re not. Now that’s our GOD! Happy Friday sweet She’s! Today is my brother Rick’s birthday. He is an amazing person. Quiet, but amazing. He has been there for me during my hard seasons and at the drop of the hat SHOWS UP! I am blessed. Today is also another special day as my niece will be getting married today bring our family and extended family and friends together.
Good morning sweet She’s! Thank you all so much for your prayers for Jack and I and his surgery yesterday! Things went perfectly and we moved from post-op to a room at 5:45 this morning. Pray that his system can wake up now that his ostomy bag is gone. Continue to pray for us as we both deal with his dementia. Special thanks to those who have given us shout outs: SEARCHING, AZ WALKER, KELLY(NEO),CEE GEE, GRAMIESUE, NANCY S (and possibly others)!
CT—so very sorry for your loss.
KARRIE—prayers for your aunt.
TAYLOR, SHERRY, KATHY, LAURA, JESSICA, KATE K, GWINETH 52, MARIA ROZE, KRIS and all other requests—I am praying for you,
Happy belated birthday, TINA!!!
Love you all (y’all. )!!!
CT: your hurt is unspeakably deep, I am so, so sorry. I hope that whatever your circumstances are, you have the space and freedom to grieve and ache and process, and that you are not having to do it alone. I know in my own grief there is a time for feeling it and then I reach a time where I want to DO something in it. IF you find yourself there (and until then, just keep this info “on the shelf” to reach for when you want to) I wanted to recommend a book by Angie Smith – “I Will Carry You”. You can look it up and read what it is about on your own, but while every woman goes through this experience differently, there are also pieces that track in all of our experiences. Maybe reading through hers might bring some help in the grieving and in seeing how on earth God could be in this pain… You are SO loved and cherished. Praying you can breathe deeply and that you have the support you need around you.
Definitions define our perspective (as not-profound as that statement is!! lol!). Pricelis makes such a great point in this segment about however we define “good” will dictate how we then see our circumstances, and in time, our lives. We define someone dying before a certain age as “premature death”. Why? If God has stated that He has our days marked out and knows our first and last breath, then isn’t our passing – at whatever age and from whatever cause – only happening at the exact moment God planned from the beginning? We define so much based off of our culture, WHATEVER culture that is, and one great way to see that is by trying to apply your personal social norms into those of a different country or people group.
God is good. Good comes from the existence of Him. He is only out for our good and His glory. Sin exists and it will continue to try to break in and steal joy. And God is already victorious over all things, all spaces in time, all events. Sin may have some words here and there, and we all feel that in the struggles and pain we experience. But God has taken the final word and, in His name and due to His faithfulness, joy is now a right we have in Him – no matter the circumstance. It doesn’t mean an absence of hurt or disappointment. It means a Spiritual, supernatural blend of His truth + His knowledge + His emotion that shadows those things, even though they may be present. They don’t get top billing. They begin to diminish if we let them.
A week or two ago I came up with a “mantra”, so to speak, that I want to live my life by… no matter what I’m doing or planning or participating in, the thing I will always keep in the front of my mind is:
his ability.
my story.
their good.
his glory.
I am not capable of carrying out His full will in my life. i’m not – and that’s just great because He already knew that and is equipping me with HIS ability in me. I’ll live out my story with His abilities supernaturally invading and equipping in all things. Everything is to be done with the heart of the good of others and all of it will be glorifying to Him.
Honestly, we all sit and ask “what is my purpose” and He has just shown me recently that it’s just THAT. WHATEVER we are doing/saying/being… it is to be for the good of others and the ultimate glorification of Him. That’s the purpose. That’s the Kingdom being furthered. That’s the point of all the stuff of life… His grace covers us, His mercy forgives us, His love makes Him faithful to us. Always.
Can anyone tell me what you do with the points earned by ordering the books? I get notification of how many I’ve earned, but have no idea what you use them for or how. Thanks.
This is so true! When I have felt down because of what I feel is so wrong in my life, I start to write down all the ways God has blessed me or saved me from something or a miracle happened. I will fill page after page. It shifts my focus on what is happening and cb puts it back on God who is faithful and has never failed me!
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul. – Psalms 143:8
Praise God for his fierce love!
Amen Tina! Beautiful!
Living a “despite” kind of life. ❤️ Prayers being lifted for you Juanita Mills.
So I will bless you as long as I live, in your name I will lift up my hands-ps 63:4
Great reminder to pray.
Tina thank you for that beautiful prayer! Lifting my voice with other sisters for those going through difficult times, may you feel the peace of Jesus Christ and know you are not alone but lifted up.
I have come to realize that we have the idea that a blessed life means we don’t have any sorrow, any pain, any discomfort, any lack. We have this idea that if God is blessing us we will have every desire, no trouble, no disappointments. But I don’t find that anywhere in the bible. If we really study the bible we see that God’s people had a ton of trouble, tons of sorrows, tons of disappointments. BUT, He always came through to redeem and restore. So, what we trust in is that God will always come through and bring us out of the trouble. But we have to be in trouble for Him to bring us out. God’s faithfulness isn’t so we have a care-free life, but that He’s there with us in the midst of all of it, He is still working, He is still bringing about His purposes, He will keep us from being overtaken by the things of the world. Once I understood this, it’s brought more peace and strength in the midst of hardships, knowing that God is there, helping me, giving me guidance, refining my heart, making me more like Him. John 16:33 says that we will have trouble, but also that Jesus has overcome the trouble. Because of Him we can endure trouble, knowing we will also be overcomers in the end. Blessings on all of you today!!
This reminded me of the Passion song “I’ve Witnessed it”. Such a good song of remembering the Lords goodness and faithfulness!
Oh, CT. My heart breaks for you. I don’t know if there’s anything more painful than losing a child. Be kind to yourself. You are allowed to grieve, feel the depth of your pain, doubt God, all of it. In Job 1:20 we see Job doing the same thing. He was in the depths of his grief and brought it all to God. We think that “trust in God” means that we don’t have any negative feelings. That’s not true. Trusting in God means that we bring all of the negative to His face and lay it there and grieve with God. We even see Jesus doing the very same thing in the garden, when He was so distressed He was sweating blood. He didn’t try to hide His feelings from the Father, but brought them to Him in full blown truth. I pray, CT, that you will be able to be totally truthful with God and bring all of it to His feet and let Him grieve with you, along side of you. I will certainly be lifting you up in prayer as the days go on. You are a precious child of God, and I’m so sorry you have to feel this kind of pain.
SEARCHING – Never mind hahaha! I tried an emoticon twice and it didn’t post!
SEARCHING – (sorry it didn’t take in the other comment!)
“—God’s faithful love. His faithful love pierces through our pain. His faithful love fills us up toward flourishing. His faithful love never leaves or negates us. His faithful love is steadfast, present, and continuous. Therefore, when we pray to God and communicate with others about Him—the words that come out of our mouths get to be praise because in the best seasons of life, His faithful love has been present in obvious ways, and in the lowest seasons of life, His faithful love is what has sustained us.”
The Hebrew word (chesed) is used over 200 times in the Old Testament! Unfailing love, faithful love, loyal, etc., depending on the translation and what the writer is referencing. That tells me I need to be more aware and appreciative of God’s unfailing LOVE. A Bible study I recently started has an activity with a path curving around the page with instructions for me to plot my spiritual highs (times of significant growth in faith) on the path. This devo brought greater meaning to that activity! THANK YOU, PRICELIS DONINGUEZ, for this most beautiful close to the devotionals for this study! Wonderful to ‘meet’ you!
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – AMEN! Sitting on the deck 2 hours east of you and loving the sweet breeze!
SEARCHING –
Keeping you all in prayer as we leave another study and praying we meet again! Love you all, sisters!
This Psalm brings the song “Goodness of God” to mind quickly! He IS a GOOD God, always, forever, and evermore! I have to say being a Christian all my life, it wasn’t until I started my mornings daily with SRT, in the WORD, that this Psalm and others resonates so powerfully. The social media world we live in today is so sad, that we are connected (addicted) to that being our go-to in the mornings, throughout the day, and before bed. I am so glad I STOPPED the scrolling, the mindless, maybe mind-boggling- anxiety-inducing, wrong-focused idol things…that perpetuate the cycle of thinking these things are what is important! The ONLY important thing is foremost our relationship with our King and Savior, the author of our story, the eye of the prize.
Put him first…everyday, pray without ceasing, and you will find peace no matter the caus fluttering constantly around you! I look back and see HIM in every aspect. I can’t imagine who I would be without him today. It would be a shallow and treading water kinda life.
@Sheyrl- I feel you Sister with chronic pain for 19 years since a back surgery for scoliosis, it is a never ending battle, but again, when I put my focus on him it becomes a testimony. We started a “Enduring Chronic Pain” group at church, so we can come together and share, pray, and put our focus on Him, our comforter and strength. The book we are reading and I would suggest is “Why Doesn’t He Fix It” (something like that!), by Kimberley Rae. Everyone really likes it.
Prayers for all you faithful She’s, with love!
CT what deep grief you are going through! Yes, the Lord does see and hear you. Let us sisters be His hands and feet to lift you and sustain you through this. So glad to hear you found some comfort here. Keep coming and we will keep pouring His love on you! One day at a time. Take care, my sister. You are loved and seen and heard!
Morning. Thank you to all of you who sent prayers to my aunt yesterday. She starts chemo on sept 6 and will have it til January. The tumour is inoperable but they are hopeful that the chemo will do it. I will see her this weekend and find out more. She said it has spread but I’ve only texted with her so I’m unsure of how bad and at what stage it is yet. We are very very close. She is my second mom. She sent me a text this morning saying that the Lord won’t take her yet, he won’t be able to deal with her OCD up there. Lol
Amen
CT – Such a hard, HARD thing you have lived through! It rattles your trust in God to the bones! Praying for you to feel his presence and to strengthen your trust in him.
@ CT praying for the Lord to show you how He personally cares and sees you. I know He does. And praying for miraculous healing and peace amidst this trial. You are loved!
In March my son passed away 6 hours after birth. Since then I’ve been having so many questions about Gods faithfulness and goodness, and have been searching for reassurance that I am seen and cared for on a personal level by God.
I haven’t had too much energy to open my Bible and reflect on His word, but when I have had the energy I’ve come here and found the psalms my soul needed to hear or could relate to.
Life hasn’t felt very good in the midst of deep grief. But even these readings and their timing have been a sign of His faithfulness.
Amen
“Despite kind of life”
Love today’s Scripture and devotion so much! It is always such a good reminder to reflect on God’s faithfulness. I loved the point of the “despite” perspective. Despite what is going on in our lives, we can and should still praise the Lord! Yesterday was such a lovely day after work, I went for a walk and listened to worship music. It was such a special time just me and God :)
This has been such a great study! Lifting up all the prayer requests and would appreciate prayers as I drive 8 hours total today to & from Western Virginia to officiate a field hockey game. I hope everyone has a great weekend <3
I just learned about this comment section
Good morning all!!
God is good … being more aware is my goal
Have the best day
Lord God, you are always faithful, even when I may not see it. Thank you that in the highs and the lows you are always there loving and caring for me. Heavenly Father I ask that you be with the She’s who are in low seasons right now. May they feel your love and presence.
I am asking for prayer from my “she” community. I am in the process of scheduling some medical test and I am very anxious. I ask for prayers for quick scheduling and a calm patient heart for me. Thank you!
I just prayed for you Juanita Mills. That God would be with you and protect you. He is faithful. Continue to cry out to Him. He is always there in our time of need.
Father please remind me that it is Your faithfulness, not mine, that never fails. You reign in my life and over all All the time. And You are a good Father. In Jesus name, Amen
Praise and glorify His Holy Name! No matter what life looks like right now. God is good! All the time!
KARRIE – praying for your aunt, her medical team.
SHERYL – praying for pain relief
JUANITA MILLS – praying for the Lord’s protection and peace
KATHY – praying for your friend’s dad, the transplant surgery, and especially the donor’s family for their loved one’s sacrifice.
CEE GEE – I remember that commercial :)
KRISTIN and KATHY – Neither of your songs came to mind this morning but both are so good – thanks for reminder!
I did think of Awesome God, Step by Step and Thy Lovingkindness is Better Than Life. All will be running through my mind today.
LYNNE FROM AL – praying for you and Jack ❤️
I feel like David writing this has no choice but to praise. It’s a natural reaction to “beholding the power and glory”. When you don’t have enough water, your body thirsts. It’s the natural reaction. When David remembers God’s steadfast love, his lips form praise. It’s how we were designed. God created us so we would be able to worship him. (Not in an arrogant “oh I need more adulation, let me create something to worship me” but in a “I want people to have the capacity to see and know and love and praise”.) Sometimes I feel like my natural reaction is to freak out, worry, try to fix it myself, complain, etc. How wonderful if, when I’m in the “dry and weary land,” my soul naturally turns to praise because it just can’t help it. Have a wonderful Friday, ladies! We’ve had a break in the heat (it will be a mild 82 degrees here in Georgia) and that deserves some praise!
Yesterday we looked at longing. What are we longing for? For the past year, the father of a sweet friend of mine has been in need of a lung transplant. For the past year, we have been praying, longing for the Lord to provide a pair of lungs for him. Yesterday her parents got the call from his doctors that they had lungs for him!!!! I don’t know the details of when his surgery will happen but it will be today or tomorrow. First, please celebrate with us God’s faithful and steadfast love. He has kept Stephen healthy enough to be eligible for the transplant and He’s now provided the lungs that he needs. God is so good. Pray that the surgery goes well and his body accepts these lungs. Pray for the family of the donor.
“All my life you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, oh I will sing of the goodness of God.”
Have a blessed day, sweet sisters.
So true! Even in the hard times, I’ve seen His mercy, compassion, and kindness. Thank You, God! Your Name will be praised and glorified today and always!
There is a podcast called, Dial In by Johnny Ardavanis. He has a series on the Psalms in season 8. Last night I played the last episode of that season, and this one was about Psalm 46. There are only 6. Season 15 is about prayer, and there is a season on anxiety. That’s season 14. Sharing in case anyone wants to listen in!
Did anyone else think of the song As the Deer when reading this today? That song was sung in our church this summer I believe. You can find this on YouTube.
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@Juanita Mills- lifting you in prayer now. May the peace of God be with you and keep you safe.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.”
Nahum 1:7 CSB
Todays devo reminded me of this verse from an earlier devo this week!
Praying for you right now :) Nahum 1:7
Dearest Heavenly Father God,
You are my God, and earnestly will I seek you!
I thirst for more of you and my soul longs for you in this more and more confusing world.
I have been blessed to have seen you at work in my life, Lord God,
I have been saved by you, protected by you, comforted by you, provided for by you,
Loved fearlessly by you, and can I say,
Your love is better than life itself, it truly is, and I WILL shout it from the rooftops!
I will praise you, and I will live my life to glorify you, Father God.
My hands will forever be lifted in praise to you.
In you, Lord God, I am satisfied, I have all I need.. I will forever have a grateful and thankful heart..
As I lay me down to sleep, you are there in my thoughts as I remember blessings of the day, often too many to count.
Thank you Father God, that YOU are my help always and always have been, even when I have not known it..
You have been my shelter, keeping me safe in the shadow of your wings..
Thank you Father God for you faithful Love, your protective love, your healing love, your gracious love, your generous love, your merciful love, your amazing love..
Dearest Father God, YOU are my God..❤️
Happy Friday my dears. Be blessed, covered in love, from across the pond.❤️
I needed this reminder. Living with chronic pain can become the focus. But God! He is so faithful and I need to focus on Him and not the pain. Thank You, Jesus for all You have and are doing for me.
Yes, we need to remember and celebrate the thousands of ways the Lord has moved in our lives. So many things I take for granted that should be points of praise and gratitude.
Happy September Shes
RACHEL FROM TEXAS – yea!
KARRIE – praying the Lord will give the doctors widom on treatment for you aunt and the Lord will bring healing and peace to her
Amen