“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
One of the wonderful things about writing devotions is the opportunity to see my spiritual journey unfold and to share that journey through God’s Word. It takes an incredible amount of vulnerability though, to share my feelings and experiences openly and honestly. Because prayer and meditation are part of my writing process, I feel the Lord’s presence whenever I write.
Years ago, when I first started spiritual writing, I didn't want anyone to know if I felt far away from the Lord or if I was angry with Him or had difficulty trusting Him. I thought I should only write about positive feelings and experiences, and as a result in challenging times, I sometimes struggled to find words to write. But through the years as I studied His Word, my relationship with Him grew. I learned more about His forgiveness and understood that He loved me even when trust was difficult. The closer I felt to Him and the more I learned to trust Him, the hunger for His Word grew stronger and stronger. And so now, I share and write with my heart—without fear, without discouragement.
Prayer:
Lord, I am grateful for the privilege of being able to share Your Word along with the joys and trials in my life. You are always right beside me and You never leave me. Instead, You show me how You are working in my life so I can share the hope and encouragement You give me so freely. In Your Name, Lord, I thank You and praise You.
“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us…” (Isaiah 63:7)
