Fasting Devotional – Day Fourteen
Title: From Evading to Embracing
Text: Romans 5:3-5
Written by: Kathy Elbert
“…but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:3-5)
Thoughts
While none of us wish to go through hard times, God can use these times to strengthen our faith and hope if we embrace Him through the journey instead of trying to evade them. God also fills us with the Holy Spirit if we keep our eyes focused on Him, and not the circumstance.
The last few years have been, to say the least, quite challenging for our family; however, the last year and a half has been one of the most heartbreaking ones. I never would have asked for the many tragedies such as Jeremy having a stroke and then losing a few family members and a childhood best friend. Nevertheless, God has used this time to reveal that I have been in a numbing season for the past five years. Mind you, you can numb/escape in many ways and my method has been busyness and work because I feel like I have control in those areas. But, God has shown me that I need to lean in instead of withdrawing from the hard things. A dear friend reminded me of a scripture that tells us not to trust the way we see things but to lean into Him: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
There have been moments during this learning season that God has given me just enough light to put one foot in front of the other and other moments that I look back and see that He has carried me through. While we are praying for complete restoration for Jeremy, God is teaching me to be content in the waiting knowing the Holy Spirit is intervening on our behalf:
“…Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Challenge
Are you willing to lean in, surrender your understanding, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you, even in your weakest moments? When the journey feels overwhelming, remember that the same God who carries you through the valleys is shaping you for His glory and your good. Trust Him to bring light to each step, even if it’s just enough to see the next one.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts that are sometimes weary from life’s challenges. Help us to embrace the trials we face, knowing that You are using them to refine us, draw us closer to You, and deepen our hope. Teach us to trust in Your plan even when we don’t understand. Holy Spirit, intercede for us in our weakness, filling us with peace, comfort, and assurance of Your presence. Give us the courage to lean into the hard places, knowing that Your love sustains us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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