Category: Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Shipwrecked Faith

Hannah B.

Broken, dry, left behind, misunderstood, empty, lost and hopeless. Oh, these feelings are far too real and constant.

Will they ever end?

You tell yourself that you just don’t see a way. You’ve been standing on dry land for so long that you don’t even know how you got there.

Somewhere along the way, your faith has shipwrecked. The light that was guiding you has been covered by the storm that rages inside. Maybe the storm is a blanket of nothing.

Will the storm end?

Maybe you just want to feel something. Or Nothing.

To believe in something. Anything.

Will you recover from your shipwrecked faith?

You may be shipwrecked but you are not lost. Through your eyes, you may believe that you are so far removed from enjoying any goodness that life offers, but you are not.

Regardless of the sin and shame that follows and the strongholds that hold you captive,[bctt tweet=”You have a purpose, You are appointed and called, and You have God’s grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness available to You. YES, YOU! Do you believe it? ” username=”BarefootHannahB”]

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. – Acts 3:19

Purpose quote (1)

You may be asking how you got to where you are. Maybe you are questioning if you ever had faith, to begin with.

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.  – 1 Timothy 1:19

Don’t look back. The past is the past. It’s done and it can’t be changed. You can learn valuable lessons and gain wisdom but you can’t live there. That’s the place the enemy wants you to live so that you continue to live in guilt and shame. It’s a vicious cycle that you continue to blame yourself and not forgive yourself of the past.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. –  Isaish 43:18

Your present can change your future.

In your present, you can experience life, hope, forgiveness, love, and redemption. There is a purpose and a plan to bring you out of your shipwrecked life to give you hope and a future that is safe, beneficial, and prosperous. It takes one decision to decide if you want to stay shipwrecked or if you want a life that will be full of goodness in every area of your life. It won’t be easy and in fact, there will be hard times but the peace and love that Jesus gives on the journey make all the trials worth it. It will be a faith-filled life worth living. You will live set free in the storms because you are anchored to your faith in Jesus.  Chains holding you back will be crushed, ripped apart, and broken. New desires, passions, hope, and love will emerge and set you on fire.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

 

New Things (1)

 

There is absolutely nothing in your past that Jesus hasn’t already overcome.

There is absolutely nothing keeping you from Him, except you.

One step into faith is all it takes. Just ask Jesus to show you how and He will.

The day you decide to stop looking to your past, is the day you will redeem your faith.

It’s something you have to try and experience yourself to know.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

 

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Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Faith Over Fear: Season Two // Day Six

Hannah B.

As you begin to sprout into the person God has called you to be, you realize that the process is a lot harder than it looks. You will face situations in your life that will cause you to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” or “How could things be so great and I was so full of joy and happiness but now I feel like this?” Maybe you feel slightly disappointed that what you hoped for would come true. Even though our worldly surroundings are changing, we can always count on God to carry us through whatever situation we face. We know that He is working out ALL circumstances, emotions, and encounters for your benefit and for His glory. If something or someone is removed from your life, you can have full confidence that God is working behind the scenes to provide you with something far greater than your mind can comprehend. When doubt creeps in, REJOICE for what He has done for you and thank Him for what He is doing. We must continue to move forward in our growth process, no matter are uncomfortable we are!

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

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Practicing

In what ways or situations are you facing that are causing doubt?

In what ways are you feeling uncomfortable as you grow into your new self?

How will you change your mindset to focus on God?

Praying

Heavenly Father,

I want to thank you for what you have done for me and I rejoice in knowing you have a perfect future that you designed for me. Even though, I can’t see with my earthly eyes and I am feeling afraid, worried, and doubting you, please take these feelings and remind me turn to you when they start taking over. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Faith Over Fear: Season Two // Day Five

Hannah B.

As we grow in our relationship with God and drink His living water, the world truths that we have consumed are flushed out. We begin to notice the small but meaningful changes in us. Whatever it is that God is working out in you, it may be painful as we are stretched out of own comforts but it will be worth it. Take heart that soon you will see your blooms and a more defined calling and purpose for your life.

Jeremiah 12:2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.

Luke 8:14-15 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Jeremiah 17:8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Praying

Dear Heavenly Father,

Continue to make changes on me, change me from the inside out. I rejoice in the changes you have already made in me and the seeds that you have begun cultivating. I trust in your plans for my life and and thank you for what you will do. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Practicing

What changes have you made in your spiritual life that are showing on the outside?

In what areas of your life are you being stretched?

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Faith Over Fear: Season Two//Day Four

Hannah B.

Pondering

Each day you spend with God, learning Him, reading and meditating on His word, and praying, you will see that there has been a subtle but yet a drastic change in you. God does this so that you will stop in your busy day and fall down in awe of just how wonderful He has been toward you and how much He loves you. You may see this in the way you react toward a situation or if you are listening to something and it doesn’t sit well with your soul.  Deep down you are full of seeds and they are starting to awaken. You will discover passion and desires you didn’t know you had before. Don’t you see that you are watering those seeds with the presence of Jesus – His love, His light, and His water? They are starting to sprout! You have seedlings developing and soon they will bear fruit! Keep up the good work, keep moving forward, and God will deliver you in times of doubt for a good purpose!

Jeremiah 15:11 The LORD said, “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Praying

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to you completely in awe of just how merciful, loving, and gracious you are toward me. I don’t deserve the goodness you have shown me but I rejoice and I am so thankful that you chose to redeem me. Continue awakening the seeds that you planted in me before I was born so that I might discover my purpose and passions and fulfill your will in my life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Practicing

What changes have you noticed from your old self to your new self?

Have you noticed any seeds sprouting and if so, what passions are you developing? If you are unsure, pray and talk to God about them. Write them down!

How can you spend time cultivating the sprouts that have already begun to bloom?

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions // Faith Over Fear Series

Season Two // Day Three

Hannah B.

Growing plants takes time and requires the right amount of light, air, water, and nutrients. If you do not have all of these, you will struggle through the growth process and eventually die without producing what you were made for, just like a plant. The most important step is to fill your heart and mind with scriptures and talk with God without ceasing. He is our everything and provides what you need when you need it. Even if an answer to your prayer isn’t answered right away, you can rejoice knowing that it’s coming when God says it will and how H will allow it to happen. Thank Him for what He will do for you! He promises to give you a fulfilled life  Until then, you must hand over your circumstances with an open and willing heart and He will give peace through the growth process. Regardless of the changes and challenges you are facing, God is there in your midst and providing peace and strength for you to endure and overcome.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Praying

Heavenly Father,

I come to you with thanksgiving for the mercies and blessing you have bestowed on me. Even though I am not sure where this journey is going or what the future holds, I am rejoicing that You are LORD of LORDS, King of Kings, and you have what is best for me in Your heart and already mapped out. I ask for Your peace that transcends all understanding to surround me as I continue to grow. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Practicing

How is God using circumstances to grow you in this season of your life?

In what areas has God revealed to you that you need to hand over to Him so that you can experience the peace He provides?

How can you make changes to the way you react to situations you can not control?

Change your worry to praise and watch what grows inside!

Xoxo,

Hannah B.