Hope in Hard Places

What has God put before you that takes courage to do? Maybe it feels too hard and you would rather give up. Ironically, God uses the very challenges we want to run from to build up our courage, so we can be victorious. The trials and difficulties are sent to train us; the testing and endurance is intended to strengthen us; and each time we trust Him, God shows up and proves Himself faithful ... an...

We all get discouraged. The pressures and disappointments of life can take a toll on us and send us to a place we don’t want to be. The truth is, sometimes life hurts. We’ve all been there ... but, we don’t have to stay there. When we’re feeling the weight of discouragement, there are five things we can do to shake it off! Listen every Wednesday for a new episode! Stay connected at www.hopeinhardp...

Sometimes, the very challenges we face become the vessel for God’s greatest blessings. When Dyslexia makes learning a painful experience full of tears and temporary failure, it can bring you to a place of total surrender. And with a heart fully dependent on the Lord, you discover a divine source of strength that opens doors you never could have dreamed of ... this is Heather’s story!   Listen ever...

What does it mean to fear the Lord? It’s not a dreadful fear as some might think, but rather a reverent fear that acknowledges the holiness, power and majesty of Almighty God. As believers, it is evident in a posture of humility and a desire to live a life that pleases God. And when we do, we experience all the blessings that come with it. Let’s purpose to honor God in this way. He is worthy of al...

Do you know God is a fierce Protector? When the darkness of this world confronts us, we can cry out to Him for help and know that He hears us. God is an ever-present help in trouble. He is bigger, stronger and more powerful than anything we might face. And, we also play a part in His protective care. Let’s take Him at His Word, follow His lead and watch fear lose its grip! Listen every Wednesday f...

Fear has a way of creeping into our lives in the most unwelcome places. One of them is in the workplace. When difficult people, projects and circumstances cause fear to rise in our career, we must remember, God has a bigger plan in it all. Nothing is beyond His power to move on our behalf. God can give us the skills, abilities and favor we need to thrive in the most challenging situations ... and...

When negligence results in a child’s severe disability, it’s normal to feel angry and fearful. But, choosing to have a grateful heart can change everything. Rather than focusing on the disabilities, this mom focused on God’s abilities to work through it. Though the path has been hard, it’s been a beautiful lesson of love, patience and compassion for every life her daughter touches. This is Janet’s...

Our faith is a journey, and God holds the plans. So, what is the “next step” He's asked you to take? Maybe you’ve known for a while, but fear has held you back. Fear can cause us to stop ... when God says go. Whatever that next step is, it's time to trust God. Listen in for six ways to push back the fear that's preventing our progress!   Listen every Wednesday for a new episode! Stay connected at...

Are you afraid of dying? You don’t have to be. The Bible says, God set eternity in our hearts when we were created ... and there is so much more than this! What if the here and now is just part of the journey? What if the abundant life you’ve always dreamed of is waiting for you on the other side of this one? It’s not a question of “What if?” but rather a promise of “What is!”   Listen every Wedne...

Fear has the power to completely immobilize us, if we allow it. And, the enemy loves to keep us bound by fear; that way we take ourselves out of the game and become useless for the Kingdom of God. But we don’t have to settle for it. When fear whispers in our ear, we can combat it with confidence using three specific strategies. Fear doesn’t get the final say ... God does! Listen every Wednesday fo...

What do you do when a health challenge carries on for years, without any real answers? You’ve seen all the specialists, you’ve prayed, you’ve cried, you’ve persevered ... but the road ahead remains unknown. You put one foot in front of the other, and purpose to trust God no matter what. He is still good ... EVEN IF nothing ever changes. This is Mandy’s story!    Listen every Wednesday for a new ep...

Sometimes, life can bear down so hard that we become overwhelmed and want to give up. But, those are the times we need to persevere. Feelings can lead us to wrong decisions if we’re not careful. But, God uses hard seasons to mature us in our faith and produce godly character. When we’re tempted to give up, we need to remember the goal of our faith, and purpose to press on!   Listen every Wednesday...

The way we encounter God’s love and presence may be very different than the way someone else does. One person may have “all the feels” and the other may have a strong walk of faith without them. It doesn’t mean God loves that person any less, it just means He is moving in their life differently ... and that’s okay. While feelings are good, faith is what pleases the heart of God! Listen every Wedne...

What happens when our “need to feel” is not present in the promise God wants us to stand on? Does it nullify the promise? No. It means we need to stand in faith, believing God is true to His Word, whether we feel it or not. His promises are unchanging. Feelings can trip us up, but faith is a sure foundation. Listen every Wednesday for a new episode! Stay connected at www.hopeinhardplaces.com Share...

One bad report from the doctor can turn your life upside down. What do you do when the doctor confirms your worst fear? You kneel before God, your Healer, and ask Him what He has to say about it. This is Lisa Giri's story. When she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Lisa never expected how God would move in her life. The Word became living and active, and God spoke to her in the most specific and a...

How do you build a close relationship with the Lord? It’s not complicated. Like any strong relationship, you purpose to spend time with God, talking to Him daily, listening for His voice and getting to know the “One” who knows you better than anyone else. And, the closer you draw to God, the closer He draws to you. There is nothing more fulfilling! Listen every Wednesday for a new episode! Stay co...

When you pursue a real relationship with God, you’ll experience real change. That’s because you’re no longer satisfied with standing on the sidelines or going through the motions of religion. When you commit your life to the Lord, you’ll begin to change from the inside out. Your heart is His now, and that changes everything.   Listen every Wednesday for a new episode! Stay connected at www.hopeinh...

I grew up knowing who God was in my head, but it never really made it to my heart ... until the day He called me out. One night, God challenged me to choose, was I for Him or against Him? No more lukewarm! Having one foot in God and one foot in the world was a miserable place to be. I wasn't pleasing God and I wasn't really enjoying the world either. I was just somewhere in the middle. But God did...

Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give others is wrapped in our own personal pain and tears. God uses the suffering we go through to lead us to people who need to hear about the hope we have within us. Even when we’re hurting, we have something to give. And when we do, we discover our hearts are lifted too. Let’s purpose to let God’s light shine through the fractured parts of our lives ... and w...

The thing you never expected just happened. The person you were supposed to spend forever with is now gone. How do you cope when the unthinkable happens? How could this be part of God’s good plan for your life? This is Donna Herrmann’s story. Losing her husband to Melanoma was never part of the plan, but God carried her through it and gave her an unshakeable faith. Listen in as she shares how God...

You know God asked you to move forward, but suddenly there’s an obstacle standing between you and the thing He asked you to do? Did you hear Him wrong? What do you do now? The obstacle is there for a reason. Could it be God redirecting your steps? Or, is it there to test your faith and give Him glory? Instead of getting frustrated, let the obstacle serve its greater purpose and watch what God will...

God is pointing you in a new direction. The future is unknown, but you believe God is in it. Will you move forward in faith? Or stay put in the comfortable place you’ve always known? It’s time to stop entertaining all the “what ifs?” and step into the amazing plans God has for you. Sure, it’s going to take you out of your comfort zone ... and others might not understand. But, if God is calling you...

Life was going smoothly, when suddenly things changed. In the midst of this unexpected shift, you begin to see God's hand in it all. It feels jolting and uncertain, but there's a reassurance that it's good ... so very good. God just interrupted your plans (the ones you held so tightly to) and set you on a new path. This one is so much better, but it will take real faith to pursue. Are you ready fo...

I'm excited to announce the launch of a new podcast, "Hope in Hard Places." If you could use a dose of hope to brighten your week, listen in every Wednesday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. I invite you to join me on February 4th for the first episode on the topic, "When God Interrupts Your Plans." Help me spread hope to others. Here's how: Follow & Like on Spotify, Apple Podcasts &...