Faith Isn't Always Smiling
Verses Used
Job 1:21
Job 13:15
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
Psalm 34:18
Romans 8:28
Devotional
There is something I need to be honest about today.
If you've followed my devotionals for very long, you know I usually try to stay positive. Not because life is always positive, but because I believe there is always hope in God. Today, though, the weight of life feels heavy, and I don't want to pretend otherwise.
I've compared parts of my life to Job before. I pray I never experience everything Job did, because he lost almost everything. But I understand what it feels like to wonder why the road seems so hard.
God called me to start this ministry and business. I have no doubt about that. Before this, God led me to leave my job so I could become a caregiver. I don't question those decisions because I know where they came from. I still trust God with my future. That hasn't changed.
What has changed is how heavy things feel right now.
Sales have slowed now that planter season is over. The new products aren't getting much attention. The apparel and gifts haven't found traction yet. On top of that, I sprained my ankle again. There are other struggles too, but this isn't about making a list of everything that's wrong.
It's about admitting something many of us experience.
Sometimes I feel like I've failed.
The truth is, I know deep down I'm not a failure. Feelings aren't always facts. But feelings are still real, and pretending they don't exist doesn't make them disappear.
Devotional
At the same time, I have so much to be thankful for.
My mom is getting better. My ankle is healing. The new website looks better than I ever imagined. People constantly tell me they love my products. Most importantly, God has blessed me with another day to live, serve, create, and share His Word.
Both things can be true at the same time.
You can feel discouraged and still be grateful.
You can be tired and still have faith.
You can ask "Why?" and still trust God.
That's exactly what Job did. He mourned. He cried. He questioned. At one point he wished he had never been born. Yet through it all, Job refused to walk away from God. Instead he kept bringing his pain to the only One who could carry it. Job even declared, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job 13:15, NLT).
The apostle Paul understood this too. He wrote that we are pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair. God never promised life would be easy, but God did promise never to leave us.
Faith isn't pretending everything is okay.
Faith is trusting God when everything doesn't feel okay.
If you're carrying a heavy burden today, I hope this encourages you. You're not weak because you're struggling.
You are not a failure. You are tired. You are human.
Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
Keep taking the next step.
This hard season is not the end of your story. For me, I truly believe it's only the beginning of what God is building—even if I can't see it yet. Maybe that's true for you too.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You that I don't have to pretend with You. You already know every fear, every disappointment, every question, and every tear. Thank You for loving me even when my faith feels weak.
Help me keep trusting You when I don't understand what You're doing. Remind me that feelings come and go, but Your promises never change. Thank You for every blessing You've already given me, even when life feels heavy.
If someone reading this is carrying more than they think they can handle, remind them they don't have to carry it alone. Give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Help us keep walking one faithful step at a time.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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