Sometimes when I don’t feel like I have the strength, I draw faith from previous seasons. I look at my old self and am captivated by her bravery, her strength, even her faith. When I am in a dark season, I am encouraged by the zest and zeal she had and then I wonder- where did she go? I read through my writings filled with so much hope and joy. Journals upon journals are filled with words of promise, encouragement, the overwhelming presence of God. I cling to the faith I once had in previous seasons and allow God to remind me of the promises He once spoke over me- to encourage me and spur me on.

Do you know that feeling? I once felt so bold and brave, and now I can’t feel anything but lifeless, lack luster, defeated, and deflated. My tears can’t even hit the pages of my Bible because I feel so numb. I’m just craving a little bit of joy, a little bit of peace, even a little bit of hope. There are times when you can barely even muster the words to pray- God where are you? Can you show up and reveal yourself to me as you once did? God is that so much to ask? Can you fill my life with your pure joy and excitement, God I’m so tired from this battle. Can you just show up for me? Will you once again show me your face? Reveal yourself to me.

“Let the sunrise of your love end our dark night. Break through the clouded dawn again you can satisfy our hearts, filling us with songs of joy to the end of our days.”
Psalm 90:17 TPT

Perhaps you too, have prayed this prayer. This prayer of desperation- clinging to a little bit of faith. Recently I felt this desperate, and I prayed this prayer, and you know what He showed me? The promises long planted He spoke over me. Promises I forgot about- but promises my younger self deemed significant enough to write down. She wanted to remember. And I am so thankful she did, because through her faith in the promises of God- I too, today, have the strength to keep moving forward and believing through faith that my present is not permanent.

Years ago, Habakkuk 2 served as my inspiration to record the promises God spoke over me:

“And the the Lord said to me, “Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others. But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow. Do not despair for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”

Habakkuk 2:2-3 TLB

Sister, God is up to something beautiful in your life. I’m assured of this truth. Personally, I am coming out of one of the most difficult seasons of my life but being able to write as I experienced God’s goodness, recite, rehearse, and repeat, has allowed me to experience the messy and beautiful with Him. I am not alone, nor have I ever been, even when it felt like it. His promises and goodness accompany me. In fact, in the words of one of my favorite songs, Prophesy Your Promise, “You sets a table in the middle of my war and knew the outcome of it all… When what I faced looked it would never end, you said watch the giants fall.”

In seasons when we don’t have the strength, it’s important to remember when we once did. And, even now, don’t stop crying out to Him. He hears each and every one of your fervent prayers- then and now. He’s been listening this entire time. In fact, He bends down from heaven just so He can hear you. He has done it for me, and He is doing it for you.

“The angel of the Lord stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. He will do this for anyone who fears God.”

Psalm 34:7 TPT

Sister don’t lose your bold courageous faith! And if you do, allow God to remind you of what He has shown you in the past. Start writing down the words He’s spoken over your life and situations, and allow them to fill you with joy, hope, expectation, and peace. Prophesy the promise before the war has been won, and you will see His words are trustworthy and true.

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management