About the Author

Kristen Strong, author of Back Roads to Belonging and Girl Meets Change, writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with hope instead of worry. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children and live in Colorado...

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things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Kirsten so true what you wrote today. God sees and hears all we go through good or bad. Yet he still loves us. He love us to take it all to him in prayer. Tell him our problems no matter how daft or silly we may feel they are to us. He loves us to talk to us in prayer. Through his Holy Spirit he will answer us in his own time. He might not answer us right away. To see how strong our faith is in him to believe he will answer us. As he will. We might not like the answers he give us but when we get them. Days or months from now when we digest them. We we see God answers were the best. But it what we do with them. Do we do what God tell us as what God tell us is the right way to go. Or do we go our own way. Then regret going it if we mess up. Say why did I not go God’s way and do what God told me through his Holy Spirit. I done it my way not listed to God ended up regretting it. So now I do it God’s way that he tell me. It has worked out best for me. As God wouldn’t tell me a way that way not best as he love me and wants me to go the right way. I say Amen to. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little in my prayers incourage. Xx

  2. Kristen,

    What a solid word of encouragement so many will relate to and benefit from (raises hand). The Holy Spirit is a powerful gift, and to hear your testimony of its work in your life is a bonus.

    xo

    • Robin! Love seeing you around the watering hole here! Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for all the ways your OWN words have encouraged me through the years. Love you so.

  3. Kristen, a turnaround in my perspective is exactly what I need. I have been struggling and have come to the conclusion I cannot change my circumstances. But I can change my perspective and my reactions. I need constant reminders that I need to stop and listen. But more importantly for me, I need to recognize what the Holy Spirit is telling me. I have a hard time hearing and understanding.

    • Praying that your turnaround arrives soon, Madeline, and that you and I both are able to hear and decipher the Holy Spirit’s words and wisdom. Sending you lots of love.

  4. Kristen, thank you for the reminder that my heart has something to hold on to during this difficult season.

  5. Thank you for these words of encouragement!! It’s the exact reminder that I needed; to not allow my current circumstances that seem so impossible to control how I feel. It’s the Holy Spirit within me that I need to surrender to. It’s the Lord I can trust in all things, and He alone will give me strength to endure! Your message of (in) couragement has blessed me!

    • And *your* message of encouragement has blessed me mightily. Thank you so much! Here’s to us both not allowing our current circumstances to control our feelings. xo

  6. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Yours is my current season and it’s been hard to “hear” the Holy Spirit. This devotional was a reminder, as a pastor I know once said, to open my third ear and listen closely. Jesus is speaking. My fears, angst, and disappointment drown out Her voice. But She sends servants like you and I my ears were opened. After the tears, came a hush, a peace, and strength for the day. My circumstances are no different, but my perspective is.

    Proverbs 3:5-8 (NRS) came to me

    5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
    6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
    7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
    8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.

    Praying God’s continued healing and refreshment for you.

    Yours in Christ,
    Michelle

    • Thank you so much for your generous prayer, Michelle, and I’m praying right now for you to be able to hear the Holy Spirit’s words and wisdom during your own difficult season. Thank you, too, for the Proverbs 3 verses! Beautiful reminders!

  7. Me too! Need to change my perspective to overcome the discouragement that has settled over me. Thank you for this encouragement.

  8. Thank you, thank you . . . obedience in a long direction has engendered discouragement for me in a season of yet-unanswered prayers. I will borrow your (and Ortlund’s) words and pray He will open the vents of my heart!

  9. Hi Kristen,
    Thanks for the lovely, positive post today!
    Praying for blessings in your career.

    Shalom, Sandy

  10. Kristen.

    Oh, how I can relate to this! 2022 started out with a bang for me. I was in new position at work full-time benefitted. Around August things changed. My job suddenly changed drastically. I wasn’t happy. I felt like I had gone backwards in my job from when I started 3 years ago. Add to that I made two mistakes & caused myself some pain. Come December I was feeling super low. Thanks to my wonderful husband that God sent me I feel encouraged. I believe God is doing a work in me. There have been several sermons that resonate with me. Now you post this: I see you, I hear you, and I want you to believe that I have much good in store for you still in this area of your life. God is up to something. I just have to be patient & wait on His timing.

    Blessings 🙂