Gentle Reminder

“You were wearied by the length of your road, Yet you did not say, ‘It is no use.’ You found renewed strength, Therefore you did not grow weak.”  Isaiah 57:10 AMP

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.  Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, He will save you.” 

Isaiah 35: 3-4 AMPC

All of us need a reminder now and then. When life hits us square between the eyes or when a challenge grows from weeks to months to years… We need reminded that God is in control, that He is at work, that He has a plan. The challenges, set-backs and real-world reality of life have a way of draining our strength, weakening our resolve, even obscuring our view of our Father God’s love. Like the dripping of water eroding a mountainous rock, trials that are long in duration can erode even the mightiest among us.

If HOPE has become a 4-letter word to you. If a painful circumstance has gone from a simple set-back to a way of life. If anxious thoughts fill your heart, robbing you of His peace. If the unthinkable has touched your life…

May I gently remind you? Not with syrupy, I-feel-your-pain, empty words – but with His inerrant and infallible Word. The same Word that has sustained me, and countless others, through some of life’s toughest challenges. He has promised never to leave or forsake us and to be our Mighty Fortress. He promises that though we walk through fiery trials, we will not be burned, neither will the flame kindle upon us. He is behind and before us. And that when the enemy comes in like a flood, He will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight. Though He allows for our free will, He assures us that no plan of His can be thwarted and His sovereignty rules over all.

Our trials aren’t proof that He doesn’t care or is impotent to act. In whatever form they take, our trials are opportunities to walk out the reality of our trust in Him and learn by experience that He is good, He is faithful and He is enough.

“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”

Corrie ten Boom

My Lord Jesus, As You have strengthened me, not by the absence of trials but in the midst of them, I pray You will infuse strength into Your weary ones today. Grant the ability to arise to new life and fresh hope, and a knowing that You have it all under control…whatever the outcome…we can trust You. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Are you an Actor?

Just some random thoughts ….

For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45b ESV


Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 LSB

Reactions cannot be manufactured. Any of us can “act” a certain way, but we can only re-act based on what’s already in our heart. Any of us can “act” or play the part of a God-honoring person, but our mouth and actions will betray us when we are in a situation where we only have time to react. As Jesus put it, “Out of the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks.”

What comes out of our mouth when someone cuts us off in traffic or when we’re treated unfairly? When there’s no time to do anything but react, out of the overflow of our heart, our mouth and actions will speak what’s already in there. These situations don’t create our words and actions, they reveal what’s already there.

(If you’re not sure, ask your husband or wife or close friend, I bet they know!) I’ve heard it said that the “real us”, is exposed when we’re at home – not at church or even at work. At home, where we “let our hair down” so to speak.

This is also true when we go through trials. Most followers of Christ can talk a good faith-game and quote Scriptures, but what happens when tragedy strikes or betrayal comes or disappointment engulfs? Do we stagger in unbelief and accuse God of neglect, or assume we must be lacking in faith?

Or, do we give thanks in all things, in spite of the pain? Through tears and clenched teeth maybe, but are we able to express our faith in a sovereign God, even as we pour out our heart and pain to Him? Again, we can choose to act, but our reaction will pour forth from what’s already in our heart.

Hey, no condemnation here – this is convicting for me to even type. The Holy Spirit convicts us and allows the content of our heart to be exposed so it can be dealt with. Not to condemn us. To restore us. To continue the work He began at our moment of conversion. After all, we are His workmanship. Let’s allow Him to work.

Straight from Psalm 139, let’s pray –

Father, search me and know me. Try and test me Lord. Take from me anything not pleasing to You and reveal anything that I have left unsubmitted to You, Your Word and Your will. I am so glad You love me in the process. Cause me to grow in my relationship with You and closer to You. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

For a more in-depth look at the topic, check out this link from GotQuestions.org.

Peanut Butter Cups

“…to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.”

Proverbs 27:7 AMP

God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. Psalm 73:26 AMPC

Yeshua (Jesus) said to them, “I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever trusts in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Aramaic Bible in Plain English

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 43:2a

I love Reese’s cups, especially the newer offering that has a peanut butter shell with peanut butter filling. Mmmmm. Dee licious. Have I mentioned how much I love all things peanut butter? Yet, as much as I appreciate a good Reese’s cup, when my stomach growls with hunger, the bright orange package shouldn’t be what I reach for. Yes, it will stop my hunger pangs, but if I repeat this too many times, I’ll have long-term negative consequences.  But wait a minute, what if my cupboards were bare and my pockets empty? What if, in my hunger, I thought that the sugary peanut butter treat was my only option to fill the ache in my belly?

As I mulled over the scripture in Proverbs 27, I couldn’t help but think of the world around us. A world that is literally “starving” for hope, peace, purpose and the removal of fear/anxiety/panic …. This emptiness has led to starvation of the soul, where, “any bitter thing is sweet.” Spiritually speaking, reaching for a Reese’s in the form of pleasure or money or sex minus God’s guidelines, or gathering as many “likes” / hits as possible or by social activism or “religious” and/or spiritual activity (the possibilities are endless). When the sun goes down and dark silence envelops us, the ache remains and the hunger endures.

On the flip side, many of us are so “full-bellied and satisfied” that we’ve failed to notice those starving right in front of us. Failed to look beyond our own homecooked-meal comfort to notice the ache of empty bellies all around us. Folks who have settled for the quick Reese’s cup or something much worse, when we know the Bread of Life Himself. While it’s true we cannot (and should not) force feed the manna of God’s Word, are we at least offering it to those around us or at least living a life (by His grace) that causes others to want what we have? Do I?

My heart aches for the “starving” folks all around us who have stuffed themselves with all the world has to offer and yet their soul-deep ache and emptiness remain. Here’s my challenge to you (and myself), each time we see a Reese’s cup, let’s use that lip-smacking orange package as a reminder to pray for those around us. Or, let it be a reminder that your ache cannot be filled with anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Reach out to Him, He will meet you right where you’re at. (For more information, call 1-888-NEEDHIM or text (320) 345-3455 or click https://needhim.org/chat-now/)

“There is a God–shaped vacuum in the heart of each man, which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

– Blaise Pascal

Father, please reveal to me where I’m seeking to fill soul-deep needs with the junk food of the world. Please also give me Your eyes and heart for the starving people all around me. Please use my life to honor You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Podcast suggestion RE: Current events

Hello friends, the “lane of my life” is to encourage God’s people to trust Him no matter the circumstance, through the good, bad and ugly. Secondarily, to view life’s circumstances through the lens of His Word and sovereign control over all things. Podcast sharing is not my habit, nor will it be in the future, but I thought it of utmost importance to share this on.

What’s happening in world events right now is surely a recipe for emotional distress, questions and pain. Lots of pain. With that as a backdrop, I wanted to suggest you prayerfully listen to and share the Addison’s podcast below.

The Addisons mention Greg Laurie’s recent message on this topic, in addition, I have included a link to his recent blog post.

In His service, Becky White.

Salty Peanuts

Salty Peanuts is more random thoughts than devo. But as always, I hope it encourages you to view your trials through a different lens. The lens of His sovereign control over all we face. – Becky

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20a NKJV

Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:67 NKJV

It was for my good that I was humbled; so that I would learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 ISV

The Truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. 

– James A. Garfield.

It’s been said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” But, Ahhhh, you can feed him lots of salty peanuts!

Sometimes, God “sets the table” (with lots of those little dishes of salty peanuts!) to help us see the truth of who and what we really are. To enable us to recognize our need for Him. What looks like unfairness from our vantage point, may actually be the Lord drawing us closer to Himself.

That table may look like a trial that has engulfed our lives, it may be loneliness or anxiety or it may be a trial enveloping someone we love. Each table has this in common – the pain is so great or the disappointment so deep that we will either turn to God with a renewed level of trust (in spite of the pain) or our heart will harden against Him (because of the pain). There will be no middle ground.

Has God set a table for you today?

Let’s never allow our pain to go to waste, but instead, leverage it for His glory. And remember, the same heat that melts wax, hardens clay.  What we do with our “salty peanuts” is up to us.

Father, I am so thankful that I can trust You with every detail, every trial, every challenge that comes my way. Use them for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Pain clarifies.  

Becky White

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

“Where is this God of Yours?”

Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! … Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God.

Psalm 42:3, 5a,c NLT   Psalm 42:11 ESV

Recently, while at a funeral – My eyes scanned the small, crowded room, filled with photos and flowers and chatter. And crying. The tears were mingled whispers of “Why?” and “Before his time.” We took our seats and prepared to listen with the soberness required in such settings, my heart breaking for the hurting family around me.  

Real pain. Real tragedy.

Depression and pain and sadness are all around us. Added to this layer of heart ache, the enemy often whispers in our ear, “Where is this God of yours?” Just as in Psalm 42, listed above. The trial in front of you may not be literal death, maybe it’s the death of a relationship or the death of a longed-for outcome or death of your health or the devastating death of hope itself. Sinking you to the depths of despair. The enemy hopes to push us to despair, and in the end, hopelessness. 

Though you’d hate for others to know, do you relate to the Psalmist when he says, “My tears have been my food day and night”? Is the emotional ache buried deep, rearing its head only when life gets still, so you try to stay busy or distracted? Have the enemy’s taunts of, “Where is this God of yours?” invaded your thoughts?

I’ve been there. If we’re honest, most of us have a time or two. And just like the Psalmist, I talk to myself (Hey, no laughing!); I speak the truth to myself. I ask myself questions. I encourage myself with His Word. And in the end, I remind myself to hope in God. Not in hoped-for outcomes or good health or pleasant circumstances (as if those can be relied upon!). Hope. In. God. Read aloud His word, and talk to yourself. Why not start with all of Psalm 42? It’s not that long. Take in each word. In the end, you will find He is faithful, not to always remove our difficulties, but to walk us through them.   

Where’s God? Beside me. In front of me. Behind me. Inside me. He has laid His hand upon me. I am never alone. And neither are you. (See Psalm 139 and John 14).

In the end, you will find He is faithful, not to always remove our difficulties, but to walk us through them.   

One last take-away. Look around. Ask questions. Listen to the pain stories of those around you. And take the risk of being real about your own struggles. Let’s direct each other to the only real hope there is – Jesus Christ Himself.

Father God, I ask that You would push away hopelessness and despair, replacing it with the Truth that You promised never to leave or forsake us. We are never alone. Never without hope. You are at work, no matter what our eyes see. We love You, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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Glory to God?

Recently, I came across this years-old devotional I’d written, and couldn’t help but think of those walking through knee-deep trials right now. Pain that lays us bare and can cause even the strongest and God-honoring to cry “uncle”, this is too hard! If that’s you – I am so sorry for what you’re walking through. I promise not to diminish your pain or use Christian lingo to wipe away real-life tragedy. But I will lay God’s Word before you as a balm and possibly a new set of glasses by which to look at your pain.

Does Your Life Glorify God?

[Jesus said to His disciplines] “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” John 12:23 NIV

“…for the Son of Man to be glorified…”  If I didn’t know what was about to happen to Jesus, I would be excited at the prospect of Him being glorified. But I do know what comes next. He’s going to be arrested for something He didn’t do, get slapped across the face for refusing to answer the High Priest, suffer the agony of His beard being plucked out for the amusement of cruel guards and beaten until unrecognizable as human (Isaiah 53). The Son of Man was stripped naked and nailed to a wooden cross.  And just when you think the cruelty and humiliation can’t get any worse, bystanders taunt Him one last time. “If you’re really the Son of God, come down off that cross!” and then they spit at Him, jeering, as He hung naked and pain-racked.

Being aware of all that was to come, the one word that would not come to my mind is glorified. Abandoned, rejected, abused, maybe… but not glorified. Of course, Jesus did know all that would befall Him as He spoke those words. That’s what makes His statement so out of place to me.

Jesus’ mockery of a trial, ruthless beatings, and death (and then His bodily resurrection) were used as tools to bring glory to God. Jesus willingness to be our Scapegoat (Leviticus 16)  brought glory and honor to Himself like nothing else could. The Son of Man was glorified!

If you find yourself knee-deep in difficulties, the Lord doesn’t require your understanding, but He does want your trust. He is more than able to bring glory to His name through your life’s circumstances. Even circumstances, that surface-level, seem disfigured and ugly.

“…we will stand amazed to see the topside of the tapestry and how God beautifully embroidered each circumstance into a pattern for our good and His glory.”

― Joni Eareckson Tada

“Father, I don’t understand why I’m in this trial. And I don’t like it. But — I am willing to obey You no matter what. Grant me the ability to walk through this valley and to do so without bitterness. You don’t require my understanding, only my trust. Glorify Yourself through my life.” In Jesus, name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

When, not if …

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30-31 NKJV

You’ll never find God or His Word sugar-coating reality; telling us plainly … “When the waters rise and when the flames come …” When, not if. And if you’ve been alive longer than 20 minutes, you know the truth of that “promise.” Adversity. Flood waters. Flames. Trials are woven into the fabric of real life. No one is exempt. Yet, He doesn’t leave us there …

Layered in that raw reality is also the promise that, when the trials come, He will be with us. Though He is the omnipresent God, there is a unique coming-alongside that we experience when trials attempt to overwhelm us, when they graze our lives. As Nazi concentration camp survivor, Corrie Ten Boom put it, “He doesn’t give us the train ticket until we board the train.”

When trials touch our lives, He is uniquely there in a way that sunny days and overflowing bank accounts do not require.

Even when the trial is of our own making. Take a closer look at Peter in the above verse. He took his eyes off of Jesus and instead, zeroed in on the literal wind and waves, and began to sink like a rock. The Word says that, “Immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.” No hesitation. No withholding. Immediately. Yes, a lecture followed, but His Presence was not withheld, when Peter so desperately needed it.

I can testify from my own life, that while He has allowed (and I have sometimes caused) great challenges in my life, He has also never failed to lavish me with His Presence in them. A Presence I uniquely felt during the deepest, darkest trials. And He will do the same for you dear one, when you walk through your day of trial … He is with you.

When trials touch our lives, He is uniquely there in a way that sunny days and overflowing bank accounts do not require.

Becky White

Father, we are so thankful for Your presence when life hits us square between the eyes. When life just plain hurts, You are with us. Please enable us to rest in that simple truth. We are not alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Visit the products page for a free pdf of Stony Paths devotional or to purchase a hard copy.

Promise Boxes

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19 NKJV

Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 NRSV

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3

Remember those old fashioned “promise boxes?” Sometimes shaped like miniature loaves of bread, and containing strips of paper with Bible verses. The carefully chosen scriptures were most often what I call, “cotton-candy” verses. Verses or sometimes, half-verses that carried a “positive” message intended to encourage the reader, but in the process, sometimes inadvertently gave a false expectation of real-world challenges.

Gracing my kitchen window, (and not nearly as fancy) I have my own homemade version made out of a spiral index card booklet. Flipping through the dishwater-stained cards, I am reminded that God will never leave me, or I recall that He actually hears when I pray to Him. I also have other “promises” that probably won’t make its way into the commercialized version.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 BSB

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials. 1 Peter 1:6

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

See what I mean?

Am I the only one who needs to be assured that suffering and trials are often (usually!) part of our calling as Believers in Christ? I need reminded, straight from God’s Word, that trials happen. I shouldn’t be shocked, I should be prepared. I should also consider it an honor to serve Him through the difficulties that come my way. What I should not do, is expect that the whole of our Christian experience be boiled down to a promise box “life is rosy, if you just follow Jesus” Scripture reference pulled out of context. Even as I reread my words, I realize I may sound a bit harsh, but that’s only true for those who have never walked the stony path of suffering and heartache. God’s Word (the Bible, from cover to cover) doesn’t sugar-coat our challenges, while also providing authentic hope in the midst of them.

Am I the only one who needs to be assured that suffering and trials are often part of our calling as Believers in Christ?

Becky White

Allow me to challenge you. Search the Scriptures, talk to the Lord and then create your own windowsill promise box. As you face the inevitable challenges of real-life, it will be a comfortable, and strength-building place for your eyes and soul to land.

Father, I am in awe of Your Word and its ability to breathe life, encouragement and strength into me as I face the difficulties of real life. Enable me to rest on the Truth of Your Word. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or get a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Tangled Messes

I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me.

And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

I will bring the blind by a way they know not; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them.

Psalm 57:2, Romans 8:26 NASB 1977, Isaiah 42:16a AMPC

If you’re over 35, I bet you’ve experienced the yearly Christmas-light detangling ritual. It seemed that no matter how carefully the lights were wound, twist-tied and put back in a box, they came out the next year in one big ball of mangled, interlocked green wire and lights. The more you pulled and attempted to unravel the lights, the more knots you inevitably created. Oh, the “anguish” and frustration of it all!  Of course, now we have almost exclusively, the neat and tidy pre-lit Christmas trees. Amateurs.

This morning while thinking through a few serious life situations, and talking to the Lord about them, I admitted that I wasn’t even sure how to pray. Where to begin. What “end” to pull first that might unravel the difficult circumstances of those close to me. I held up, as it were, the ball of Christmas lights. The tangled, woven together hot-mess challenges, and had no clue where to begin. What to even ask the Lord for.

Have you ever been there?

Our tangled messes come in all shapes and colors, don’t they? Childhood challenges, regret, grief, relational issues, illness, betrayal, dashed hopes and expectations, or a million other things. Often tangled into a knot of, “I don’t even know where to begin” mess. And no pre-lit tree in sight.

As I continued talking with the Lord, it was almost as if He tapped me on the shoulder with one hand, as He held out the other hand. Reminding me of a truth that I (evidently) need to learn and relearn. Hand Him the tangled mess. That’s right. Give up trying to find just the right prayer to pray or light string to pull. Hand the whole ball of tangled mess to Him. And then trust Him with the outcome.

Let God do the untangling of your past or pain or regret.
Simply turn and hand it to Him.

Becky White

Whatever tangled mess scenario confronts you today, allow me to encourage you to hand the whole thing over to Him. He cares for you. He will not forsake you. Allow Him to do what only He can do. Wrapping it all up with the simple request that you want whatever will bring Him the most glory. Whatever that means and whatever that looks like. He is more than able to do above and beyond, all we dare ask for or imagine. Even untangling our Christmas light scenarios.

Father God, I hand this ball of tangled challenges to You. Placing it in Your strong and faithful hands. Though sometimes with trembling lips, I speak out loud that I trust You Lord. Thank You for Your great faithfulness to answer Your children’s prayers, even when we have no idea what or how to pray! I love You precious Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click below for FREE pdf my devotional of, Stony Paths. To purchase a hard copy or check out other items, visit the products page.

Learning to Trust Him as we walk along STONY PATHS – 09.24.2021Download