Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Deut. 31:6-
Have you ever noticed how people compare winter with darkness or a cold eerie feeling? “Her heart was cold as winter settled in and there was no warmth, no light.” But isn’t it interesting what comes after a long winter? Spring. Spring brings new life, growth, sunshine, and warmer days. I feel like there are many people that winter has settled in on their hearts. They stay in, communicate little, and keep waiting, hoping for a brighter day. The grass has died. The garden is frozen over, as is the state of your heart. The numbness has settled in, and you’re not exactly sure how to move on.
I will say there has been a string of events that have shocked the nation and the rebuilding has only yet to begin. With Haiti’s devastation and then with Chili’s earthquake, I’m like, “Okay Lord, what’s happening?” And then there’s the things going on around me with people right here. Marriages that I thought were solid are ending in divorce, husbands (several) leading a double life. I have another friend who recently miscarried and my heart breaks for her. And I ask myself, why does life have to hurt so much? So many of these people are amazing people that serve the Lord with their lives and yet they are going through much pain and suffering. There are many moms out there who are dealing with their teenagers making unwise choices. Many walk around with a smile on their face but inside their stomach is in knots. The loss of a job has sent some spiraling into a depression.
I say to you today hold on, because there is hope. What would our lives be without hope? Where would we be today if we had not held on to our faith in Jesus Christ? A faith in Him that promises a better tomorrow, a faith in Him that promises we will get past this, and we will survive. And not just survive, but thrive. One of my favorite quotes from Barbra Johnson is, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not another train coming at you!” In John 16:33 (NIV) we read “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I wish it read, “in this world you might have trouble”, but Jesus says you WILL have trouble. But He also reassures us to take heart, because He has already overcome the world. He’s not just leaving us all alone and saying, “Good luck, hope it all works out for you down there!” God said in Hebrews 13:5b “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”.
This week, I was reminded of the Bible story about Moses. You can read the full story in Exodus 13:17-14:31. Moses was leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. And the people saw and experienced Gods faithfulness daily. In Exodus 13:21-22 we read “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” As I thought about the Israelites, I imagined how they must have been feeling. They were tired and weary from their travels. Here they reach the Red Sea and in verse 14:7 we read that Pharaoh “took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.” Here’s all these moms carrying their babies and young children and Pharaoh’s army will be satisfied with nothing short of their death. I think frightened would be an understatement. These Israelites had made it so far, but had God brought them this far only for their lives to end in bloodshed? They remembered Gods promises. They knew He was a faithful God. I’m reminded of that Rich Mullins song, “My deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by. And He will never break His promise…” The people were scared and Moses said in Exodus 14:13-14, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
And the Lord told Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites could go through the sea on dry ground. And the Red Sea parted with just enough time for the Israelites to safely cross, and once they got to the other side the Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand and the waves overtook the Egyptians and not one of them survived.
I’m not sure what you’re going through right now, but I know I was supposed to write this blog. I say to you today: these rivers, they will not overtake you and these waves, they will not crush you. Just like the Israelites desperately needed to be delivered, I say to you your deliverer is coming and He will never break His promise to you. The Lord will fight for you. Be still and know that He is God.
I wish I could tell you that you will never have to experience pain or grief, but that’s not going to happen. There will be a day, when we will no longer experience the pain of this world. I so look forward to this day as described in Revelation 21:4 (Amplified Bible), “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall their be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain anymore, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.”
Winter is coming to an end, and your spring is near. I pray for you new life, growth, sunshine, and warmer days. 
Celeste, I don’t have to tell you that this is timely in my life even confirming Exodus 14:14 a scripture the Lord gave me last week. And your hug and our talk meant a lot to me this week. ANd can not reiterate that enough. I REALLY needed the hug. Thank you for hearing my cry for help. I love you. ANd this blog really was from the Lord not just for me but for others who I know will read it too. XOXO
IT is so comforting to be reminded that our pain and tears will one day come to an end. I’m ready!!!!!
What an encouragement. I pray this penetrates deeply into the hearts of those who need it most.
Best one yet! Moving, very moving. Needed to hear this, thank you.
Great message of hope!!!
Thank you for writing this as it is perfectly what I needed to read today.
Thanks Celeste! That is very encouraging! I needed it! I love the part that says, “These rivers, they will not overtake you and theses waves, they will not crush you.” I’ve been very touched by those words lately. I love the song from Enter the Worship Circle called “You are Mine” because of those words too! So, thanks for the confirmation that I will not drown this winter!!!!!
Celeste,
I know that I am one for whom this blog was written. I had an expectant heart when coming here today. I am praying that these words will penetrate, will break this winterized heart. I just am not sure when that “when” will be.
Thank you for reaching out with Jesus’ words.
Ahh Celeste, I spent the day today watching 3 little girls and one young man say Their last goodbye to their big sister. Your message of hope really hit home for me. Even when we feel broken and confused there is always Hope for tomorrow, that God is here and those around us will fill in the gap when we can not stand on our own. Thnx for ministering to my heart today of all days!
God really blessed me with these words from you today. In fact, Exodus 14:13-14 are a few verses He gave me this week to stand on. I love it when He keeps bringing the same word.
Thank you for taking the time to share these encouraging words!
Blessings~
Thank you for sharing and ministering to so many of us!
So true… having the faith that things can only get better from here for some many…
LOVED this!!! Such an important message and I know it will help women to prepare their hearts for the tough trials they will endure throughout their journey as christians.
Thanks, Celeste, for words of hope. We all need hope!
I’m reminded of Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
I loved meeting you the other day!
Yay!! Good job, lovely lady
I love this encouraging word! So many people going through hard places right now but what a great reminder that this is all just temporary! Hope you had a safe journey home! It was such a blessing to meet you!!
Celeste, Exodus 14:13-14 has been a lifeline for me recently. What a timely and appropriate message! God has been speaking to me alot lately about his provision and soverignty (sp?) in my life. What the enenmy meant for evil, God meant for good!!!
Thank You Celeste for all your prayers and the many words of encouragement. Not just for me, but for so many of us that it touches. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
Thanks for the great word! As many of the others have said, I felt like it was written for me! Keep on writing!!! Great analogy using the seasons with the seasons of our spiritual walk. So true!
So true Paula, you've got to keep holding on to His Word, and even when we have no idea how any good could come out of certain situations, God is faithful. Sometimes we just don't know what it looks like yet!
That's a great scripture Pam! And it was so nice to meet you the other day too! Blessings!
thank you Rebecca. I'm glad I finally got to hug you! I love you and just know God is up to something good! ; }
amen!
awe..thank you SO much! Bless you!
thank you!
Hey girl..I actually did get those words from the Worship Circle CD and they have been stirring in my head and heart lately! And God I was reminded of the story of Moses during my quiet time and it's like it all just fit. So, yes..no drowning girl! ;}
Babs- I pray Gods Word will also break through and deeply penetrate every area that winter has settled in on- In Jesus name I pray it's soon!
Wow- I know God gives us the right words at the right time. I can not even imagine what that family is going through right now. I am so humbled to be even a part of what God is speaking to you~ Bless you…
your so welcome Lauren! I absolutely love it when God brings confirmation of His Word! Bless you!
thanks Jenn! You are always so encouraging! God is faithful and His timing is perfect…waiting is always the hardest part!
Renee- I love you and I'm still believing that God has good things planned for you. I am truly sorry for all that you have had to go through. Praying your Spring comes quickly!
Ahh Celeste … my lovely friend! You hit the nail on the head for me. Yes, you were supposed to share what you did. What a wonderfully encouraging and much needed word directly for me and, from what I can read in the comments, for others as well.. Thank you, dear, for this! I love the quote you shared “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not another train coming at you!” I always anticipate what you have to share because you do such a good job of getting the word across. Love and appreciate you!