Day 2: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 NLT
Have you ever walked through a season of hope deferred? If you have, you know how much it hurts. It feels like your heart is sick, broken, and empty—leaving you questioning, Should I even try again?
I recently came out of a long season of hope deferred, and let me tell you, it was one of the hardest journeys of my life. But God, in His goodness, brought me healing and hope on Sunday, November 17, 2024. That was the day everything shifted for me.
This past year was filled with loss and shattered dreams. It hurt deeply, but I can now look back with gratitude because it led me to fully surrender to God and His perfect plan for my life. I wanted so badly to hold on to the old—my expectations of how things should go. But God gently reminded me that His ways are always better.
My healing began during a class at church called Activate, where I stepped out of my comfort zone. One week, God gave me the word “rebuild,” and it became clear that He was calling me to let go of the old so I could step into the new.
The week before the last class, I hit my breaking point. I was frustrated because I had been praying, reading the Word, and spending so much time with Jesus—but my heart still felt heavy. That week, I began declaring aloud: "I am restored in Jesus’ Name!”
I went to that final class expecting something to shift—and God showed up. During the altar call, I ran up front, ready to release everything I had been carrying. We were asked to count to seven, symbolizing the Israelites marching around Jericho, and then shout the breakthrough we were believing for. I shouted, “RESTORATION!”
In that moment, something powerful happened. Joy filled the room—there was laughter, praising, and dancing. I left that class with my healing. My heart, which had felt broken for so long, was made whole. Even though my circumstances haven’t fully changed, my heart is now at peace, overflowing with joy.
Healing doesn’t always come overnight, but while you wait, worship can transform your heart. Today, turn on your favorite praise music, clear some space, and dance before the Lord. Move your body as an act of faith, thanking Him for the healing you’re believing for. Praise Him in advance for the restoration and joy that He is already bringing into your life!
God is the source of hope, and He will fill your heart with peace and joy as you trust Him. Even in the waiting, keep coming to Him every single day—because He’s already working behind the scenes for your good.
Don’t forget to download the FREE Advent Guide that pairs with this blog! It’s packed with daily reflections, scriptures, and simple fitness activities to help you honor your temple and experience God’s peace. Click the link shiftworthyministries.com to get your copy today!
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