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April 18, 2013

Strength and Hope

It seemed to come out of no where.  Ok, not NO where.  It came from some emails that I received yesterday.  There were ZERO ill words written in those emails, yet, I let them crush me.

Dreaming is fun… it’s easy, it’s empowering, it’s energizing.  Making those dreams become a reality though?  It’s hard.  It’s draining.  And it can be defeating.

But after a little pouting and some (ahem) intense chopping (and burning of sweet potatoes) last night, my husband reminded me that this dream?  It’s happening.  This thing I’ve been wanting to do for the past four years?  That’s what’s going on right now in our present.  And even when I tried to remind him that it’s actually been four YEARS, he reminded me that I’ve only been able to give it my all for the past four months.  And that I need to give it more time.

And this morning, after spending some very sweet and much needed time with friends praying with and over each other, I was reminded yet again that even though I’m “living the dream” and it’s difficult some days, that’s NOT where my hope lies.  It’s actually not even where I get my strength.  Yes, seeing a dream become a reality is even more energizing than the dream itself.  But it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get there (and yes, I’ve shed all of those!).

So, this is my reminder today.

And I’m actually going to order this verse on a canvas to hang in my office from this amazing woman and her fabulous Etsy shop (plus, it’ll look better than anything this non-designer girl can muster!)…

And since every girl needs these reminders hanging on their walls, I’m giving away one of her 12×12 canvases today with your words of choice (from her shop).  All you have to do is leave a comment below with your favorite verse or quote that gives you encouragement on days you feel down and defeated and I’ll announce the winner on tomorrow’s blog post!

Just remember… any tangible thing you put your hope in, whether a person, dream, or thing, WILL let you down.  God is the ONLY one who never will.

  1. Christen says:

    So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

    2 Corinthians 4:18.

    This is currently taped to my desk and badly faded. But it serves as a reminder that despite living my own dream, it is still temporary.

  2. Dayna says:

    My favorite encouragement comes from Psalm 27:13 & 14. “I would have despaired unless I believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.’

  3. Shellie says:

    Ecclesiastes 3:11a “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time.”
    This verse has been one of my favorites for a long time, but my first favorite verse is the one you quoted (Isaiah 40:28-31).

  4. Mary-Catherine says:

    I love this!! When used correctly, words can be so so so so so incredibly powerful in the best way possible!! Reading scripture verses and quotes are a huge passion of mine, so it’s hard to pick just one, but the first that come to mind this morning are:

    1) Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
    2) “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

    Thanks for the post today!!! Have a GREAT day! Can;t wait to see you continue reaching your dreams and making new aspirations :)

  5. Ruth Campbell says:

    Ephesians 3:20-21

    Amplified Bible (AMP)

    20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—

    21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

  6. Rachel Reed says:

    There’s this beautiful theme of increased dependence on God that continues to emerge out of you. He is, indeed, doing a good thing in you, dear friend. As He ushers you into your dream, remember that it won’t look like what you think and yet, will be absolutely more than you could ask for or imagine.

    These verses have marked my life in a deep way:

    Lamentations 3:21-26
    Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:
    22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
    23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
    24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”
    25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
    26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

  7. Hilary Conyers says:

    Wow, Sabrina! What an encouragement in running Life’s Race. I’m so blessed reading through all the scripture in the comments! Thank you…really! He is such a good God!

    A couple quotes I have gaming in my cube I hope others will also be encouraged by:

    Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God. – Jim Elliott
    If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. – John Quincy Adams
    (You are a leader, Sabrina! Thanks for inspiring)

  8. Stephanie says:

    What a good reminder to look to the Word for encouragement!It can be far to easy to for me to sink into depressed thoughts withoutit. Lately my verses have been Ex 14:14- “The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” and Ps 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book”

  9. Jodi says:

    Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

  10. Shannon Tucker says:

    Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

    My dad is going through cancer treatments in Atlanta. It’s heartbreaking to watch my hero, the man I thought was invincible, my daddy, go through it. This verse has kept me going. I claim His Peace in my life every day.

  11. Nora says:

    This was perfect for me this week. thank you so much for sharing sabrina. A few years ago as I was awaiting back surgery, was the first time that I actually had to fully embrace the truth that I had always known, but never completely admitted. That truth being that I am weak, and completely useless without relying on God’s strength. In fact I was totally helpless and worthless. At that point I claimed these 2 verses and I continually remind myself that although I can walk again and I have regained most of my physical strength, I am still only strong through Him.
    For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

    Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
    I am now claiming my weakness and excited to see how God will choose to use my weaknesses

  12. Anna Poe says:

    “‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'” Exodus 14:13-14
    Love you, Sabrina!

  13. Jim says:

    As for me and my house we will serve The Lord

  14. Pat says:

    Isaiah 26:3 has helped me survive many difficulties. Keep acknowleging the truth that God is with us and is in control of all

  15. Catherine says:

    Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

  16. Buddy Woods says:

    Matthew 6:34
    Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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