Have you been waiting? This can be one of the most difficult parts of life. We live in a super connected world, so if we have to wait longer than 10 seconds for anything, it is hard. Yet, our lives sometimes take us down paths that require us to wait.
We have to wait to see if we’re going to get our dream job. We have to wait to meet the person we desire to marry. We have to wait as we’re trying to have a family. We have to wait on our prayers to be answered.
The people of Israel also had to wait. They find themselves in a hard time. Their bondage has been harsh, and they have suffered immensely. They are needing and wanting the Lord to work, but they have to wait. As they wait, Isaiah brings encouragement, and it is still encouragement for us today.
Isaiah 64:4 says, “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”
Hang in there if you’re waiting. Psalm 27:14 encourages, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” The Bible promises the Lord is working on your behalf.
Life is not always easy. Some days feel calm and peaceful, while other days feel overwhelming. There are moments when troubles rise like deep waters and trials burn like fire. In those difficult seasons, it can feel like we are facing everything alone. Thankfully, God gives us a powerful reminder in Isaiah 43:2.
“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, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”
Notice what God does not say. He does not promise we will never face deep waters or fiery trials. Difficulties are part of life in a broken world. We will face seasons of grief, disappointment, uncertainty, fear, and hardship. However, God does promise something greater—His presence.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
What a comforting promise. God does not abandon His people in difficult moments. He walks with us through them. The waters may rise, but they will not overwhelm us because God is holding us steady. The fire may feel intense, but it will not destroy us because God remains near.
Throughout Scripture, we see God faithfully walking with His people through impossible situations.
God was with Noah through the flood.
He was with the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea.
He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
Most importantly, Jesus promised His followers, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
Sometimes we want God to remove every challenge immediately. Yet often, God strengthens us in the middle of the struggle instead of removing us from it right away. The trial may not disappear overnight, but His presence gives peace, courage, and hope.
Maybe today you feel like you are drowning in worry. Maybe the fire of hardship seems too intense. Hold onto this truth: God sees you, knows what you are facing, and has not left your side.
The waters are temporary, but God’s presence is eternal. No matter what today holds, you do not walk through it alone. God is with you in the deep waters, and He will carry you safely through.
You know that feeling at 2 a.m. when your brain decides it’s the perfect time to schedule a full audit of everything that’s ever gone wrong?
Chris Miller has been writing this week about the places where faith meets real pressure — sleepless nights, discouragement, and the quiet fear that God has stopped paying attention.
Which, honestly, covers most of a Tuesday.
Let’s start with the nights when anxiety won’t let you rest.
Anxiety And Rest
The question this post sits with is a practical one — when fear and insecurity take over at night, what does trust in God actually look like in the dark?
The post reaches for Proverbs 3 as the anchor, setting up the promise directly: “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security.”
The upshot is that security isn’t the absence of problems — it’s confidence that God is handling what you cannot. The post closes on Psalm 4:8: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.”
And the practical steps in the post are grounded — name what’s actually weighing on you, remember past faithfulness, stop solving tomorrow’s problems at midnight.
That last one lands. Rest, the post argues, is sometimes an act of trust rather than avoidance. Which sets up a harder question — what about the weight that isn’t just nighttime anxiety, but accumulated discouragement?
Discouragement And Hope
This segment is about the moments that feel permanently broken — the spilled water you can’t scoop back up. The regret, the fractured relationship, the season you’d undo if you could.
“Don’t Drown in the Spilled Water” opens with David in the middle of family turmoil, and a wise woman’s words cut through: “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.”
The word “devises” is doing real work there. Not passive acceptance — intentional planning. God is not waiting at a distance for you to clean yourself up first.
That’s exactly how the post frames it. The invitation isn’t “fix yourself, then return” — it’s simply “come back to Me.” Your past does not have the final word.
And “Fighting Discouragement and Hopelessness” pushes that further, into the emotional honesty the Psalms model. Psalm 42:5 is the hinge: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again.”
What that post emphasizes is that choosing hope often precedes the feeling of hope. The Psalmist declared praise before the discouragement lifted. The post also makes a point worth noting — experiencing these emotions doesn’t make someone less faithful. David and Jeremiah both walked through deep sorrow.
So discouragement isn’t a detour from faith. Sometimes it’s the road.
Which connects naturally to the question underneath both posts — what do you do when discouragement shades into feeling genuinely forgotten?
Feeling Forgotten By God
This is the oldest version of the question — Israel in captivity, wondering if God had simply moved on. The post on “Where is God? Why is God not answering?” asks whether our circumstances today are really so different.
Isaiah 40 is the text, and the post pulls out verse 28 as its anchor: “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”
So the plain-language version is: whatever is buckling you, it isn’t buckling Him. The post makes that contrast explicit — the pressures that exhaust us don’t cause God to flinch.
The post organizes Isaiah 40 into three movements. God is all-powerful. God desires to help — verse 29 says He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. And God will get you through, which the Israelites’ own story demonstrates.
The payoff is verses 30 and 31 — the eagle wings passage. The people asking “where is God” are the same people the text promises will run and not grow weary.
The gap between the question and the promise is where trust lives. Isaiah’s point isn’t that the hard season disappears — it’s that you don’t walk through it alone.
Sleepless nights, spilled water, silence from heaven — these posts are covering the full range of what it feels like when faith is under pressure.
And the consistent answer is that God is still moving, even when the evidence isn’t obvious yet. More of that next time.
Perhaps it seems odd, but we share some thoughts with ancient Israel. The Israelites found themselves in captivity, and they were wondering if God had totally left them. Feelings of loneliness and thoughts of abandonment were prevalent. Where was God? Why was he not answering?
We may find ourselves asking these same questions as we look at our circumstances. The political landscape is stressful. There are marriages on the brink of disaster. Finances are operating paycheck to paycheck, trying to stretch every penny farther than it was designed to go. The pressures of life are heavy, and as we start to buckle under the weight, we relate to the Israelites. Where is God? Why is he not answering?
Thankfully, the Lord sent Isaiah to offer encouragement to Israel, and we too can find encouragement in his words. In Isaiah 40, the prophet offers 3 keys to remember amid hard times.
First, the Lord is all-powerful.
Isaiah asks in verse 28, “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”
It’s as if Isaiah is saying, “Don’t forget…”
“Don’t forget the Lord is everlasting.”
Psalm 90 proclaims, “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” There’s never been a time without the Lord, nor will there ever be a time without the Lord. Don’t forget the Lord is everlasting.
“Don’t forget the Lord is the creator.”
Genesis 1:1 reminds us God created the Heavens and the Earth. He was there before anything existed, and he is the one who spoke everything into existence. Remember, God is the creator.
“Don’t forget the Lord never loses strength.”
Jeremiah reminds us the Lord’s strength is always there. In chapter 32, he says, “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” Nothing is too hard for God. There are things that are too hard for us, but not for him; he carries the heaviest of loads with ease. The pressures of life which cause us to buckle, don’t even cause him to flinch. Jesus says what is impossible for man is possible for God; his word never fails. Keep in mind God does not lose his strength.
“Don’t forget his wisdom is immeasurable.”
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways,” states Romans 11. Don’t forget there is no end to the Lord’s wisdom.
Remember, God is all-powerful. It may seem are struggles hold all the power, but God holds more. Amid a difficult season, Isaiah reminds us of God’s power.
Second, the Lord desires to help us.
Isaiah says the Lord wants to help us. In verse 29, Isaiah exalts the Lord by saying he gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. The Lord is willing and able to help us.
Third, the Lord will get us through.
It is in our weakest moments it seems the Lord does his best work. He sure did for Israel. The Lord delivered the Israelites from captivity, and he rebuilt their nation. They were wondering where God was; why he wasn’t answering, but he pulled them through the hard time.
As we are wondering where God is; why he is not answering, we need to remember the encouragement of verses 30-31:
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Amid the hard times in life, we need to remember to trust in the Lord. He will pull us through. The stresses and pressures of life are no match for the Lord. His strength will get us through.
The next time you find yourself buckling under the pressure of a hard time, remember, Isaiah’s 3 keys:
The Lord is all-powerful, and can handle anything that may come.
“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” These words from Isaiah were spoken centuries before the first Christmas, yet they echo with remarkable clarity and hope today. In one short parenthetical statement—God is with us—Isaiah captures the heart of the Christmas story and the foundation of our faith.
God Is With Us—Right Now
Pause long enough to let that truth settle in: God is with us. Not was with us. Not will be with us someday. But is with us.
Christmas reminds us that God stepped into our world—not as a distant deity watching from afar, but as a Savior who entered our humanity. He came into our pain, our struggles, our questions, and our everyday lives. He didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves or try to “figure it all out” on our own. Instead, He chose to walk beside us.
A Hope That Stays
The hope we receive because of Jesus isn’t fragile. It isn’t tied to our emotions, our circumstances, or the ups and downs of the world. Scripture tells us that this hope will never perish, spoil, or fade.
Political climates change. Life shifts. Cultures rise and fall. Our own plans sometimes crumble. But the hope of Christ stands firm.
It is an eternal hope—the kind that anchors us when life feels uncertain, the kind that whispers peace when anxiety rises, the kind that reminds us that God’s promises are as steady today as they were on the night Jesus was born.
A Promise Fulfilled
That first Christmas night was more than a story of shepherds and angels. It was the moment God fulfilled His ancient promise spoken through Isaiah. The prophecy of a virgin giving birth wasn’t just a miraculous sign; it was God announcing that He would not abandon His people.
Jesus’ birth proves that God keeps His word—every time, without fail.
Why This Matters Today
When we feel alone, Christmas reminds us: Immanuel—God is with us. When we feel overwhelmed, Christmas tells us: Hope has come and hope will stay. When the world looks uncertain, Christmas whispers: God is still in control.
No matter what season you are in—joyful, weary, anxious, or hopeful—you can hold tightly to the truth that began in a manger and continues today: You are not alone.
Joy and peace can feel hard to come by. Life often weighs heavy — with responsibilities, setbacks, and storms that never seem to end. Sometimes we wonder if joy is even possible, or if peace is just a nice idea rather than a reality.
That’s why the closing words of Isaiah 55 are so powerful. God promises something far bigger than temporary happiness:
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
What a picture! Creation itself celebrates as God leads His people forward. Joy and peace are not just emotions here — they are the very markers of God’s guidance. They are the fruit of trusting Him and walking in His ways.
Joy doesn’t mean trouble disappears. Peace doesn’t mean everything goes exactly as we planned. Instead, joy is a deep gladness rooted in God’s presence, and peace is the steady assurance that He is in control, even in the middle of uncertainty.
When we respond to God’s invitation (Isaiah 55:1) and trust His Word (Isaiah 55:11), we begin to walk in a new rhythm. It’s not just survival anymore — it’s life, and life full of joy. God Himself goes with us, and that changes everything.
Maybe your path right now feels steep. Maybe peace feels far away. But God’s promise stands: when He is leading, joy and peace will follow. The journey with Him is never aimless. It’s always moving toward fullness of life.
So take the next step today with confidence. Trust His hand to guide you. And listen — because if you lean in close enough, you may just hear the hills bursting into song and the trees clapping along the way.
God’s joy and peace are not distant dreams — they are real gifts for your journey today.
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly
If you enjoy Get Encouraged, consider leaving a tip. Make a one-time donation
Promises can feel shaky in our world. People break them. Plans change. Circumstances shift overnight. It can leave us wondering if anything is truly dependable.
That’s why Isaiah 55:10-11 is so encouraging:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Think about that for a moment. Just as the rain never fails to soak the ground and bring life, God’s Word never fails to do its job. It always produces growth. It always brings change. It always accomplishes His purpose.
That means every promise God makes can be trusted. Even when we can’t see the results right away, His Word is working. Seeds planted today will bloom in God’s timing. Sometimes it happens quickly, other times slowly — but it always happens.
Our part is to hold on to His Word. To read it, believe it, and lean into it, even when life feels uncertain. Because God is not like us — He doesn’t overpromise and underdeliver. His Word carries His authority, His faithfulness, and His heart.
Maybe you’ve been praying for something and it feels like nothing is happening. Maybe you’ve been clinging to a promise, but the ground looks dry. Isaiah reminds us: trust the process. Rain takes time to bring growth, but the harvest always comes.
God’s Word never returns empty. It never evaporates into thin air. It never misses its mark.
So today, when discouragement whispers, remind yourself of this truth: God’s promises stand. His Word will do exactly what He says it will do. You can count on it, because He is faithful.
Have you ever noticed how often life leaves us feeling empty? We work hard, we check off our lists, we chase after what we think will satisfy, and yet, deep down, the thirst lingers. The job promotion feels good, but it doesn’t quiet the restlessness. The approval of others feels nice, but it doesn’t fill the soul. Comfort and success are never enough.
That’s why Isaiah 55:1 stops us in our tracks with this invitation:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
What a picture of God’s generosity! He calls out not to the strong, not to the wealthy, not to those who have it all together — but to the thirsty. To the ones running on empty. To those who feel like they’ve got nothing left to bring.
And here’s the good news: the price is already paid.
God doesn’t say, “Bring me your best effort and maybe I’ll let you in.” He doesn’t ask for payment, performance, or proof. He simply says, come. Come thirsty. Come hungry. Come with your needs. And in Him, find the satisfaction this world can never deliver.
We’ve all tried to drink from empty wells. We’ve all tried to fill ourselves with things that promise joy but only leave us drier than before. Isaiah 55 reminds us that only God can quench the deepest thirst of our hearts. Jesus echoed the same truth centuries later when He said, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:14).
So maybe today the question isn’t, “What do I need to do?” but rather, “Where am I going to quench my thirst?”
God’s invitation is open. The waters are ready. The feast is waiting. You don’t need to earn it. You don’t need to deserve it. You just need to come.
If you are weary, come. If you are searching, come. If you are thirsty, come.
God is enough, and He is waiting to fill you with His peace, His presence, and His life.
Life has a way of bringing storms. Sometimes they roll in suddenly — an unexpected phone call, a setback we didn’t see coming. Other times, they linger like heavy clouds that just won’t lift. In those moments, it’s easy to feel weighed down, like we’re barely able to keep moving forward.
Isaiah 40:31 gives us a powerful image of hope: “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.”
Eagles respond to storms differently than most birds. While many seek shelter, eagles spread their wings and rise higher, using the storm’s powerful winds to lift them above the clouds. They don’t fight the storm — they let it carry them to a place of calm and perspective.
That’s the kind of strength the Lord offers us. It doesn’t always mean the storm will vanish, but it does mean we can rise above it. His strength allows us to see beyond the chaos of the moment and remember that He is still in control.
“Soaring” doesn’t mean life is effortless. For the eagle, it begins by facing the wind head-on. For us, it begins by trusting the Lord enough to let His strength sustain us. The very trials that threaten to pull us down can become the currents that lift us closer to Him.
When storms come — and they will — don’t fear them. Trust in God’s power to carry you higher, where peace and perspective wait above the clouds.
Isaiah 40 is a chapter filled with hope for the weary. It reminds us that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator who never grows tired or weary. He offers His strength to those who feel weak, and His power to those who have none left. Isaiah’s promise is simple yet profound: “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength” (Isaiah 40:31). This strength isn’t recycled from yesterday — it’s fresh and perfectly suited for today’s needs.
Sometimes our weakness doesn’t come from a single overwhelming crisis. It seeps in slowly — through long days, small disappointments, and responsibilities that never seem to let up. That’s why Isaiah’s words are so personal: God offers exactly what we need to keep going, whether that’s the energy to keep moving forward or the courage to simply stand firm.
We don’t have to manufacture this strength. We don’t have to “push through” in our own power. It comes from leaning fully on the Lord, allowing Him to carry what we cannot. In verse 28, Isaiah reminds us that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He never runs out of resources.
And here’s the freeing part: some days, our strength might look like soaring; other days, it’s just putting one foot in front of the other without collapsing. Both are victories when the Lord is the one sustaining us. Tomorrow, when we need His help again, He’ll be there with a fresh supply.
Trust Him for the next step, and the step after that — and you’ll find His promise holds true, every time.
Get Encouraged 