Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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Why Sometimes It Takes More Faith to Stay

June 29, 2017 by Abby McDonald

Moving cross-country is not something I recommend to most newlyweds. The culture shock, relationship strains, and adapting to a new community can take a toll on any couple. But that’s exactly what my husband and I did eleven months after we got married.

Four years later, we did it again. I’m sure some people thought we were crazy. Maybe we were. I remember attending a going- away party for my husband’s boss at six months pregnant and talking to new acquaintance about our situation. I told him our families were over two thousand miles away.

“What are you going to do?” he asked. He had this look of shock on his face like my husband and I had made the worst decision ever.

I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I politely excused myself and went looking for my rock, my calm- Chris. I found him laughing with his boss’s friends and asked him under my breath if he was ready to leave yet.

We survived. That’s what we did. Our faith grew stronger and our marriage did too. And while I would never tell you it was easy, I can say without a doubt that our decisions were God-ordained.

Although it took some time and space to realize it, I can look back and see his hand in each detail, turn and step. I’ve always hated the expression, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” but I do believe God can use the difficult times of our lives to produce character if we seek him in the process.

Moving can also get in your blood. The excitement, the yearning for something new can make you restless, unable to see the blessings in front of you.

It can keep you looking forward when God wants you to take a look around you instead.

A few weeks ago, we found ourselves there again. In familiar territory. Opportunities were knocking at the door, decisions loomed, and we were asking the old, familiar question, “Should we stay or should we go?”

The answer is still uncertain. We are seeking God and he is saying, “Wait.” I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a good waiter.

But as I wait and make a conscious effort to be still instead of rushing into a life-altering decision, I’m learning. I’m growing, and I’m realizing it isn’t always the huge leaps that make our faith stronger.

It’s staying put. It’s listening. It’s a willingness to be quiet and say, “I don’t have the answer.”

Sometimes staying in the place God has us takes more faith than moving the mountain.

Because staying means believing there’s still work to be done, even when the well appears dry.

Staying means believing God can still breathe life into a seemingly hopeless situation.

Staying means believing God can make all things new, even when our surroundings remain the same.

I may not have an answer yet, but he’s changing me. It’s a beautiful thing, because I’m learning to savor the journey.

As the sun sets and fireflies dance, I’m not worrying about the future. I’m resting in the beauty of today.

 

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Filed Under: change, faith Tagged With: change, decisions, faith

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  1. Betsy de Cruz says

    June 29, 2017 at 7:18 am

    This is really wonderful writing, Abby. I’ll share this on Facebook later today. God’s been speaking to me the word, “Wait,” so I’m receiving lots of encouragement from Him through this post this very minute!

    I love this: “It isn’t always the huge leaps that make our faith stronger. It’s staying put. It’s listening. It’s a willingness to be quiet and say, “I don’t have the answer.” Sometimes staying in the place God has us takes more faith than moving the mountain.”

    • Abby McDonald says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Praising God it spoke to you where you are today, Betsy. You are so loved, my friend. xoxo

  2. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    June 29, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Abby,
    I’ve moved around the country in what I would call four major moves. New beginnings and fresh opportunities can be exciting. I cherish the friendships that I have made and still keep up with across this great Nation of ours. My life tapestry has been made richer. But, like you said, sometimes it takes more faith to stay. It is so hard to believe that I’ve been in one state for 20 years now?! I’m glad though that I gave my children roots as they were in the prime of their growing up years. They will always have a place to call home. There is value in that! Will be praying for you as you wait on God’s guiding…
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Abby McDonald says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Absolutely, Bev. There is value in that. Thank you for always offering words of wisdom. You are a treasure!

  3. Leigh Ellen says

    June 29, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    “Staying means believing God can still breathe life into a seemingly hopeless situation.”

    “Staying means believing God can make all things new, even when our surroundings remain the same.”

    … these two statements. They are anchoring me today, Abby.

    Thank YOU!

    • Abby McDonald says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      So thankful and humbled to hear that, Leigh Ellen. Lifting you up in prayer this morning too. Love and hugs, my friend. xoxo

  4. Elaine Tomasello says

    June 29, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    I’ve never lived anywhere but Buffalo NY. I sometimes think about living somewhere else but I have never had the opportunity or incentive to move. I’ve never even traveled anywhere exciting – never seen the ocean or the mountains or a tropical island, I’ve never been on a plane or a train. But in some ways I am content. I have a feeling this is where God wants me to be. For whatever reason. Thanks for this wonderful article. It makes me realize that sometimes staying put & standing still is ok.

    • Abby McDonald says

      June 29, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Elaine, I spent some time in Buffalo many years ago. It always amazes me how our world is so big, yet small in many ways. I’m so glad God used this post to encourage you today! Thanks for being here.

  5. Brenda says

    June 29, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    Oooh, I know that tension well. The excitement pulls against the the fear and it’s tightest at the center–in the wait. Those refining times of waiting are some of the hardest, yet some of the sweetest. Continuing to pray with you, friend. I pray His past faithfulness will give you peace as you wait. My word this year is “stand,” and I’ve often wondered what in the world it was supposed to mean. This summer God’s been showing me that “stand” looks a lot like “wait.” Thanks for sharing this encouragement, Abby. ((xoxo)) (P.S.– one of your lines in here is almost identical to the title of something I wrote recently (turned in but yet unpublished). 🙂 Fun coincidence. 🙂 )

Hi! I'm Abby and I'm so glad you're here. I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys and one sweet baby girl. When I'm not chasing them around I love to write about my love for a God who relentlessly pursued me, even during my darkest times. READ MORE...

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Friend, if you are in a season of waiting right no Friend, if you are in a season of waiting right now, I encourage you to look back on the ways God delivered you in the past. Repeat promises about his character out loud and write them in places where you will see them throughout the day. 

Doing these things may feel silly at first, but here’s what you’re doing: You’re rewiring your brain. When your mind is tempted to believe the negative, you are building a neural pathway to truth. You are creating a pattern, and as you do, it will begin to become more natural.

No matter what, remember God goes with you, even on the days it feels as though you’re alone. He is reaching out for you through the waves of chaos. Reach for him, and grab hold.
A few weeks ago, I had a heart to heart with God w A few weeks ago, I had a heart to heart with God while walking our dog in the cold. There were a few areas in my life where I was beyond weary. My honest confession didn’t leave me with any answers, but the release made me feel the weight lift a little. But still, I longed for some type reassurance. Like Moses before the burning bush, my heart whispered, “Show me your glory.”

That night my husband and I were sitting in our back yard, and I witnessed an unexpected gift I’d never seen: a meteor shower. Every few moments, a streak of light would illuminate the sky, and the magic of it left me awestruck. It was unlike anything I’d experienced in a long time.

As I put my head on the pillow that night, I sensed God saying, “I know you don’t always see it, but I’m protecting you in more ways than you know.”

There are fires He puts out that we never see.

Destructive masses flying toward us that are struck down before they reach us.

And while the struggle and the weariness remain, somehow I feel held right here in the middle of it. I know I’m seen. I know His love reaches places that go beyond those streaks of fire.

#faithhopelove #hisloveenduresforever #prayermatters #keepgoing
Have you ever heard a message that breathed new li Have you ever heard a message that breathed new life into a passage? This happened to me today, and I couldn’t believe the ways this psalm opened up before my eyes, even though I’d read it hundreds of times.

A valley of darkness is not a place where I’d want to sit down and have a meal. My focus would be on getting out. I can see myself asking God, “Can’t you see all these shadows lurking? Really, God?” And yet there David is, right in the middle of the shadow of death, eating. The Lord doesn’t wait until he gets to the other side to prepare the table. He prepares in right there in front his enemies. Enemies who are likely taunting. Whispering lies. Asking what he’s doing there and if he thinks he’ll really make it through. 

But God isn’t intimidated by the darkness that trembles in his presence. He wants to take David to higher ground. And you know what? He won’t get there by staying comfortable.

So instead of letting the voices of evil defeat him, David declares victory. His cup overflows. His path is secure. And ours is too, friends. Keep praising him in the midst of the battle today.

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We make thousands of choices each day, but not all We make thousands of choices each day, but not all of them are life altering. If you’re anything like me, when those big ones come 
you can go to God and expect an answer right then, even when you’ve done little to even connect with him.

But connection to God will always precede the direction of God. 

To enjoy the limitless benefits that come from this relationship, we must first take time fostering it. Wisdom, joy, love, and a sound mind are all at our fingertips. If we take the time. If we seek him before simply seeking his plans.

When we do, we find this:

1. God will open the doors he wants us to walk through. 

2. We often complicate what God has already instructed us to do. 

3. The right decision does not mean there are no bumps in the road.

Friend, I don’t know what decision fatigue you’re facing today, but know you face decisions that need to be made. This is the life we live. Whether they’re big or small, fear-inducing or not, know God is there with you, and he gives wisdom to whoever will ask.

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1. What is my reader’s biggest struggle right now?
2. If I could tell my reader one thing, what would it be?

Asking these two questions not only clarify my writing, but keep it focused. The less rabbit trails, the better. 😉

What other questions would you add to this list?

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This man gives selflessly of his time, love and en This man gives selflessly of his time, love and energy and teaches me so much about what it means to serve others with a humble heart. Today is his birthday, and I’m grateful that I get to celebrate another year of his life! Happy birthday, Chris! 🎉💗 We love you so much.

#birthdaylove #43yearsyoung #birthdaywishes
I am a visual processor. It always helps ingrain t I am a visual processor. It always helps ingrain things in my mind to see them laid out this way. That’s why I’m my book, Shift, I included several charts similar to this one to help transform our mindset. To shift our focus from what’s seen to what’s unseen.

One of the beautiful truths I learned through writing is that we get to control our narrative. We may hear words that aren’t true and even say them to ourselves, but they don’t have to get the final say.

We can:

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2. Set boundaries on the toxicity we let into our lives. Whether it’s people, the news, social media or tv, we control what goes in. And what goes in matters to our mental health.

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➡️ Learn more via link in bio.

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