Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Coaching & Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

God Doesn’t Speak to Us in Puzzles

October 15, 2020 by Abby McDonald

For weeks, I thought God was giving me signs. Hints of something to come. 

What I didn’t realize at the time is God doesn’t speak to us in puzzles.

I faced a health scare, and twenty-one days stood between the initial phone call and a diagnosis. So I prayed and kept my eyes open. An hour after the receptionist at the breast imaging office called, I realized an online cancer summit was starting the exact same day as my upcoming diagnostic exam. Then, I remembered October was breast cancer awareness month.

When I asked a few friends to pray for me, on more than one occasion they asked God for healing. Wait a minute, was I sick? Was God trying to tell me what was coming?

Uncertain about what lay ahead, I walked the dog and prayed for a healthy body. I prayed when they did further screening, they’d find nothing there. But what if?

My diagnostic exam finally came, and I listened to worship music on the way to the office. Every song seemed to talk about not fearing the future and state how God is always with us. I sang along with the radio, making the words my personal victory chant.

After the technician took more pictures from new angles, I sat in the waiting room with the robe draped around my body. I tried to numb my brain with mindless scrolling on Instagram, but couldn’t get a good signal on my phone. Then, I noticed a Gideon Bible sitting on the end table across the room.

As I picked it up and carried it to my chair, I noticed a defect with the cutting. Several pages toward the middle of the Bible were longer around the bottom edge, creating a sort of natural bookmark. I flipped open to the first “bookmarked” page and read. As the words spoke straight to my spirit, I realized this was the voice of God.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 KJV 

All this time leading up to my appointment, a fear lurked during moments I allowed myself to overthink. I looked for hidden clues and thought perhaps God was trying to prepare me for unwelcome news.

But in this moment with the words of David lying on my lap, I saw the truth. God doesn’t speak to us in puzzles or give us breadcrumbs to follow when he’s speaking to us. His words are not a puzzle to be solved, but a balm to the weary soul.

When God speaks, his voice is steady and consistent, not confusing and fear-inducing.

Although Jesus spoke to the Jews in parables they didn’t understand, this was because he already knew their hearts. He knew they didn’t believe, and they had already chosen their path. But when he speaks to us as children, it isn’t in parables. It’s in a loving voice that says, “Don’t be afraid. No matter what the future holds, I’m with you.”

Seconds after I read those words from Psalm 27, the technician came in with the radiologist’s reading. Further screening showed I didn’t have cancer. I wouldn’t need to return for another year. But you know what? Even if the reading had shown the opposite, I know those fear-inducing moments weren’t the voice of God.

Why? Because over three hundred times in scripture, God tells us, “Don’t be afraid.” He tells us he goes with us, and he prepares a path for us.

If you feel like you’re chasing breadcrumbs today, trying to hear the voice of God, know this: He still speaks. Sit down, quiet your mind, and put your phone on “do not disturb.” Open your Bible and see what happens.

He wants to communicate with each of us. Sometimes we just have to slow down our racing hearts enough to listen.

An Invitation:

If you need further encouragement that God is for you, even in the midst of the struggle, uncertainty, and unknown future, I encourage you to pick of a copy of my book, Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. Many people have sent me messages saying it is a timely book for this season, which encourages my heart so much. I pray that God continues to use it to touch lives.

You can purchase a copy of Shift by clicking the image below.

*Affiliate disclosure

Share if you care!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: God's love, spiritual growth Tagged With: #voiceofGod

Let’s Stay Connected

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email.
And as a thank you, I’ll send you a free PDF download of
"The Daughter’s Manifesto."

Privacy Policy

Comments

  1. Calvonia Radford says

    October 15, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    My family is currently going through a scary season. God has quietly reminded me that He is a very present help in trouble and He is with us even to the ends of the earth.

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      I am praying for you friend. Yes, He is with you. Amen.

  2. Christy Mobley says

    October 16, 2020 at 7:33 am

    Good Words Abby. That often happens to me in the midst of a scare. And I too think, is God giving me hints? But you’re right, he doesn’t have to give us hints. He can just speak to us through his Word. Glad you are fine. ❤️

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      It’s good to know I’m not the only one who thinks this way. But God is so good to keep showing us his truth. Thank you, friend. Me too.

  3. Robin conklin says

    October 16, 2020 at 9:28 am

    You were telling my story! I am a 17 year breast cancer survivor, and every year I get callbacks for additional screenings. So, this year, I just let it go….I got the call from the doctor…all clear, see you next year! Thank you God.

    • Elizabeth Livingston says

      October 16, 2020 at 11:23 am

      Very encouraging message dear Abby! Thanks for sharing!

      • Abby McDonald says

        October 22, 2020 at 2:32 pm

        I’m so glad it encouraged you, friend. Thank you.

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      What a testimony of God’s faithfulness, Robin! Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad to hear you received a clear report.

  4. Omega Fwambo says

    October 16, 2020 at 11:02 am

    Indeed it was a good scope after the intense I have gone through..but I’m glad through it all I learned to trust my God..even though it was hard but I trusted and forever trust him ..his word is alive and I’m a part and parcel of his word….
    May God bless you

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      Yes, His word is alive! Amen. So thankful.

  5. Valerie Griffin says

    October 16, 2020 at 12:49 pm

    This is such good truth, Abby. Thanks for sharing your experience and how you are fighting fear with faith.

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      Thank you for your kind words of encouragement! I’m so glad God speaks to us in a way we can understand and know it is from Him.

  6. Lisa Appelo says

    October 17, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    So true, Abby. I’m so grateful that we can trust God without having to read through circumstances. Such a good reminder.

    • Abby McDonald says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      Me too, friend. God is so good.

  7. Cheryl says

    October 18, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Thank you for this message. My mind works this way so often. I’m grateful to be reminded of God’s love and gentle voice.

  8. Ivy says

    October 21, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    I couldn’t agree more. I had a couple of scares too. I am a stroke survivor. I had a hemorrhagic stroke, the more fatal one. Every day I thank God that I’m alive today. I also recently had a biopsy of a thyroid nodule which turned out to be benign. So I have to come back and check in a year. I am so thankful. Thank you .

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...

Let’s Stay Connected

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email. And as a thank you, I’ll send
you a free PDF download of "The Daughter’s Manifesto."

Privacy Policy

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

How God Responds When His Own Want to Die
4 Truths to Hold Onto When You Think You've Let God Down
When You're Losing Hope in Your Season of Waiting
When You Stop Praying for the Miracle

You Can Find Me Here

Take the Challenge

Categories

Recent Facebook Posts

Recent Facebook Posts

Recent Pins

Latest Instagram Feed

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.

#authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #sundayscripture #hisgrace #victoryisyours #christianwriterscommunity #scriptureoftheday
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.

#dailydevotional #decisionmaking #hisgrace #seekhimfirst
Sometimes the first sentence is the hardest to wri Sometimes the first sentence is the hardest to write. That’s why nearly every time I write, I ask myself these two questions:

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?

#writingcoach #amwriting #writeyourstory #writingonwednesdays
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:

1. Speak what’s true out loud. Matthew 12:35 says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, but the opposite is also true. Speaking truth gets it into our heart.

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.

3. Write it down. We saw the Jews do this in the OT. It is a tried and true method and it works. 

Our minds won’t transform by osmosis. Lord knows, I’ve tried this method and failed. 😅 The battle starts with claiming the truth. But my prayer is that eventually the Word will become like air in our lungs, the same way our Creator breathed life into us.

➡️ Learn more via link in bio.

#shiftbook #shiftyourmindset #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #christianauthors #bookstagram
Ever have a deadline looming and feel completely u Ever have a deadline looming and feel completely unmotivated to write? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Sometimes procrastination is not an option. Here are a few tips that have been effective for me:

1. Read or listen to something inspirational. Often, this will give me a fresh perspective or angle on a topic that I hadn’t considered.

2. Pray about it and dedicate your writing to God. God is the author of creativity. His Spirit is an endless source of beauty, inspiration, and fresh fire.

3. Move around. A blank computer screen is not very inspiring, is it? Movement and blood flow can spark a brain that’s tired and foggy with fresh ideas. 

Whatever you do, come back to the page. Always. Even if you think the writing is garbage, you can always edit. 

#writingtips #writingonwednesdays #writingcoach #keepgoing
I often forget that the middle of a new endeavor o I often forget that the middle of a new endeavor or opportunity is just as important as the beginning. When new beginnings and expectancy turn into endless days of the same, the transition can be grueling. Each day I must make the choice to get up and be present. I must be intentional about finding those new moments and opportunities for joy, even when they seem hidden.

While there are times in life when God calls us to leap or make a bold move for him, there are other seasons when he asks us to keep our feet firmly planted. In these seasons, our faith is stretched in different ways. 

Don’t let the messiness of the middle keep you from finishing the work God has for you. Keep looking for his presence in the details. Because one day, you will see the fruit he brought forth from that place.

➡️ Adapted from my book, Shift

#bookstagram #shiftbook #shiftyourmindset #faithfulness
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Abby McDonald | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy

LET’S STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email.
As a thank you, I’ll send you a free PDF download of “The Daughter’s Manifesto.”