Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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Shift

Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God

If we want to see God in the midst of our struggles, we have to change the way we look for him.

There is no denying that miracles, answers to prayer, and abundant blessings testify to God’s presence. When the desires of our hearts are filled, it’s easy to see him. But what about the seasons when he seems invisible? Scripture tells us God never sleeps, but it is easy to feel like he is not attuned to our needs. Shift explores the life-changing truth that when we adjust our lens to focus our eyes on God rather than on what we wish we were seeing in our lives, he reveals himself to us. In fact, those moments when he seems invisible to us are often when others see him the most in us.

When Jesus walked the earth, he looked to God for his earthly needs. Jesus had a deep relationship with the Father that fueled his mission, his purpose, and his effectiveness. Scripture tells us that we can have that too. But there is a shift that needs to take place in our hearts and minds. No matter our circumstances, we can see God in our lives—right here, right now.

*This page contains affiliate links. You can read my affiliate disclosure here.


Endorsements for Abby McDonald’s Shift

"For those who question if God cares what they are going through, Abby McDonald's wise and thoughtful insights provide a perspective shift to discouraged hearts. Learn to hang on to hope through difficult circumstances as you see God's trustworthy nature displayed with each turn of the page."

- Katie M. Reid, author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:03:44-05:00

- Katie M. Reid, author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done

"For those who question if God cares what they are going through, Abby McDonald's wise and thoughtful insights provide a perspective shift to discouraged hearts. Learn to hang on to hope through difficult circumstances as you see God's trustworthy nature displayed with each turn of the page."
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/katie-m-reid/
"Abby comes alongside her reader like a safe friend inviting you to step out of the fog and see the road in front of you with new eyes. Her vulnerable stories reminded me God has not forgotten my heartache, and He is whispering grace over me even when my spiritual sight is limited. Shift will uplift your perspective on the hard seasons and help you move forward with renewed hope."

– Lyli Dunbar, Writer, Speaker, and Biblical Life Coach; Writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 App and Love God Greatly

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:13:39-05:00

– Lyli Dunbar, Writer, Speaker, and Biblical Life Coach; Writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 App and Love God Greatly

"Abby comes alongside her reader like a safe friend inviting you to step out of the fog and see the road in front of you with new eyes. Her vulnerable stories reminded me God has not forgotten my heartache, and He is whispering grace over me even when my spiritual sight is limited. Shift will uplift your perspective on the hard seasons and help you move forward with renewed hope."
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/lyli-dunbar/
"Perspective is everything.  As Shift portrays, changing our focus is a gift that can empower a radical faith. Beneath her quiet, graceful demeanor, author McDonald emerges here as a dynamic writer with a powerful message about the necessity of seeking God’s presence in every season and situation of our lives.  Inspiring readers with her own life stories along with practical, Biblical principles, McDonald encourages that no matter what the struggle, you can discover a deeper wisdom and a stronger faith that will transform your life.  Sometimes all it takes is one small shift."

- Lisa Murray, LMFT, author of Peace For A Lifetime: Embracing a Life of Hope, Wholeness, and Harmony Through Emotional Abundance

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:11:20-05:00

- Lisa Murray, LMFT, author of Peace For A Lifetime: Embracing a Life of Hope, Wholeness, and Harmony Through Emotional Abundance

"Perspective is everything.  As Shift portrays, changing our focus is a gift that can empower a radical faith. Beneath her quiet, graceful demeanor, author McDonald emerges here as a dynamic writer with a powerful message about the necessity of seeking God’s presence in every season and situation of our lives.  Inspiring readers with her own life stories along with practical, Biblical principles, McDonald encourages that no matter what the struggle, you can discover a deeper wisdom and a stronger faith that will transform your life.  Sometimes all it takes is one small shift."
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/lisa-murray/
"Abby McDonald’s heart for her readers shows through in every word. Genuine and gentle, she leads us to a place where we can shift our lenses to see God’s presence in all the moments: good, bad, and—especially—in between. Because as much as we like to focus on the highs and lows, God longs to meet us in the middle. Shift’s practical approach will help you see Him there."

– Kelly O’Dell Stanley, author of Praying Upside Down, Designed to Pray, and InstaPrayer

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:06:39-05:00

– Kelly O’Dell Stanley, author of Praying Upside Down, Designed to Pray, and InstaPrayer

"Abby McDonald’s heart for her readers shows through in every word. Genuine and gentle, she leads us to a place where we can shift our lenses to see God’s presence in all the moments: good, bad, and—especially—in between. Because as much as we like to focus on the highs and lows, God longs to meet us in the middle. Shift’s practical approach will help you see Him there."
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/kelly-odell-stanley/
"In a world that is constantly vying for our attention, it can be hard to focus on the "One Thing" that most matters, God. Shift artfully met my heart with relatable stories, insightful scripture, and fresh perspectives, many beckoning me to come closer to Jesus. As I turned page-to-page, there were various times that I had to stop and laugh, consider and ponder, or underline and write notes in the margin. I really enjoyed Abby McDonald's heartfelt message and storytelling."

- Kelly Balarie, Speaker, Blogger at www.purposefulfaith.com, Author of Fear Fighting and Battle Ready: Train your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt and Live Victoriously

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:12:40-05:00

- Kelly Balarie, Speaker, Blogger at www.purposefulfaith.com, Author of Fear Fighting and Battle Ready: Train your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt and Live Victoriously

"In a world that is constantly vying for our attention, it can be hard to focus on the "One Thing" that most matters, God. Shift artfully met my heart with relatable stories, insightful scripture, and fresh perspectives, many beckoning me to come closer to Jesus. As I turned page-to-page, there were various times that I had to stop and laugh, consider and ponder, or underline and write notes in the margin. I really enjoyed Abby McDonald's heartfelt message and storytelling."
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/kelly-balarie/
"As new believers or seasoned Christ-followers, we all have times when we struggle to maintain the right perspective. In Shift, Abby McDonald opens our eyes to the freedom found through a change in focus. Abby communicates as if she’s sitting right here in my living room. Her desire to help others grow in Christ can be felt through her words. I can’t wait to introduce her message to our women’s ministry!"

– Kristine Brown, author of Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan & the Over It. Devotional for Teen Girls

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:04:43-05:00

– Kristine Brown, author of Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan & the Over It. Devotional for Teen Girls

"As new believers or seasoned Christ-followers, we all have times when we struggle to maintain the right perspective. In Shift, Abby McDonald opens our eyes to the freedom found through a change in focus. Abby communicates as if she’s sitting right here in my living room. Her desire to help others grow in Christ can be felt through her words. I can’t wait to introduce her message to our women’s ministry!"
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/kristine-brown/
"Fresh and loving insight straight to the heart. Abby will stun you with her inspiring words anchored in Biblical truth. A lighthouse of Hope!"

– Jami Amerine, author of Stolen Jesus and Sacred Ground Sticky Floors 

Shift by Abby McDonald
2019-11-23T22:08:54-05:00

– Jami Amerine, author of Stolen Jesus and Sacred Ground Sticky Floors 

"Fresh and loving insight straight to the heart. Abby will stun you with her inspiring words anchored in Biblical truth. A lighthouse of Hope!"
https://abbymcdonald.org/testimonials/jami-amerine/
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Shift by Abby McDonald

For Sharing

"God's faithfulness is not a result of what he does but who he is." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"If we want to see God, our thirst for him must become greater than our thirst for answers." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"Surrender doesn't mean lack of desire for a rescue, but trusting God's way for our lives." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"When we allow life's messes to humble us instead of distance us, we come closer to the heart of God." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"At the foot of the cross, not one of God's children shines any brighter than the other." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"Hardship causes us to see God's presence as a gift rather than an entitlement." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"Faith is activated not by seeing, but by doing." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"When God calls us to do something, he doesn't leave us once we reach the middle of the task." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook
"Humbling ourselves before the Father exalts the power of the Holy Spirit within us." - Abby McDonald, shiftbook.org #shiftbook

Suggested Facebook Posts

When our faith in God’s path for us is greater than our faith in today, a whole new world opens up before us. ShiftBook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus

Most of us view trials through the filter of punishment instead of viewing them through the lens we should regard every aspect of our lives: God’s love. ShiftBook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus

In a world where people believe truth is fluid, followers of God build altars to remind them its unchanging. ShiftBook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus

If we want to be a light, we must realize we are working for God even when no one else is looking. ShiftBook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus

When we allow Jesus to work on us inside, the change will be evident on the outside. ShiftBook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus


For Tweeting

We are one of the primary ways God makes himself visible to others.  https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Share on X A small act of kindness can be a big arrow pointing others toward God’s character. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Share on X When we follow God into the unknown, our expectations of his grace must be greater than our dependence on an answer. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Share on X Getting completely raw and honest with God brings a divine recognition of who he is. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Share on X Sometimes it isn’t until we take shaky steps into the unknown that we see God’s hand move. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Share on X

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Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God by Abby McDonald

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Abby McDonald

About the Author

Abby McDonald is a blogger, speaker, wife, and mom whose work has been featured on (in)Courage, For Every Mom, iBelieve, Crosswalk, and more. Her passion is to empower women to grow in faith and hope, even when life is messy. She earned a BA in English from the University of South Carolina and teaches writing workshops both online and at conferences each year. Abby lives with her husband and three children in western Maryland.

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After a ligament repair surgery in early September After a ligament repair surgery in early September, I had to make some drastic changes in my day-to-day life. As someone who loves to be self-sufficient, I realized very quickly that this was going to be a stretching season. No weight bearing meant many of the abilities I took for granted were off limits. 

As I continue to recover, God is showing me a few things:

1. Rest is a gift, not a punishment.

I thought I knew this but forced physical rest makes it take a new meaning. Our bodies not only need it, they demand it. 

But beyond the fact that we need it, God designed rest as a natural reset. 

2. It’s okay to ask need help and to ask for it.

I’m not very good at asking for help, but God has shown me it how it blesses not only me, but those who are able to give it. Our church family has been such a gift to us during this time. They’ve stepped up without being asked and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. 

3. The time I spend with God during the harvesting seasons will fuel me during the hard, dry seasons. 

Needless to say, this has been a difficult season. I’ve felt upended in many ways, and have fought depression, anxiety, and isolation. But in the middle of all of this, God has sent me steady reminders of His presence. He’s shown up in unexpected ways, and His grace has sustained me in each moment.

And last week, I took my first post-surgery steps. 🙌🏼🎉
Here’s what I’m learning from this new trend of as Here’s what I’m learning from this new trend of asking AI to describe you- When we see something good in someone, let’s not hold it back. So often, we keep encouragement to ourselves. We notice the strength, the grace or talent, but we never speak it. Why? 

Meanwhile, the people we hold it back from might be walking around discouraged or disillusioned. They might not see what we see. 
 
So no, I don’t want to ask AI to access everything I’ve posted or stored on my phone to make statements about me. 
I’d rather ask another human- like my kids, a dear friend, or my husband. I’d rather them tell me the good, the bad, and everything in between. 

 I want to see their face and their eyes, hear the inflection in their voice, and absorb it in real time. I want to hear from someone who knows all my idiosyncrasies and weaknesses, but loves me anyway.
I have always wanted God to make things obvious. A I have always wanted God to make things obvious. As long as I can remember, this longing for God to give me the black-and-white sign telling me which way to go has been constant. 

But more often, God’s guidance feels like a gentle nudge. A thought that lingers. A desire that won’t go away.

I’m learning that when God doesn’t give me a flashing sign, it doesn’t mean He is withholding from me. Sometimes He is teaching me to trust Him. Here are three things He’s revealed to me as I learn to do that, day by day.

1. God wants us to know His voice.

For years, I wondered what it really meant to hear from God. I’d grown up hearing the stories of Moses and the burning bush, and knew how God spoke to prophets. 

Then I had my own children. I watched my kids come to me with their hopes and dreams without hesitation. And as I watched them, something began to shift in my understanding of God. Slowly, I realized He wanted that kind of openness with me, too. 

2. God is asking us to trust His character more than answers.

If I’m honest, I think that if God would just tell me what’s on the other side of my step of faith, things would be easier. I’ll have more confidence, and I’ll do it. But that’s not really what faith is, is it? We believe that more information will give us more freedom and peace, but most of the time, it does the opposite. 

Jesus offers a different invitation in Matthew 11. Come to me, He says, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. He doesn’t say, “Come to me, and I’ll explain everything.” He says, “Come to me.”

3. Faith grows when we take the next step.

There is something beautiful that happens when we respond to God’s quiet nudges. They create a track record. We can look back and see the moments when we moved forward even in the unknown, and God was faithful. 

Another thing these steps of faith do is create momentum. Momentum is gained by movement, and the same is true with our faith. Perhaps today, instead of asking, “God, will You please show me everything?” we can pray something simpler: “God, help me trust You with what I cannot see.”
“Go back to your why.” A dear friend said this to “Go back to your why.”

A dear friend said this to me earlier this week and I knew she spoke wisdom. For months, I’d felt like the creative joy and energy had been sucked right out of me. As much as I tell coaching clients to find their why remember it, I too am prone to forget. 

Much of the time, this happens when I get stuck in the land of “have to.” Perhaps you’ve been there too.

- I have do _______ to attract the eyes of a publisher.
- I have to keep up with the ever changing algorithms on social media.
- I have to write on this topic, even though it’s not what I’m passionate about.
- I have to do ________because all these other authors are doing it.

There is nothing that will suck the joy out of the creative spirit like this mindset. Lord knows, I’ve been there. I’ve gotten sucked into the all consuming drive to keep up and produce.

And I’m tired. This season, I’m taking time to remember my why. I’m remembering what brings me joy and why I love writing. As I seek God’s leading in this time of reflection, I’m so glad it’s His joy that is my strength.
I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. I had just sta I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. I had just started my first job after graduating from college and was in training every day. A coworker heard about the attack on the Pentagon from a security officer before we received news about the twin towers. For the rest of the day, our training facilitator tried to continue the day as usual but no one was engaged. Some frantically tried to get a hold of loved ones in NYC on their cell phones. Others just sat there in a daze. No one cared about work. 

Today, I pray for all of those who lost loved ones that day in in the days that followed. I pray for our nation and for the sense of unity we had then to be rebirthed. I pray we will not forget the things that matter most. 

*Photo taken at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA.
In world full of noise telling us who we are and w In world full of noise telling us who we are and what we need, these three things remain true. Turn your face toward Him today and listen to His voice. He will never speak to His child with a voice of condemnation.
Each time we say “yes” to God, we leave a trail. W Each time we say “yes” to God, we leave a trail. We leave a path for others to follow and a legacy of faithfulness for them to cling to when the view ahead is unclear. That is what the women and men of the Bible did for us, and it’s what we can do for others when we stop and commemorate moments of victory. 

Commemorating those moments of victory may look like:

📌 Sharing stories of God’s faithfulness with others- your family community, church, etc.

📝 Writing your story for others to read.

🙌🏼 Celebrating steps of faith you’ve taken, what God has done, and how you’ve grown. 

Sometimes we get so focused on what’s next, we forget to create altars of remembrance. We forget to celebrate our progress and what God has done. But each time we do this, we create that trail. We bear witness to the faithfulness of the living God.

Let’s not forget the forget the legacy we leave with each remembered moment today.

#seekhimfirst #hisfaithfulness #faithwriter
Many of us are trying to find certainty in this wo Many of us are trying to find certainty in this world that feels so unstable. Questions can keep us up at night and cause continuous, low-grade anxiety.
 
When will the sickness end?
Will my family member stop running from God?
How will I know whether to take the job?
 
Too often, we go to others first — online “experts,” friends, even pastors — instead of God. Scripture instructs us to seek wise counsel, yet it’s also clear that the most “Wonderful Counselor” is God Himself (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
 
Thanks be to God, He is ready and willing to speak to us when we come to Him. When we don’t, we miss out on a beautiful gift He offers each of us who calls Him Lord: the ability to hear His voice.
 
Jeremiah reminds us that some things can only be revealed to us by the Creator: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
 
This prophet asked God many questions. He longed for justice and wondered why the wicked seemed to prosper. He begged a defiant, wayward Israel to return to the Lord, though they didn’t listen. When it seemed like things couldn’t get worse, Jeremiah was kidnapped by rebels and taken to Egypt. There, in the middle of what seemed like a hopeless situation, the word of the Lord came to him.
 
God reminded Jeremiah that He still had a plan for Israel’s redemption. Every question Jeremiah asked had an answer, even if it didn’t look the way he thought it would.
 
Friend, seeking God for ourselves takes courage. It takes putting aside our desire for immediate answers and practicing patience. But when we do, we foster our ability to hear Him. And it’s always worth it.
 
God, thank You for Your promise to speak to each one of us who calls You Lord. When we’re tempted to trade this for a quick answer, help us remember the priceless gift we have in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

➡️ Read the full devo at @proverbs31ministries
I was prepping for a talk when I discovered these I was prepping for a talk when I discovered these notes from two years ago. These were the beginnings of chapter 3 in Surrendering Certainty, The Tree of Life Called Desire. It’s one of my favorite chapters, and it was also one of the most difficult to write. 

But the blessing of writing it and working through the fear, brain fog, and procrastination? One thousand percent worth it. 

Writing, as Hemingway once said, is sometimes like, “drilling out rock and blasting it with charges.” In an age where it’s easier to hop on ChatGPT anytime something gets difficult, can I encourage you to resist the urge?

I believe AI has its place and its benefits, but I also believe we are forfeiting our creativity to a machine. And each time we do, it becomes a little easier to do it without even thinking about the consequences. It’s not worth it. As an editor, I can tell you that AI writing does not sound human; it is quite obviously robotic.

Will it take more time to write through the struggle? Yes. But the One who breathed life into Adam, the Author of Creativity himself, still breathes life into our words and our art. And the struggle is very essence of it. 

Art without struggle isn’t art. It’s merely an imitation. 

So keep pushing back against the resistance and create. I can promise you, you won’t be sorry.

#writinglife #writingcommunity
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The 5 Days to Life Unstuck Challenge

Are there areas of your life where you can’t seem to find breakthrough? Do you feel as though your keep praying the same prayers over and over, but you’re not getting anywhere?

A life stuck is one that never moves into the fullness Christ created us to have.

This is why I created the “5 Days to Life Unstuck Challenge”. In this 5-day challenge, we will look at five key areas where the enemy likes for us to stay stuck. Then, we will implement a simple, doable mindset shift.

Ready to get get unstuck?

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!