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

"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/
"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 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/
"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 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/
"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 Click To Tweet A small act of kindness can be a big arrow pointing others toward God’s character. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Click To Tweet 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 Click To Tweet Getting completely raw and honest with God brings a divine recognition of who he is. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Click To Tweet Sometimes it isn’t until we take shaky steps into the unknown that we see God’s hand move. https://shiftbook.org #ShiftBook #shiftyourfocus Click To Tweet

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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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Something in me won’t allow me to stop planting. Something in me won’t allow me to stop planting. Whether it’s literal like these flowers or proverbial like the other seeds I plant, it’s a constant pull. The wildlife will come onto our porch and make a salad out of each thing they desire, and I’m out there the next month, digging in the ground. 

Some may call it crazy. But to watch something you nurtured and watered grow brings a satisfaction like no other. 

But there are times when I scatter seeds and see nothing. Despite my best efforts, the fruit doesn’t come and often I get weary and discouraged.

Today I was deep in Hebrews and was fascinated by the eternal nature of the Holy Spirit. But what really got me was this realization: Eternal doesn’t just mean going on forever. It means outside of time completely. 

Why is this significant? Because it means the works we do in the Spirit will live on continuously too, outside what we see, think and feel. Whether we see fruit or not, we are contributing to something beyond us.

This fills me not only with immense hope, but joy. Keep scattering, friends. His Spirit will do the rest.

#encouragingword #hopewriters #cultivatewhatmatters #scripturestudy
I am awestruck by this truth today. At the same ti I am awestruck by this truth today. At the same time our bodies are deteriorating, the Spirit is continually renewing us. He doesn’t renew us once, at the point of salvation, but constantly, moment by moment. 

If you’re feeling spiritually depleted today, like you’re running on empty, you don’t have to fill yourself up on your own. Go to the source. Go to the Living Water that never runs dry. His life springs up from a place that is gentle and light. Go there. 

#hopewriters #scriptureoftheday #dailyencouragement #hisburdenislight
I can paralyze myself with thinking sometimes. Bef I can paralyze myself with thinking sometimes. Before I even take the first step to pursuing something, I’ve thought of contingencies, plan Bs and reroutes. This can have its benefits, but goodness it can be exhausting too.

So here’s a reminder I’m saying on repeat this season. A mantra of sorts. I don’t have to have everything figured out. And you don’t either.

Part of the beauty of stepping out and pursuing something new is watching God move in unexpected ways. It’s a beauty I can’t plan for, because He loves to surprise me.

And while I may not have it figured out, He does. Thank you, Jesus.

#onedaymay #mondaymantra #hopewriters #wordsofencouragement
Anyone else? 😂 Happy Friday, everyone! 📸 @d Anyone else? 😂 Happy Friday, everyone!

📸 @dc101radio 

#weekendvibes #funnymemes
The path didn’t stay straight for long. As soon The path didn’t stay straight for long. As soon as we hit the mountain, it was filled with twists, turns and switchbacks. If it had been straight, we never would have made it. The incline would have been to steep and too dangerous for us to attempt, especially with little ones.

Sometimes the meandering is a gift. As much as I fight it and want a straight path without interruptions, God repeatedly shows me this isn’t the best way. Stops and changes in course often end up being the necessary stuff growth is made of. And when I open my eyes to the beauty around me, I see it.

➡️Joining @hopewriters for the Instagram Writing Challenge. Today’s prompt was “path.” Use hashtag #hopewriterlife to participate.

#searchingforbeauty #cultivatewhatmatters #amwriting #path
What a wild and wonderful journey motherhood has b What a wild and wonderful journey motherhood has been so far. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mamas and women who nurture your people like mothers. You are beloved.

#mothersday #surprisedbymotherhood #greatestgifts #mothersday2022
Is there anything cuter than those who considered Is there anything cuter than those who considered “senior citizens” taking a selfie? I think not. These are my parents. They’re not on social media much, but they’ve been two of my biggest supporters in life. This photo was taken a few weeks ago when they joined me and some friends at the beach for spring break. You know those elderly people who sit in chairs in the front yard and just watch people go by? My grandfather used to do that. But not my parents. They are on the go, always thinking about they next thing they want to do. This energy, at ages 78 and 82. I don’t fault them for it for a moment.

When I saw this photo, my Dad said, “We want you to remember us,” with his usual understated humor.

I will always remember you, Mom and Dad. But thank you for the photo. It’s a gem.

Joining @laura.tremaine for the #onedaymay challenge. Who’s one person/ persons who you love dearly and you want to acknowledge today?

#cultivategratitude #oneday #hopewriters #challengeaccepted #1000gifts
When others misunderstand my heart and my motives, When others misunderstand my heart and my motives, it’s often difficult for me to let it go. Anyone else? With God’s grace, I’m learning that He is the only One who will ever fully understand me, and that’s okay. He longs for me to come to Him with my hurts and hang ups, but sometimes I waste time and energy trying to explain myself to people who, quite frankly, only want to stir dissension.

God, thank you for being our Defender. Help us to know when to speak and act and when to stay silent. 

Today, I’m sharing more on this topic over @proverbs31ministries 

#proverbs31ministries #encouragementfortoday #hopewriters #dailydevotional #hisgraceissufficient
I come back to this book every year and each time, I come back to this book every year and each time, it enriches my relationship with God and reveals new things to me about the Holy Spirit. It goes through every reference to the Holy Spirit from Genesis to Revelation and highlights what that scripture reveals to us about him. I believe it’s out of print, which astounds me because it’s an amazing book. But if you can find a copy, do yourself a favor and grab it. 

Joining. @laura.tremaine for the #onedaymay challenge. Today’s challenge: post a picture of what you’re reading.

Tell me, what are you reading?

#oneday #bookstagram #whatimreading #christianbooks #mayreads
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