Welcome to Lori Hatcher, today’s guest blogger.
Reader friend, you’re in for a treat with Lori’s devotion AND an opportunity to win A FREE COPY of her new devotional book.
We all know Bible reading and prayer are vital parts of our faith, but what happens when our prayer lives become stagnant and our quiet times grow stale? We need something more than just familiar verses and the command to pray. In Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Unlock Power and Praise, Lori Hatcher shares five-minute story-driven devotions that spotlight unusual prayer verses in the Bible.
Lori, one of my favorite devotional writers, has a brand new book out. Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise. I’m learning so much from Lori’s valuable devotions. Today, I’m honored to share one devotion from the book with you, dear reader.
Guest Post by Lori Hatcher: Learning to Trust
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
(Mark 4:40)
Our dog Winston was the biggest scaredy cat in the canine world. We credit his timidity to his time in “The Big House.” The runt of the litter, seven-week-old Winston was malnourished and mangy when someone dropped him off at the animal shelter.
Thankfully the animal control officer was married to Grace, the president of the animal rescue league. He told her about the tiny, freckle-faced puppy, and she saw potential in him. Eying his patchy fur and protruding ribs, she announced, “I can cure his mange and fatten him up. He’ll make someone a great pet.”
Until his mange cured, Grace kept Winston isolated. By the time we adopted him, he’d spent a large portion of his life alone. We weren’t surprised to discover he had trust issues.
Imagine what it would be like to go from an isolated crate in the corner of a room to a big wide world bustling with sights, sounds, and smells. Falling leaves sent him running for cover. Sudden noises caused him to hide under the nearest piece of furniture. One day we were playing in an open field when a plastic grocery bag blew his way. He bolted like Sasquatch was chasing him.
Winston reminds me of myself in the early days of my faith. God didn’t rescue me from The Big House, but He did rescue me from a dark and hopeless future. He cured my sin sickness and promised to take care of me all the days of my life.
But I had trust issues. At the first rustle of change or clatter of trouble, I ran for cover.
Like the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, I cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care about me?”
I was convinced—God was sleeping, and I was going to drown.
I had to extend lots of love and patience to persuade Winston to trust me. When scary things frightened him, I called his name, dropped to my knees, and opened my arms wide. “Come, Winston,” I said. “Come to me. I’ll protect you.”
Before long he learned to run to me instead of away from me. One day I walked him on a busy street to condition him not to fear traffic noises. In the distance a fire truck roared our way. Seeing the threat, I dropped to my knees, wrapped my arms around him, and covered him with my body until the truck howled past.
“Don’t be afraid,” I whispered into his trembling ear. “I’ve got you.”
God did the same for me. As I prayed and He answered, I learned to run to Him whenever anything frightening entered my world. When I brought financial needs, sickness, and relationship troubles to Him in prayer, I saw Him respond. When the leaves of uncertainty rustled, I shared my fears with Him. When unemployment, a wayward child, or a troubling situation roared into my life, I sought protection in His mighty arms and found comfort and help.
As He answered my prayers and responded to my needs, my trust grew.
“Don’t be afraid,” God whispered to my trembling heart. “I’ve got you.”
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to pray about everything. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God met my needs; kept me free from sickness, pain, and sorrow; and intercepted every problem before it touched my life?
If He did, though, I’d never learn to trust Him. My faith would be as malnourished as Winston when Grace rescued him. I’d take every good gift for granted and never recognize that it came from the generous hand of my heavenly Father.
In heaven, nothing will make me afraid, and my faith will become sight. Until then, my fear drives me to pray, and God’s answers grow my faith.
As Winston learned to trust me, our relationship grew sweeter. No longer plagued by fear and distrust, he could freely enjoy the life we shared.
As I’ve learned to trust God, our relationship has grown sweeter too. I’ve learned He’s not asleep on the job. He’s aware of all my needs and is fully able to meet them. This knowledge frees me to face life with confidence.
Jesus asked His disciples two questions in the middle of the storm. He asks us the same: “Why are you so afraid?” and “Do you still have no faith?” Because faith pleases God, I’m learning to embrace every need that sends me running into His arms. No matter what threatens, I find them always open.
Uncommon Power
God calls me to pray so I can learn to trust Him.
Praise Prompt
Father, thank you for patiently teaching me to love and trust you. I praise you for being trustworthy, faithful, and good. Grow my faith, Lord. When trials and trouble enter my life, help me run to you first. In the strong name of Jesus I ask, amen.
Live It Out
List all the ways God has provided for you in the last week. In the last month. In the last year. List everything from the air in your lungs, to the clothes on your back, to the roof over your head. Think also of the nonmaterial gifts. Has God been faithful? Remember this the next time you feel afraid. Run to Him and grow in faith and trust.
A GIFT FROM LORI
You could win a FREE copy of Refresh Your Prayers. On Friday, March 11th at 12:00 noon, I’ll draw a name from readers who comment on the post. Watch for the winner’s name in the comments here and on my Facebook page, Jeannie Waters, Writer.
In the comments, share your thoughts about how prayer helps build your faith or how Lori’s devotion blessed you.
About the Author
Lori Hatcher is a pastor’s wife who lives delightfully close to her four grandchildren in Lexington, South Carolina. She’s the author of several devotional books including Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise. She’s also a blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Refresh . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).
About the Book
Taken from Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise by Lori Hatcher© 2022. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread Publishing®, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. All rights reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing® at permissionsdept@odb.org.
If you’re tired of your all-too-quiet quiet time, Refresh Your Prayers is the answer.
The UNcommon Book on Prayer – Unusual Devotions to Unlock Power and Praise
Available now at Amazon.com, Christian Book.com, and wherever fine books are sold.
Oh how our lives could be changed if we fully trusted God with all our needs. To compare this to Winston’s mistrust has truly touched my heart. Those “fur baby” stories get me every time. I pray today that my first instinct in times of trouble will just be to “Run to Him”. Thank you so much for sharing this Jeannie.
I agree, Pamela. How God reveals Himself to us through His creation is so impactful. Lord, grow our hearts to trust you more!
“Oh how our lives could be changed if we fully trusted God with all our needs.” I agree, Pam. I’m thankful Lori’s devotion resonated with you. Thanks so much for letting us know.
When I share time with the Lord, I feel His peace. I trust Him. 🙂
Trust in God is the safest place we can rest our hearts and lives. What a great place to be, Melissa.
Well said, Melissa. He is worthy of our trust. Thanks for your valuable comment. He offers His peace when we take time to spend time with Him.
MELISSA HENDERSON! You are the WINNER of a copy of Lori Hatcher’s new devotional, Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise! Congratulations! Please send your address in a private message to me so that Lori can mail a copy to you. Thanks, all for reading and commenting. Thank you, Lori, for sharing your devotion and a free copy. Your devotions are outstanding.
Thank you, Lori, for this precious, heartwarming story. I am thankful that God is available to hear our prayers continually. He takes our fears and anxiety away if we will just have faith and put our trust in Him. Jeannie, thanks for sharing this delightful devotion!
Wanda,
If you only knew how many lessons God has taught me through my pets and my children! I’m so glad He is PATIENT with us when we learn so slowly. Blessings to you!
Wanda, thank you for letting us know you enjoyed it. I did, too. I appreciate this statement you made: “He takes our fears and anxiety away if we will just have faith and put our trust in Him.”
I loved this story because I have lived it out with both a jumpy pet and a jumpy soul. Thanks so much for the word of encouragement.
Wow, Linda, I sure hope you’re a writer, because your comparison between a jumpy pet and a jumpy soul is BRILLIANT. Lord, quiet all our hearts and help us trust you wholeheartedly. Amen.
Linda is an excellent writer like you, Lori. Thanks so much for sharing a devotion from Refresh Your Prayers with us.
Linda, I love the way you said “a jumpy pet and a jumpy soul”. 🙂 Sometimes we do feel jumpy. I’m thankful God’s Word and devotions like Lori’s redirect us to our Shepherd Jesus. Refresh Your Prayers is filled with powerful devotions. I appreciate Lori sharing one with us, and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
As a farm girl, I’ve had dogs, cats, horses, and other animals most of my life. As their caregiver, it’s my task to protect them from harm, to help them feel secure, and to earn their trust. Lori, I love the imagery you provided showing how your protection of Winston mirrors God’s love, care, and protection of us. Thank you for sharing this message of our Father’s love.
Lord, help Katherine and I remember always that you are our Good Shepherd who loved us enough to lay down His life for us, His sheep.
Katherine, your comments echo truths of the devotion and paint another clear picture for us. How thankful we are for “God’s love, care, and protection.” We appreciate your comments.
What a wonderful story of the love of a dog❣️The way you held your sweet Winston is just how the Lord Jesus holds us and whispers “I’ve got you.” I am so very thankful that HE does!
So many of my prayers have been answered this week, a phone call out of the blue from a dear lifelong friend, an encouraging email from my attorney, 5 hours spent with my son, the sunshine and even the rain…I needed to stay in and get the things done I had been putting off🙃
Thank you for introducing us to another wonderful writerJeanie🧡
Traci, I rejoice with you at the blessings God provided today! Great is His faithfulness. Your summary of the devotion is another beautiful picture of God’s loving care. You’ll love Refresh Your Prayers.
Thank you, Lori, for sharing about Winston. We can learn so much from our pets who depend upon us for love and support. This is how God wants us to come to Him. Thanks, Jeannie, for highlighting Lori’s book.
Barbara, I’m glad you enjoyed Lori’s post as much as I did. Yes, I agree God wants us to turn to Him “for love and support.” He blesses us beyond measure. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara.
Hi Lori, I so enjoyed your story about Winston, your dog. We have a dog with a similar temperament. He has to be cuddled at the loudest noise. We’ve spent several sleepless nights through thunder and lightning storms with our Champ. But I’ve never made the comparison between that and how the Lord holds us through the storms of life. This new revelation will guide me in my prayer life and my understanding of Champ, the last of his litter to be adopted.
Thank you for that vivid image.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis, welcome, and thank you for stopping by to read. I loved reading about how you comforted your dogs. Lori’s book, Refresh Your Prayers is filled with encouraging stories and strong teaching on prayer. Like you, I find Lori’s devotions deepen my understanding of prayer. I hope to “see” you again soon.
God wants us to find it easy to trust Him but we can get so tangled up in ourselves that we forget. Lori’s Winston is very much like our cat — and they’re both more like me than I realize some days. I’m also reading Refresh Your Prayers and am really enjoying it. Thanks for sharing it with everyone!
Leigh, your description of “getting tangled up in ourselves” is an accurate picture of the times we fail to trust God. I’m thankful for His forgiveness and His reminders to look to Him, our refuge and our strength. Thanks so much for your comments.
CONGRATULATIONS to Melissa Henderson, winner of a free copy of Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise. Thank you, Lori for sharing the devotion and for donating a copy of your book. Your devotions are remarkable!
For others who order the book, if you post a review, it would be a huge blessing to Lori.
Melissa, please send your address to me in a private message and Lori will mail your book. Congrats again!
Lori, your post really resonates with me. God has been faithful to hold my trembling hand with each tiny step of faith, even when I then sometimes take one or two back. He’s incredibly patient with me. I wonder if He chuckles at our timidity in the same way we chuckle at our pups’ antics. Thank you, Jeannie, for hosting Lori’s work here.
Annie, I love the way you mentioned we sometimes take one or two steps back. I’m sure we can all identify. What a blessing to turn back to God in prayer with assurance He’s worthy of our trust. Thanks so much for your comments.
This post makes me wonder about my own rescue dog. Someone found her on the street. We believe she lived in the wild for a time. She fears many things that aren’t at all scary. It’s sad. And as you say, she reminds me of me when I find it difficult to trust God.
We all find ourselves lacking trust sometimes, don’t we? I’m thankful God uses His Word and our experiences to teach us we can place our trust in Him. Thanks so much stopping by, Nancy.