When It’s Time to Move Forward

 

Some seasons feel like spiritual whiplash—like everything around you is shifting, breaking, or shaking loose. And just like Lot’s family in Genesis 19, God may be telling you it’s time to move forward, but the temptation to look back is strong. In Genesis 19:17 (NLT), the angels told them clearly, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back…” Still, Lot’s wife turned around—and in an instant, her future was gone. She became a pillar of salt. When we keep glancing back at what broke us or where we came from, we risk getting stuck in places God has already called us out of.

Let’s be real: looking back can feel comforting. Even pain can be familiar. Maybe your thoughts are full of “if onlys”—if only I’d left sooner, if only I’d known better, if only I hadn’t trusted them. But God isn’t in the “if onlys.” He’s in the “what’s next.” And even if your past was heavy and full of suffering, that’s not where your story ends. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you... They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” God is still redeeming, still moving, and still making our later days better than our former ones. But you can’t follow Him while you’re staring in the rearview mirror.

There are some wounds that don’t bleed on the outside—but they’re there. Emotional scars. Words that still sting. Abuse that tried to silence your voice. Sometimes we carry that pain like luggage, dragging it with us into every new place God sends us. But Romans 8:28 (NLT) offers this hope: “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” That means even the darkest moments can become tools in God’s hands—used for healing, for helping someone else, and for revealing His glory in your life.

You may feel like your life’s been tossed in a storm—like you’re just trying to stay afloat. But God never promised a life without turbulence. What He promised was presence. He promised peace in the chaos, and a future beyond the fire. Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” The storm may not be over, but you're not in it alone. And what you're walking through now is not the end—it’s a passageway into something new.

So don’t turn to salt. Don’t freeze in the middle of your breakthrough. You’ve come too far to give your past the final word. Let today be the day you decide to stop looking back with regret and start leaning forward with faith. God’s not finished with you yet. Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished…” Stay in the process. Trust the stretching. Your healing, your hope, and your wholeness aren’t just ahead—they’re already yours in Christ. You’re not waiting for freedom to show up. You’re learning how to live in the freedom that’s already been given.  ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When It’s Time to Move Forward”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Staying Strong

 

Life is moving fast. Some things change by the minute, but others—especially spiritual truths—never will. As the world spins with chaos, it's clear the enemy is working overtime. He doesn’t want us stepping into the blessings God has prepared, so his attacks often intensify right before the breakthrough. This tactic hasn’t changed since Eden, and we can’t afford to ignore it. God doesn’t want us uninformed or distracted. Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we’re running a race and staying focused is the only way to finish strong and receive what’s waiting for us.

Focus Matters

To focus means we center our attention on something. In today’s world, there’s no shortage of things that are vying for that center—social issues, media storms, or personal situations that are hitting close to home. It’s easy to get emotionally invested, but wisdom tells us to slow down and discern.

Even when something deeply affects us, we must be alert. The enemy often uses what disturbs us most to pull our eyes off God. That doesn’t mean we ignore these things—but we don’t worry about them either. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Our first move should always be prayer—not panic, not fear, not doubt. Faith can’t thrive in a heart full of worry.

Seek God’s Voice

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV) tells us, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” When life gets hard, some of us do lose heart—and sadly, some walk away from the faith. But God is still God. He hasn’t left us, and He never will. Even when we don’t understand the “why” behind our struggles, we must hold tight to this truth: God is faithful, and a blessing is on the way.

This is when we press in—not just for strength, but for direction. His Spirit leads us through rough terrain, sharpening our spiritual senses and deepening our intimacy with Him. If we listen, He’ll show us what to turn off, what to turn toward, and how to stay rooted in Christ when everything around us feels unstable.

Lean Into His Strength

Life will shake us, this we know, but our response should always reflect trust in Christ. 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) reminds us that “these trials will show that your faith is genuine... more precious than mere gold.” Fire is painful, but it purifies. It burns away what we no longer need and leaves behind what’s anchored in God. That’s what faith does—it refines us and makes us more flexible to God's Will.

2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT) tells us, “Our sufficiency is from God.” He’s always been the source. In Eden, He created everything first—then placed Adam and Eve into His finished work. No struggle. No striving. Just provision. This is still His design. We were never meant to carry the weight—only to lean fully on Him—His strength, provision, love, and protection.

Now Is the Time

This isn’t the season to slack—it’s the season to draw near. There will be time to celebrate, but now is the time for prayer, for Scripture, for humility. It’s time to press into the presence of God and anchor ourselves in His promises. Because no matter what’s happening around us, we have every reason to rejoice. Our victory is guaranteed in Christ.

So stay focused. Seek God with everything in you. Lean on His strength—not yours. This is how we stay strong and spiritually fortified—ready for the next level, and ready for the blessings ahead. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Staying Strong”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

When Trouble Comes, So Does His Power

 

Romans 8:35,37 (NLT)
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Life doesn’t always play fair. Sometimes it hits hard and keeps swinging—messing with your peace, your plans, and your sense of direction. And if we’re honest, it’s in those moments we start to question: Where is God in all this? But the truth is, He never left. Trouble doesn’t mean you’ve been abandoned—it’s often the very place where His power shows up the strongest. Romans 8:35, 37 reminds us that nothing—not pain, pressure, or problems—can separate us from the love of Christ. If anything, it’s in those weak, worn-down places that His strength kicks in. So no, you’re not losing. You’re being held.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) tells us God’s response to our low points—when you’ve cried, prayed, and still don’t see the way out: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” This verse hits different when you’re actually going through some tough times like the Apostle Paul was when he cried out to God for help. It’s not just comfort, it’s a promise. Paul didn’t say he enjoyed being weak, but he learned to boast in it—because he realized that’s where the power of Christ rested on him. Not when everything was perfect, but when he was worn down and emptied out. That’s when God filled him up. That same grace still works today.

I remember a time when I felt completely tapped out—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Life was painful, messy, and not making sense. I was doing all the “right” things: praying, showing up, trusting God as best as I could... but inside, I was exhausted. I didn’t feel powerful. I felt like I was barely hanging on. But it was in that low place, when I stopped pretending to be strong, that God started showing me what His strength really looked like. He didn’t fix everything overnight, but His grace carried me—one shaky step at a time. Looking back now, I realize that season didn’t break me... it built something deeper in me. And I wouldn't trade that kind of knowing Him for anything.

It took me a while to realize that God wasn’t asking me to be strong on my own. He wasn’t waiting for me to get it all together. He was just asking me to keep showing up with a heart that was humble and recognized His power. That’s where endurance comes in. It’s not about perfection. It’s about standing in the “I’m still here, Lord.” This helps us understand that this walk with God means both enjoying the good days and trusting Him through the hard ones.

The truth is, this race we’re running isn’t easy. It takes endurance to keep moving forward when life keeps throwing curveballs. But Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT) reminds us, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” That part about keeping our eyes on Jesus? It’s everything. Because the plain truth is that we can’t focus on faith and fear at the same time. So our focus can’t be on the problem, the pressure, or the people. It has to be on Jesus. He’s the only reason we’re still standing.

And when the weight gets heavy—because let’s be honest, sometimes it does—we can cling to the truth found in Psalm 46:1 (NLT): “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Not sometimes. Not maybe, but always. He’s not far off. He’s right there in the middle of it, offering strength when you’re drained and refuge when you’re overwhelmed. You don’t have to carry it all. You just have to come to Him.

If you’re in a season where the pressure feels unbearable, where you’re wondering if God sees you and what you’re going through—make no mistake, He does. Not only does He see you, He’s carrying you. His power isn’t delayed; it just works differently than ours. He shows up right in the thick of it. So don’t give up. And whatever you do—don’t let the enemy steal your faith. God’s grace will meet you. His power will rest on you. And His love? It’s already holding you together. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When Trouble Comes, So Does His Power", written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.