About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. This is the perfect reminder.
    Disappointments manifest themselves without warning. Trusting is the key. Thank you for today’s message.

    • You are so right, Christine, “Disappointments manifest without warning.” And trusting the Lord, putting our hope in Him instead, is the only way out of the shadow of disappointment. It’s a truth I am learning how to live in again and again. “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23 (NIV).

  2. Simply beautiful. Thank you for the encouragement to loosen the death grip on our plans & experience God’s plans for us!

  3. As I go through this journey of having had Stage 1 two different types of breast cancer and the deadliest form of melanoma-Acral Lentinginous Melanoma Stage 3A, putting my trust in the Lord is what my husband and I do daily. There are days we fall into that valley of worry, anxiety and get anxious. God has provided us with many blessings that we take for granted. He has worked many miracles for us that we never saw until later. What an awesome God we serve! This devotional is a great reminder to just TRUST in HIM!

    • Oh, Becky, I am so sorry for all you and your husband have and are walking through!! That is so much. Trusting the Lord with your health is sure to be a daily decision, and a moment-by-moment act of faith some days. Yet, I sense a beautiful peace and surrender in the way you describe how God has provided so many blessings and helped you see ways He was working miracles as you look back. I pray today and the weeks ahead are filled with many more!!

      “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2

  4. I just chanced upon this devotional in my email’s junk folder but it was not by chance! God knew I needed to hear this powerful example of His presence guidance and care today. Thank you! Karen

    • Gosh, I love how God loves us and leads us to exactly what He knows we need. I’m so glad junk folders can’t even keep Jesus from sending His love notes to us, and thankful He met you here today, through my story.

  5. Today as I face family issues with our daughter, the birthday of our son who went to be with the Lord 9 years ago, my husband who has just been diagnosed with liver cancer, and fatigue and disappointment, I REALLY needed to be reminded that somewhere in the shadows of all this is the good that God has promised will come from it all if I but trust and obey. Thank you for sharing the beauty that God provides when we can move from questioning to simply trusting.

    • Sweet Pat, I’m so sorry. That is a really heavy load for one heart to carry. This place between deep disappointment and trusting God is not an easy place to find. The word “trevail” comes to mind as I read your story. I’m praying for you to experience Jesus’ all-surpassing peace that will help you to lean on Him and put the whole weight of your grief, fears, trust and prayers in His promises. Oh that He would show Himself strong on your behalf today and tomorrow and each day to come.

  6. Hard to remember truths for sure. My summer has had similar experiences and I fluctuate between knowing He’s beside me and I am truly blessed —period (and that things could have been so much worse) and times, albeit short, of discouragement that I am where I am and that most previously simple things require more time and creativity to accomplish. So, prayed for you today as you navigate your own bumpy journey.

    • If only trust and surrender could be a once-and-done decision. If only peace could be a permanent path. Yet, here we are in the tension between disappointments and choosing to trust Jesus with our hopes, dreams, and plans. I’m with you in the fluctuation and in the finding new ways to do all the things. Thank you for your prayers, Kathy. I just prayed for you too!!

  7. The Lord is faithful. Ive been seeking the Lords wisdom for health issues for our 15 year old pup (my only baby). As I follow what I believe he led me to I’m faced with what seems like worsening and more problems. As I cried out to him last night, anger and tears with little snippits of “I trust you”, he has been reminding me I need faith (without sight- 2 cor 5:7 heb 11-6) I need to trust, I need help with unbelief (mark 9:23-24) All daily devotionals and verses. Thank you Lord for your presence.

  8. Thank you Renee. I needed this reminder today:
    “Somewhere between our disappointment and trust, God slowly reveals that His presence is with us. And He is working in ways we may not yet see”
    \0/

  9. So needed this precious reminder today. His hope, His glory and tenderest love of us in all our steps.

  10. We give it all to Jesus and trust that He knows what’s best for us. I have found Jesus makes lot better choices than I do.

  11. Thank you Renee.
    I love your story very much. Indeed perseverance and press on require trusting and obeying. one hand we are working unceasingly, the other hand we are releasing our plan unto God. Then we will see The Beauty of The Lord and plan accomplished.
    Definitely this unexpected experience will become your life time sweet and unforgettable memory….
    In God, we Trust and Obey.

  12. Renee,

    We have to realize nothing that happens here on Earth is a surprise to God. He knows every detail of our lives. Sometimes our disappointments can be God’s appointments. He may be saying no to what we want because He has something better for us. I had a good part time job for a few years. Then they let me go. I knew God had something better out there for me. Two weeks later I started a “part-time” job at big hospital in town as ICU Step down clerical. It combined both my clerical & medical skills & paid a lot better too. God knows what’s best for us. We must learn to trust Him in ALL situations-especially if we don’t like them or are disappointed.

    Blessings 🙂

  13. Loved this, Renee. I always feel a sense of excitement when I begin to read one of your posts.Because of your authenticity, I can relate to the hard stuff and lifted up by the things God speaks to you. Thank you for being you. ❤️

  14. Oh! My heart and soul needed this today. Praying and surrendering the death grip I have on life, and all I try to hold together.

  15. You won’t believe this Renee, but just this morning in my quiet time, the Lord put you on my heart. I was telling the Lord that I hadn’t read anything from you in a long time and that I missed hearing from you. I then prayed for you and your family. And here is a beautiful story of your son’s wedding in my feed. The Lord is so good!!

  16. So blessed to read this today. Many times that we make our plans and seek to make them possible, when all along the Lord will have his way and His plans will be blessed with His outcome. Jer 29:11