About the Author

Karina Allen is devoted to helping women live out their unique calling and building authentic community through the practical application of Scripture in an approachable, winsome manner.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I loved this line, “Hard seasons will continue to come and go. We can’t change that. But, we can choose to have the Lord’s perspective and allow Him to do a work in us that can only happen in the wilderness. This is when we get to build a history of trust, dependence, faith, and hope in Him.”
    It feels like the last few years have been full of small and large wilderness, and I could not see the work being done, just the dry heat. Yesterday, I saw the first fruit of that blazing sun and tears. Thank you for putting into words what my heart needed to say.

  2. Perhaps our hard times are an invitation from God for us to rely on Him more than we would otherwise. We don’t know why hard times come and often think this is not fair; but Scripture tells us nothing comes into our lives unless God allows it. No matter what we experience, I don’t think it can compare to what Job & others went through so we can be thankful for that! I previously had breast cancer and hard treatments; now I have bone cancer plus my husband joined a false cult five years ago. I cannot make it day to day without God’s help! My hope is indeed safe in Go’s hands!

    • Thank you for sharing Frances.

      Father, You are only good and faithful. I pray for every bone in Frances’ body to be healed down to her cells. I bless her bones with strength and health. And Jesus, open the eyes of her husband’s heart. Reveal truth and bring conviction and repentance through your kindness. Turn his heart back to you.

      In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

  3. Thanks for sharing this, Karina! Hope is my WOTY, as God is walking me through an incredibly grief-filled season. One of the most beautiful things he’s done is connect me with others experiencing loss too. I love how you referred to this as a wilderness and an invitation. This perspective is helping me see this differently. I’m praying for you too this morning as you endure this hard season. May hope be a guide for us all.

    • Amen Andrea!

      Jesus, You are the prince of peace and hope itself. I pray that You would overwhelm Andrea with a peace that surpasses all understanding. Remind her of Your nearness. Continue to surround her with sweet community.

      In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

  4. Ahh standing in the gaps with others! Takes the pressure of having to have the answers off when we pray for & with to The One Who does have all the answers. Pointing others to the promises of God is both easier & more worthwhile than making suggestions of how to fix the wildernesses. Thank you for your example! Blessings!

  5. I’m finding in this season of separation from my husband, and trying to find work after seventeen years on disability with great financial need, that Hope is holding on to me tighter than I’m holding onto Him at the moment.

    • Thank you for sharing Melinda!

      Father, You never leave us or forsake us. Holy Spirit remind Melinda of Your nearness and care in this season. You are good and faithful. I pray for supernatural peace, comfort and provision.

      In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

  6. Praying for you Karina. I’ve been through some storms and I’m honored to stand in the gap for you.

  7. Good morning Everyone,

    This is truly a beautiful way to start our day, with Salutations !

    No matter how I walk out my door, I embrace smiles and greetings with a warm heart. My Grandmother taught me to say hello to whomever I come in contact with because it is the right way to live. Some people need to know that they are seen and they matter enough for some one to speak to them, even if they don’t know the other person.

    Believers are so blessed to be God’s Ambassadors so that we get to let our little lights shine into another person’s space. I really enjoy having light hearted conversations but sometimes a very serious subject arises and I can’t run away from the setting. My opinion may not be factual or correct but the Holy Spirit is teaching me to be quiet and pray before I start speaking. I don’t want to be a stumbling block or confuse a new Believer in my Lord and Savior. I am so thankful for children. I have three girls but all children seem to make me smile a lot. They are very truthful even if you don’t ask for their point of view. They really admire their teachers and make friends easily. That may be a few of the reasons we are to be as children while we are being taught the Love of Christ.

    Enjoy your Holiday Weekend

    Brenda

    Your Sister in Christ

  8. Hi Karina,
    Lovely reminder to stay focused on Jesus, even when life is not as we imagined. I pray that He will touch you with His healing power and comfort you, as you recover from your accident. In Jesus name, Amen.

  9. What a powerful message! Thanks for speaking openly about both the real struggle and the opportunity for reflection and restoration through that view. I’ve read this post 3 times already today.

  10. I can so identify with your statement that “I am an Israelite more often than I care to admit”. Such comforting words of encouragement .

  11. I am praying for you Karina that as you have encouraged us that the Lord Jesus would encourage you, that He would encourage your heart and be the Lifter of your head. May Jehovah Jireh provide to you all of your needs according to His riches in glory! May hope and peace be restored to you pressed down, shaken together and running over!!! In Jesus Holy Name!!!

  12. This was just the right message at the right time. I am struggling to hold onto hope during a season of heartache. I’m praying daily for God to restore my relationship. I am trying to be still and listen for His direction. I don’t know what to do. I feel so lost.

  13. Verses for Your Encouragement

    PSALM 31:24
    Be of good courage,
    And He shall strengthen your heart,
    All you who hope in the LORD.

    Psalm 34:18
    The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

    Psalm 116:1-2
    I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore I will call upon him as long as I live.

    Isaiah 41:10
    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

    Psalm 73:26
    My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

    Psalm 46:1
    God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

    Psalm 147:3
    He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

    Isaiah 26:3
    You will keep him in perfect peace,
    Whose mind is stayed on You,
    Because he trusts in You.

    Psalm 121:1-2
    I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
    From whence comes my help?
    My help comes from the LORD,
    Who made heaven and earth.

    Isaiah 40:31
    But those who wait on the LORD
    Shall renew their strength;
    They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
    They shall run and not be weary,
    They shall walk and not faint.

    2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

    Proverbs 18:10
    The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
    The righteous run to it and are safe.

    Matthew 11:28
    Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

    Psalm 55:22
    Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

    Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

    Philippians 4:6-7
    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

    Philippians 4:19-20
    And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

    1 Peter 5:6-7
    Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

    ~~~~ I compiled these encouragement verses a long time ago, so they’d be together and easy for me to find when needed, I hope they encourage you today!

  14. Oh Karina..I love how you write..I feel your heart and your faith. Thank you

    Have a blessed day sisters. Praying whatever season you are in you know God is right beside you \0/

  15. I’ve been through many trials but the Lord has been with me every step of the way. I became a widow this year but I had been separated from my husband for a while. He was not well mentally and refused treatment. We were in the process of divorce. I’m also a mother. My son will be 2 soon. He is my greatest joy that God has ever provided me. I pray that one day God will provide me a husband and a Dad for my boy. I recently dated someone and it turned out to be a disaster. I’m learning about boundaries and what to watch out for. I want to be an advocate for other women who are in or have been in abusive relationships. Thank you for your encouragement and using your gifts that God has given you.

  16. Karina,

    Praying for you sweet sister. May God end your hard seasons & bring joy into your life. May He send His healing touch to your body after the car accident. Life down here is hard. God often puts us in wilderness seasons. He wants us to come back to Him. When feeling down I simply make a thankful list. Putting on it everything from Home in Heaven, & sins forgiven to good job, nice car, etc. Recently I posted my testimony on FB. I told of God’s goodness to me after a long wilderness season of caregiving. It serves as a reminder to me of ALL the great things God has done in my life.

    Blessings 🙂

  17. Karina,

    Thank you for such an open and relatable post. I would be grateful for your prayer. I am in a very challenging season where I don’t know how to move forward. I see large obstacles in my way and cannot seem to see past or around them to get to the other side. They are keeping me immobilized, and I need to hear clear direction from The Lord in just how to proceed. I feel very alone in the world right now and that only adds to the uncertainty and sense of hopelessness. Would you please pray for me?

    Thank you, sister.