Happy Friday! It’s Wendy Blight, author of Hidden Joy. I’m excited and grateful to join you today. As an author, it’s rare to intimately connect with the women who read my studies. So, please know how much I treasure spending this time with you.

When Proverbs chose Hidden Joy, I asked God to draw each woman He was calling to meet Him in the pages of His story as told through my story. Sweet friend, if you’re reading these words, know with confidence it’s because God drew you here!

Today, I want to encourage you to move forward from a place of confidence. Spending time in God’s Word leads to forward progress and fresh perspectives.

With each week, God will carry you to healthier, better places as He reveals more and more of His character, assuring you He is FAITHFUL and TRUE. The GOD WHO SEES. The GOD WHO HEALS. The GOD WHO PROVIDES.

As we learn, study and pray God’s promises, you’ll gain a new lens through which to view your circumstances. My favorite promise from this week is Psalm 84:6:

“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains!” (TLB)

How can the most tragic and hard to understand places in our lives move from valleys of weeping to pools of blessings and refreshment? Because of God’s promises.

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT (emphasis added)

These are God’s promises! If you want to feel alive again. If you want to find healing physically, spiritually and emotionally, STAND on God’s Word.

What does it mean to stand? Be diligent. Be committed. Don’t waver. READ all the chapters and Scriptures in Hidden Joy. Tackle the Bible Study Companion. Allow God to take you deeper into His Word than you’ve ever been before. BELIEVE what He’s taught you, and what you learn next week, and the week after that. And, PRAY for God to move mightily in your life. He will be faithful.

Stand and believe God because He loves you lavishly and is worthy of your trust.

Reflect and Respond:

What are you afraid of, or hesitant about, as we wrap up Week 1? Share with us one way you will STAND strong against your fear and hesitancy.
And, will you do this for me? Write a short prayer or word of encouragement for your sister who shared in the comment above yours.

Don’t forget, all comments will be entered into this week’s giveaway!

For Your Weekend:
Here's the next Week at a Glance to help you plan ahead for Week 2!

Holding you close in my heart,
Wendy