God’s Amazing Grace in Difficult Times – A Reflection on Faith and Hope

God’s Amazing Grace in Difficult Times – A Reflection on Faith and Hope

 

🕊️ Editor’s Note (Updated & Re-shared — December 1, 2025):
This devotional was originally shared on November 24, 2016. Its message about trusting God’s grace through every season remains timeless. We’re re-sharing it today to inspire quiet reflection and renewed faith.

👉 Here is the original 2016 post for reference: Read the original version here.

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Sometimes I sit in awe of God’s amazing grace in difficult times. His great compassion, concern, and love are overwhelming at times. I must admit, there have been situations that I’ve had to face that were dark and stressful. Logically, there were no existing solutions, but God always knew the right time to bring forth the best answer pertaining to my situation.

To be perfectly honest with you, there were times during my waiting process that I wavered in my faith. I wondered when God was going to answer me or even if He was going to answer. Sometimes, He just remained silent. I had to realize that He was still concerned and that He was definitely carrying me even though it didn’t feel like it. His grace was seen even during that time. When my mind and emotions weren’t lined up in faith, His love remained the same.

His amazing grace and love never left my side. My Heavenly Father never gave up on me, never turned His back on me, and never stopped watching over me. I am so grateful for His unconditional love.

As I reflect on the goodness of God, I feel such a closeness to Him, and His love engulfs me like a big, warm blanket on a cold and snowy day. I am so grateful for the beautiful relationship that I have with Him, the lover of my soul, healer of all wounds, my redeemer, and so much more.

I pray that this blog post encourages you to take some special time and do your own reflecting on the goodness of God. You may be surprised by how present He has been… even in the moments that felt the quietest. I pray that you’ll experience Him whispering peace, renewing hope, and reminding you that you are never, ever alone.

✨ Reflections on God’s Amazing Grace in Difficult Times

  1. What do you most appreciate in your life?
  2. Where has His grace met you in ways you didn’t expect?
  3. Write a letter to the Lord expressing your love and gratitude for Him.
  4. Where has His love held you when your strength felt small?

Waiting seasons can feel long, but God’s amazing grace in difficult times is often most visible when we look back.

If you find yourself in a season of waiting, uncertainty, or quietness, remember this: God’s grace is already at work in ways you cannot yet see. He is strengthening you, shaping you, and holding every piece of your heart with care. May you sense His peace rising within you as you trust Him day by day.

God Bless You!

Minister Kimberly L. Smith

🌿 If this reflection speaks to your heart, we invite you to get our workshop:

Peace in His Presence: Christian Journaling for Stress Relief and Spiritual Renewal.

Experience how journaling can deepen your quiet time with God and help you find balance in His peace.

👉 Click here to learn more

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Pastor Kimberly Smith is a woman who is dedicated to God and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years. She is a woman who radiates the love and compassion of Christ and emanates God’s great hope for people. The Lord uses her mightily in areas of intercession, teaching, counseling, and encouragement. She is also a prolific prophetic writer, watchfully scribing the whispers of God. God graced her with gifts that have brought inner healing and hope to many.

Minister Kimberly and her husband Minister Michael L. Smith created an anointed Spoken Word CD titled “The Pastor’s Journey.” She is the author and her husband is the musical arranger, composer, and reciter. She is a graduate of Kent State University with a M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling, and of Wilberforce University with a BA in Rehabilitation Counseling.

 

Alone In His Presence: Finding Stillness, Peace, and Spiritual Renewal in God’s Quiet Place

Alone In His Presence: Finding Stillness, Peace, and Spiritual Renewal in God’s Quiet Place

 🕊️ Editor’s Note (Updated & Re-shared — November 4, 2025):
This cherished reflection was originally published on October 4, 2015. Its message about meeting God in quiet stillness remains beautifully timeless. We’re sharing it again today to encourage moments of holy pause.

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There’s nothing as soothing, reassuring, and comforting as spending quiet time with our Heavenly Father. Being alone in His presence is absolutely priceless! The mere fact that He wants to spend time with us is enough to make us aware of how blessed we truly are.


When I was younger, I often heard elders say that they had to take some time to still away to be with the Lord. I knew that they were talking about getting away from everyone else and all of life’s distractions to spend precious time in prayer. This place was holy and special, a place where everything could be shared, from innermost thoughts, worries, hurts, joyfulness, thanksgiving, and everything in between.


The Lord loves for us to spend time with Him, and quite frankly, the feeling should be mutual. We should love spending time with our Heavenly Father. After all, He is our creator. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He always wants what’s best for us. He delights in blessing His children. He’s never too tired to listen to us, nor does He lack solutions for any problems we face.


If you haven’t already, I encourage you to carve out a quiet moment to be alone in the presence of God. There’s something sacred about simply sitting before Him without words—no requests, no striving, just stillness. In those tender moments, His peace begins to flow, His love whispers to your heart, and His Spirit refreshes your soul. You’ll rise from that time feeling lighter, strengthened, and deeply renewed by His presence.


As I end this blog, I’m reminded of the old hymn, “In The Garden” by Charles Austin Miles. It’s a beautiful song about spending precious time in the presence of the Lord. As you reflect on the words of this song, may it cause you to long for even sweeter fellowship with the Lord.


I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me, and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

Reflections

  1.   How often do you spend time in the presence of the Lord?
  2.   Do you do most of the talking, or do you get quiet and allow the Lord to speak to you?
  3.   What is your favorite part about spending quiet time with the Lord?

God Bless You!

Minister Kimberly L. Smith

🌿 If this reflection speaks to your heart, we invite you to join our next workshop:
Peace in His Presence: Christian Journaling for Stress Relief and Spiritual Renewal.
Experience how journaling can deepen your quiet time with God and help you find balance in His peace.
👉 Click here to learn more and register.

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Pastor Kimberly Smith is a woman who is dedicated to God and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years. She is a woman who radiates the love and compassion of Christ and emanates God’s great hope for people. The Lord uses her mightily in areas of intercession, teaching, counseling, and encouragement. She is also a prolific prophetic writer, watchfully scribing the whispers of God. God graced her with gifts that have brought inner healing and hope to many.

Minister Kimberly and her husband Minister Michael L. Smith created an anointed Spoken Word CD titled “The Pastor’s Journey.” She is the author and her husband is the musical arranger, composer, and reciter. She is a graduate of Kent State University with a M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling, and of Wilberforce University with a BA in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Do You Have Your Father’s Eyes?

Do You Have Your Father’s Eyes?

Do You Have Your Father’s Eyes?  I’m not referring to blue, brown, or hazel-colored eyes that may match those of your biological father but, I am speaking of spiritual eyes that match those of your Heavenly Father.  Of course, there are no earthly words that can accurately describe the greatness, excellence, and magnificence of our God. 

However, we know what His attributes are because the Holy Bible tells us that God is love (1Jn 4:8).  According to Psa 145:8, He is full of mercy, and compassion, and doesn’t get angry easily.  He is faithful (1Cor 1:9).  The descriptions of His character are too many to mention in this blog.  However, it’s enough to allow you to examine yourself to see if it is apparent that your life shows that you have a relationship with the Almighty God.

For Instance:

  • Do you see as He sees?
  • Do you like what He likes?
  • Do you hate what He hates?
  • Do you feel what He feels?
  • Do you listen to things that please His ears?
  • Is your heart filled with compassion?
  • Do you find it easy to forgive others or do you keep score and hold grudges?
  • Do you love everyone?

Do you have your Father’s eyes?  Can people look at you and see so much of God in your life that they can feel His goodness emanating from you?   I’m sure that the Lord smiles when He sees His children exhibiting His character.  We are not perfect and will certainly fall short of getting things right every time but, we can be confident that He is always there with love, mercy, wisdom, correction, and forgiveness to help us do better and continue in our walk with Him.

Just as a good earthly father is proud of his children when they do things that are right such as walking in integrity, treating people with kindness, dignity, and respect, getting back up when they fall, and the list goes on; our Heavenly Father is proud of us when we do things that show forth His character.

Let’s be intentional about having our Father’s eyes and seeing as He sees.

 

Reflections

  1. What part of your character do you think pleases God?
  2. What part of your character needs improvement?
  3. Have a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord and ask Him to help you let more of His nature shine in and through you.
  4. Listen to the powerful song by Amy Grant titled “My Father’s Eyes.”   Take note of how the song makes you feel.  The song can be found on YouTube at the following link:  https://youtu.be/PECqVbfdreE

God Bless You!

Pastor Kimberly Smith is a woman who is dedicated to God and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years. She is a woman who radiates the love and compassion of Christ and emanates God’s great hope for people. The Lord uses her mightily in areas of intercession, teaching, counseling, and encouragement. She is also a prolific prophetic writer, watchfully scribing the whispers of God. God graced her with gifts that have brought inner healing and hope to many.

Minister Kimberly and her husband Minister Michael L. Smith created an anointed Spoken Word CD titled “The Pastor’s Journey.” She is the author and her husband is the musical arranger, composer, and reciter. She is a graduate of Kent State University with a M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling, and of Wilberforce University with a BA in Rehabilitation Counseling.