Faith begins to praise God before the promised victory, not merely after it.

Despair can come from deep grief, but it can also be a defense against the risks of bitter disappointment and shattering heartbreak. Resignation and cynicism are easier, more self-soothing postures that do not require raw vulnerability and tragic risk of hope. To choose hope is to step firmly forward into the howling wind, baring one's chest to the elements, knowing that, in time, the storm will pass.

Even in the face of the greatest adversity, the key is to never lose hope, never lose sense of the dream that drives you.

Leaders require courage of the highest order -- always moral courage -- and often physical courage as well. Courage is that quality of mind that enables people to encounter danger or difficulty firmly, without fear or discouragement.

Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.

The only thing is, people have to develop courage. It is most important of all the virtues. Because without courage, you can't practice any other virtues consistently.

I know it's difficult. But, yes, God is working even in the midst of whatever problem you're going through. He's working in both seen and unseen ways. He's working to put you on a path that you'll never regret, a path of extraordinary goodness that's a reflection of his character. In the meantime, your task is to dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

PRAYER Father, shake me from my slumber. Forgive me when I accuse You of failing to keep Your promises. Thank You for today, a fresh gift of grace. May I use it well to speak of Your mercy and extend Your Gospel, as I wait for You. Amen.

If we are truly waiting on God, we won't miss anything.

To live your best life now, you must learn to trust God's timing, you may not think He's working, but you can be sure that right now, behind the scenes, God is arranging all the pieces to come together to work out His plan for your life.

If you search for an escape route before understanding why God has you in a particularly dry situation, you unwittingly will prolong your wilderness time.

Seeming delays in God are no tokens of his displeasure; he may hide his face from his dearest saints. He loves to keep his people praying, and to find them ever knocking at the gate of heaven.