Faith That Moves Mountains in Seasons of Lack

Life has seasons that test the deepest parts of who we are—our strength, our identity, our courage, and above all, our faith. For almost five years, I have walked through a very difficult season. During this time, borrowing became normal, explaining my situation became routine, and simply surviving turned into a daily challenge.

Despite everything, I write today not from defeat but from faith—a faith that moves mountains, even when the mountain seems unmoved.

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When You Reach the End of Yourself

Carrying responsibilities quietly brings a deep kind of tiredness. The weight of motherhood, the pressure to provide, and the challenge of rebuilding yourself while keeping your children safe, fed, and emotionally supported can break even the strongest heart.

Previously, I wrote about this weight:
👉 The Weight of Being a Mother

Sometimes, the heaviness feels unbearable. Meanwhile, desperation knocks softly. Yet, choosing faith over fear becomes the daily decision that keeps me moving forward.

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Holding Onto God’s Promises

When life does not make sense, the Word of God becomes an anchor. It reminds us that He is close and that His promises are still true.

God Is Near

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”
— Isaiah 55:6

Even when heaven seems silent, this verse reassures me that God is near.

God Listens

“For the Lord our God is near us whenever we call on Him.”
— Deuteronomy 4:7

This promise prevents me from drowning in doubt. Furthermore, God is not ignoring my prayers—He hears each one.

God Invites Us to Ask

“Ask and it shall be given; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you.”
— Matthew 7:7

Therefore, we have permission to keep asking, even when our prayers feel repeated.

God Owns Everything

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”
— Psalm 50:10

In addition, God is not limited by economies, job markets, or human networks.

Whenever a door closes, I remind myself:
👉 When God Closes a Door

At times, a closed door is not rejection—it is redirection.

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Living on Daily Grace

For five years, God has kept me through what felt like a famine. Through “ravens”—family, small opportunities, and unexpected blessings—I have survived. My children are in school. We have shelter. We have love.

I wrote more about surviving without strength here:
👉 Blogging With Zero Motivation in Kenya

Although life may not look glamorous, it shows that God keeps me going.

However, being sustained is different from thriving. While gratitude fills my heart, I still feel tired:

• Depending on people who are also struggling is draining.
• Hiding behind “I’m okay” takes energy.
• Waiting for life to change can feel endless.

As a result, this tiredness pushed me to pray boldly.

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Bold Faith: Asking God for a Financial Breakthrough

My Specific Prayer

Today, with humility and courage, I ask God for a miracle:

• A stable income of at least Ksh 100,000 per month.
• A six-figure blessing to help me stand again, provide again, and rebuild my life with dignity.

Not for luxury, not for show, and not for pride.

Instead, this request is so I can raise my children with stability and become the woman God wants me to be.

Why I’m Asking Boldly

The Bible teaches that grace, provision, and favor are available. Many believers continue to testify that God still opens doors.

These resources have encouraged me:

🔗 Daily Encouragement & Devotionals – Desiring God
🔗 Biblical Encouragement for Hard Seasons – GotQuestions

Since God did it for others, He can do it for me too.

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Healing the Mind Before the Miracle

True provision begins in the heart. Before external breakthroughs appear, I ask God to heal my inner world:

• Heal my mind from fear of the future.
• Restore my confidence.
• Transform my survival patterns.
• Release the exhaustion built up over years.
• Silence the quiet voices that say I am unworthy of rising again.

Often, the real miracle is becoming the person capable of carrying the blessing God wants to release.

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Stepping Into a New Season

I believe my difficult season is ending. Looking ahead, this year feels like a time of newness. Surely, the breakthrough will come.

The God who sent ravens will now send rivers. The God who sustained will now establish. The God who kept me will now elevate.

When the breakthrough arrives—and I am confident it will—I will return here to testify.

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A Word to Anyone Walking Through Their Own Desert

If your season feels too long, remember:

• God sees you.
• God hears you.
• God is near you.
• God has not forgotten your story.
• God is not done with you.

Your season of lack does not define your identity. Your waiting is not wasted. Your tears are not ignored. You are not alone.

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My Final Prayer Today

Lord, heal my mind.
Heal my heart.
Break the cycle of lack.
Release financial favor.
Open a six-figure door that sets my family free.
Give me the strength to stand again.
Make me a testimony of Your goodness.

Amen.

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Let’s Walk This Journey Together

If this reflection touched your heart, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. You can also subscribe to the blog for more reflections, faith journeys, and real-life stories—raw, honest, and unfiltered.

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• Daily Devotional Books
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When we talk about Mashujaa Day, most of us picture the famous heroes who fought for Kenya’s independence—people like Dedan Kimathi, Mekatilili wa Menza, and Tom Mboya. But this year, as I stood watching an ordinary celebration in my neighborhood, I realized something deeper. The ordinary Kenyan struggles around us hold just as much heroism as the great acts in our history books.

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The Morning That Changed My Perspective

It was Mashujaa Day morning, and my house was buzzing with activity. My son was performing with his school band, and the celebration was being held at a rural school ground near our home. It felt like the perfect opportunity to take my almost four-year-old daughter out for some fun after finishing my house chores.

As I hurried to get ready, I could already hear the drums and trumpets echoing through the valley. That sound—energetic, patriotic, and joyful—pulled me out of the house faster than I expected. I dressed quickly, packed a bottle of water for my daughter, and we walked toward the school grounds.

By the time we arrived, the band had finished playing, and the speeches had already begun. I sighed, a little disappointed, but still grateful to be part of the event. The school band was performing alongside the police band, which gave the whole celebration an inspiring, unified feel—young students and officers sharing one rhythm for the love of the country.

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An Unexpected Act of Kindness

As we stood looking for seats, a lady carrying bottled water behind the tents smiled at us warmly. “Would you like some?” she asked. I nodded gratefully and took two bottles—one for me, one for my daughter. It was a small act, but it reminded me that sometimes, patriotism isn’t loud. It’s quiet kindness in the little things we do for others.

The sun was blazing that morning. Under one of the tents, a uniformed police officer—or maybe he was an administrator—was helping people find seats so they wouldn’t have to sit in the heat. That simple gesture impressed me. Government officers aren’t always known for empathy, yet here he was, guiding people with patience and care.

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Ordinary Kenyan Struggles in Every Corner

As I sat listening to speeches, my daughter tugged at my hand. “Mummy, can we go play?” she whispered. I asked if she was bored and if we should go home, but she said, “Let’s stay.” Her simple insistence reminded me—sometimes showing up is more important than being entertained.

Then, an elderly man caught my eye. He walked slowly with a limp, leaning on a stick, yet determined to attend the occasion. Watching him stirred something in me. He could have stayed home, but he didn’t. He knew the meaning of the day—the weight of history and the pride of showing up for one’s country. That moment defined what ordinary Kenyan struggles mean to me: resilience, presence, and dignity even when life isn’t easy.

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Why We Celebrate Mashujaa Day

Before I go further, let’s pause and remember why Kenya celebrates Mashujaa Day. The day, previously known as Kenyatta Day, honors those who fought for our independence and those who continue to build the nation in their everyday lives. You can read more about its origin and history on BBC Africa, which explains how it evolved from a remembrance of political prisoners to a celebration of all heroes—past and present.

Today, that definition includes the unsung heroes around us: parents, workers, farmers, students, and hustlers who wake up daily to keep their families and communities alive. Their courage is the heartbeat of Kenya.

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The Hidden Heroes Behind Ordinary Kenyan Struggles

True heroism doesn’t always make the news. It shows up in small, consistent acts of strength—the mother selling vegetables on the roadside, the father doing two jobs to pay rent, the youth pushing a mkokoteni through traffic to earn just enough for supper.

It’s also in the woman balancing a sick patient at home while still finding food for her children. Or the hawker selling dawa ya mende from one street to another—have you ever stopped to wonder how much they take home each day? Probably very little. Yet they wake up and do it again tomorrow.

These are the people who carry Kenya on their shoulders. Their ordinary Kenyan struggles are the real stories of bravery.

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Strength in Simplicity

That Mashujaa Day event ended beautifully. The organizers handed out soda and buns for the children and plates of rice and beans for adults. The gesture may have been simple, but it brought everyone together—community, laughter, and gratitude filling the air.

Watching people share food and smiles reminded me that heroism is often found in the ordinary moments we overlook. It’s in how we care for one another, how we keep hope alive, and how we show up even when it’s hard.

As I looked around, I saw mothers with babies on their laps, elders chatting under trees, and teenagers proudly waving small Kenyan flags. Everyone there represented a story of persistence—proof that ordinary Kenyan struggles are not a weakness but a source of strength.

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How We Can Honor Today’s Mashujaas

So, how do we celebrate these heroes? We start by noticing them. Appreciate the people around you—the guard who opens the gate every morning, the boda rider who ensures you get home safely, the teacher shaping young minds in rural schools, or the farmer working tirelessly in unpredictable weather.

Let’s also support one another in tangible ways. Buy from small businesses. Speak kindly. Offer help without expecting a reward. Heroism doesn’t have to be grand—it can be as simple as showing up and doing your best where you are.

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Learning from Ordinary Heroes

Everyday Kenyans remind us of values that books can’t teach—patience, endurance, and faith. They are the reason we still have hope as a nation.

If you’re looking for inspiration to strengthen your mindset and organize your daily life, check out these reads that celebrate persistence and discipline:
📚 Atomic Habits by James Clear
📚 The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
📚 The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

These books blend lessons on structure, motivation, and small changes—perfect for anyone navigating their own ordinary Kenyan struggles.

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Closing Reflections

As I walked home that afternoon, holding my daughter’s hand, I realized that every person I had seen that day—the band members, the officer, the old man, the lady offering water—had taught me something about resilience and hope.

Mashujaa Day isn’t just about remembering heroes from the past. It’s about recognizing the heroes we meet every day. It’s about the courage to show up, the humility to serve, and the strength to keep going when life gets hard.

So, this year, my Mashujaas are not on posters or in parades. They are in homes, markets, offices, and streets—people like you and me, who rise every morning to face life with grace.

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Call to Action (CTA)

Who is your everyday hero? Share your story in the comments or tag someone who inspires you to keep going. Let’s make this Mashujaa Day a celebration of ordinary Kenyan struggles—the real heartbeat of our nation.

“Call upon the name of the Lord; the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” — Proverbs 18:10

Today, I stand at a crossroads. I had to make a choice: give up my dream for my children, or press into God’s promise and ask Him to bless me, enlarge my territory, and protect me. (Jabez prayer) I cried out, “Lord, don’t let me settle for less than what You’ve purposed.”

If you’re reading this — perhaps you, too, are weary, stretched, and wondering how to carry on — this is for you. Don’t Give Up: The Cry of a Single Mum — Claim Blessing Now.

When you’re operating in the tension of provision and promise, in seasons where your bank account is empty but your faith is full, that’s when the real stories are born. Today, I want to share my own journey, the lessons I’m learning, and how I lean into God when it feels like the world is pressing in.

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The Stress That Pushes You to God

They said it couldn’t be done — or at least, you couldn’t do it. A school event needed 3,000 shillings. In many homes, that’s nothing. In my world, it loomed large.

Working in a place where pay is uncertain often means living in constant anxiety. As of October 16th, I had not been paid for September. I had hoped that today would bring relief. Unfortunately, when I realized it wouldn’t, panic rose inside me. I reached out to friends; one came through, and for that, I’m grateful. Yet afterward, I felt hollow — like my strength had been drained completely.

At that moment, I ran to God and whispered the Jabez prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, and cause me to avoid evil…”

I needed more than a quick fix. What I needed was a God who could stretch His hand over my life, protect me, and empower me to say yes to the dreams I had for my children.

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The Quiet Place: Finding Solitude to Hear God

When life noise becomes deafening — with people’s opinions, impossible expectations, bills, and responsibilities — silence becomes sacred. One afternoon, I walked into a grove of trees, away from people, where the wind rustled the leaves, and I could finally hear my own heart.

There, I told God everything.

• “I love my children. I want them to grow and flourish.”
• “I don’t want them to miss opportunities because of my lack.”
• “I can’t keep borrowing hope from others.”
• “If people tell me to give up — help me stand firm in Your purpose for me.”

That quiet conversation wasn’t dramatic; it was raw. Yet God didn’t leave me hanging. He reminded me of His promises: provision, enlargement, protection.

As I sat there, Proverbs 18:10 came alive: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” I ran, I hid, and ultimately, I surrendered.

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When Others Say “Let It Go”

One of the hardest parts of this journey is hearing people around you say your dreams are too big. Comments like, “You don’t have capacity,” or “It’s too lofty for your situation,” sting deeply.

However, I’ve learned this truth: God’s dream for you will always stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

While those voices can wound, they don’t define your future. They whisper, “You can’t.” But God whispers louder: “I’ve called you. I will equip you.”

So to every single mum who has been told to shrink her dream because of lack, remember this:

• You are not too much.
• Your children deserve the best your faith can produce.
• God Himself will defend your purpose when others misunderstand.

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Lessons from Past Reflections

Sometimes, looking back helps us move forward. I’ve found strength in my earlier reflections on Lobby Reflections:

• In The Cost of Leadership, I talked about the burden that comes with leading — especially when resources are scarce. Leadership demands sacrifice and a vision bigger than immediate comfort.
• In Faith in Desperate Times: Trusting God to Fill Empty Jars, we explored the seasons when our “jars” feel empty, yet God still fills them.
• And in Redemption for Families: Judah and Tamar, I shared how even broken stories can be rewritten by grace.

These reflections remind me that every trial is part of a larger redemption story God is still writing.

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Strategies I’m Embracing: Practical Steps While You Wait

Faith without works is dead, so I try to balance prayer with action. Here’s what I’m doing while waiting on God:

1. Small Gigs and Side Hustles
   Even a small income stream helps. Maybe you can tutor, bake, deliver, or offer a skill you already have.
2. Budget Tightening and Priorities
   I now focus on essentials — food, school, rent — and review everything else carefully.
3. Community and Accountability
   Staying connected to friends who pray and speak truth keeps me grounded.
4. Daily Retreats
   It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Ten minutes of journaling or quiet prayer realigns my heart.
5. Speaking the Word
   Each morning, I declare scriptures: “God will supply all my needs” (Philippians 4:19), and “No weapon formed against us shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17).
6. Learning and Investing in Myself
   Books that build faith and capacity have been my lifeline. (See my Amazon picks below.)

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Amazon Picks to Strengthen Faith and Courage

(Affiliate links — thank you for supporting Lobby Reflections!)

• The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian — a guide to interceding for your children.
• Kingdom Woman by Tony Evans — embracing womanhood in purpose.
• Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki — building financial independence.
• The Blessing by John Trent & Gary Smalley — how to give your children what they truly need.
• The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson — learning to pray bold, faith-filled prayers for breakthrough.

While none of these are quick fixes, they are powerful companions for your soul. Let them ignite hope as you wait for God’s provision.

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Holding Your Dream: Keeping the Vision Alive

• Write it down. Use a vision board or a simple notebook. Seeing your goals reminds you of what you’re fighting for.
• Celebrate small wins. If you save even 100 shillings or get a word of encouragement, rejoice in it.
• Protect your mind. Avoid the voices that limit your belief and feed on the Word daily.
• Choose consistency over intensity. Slow faith is still faith — one prayer, one act at a time.
• Share your story. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s ministry.

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A Single Mum’s Prayer of Claiming Blessing

Lord,
You see me. You know me.
I ask — bless me indeed.
Enlarge my territory — in influence, in provision, in wisdom.
Let Your hand be upon me.
Keep me from harm. Protect my children.
When the voices say quit, speak louder.
When my heart trembles, remind me You are near.
Strengthen me to hold my dream.
I trust You.
I believe You will move.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Final Encouragement and Call to Action (CTA)

Dear single mum — you are not alone. Your tears are sacred, your prayers are heard, and your faith matters. Today, make a decision to claim blessing now. Don’t resign or shrink. God is working even when you don’t see it.

Read, Pray, and Act:

• Choose one of the books above and read a chapter this week.
• Revisit my posts The Cost of Leadership, Faith in Desperate Times, and Redemption for Families.
• Share this post with another woman who needs to hear: Don’t give up — claim blessing now.
• Leave a comment below: what’s one thing you’ll do this week to stretch your territory by faith?

I believe in you. God sees you. He’s not done yet.

Sometimes, the deepest lessons from a burial come not from the sermon—but from a silent glance, a soft song, or even the sting of being snubbed.

I had just begun a five-day break from work. On the very first day, I joined four church friends for a burial trip upcountry. We travelled in one of the group’s personal vehicles — five of us, light conversation, laughter, and that easy road-trip rhythm that makes you forget your responsibilities for a while.

We joked about snacks, playlists, and who would “represent us well” when it came to serving food later. The mood was great — no heaviness yet, just the warmth of familiar company and gospel music humming softly in the background.

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Arriving Early: The Quiet Observer

We arrived early, before most guests. The place was buzzing with people reconnecting — long-lost cousins, former classmates, and neighbors exchanging small talk.

The introvert in me quietly drifted away, found an empty seat under one of the tents, and scrolled my phone as I waited. Sometimes silence is comfort, especially when surrounded by noise that doesn’t require your participation.

Soon, the atmosphere softened. A young man began to sing soulful gospel tunes, accompanied by gentle piano chords. His voice carried through the air — calm, pure, and deeply moving.

That’s when I took a proper look around. We were in a large school compound, with tents arranged in a U-shape. Behind us stood a storied classroom block, and faint sounds of schoolchildren drifted through the windows. Life, as always, moving on.

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The Ceremony and the Sermon I Forgot

The program began: opening prayers, family tributes, and stories about the deceased — a 46-year-old man described as kind, hardworking, and devoted.

Then came the sermon. I wish I remembered what the preacher said, but I honestly don’t. Maybe my mind wandered, maybe grief numbed me, or maybe I was just tired from the journey.

Yet even without recalling the words, I remember the feeling — that quiet reminder that our days are limited, and our impact on others is what truly remains.

For more reflections like this, you can read my earlier post “The Thankless Job of a Hero: The Cost of Leadership”, where I explored how even unnoticed acts can shape lives.

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The Moment I Was Snubbed

Then came the offering time. My friends were seated on my right, and to my left was a lady holding a copy of the eulogy booklet that included the hymn lyrics.

The songs were in my vernacular language — beautiful, nostalgic, filled with childhood memories of church choirs and shared faith. I leaned over politely and asked if I could borrow her booklet so I could sing along.

She looked at me briefly… then looked away. No response. No explanation. Just silence.

For a few seconds, I froze. It wasn’t anger I felt — more of surprise. Maybe even embarrassment. I smiled weakly and sat back, pretending it didn’t matter, but inside, something ached.

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Reflecting on the Snub

As the service went on, I kept thinking about it. Maybe she was grieving. Maybe she was guarding her copy. Or maybe she just didn’t feel like sharing.

We never really know what people are carrying. Still, the moment stuck with me — not because it was cruel, but because it was a quiet lesson.

How often do we overlook small opportunities to be kind? A smile. A shared booklet. A simple acknowledgment. They cost nothing, yet they can warm even the coldest moments.

Later, during the drive back, I hummed one of the hymns softly to myself and realized — the lesson wasn’t about being snubbed. It was about keeping a soft heart even when the world forgets gentleness.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, you might relate to “Handling Unstable Customers in Customer Care Kenya”, where I wrote about staying calm and kind in challenging moments.

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Lessons from a Burial: Small Kindnesses that Matter

Every experience — even a burial — carries a hidden message. For me, this one whispered three truths that have stayed with me:

1. People are layered.
   We see reactions, not reasons. Everyone is fighting invisible battles.
2. Silence teaches.
   The moments we’re ignored or overlooked often sharpen our empathy.
3. Kindness never expires.
   You don’t lose anything by being kind — even when others aren’t.

It reminded me of something I once wrote in Blending Technology and Human Care:

“The heart of every interaction — digital or human — is empathy.”

And it’s true. Whether in customer service, at home, or in a rural funeral gathering, our behavior toward others is what defines us most.

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Books That Shape Emotional Awareness

After returning home, I journaled about the experience. That’s when I realized I had unconsciously been collecting books that teach kindness and awareness — small daily practices that keep the heart open.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay kind when the world feels indifferent, these reads might speak to you:

• 📖 The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life — a powerful reminder that empathy is strength, not weakness.
• 📖 The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck — timeless wisdom on love, discipline, and spiritual growth.
• 📖 Atomic Habits by James Clear — practical steps for small, consistent changes that transform who we become.

Each of these books has taught me that emotional maturity isn’t built in grand gestures — it’s nurtured in the small, daily choices to stay kind, calm, and aware.

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Grace in the Mundane

When I think about those five days off, that trip stands out — not for the food, or the speeches, but for that one quiet moment that changed how I see people.

Life is full of individuals who will ignore you, misunderstand you, or simply overlook your presence. But when you choose gentleness over bitterness, you win a quiet victory every single time.

Next time you’re tempted to withhold a small act of kindness — whether it’s sharing a seat, offering a smile, or lending a hymnbook — remember: someone might be silently needing that grace.

Because the greatest lessons from a burial often come long after the grave is covered — in how we choose to live, love, and extend compassion while we still can.

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Related Reads:

• The Thankless Job of a Hero: The Cost of Leadership
• Customer Service in Microfinance
• Blending Technology and Human Care
• Serving Behind the Scenes in Church

Outbound Resource:
Learn more about empathy and human connection from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

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💬 Join the Reflection

What small moment has ever taught you a big lesson?
Share your story in the comments below or tag me on Facebook — I’d love to hear your reflection.

✨ Explore my recommended reads and tools on Amazon — they’ve shaped many of the stories you read here.

There is a particular kind of courage—silent and invisible—that only a mother understands. It’s the kind that wakes up in the middle of the night to soothe a crying child. It’s the kind that faces hospital reports, school fees deadlines, and uncertain futures with clenched fists and quiet prayers. In Exodus 2:1–4, we meet a Levite woman—later named Jochebed—who carried the weight of being a mother in the most dangerous time for a Hebrew woman to give birth.

She birthed a baby boy under a death sentence. Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew male babies to be thrown into the Nile. Yet Scripture says, “When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.” (Exodus 2:2).

But what mother doesn’t think her child is beautiful? Every mother looks at her child and sees hope—even when the world offers none.

In this blog post, we will unpack the emotional, spiritual, and practical weight mothers carry. We’ll also draw parallels between Jochebed’s boldness and the burdens mothers carry today—especially those trying to float what they can no longer carry. This is for every mother carrying invisible pain, battling silent fears, and daring to trust God with their child’s future.

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When Hiding Becomes Survival

Let’s pause and ask the real questions:
How do you hide a pregnancy under an oppressive regime?
How do you give birth without being heard or reported?
How do you keep a baby quiet for three months, knowing every cry could mean death?

Jochebed’s story isn’t just miraculous—it’s strategic, gritty, and filled with the kind of faith that operates in the shadows. Mothers today may not be hiding from Pharaoh’s soldiers, but many are hiding:

• Their pain from friends who wouldn’t understand.
• Their fears from children who need their strength.
• Their exhaustion from families who rely on them.
• Their financial struggles, piecing together meals or rent behind brave smiles.

She hid her baby. Today, some mothers hide their tears behind locked bathroom doors. Others hide hunger, wearing the mask of “I’ve already eaten.” The weight of being a mother is not just about raising a child—it’s about carrying the unseen emotional and spiritual load that comes with nurturing life in uncertain times.

Want to know what it’s like to face fear and still take action? Read Take the Leap of Becoming Afraid—a reflection on courage, fear, and taking risks when the outcome is unknown.

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Weaving the Basket: A Mother’s Silent Faith

When Jochebed could no longer hide the child, she didn’t just give up. Instead, she built a basket.

What a symbolic act that was.

She went out to gather papyrus, tar, and pitch. With every stroke of her hand, she layered prayer. With every thread she weaved, she whispered hope. The Nile had claimed many babies before—but she was trusting that this time, God would intervene.

Have you ever had to let go of something dear?

• A child going off to school far away?
• A dream that’s no longer sustainable?
• A hope that seems too painful to carry?

Mothers are weavers. They build safety with broken pieces. They patch baskets with faith. And they send their children into the world—into dangers they cannot control—believing that God will place someone along the riverbank to draw them out.

Just like Pharaoh’s daughter did.

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Today’s Basket Moments — and the Unseen Grief

Today, the weight of being a mother isn’t only about nurturing life. It’s also about surviving loss, longing, and injustice.

There are mothers whose arms are still empty. They’ve tried every fertility treatment, whispered every prayer, fasted, and waited. Every month brings the ache of what hasn’t come. Every baby shower brings a silent tear. And every “when will you have children?” question pierces like a sword.

There are mothers whose children once filled their homes but now rest in graves.

• Some lost children through miscarriage.
• Others through illness or accidents.
• And many—heartbreakingly—through violence and injustice.

How do we not pause to mourn the young lives lost in the recent Kenyan demonstrations?

• The 12-year-old girl, shot while in her house. A home should be a sanctuary—not a grave.
• Ojwang’, whose life was extinguished inside a police cell.
• The humble mask seller, taken too soon.
• And the many unnamed sons and daughters, whose mothers are left with a basket of memories and no child to hold.

How does a mother release a child into a nation that has become a Nile of blood?

This is not just history repeating—it’s pain ongoing.

In moments like this, faith may feel like fragments. Nevertheless, even broken baskets float when God is near.

If you’ve lost a child—whether through death, abandonment, estrangement, or systemic injustice—know this:
God still sees you. God still weeps with you. God still draws close.

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Lessons for Today’s Mothers

Here’s what we can take from Jochebed’s story:

1. Your child is not invisible to God.

Just like God saw Moses in the basket, He sees your child—in the NICU, in school, in rehab, in rebellion. God sees.

2. Your pain has a purpose.

The pain of letting go may feel unbearable. However, on the other side of obedience is often divine intervention.

3. You don’t have to carry the weight alone.

You may be the only adult in the house. Even so, you are not the only power present. God is with you.

4. Faith builds baskets.

You don’t need to understand how the story ends to start weaving. Begin with what you have. Add pitch, prayer, and persistence.

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Comfort for the Weary Mother

Maybe today you’re building a basket:

• A prayer life to cover your children.
• A side hustle to keep food on the table.
• A blog or book to tell your story.
• A therapy journey to break generational trauma.

Whatever it is, don’t stop building. Keep praying. Keep releasing what you can’t control.

If you need reminders of what faith looks like when expressed in real life, don’t miss this beautiful post: Faith Expressing Itself Through Love

Need motivation in uncertain paths? This story is for you: Bumpy Road to Self-Employment

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Strengthen Your Spirit, Equip Your Life

Here are a few resources that could support you or a mother you know:

🌿 Faith and Devotionals

• Daily Encouragement for Mothers – Amazon
• One-Minute Inspirations for Women

🧺 Self-Care & Practical Tools

• Aromatherapy Diffuser – Create Peace at Home
• Weekly Planner for Busy Moms
• Insulated Water Bottle for On-the-Go Moms

📖 Books for Raising Faithful Children

• Praying the Scriptures for Your Children

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue sharing reflections like this.

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A Final Word to the Mother Building Her Basket

You may feel like Jochebed today—desperate, overwhelmed, afraid. Even so, you’re not alone.
And more importantly, your child is not alone.

There is a God who still parts seas. He still watches over baskets in rivers. He still turns death sentences into deliverance stories.

Take courage. Keep weaving. Keep praying.
And when it’s time to let go—let go in faith.

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Did this reflection touch your heart? Share it with a mother who needs encouragement today.
✨ Leave a comment.
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✨ Or support the mission through one of the affiliate links above.

Let’s remind one another: The weight of being a mother may be heavy—but God is strong enough to carry both you and the child.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV)

We live in an era where the conversation around gifts and skills is louder than ever—especially in a world where traditional employment seems to be vanishing. From the shift in our education system to the gig economy, we’re all being nudged to discover what’s in our hands.

But as I sat in a children’s Sunday school class recently, listening to a lesson on the gifts of the Spirit today—from wisdom and knowledge to healing and tongues—I realized that these spiritual tools are more relevant than ever. They are not just for church use. They’re for building a life, even in struggle.

And that brought Nehemiah to mind.

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Building With Gifts of the Spirit Today—The Nehemiah Example

Nehemiah was not a prophet, pastor, or miracle worker. He was a cupbearer with a burden. When he heard that Jerusalem’s walls lay in ruins, he didn’t wait for a job offer or perfect conditions. He responded with prayer, planning, and bold action.

“So we built the wall… for the people had a mind to work.” – Nehemiah 4:6 (NKJV)

But Nehemiah also faced resistance—from Sanballat, Tobiah, fear, and discouragement. And yet he kept building.

This is what using the gifts of the Spirit today looks like:
Working with one hand while holding your spiritual tools in the other.

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Gifts of the Spirit Today—Relevant in a Shifting Work and Faith Landscape

In our current times, especially in Kenya, people are reinventing themselves out of necessity. Formal jobs are shrinking, and even our education system has begun emphasizing skills, creativity, and talent over mere academic knowledge.

Yet, the question remains:
Where do faith and spiritual gifts fit in?

“To one is given… wisdom, to another knowledge… to another gifts of healing… working of miracles… prophecy…” – 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 (NKJV)

These are not outdated gifts. In fact, they equip us to:

• Think strategically (wisdom) in a crowded job market
• Speak life and hope (prophecy) where many feel stuck
• Bring healing—emotional or spiritual—to ourselves and others
• Communicate effectively in our work, ministries, and homes
• Intercede deeply when we’ve run out of words (tongues and interpretation)

We Need Spiritual Gifts as Much as Practical Skills

As we embrace hands-on skills like digital marketing, baking, coding, or tailoring, let’s not ignore the gifts of the Spirit today—which help us stand strong under pressure, make right decisions, and care for others beyond the surface.

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One Hand Builds, One Hand Defends: The Real Struggle

“Each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.” – Nehemiah 4:18 (NIV)

This image from Nehemiah’s wall speaks to life today. You’re trying to:

• Start a business with no capital
• Raise children while healing from trauma
• Serve God while battling discouragement
• Build faith while juggling survival

But you’re not building empty-handed.

You’ve got a gift—a spiritual weapon—alongside your skill.
Your sword might be faith, your trowel encouragement, your prayers tongues, and your work healing others with your story.

This is what walking in the gifts of the Spirit today looks like.

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Recognizing and Using Your Gift Today

You may not speak in tongues or prophesy from a pulpit, but perhaps:

• Your gift is quietly comforting the broken
• You have discernment that sees beyond words
• You carry faith that lifts others who are giving up

Your Gift Has Purpose—even in the Marketplace

Remember, these gifts are not limited to church walls. In a client meeting, a sales pitch, a medical ward, or a small food kiosk, the Spirit still empowers us.

Whether you’re a student, mama mboga, boda rider, blogger, or unemployed graduate—your spiritual gift is relevant.

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Affiliate Resource: Discover Your Gift and Calling

If you’ve been wondering what your purpose is and how your gifts align with your life’s mission, I highly recommend:

📘 “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren
Buy on Amazon (Affiliate link – I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you)

This book helped me see that no gift is too small, and that everything—including our pain—is connected to our purpose.

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Opposition Will Always Be There—But So Will God

Nehemiah faced external opposition, but he also battled fear and internal fatigue.

Just like today:

• You may have doubters or debt
• You may struggle with low confidence or grief
• You may feel like giving up on building a family, business, or blog

But you’re not alone.

“The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build.” – Nehemiah 2:20

Even when society changes, jobs vanish, or systems fail—the Spirit doesn’t.

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Internal & External Links

Read more on personal growth and purpose
👉 Grief and Duty in Customer Care
👉 Blending Technology and Human Care

Explore more on spiritual empowerment

• 1 Corinthians 12:7–11 – Bible Gateway
• Nehemiah 4 Full Chapter
• DesiringGod.org – Christian Living

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Dismiss Your Gift

You may feel small. Maybe you think your gift doesn’t “fit” in this digital age or changing economy. But Nehemiah’s walls were rebuilt stone by stone, not with applause but with grit and grace.

So build.
Even if it’s slow.
Even if your tools are borrowed.
Even if your other hand holds a sword.

The gifts of the Spirit today are not optional extras.
They are survival tools.
They are building blocks.
And they are yours.

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“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

Faith expressing itself through love is more than a beautiful verse—it’s a radical invitation to live beyond routine, reputation, and religion. In a world that praises performance and image, Galatians 5:6 cuts through the noise and reminds us: it’s not the rituals that count, but how our faith shows up in real, compassionate action.

What truly matters isn’t how religious we appear — it’s how deeply we love.

Whether we’re dressed for Sunday service or working behind a kiosk, what God sees isn’t the ritual — but the ripples of our faith in action.

This Sunday reflection blends Scripture, real life, literature, and compassion — to remind us what faith, expressed through love, really looks like.

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🌿 What Does “Faith Expressing Itself Through Love” Really Mean?

Paul opens our eyes in Galatians 5:6 by writing:

“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.”

In modern language, this means: “The titles, routines, and religious appearances — they don’t count if they’re not backed by love.”

It’s not the performance of faith that moves God’s heart. It’s how our faith moves us toward people.

As I once saw on the Clinton Foundation website:

“It’s not about the size of what we build, but the lives changed because of it.”

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📖 Fiction That Reflects Real Faith: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

In the novel Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, I met a character who modeled this kind of love.

Kate’s mother chooses to take in Tully — her daughter’s friend — a girl neglected and abandoned by her drug-addicted mother. When Tully makes mistakes like sneaking out to drink, Kate’s mom doesn’t reject her.

Instead, she does something revolutionary: she makes room.

That moment reminded me that love, real love, doesn’t run when people fail. It pulls closer.

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🛍️ Faith-Filled Reads That Stir Compassion

• 📘 Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
• 📗 Same Kind of Different as Me – A true story of friendship and restoration
• 📕 Live in Grace, Walk in Love by Bob Goff – Daily reflections to grow in grace-driven action

These books remind us: love is messy, but powerful.

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💛 A Banana Seller and a Broken Heart

There’s a fruit vendor I know who sells bananas by the roadside. One day, her son passed away. The very same day — while still grieving — she was back out there, arranging bananas on her mat under the sun.

I was stunned.

Was it poverty? Survival? Probably both. But her resilience taught me something sacred.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord…” – Proverbs 19:17

Even in her pain, her love refused to stop. That’s faith. Not loud. But unshakeable.

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🧼 Faith That Wipes a Nose: Quiet Acts That Speak Volumes

I once watched a woman in Sunday School wipe the nose of a disabled girl. No one else stepped forward. But this woman — not the preacher, not the elder — gently knelt down, tissue in hand, and wiped her.

That was faith, too. No applause. No spotlight. Just simple love, in action.

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🙌 What Does Faith Expressing Itself Through Love Look Like Today?

🌱 1. See People Through the Eyes of Grace

When someone fails, don’t turn away. Be the one who stays, who forgives, who lifts.

🍞 2. Meet Real Needs

Carry a snack. Send fare. Sponsor a child’s schooling or donate to orphan care through organizations like Compassion International. Love gives quietly — but significantly.

🧹 3. Love in Low Places

Sweep the compound. Hold space for grief. Wipe a child’s nose. Help an overwhelmed mama carry her bags.

✨ 4. Serve Without a Hashtag

Don’t wait for recognition. Let your love echo silently into someone’s eternity.

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🔗 Related Reflections on Compassion

If you’re drawn to this kind of love-in-action, read these related posts:

• 👉 Handling Unstable Customers – A Lesson in Patient Compassion
• 👉 Faith in Desperate Times – A Story of Holding On

These stories remind us that compassion is often loudest when life is at its hardest.

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💬 Final Word: What Will Your Love Say?

As this new week begins, reflect on this:

• Who in your life is hard to love — but needs it most?
• What burden can you help carry quietly?
• Where can you serve without being seen?

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galatians 5:6

That’s the kind of faith that changes generations — not just routines.

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📣 Share and Live This Reflection

If this touched your heart, share it.
📌 Pin it.
💬 Post it.
🤲 Or better yet — live it.

Let’s be people whose faith overflows into kindness, action, and healing.

When God closes a door, it can feel like rejection. But sometimes, that closed door is actually an invitation—to trust deeper and to rise stronger.

Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel is one of the clearest biblical examples of this. Read the full story in 1 Samuel 1 here.

📖 Need a deeper dive into stories like Hannah’s? This NIV Study Bible offers great insights and notes for your spiritual walk.. Labeled barren, mocked by her co-wife, and burdened with grief, she still chose to believe that her story wasn’t over. She poured out her heart before God—not with rehearsed words, but raw emotion.

✨ Want to start journaling your prayers like Hannah? This beautiful Christian prayer journal on Amazon helps you pour out your heart daily.

What moves me most is that after she prayed, her face changed. Her burden lifted. She walked away lighter, even before her situation changed. That’s what happens when you hand over the pain to the One who sees the full picture.

When God closes a door, it’s not the end. It’s the beginning of something deeper. Just like Hannah, you can trust that peace is possible before the promise is fulfilled.

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When God Closes a Door: Was Hannah the First or Second Wife?

One might ask: Was Hannah the first wife or the second? Scripture suggests she was the first wife. Her co-wife, Peninnah, had many sons and daughters. And in a society where motherhood was seen as a woman’s greatest honor, Hannah bore the painful stigma of barrenness. The whispers, the shame, the comparisons—these were heavy burdens she carried. Yet, she received a double portion of Elkanah’s love, and the Bible says he loved her deeply.

This reminds me that God is never unjust. When one door appears firmly shut, God often opens another that brings far more fulfillment. Hannah may have been barren, but she was beloved. And when the time was right, her womb was opened and her faith rewarded with a son—Samuel, a prophet who changed the destiny of Israel.

Peninnah, though fruitful, is remembered more for her mockery than her motherhood. She used her strength not for encouragement, but to inflict pain. Unfortunately, human beings are often adept at wounding others, especially when they feel superior in one area.

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When God Closes a Door: Why Does He Do It?

Before we dive into Hannah’s transformation, let’s pause and ask: Why does God close a door anyway?

Sometimes it’s to protect us from something we’re not yet ready for. Other times, it’s to prepare us for something greater. God may close a door to strengthen our dependence on Him, to shift our priorities, or to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. Closed doors can feel cruel, but often they’re acts of divine mercy.

What truly moves me is what happened after Hannah prayed. The Bible records that after pouring out her soul to God at the altar, she got up and her burden lifted—even before her situation changed.

“Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” — 1 Samuel 1:18 (ESV)

She hadn’t conceived yet. She hadn’t seen a breakthrough. But peace entered her heart, and that made all the difference.

Sometimes, when you’ve carried pain for too long, you reach a breaking point. You get tired of the sadness. Tired of the silence. And like Hannah, you pour out your heart to God—because there’s simply no other way.

And then, like her, you rise lighter. Not because your reality has changed yet, but because your spirit has.

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📘 Looking for daily encouragement? Try this Women’s Devotional on God’s Promises to strengthen your faith as you wait.

Reflections for Today

• If you’re waiting on God, like Hannah, know that you are not forgotten.
• If someone in your life seems “ahead” in one area, remember God sees the whole story—and He is just.
• When people mock or belittle you, respond like Hannah: take your pain to prayer, not to war.
• And above all, remember: prayer doesn’t just change things—it changes you.

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Final Thought
Hannah’s story reminds us that when God closes a door, it is never without purpose. Sometimes, that closed door protects you. Other times, it prepares you. Either way, it leads you closer to the promise, if you walk through it with faith.

Let Hannah’s story encourage you: Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop trusting. Because even in silence, God is working.

🕯️ Hang a reminder of God’s timing with this 1 Samuel 1:27 Scripture Print — a perfect gift or encouragement piece for your home. in this story on faith in desperate times and God’s provision.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Today’s Sunday reflection takes us to the dramatic story of Pharaoh’s hardened heart, found in the book of Exodus. Moses is sent to Egypt with one message from God: “Let my people go.” Pharaoh refuses. Again and again, plagues fall, and each time, Pharaoh seems close to relenting — then his heart hardens again.

We often wonder: Why would God harden someone’s heart? But if you read the full story, you’ll see that Pharaoh hardened his heart first (Exodus 8:15, 8:32), and only after repeated stubbornness did God confirm it and use the situation to reveal His glory.

This story holds timeless truths about how we, too, can resist God’s voice without even realizing it.

What Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart Teaches Us

Pharaoh’s hardened heart wasn’t just a personal issue — it became a national crisis. His refusal to obey God brought suffering on his people. And it wasn’t because he didn’t hear God — it was because he ignored Him.

In contrast, look at the Pharaoh in Joseph’s time (Genesis 41). When God spoke through Joseph’s dream interpretation, this Pharaoh listened. He promoted Joseph and saved Egypt and surrounding nations from famine. His soft heart saved lives.

Two kings. Two choices. One obeyed and blessed others; the other resisted and destroyed his own people.

Signs of a Hardened Heart Today

We might not be kings or rulers, but we all face moments when God speaks — through His Word, through people, or through inner conviction — and we’re called to respond.

Pharaoh’s hardened heart began with pride. That same pride can show up in us as:

• Anger we don’t want to let go
• Bitterness we nurse in secret
• Unforgiveness we justify
• Resistance to change because we’re comfortable

Sometimes, we even celebrate these traits: “That’s just how I am,” or “I don’t let people cross me.” But while we think we’re protecting ourselves, we’re actually building walls between our hearts and God.

As life goes on, the heart can grow dull. The things that once convicted us no longer move us. The voice of God becomes faint. Not because He’s silent — but because our hearts are no longer listening.

The Israelites Wanted to Go Back

It wasn’t just Pharaoh. Even the Israelites, after God freed them, began to rebel.

When the wilderness tested them — when there was no meat, no variety, no certainty — they longed for Egypt, the very place they had begged God to deliver them from.
“We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost…” (Numbers 11:5)

They forgot the slavery. They remembered only the food. Their hearts hardened in hardship, and they preferred the comfort of captivity over the uncertainty of freedom.

That’s what a hardened heart does. It makes us forget God’s faithfulness and romanticize our past bondage. It leads us to grumble, resist, and rebel — even when we’re on the edge of breakthrough.

Hebrews 3:15 warns us:
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

When You Sense Resistance in Your Heart

If you’ve noticed that prayer feels dry, you’re avoiding difficult conversations, or you keep saying “later” when God says “now” — be careful. Those are signs of a slow-hardening heart.

Pharaoh’s hardened heart didn’t happen in a day. It was the result of daily disobedience. But we can respond differently.

God offers a better way:
“I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

His desire is not to condemn but to soften and restore. He wants hearts that are teachable, responsive, and full of trust.

A Simple Prayer to Soften the Heart

Here’s a prayer you can carry into the week:

Lord, show me where my heart has grown hard.
Soften me with Your presence.
Make me responsive to Your Word, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Help me choose humility over pride, and obedience over resistance. Amen.

Related Reflection:

➡️ How to Handle Aggressive Customers in Customer Service
Sometimes, God allows us to meet difficult people — not just to test our patience, but to soften the parts of us we didn’t know had hardened.

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Final Thought:
Pharaoh’s hardened heart shows us the danger of ignoring God and the power of choosing to obey. Don’t wait for ten plagues to hear God clearly. Listen while it’s still easy to say yes.

A soft heart isn’t weakness. It’s strength in God’s hands.