Last Christmas many of us had more quiet time than we wanted. Illness, staying indoors, and postponed family gatherings all contributed to spending extended time without the company of others.

For some, the solitude came as a welcome reset. A reminder to slow down and remember what’s important in life. For others, it was too much of a good thing.

We struggled through the holidays of 2020, putting a smile on our faces and making the most out of a difficult year. Then we entered the new year with fresh hope for the days ahead, only to face great loss and even more discouragement.

So as we reflect on the Christmas season, I can’t help but feel conflicted. On one hand, I want to keep things as simple as possible, and commit to spend plenty of alone time with God. On the other hand, I’m ready to celebrate with new enthusiasm, putting the difficulties we all experienced behind us.

Whether the past year has given you a renewed perspective on your priorities or left you feeling discouraged and disconnected, you may also be ready this Christmas to get beyond so much pain. But in our readiness to move forward, let’s not fill up our calendars too hastily.

More than ever, we need to create quiet time this Christmas.

Why You Need Your Quiet Time This Christmas

Right now you may be thinking, “The last thing I need is to be alone. When I’m by myself, I end up thinking about all the loved ones I’ve lost recently. Grief takes over. I need to stay busy right now.”

It’s true that time alone can open us up to deep sadness over memories of what we’ve lost. And yes, staying busy can help ward off overwhelming sadness. But even in our deepest hurt, God wants to meet with us, and quiet time is the best way for us to sense His comforting presence. Peace, strength, love, and direction can all be found when we spend quiet time with our Heavenly Father.

The beauty of God’s presence is why we need more quiet time this Christmas.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV

Creating More Quiet Time

It’s a challenge to find quiet time in the last month of the year. Between end-of-year doctor’s visits and unexpected issues, each morning I stare at my calendar and try to juggle all the things. I’ve prayed and asked God to show me new ways to create more quiet time, or make the best of the time I have already.

One way to create quiet time is to choose simple rituals at home over extravagant plans.

I’ve discovered a valuable truth recently. Quiet time doesn’t necessarily mean just me and God. Quiet time can include my people, too. Coffee and conversation with my husband. Cooking pancakes for the grandkids while they sleep in. Playing with my granddog in the yard. Learning to appreciate these simple joys means so much more than trying to plan the perfect holiday! And I can say with all the sincerity in my heart, God’s presence can be felt in mighty ways when we devote these simple moments to Him.

Instead of getting frustrated over canceled plans, embrace the unexpected downtime.

Frustration is an evil foe. When my best-laid plans get canceled or postponed, I’m guilty of letting frustration take over. Soon I’m wallowing and complaining over what’s missing instead of rejoicing in the blessings of today.

So when plans get canceled, (which they will from time to time,) I am choosing to see the possibilities of the quiet time left in their place. God knows when we need to celebrate and when we need to rest in Him. We can trust that His plans are better than our own.

Staying Connected During the Time We Have

Checking off a few items on your to-do list, like wrapping presents or baking? Light your favorite candle and let the fragrance envelop the room. Having an afternoon cup of tea or coffee? Step outside and feel the crisp air and warmth of the sun. There’s something about connecting to the beauty around us that lifts our spirits and brings us into deeper connection with our Creator.

Whatever ways you decide to enhance your quiet time this season, I pray your relationship with our Lord will strengthen and grow. May you experience His presence like never before at Christmas, and as we turn the page to next year.

Have a peaceful, hopeful, and blessed Christmas season.

Today’s post is a sample from chapter 6 of *Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God**. For more about Rahab and the Cinched book, check out the link at the end of the post.*

Trading What-Ifs for Living As-if

When we come face-to-face with unexpected circumstances, we sense our self-sufficiency slipping away. We lose control, and that scares us. We want wisdom to be able to figure things out on our own and answer the what-if questions. What if it doesn’t work out? What if something bad happens? What if God doesn’t answer? Focusing on the unknown gives fear an edge. God wants us to release our need for answers to the what-ifs and trust Him completely.

Whatever our unique situation, we all know the unsettling feelings brought on by what-if questions. Jesus understood this. In Mark 9, he addresses our doubt in a conversation with a desperate father. Jesus helped him with his unbelief, and he does the same for us. In a guest post at kristinebrown.net, my friend Lyli Dunbar wrote about that story and how it relates to the what-ifs in our lives:

“This morning, I turned to Mark 9 and read about the man who brought his mute son to Jesus. I picture this father carrying his boy with the foaming mouth to the Savior. I see his tiny frame twitching uncontrollably as his father stands there holding his body up as an offering. His father pleads for Jesus to have a heart and help his precious child who had endured uncontrollable convulsions day after day. This weighed down man holds up his son and says, “If you can do anything, do it.”

Jesus’ response captured my attention: “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen” (Mark 9:23 MSG). When we bend down and believe, our what-ifs turn into without a doubt.”

Looking into the eyes of a desperate dad, Jesus offered the answer to every what-if question ever whispered. We win the battle with the what-ifs when we let them point us toward God’s promises.

Letting a What-If Point Me to My Promise

A midnight panic session ensued, triggered by a barrage of what-ifs I’d entertained earlier in the day. Now frantic, I tried to think of verses that would help. But where to start? I needed specifics. I couldn’t just open the Bible and hope for the best. I needed a right-now promise I could cling to in that desperate moment.

Like the man lifting his mute son to Jesus, I cried out for relief from the heaviness of not knowing what to do. I needed Jesus’ peace to remind me; there are no what-ifs with God.

I had been reading my friend Micah Maddox’s book, Anchored In, and the chapter called “Power in the Dark” came to mind right then. So I grabbed the book from the shelf and flipped to that chapter. This quote was the first thing I read, “Darkness is only a distraction. It does not mean God has departed.” As I scanned the pages, I came upon verse after verse about God’s power and help in our most desperate times. Verses like this one:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 KJV).

I read each verse, and my heart calmed. I let out a deep breath, releasing any question about God’s ability. Instead of giving what-if questions freedom to take over, I let them point me to promises straight from His Word. I chose to claim those promises for me as Truth.

Rahab’s Right-Now Promise

Rahab’s promise from the Lord came in the form of two messengers from Israel’s camp. So we might wonder how she knew this was God’s promise for her and her family. To find the answer, let’s pause and put ourselves in her place. How did she know she could trust them? Assuring her of a rescue in the middle of battle seems pretty far-fetched. Especially since they didn’t exactly have time to think it through. But there was something that drew Rahab to their words. Something that identified the spies’ guarantee as a direct promise from God. It was a solution she could never have come up with on her own. The answer to her need right now.

God’s timing is perfect, and it is also beyond our human capacity to understand. To see God’s unmatched timing in action, we can go back in history to when Joshua first saw the Promised Land. Remember Joshua and Caleb’s favorable report to Moses? The one we discovered in Chapter 2, leading us to a new revelation about Rahab’s intel? She’d heard about God’s promises fulfilled for His people her whole life. But maybe what she didn’t know was how unfavorably the Israelites responded! Rather than charging forward to claim their promise, they grumbled and threatened their leaders. “But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb” (Numbers 14:10a NLT).

That’s when Aaron and Moses demonstrated one of the most powerful things we can do as God’s children. They fell face-down and cried out, “Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said…” (Numbers 14:17 NLT, emphasis mine).

Even though the Israelites refused to accept the promise God offered, that didn’t stop a faithful few from praying. Aaron and Moses cried out to their Lord what they knew to be true. They claimed the promise by reminding God what He had already said. Although it looked as if the plan was delayed, the leaders continued to live as if God wouldn’t fail.

Identifying Our Promise

We know God is for us. We also know His Word is true. But in those desperate times—like my midnight panic session or fear-filled Sunday morning—we need help identifying our promise for the situation. And if it doesn’t come in the form of two spies knocking at our door, how do we find it?

Rahab’s ability to trust that the men would follow through on their word didn’t begin that night. Her foundation—what she’d learned about the Lord’s faithfulness—helped point her to her promise. She knew it in her heart when it presented itself because it lined up with God’s character. She was familiar with His character because she’d immersed herself in stories of His wonder.

Still unclear about discovering the promise from God for what you’re going through? Here are three things that will help us to identify our right-now promise.

First, immerse ourselves in God’s Word.

I’d like to think I spend plenty of time with my Bible. I read a devotion, check my verse-of-the-day, and follow inspirational speakers on social media. I even have favorite verses and quotes framed as artwork all around the house. But truthfully, it’s easy to get into the habit of thinking I’m all good. That I’m doing all the Bible study I need to do. When I realized I’d been struggling to hear from the Lord, I decided I needed a change. I began praying for God to reveal creative ways for me to reconnect with His Word.

We serve a creative, inspiring God. He made you and me, after all! And when we ask, He will show us new ways to hear His Words come alive in a very personal way. If you’ve been in a similar habit and feel a deep longing to hear His voice more clearly, check out the “Applying It” section in the companion workbook. (You’ll find the link at the back of this book.) In that guide, you’ll find a list of creative ideas for immersing yourself in God’s Word.

Second, have God’s promises readily available.

What a blessing to have Micah’s book on my shelf, highlighted and tabbed with sticky notes. Ready when I needed help. As I prepared to write this book, I read several other books about trusting God and relying on His promises. Then I realized how precious it was to have encouraging words close by, which inspired me to do the same for you. So I created the Glossary of God’s Promises and added it to the back of this book.

The Glossary of God’s Promises is a collection of verses I compiled over time. It’s an alphabetical listing by topic, where you’ll find verses for protection, comfort, healing, direction, and much more. I even left space at the end for you to add your own favorites. Accept this resource as a gift from me to you. A place to turn when you need to immerse yourself in His truths or hear His voice. I pray it becomes a go-to source of hope for you, my friend.

Third, believe what God says.

Boy, do I crave control. Giving my problems to God is an everyday recommitment for me, because when I’m hit with unexpected challenges, I realize my own strength isn’t enough. That’s one reason we stay tied to the Verbal Level of trust. We love reading God’s promises, but we stop short of doing the one thing Rahab demonstrated with such grace and resolve. We haven’t said, “I believe,” and meant it.

Believing that God will do what He says is tough for us go-getter girls. Our inner urge to figure things out can get in the way of the choice to believe. We can lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus over and over, but the only way we will move to that next trust level is by believing God can and God will.

Living As-If

Journal Entry January 21st:

It has been one month since I recorded anything here. The physical pain and exhaustion became too much to do anything except rest and force myself to eat. We found out as I neared the end of radiation treatments that I would be having 30, not 28, which I originally thought. Not welcome news, considering I couldn’t sit, could barely walk, and still had unbearable pain. I had to press through and finish! I’ve had wonderful encouragers texting, calling, and sending gifts. Those gestures mean so much. I still find myself seeking God and wanting to understand more about what He wants me to learn through all this. I am actively practicing trusting Him in ALL things. I have purposefully not looked at the paper that tells the staging of the diagnosis. I am BELIEVING that God is healing me.

Cancer causes all kinds of what-ifs to surface. What if we choose the wrong treatment path? What if the cancer spreads? What if treatments aren’t successful? What if I can’t survive this? Even in recovery, every body ache can trigger a what-if question if I let it. Early in my cancer battle, my good friend and fellow writer Pam Stockdale sent me a list of her favorite Scriptures about healing. Knowing I would soon begin 30 rounds of radiation, I chose to meditate on one verse a day–one for each treatment. Focusing on Scripture before facing radiation helped me trust Him even more with each passing treatment.

Even when the treatment plan resulted in a level of pain like I’d never fathomed, God’s promises took me from the what-ifs to living as-if. As if God would see me through it. As if my trial was part of a bigger plan. As if the treatments would be successful.

When the what-ifs begin to surface, we can take action by shifting our perspective. In the chart below, I’ve given a few examples of trading your what-ifs for living as-if.

WHAT IF things don’t work out?

I will live AS IF things will work out because God is in control.

WHAT IF something bad happens?

I will live AS IF God will work everything together for my good.

WHAT IF I mess things up?

I will live AS IF God takes our mistakes and turns them into lessons for our growth.

WHAT IF God doesn’t answer my prayer?

I will live AS IF God will answer in His timing.

Challenge yourself to define your own what-if/as-if transitions. Write them in the blank spaces in the chart. Then spend a few minutes sealing the chapter foundation principle on your heart.

Foundation Principle: I can leave what-ifs behind and live as-if God’s Word is true, because it is.

The reality is that what-if questions will never go away. Our problem-solving minds will continue trying to figure things out on our own. The key is not to try to get rid of them, but to overcome them. So rather than letting them point us to fear, we can shift our what-ifs to living as-if.

In Cinched, we walk together alongside this bold woman of faith and learn so much truth about a life-changing level of trust in God. Interested in joining me and other girlfriends on the journey? You’ll find out all the details, including links to purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Target, when you click here.