Matters of the Heart : Trusting God in the Wilderness

 

Matters of the Heart: Trusting God in the Wilderness

This morning, as I opened my heart to God's Word, I was reminded by Proverbs 4:5, which says to embrace wisdom and understanding, and Luke 7:6-7,9-10 says to cherish simple, powerful trust in the Lord. These scriptures resonated deeply with me, especially as I'm navigating my season of waiting—my wilderness.

The wilderness can feel lonely, uncertain, and sometimes overwhelming. It's easy to become restless or tempted to rush through it. But today, I was reminded of something crucial: the wilderness is purposeful. It's not punishment—it's preparation.

God has gently highlighted some areas I must surrender during this season:

1.  Yielding my will to Him: Surrendering the desire to control outcomes and trusting that His plan is greater than mine.

2.  Choosing gratitude and contentment: Instead of envying what others have, I must appreciate and celebrate the blessings God has already placed in my life. True fulfillment comes from recognizing His provision in my current circumstances.

3.  Releasing pride: Pride subtly whispers self-reliance, but humility calls me back to dependence on God. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

4.  Waiting patiently: This is the toughest! But I understand now—I must not rush out of the wilderness prematurely. God has a purpose for every moment I spend here. My job is to trust Him until He leads me out.

If you are in your wilderness today, I encourage you to see it as a divine space for growth, refinement, and deepened intimacy with God. Trust that He sees exactly where you are. He knows what He's doing, even if the path isn't clear to you right now.

Remember, waiting isn't wasted time—it's holy ground.

Be encouraged, hold onto faith, and know that you're never alone in your wilderness. He’s with you, guiding each step. Trust the process; trust the One who holds your tomorrow.

What is Simple Trust? Simple Trust is believing wholeheartedly in God's promises without needing to see immediate proof or answers. It's trusting Him fully, confidently knowing that His Word and timing are perfect, even when our circumstances seem uncertain. This is so important.

A Simple Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your presence in the wilderness. Help me to fully surrender my will, embrace gratitude, release pride, and wait patiently on Your perfect timing. Strengthen my trust and deepen my faith in Your promises. Guide me through each step, knowing that You hold my tomorrow. In Jesus' name, Amen.

With love and prayers,

Carol

Honey Chipotle Salmon

Click the link above for the recipe.

Comfort Zone Crab Chowder

Antipasti Salad

  Antipasti Salad

This Antipasti Salad is a delicious mix of flavors and textures, perfect for sharing with friends! It's got fresh veggies, cured meats, cheeses, and a tangy dressing. You can throw in mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. The dressing is super simple, too—just olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Just mix everything up, drizzle the dressing, and you're good to go. Feel free to tweak the ingredients to your liking!😋

Ingredients

• 2 cups of mixed green salad (like arugula, romaine, or spinach)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup of cucumber slices
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup black and green olives
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced (optional)
• 1/2 cup pepperoncini or banana pepper rings
• 1/2 cup cubed feta cheese or fresh mozzarella balls
• 1/4 cup Parmesan shavings (for garnish)
• 6-8 slices of cured meat (like salami, prosciutto, or mortadella), rolled
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Dressing

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. To assemble the salad, layer the salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions in a large serving bowl or platter.
3. Arrange the rolled cured meats, feta cheese cubes, olives, and pepper rings on top of the greens. If using, tuck in hard-boiled egg quarters and roasted red peppers.
4. Drizzle the dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently or let guests serve themselves.
5. Garnish: Add Parmesan shavings and fresh basil leaves for an elegant touch.

Special Note 

You can always adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences—perhaps adding artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, or even croutons for extra crunch. Bon appétit! Let me know if you'd like a variation or help with a different recipe.