Hey friend! Before you read this blog, I’d love to personally invite you to the She Found Joy Retreat that I am hosting in Spruce Pine, NC from July 19-21, 2024. Learn more and apply online. If you’re looking for refreshment in your faith journey and longing to experience fresh joy and healing among a company of faith-filled women, this retreat is for you, and I would love to meet you there! Love, Lauren Gaskill
With two hands, I touched the pool ledge and quickly lifted my head to look at the clock, smiling with delight over what I saw. I’d hit a 12-second split and had 18 more glorious seconds before I needed to push off to swim my next 25-yard butterfly sprint. But this was the first of 50 laps, and I knew not all of them were going to be this easy.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, our team was at the peak of high school season training. If you’ve ever known a swimmer, you know that this is when practices can make someone want to hang up their cap and goggles for good.
Halfway into the series of 25-yard sprints, I began to feel discouraged. Maybe I can’t finish this set. Maybe I won’t break that school record after all. I thought to myself. Then I looked up at the team banner hanging below the record board. It read:
Dream. Believe. Achieve.
Our coach loved these three words … so much that he made them our team motto. Almost every day he reminded us that in order to achieve great things and live the kind of life you want to live, you have to first dream and believe.
We can’t get to where we want to be — or be who we were created to be — if at first we don’t believe what God says about who we are and who we were created to be.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t believe God’s word for my life. I believed in God, I just found it hard to believe what God had to say about me.
He called me lovely — more precious than rubies (Proverbs 3:15), adored, treasured and worth dying for. I called my self broken, not good enough, pathetic and helpless.
He said He had a beautiful plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). I said my life was destined to be miserable.
He said I didn’t have to worry about a single thing (Philippians 4:6). I said that worrying was my middle name.
You can imagine I wasn’t the most positive person to be around in this particular season of life. But that all changed the day I finally chose to believe God’s word for my life. Like a hurricane, His love came crashing into me one day, and suddenly I realized that I could believe God because He was good. Not only was He good but in 1 John I saw that He was love. This changed everything for me.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. -1 John 4:16 ESV
I learned that I could also believe God because His Word said I could believe Him. Luke 1:37 tells us that no word from God will ever fail.
Suddenly I saw myself through His eyes. I saw that He really did love me — flaws and all. And for the first time, my soul felt like it could fly.
It was like going from living a black and white life to living a life in technicolor. Believing God brought color and new life into my world.
On Oct. 4, 2016, I drove to Missouri to attend the Designed for Life (DFL) Conference after receiving an invitation from the conference’s founder, Debbie Lindell. The conference has a different theme every year, and the 2016 theme, She Believes, felt like it was created just for me.
There is power in believing God. There is blessing in believing God. In Luke 1:45 we are told that “blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” In Mark 9:23 we learn “everything is possible for one who believes.” Believing changes everything.
Back in high school, the second I chose to believe I could finish that grueling swim set, I knew deep down that I was going to finish — no matter what. And with that same attitude and determination, the second I chose to believe God for my life, I knew that I was going to be alright — no matter what. Because God loved me, and because of His love and goodness I could trust Him with my life. Maybe at one point, you’ve had an encounter that inspired you to believe that, too.
The reality is, life gets busy, and sometimes we forget or grow weary of believing God’s promises, don’t we? When life gets hard, we start to think maybe His promises, goodness and blessings are reserved for other people. When we watch the news headlines reel across our screen, we figure He has bigger fish to fry.
Dear sisters, this is what I want to tell you today: Don’t stop believing — not only who you are in Christ, but also who your Father is. God calls you by name, and He is able to do the impossible in and through you.
Once I arrived at the DFL Conference, I knew why God had wanted me to be there. He wanted me there because He wanted to strengthen my faith and confirm in my heart what He’d been asking me to believe: that He is still the God of miracles; that I will see healing manifest from all of the physical challenges I’ve faced; and that His timing really is perfect.
I don’t know what God is asking you to believe in this season of life you’re in, but I know one step is all it takes to build your faith. And you can take that one step right here, right now.
In her keynote message at the DFL Conference, Debbie Lindell talked about how to build your faith, using scripture from Luke 1:26-45. I want to share some of my notes with you from her message to encourage you today. I might have touched on some of these points earlier in this post, but it’s always good to be reminded of things, I think!
- Believing begins with hearing from God (v. 28)
- God wants to speak to us and show us favor. He is with us.
- Believing takes a step of faith.
- Our questions don’t mean we don’t have faith. Instead, faith requires us to move beyond the questions and doubt and trust God.
- Believing in God requires letting go.
- Believing in God brings blessing. (v. 45)
- Believing in God changes everything.
So what is God asking you to believe today? Where is He asking you to have a little more faith?
Love this blog post? Get more faith inspiration by ordering my book Into the Deep: Diving Into a Life of Courageous Faith.
Lauren – such a great pot about believing God and His faithfulness to complete what He has spoken. Believe seems to be the theme this season… It is our Christmas theme this year with the very verses you shared and I am also speaking at a Women’s event in early December with the same theme… Believe. Thank you so much, for sharing your notes and thoughts today. I found you today at #MondaysMusings
Hi Debbie! I think for the longest time, we as women have KNOWN God’s Word, but have we really believed it? Love how God is weaving together all these themes of “Believe” to call his daughters to finally claim scripture for their lives! So nice to meet you, and I hope you’ll come back to the blog! <3
I am so happy you got to attend the conference. Maybe I can join you next year 😉 Love this blog, so full of hope, faith, and encouragement. You are blossoming, Lauren! I can smell the fragrant aroma all the way from my home office in South Dakota.
Yes to going together next year! It’s super affordable, so that’s a great thing, too! And bless you for your sweet words of encouragement and affirmation. It’s wonderful to live inside of God’s purpose for us, isn’t it?
What an encouraging post, Lauren! God has used your words to speak to my heart today!
It sounds like you had an amazing conference! So glad you got to go!
And, I’m impressed that you could swim 50 laps anytime in life! Go, Girl!
I’m blessed by you~
I’m so glad this post could speak to your heart today, dear Melanie! It was an incredible experience to say the least. Maybe all of us “Blessing Counters Group Girls” can go together next year. XOXO
Lauren, what a great post and recap of what sounds like a wonderful conference. I’ve never heard of this conference or the podcast that you heard it on. I’ll have to check both of these out. Thanks so much!
Thanks, Jennifer! The podcast I’m referring to is actually my podcast, Finding Joy. I had the leader of the conference on the show, and that’s how I heard about the conference. 🙂
When we believe who He says we are, his daughters, it definitely causes a paradigm shift in our walk and faith in Him.
Thank you for your kind comment over on my blog! (((hugs)))
Yes it does, Lillian! And my pleasure. I’m so happy we’ve connected!
Everything starts with belief, doesn’t it? It reminds me of the Bible story of the man who said to Jesus, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”. I see myself in him and know that God is calling me to ‘believe deeper and walk bolder’. I know He can do so much more through me when I do.
I’m so glad you got to attend DFL and share your inspiration with us today, Lauren!
Amen, amen, amen! So true, Marva.
I relate to your words on so many levels, Lauren. My son is a swimmer, so we have to push him to find that internal drive, that belief, that he can push through the next lap. And also, I know what it feels like to wrestle with believing in God and believing that all He has written over us is true. I think its a very intentional faith that leans into His beautiful promises every day and believes that they are ours. So glad you enjoyed your trip too!! Blessings, friend.
The more we’re getting to know each other, the more I’m realizing we have a lot in common, Tiffany! I hope we can meet someday. <3
Inspiring and a great reminder to always have faith and believe
Amen! In the words of Journey, “don’t stop believing!” 😉
Sounds like the conference was the right thing at the right time!
Yes! The conference was a total God thing. I’m so thankful for the opportunity, and I wish every woman could go!
This is so inspiring and beautiful.
Thank you, Megan! 🙂
love the reminder!! such a beautiful post! 🙂
Thanks so much! Blessings to you, friend!
Way to go…sharing you heart! Faith is such a step by step process and it can be scary but the outcome of walking in obedience is always amazing.
XO
Amen! You’re so right, Melanie. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a lovely weekend. <3
I love this so much, Lauren! It makes all the difference when we believe God versus just believing in Him. Thank you for sharing these truths so beautifully with authenticity and bravery. I love the glimpses into your life and your heart. You are a blessing!!!
Hugs,
Lori
YES! The difference is life changing. Thanks so much for your encouragement, sweet Lori. Love you!
Hi Lauren! I love your writing! Your love and passion for the Lord pours through your post, and I appreciate your candid openness about really BELIEVING God. He is so good, and he meets us at every turn in our journey with him. I heard about you through Alison Tiemeyer, and enjoyed your podcast with her. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry! You’re got a sister in Christ in Michigan who is rooting for you! 🙂
Hi Christin! It’s so nice to meet you! I’m so glad God connected us. Just got done checking out your site for a little bit and LOVE what you’re doing too. Thank you for your prayers and blessings. I will be praying for your ministry, too. <3
I was so encouraged by reading your words. Believing God really is about letting go and taking a step of faith- one step at a time. I love how you brought your story from swim team into your explanation of how believing always comes before achieving. Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week. I would love to feature this post tomorrow.
Amen, Dawn! So true. Thanks for the feature — it truly made my day.
DREAM. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE.
3 words that sound so simple, and yet…not. I think it’s when a season of life feels so weary that the believe part gets a little tougher. It’s something I need to work on, I guess, not letting discouragement get the best of me. Glad I stopped over from Grace & Truth today. Very inspiring!
Yes, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Praying that with God’s help, you can kick discouragement to the curb every time it rears its ugly head. <3 Thanks for stopping by, dear Laura!
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Great reminders on believing God’s plan for us, Lauren! Let’s continue to seek Him and HIs plan as we follow. Thanks for the inspiration!
Amen! Thanks for stopping by, dear friend.
Thank you so much for sharing. Just what I needed to hear today. God’s timing is amazing, and He knows just what we need and when and how we need it. It’s comforting talking with a Christian sister. I’m facing a Giant today…my daughter’s health. She is 20 years old and in college, and she has been keeping a schedule….burning her candle at both ends….that has weakened her immune system, and sometimes….when you don’t listen to the your body’s clues, it will take you down so you CAN listen. After a couple days of searching for the right specialist, I believe God led us to the one who has the skill and the knowledge to get my daughter back to good health again. Your post was so encouraging. God bless you.
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Hi Lauren,
Nicely written! Thank you for those words of encouragement! We have to keep believe God in different seasons of our life and allow him to be the driver of our life. Not always easy, but his grace will help us.
God is good and knew I needed to stumble across this. I love when I can think how God just thought the thought to go searching for a godly motivational quote; to reading such inspiring words. I was a swimmer from the age of 9 until my senior. To relate of those grueling practice I can!! I remember I had such pride and focus during those days. To finally get back to that in every aspect with the Lord leading the way is truly believing. This hit home all the way. Hope to meet you one day!!!
Sincerely
Whitney
! It’s 3am in Beitbridge Zimbabwe and I was crying myself to sleep but I’m still up and I bump into this amazing post which got me into even more tears. I’ve made some pretty regrettably choices with my life and thought Good wanted nothing to do with me seeing how I’ve messed up my life and I was in this box of regret, confusion, anger and pain. Thank you for reminding me that God cares. I’ve decided to take my first step off faith back to the creator. God bless you.