Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

Unsearchable Understanding {No Matter What Monday}

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His understanding is unsearchable. Biblical encouragement, Scripture, and devotionals for women.

Do you remember the days before Google? You might wonder, “What other movies has that actor been in?” or “What’s the weather today in Timbuktu?” or “How much did bread cost in 1976?” You’d stare off into space, pondering possible answers, and then move on with your life, content to not know the answers to all your questions.

But now we have the answers to all of these questions at our fingertips. We have Google and Siri and Alexa, and we’ve forgotten how to not know things. I’ve noticed that this abundance of information increases the frustration I feel when my questions go unanswered.

I admitted in last week’s devotional how much I dislike not knowing the future. I want to be like God; I want to know it all. Sitting in the tension of the not-knowing feels unsettling and even scary sometimes. But there’s peace that comes from acknowledging that there is One who knows the answer to every question:

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

“Haven’t you heard the great news?!” Isaiah asks. There’s no need to worry! God is everlasting—He doesn’t have the limits you have. He knows it all because He made it all! You won’t even come close to reaching the end of His understanding.

The unknowns that frighten us are not unknown to the Lord. He is not surprised, confused, or worried by the circumstances that we face. He knows how He will use each one for good according to His perfect purpose (Rom. 8:28).

The One who has unsearchable wisdom is also the One who guides us by His Spirit and comforts us with His presence. He doesn’t leave us to suffer through the uncertain times on our own. He will never leave our side (Heb. 13:5).

No matter what you face this week, you can trust the One who has unsearchable understanding.

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A Future of Everlasting Joy {No Matter What Monday}

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In Christ, we have a future of everlasting joy. Biblical encouragement, Scripture, and devotionals for women.Last week, I was listening to a friend wrestle with a big decision when she said something that really resonated with me: “I wish I could see into the future.”

One of my greatest frustrations in life is not knowing what’s ahead. Honestly, I struggle to trust God’s wisdom in not sharing this knowledge with us. Some days, I feel like I’m standing with my face scrunched up against the glass of time, desperate for a glimpse of what’s to come. It feels like it would be so much easier to navigate the hardships and choices of today if I had a clue about what tomorrow holds.

But God, in His perfect wisdom and faithfulness, tells us in His Word exactly what we need to know about our future—no less and no more. We know that for those who are in Christ, there will be a glorious end to our suffering, an imperishable inheritance, and eternal life in heaven. And in this verse from Isaiah, we learn that our future is filled with joy:

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)

Glorious singing. Joy that lasts forever. Not striving for happiness and abiding joy, but owning it always. No more sorrow, no more burdened sighs. Because of our Savior, we have been ransomed from this broken world, and this is the future that awaits us. Isn’t it beautiful?

When we wrestle with the hardships and choices of today, let’s cling to the promise of our glorious future. When we can’t see what’s ahead, let’s hold tightly to the One who holds all our tomorrows in His hands. When life overwhelms us, let’s remember the promises of our heavenly Father, who will carry us through the cares of this life and bring us into our joy-filled eternity.

No matter what you face this week, the Lord promises a future of everlasting joy.

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Guest appearance ~ Mom Wants More podcast

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I had a great time chatting with Alana Dawson on the Mom Wants More podcast. She’s hosting a summer book club, and I’d encourage you to go check it out! Here’s what she posted in the show notes about our conversation . . .

In This Episode We Talk About: 

  • How Marissa got published, ya’ll it’s the craziest story I’ve ever heard!
  • How the idea for her book came about
  • The struggles she faced while writing it
  • How she overcame those struggles
  • Her journey from self-publishing to traditional publishing
  • Her desire for the book

Click here to listen to our conversation and check out the rest of her summer book club episodes!

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Guest appearance ~ enCourage podcast and blog

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This week I had the privilege of appearing on the enCourage blog and podcast hosted by the women’s ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. I’d encourage you to check out these links to learn more about how to love a friend through cancer and subscribe to these fabulous resources!

 

Loving Your Friend through Cancer podcast episode: The diagnosis of cancer can be devastating. How do we come alongside a friend who is suffering with cancer in practical ways? Today, Marissa Henley joins Karen Hodge to share about her battle with cancer and those who fought with her by encouraging her to keep her eyes on Jesus. She gives us practical ways we can minster to the body, mind, and spirit of those walking through the shadow of death. (Listen here.)

 

Three Ways to Encourage a Friend with Cancer article: Seven years ago, my friends taught me by their extravagant example how to be a friend to someone with cancer. I was standing alone in my bedroom when I received the biopsy results, but I wasn’t alone for long. Within hours, one friend sat folding laundry and another made dinner in my kitchen, both of them holding me up with their presence. In the days and weeks that followed, the body of Christ rallied around us, providing for my family’s physical, logistical, emotional, and spiritual needs through several months of intense treatment. They wept with us, suffered with us, bore our burdens, and sustained us with acts of service, encouraging words, and persistent prayers. When cancer impacts a friend, we often wonder, “What can I do to help? How can I encourage her during this hard time?” Here are three first steps you can take to encourage a friend with cancer. (Read more here.)

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