Yesterday, my husband Kenya celebrated his 46th birthday with cake and ice cream. It was a simple evening spent at home with our family. We laughed and talked, and reflected on the good things God has done in our lives.

Since I’m still trying to get over this cold, I was feeling weak and low-energy, and didn’t have much of an appetite. Usually, I’m the silliest, bubbliest, most energetic one in the room. But I wasn’t able to outwardly express all of my joy and excitement, even though I felt very happy inside.

Have you ever been in a situation where what you showed outwardly didn’t match what you felt inwardly? Well, last night was like that for me. And it felt so weird because I’ve grown used to being the life of the party. My goofball ways and loud laughs fill the room during family gatherings. Even the children said it was strange for me not to be my typical energetic self.

Today, however, I’m feeling even stronger after turning in a bit early last evening. In a few days, I’m confident I’ll be good as new.

Getting over a common cold, ridding our body of germs and returning to normalcy is something most of us can relate to. We’ve all been through this process at some point. If we’re in fairly good health, the discomfort of a cold usually doesn’t last too long before things regulate.

But then there are far more serious matters we face in life. There are intense trials and uncommon struggles we deal with at times. There are lengthy seasons of famine when it seems like prayers aren’t being answered and God isn’t coming through.

So what do you do?

Well, you build your hope upon the word of God. Stand firmly on it. Remain steadfast and unmovable by applying the all-important lesson Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27.

He said the one who listens to and follows His teaching is like a person who builds a house on a solid rock. Even though torrential rains pour down, flood waters rise and winds crash against that house, it won’t fall because it is built on bedrock. On the other hand, Jesus said, the individual who hears His teaching and doesn’t obey it, is like the one who builds a house on sand. When the rains, floods and winds come, that house collapses with a mighty crash.

If you don’t build your hope upon what God has said, despite what your circumstances say, you won’t survive the storm. But if you remain firmly rooted and grounded in the word, even in your season of famine, you’ll make it. In your dry place, you’ll thrive. It’s true. When you put your confidence in the Lord, not only will your faith stabilize you when you’re on shaky ground, but that faith will also release the blessings and favor of the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”

When you hold fast to your faith and refuse to throw away your confidence, you will be richly rewarded. Your seeds of faith will produce a harvest of blessings in every season—the good and bad ones. In times of lack, God will provide for you. The Lord will cause things to work for you. He’ll make ways, open doors, give you fresh opportunities, and put the pieces of the puzzle together for you. Your prayers will yield fruit. Answers will show up. In negative situations, God will create positive outcomes especially for you.

Just as God revealed to Joseph how to make sure there was plenty of food in Egypt to last throughout the famine (Genesis 47:13-27), He’ll do the same thing for you. Joseph’s faith and obedience to God’s word led to the preservation of the lives of his fellow countrymen and his family.

He was fruitful in famine. You will be also.

I don’t know what kind of famine you’re in. I’m not sure what your drought looks like. I’m not aware of the ins and outs of your situation and where you need God to show up for you. But here’s what I do know: whatever you’re facing, your faith will unlock your harvest. Though the land is barren, your faith sets you up to reap anyway. If you believe, you’ll see God move on your behalf.

So don’t stop confessing His promises. Don’t get worried and anxious about how parched and dry the ground looks. Just remain obedient and confident. Rejoice in advance, for the Lord is sending an abundance of rain.

You’re getting ready to see the manifestation of Psalm 1:3 NLT, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration. It says, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, release any worry and stress. If you have been fretting, stop. Trust God only. You will be fruitful in famine. You will reap because you have built your hope upon the foundation of God’s word. And your faith activates the promises in His word.

Now let’s pray.

God, when things go wrong, thank You for reminding me that Your word stands forever. I will stand upon Your promises and anticipate a season of fruitfulness no matter what it looks like today. Even though my circumstances don't indicate that blessings are on the horizon, I believe and receive Your promises by faith. I don’t go by what I see, but by what You said. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.