My husband Kenya brought home some roasted veggie wraps last evening, and they were so good, I had them for breakfast! Ever since coming home from the hospital in August, my taste buds are a bit fickle. There are certain things I don’t want to eat anymore that I used to love. It’s strange to sample my former favorites, only to be left frowning and utterly grossed out.

For example, on Tuesday of this week, which has been designated “Taco Tuesday” for quite some time in the Hobbs household, the kids made homemade tacos. I decided I would have some. Well, when the ingredients hit my tongue, my taste buds did not appreciate the flavor.

Daily Cup family, it is so funny noticing how my tastes have changed following the brain trauma caused by the mini stroke and dozens of back-to-back seizures I had a few months ago. I’m still rediscovering foods, figuring out what I like and what my system will tolerate.

Even though my tastes have changed quite drastically, among other things, there is one thing that remains the same, and it can be summarized in a Scripture: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

Despite that traumatic experience, I have tasted and seen that God is yet good. My testimony remains the same, that He is a mighty refuge in the time of storm and a present help in every season of trouble. 

That word refuge in this Scripture is a Hebrew word châçâh, pronounced khaw-saw', meaning to seek refuge, flee for protection, or to put trust in, confide or hope in.

Friend, this verse is telling us that, not only is God good, but there is a blessing attached to confiding in Him, running to Him for safety, and putting all your hope in Him.

Jeremiah 17:7 NIV says it this way: "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”

If you want to be blessed, you have to trust the Lord. I know life gets rough. Negative situations, opposition, disappointment, challenges, and problems will come against your faith and tempt you to doubt God’s goodness, favor, provision, help, and presence.

But the Lord is there in the midst of the ugliest, most vicious storms. Just as I talked about in today’s podcast, when you get hit by an unexpected storm, the Lord is right there, and He will flex His power on your behalf if you ask in faith.

What is troubling you today? What are you struggling with right now? What are you going through that is vexing your spirit and making you feel somewhat weary and discouraged? What is it that has left a bitter taste in your mouth?

God is inviting you to open wide and taste of His goodness. Run to Him as your refuge in the storm, and watch Him bless you. Watch Him deliver you. Watch Him heal you. Watch Him lift you. Watch Him favor you. Watch Him make ways for you. Watch Him take care of you. Watch Him shelter you from the storm.

To remind you to place your confidence in God, I’m stirring Psalm 46:1 KJV right into your cup of inspiration, which says this: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, take God up on His offer to help you in your time of distress. In order for Him to do His best work and show you His goodness, however, you have to be willing to believe in Him and fully place your hope in Him. When you do that, He’ll bless you—guaranteed.

As you believe God to bless you and move in your life, please join me in praying for the individuals who asked to be included on our “Thoughtful Thursdays” intercessory prayer list. As you intercede for others, as was the case with Job in the Bible who prayed for his friends, God will restore you and release a double blessing (Job 42:10).

‘Thoughtful Thursdays’ Prayer Requests

Lillian wrote: My prayer request is that God will remove all cancer cells from my body that the doctor could not during my recent surgery on 9/30/19.

Deena wrote: I have been struggling with terrible anxiety. I have panic attacks and feel like I’m having a heart attack. I have been through a lot that has made me fearful and anxious. I know this is not the will of God for my life. Please pray for me.

Anonymous wrote: Me and my son have been homeless for a while. It’s just been a mess. I haven't stopped praying, but I am worried that God is not hearing me for some reason. I pray that God hears my prayers as I call on him for help, deliverance from lack, homelessness, debt, worry, and stress. I am asking Him to supply all my needs and bless me with my heart's desires. I am calling on God to send me a financial breakthrough speedily and heal my body from the constant pain that I have been enduring. I am praying for God to renew and restore me and my son's life, and deliver us from the embarrassment that we have been enduring as well. We need God for everything. We need speedy miracles right now. Please pray in agreement with us. Thank you so much. Dianna, I am glad that God healed you. I need for Him to show up in my life speedily and mightily like He did in yours. I love you all.

Kathleen wrote: I have four kids, but my oldest twins, 21-year-old sons Nicholaus and Nicah, they are my pride and joy, very talented in the arts, photography, and music. I pray their bond will be restored. I want them to know that they are their brother’s keeper and not Cain and Abel. They may be fighting their inner demons, but the older twin, Nick, has hurt Nicah to the core by always trying to be the alpha male. I pray that whatever has hurt them both in their lives or within themselves— their father, friends, life, society, community or generational curses— releases from them for them to be restored in peace and get back to loving each other without fighting and vulgar words. I’m praying their talents will take them to new heights. If they work together they would be an awesome duo. Thanks for the prayers … keeping you all in ours.

Cheryl wrote: That I would receive a job of purpose. I have been in lack financially for so long.

Anonymous wrote: Jordan has been trying to graduate from college with an Engineering degree. Due to some health issues and bad choices, he has been struggling. He is working so hard now and should graduate in December, but he is having so much self-doubt, depression, and fear that he will not be successful and feels like this is his last chance. He worries about what his life will be like without the degree instead of being strong in faith and trusting God. He has been having difficulty remembering things he used to know how to do. I believe it is fear and his doubting himself. Please pray that he will regain his confidence and believe in himself and that God will work in his life to get that degree in December.

Chana wrote: Hello Dianna and friends, I’m currently in the nursing program and it’s rigorous. I’m believing God to pass this semester. I’m asking God for a grade B, but I feel that I’m asking too much. Thank you and God bless.

God, there is nothing too big and nothing too small for You to handle. I bring every one of these prayer requests before You—even the requests from those who asked to be prayed for privately—and I ask You to show Yourself strong on their behalf. Make ways out of no way, oh God. Heal, deliver, transform, restore, rebuild, and renew. There is nothing too hard for You, our refuge and Savior. We trust You today, and we thank You for the victory in already. In Jesus’ name, we count it done. Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

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

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