Tag: Prayer

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Finding God in the Midst of Trials

Tommy Larson

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Luke 6:12

Standing for your marriage after abandonment is an incredibly painful journey. The silence from God during this season can feel unbearable, leading to doubts about whether He hears our prayers. But take heart—God is always present. Understanding His ways requires spiritual growth, humility, and an open heart. Even when He seems distant, He is working behind the scenes in ways we may not yet comprehend. His timing is perfect, even when ours is impatient.

Too often, we expect God to move in a specific way, placing Him in a box. When life doesn’t unfold as we envisioned, we assume He isn’t listening. The truth? He hears us. But sometimes, His answers come in ways we don’t expect. His whispers may be woven into everyday moments, urging us to trust Him, even when the path ahead is unclear

During my separation and divorce, I was overwhelmed—balancing single parenthood, work, church, and a spiritual battle. Finding time for God felt impossible. But as I grew in faith, I realized the importance of intentionally seeking Him.

One summer, I took a solo hike in the Smoky Mountains. Unprepared and exhausted, I wanted to turn back. But pressing on, I reached a quiet resting place where the beauty of creation surrounded me. In that stillness, I felt God’s presence. No audible voice, no grand revelation—just peace. A simple reminder that as long as I kept my eyes on Him, my path would be clear. It was a moment of clarity that spoke louder than words, reassuring me that I was never alone in my journey.

That hike became a metaphor for my struggles. The distractions along the way mirrored the choices that could lead me astray. The journey was hard, filled with doubt, but staying the course strengthened my faith. Each step forward, no matter how small, reinforced my trust in God. When the road became difficult, I learned to lean on Him rather than my own understanding.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

God doesn’t always remove the struggles, but He equips us to endure them. He provides strength when we are weak and clarity when we are lost. Even in our lowest moments, He is guiding us, shaping us, and preparing us for what lies ahead.

If you’re searching for God and struggling to find Him, know this: He is near, even when the storm clouds hide Him. Set aside distractions. Seek solitude. Let His presence fill your heart. Take a walk in nature, sit in silence, or pour your heart out in prayer. God promises to reveal Himself to those who seek Him wholeheartedly.

In those quiet moments, may you find the strength and peace to trust Him with your journey. No matter how long the road feels, remember—He walks beside you every step of the way.

In Christ,

Tommy Larson

Healing and Reconciliation

God’s Ways are Higher

Amy Larson

HighEr (1)

During our pause, when Tommy was actively pursuing restoration, one thing he often reminded me was our marriage would never be the same. What he meant was our marriage could be so much more than I ever imagined. It would never go back to being the loveless marriage that lacked passion as it did in previous years. If we reconciled, we wouldn’t be two strangers merely coexisting in a shared space. Tommy assured me His heart had been transformed and he longed for the same oneness I desired. He spoke about loving me and serving as the dedicated leader, protector and provider our family needed.

It took a while before I listened, and even longer to trust him and recognize the sincerity of his claims. I knew he meant what he said because it wasn’t a rehearsed speech, rather, it was detailed and heartfelt. I could hear the emotions in the tone of his voice as he talked about our future together. When he addressed the subject of reconciliation, it was never discussed with selfish motives or intent. It was always approached from a perspective that sought to love and serve me. Tommy believed we could have the beautiful, loving relationship God intended, and the more passionate he was, the more I started believing in his vision.

Admittedly, I did not welcome his ideas at first. But, God used Tommy’s foresight and persistence to chip away my hardened heart and I began envisioning a second chance for our marriage. He prayed fervently for me, constantly seeking to stay attuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit and would only talk about our future together when he felt prompted. He asked God to soften my heart and looked for opportunities to share especially when he knew I had an openness and willingness to listen.

I needed to hear Tommy wanted to start afresh, with no desire to return to the marriage in the state we left it. At the time, I did not think it was possible to rekindle our relationship because it was seemingly dead. But, Praise the Lord, God’s thoughts are not my thoughts nor are His ways my ways.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Our gracious Heavenly Father exceeded every expectation I had for my marriage. When God restored our relationship, He gave Tommy and I a double portion of love for one another and ignited a passion in us that I didn’t know could exist. Every trait I desired in a husband was fulfilled in Tommy because his attributes were lining up with those of Christ.

When I was fully immersed in my sin, I looked at Tommy with contempt and ambivalence. Thankfully, Tommy had an army of warriors praying for me and my attempts to ignore the Holy Spirit were weakened due to their prayers on my behalf. I was convicted and soon the strongholds in my life were no longer holding me captive. The veil was lifted from my eyes and I saw Tommy as the changed man he had become, as well as the soulmate I had always desired.

Dear friends, I cannot express the importance of praying for your partner and building a network of prayer warriors to intercede on their behalf. You may find yourself in the same situation we were in years ago when all hope seemed lost in reviving our relationship. I want to encourage you to pray for your loved one and stay attuned the the Holy Spirit’s prompting. When you feel led, share a few details of how God has changed your heart–talk about what life could be like in the future. Of course, you don’t want to overwhelm your loved one, but little reminders of a bright, new future may inspire your partner to start envisioning life with you instead of without you. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Even when things look hopeless, the good news is, our ways are not God’s ways. His ways are higher so let’s leave the big tasks in the hands of our mighty Father.

In Christ,
Amy Larson

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We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight

Tommy Larson

Copy of We walk by faith, not by sight.

The day I had dreaded for over a year was finally upon me. The scheduled mediation where Amy and I would formally and legally divide our belongings was underway. My emotions were in tatters and I struggled to stay composed throughout the proceedings. Feelings of regret, despair, and disbelief all seemed to be consuming my heart and mind at the same time. The woman I had ten years earlier stood alongside in our marriage ceremony and had made an oath to never leave, was about to be legally removed from my side.

During the mediation I can remember pleading with God to intervene and stop what was taking place. I knew what His word said about divorce and couldn’t believe it was His perfect will that the events unfolding before my eyes were a part of His plan for my life, as well as the lives of my children and covenant wife. How could this be happening? Where was God?

Of course, even though I wasn’t “feeling” God’s presence at that moment, I know He was there. Since then, I’ve grown to understand that God’s silence does not mean his absence in our lives and circumstances. The miracle he had in store for Amy and I required this storm be weathered and endured. My faith in Him needed to be grown and cultivated. The “harvest” was not yet ready.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7 we read, “For we walk by faith, and not by sight.” This faith in the power of God to heal and restore was not always easy to believe in. In fact, my faith seemed to contradict all that was real at the time. And make no mistake, I was being verbally reminded by Amy and others of that painful reality on a regular basis. Despite this, the Lord was speaking to my heart and sustaining my spirit. He frequently reminded me of the numerous examples in Scripture where faith was tied to waiting and enduring. This brought me great comfort.

Could God have intervened in that attorney’s office and changed Amy’s heart in an instant? Of course He could have. But I believe in my heart that the power of Christ was demonstrated in a greater way after the judge’s verdict was handed down. It was as though an impenetrable fortress was allowed to be built by the enemy, only to have Almighty God bring it down in a swift and powerful way. It did not matter what had happened in the past or what the new normal appeared to be at the time. The same power that raised Christ from the dead, had the ability to resurrect a dead marriage.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

You may find yourself in a circumstance that seems hopeless. Perhaps you are going through a divorce, or just recently became divorced. Do not give up hope. Pray to the Father daily that His will be done in your life and in the lives of the ones you love. We know what the Lord desires for husbands, wives and families. Do not accept defeat or Satan’s lie that you will find your happiness by moving on or “getting over” your failed marriage. Your happiness and joy comes from Jesus Christ. Your identity is in Him. Submit to His will daily and pray in faith that God does what only He can do. Nothing is impossible with Him.

In Christ,
Tommy Larson

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