Today, I took a quiet moment to thank God for the gift of 2026. Having been entrusted with a new posting and greater responsibilities, I became aware of the weight that comes with this season. Alongside the excitement, there was also a subtle sense of insecurity within me.
In that stillness, the Holy Spirit gently whispered, “The Lord who has brought you this far will surely bring you further.”
Those words settled my heart.
I responded in prayer, telling the Lord that more than anything else, I long for a deeper, more intimate knowing of Him in this season. As I step into new responsibilities, I am determined to fix my focus on Him alone—choosing to walk in obedience, trust, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to lead me each step of the way.
I am someone who has big dreams and desires. Desires beyond my own capabilities, sometimes I ask the Lord why do I have such desires. But today, I decided to surrender these desires unto the Lord. I told the Holy Spirit to use me for His Kingdom.
I am a simple girl from a small town, but I am convinced I am the child of the Most High God. Knowing the Lord Almighty with me gives me the assurance that I can do great things for His glory alone. I am so done living a life of struggle and striving. I am so done struggling through life. It is exhausting—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Today, I choose a different posture. I choose rest over resistance, trust over toil, surrender over survival. I choose to walk forward not burdened by striving, but carried by grace, led by faith, and sustained by His presence.
Psalm 91:1 (ESV): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Let us meditate on this verse together. Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High reminds us that our strength and safety are found in continually abiding in His presence. Dwelling is not a one-time visit—it is a daily choice, a posture of the heart.
In the busyness of life, when our schedules are full and our priorities compete for attention, we often forget the importance of remaining in Him. Yet this verse gently calls us back. It reminds us that there is power in dwelling—when we choose to dwell in Him, we naturally come under the shadow of the Almighty.
To dwell in His presence is to live covered, protected, and sustained. It is there, in the quiet place with Him, that we find rest, direction, and renewed strength.
Whose shadow are we abiding in today?
Are we living under the shadow of our own human strength, limitations, and understanding—or are we choosing to abide in the shadow of the Almighty?
I thank the Holy Spirit for the Word that He has released to me through this note today.
When we walk into a place filled with chaos, whose shadow are we bringing?
Are we carrying our own human shadow—marked by fear, striving, and limitation—or are we bringing the shadow of the Almighty?
This is not something we can produce through human strength or effort. It is only made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. And that power flows from one place alone: our willingness to abide in His shelter.
The measure of His shadow we carry is directly connected to the depth of our abiding. The more we dwell in His presence, the more His peace, authority, and covering are released through us—especially in places of chaos.
Friends, don’t look for shelter outside. It is within you. Take time to reflect on this verse, journey through Christ, and watch what the Lord has done and will continue doing for you in 2026.
Two years ago, when I was 39—standing on the threshold of turning 40—I had the opportunity to meet John Hannah, a renowned speaker and prophet of God. That encounter left a deep and lasting imprint on my spirit.
He shared powerfully on the importance of being continually filled with the presence of God. I still remember his sermon so clearly—the imagery of dwelling in God’s presence, moving from the ankle, to the knee, to the waist. His message was simple yet profound: never stop at one level. Do not settle. Keep going deeper. Always be filled with the Holy Spirit.
One statement he made has stayed with me ever since: “Life begins at 40.” He shared how his own ministry, his family life, and the fullness of his calling truly unfolded after 40. That word resonated deeply within me—not as a timeline, but as an invitation to deeper surrender, greater filling, and renewed purpose.
Looking back now, I see how the Lord was already preparing my heart—to dwell, to go deeper, and to trust that the best is not behind me, but ahead, in Him.
When I look back now, I realize how true those words were. Life truly began to shift when I turned 40. And as I continue to journey through my forties, I can sense that I am stepping into a season of renewal and rejuvenation. I cannot fully explain it, but there is a quiet certainty within my spirit—a fresh strength, a deeper clarity, and a renewed purpose. In these moments, I am reminded of what was spoken years ago: life begins at 40. And now, I see it unfolding, not as a coincidence, but as God’s appointed timing.
Abba Father, I surrender this decade—and the decades to come—fully into Your hands.
Let them be seasons lived for Your glory alone: every step guided by You, every breath reflecting Your grace, and every victory returning honor back to You.
May the fruit of this surrender extend beyond my life, touching generations to come. Let my obedience today become a testimony for my family and a legacy of faith for those who come after me, all for Your glory.
Anyone who would like to check John Hannah Ministries. Check the website below.
Joy of the Lord is my Strength Note Series 