Encouragement for Today

July 29, 2025 The Spirit Whispers Truth When I Forget Who I Am SHALA WILSON Lee en español

“The women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel.’” Ruth 4:14 (CSB)

The past few years have been hard, filled with some of life’s most challenging transitions. One particular therapy session was heavy as I came up against my lack of faith, my need to control, and my difficulty with letting go and trusting God. In my heart, I was shaming myself, wondering who wants me … like this.

But that evening, as I was visiting a friend, her 15-year-old daughter sheepishly whispered to me as we ate dinner, “You’re gorgeous!” When I felt so far from gorgeous or good enough, the Holy Spirit used this young girl to whisper truth to me that I couldn’t see.

In the book of Ruth, Naomi also struggled to see what could be. Naomi left Israel during a famine and settled in Moab with her husband and two sons, who found Moabite wives. Unfortunately, her husband and sons all died. Hearing of the Lord’s provision in her homeland, she started the journey back to Bethlehem with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. But in her pain, she pushed them both away.

Naomi couldn’t see a way forward. She couldn’t imagine them having new families and a future. Her logic and her physical capabilities left her with a dim view of life. Though Ruth refused to leave her side, Naomi returned home saying, “I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21a, CSB). While raw and vulnerable in her feelings, she lacked faith in her Lord and gratitude for Ruth.

I realized I had been like Naomi. Maybe you see yourself in her too. Discouragement has settled in, and while you want to believe life will turn around, it just seems so hard.

Sister, would you let me encourage you? We serve a faithful God who didn’t forget Naomi and hasn’t forgotten us. In the Lord’s kindness, mercy, and grace, He opened Naomi's eyes to the truth of her situation: She forgot she had a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. But God remembered. Boaz would marry Ruth and provide a grandson for Naomi. In a full-circle moment, the women of Bethlehem spoke truth to Naomi:

“Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him” (Ruth 4:14-15, CSB).

Today might feel heavy, and hope may seem far, but know this: God is not finished with your story! Though you may not see it, His redemption is unfolding.

You are seen.
You are loved.
You are not forgotten.

Father, walk patiently with me as I shed all the limiting beliefs that keep me from seeing the great purpose You have for me as Your daughter. Help me to embrace the truth of all that is possible in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

The office, the kitchen, the classroom … it’s all holy ground. And in the book Five Mere Christians, you’ll meet five people who started living like that was actually true. Their stories are honest, practical, and surprisingly motivating — reminding us that our faith isn’t just meant for Sundays. Don’t miss our August Circle 31 Book Club read. This is the one you’ll want to talk about with every friend you have.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (NIV).

Where in your life have you been listening to fear instead of the Spirit’s whispers of truth?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2025 by Shala Wilson. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org