Highlight : Declaring God's truth out loud

 “Meditating quietly is awesome. But there does come a time when your quiet time needs to be loud time and you need to speak louder the truth of what God says so that your own soul hears it.”

God’s Word is our anchor. When the waves are crashing around us and we can’t hear ourselves think, we may need to hear ourselves speak. In the midst of writing a book about courage, Holly Wagner experienced her own storms. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer, they experienced identity theft, and close friends betrayed her. Just as one wave swept over the Wagners, another one followed closely behind it.

Holly chose to speak God’s promises out loud for the sake of her own mind and heart. Now she has a message for us – you can prepare for a storm before it happens and that starts with the Bible.

“Spending regular time with God is not a luxury. It’s essential. It’s not about spending eight hours. It’s about recognizing His voice, His presence, so that when you are in a dark time, you can go back to what you know.”

When you meditate on the character and love of God in the good times, it will strengthen you in the dark times when you wonder if He’s truly there. Remind yourself of His promises and choose to believe that His Word holds truth. That truth will be your anchor when the waves roll in, the divorce papers come, the bank account is empty, or your diagnosis is revealed.

God also used the people around us as His tools of encouragement. Holly experienced many instances of a friend or family member texting her out of the blue with a piece of encouragement. This is a common way God will send you help.

“It just seemed like out of the blue to them, but what I knew was that this was God saying to me, ‘You’re not alone. I’ve got you, and there are people around you, praying for you, and standing with you.’

God will always send you a piece of encouragement. It starts with His Word and moves to His people. Spend time in His Word, receive encouragement, and turn around to share it with someone else. When we’re in a storm, it can re-frame our perspective to bless someone nearby.


Holly Wagner and her husband, Philip, co-pastor Oasis Church – a growing, relevant, multi-cultural, multi-generational church located in Los Angeles. She and Philip have taught many relationship seminars around the world and are committed to healthy marriages, especially their own! They love spending time with their two young adult children, Jordan and Paris, and enjoy seeing them fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives.

Key Scriptures: Proverbs 31:15; Ecclesiastes 4:12

Featured Songs: I Found My Joy by Free Worship; Everything is Mine in You by Christy Nockels; Thank You by Bethel Music

How to find your brave