When Faith Means Trusting the Impossible - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - March 19, 2026
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her" (Luke 1:45, NIV).
Have you ever wanted something so badly you'd do anything to get it?
Maybe it was waiting for test results, holding onto a promise, believing something before there's evidence, or clinging to broken prayers? For me, I've been in each of these situations, hands and knees, asking the Lord to make the answers come quicker. I've longed for diagnosis codes, for my dreams to come true, to see my Dad be healed, and to see my siblings saved. But our God doesn't rush, and He doesn't work on our time-table. However, we often wish He did, right?
When we're waiting on something that feels uncertain, fear and impatience often fill our minds. We want the answers, providence, and fulfillment now. Or if you're me, the day before yesterday. But in Luke 1:45, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, shows us a better way.
As an angel of the Lord tells Mary that she will become pregnant and give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, she's in awe. She's a young virgin girl and struggles to understand. And yet, we read these words in verse 45: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her" (Luke 1:45, NIV).
Though Mary accepts this call with confidence, the Lord also provides her cousin, Elizabeth, to comfort her on her journey. Not only was Mary's pregnancy a walking miracle, but so was Elizabeth's—she'd become pregnant in her old age and would give birth to John the Baptist. Together, Mary and Elizabeth affirm and support one another's faith journeys.
Today, you and I won't be pregnant with the Son of God, but we will face seemingly impossible circumstances. Mary was young, in a confusing situation, and met headfirst with a promise that seemed physically impossible. And yet, every word the Lord spoke to her came true. Because Mary chose to believe God's Word amidst her own fears or doubts. Mary's obedience teaches us that faith isn't certainty about the future, but a sole surrender and trust in God, the one who holds that future.
In a similar vein, Mary also hadn't yet seen the outcome. The Angel of the Lord had spoken to her about what would happen, but her faith had to precede the evidence. Sometimes, God asks us to trust before healing, answers, or clarity, but He's still good. We're all going to face these seasons, from mental health battles to waiting seasons or uncertainty, but we can still trust Him.
Believing God's promises today might look like taking one small step forward, holding onto hope when it's hard, or trusting God when life feels unclear. It could be an act of obedience in the face of fear, believing beyond sight, or doing something that scares you. The blessing of trust, however, comes to all who believe. And Elizabeth called Mary blessed, not because everything was easy or would be problem-free, but because she trusted God. We, too, can be blessed not because our lives will be problem-free, but because we trust God amidst our everyday lives.
Blessing can sometimes look like peace in uncertainty, courage in fear, and hope in waiting. What promise of God do you need to hold onto right now? Where is God asking you to trust Him before you see the outcome? How can we live with a faith like Elizabeth and Mary? Answer these questions honestly with God, and spend some time meditating on Luke 1:45. I encourage you to read the entire chapter 1 for context. Then, close with this prayer:
Dear Jesus, when we read the words of Luke 1:45, they're challenging. It's so hard to believe and trust you before we've seen the outcome. But you, oh, Lord, are good and trustworthy. You love us, you care for us, and we can trust you with our future. When it's scary, help us cling to your promises. When it's unknown, comfort us with the reassurance of your presence. When we don't know what to do or where to turn next, gently guide us like a Shepherd with His sheep. Thank you for being in charge of our lives and for helping us live our faith, trusting you even in the face of impossible circumstances. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Show and teach us how to trust you more. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
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If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
