Do you collect things?
Of course, people collect things all the time. Clothes, food, toys, tools… Things have a way of adding up, even when we don’t intend them too. But that’s not what I mean in this instance.
Do you collect anything special?
Special doesn’t have to mean gold or jewels or priceless artifacts. Special just means that it’s treasure to you. Common examples of collections include postcards, stamps, or old coins. I’ve also seen people collect coffee mugs, magnets, sweatshirts, pens, and ballcaps. Anything can be a special collection if it’s meaningful to you.
Usually, I find that people collect these kinds of things to remind them. Remind them of their travels. Of family. Of significant events. They want to remember the things that are special to them, so the collections meant to remind them are special too.
Do you collect anything like that?
Personally, I collect quotes. I started several years ago without really trying. I’d be reading a book or listening to the radio and come across something that really spoke to me. In a hurry, I’d jot it down and stash it somewhere I usually ended up forgetting. Thankfully, I soon realized this was not the greatest method and compiled my collection in a Word document, which currently spans thirteen pages and over 6,000 words.
These quotes come from all sorts of places, on a wide variety of topics. The only requirement is that the content is something I know to be true, and is helpful to me in some form. When I’m needing wisdom or comfort, in addition to immersing myself in Scripture, I often find it helpful to read through my collection of quotes. I can usually find the encouragement, guidance, or inspiration I’m needing.
There’s no doubt about it – times are tough. Especially right now, I’m needing more and more reminders that things are going to be okay.
What about you? Could you use some encouragement today, in the midst of your struggles? Could you stand to be reminded of God’s faithfulness? Of His love?
The best collections are the ones that can be shared. So today I’d like to share ten of my favorite encouraging quotes, with the hope that they inspire you too. Enjoy!
1. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
(Corrie ten Boom)
2. “Does God guarantee the absence of struggle and the abundance of strength? Not in this life. But he does pledge to reweave your pain for a higher purpose.”
(Max Lucado, God Will Carry You Through)
3. “God is God. He knows what he is doing. When you can’t trace his hand, trust his heart.”
(Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment)
4. “When who you are is grounded in Whose you are, you realize it doesn’t matter what life throws your way.”
(Tim Tebow, Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms)
5. “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.”
(C. S. Lewis)
6. “Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.”
(Max Lucado)
7. “God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”
(Tony Evans)
8. “In the truest sense, Christian pilgrims have the best of both worlds. We have joy whenever this world reminds us of the next, and we take solace whenever it does not.”
(Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions and Eternity)
9. “We forget that IMPOSSIBLE is one of God’s favorite words.”
(Max Lucado, Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions)
10. “Our challenge in times of threat is not to focus on what might become a reality, but rather, to focus on what we can count on being true.”
(Charles Stanley, Finding Peace)
Did any of these quotes speak to you today? Go ahead and let me know your favorites in the comments, as well as if there is a certain topic you’d like to see more quotes about. While you’re there, I’d love to hear about YOUR special collection!
Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
1. I’ve shared more of my quote collection in my post: 10 Inspiring Quotes About Thankfulness.
2. To receive your own printable pages of the above quotes (and the ones used in my other ‘Quotes’ posts), sign up for my email list! Simply fill in the form here, and I’ll send you PDF copies of the quote collections – as well as an inspirational short story. I look forward to hearing from you!