Weathering the Storm: Holding On to God's Promises

My life has been full of twists and turns, ups and downs — many, many highs and lows.All of them brought me to this point where I am a girl chasing after God’s own heart, a servant, a wife, a mom, and so much more. One thing I’ve noticed: every storm was attached to a promise.

I’ve been talking with God since I was a young girl. Even then, people would speak into my life, telling me I was an evangelist, that I would help millions of women, and that I would do great things for God.

But my childhood was riddled with trauma — physical and sexual abuse, verbal abuse, and more.The things I endured made it hard to believe any of those words could possibly come true.I spent many days wondering:

• If God was really with me, why was this happening?

• What did I do to deserve this?

As I got older and my relationship with God grew, I started to notice a pattern: Each storm was drawing me closer to Him, exposing spiritual gifts, and making way for His promises.

A Promise Often Comes with a Storm

We often get excited when God gives us a promise — and we should!But we must also remember: testing and storms often follow the promise.

• God tests us to see if we truly believe like we say we do.

• The enemy sends distractions to make us doubt or even forfeit the promise.

Sadly, many give up before they see the promise fulfilled.Why?Because:

• It gets tough.

• Doubt creeps in.

• We listen to the enemy's whispers: "Did God really say that?"

But what if I told you that weathering the storm is simpler than we think?

I'm not saying the storm is easy — adversity causes real pain — but God said:

"In all things, give thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

What if the key to surviving the storm was this: Take your eyes off what you see. Fix them on Jesus and Praise your way through.

Finding Strength in the Middle of the Storm

You might be thinking:"Ebony, you have no idea what I’m facing."And you’re right — I don’t.

But here’s what I do know:

• There is a scripture you can stand on for every situation.

• God is with you in all things.

• The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Even when you feel weak, you can find joy in Jesus.

When facing a storm, it's easy to see the glass as half empty. Ask God for His perspective and wisdom — it can help you push through toward the promise.

Ultimately, every promise leads to the glory of our Father. He cares not only about your needs, but your heart’s desires too.

A Personal Testimony: God's Faithfulness

I’ll leave you with a major promise that took time — but God kept His word!

Before my daughter was born (she’s now 14!), I received a promise that I would have a son.Life hit hard. I got pregnant — but it was a girl!Confused? I was too.

I thought: "This isn't what God said."But then came another word:

"God said you're still going to have your boy."

That renewed my hope! Then life took another turn: I went through a divorce.I thought: "Surely, I must have heard wrong."The promise seemed farther away than ever.

Fast forward to 2021 — I was remarried and gave birth to the promised child — a son! After 17 years, God's promise was fulfilled!

• God never gave me the details of the “in-between.”

• He never showed me the pressing, the stretching, or the pain that would come.

• But through it all, the promise remained.

No matter my mistakes, doubts, or detours — God stayed faithful.

Final Encouragement

I don’t know what promise you’re holding onto, I don’t know how long you’ve been waiting, but I do know this:God is faithful. If He did it for me, He will do it for you.

So today, I encourage you:

• Weather the storm with God.

• Exchange your thoughts for His.

• Press through until you're living in your promise.

This is just one of many testimonies I could share, but I hope this one encourages you today.

Keep pressing. Keep believing. Your promise is closer than you think.

With intention, Ebony

Unapologetically Walking in Purpose: The Journey of Intentional Living with Ebony Belt

Welcome to “With Intention.” I am Ebony Belt, and I wear many hats! My journey through life has taught me to live intentionally and to approach all things with purpose. Everything I do is surrounded by my God-given purpose.

Who Am I?

Now that you know my name, let’s dive a little deeper. I am a Child of God, a lover of Jesus, a devoted wife, a proud mother of three incredible children aged 21, 14, and 3, and a passionate speaker. Parenting a toddler at 40 brings its own unique challenges and joys that make life interesting.

I lead Divine by Design Mentoring Co, a trauma-informed organization dedicated to mentoring youth in the DMV area. This program emerged from my life experiences, which have been filled with highs and lows that have shaped who I am. Every moment, whether joyful or sorrowful, has contributed to my growth and reaffirmed my commitment to walk in purpose.

The Call to Intentional Living

In a world where fast-paced routines often take over, living intentionally can be overlooked. To me, living with intention means making mindful choices. For instance, I realized that simple actions like practicing gratitude daily led to a measurable 25% increase in my overall happiness. Each decision, no matter how small, sets off a chain reaction that touches those around me.

By aligning my actions with my faith in God, I acknowledge that every day brings lessons and opportunities. Each breath entrusted to us is a call to live with purpose. Even mistakes serve a purpose; they are often our best teachers. I will often explore living intentionally, focusing on how each moment holds significance.

My Mission: Sharing the Journey

The aim of this blog is to take you along as I embrace life intentionally. I hope my experiences will inspire you to embark on your own path. Some of my posts will cover serious topics, while others might be lighter in tone. However, my main goal is to encourage you to find inspiration and hope in my stories.

Growth often flourishes in challenging moments. By sharing my journey, I aspire to create a community where we lift each other up and strive to be intentional in every aspect of life.

The Importance of Reflection

Reflecting on my journey, I see how crucial it is to regularly evaluate my life’s direction. Intentional living encourages this reflective practice. For example, assessing my relationships or work-life balance can reveal which connections nourish my soul.

Over the last year, I took time each month to assess my mental health and energy levels, finding that 70% of my emotional draining came from unfulfilling commitments. By making simple changes, I became more aligned with my purpose and experienced deeper fulfillment.

Embracing Imperfection

Navigating life as a parent has shown me the beauty in imperfection. Life rarely unfolds as planned, and that is okay. Each of my children brings a different lesson. From guiding my eldest through the transition into adulthood to learning the art of patience with my toddler, each interaction teaches me something new.

I’ve adopted a "progress, not perfection" mindset. By savoring the chaotic moments, I remind myself that growth often comes from life’s messiest days.

Finding Community

I am eager to connect with others on similar journeys. Community is essential for nurturing intentional living. I encourage you to seek out individuals who inspire and motivate you. These connections can be found through local events, online platforms, or social media.

Sharing experiences helps us learn from each other. In a supportive community, we celebrate victories and navigate challenges together, reinforcing our collective pursuit of purpose.

Practical Tips for Living Intentionally

To kickstart your journey of intentional living, consider these actionable tips:

• Set Daily Intentions: Each morning, take a moment to define what you want to achieve. This simple act can enhance your productivity and emotional well-being.

  
  

• Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals. Include images and words that resonate with your aspirations, guiding you toward your purpose.

  
  

• Reflect Regularly: Dedicate time each week to assess your progress. Adjust your goals to ensure alignment with your purpose.

  
  

Embracing the Journey Ahead

As we move forward on this path of intentional living, I am excited to share insights and experiences with you. Life is not merely about existing; it’s about thriving with purpose.

I invite you to join me in embracing every moment as a chance to grow and live intentionally. Together, let’s cultivate lives filled with hope, love, and purpose. Remember, even in uncertain times, you hold the power to shape a fulfilling life aligned with your vision.

Thank you for being part of this journey! I look forward to exploring the beauty of intentional living together.

• With intention, Ebony