Phil Strong

All about living a life of purpose on purpose

Tag: faith and patience

  • Thriving In The In-Between (Part 3): The Four Emotional Vulnerabilities Of The In-Between

    The in-between isn’t just a spiritual concept — it’s an emotional battleground.

    When God’s promises feel delayed, your heart and mind enter vulnerable territory. And if you don’t name what you’re facing, you won’t know how to fight it.

    In this post, we’re going to get painfully honest (and very practical) about the four emotional vulnerabilities you’ll face in the in-between. You’re not failing if you experience these — but you are in danger if you pretend they aren’t there.

    1️⃣ Confusion: “What Am I Supposed To Do?”

    The first vulnerability that hits us is confusion.

    • “Did I hear God correctly?”
    • “Was that really His leading?”
    • “Am I supposed to stay, move, wait, act?”

    In the absence of visible direction, the temptation is to fill the void with your own solutions — or worse, to freeze entirely.

    God’s Antidote: Revelation

    Confusion thrives in darkness; God’s revelation brings light.

    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

    When you’re confused:

    • Return to the Scriptures.
    • Revisit the prophetic words God has already spoken to you.
    • Seek godly counsel that brings clarity, not more noise.

    God is not the author of confusion; He is the author of truth.

    2️⃣ Impatience: “Why Is This Taking So Long?”

    The longer you wait, the more you want to do something.
    Force the issue. Make something happen. Take control.

    Impatience is incredibly dangerous — because rushed decisions often lead to wrong outcomes.

    “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

    God’s Antidote: Trust

    Impatience exposes your trust level.

    • Do you trust God’s character when you can’t see His timing?
    • Can you release your personal timeline to Him?

    Trust is confidence in who God is, not how quickly He performs.

    “He is faithful. He is my provider. He is working even when I can’t see it.”

    3️⃣ Doubt: “Is God Really Going To Do It?”

    Doubt is a spiritual fog. It attacks your belief system:

    • “Did God really say…?”
    • “Maybe I got this wrong.”
    • “Maybe this was just wishful thinking.”

    This is exactly the question the serpent posed to Eve in the garden — and it’s still the enemy’s favorite weapon.

    God’s Antidote: Faith

    “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

    You don’t fight doubt with intellectual arguments — you fight doubt by choosing faith.

    • Declare God’s promises aloud.
    • Pray bold prayers.
    • Surround yourself with people of faith who remind you what God can do.

    Faith is not the absence of doubt — it’s the decision to believe despite it.

    4️⃣ Insecurity: “Who Do I Think I Am?”

    Finally, insecurity hits you at your identity level.

    • “Am I even worthy of this promise?”
    • “Maybe I’m not spiritual enough.”
    • “What if I mess it up?”

    This attacks your sonship — your standing as a beloved child of God.

    God’s Antidote: Sonship

    “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” (Romans 8:15)

    You don’t have to strive to earn your place — you already have it. God’s promises aren’t fulfilled because you’re perfect; they’re fulfilled because He’s faithful.

    Spiritual Warfare Is Real

    Let me be clear: these vulnerabilities aren’t just feelings — they’re spiritual battlegrounds.

    • Confusion.
    • Impatience.
    • Doubt.
    • Insecurity.

    The enemy uses these to discourage, distract, and derail you.

    But you don’t have to be a victim to them. You can recognize them early and apply God’s truth as your weapon.

    As I often remind myself:

    “If you let your emotions drive, you’ll crash. But if you let them point you to God’s truth, you’ll stay on course.”

    Coming Next: “The Spiritual Battle of The In-Between”

    In Part 4, we’ll dive into how to fight these battles — practically, spiritually, and victoriously — using what I call the “Pirate Dance” (Reflect, Remind, Reset).

    PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:

    Thriving In The In-Between (Part 1): When God’s Promise Feels Delayed
    Thriving In The In-Between (Part 2): Moses — The Leader Who Lived In The In-Between

    👉 If you haven’t yet, listen to my Coffee With Phil podcast episode for the full teaching.

  • Thriving In The In-Between (Part 2): Moses — The Leader Who Lived In The In-Between

    In the first post of this series, we defined the in-between as that space between God’s promise spoken and God’s promise fulfilled. If you missed it, [go back and read Part 1 here].

    Now, let’s talk about a man who knows the in-between better than most: Moses.

    Moses: Called, Commissioned… and Waiting

    Moses’ life could be summed up as one long in-between season. Let’s break it down:

    • Born under threat: Pharaoh orders baby boys killed; Moses is hidden and rescued.
    • Raised in privilege: He grows up in Pharaoh’s palace — but with a Hebrew identity.
    • Flees into obscurity: Kills an Egyptian, escapes to the wilderness for 40 years.
    • God calls him back: The burning bush encounter launches his leadership call.
    • Leads a nation: Delivers Israel from slavery, walks them through the wilderness.
    • Falls short: Disobeys God at Meribah; told he won’t enter the Promised Land.

    He experienced massive highs and crushing lows — but most of his leadership was lived in the in-between. He led a people stuck between Egypt and Canaan, between slavery and promise, between unbelief and faith.

    Sound familiar?

    The Three R’s: How Moses Navigated The In-Between

    As Moses approached the end of his life, he delivered his final messages to Israel — recorded for us in the book of Deuteronomy.

    In these sermons, Moses models three critical practices for living well in the in-between:

    1️⃣ Reflect: Look Back On God’s Faithfulness

    Before the people crossed the Jordan, Moses reminded them of everything God had already done:

    • The miraculous escape from Egypt.
    • The provision in the wilderness.
    • God’s patience with their rebellion.

    Reflection fuels gratitude and perspective.
    When you’re in the in-between, remembering what God has already done strengthens your faith for what He will do.

    2️⃣ Remind: Rehearse God’s Promises

    Over and over, Moses calls Israel to remember God’s covenant, commandments, and promises:

    “Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors.” (Deut. 8:1)

    When God feels silent, remember what He has already spoken.

    Sometimes, we don’t need a “new word” from God — we simply need to remind ourselves of the word He’s already given.

    3️⃣ Reset: Prepare For What’s Next

    Moses didn’t let disappointment paralyze him. Even though he couldn’t enter the Promised Land himself, he equipped Joshua and the people to advance:

    “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land…” (Deut. 31:7)

    Resetting means preparing your heart for what’s ahead — even if you can’t see it yet.

    Why This Matters For You

    You may not be leading a million people through the desert (praise God). But you are leading your own life, family, ministry, or calling through some version of the in-between.

    The three R’s are your framework:

    • Reflect on God’s goodness so far.
    • Remind yourself of what He’s already said.
    • Reset your heart to keep moving forward.

    Or as I like to call it on the Coffee With Phil podcast: The Pirate Dance.
    (Arrr, Arr, Arr!)

    God Is Working — Even When You Don’t See It

    Moses didn’t fail because he lived in the in-between. His legacy was actually forged there. And so is yours.

    As Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us:

    “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

    Coming Next: “The Four Emotional Vulnerabilities of The In-Between”

    In Part 3, we’ll unpack the real struggles you face in the in-between — confusion, impatience, doubt, and insecurity — and how to overcome them with God’s truth.

    👉 Until then, make sure to listen to the full Coffee With Phil podcast episode where I walk through this entire teaching.

     

  • Thriving In The In-Between (Part 1): When God’s Promise Feels Delayed

    “You’re almost there — but not quite.”

    That moment when you’re driving toward your destination, and you instinctively sense you’re close. The GPS says 5 minutes. Your spouse pulls out the hairbrush. The anticipation rises. You can feel you’re nearly home, but you’re not quite there.

    That, my friend, is the in-between — and in life, we often live there.

    For Christians desiring to live obedient, steadfast lives of faith, the in-between is one of the most uncomfortable and yet most spiritually critical places we will ever occupy. It’s that space between God’s promise spoken and God’s promise fulfilled. The space where you believe, but you can’t yet see. You’re not in Egypt, but you’re not yet in the Promised Land.

    In this series, I want to take you on a journey of understanding, encouragement, and practical guidance for navigating the in-between well.

    The Now But Not Yet

    In theology, this tension is often called the “now but not yet” of God’s kingdom. The Apostle Paul puts it this way:

    “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19)

    In other words: the fullness of God’s kingdom has broken into the world through Jesus, but it has not yet fully come in its ultimate completion. We experience God’s promises now, but we’re still waiting for their fullness.

    And in your personal life?

    • The job God promised — not yet open.
    • The healing you believe for — not yet visible.
    • The vision for ministry — not yet fully realized.

    This is the in-between.

    You’re Not Alone In The Waiting

    The Bible is filled with people who lived significant portions of their lives in this uncomfortable space:

    • Abraham waited decades for Isaac.
    • Joseph languished in prison before becoming a ruler.
    • David was anointed king but spent years running for his life.
    • Moses — and we’ll camp here for a bit — led Israel for 40 years, but didn’t enter the Promised Land.

    Yes, even Moses, the man God spoke to face-to-face, found himself living in the in-between.

    Moses: The Man Who Got Close

    In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is at the end of his journey. He led God’s people out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and to the very edge of the Promised Land.

    But due to his disobedience, God tells Moses:

    “You shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.” (Deut. 32:52)

    Talk about being almost there — but not yet.

    And yet, what does Moses do? He faithfully delivers his final sermons (the book of Deuteronomy), preparing the people to enter what he cannot. In these final moments, Moses models how to live well in the in-between:

    1️⃣ Reflect – Look back on God’s faithfulness.

    2️⃣ Remind – Rehearse God’s promises.

    3️⃣ Reset – Ready yourself for what’s next.

    (You’ll hear me call this “The Pirate Dance” in upcoming posts. Don’t worry, it’s much more biblical than it sounds.)

    The Tension We Feel

    If you’re in the in-between, you know the tension:

    • You trust God but still feel unsettled.
    • You have faith but battle impatience.
    • You believe God’s word but wrestle with doubt.
    • You know your identity in Christ but sometimes feel insecure.

    Friend, you are not failing because you feel these things. You’re simply human. The key is learning how to navigate these vulnerabilities rather than letting them derail your journey. That’s exactly where we’re headed in the next few posts.

    The God Who Is In The In-Between

    Here’s your first big takeaway:

    Jesus lives in the in-between with you.

    • Between life and death.
    • Between sickness and healing.
    • Between lack and provision.
    • Between brokenness and wholeness.
    • Between your past and your future.

    He is Emmanuel — God with us — even in this space of waiting.

    And He speaks this promise over you:

    “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

    Coming Next: “Moses: The Leader Who Lived In The In-Between”

    In Part 2, we’ll unpack how Moses handled his in-between season and what we can learn to strengthen our own walk of faith.

    👉 In the meantime, if this post resonates with you, take a moment to listen to the full CWP.119 episode of my Coffee With Phil podcast where I unpack this teaching in much greater depth.

     

  • The Season of In-between

    When God’s Promises Feel “Almost There”: Navigating Faith in the In Between

    How do you stay faithful when you’re living in the space between God’s promise and its fulfillment?

    If you’ve ever felt stuck in a season of waiting—praying for breakthrough while wrestling with doubt, seeking clarity while walking through confusion—you’re not alone. In fact, you’re living in what I call the “in between,” and it’s one of the most challenging yet transformative spaces of the Christian journey.

    The Sacred Space of “Almost There”

    During a recent episode of Coffee with Phil, I found myself reflecting on those seasons when God’s promises feel so close you can almost taste them, yet remain frustratingly out of reach. Like Moses standing on Mount Nebo, gazing into the Promised Land he would never enter, we often find ourselves in the “almost there” moments of faith.

    These aren’t seasons of abandonment—they’re sacred spaces where our faith gets refined, our character gets strengthened, and our dependence on God gets deepened. But that doesn’t make them any less difficult to navigate.

    The Four Faces of In Between Living

    Through years of pastoral ministry and personal experience, I’ve observed four common vulnerabilities that surface when we’re living in the in between:

    Confusion clouds our vision when God’s ways don’t align with our expectations. Impatience gnaws at our peace when His timing doesn’t match our timeline. Doubt whispers questions about His faithfulness when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. And insecurity shakes our confidence when we can’t see the next step clearly.

    Sound familiar? You’re in good company—even the greatest biblical heroes wrestled with these same struggles.

    Making Faith Real in the Waiting

    The beautiful truth is that God hasn’t left us to figure out the in between on our own. For every vulnerability we face, He offers a corresponding grace. When confusion comes, He provides revelation through His Word and Spirit. When impatience threatens our peace, He calls us to deeper trust. When doubt creeps in, He strengthens our faith through community and testimony. When insecurity unsettles us, He anchors us in His unchanging character.

    But how do we practically live this out? How do we make faith real when everything feels uncertain?

    An Invitation to Go Deeper

    Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of five articles designed specifically for those of you navigating your own “in between” seasons. We’ll explore five essential thoughts that can transform your waiting from mere endurance into purposeful growth:

    • Post 1: “The In-Between: When God’s Promise Feels Delayed”
    • Post 2: “Moses: The Leader Who Lived In The In-Between”
    • Post 3: “The Four Emotional Vulnerabilities of the In-Between”
    • Post 4: “The Spiritual Battle of the In-Between”
    • Post 5: “5 Anchors For Thriving In The In-Between”

    Each article will combine biblical truth with practical application, offering you tools not just to survive the in between, but to thrive in it.

    Your Faith Story Matters

    Whether you’re waiting for healing, praying for breakthrough in relationships, seeking direction for your calling, or wrestling with unanswered questions, your story matters. The in between isn’t a detour from God’s plan—it’s often the very place where His deepest work happens in our hearts.

    I’d love to hear about your own in between experiences as we journey through this series together. What vulnerabilities have you faced? What has helped you stay faithful in the waiting? Your insights could be exactly what another reader needs to hear.

    Ready to make faith real in the in between? Follow me to receive each article in this series directly to your inbox, and join our community of believers committed to living faithfully in every season.

    Phil Strong is a pastor, speaker, and host of the “Coffee with Phil” podcast. He’s passionate about helping Christians navigate the real challenges of faith with biblical wisdom and practical hope. Connect with Phil and access more resources at https://philstrong.com.