Silver Linings

This year has been tough for many reasons, but there are still silver linings! In a season that has shaken us to our core, I challenge you to pay attention to the good, beautiful things that are still around us everyday. The Lord has blessed us with so many great gifts if we just look for them. Spend time with Him this week and let His blessings fill you with joy and strength. It's okay to acknowledge the difficult circumstances, but don't let that be your only focus or you will miss out on some incredible experiences!

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Journey on!

Photo by Jacob Mejicanos on Unsplash

Speak in Love

In the age of social media, and especially in this election year, a lot of time is spent discussing and debating current issues. While healthy debate can allow for positive conversation and change, too often these controversies move away from the actual issue into personal attacks. People from both sides ridicule, belittle, and eviscerate each other, often without even actually listening to the other's point of view. If we are going to shine Christ's light to the world, we have to keep our focus on him. We need to be patient and kind. It's important to speak up and be a voice for desperately needed change, but also to listen and give others grace. Next time you feel yourself tempted to fire off an ugly response online, stop and pray about it. We will do more good in this world if we resist responding out of anger but rather  speak truth in love.

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

Journey on! 

Trusting in His Plan

"Faith doesn't always mean that God changes your situation- sometimes it means He changes you." Steven Furtick

There have been times I have prayed and asked for God to answer my prayer in a specific way, or if it was not His will, that He would change my heart about the situation instead. It's hard when you are praying for something you truly hope will happen, because you also have to trust that God's plan is perfect either way. We don't have all the answers. We don't see the big picture that He sees. God does care about our desires, our hopes and our dreams. He loves us and wants to bless us. So if He's saying no to something, He has a good reason in His perfect plan, even if we can't understand. Trust in Him and boldly ask Him to do great things in your life, but trust that if He closes a door, it's because he is being a good father. He loves you and wants to mold you and shape you in His image. We may not always understand, but we can always trust. 

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5 

Journey on!  

We are His People

"Worrying implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to care about what's going on in our lives." -Francis Chan

When we worry, we forget the great power of our God, and we forget just how much our mighty Lord loves us. He has all things in His hands, and He will take care of our every need. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are His children, and that He is guiding us, protecting us, and making a path for us every single day. If you are worried about anything this week, lay it down at the throne of God. Visualize physically handing it over to Him, placing it at His feet, and then embrace the peace of knowing that He is in control. You have nothing to fear when you trust in the Lord.

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 

Journey on!

Take Shelter

It's easy to feel busy throughout the day with work, family, and other responsibilities, but if we don't carve out time to spend with God, we can become depleted emotionally and spiritually. Taking time to reconnect with the Lord is essential! When you pray, meditate, read the Word, or listen to worship songs (or any other way you find to worship), it allows you to take shelter from the world for a brief time and be comforted and renewed in the shadow of His wing (Psalm 91:4). Take the initiative to connect with God today! 

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

Journey on!

A Bold Confidence

Are there things about yourself that you maybe wish you could change? All of us probably have things that come to mind, and while self-improvement can be a good thing, focusing only on the things we dislike about ourselves can damage our self-esteem. The Lord tells us that we are His children, the sheep of His pasture. He tells us we are made in His image! He loves us so dearly. While He wants us to strive to be like Him and continue growing, He also wants us to understand that He loves us exactly how we are today. As you go about your week, remember that you can have confidence in who you are in the Lord. You are His beautiful creation!

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14

Journey on!

Take Heart

When the world feels overwhelming, it helps to remember that we have a Father who has all things under control. He loves you, is with you, and has a plan for your life. Even when you can't see what's next, He will be your guide. He will give you strength, wisdom, courage, and peace. All these things that seem so big and hard on earth are only temporary problems. We can take heart knowing that God is working in our lives at all times, and we don't have to be disheartened if we fix our eyes on Him. 

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

Journey on! 

Joy in All Things

Life gives us ups and downs, and sometimes the valleys feel like they will go on forever. When you find yourself in a difficult season, know that there is still opportunity to have joy! It might be harder to see on the surface, but take time to look for the blessings God is providing, and seek to have joy in those things. It doesn't mean the hard circumstances aren't still difficult, but it does give us a better perspective and focus when we can find the beauty in the midst of the hardships. It provides us with comfort and hope! Whatever you are facing today, know that you can find joy in the Lord, because He loves you and is with you every step of the way. 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Journey on! 

John 10:27-30

 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Strength in God

“When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful.” ~ D.L. Moody

I'm not sure why, but multiple people have come up to me recently commenting on how overwhelmed they feel with life right now. It seems so many in my circle of friends and family are battling daily frustrations and struggles that pile up higher and higher until they are left feeling exhausted, defeated, and weak. And in this state of weakness, Satan is whispering lies to them about how they don't measure up, or that others must despise them because of their failures. 

When we are mentally, physically, and spiritually depleted it is easy to give into those negative fears and lies. 

If you feel worn down this week by life, take a break. Stop trying to push the boulder up the mountain and simply open up your hands to God! Let Him take all your burdens from you, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Let Him be strong where you feel weak. Trust in Him to work things for good. Believe that you are loved and worthy because you are His child. Don't entertain any negative self-talk, only His perfect promises of love. Find your strength in God today!

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11

Journey on!

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Ask for Help

When you are going through a tough time, even when you feel alone, it's so important to ask for help. The Lord draws near to those who need comforting, healing, and direction! You need only come to His throne. Pray and ask Him to walk you through your valley, and pray that He will give you wisdom and peace when you feel out of control. It can also be important to reach out to a godly friend or family member whom you trust to ask for prayer and help when you need it. We weren't meant to do this life alone! The Lord is ALWAYS with you and He provides help when we need it most. Keep laying your burdens at His feet, and never give up hope. 

"But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me." Psalm 22:19  

Journey on! 

Own Worst Enemy

"I'm a hazard to myself. Don't let me get me. I'm my own worst enemy." Pink

Of all the challenges we face in the world, sometimes it's our own perfectionism and self-esteem issues that can be the hardest to overcome. Why do we tend to be our own worst critics? The enemy likes to whisper in our ears that we are not good enough, not successful enough...that our mistakes can't be undone, or that we are just going to keep failing...so why try? But these lies need to be shut down as soon as we hear them. We need to remember that God not only created us in His own image, but He loves us unconditionally! While He wants us to strive to live good lives and make good choices, He wants that because it's what is best for us! He knows we are going to mess up, and He still loves us dearly. Who are we to tell God that His word isn't true when He tells us we are His beloved children? Try to see yourself the way God sees you...as His beautiful child, washed clean by the blood of Christ. Trust in Him that you are more than enough because HE is more than enough. Seek Him when you have self-doubt. You are so amazing and so loved. The Lord forgives and He raises us up...His love for us never fails. Don't let anything overshadow that truth!

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1

Journey on!