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Rejection Is God’s Protection: 8 Truths to Stand on
Last year, I faced a crushing setback in my writing career. I almost walked away from writing to pursue a different line of work. Yet as I sorted through my emotions, one truth became clear: Often, rejection is God’s protection. Perhaps you’re facing painful rejection today, too. I encourage you to give yourself time to grieve the loss of your hopes and expectations. Be kind to yourself as you process your feelings and give yourself space and grace to lament what was lost. In the meantime, remind yourself of this truth: God closes doors in our lives for our protection. What If This Rejection Is God’s Protection? Often, God’s protection…
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10 Bible Verses About God’s Provision in Tough Times
Are you facing an assignment you didn’t choose for yourself? If so, let’s turn to God’s Word for 10 Bible verses about God’s provision as we walk through all sorts of difficulties. I invite you to join me as I wrestled with an unexpected assignment and doubted God’s provision. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you trust in God’s provision for you. 10 Bible Verses About God’s Provision A few years ago, God called me to an all-encompassing assignment I did not choose for myself. I spent the first weeks grumbling and resisting it. Finally, on a cold winter…
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Casting Our Nets
Today isn’t my usual day to post, but I’m excited to share the words of one of my dearest lifelong friends today. I met Courtney McNamara when we were in fourth grade at East Lawrence Elementary School, and we’ve been friends ever since! Courtney is a gifted artist, a talented published author, and a tender soul with a huge heart. Her friendship is a treasured gift. She’s one of a small handful of friends who receives my 6:00 a.m., “I need prayer” texts. As we all know, these friends are rare gifts! Courtney’s wisdom on the topic of casting our nets challenged me and blessed me, and I trust it…
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8 Hope-Filled Bible Verses About the Storms of Life
We all face storms in life. If you feel like your ship is about to sink, let’s dig into God’s Word together as we uncover eight hope-filled Bible verses about the storms of life. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional to help you weather life’s most difficult storms. Bible Verses About the Storms of Life Twenty years ago, I boarded a plane in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvnaia and flew to Anchorage, Alaska. I spent the next three months working in a deli outside Denali National Park and traveling across the state on the weekends. One weekend, I took a ferry through the fjords near…
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12 Bible Verses About God’s Care for Us
Smoky wisps of fog wrap their fingers through the goldenrod as I sit by the window in prayer. I’ve been distracted lately, and my thoughts have been far from God. A familiar question runs through my mind: Is God mad at me for neglecting my relationship with him? Pulling out my Bible, I begin my search for Bible verses about God’s care for me. Bible Verses About God’s Care for His Children I find the following Scriptures and sit with them for a while. 12 Bible Verses About God’s Care 1. 1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time…
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When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). The morning after our first child was born I stared at the ticking clock on the white-washed hospital wall and counted the minutes I had slept the previous night. The total came to 55 minutes, which didn’t feel like enough. My abdomen ached from an emergency C-section, I could barely stand up, and little Bekah was less than patient with my lack of breastfeeding experience. It felt like a lot. You’ve probably endured a few seasons when life felt like…
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God Loves You Even When You Don’t Feel Worthy
A few years ago, an epic parenting failure left me feeling like the worst mom in the world. I imagine you’ve had a few of your own failures—moments when it was hard to believe that God loves you in the middle of your messiest moments. I’ll share my story, and we’ll talk about God’s love. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you experience God’s presence and love. The evening of my failure, the sun was sinking low. It was time to clean up the house and relax for a few minutes before going to bed. I’d put away…
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Are You Afraid of Missing God’s Plan for Your Life?
I walk the country road at dusk—twilight folding over the path behind me like a parted sea falling back into place. I’ve been thinking about staying in step with God’s plans lately, and my heart feels bogged down by worries that I might somehow botch his plan. I wonder if you can relate. I wonder if you’ve ever felt fearful that you just might miss God’s plan for your life. You probably know how it feels to be desperate to hear from God about something important to you. You fasted and prayed and scoured your Bible in search of direction. All the while, you wondered if you might be heading…
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Is God Calling You to a Balanced Life? (10 Insightful Scriptures on Balance in Life)
A pale moon hangs casually above the tree line tonight—like it’s in no hurry and has nothing to prove. I watch its slow ascent toward the heights of inky blackness, and I feel remarkably out of balance. I pull out my Bible in search of encouraging Scriptures on balance as I aim to align myself with God’s perspective. I’ve been feeling out of balance because our kids have been sick for weeks. I’ve crossed everything else off the schedule, set aside writing projects, and canceled plans with friends. Every ounce of energy has gone into caring for their needs. I’m tired, and I need the Lord to speak into this…
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10 Bible Verses About God’s Faithfulness in Life’s Storms
The other night, a storm rained itself empty like it was working something out. Sometimes life is like this—you wrestle with God until you’re poured out. During these times, it can be helpful to find an anchor. Today, we’ll explore 10 Bible verses about God’s faithfulness in the storms of life. I invite you to join me as we open God’s Word together. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you navigate life’s storms with God. 10 Bible Verses About God’s Faithfulness in Life’s Storms We’ve wrestled with God more than once throughout this past year. At times, life hasn’t…
