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When Christmas Is Hard: 5 Insights to Give You Hope
Snow falls heavily like flour through a sifter, and I’m alone with only my thoughts and the hushed whisper of flakes gathering on frozen earth. As I sit beneath the hemlocks, I’m reminded of a season years ago when our family was suffering at Christmas. It can be challenging to know where to turn when Christmas is hard instead of celebratory. When Christmas Is Hard Our difficult Christmas came after a year filled with illness, disappointment, and deep grief. We’d just watched a lifelong dream go up in smoke, and we weren’t sure where to turn next. We were grieving, and we were having a hard time embracing the Christmas…
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15 Bible Verses About Letting Go and Trusting God
This morning, I was startled to find the wood line painted grey. The bleak scene mirrored the state of my soul. Letting go and trusting God with my life felt nearly impossible. Opening, my Bible, I began copying a list of Bible verses about letting go and trusting God. Bible Verses About Letting Go Here are the Scriptures I listed. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you let go and trust God. 15 Bible Verses About Letting Go and Trusting God 1. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so…
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8 Bible Verses for Brokenness, Loss, and Suffering
The first storm of fall comes with gusty gales and breaks loose the brittle branches and untethered leaves. I have a deep sense of my own brokenness as the leaves scatter across the yard, and a question stirs in my heart: If God uses brokenness for good, how do we turn to God and find beauty in the brokenness? Turning to God’s Word, I begin listing Bible verses for brokenness in my journal. 8 Bible Verses for Brokenness These are the words I write. I encourage you to meditate on these words. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help…
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8 Calming Prayers for Anxiety, Worry, and Fear
The hollow growl of a thunderstorm awakens me well past midnight. I turn to look out the open window and watch the skyline flicker white. Four sleepless hours later, I lie on my back and begin uttering calming prayers with the hopes of quieting the noise inside my head. Perhaps you need God to quiet your heart today, too. I’ll share eight calming prayers for peace and rest today. Then, we’ll talk about how to take practical steps to shift into the peace we desire. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you find peace in God’s presence. Calming Prayers…
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Your Pain Has a Purpose, and This Is Part of It . . .
A wide arc of geese honks overhead like a black thread woven through the grey. I watch them from the deck and remember a similar evening several years ago. I sat on this same deck and let these words wash over me: “Your pain has a purpose. Don’t rush through this valley of suffering.” I was at the end of a long season of suffering, and most of the time, I couldn’t see the purpose of the pain. It seemed entirely unnecessary. Maybe you can relate. You want to know your pain has a purpose. Meanwhile, for the most part, it seems unnecessary. Today, we’ll talk about God’s purpose for…
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17 Bible Verses for a Brokenhearted Woman
Recently, I met with a friend whose heart was broken. I did my best to encourage her, and after we parted ways, she asked me to help her find some Bible verses for a brokenhearted woman. Today, I’m sharing the verses I sent her. If you are hurting today, I invite you to soak in these words today, too. You are not alone. God hasn’t missed a moment of your pain, and he wants to comfort you. 17 Bible Verses for a Brokenhearted Woman Let’s look at 17 Bible verses for a brokenhearted woman. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to…
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5 Hope-Filled Prayers for Grieving Families
A few months ago, a family in our community endured a heart-wrenching loss. Every time I read updates about their painful journey, I felt like my heart was pierced, and tears flooded my eyes. At the culmination of their awful journey, I visited the Facebook page where they had been posting updates. As I read through the kind and encouraging words written by those who were supporting them, the pain of entering into their story was almost more than I could bear. I was about to close the Facebook page and move on to something different—mostly to assuage the torrent of emotions I was feeling—when a quiet voice whispered, “Stay.”…
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Trials of Faith: 3 Promises for Tough Times
We all face trials of faith. When these times come, we can respond in a variety of ways. Some people blame God for trials, take offense, and turn away from him. Others try to fix the broken circumstances as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, some of us numb ourselves or escape into work. Today, we’ll talk about how to grow through trials of faith instead of being thrown off course by them. Trials of Faith Last year at this time, the valley behind our house flooded. After three days of rain, the ice encasing the creek finally gave way, and the whole valley was swallowed in the icy torrent. Standing at…
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15 Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance
Are you seeking God’s guidance as you step into an uncertain situation? Today, we’ll explore 15 Bible verses for wisdom and guidance. I’ll also share a testimony of applying this truth to an everyday interruption. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you walk in wisdom. Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance Let’s see what God’s Word says about seeking wisdom and guidance from God. 15 Bible Verses for Wisdom and Guidance 1. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. “The fear of the Lord” refers to reverence toward God. When…
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Combating Anxiety with the Power of Intentional Moments
I’m thrilled to share the wise words of my friend Nichole Suvar with you today! Nichole and I met in the world of online writers, and every time I read her words, they touch my heart deeply. Today, I’m honored to share a post from Nichole about combating anxiety with the power of small, intentional moments. Nichole recently released a new book called Numbering Our Days, and this book is helping me slow down, consider my thoughts, and make the most of my moments in light of eternity. It’s exactly what I needed in this season. This wonderful book contains 49 short devotions challenging us to overcome anxiety and embrace intention…
