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3 Ways to Cultivate Joy When You’re Struggling in Life
It had been the longest winter of my life, the winter of counting down the weeks, days, and hours until my health returned. I spent it mostly staring at the dead landscape out the sliding glass door – beige earth folded under ribbons of grey sky that felt dismal and bleak. I’d been trying to cultivate joy by looking to the future, but the discouragement of my illness was like a black cloud blurring my view. You might not be stuck on the couch with a long stretch of illness, but I imagine you have your own brand of discouragement lingering low. Discouraging seasons take all shapes and forms: stress…
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15 Powerful Bible Verses for Times of Trouble and Grief
Dawn comes quietly this time of year, the rising sun pushing out the chill of night. My heart is heavy as I watch the light ascend. Pulling out my Bible, I begin listing them: hope-filled Bible verses for times of trouble and grief. 15 Bible Verses for Times of Trouble Perhaps you need this encouragement today as well. We live in a broken world, and we all face times of trouble. Meanwhile, God offers hope for even the darkest days. He invites us to draw near to him, and he will give us the strength to endure grief and trouble. Bible Verses for Times of Trouble and Grief Today, we’ll look…
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The Truth About God and Your Emptiness in Life
The first red-winged blackbird appeared from out of the pasty white sky on a Sunday, and we marveled at the feeder like we’d never seen such a miracle. We were at the end of a season when all the emptiness in life had us feeling poured out. Everyday moments suddenly feel like miracles when everything else has been stripped away. In the aftermath of the longest kind of winter season, that first red-winged blackbird looked something like a scarlet-caped wonder. At the end of a never-ending night, just a little flicker of light can change everything. Emptiness in Life We knew a thing or two about emptiness in life that…
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3 Ways to Draw Close to God When You’re Weary and Worn
I’m feeling weary and burdened as we make the long walk to the end of the driveway to wait for the school bus. I know my soul longs to draw close to God. Sadly, setting aside the time feels like work, and work is what’s worn me thin. Ann Voskamp’s words pass through my mind: “It’s never the things you carry that hurt you, but how you carry those things.” Meanwhile, when I’m honest with myself and with God, there are times when it feels like I’m carrying an unbearably heavy load, and there’s no way this load could do anything other than crush me. Truth to Help You Draw…
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I Am Tired, God: Encouragement for Exhausting Seasons
The evening sky is graying with dusk, and your feet are weary from a full day of living in the thick of your calling. You’re ready for the needy people to head home so you can do the same—so you can take a long break from life and this world with its incessant demands. “I am tired, God,” you whisper. “Please carry me.” Most of us have been here. It might be the classroom where you invest your time teaching young people. Maybe it’s the house where the children rule the schedule, including when you will eat, sleep, and even shower. Perhaps it’s the quiet cubicle where you spend the…
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15 Bible Verses on Emotional Health: With Applications
God cares about every aspect of his children’s lives. He cares about our bodies, our spirits, our minds, and our emotions. Today, we’ll explore 15 Bible verses about emotional health. Then, I’ll share three practical applications to help us process our feelings in God’s presence. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God for emotional wholeness. Bible Verses on Emotional Health Here are 15 encouraging Bible verses on emotional health. 15 Bible Verses on Emotional Health 1. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against…
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A Refiner’s Fire Story and a Prayer for the Fires of Life
The snow outside was knee-deep when I counted the days and realized I hadn’t left the house in 28 days. I was living out my own version of the refiner’s fire story. The refining fire was burning away the dross in my life, and it hurt. I’ll share my story from the fire shortly. First, let’s visit the refiner’s fire story as we consider the various fires we face. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you encounter God as you endure life’s fires. The Refiner’s Fire Story The refiner’s fire story shares the story of a group of women…
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10 Bible Verses for Desperation: Don’t Give Up
We all face desperate situations in life. During these times, we need anchors to hold us in life’s storms. Today, we’ll explore 10 Bible verses for desperation. I’ll also share a message to every mom who feels like she is barely hanging on. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you turn to God and find him in desperate moments. Bible Verses for Desperation Let’s dig into God’s Word as we soak in these comforting Bible verses for desperation. Bible Verses for Desperation 1. Isaiah 41:10 ESV Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am…
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How to Trust God in Hard Times: 4 Ways
The maples were speckled with tangerine hues when the long season began. I didn’t know what the months ahead might hold. I was in the middle of a rugged stretch of roadway, and the tunnel ahead looked long. Where do you turn when the going gets tough and you’re not sure how to trust God in hard times? How to Trust God in Hard Times I was trudging forward on an autumn day, and I stumbled into the following words: “He (Jesus) learned obedience from what he suffered . . .” (Hebrews 5:8 NIV). I stopped in my tracks. I’d never noticed these words, and maybe you haven’t either. Jesus,…
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10 Anchoring Bible Verses for Uncertainty in Life
Somewhere along the blurred line between the lush days of summer and the frosty mornings of autumn, I stared out the window and realized we were stepping into an uncertain future. I’m a planner, and the uncertainty threatened to make me come unglued. I needed to find some anchoring Bible verses for uncertainty. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook for uncertain times. 10 Bible Verses for Uncertainty Opening my Bible, I began my search. As I scanned the pages, I considered my tendency to cling to control. I reminded myself that God holds all things together, and he never worries about…
