The Myth of Being 100% Sure

The Myth of Being 100% Sure

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My parents tell the story of how I, at age five, climbed up a ladder and fearlessly jumped off a high diving board. I remember that moment — the smell of chlorine and sunscreen, the blue water beneath me, the Texas summer heat radiating off the board.

What I sometimes don’t remember as a grown-up is how it feels to be that brave, to stand at the edge of a dream or opportunity and have the guts to just go for it, let my feet leave what’s solid, let my fingers touch the sky.

My husband Mark and I had a conversation about this recently. I’d been dreaming of doing something for years. I’d tip-toe up to the edge of it then back away slowly. “Not now,” I’d tell myself, “Tomorrow. Today it’s too scary.” Then I’d research more, re-reading things I already knew just to make myself feel more certain. But it never really worked.

I asked Mark, “How sure do I need to be that I can do this before I start?” He’s a wise and responsible person so I expected him to say, “One hundred percent, of course.” But instead, he said, “Seventy-five percent.”

For whatever reason, I took his answer seriously. I climbed the diving board of this dream again and jumped right off the end of it. It wasn’t perfect but it was good enough as a start. And because I’m actually doing it rather than just dreaming about it, I’m getting better at it every day.

After this experience, I started wondering why so many of us believe we need to be one hundred percent sure to move forward with something. One reason might be thinking God is a micromanager and His will is a very tiny, mysterious target we must figure out how to hit or there will be catastrophic consequences.

But Jesus told a parable about a boss going away on a trip and leaving his workers in charge (see Matthew 25:14-30). When the boss comes back, he asks each worker what they did with what was entrusted to them. To the one who invested what he was given, took risks, jumped off the diving board, the boss says, “Well done.”

Grace is not a tiny target; it’s an endless pool.

Here’s what that parable made me realize: God is in control and we are in charge. Saying we have to be one hundred percent sure about something can be a way of avoiding the fear that comes with taking responsibility for our lives.

When we make a decision about something that matters to us, we will always experience fear. It’s how we’re wired as humans. Fear is our brain’s way of informing us, “Something important is at stake here.” We can try to avoid fear by telling ourselves we need to be completely sure about what we’re doing. But as long as we care about what we’re doing or how it turns out, our fear will never go away completely. The opposite of fear isn’t certainty; it’s apathy.

I’m not advocating for impulsivity. I believe in intentionality. This is about the times when fear is trying to hold us back from all God has for us, when we’ve known for a long time deep down what we want to do. When we’re standing at the edge of the same diving board for the one-hundredth time, toes curled around the edge, endless horizon in front of us. As poet Erin Hanson said…

“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask “What if I fall?”
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?”

So go ahead — climb the ladder, step to the edge, and take the leap. You don’t have to be one hundred percent sure; you just have to be willing. God’s grace is deep enough to catch you, His wisdom is strong enough to guide you, and His love is wide enough to carry you. The question isn’t What if I fall? — it’s What if I fly? And, my friend, with God, you just might soar.

Are you trying to find the courage to take your next brave step? I created 12 free Fear-Fighting, Faith-Building Scripture cards to remind you of what’s true! Get yours today.

 

Listen to Holley’s devotion here or on the (in)courage podcast wherever you stream.

Never Underestimate the Power of Sharing What God Has Done

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I walked aimlessly, leaving a trail of tears behind me. I was seventeen and had been withdrawn to Canada after living in the U.S. My grandmother and brother were still in Arkansas, 900 miles away. I was completely alone. 

I had been living in Ontario for three weeks with a family I had never met before arriving on their front porch – and now I was desperate to forget them. I felt shattered and deeply in need of rescue. But who? No one was coming, and that was a fact. Although I can’t recall expressing my prayers verbally, my tears conveyed the overwhelming sorrow and sadness in my heart, which seemed to be the only emotions I could experience during those days.

With no destination in mind, I stopped at an intersection in front of a red brick house. Wanting to avoid drawing attention to myself, I tried to clean my face and prepare to return to the place where I was staying. As I attempted to gather myself, I heard a woman call out as she approached, “Hey, are you okay?” Something in her voice brought so much comfort. When she got closer, she introduced herself and invited me to come inside her home for a cup of tea. 

Weary of barely surviving and in desperate need of comfort, I accepted. 

Dorothy guided me through her home and into the kitchen, asking me to overlook the mess as she eagerly prepared tea. Seated at an old, cluttered kitchen table, I shared my story for the first time — from childhood to the present. I recounted the heartbreak of my parents’ abandonment, the love I had received from my Abuelita who had moved from California to help raise us, and how I had to leave her behind in Arkansas after being withdrawn from the USA. I spoke of returning to Canada without a support system and the fear I felt about both the present and the future — yet the hope that Jesus was with me and the faith I had in Him.

I told her I was clinging to God’s promise that He would make a way if I continued to trust Him, even amidst the suffering. 

As I finished sharing, Dorothy looked at me, taken aback, and said, “Kid, you’ve been through some tough times.” We chatted a bit more, and over the next few weeks, we began to develop a new friendship. She quickly became part of my life. I no longer felt alone.

Dorothy helped me move out of the toxic situation I was in and settle into an apartment of my own. She sewed colourful curtains, lent me an old kitchen table, and found a broken-in loveseat I could borrow to furnish my new place. Somehow, our conversations always led to me sharing about Jesus. I wasn’t trying to convert her or be some kind of “holy-roller” Christian, but I knew that my life was the greatest evidence of God’s existence to a woman who wasn’t even sure she believed in Jesus. So, I just kept sharing authentically, vulnerably, always pointing to the hope we can find in Him.

As the years passed, Dorothy and I drifted apart. Life took us in different directions. I frequently thought of her and wondered whether I would ever get to fully express my gratitude for everything she had done for me. Unbeknownst to her, she embodied the love of Jesus, which He used to remind me that I was loved, seen, and cared for in a season when I desperately needed it.

A couple of years ago, my family was driving back from visiting friends near Toronto and I recounted the story of Dorothy and her importance to me. As we exited the freeway and stopped at a red light, I noticed a woman standing at a bus stop to my right — it was Dorothy! It felt like a movie! There she was, after not seeing her for over twenty years. 

“There she is!” I exclaimed, shell-shocked and filled with adrenaline. 

My husband pulled the car over, and I jumped out of the vehicle, my family in tow. I ran toward her, calling out her name. Dorothy immediately remembered me, and we embraced as tears streamed down our faces. We exchanged brief updates about our lives. She met my kids and was in awe that I was now a mom. She shared the heartbreak of her divorce and the unexpected changes in her health. 

Amid our updates, she said, “Ligia, one good thing happened. I became a Christian. I now believe!” With tears of gratitude, we embraced one more time and celebrated her newfound hope in Jesus!

Dear friend, one of our greatest blessings is God’s rescue story of hope, salvation, and redemption found only in Jesus. Our stories provide compelling evidence of God’s existence and steadfast love for us even when facing life’s challenges. Your willingness to share His goodness prepares the way for someone — whether now or later – to embrace the rescue that Christ offers. 

So, share your faith humbly and boldly. Testify about your need for Jesus unapologetically. You never know how your words are planting seeds of belief. 

 

Listen to Ligia’s devotion here or wherever you stream podcasts.

Celebrating One Million Podcast Listens!

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FRIENDS!

We could not be more excited to celebrate this milestone of crossing a million podcast listens with you, our dear community! Thanks to each and every one of you who tune in to the (in)courage podcast daily on your morning walks, driving to the grocery store, waiting in the school pickup line, alone in your kitchen, or as you wind down for the evening.

We adore being able to share our weekday devotions and articles with you in this way! In 2021 when we launched the (in)courage podcast, it was with obedient, soft, and creative hearts.

It started as a weekly conversational series focused on our new-at-the-time Bible studies. For months, together with our staff and writers, we explored what it looked like to have Courageous Joy, Courageous Kindness, and Courageous Influence. Then in 2022, we transitioned to a weekday format, bringing the daily devotions you read here at incourage.me right into your speakers and earbuds! Since then we’ve published over 750 episodes and featured dozens and dozens of guests through special bonus Books We Love episodes. What an honor to spend that time with you!

We have listeners in over 40 countries, in thousands of cities, on all kinds of streaming platforms and phones/tablets/speakers. We have listeners faithfully tuning in on their favorite podcast app, and others who press play while reading the words published here on the site.

However you listen, we’re just grateful that you do.

Here are a few of our top streamed episodes of all time! (As these are from the archives, please disregard any ads or promotions.)

  • Let God Define the Good by Jenny Erlinggsson – listen here.
    “Letting God define the good doesn’t disregard the tangible struggle or frustration we may feel. This mindset doesn’t justify hurtful moments or actions that are not right. It’s simply an invitation to submission and surrender. Just like God deemed what He made “good” at creation, we can let Him define what is good even now.”
  • Three Words from Jesus to Give You Hope Today by Holley Gerth – listen here.
    “What’s causing you to lose heart today? Whatever you’re facing, it matters to Jesus. He has seen all you have endured. He knows how many nights you’ve stared at the ceiling, trying to sleep. He has heard every prayer that feels like it’s still unanswered. Jesus knows how hard it is sometimes to just keep trusting, keep pressing forward, keep believing that change is possible. He looks at you not with criticism but compassion, not pressure to hurry up your healing but infinite patience, not disapproval but deep love.”
  • God’s Cure for Negative Thinking by Barb Roose – listen here.
    “It’s so easy to focus on what is missing, broken, or changed in our lives that we forget God’s blessings or minimize them in our minds.”
  • When You Keep Praying But Nothing Is Changing by Aliza Latta – listen here.
    “I don’t know why some prayers seem to be answered clearly and quickly, while others seem to go unanswered. But I do know prayer always ‘works’ because prayer always brings us closer to Jesus — and the answer is always Jesus.”
  • Jesus Never Asked Us to Count Calories by Kathi Lipp – listen here.
    “I’ve decided to stop making food the enemy. Food was important to Jesus. And what have I done? I’ve spent most of my life trying to pretend food wasn’t important at all. That I should be OK living on lettuce and 100-calorie packs. For some of us, one of the bravest acts we will partake in is untangling decades of lies about food and, instead of fearing food, actually finding the meaning in it.”

Find all past episodes here, or wherever you stream podcasts!

We’re so grateful that the (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. Without their support and partnership, it would not be possible. Let’s also take a moment and thank the women who physically create the podcast behind the scenes — Anna Rendell for voicing each episode, Rachel Kang for producing all the episodes, Becky Keife for editing all the words and hosting bonus episode conversations, and Joy Groblebe for believing in the podcast in the first place. Teamwork makes this dream work!

We celebrate this amazing milestone of over a million downloads, and look forward to reaching the next million listens!

We want to hear from you! Where and when do you listen to our podcast?

Leave an answer in the comments and you’ll be entered to win an (in)courage care package of goodies!*

*Giveaway open to US addresses only and closes at 11:59 pm central on 3/3/25.

One Discipline We Need for the Calmness We Crave

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“Lord, teach me to pray.”

This was my first prayer for 2025. I’m not one who typically chooses a word or theme for the year. But on December 29, when I pulled out a fresh spiral notebook and started journaling thoughts around the coming year, these five words poured immediately from my pen.

“Lord, teach me to pray.”

A strange prayer, perhaps, considering I’m a 50-something woman who has been church-ing and praying for half a century. Don’t I already know how to pray? Am I not yet proficient at it, even after all this time and practice? I can quote The Lord’s Prayer by memory as well as several Scripture-based prayers. I have the Book of Common Prayer sitting strong and stocky on my bookshelf, not far from multiple textbooks and trade books on the subject of prayer. I’ve done Bible studies on prayer, studied various practices of prayer, and utilized different tricks and techniques to boost my prayer life.

Am I not yet a master pray-er? Alas, I am not. I am a desperate, desiring, hungry prayer-wannabe. A woman who often struggles to do the one thing she needs most.

Why? Perhaps it’s because prayer is a lifelong relationship, one that ebbs and flows and changes in seasons. Besides, relationships aren’t about mastery, but about authentic, honest, and consistent connection. It’s more than that, however. I think my struggle is, at least in part, because the kind of prayer my soul needs most requires stillness. And I don’t do “still” well.

Maybe I’m yet another victim of our tech-infused, busy-addicted, attention-deficit-disordered culture. It seems ten minutes don’t pass without a buzz or a beep or a real live person needing my attention and response.

And yet, what if stillness isn’t a product of nature or instinct but the result of boundaries and discipline? I think it is. This is how the Psalmist described it:

“My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 131 NIV

“I have calmed and quieted myself,” the author says (emphasis mine). Did you hear that? I have the ability to quiet myself. Yes, I can ask the Holy Spirit for help. But asking the Lord to quiet my soul while I’m scrolling my phone doesn’t solve my stillness problem. Asking the Lord to calm my anxious heart while I’m watching the news 24/7 isn’t productive.

It’s not enough to want stillness. I must do stillness. That means, like any habit or discipline, I need to take action to make it happen. To help us with this practice, I created a short heart poem from the five letters of S-T-I-L-L and pulled from the words of Psalm 131. When said in tandem with the act of breathing, it can help produce the stillness we crave:

  • STAY, oh my soul,
  • for a short TIME
  • to INHALE God’s presence, [breathe in]
  • LET GO of all worries, [breathe out]
  • and LOOK toward Hope.

Be STILL, my soul. Be still.

Here’s the good news, my friends: On the other side of the discipline of stillness sits a feast of contentment for the starving soul. Our God promises to fill the cavernous void, cure our broken hearts, calm our anxiety, and quiet our chaos. And it begins with you and me choosing to sit in the Lord’s presence. To look toward His hope. And be still.

 

Listen to Michele’s devotion here or on your fave podcast app!

Am I Making a Huge Mistake?

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV

I sat outside on my apartment balcony, a light breeze wisping strands of hair against my shoulders. My fingers sat atop my laptop keyboard, my heart pounding with every press of the keys. I googled, “How to write a resignation letter” and slowly began crafting my own. Was I making a massive mistake?

I had a clear path in front of me, each rung of the corporate ladder shiny and sparkling above me. I knew I could keep climbing. I could stay comfortable. But the still, small voice inside me was inviting me to leave my job and enter a new season. Truth was, I had no inkling of what that new season might contain. The idea of leaving my job felt akin to jumping off a cliff, and I hadn’t a clue what was waiting for me below.

I was an associate producer for the largest news corporation in Canada. Everyone disagreed with my decision to leave. My family. The news corp. Normally when everyone disagrees with me it’s a sure sign I ought to listen to their wisdom and not my inner rebel.

But it wasn’t my inner rebel I was listening to this time . . . it was my Good Shepherd.

I’d fasted and prayed for months. I’d asked a spiritual director to talk me through the decision. And over and over, I kept getting a word from the Holy Spirit: He was my Rock. I didn’t know what was ahead, but I knew I had a Rock to land on. I was still afraid, but I trusted that God would lead me. He did.

I left the world of news producing and weeks later found myself accepting a job to plant and pastor a small church. I had planned to be a journalist, telling the truth to hundreds of thousands. Now I was a pastor, telling a far greater Truth to a congregation of eighty.

I never thought I’d find myself here. But my Rock did. And in Him, I will always take refuge.

By Aliza Latta from 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle

Thousands of women are finding fresh hope and renewed strength in our favorite (in)courage devotional journal, 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle. Grab a copy for yourself or a friend. We know God will meet you on every page as you meditate on Scripture, learn alongside (in) writers like Aliza, and journal your own prayers and reflections.

Tell us: How have you experienced God as the Rock in your life?
Where do you need more of His strength today? 

 

The Spiritual Practice of Not Giving Up

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We’ve lived in this new home, this new city, for six months now — both no time at all and also an eternity.

For six months now, I’ve attended anything and everything, all in an attempt to find a friend, plant some roots, belong somewhere. I don’t know any other way.

I guess I thought it would be easier? 

I shouldn’t have, truth be told. I should know by now, as a military spouse, that things take time, even if you don’t want them to. I know about the slow work of God, the long-haul process of forming a community, the little-by-little growth of new life in a new place. I know re-building, re-starting, reminding myself again and again of the goodness of God — even when I’m tempted to forget.

We’re in our new home for three weeks before my husband has to leave for his first unit training. I’m tempted to forget.

It’s the beginning of a new school year and my three girls come home in tears for a solid month straight. I’m tempted to forget.

I attend women’s brunches and school functions and neighborhood meet-ups and everyone seems too busy for the new gal. I’m tempted to forget.

I lament to my husband how I can’t quite find my footing here, my purpose, my people. I tell him how I want to just quit everything. I’ll just stay at home, I say. I don’t need people after all, I’ve decided. He reminds me of how much I love community, how much I love teaching women, he reminds me of the best parts of me.

I tell him he’s sweet but that I’m mostly tired. 

It’s a Thursday morning and I’m sitting in my chair, feet tucked underneath me with my Bible open on my lap, a candle burning next to me. The sun isn’t awake yet and my children aren’t either. My guided morning reading has me in Isaiah but I’m only partly paying attention — my distracted mind can’t stop running circles around my disappointment and exhaustion for having to start over again and again. 

I get to a verse I’ve read so often that it has become familiar to me but never personal. This time, though, something in my soul catches, tears spring to my eyes and I read the verse again and again:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV 

A verse I’ve seen on posters and in cards, it felt overused and inaccessible. But in the desperation of weariness, I read it with a renewed awareness. This time I see grit, I see endurance, I see abundance. 

It’s the final two statements that really hold me: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. This renewal of strength isn’t a finish line moment, I realize. It’s a call to action, it compels me forward. There’s still running, there’s still walking, there’s still movement — only it’s powered by hope in the Lord. 

The morning moves on and so do my days, but I move through them with a new perspective, a new drumbeat inside of me compelling me forward: Don’t give up, don’t give up, don’t give up. I decide to lead a Bible study class with our local women’s group. It’s an act of defiant hope, really; a rebellion against despair. It’s an intentional choice to not give up, to actively seek the good for myself and others. 

Building a foundation in our new city didn’t necessarily get easier after that moment, but I don’t think that easy was ever the goal. An awareness of God with me in each of those moments, inviting me into a renewed way of living — one that endures, believes, and hopes in all things — that was the goal. 

I’m walking into the women’s Bible study one morning and another woman comes up to me. She connects with me in a way I hadn’t yet connected with anyone — she stops what she’s doing, looks in my eyes and says, “You’ve been on my mind so much lately. How has the settling in process been for you here? Are you doing okay in this move?” 

There was something different in the way she engaged with me — she wasn’t making small talk. She genuinely wanted to hear how I’ve been doing. Because of this, she felt safe. Unbidden tears spring to my eyes as I tell her how I’ve really been. She asks more questions, I say more words, wiping away tears the whole time. “Thank you for seeing me,” I tell her at the end of our conversation. 

“Well, God put you on my heart this morning and now I know why.” 

I realized I wasn’t ever as alone as I had felt. Through the power of showing up in community, this woman helped me see the goodness of God that was surrounding me the whole time. Her presence helped strengthen me as I grew in hope and endurance.

I’m so glad I didn’t quit. We really are stronger together.

What if Self-Care Is Submitting to God’s Care?

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This became oh-so evident during a corporate fast my church recently facilitated. Though I did my best to take a break from social media and keep myself from indulging my sweet tooth, the outpouring of words I expected to fill my journal with didn’t come. Instead, what continually rose to the surface were all the ways I had tried to come up with my own attempts to settle and self-soothe.

It’s easy to point fingers at our Biblical brothers and sisters who were often tripped up by figures of gold or bronze or clay. But, dear Lord, all my acts of self-denial during this corporate fast only drove home how much I needed to rethink the insufficient ways I attempt to satisfy my needs and care for myself.

I tend to justify my own wants by masquerading them as needs. And, because I think there is a chance I won’t get what I need, I exchange trust for control until what was meant to be restful and peaceful is just another thing I hold tight in my grip. Not so fun, especially when I feel like I’m in the grip of so.many.things.

Jesus, without doubt, invites us to be whole, well, rested and at peace. On the other hand, circumstances, the enemy, and sometimes other people try really hard to get us off that path. Even the most well-intentioned, good, and authentic ministry can deplete us of energy. Jesus was aware of that in His own life. The Bible said He often drew away to be alone and pray. One of my favorite passages is when He brought His disciples along in that process.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”
Mark 6:31 NIV

Jesus noticed. Jesus paid attention. Jesus knew His disciples’ need for rest more than they did themselves. And as they followed Him, He beckoned them to come away and receive exactly what they needed.

Jesus sees what our hearts cry out for. He formed and fashioned our bodies and is aware of every longing and ache. He intimately knows even every craving for adventure and fun, or for a relaxing beach trip under the sun. Submitting ourselves to His tender care deepens our reliance on Him and allows every cell of our being to be taken care of in only the way He can.

Self-care is submission to the One who cares for you more than you do for yourself. God is a good Father. He knows us deeply and intimately. If we always equate self-care with what we can buy on store shelves or flip on from our streaming service, we might miss out on what our hearts really need.

I’m definitely not trying to dismantle anyone’s routine or wellness rhythm. I’m not trying to break up spa day with the girls or limit the sleep many of us probably need to catch up on. I definitely have no desire to challenge your consistent trips to the gym (mad respect) or the commitment to forego the drive-through in order to feed your body more whole food (double respect). I’m not even coming for the chocolate cake or shortbread you just made at home.

However, the more that my life unfolds with the weight of complexities and challenges, the longing for convenient comfort seems to increase exponentially. Indulging in “what is good for a moment” feels so easy. Yet, at my core, I’ve been wrestling with the realization that caring for myself has to be intentionally deeper than a trend.

Does this mean we can never get our nails done or go on vacation? Does this mean we can’t take breaks or enjoy a much-needed nap? Of course not. And, as I recall, one day Jesus deemed a storm the perfect time and place to rest. He didn’t start with what seemed obvious or convenient. He started from rest.

The way we care for ourselves doesn’t have to start from what others dictate. It can start from rest with and in Him. It can overflow from laying our heads on His chest, hearing the rhythm of His heartbeat, and letting that infuse our own self-care routines.

Truly, it is from this place that what we deeply crave will be satisfied by what He sees and says we need.

What is your typical self-care impulse? Where do you sense Jesus inviting you to rest a little deeper?

Why Snow Is a Wonder to Southerners and How It Points Everyone to God

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As a life-long Southerner, I know we have a reputation for going bonkers at the mere possibility of snow. With the weatherman’s first suggestion it might happen, it’s all anyone can talk about. Schools are pre-emptively closed, weather apps are continually refreshed, and bread and milk are pillaged from grocery store shelves. And, this is before temperatures plummet or snowflakes begin to fall.

The sad, sad truth for us wishful thinkers is predictions don’t necessarily translate to precipitation. We usually get little more than a big ol’ pile of disappointment. I remember when my son was a senior in high school; class was canceled due to threats of a wintry mix, but when the forecasted day came, all we got was a dreary, cold rain. Thankfully, my son and I did get to see a snowman. Frozen was playing in theaters, and Elsa, Anna, and Olaf turned our frowns upside down and convinced us to let go of our gloomy dispositions. Plus, how could I be disappointed when I had such a special date?

This sort of disappointment is hard for friends from the North or West to understand. Y’all have so much snow, you wonder what it would be like never to have to shovel your sidewalks in the winter or worry about snow tires.

Well, many a Southerner had their dreams come true a few weeks ago during a once-in-a-lifetime event when it snowed where it usually doesn’t – not only where I live in the heart of Georgia, but even in coastal South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama.

Snow at the beach? An incredible, breathtaking marvel!

It didn’t last long, of course, but it sure brought a lot of joy and invited plenty of childlike play. Even one of my 60-something friends made a life-size snowman – well, technically a snowwoman, bedazzled in pink – in her front yard.

That extraordinary weather event (and the snow in my backyard) got me thinking about why so many of my Southern neighbors and I get ridiculously excited when it happens. I don’t think it’s complicated, really. Snow is rare and beautiful and absolutely magical to us. And, when magic falls from the sky, how can we not marvel at the wonder of it all?

Too often, we take for granted sweet gifts from God. Ordinary things like honey from bees and syrup from trees. A rainbow. A caterpillar’s transformation. Snow.

No doubt, friends who receive heavy snowfall are not going to feel the same about winter’s icy precipitation. For you, snow is common, a burden to be managed. But for Southerners, snow is a rarity, like a long-lost friend knocking at your door. You know her well, you miss her so much, and you’re giddy with excitement when you know she’s coming for a visit.

Sipping from my favorite mug full of hot chocolate and a mountain of whipped cream, I was captivated by the view of my yard. For the longest while, all I could do was sit and stare — everything blanketed in white, a stillness and hush that invited worship of its Creator. Beyond its beauty, that snow was a stunning reminder of the goodness and glory of God.

Maybe I’m just some kind of nature weirdo, but I felt like God wanted me to pay attention to what the snow was trying to tell me.

In the midst of quiet, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how Scripture often uses snow as a metaphor for purity and renewal. Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) proclaims, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Snow seems to speak of grace that covers and transforms, of a fresh start that only God can provide.

It’s a beautiful picture of how He takes what is broken and makes it whole, clean, and new.

Snow slows life down in a way nothing else can. Roads close, routines pause, and the world quiets down. There’s an unspoken invitation to step away from busyness, to marvel at the Creator who rules over nature’s wonders. The air is sharper. Melting flakes sparkle like diamonds. And all of it reflects God’s glory.

Snow also invites play regardless of your age. I may not have joined a snowball fight, but I couldn’t resist packing snow into little balls. My social media feeds were full of snowmen and snow angels and snow cream. In Matthew 18:3 (NIV), Jesus says, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When it snows, I notice Southerners – even grown-ups – recapturing childlike wonder. And, if God thinks becoming like a child is important, shouldn’t we?

We see that snowfall reflects God’s authority in passages like Job 37:6 (NIV) where we’re told, “He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth.’” The very existence of snowflakes, with their delicate patterns, speaks to a Creator who cares about every detail.

If He crafts something as fleeting as a snowflake with such care, how much more does He care for us, His children?

For Southerners (and maybe for all of us), snow can preach a sermon without a word being spoken. Its purity reminds us of God’s goodness and grace, its stillness calls us to worship and hear from Him, and its playfulness renews our childlike wonder. Like magic falling from the sky, snow whispers of a God who lavishes goodness on His creation, giving us moments that take our breath away and turn our hearts toward Him.

 

Listen to Robin’s devotion here or on the (in)courage podcast, available everywhere!

When Your Faith Wavers

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I love the excitement of a beginning — the kind where you set out on a path of a new job, a new adventure, or a new relationship. These are the moments that we capture on our mobile phones and post to Instagram.

But here’s the thing about exciting beginnings: unexpected challenges sometimes derail them. Somewhere along the way, your heart might get trampled and doubts creep in. You feel alone, bewildered, and you start questioning everything you had put your hopes in. (Those moments rarely make the highlight reels.)

Someone out there knows what I’m talking about. Someone knows what it’s like to experience doubt. Maybe you’re doubting yourself today.

Or maybe — just maybe — you’re doubting God.

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

Stop for a moment and consider the story in Matthew 28:16-20. In it, the disciples went to a mountain because the Risen Jesus had invited them there. Keep in mind, by this point, Jesus had already wrecked His own funeral  — in the best way possible. Jesus had proven Himself capable of conquering everything, even death.

And His friends had witnessed it all.

They had every reason to believe with their whole hearts. And this mountain moment with Jesus seemed like the perfect place for a victory party. In many ways, it was. “When they saw him, they worshipped him…” (Matthew 28:17 NIV).

But hold up. Here comes a startling detail in the same verse: “… but some doubted.”

Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus – alive, resurrected, standing before their very eyes – was right there with them. And still, some doubted.

They were at the threshold of their own greatest beginning – the moment they’d be sent to take the gospel to the ends of the earth — but their faith was super shaky.

The Greek verb Matthew used for “doubted” is distazo, which conveys a sense of wavering or uncertainty, not outright disbelief. Imagine the doubters saying, “Dude, I just don’t know. I am struggling to wrap my mind around this.”

Does that sound familiar? Maybe your doubt has looked like hesitation, like wavering. You believe in God, but you’ve had a hard time wrapping your mind around what He’s up to.

Friend, stay on the mountain with Jesus. Show up to worship Him anyway, even when your faith feels fragile.

To me, this detail in Matthew 28 affirms the authenticity of the Scripture. Matthew could have conveniently left out those three words – “but some doubted” – because they could have embarrassed his buddies. Yet he kept them in, because they were true. The fact is, some doubted.

Just because you struggle with doubt — no matter how deep that doubt goes — doesn’t mean that Jesus will leave you. He won’t. That’s not His style at all.

Jesus didn’t send the doubters packing. He didn’t abandon them. He didn’t rebuke them. Instead, Jesus offered reassurance to the whole crew:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV).

I need that reminder from Scripture; in my out-of-the-blue trials that threaten to derail my faith, I need to know that Jesus hasn’t abandoned me.

Instead of rebuking us for our doubts, Jesus reassures us, just as He reassured the disciples: “I am with you always.”

Jesus is with you in this – whatever your “this” is. He is with you to the end. He knows every heartbreak, every betrayal, every disappointment. And He won’t make you carry it by yourself. God didn’t bring you this far to leave you now. When your faith wavers, Jesus is standing with you. Always.

Struggling with a wavering faith? Check out Jennifer’s guided journal, Stuff I’d Only Tell God.

 

Listen to Jennifer’s devotion below or wherever you stream podcasts!

You Are the Mom God Made You to Be

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Join us in welcoming Trieste Vaillancourt, Editorial Director at DaySpring and the writer behind the devotional content in the new DaySpring Daily Devotional Bible for Moms! Keep reading for a special excerpt from her heartfelt introduction and selected sections of this meaningful Bible. You’ll be especially touched by Trieste’s words if you’re a mom of young children, but there are nuggets of wisdom and truth for all of us!

I wrote the devotional thoughts for the DaySpring Daily Devotional Bible for Moms over the better part of a year. And as you can imagine, spending so much time in intimate connection with God’s Word has changed me. I am more aware of His presence in my mothering. I am more thankful than ever that I’m not alone. I am humbled by His desire to come with me into the weeds of everyday life, and I find it easier to worship Him there. I am praying for you to experience the same and more.

“God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”
Genesis 1:31 NLT

I want you to know that God sees you as His beloved and beautiful daughter.

I want you to know, from the moment your alarm goes off in the morning to the moment your weary head hits the pillow at night, that God made you to thrive as a mom.

Motherhood, as wonderful as it is, can steal your sense of self-worth. That sometimes happens when you become responsible for little children who tend to take you and the peace and stability you give them for granted. You are an umbrella for them in a rainstorm of worldly influence, and they shelter under your protection. You are a voice of assurance in the face of young and budding courage. You are the hand holder, the healer, the hug that means the most. Your deep love for them fuels their sense of adventure and their understanding of just how much they are loved by the Creator of the universe.

Motherhood is a gift — one that would deplete our physical, emotional, and spiritual resources every day if it weren’t for God’s willingness to fill us up as we pour out what we have. Knowing how much we need Him, God invites us to shelter under His protection, find reassurance in His voice, and be loved by His generous heart. And He invites us into His Word.

I imagine that, like me, you could use a reminder of how much you mean to your family. You might appreciate knowing that the Lord knows you personally and cares about you deeply. You would benefit from hearing the truth of how you, a devoted mother and follower of Jesus, are making an indelible and eternal mark not only on your children but also on history.

But there are plenty of things in our daily lives that can make us feel like we’re not measuring up. Maybe it was as simple as getting all the clean laundry folded. Perhaps you resolved to play with your kids more or refine your meal plan. No matter your goal, you might be the only one who sees the way you fell short of your own expectations. But you still beat yourself up for not accomplishing what you set out to do.

Motherhood is not a series of accomplishments, and its success is not measured by the checks on our to-do lists. Our heavenly Father wants us to know that He made us and considers us very good whether the laundry gets folded or not.

Being one of God’s very good creations is not something that can be checked off a to-do list. We can’t just make it happen any more than we can make toddlers eat their Brussels sprouts or teens clean their rooms. Instead, the Bible tells us that God made us in His image and blessed us (Genesis 1:27-28). This means that we are important and loved before we ever do one single thing.

As mothers, we tend to beat ourselves up because we don’t feel like we measure up. But for every shortcoming, God’s grace is sufficient. Every time we pray, “Help me, God! I can’t, but You can,” God leaps to the call and gives us just what we need. Genesis 1–2 reminds us that God made everything, including and especially us; and when He looks at us, He sees something very good. God cares about the things we care about — our unfolded laundry, our meal plans, our children’s futures — but He doesn’t expect us to make it all happen on our own.

So admit your weakness and who you are as God’s good creation, and let God show you the amazing things He can do in and through you!

You were handcrafted and handpicked for this family, for this season, for this life, and God says this is “very good!”

Lord,
Whatever my goals are for today, I trust that You want me to thrive. Remind me that You made me and called me good before I even did anything. Help me to model this truth for my children. Thank you for creating all of us.
Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you discover more about your value in His eyes through the daily devotions and profiles of women and moms highlighted in this Bible and — even more importantly — throughout His Word.

You are loved. You are seen. You are not alone. You are the mom God made you to be.

We love this new DaySpring Daily Devotional Bible for Moms! This clear and accurate NLT edition includes 365 encouraging devotions created specifically for moms, 31 profiles of biblical women to encourage you, daily prayer prompts to remind you of God’s presence, wide margins for journaling and reflection, and a full-color interior design to enjoy as you read the Bible in a year.

This Daily Devotional Bible for Moms was created with busy moms like you in mind ― real moms with real life joys and challenges. You’ll be encouraged with daily reminders that God sees you, loves you, delights in you, and is with you always.

Pick up your copy today, and jump into our GIVEAWAY! Yep, we’re super excited to give away FIVE Daily Devotional Bibles for Moms right here. Just leave a comment, and you’ll be entered to win*.

For solo moments of bite-sized, consistent, truthful encouragement, the DaySpring Daily Devotional Bible for Moms is just the ticket. We know you’ll love it.

*Giveaway open to US addresses only and closes at 11:59 pm central on 2/23/25.

How I Knew It Was Time to Quit My Job

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As a physical therapist for almost 15 years, I have lived through so many changes in healthcare systems and management. But none as drastic as the pandemic in 2020. It was a bad year for all of us, and for those in the medical community, it was especially difficult. The strength of every healthcare worker is flexibility — we will adapt and perform whatever is needed to provide for our patients. But in 2020, the changes were constant. There was no time to process our grief and our own anxiety. Through the instability of the pandemic, we were stripped of choices and of any sense of personal control at a time when we needed it most.

The world labeled us “essential” and the media called us “heroes,” but we were ordinary humans who were worried we would get sick and bring the virus home. For many, our flexibility had reached its limit. We felt like we were going to break — and the flexibility demanded of us was not extended to us when we needed it. It was during this time that, for the first time ever, I struggled to like my job.

I even began to regret going into physical therapy. But I had invested too much time and money to earn my doctorate — I couldn’t walk away. I felt stuck.

As the years went on, the impact of the pandemic still remained within the hospital systems and demanded much from healthcare workers. I tried to be joyful and patient, but I was slowly drifting into burnout with all the changes in systems and leadership. My frustrations over small and big things left me with a deep sense of hopelessness because there were no answers. I couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. By the time I would get home from work, I was impatient, irritable, and too exhausted to do much with my family.

I realized that I was waiting and waiting for things to change, but things were changing me.

I loved my patients. I was great at what I did. My co-workers were like family. I had an eight-minute commute to work. But this job was killing my peace and I had to fight for joy every day. I knew God was making me uncomfortable and it was time to leave my full-time job.

When I put in my resignation, one of my leaders called me into her office. With tears in her eyes, she offered to work with me and offered fewer hours to help me heal from burnout. I was so grateful for her love in that moment, but I knew I still had to leave.

I told her, “I am a Christian, so I believe what the Bible says: A tree is known by its fruits. And recently the fruit I have been bearing is bitterness, resentment, grief, and anger…and that is not what I want to be known for. So, I think I need to be planted in new soil.”

“So, every healthy tree bears good fruit…”
Matthew 7:17 ESV

But how do you know if a tree is healthy? It’s hard to determine exactly when a tree goes from good to bad because it can take years and years for a tree to fully die.  Scientists verify the health of a tree by monitoring and testing the sap that flows within the trunk, from the roots to the leaves. If the soil no longer has enough moisture to nourish the tree, the roots run out of water and the whole tree will begin to feel the effects. At first, the tree will use the stored-up water within its internal system to survive, but actual growth is compromised and this overall stress on the tree can cause them to be sick.

Like a tree going through a drought, my first response was to make every effort to produce joy, kindness, and patience by drawing on my reserves. But there is only so much strength in me to do the work that only the Spirit can do. From the outside, no one could tell that my soul was worn and my body was getting sick from living in constant stress.

In His grace, God taught me to pay attention to the soil of my heart. If a tree is planted in good soil, then it will organically grow and be fruitful.

So many of us focus on producing fruit — but that is not our responsibility; it is the work of the Spirit in us. The Christian life is not about trying harder, but about digging deeper.

Our responsibility is to be planted, to remain in good soil, and dig deep into the Source and Sustainer of life. Whether it is a job, a relationship, or a church, assess the soil. And when we recognize that our environment is unhealthy, the soil no longer has the nutrients we need to grow, and our fruit is not reflecting Jesus, it is time to be re-planted.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

I pray that you will trust God to plant you in good soil, where you will no longer toil to bear fruit because you are immersed in the Living Water.

 

Listen to Simi’s devotion below or wherever you stream podcasts.

Keep Seeking, Keep Listening, Keep Following

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“The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray.”
Psalm 25:8 NLT

There are seasons when it feels like we’re all just stumbling in the dark, unsure where to step next. Uncertainty and weariness can creep in, raising questions about whether God is truly leading. Doubt whispers, Is God really guiding? Can He truly be trusted?

Take heart, sister. You’re not alone in these struggles. More importantly, God is never absent. He is with us, guiding us even when the way forward seems unclear.

Psalm 25:8 reminds us that the Lord is good. Not just sometimes. Not just when things go as planned. God is always good. His character is unwavering. His heart is kind. And He delights in leading His children.

This verse says God shows the proper path — not just to those who have it all together, but to those who go astray. To those who have wandered, doubted, or struggled to discern His voice. Isn’t that incredible?

God’s guidance is not reserved for the perfect. It’s extended to the lost, the searching, the unsure. To all of us.

So how do we keep seeking Him? How do we recognize His voice? By slowing down. Making space. Opening His Word and asking Him to speak. Quieting the noise of the world and tuning our hearts to His gentle whisper. And when He leads, we follow — not because the destination is always clear, but because we trust who He is.

Keep seeking, keep listening, keep following Jesus. Even if the road ahead feels uncertain, God is sure. He will never leave you. He will always lead you. And His path is always good.

Where in life do you need to trust God’s goodness today?

 

What Peach Trees Teach Us About Hope When All Hope Is Lost

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I once danced underneath a peach tree that was struck by lightning.

The peach tree had not borne fruit since, and I was told it would most likely not bear fruit again. I understood how this tree felt. There were so many things in my life that felt dead, unattended to, left dormant. But hope and faithfulness led me to paint another picture.  

In the depths of childhood one Appalachian summer, I sat under my Grandpa’s favorite peach tree. “Come with me,” he said. My grandfather was a land-rich man who knew the hills of West Virginia like the back of his hand. Seven generations deep, he had a way of helping things grow, a magic touch. (I later learned through observation that this “magic touch” was his diligence and consistency.) I turned to see him cutting one of the fruits fresh from a branch. “This didn’t happen overnight,” he explained gently. “It takes time.”

The nectar dripped over his weathered hand with the sweet victory of his diligence and faithful work. “Do you see this?” He gently lowered the only bare branch of the peach tree so it was at my eye level. “This isn’t dead, it can bear fruit again. Here, come and see.” He reached into his pocket for a knife, cutting sharply a branch from the core of the tree. It was still green. I was shocked and wondered why he would cut off something that was alive. It was then and there he taught me to cut back things that were alive (as well as things that were dead) often more than I felt comfortable with.  

Decades later, a restored farmhouse, nearly a century old, became a community home for artists that I would steward for over six years. Downtown Charlottesville was just a stone’s throw away from our neighborhood. To my surprise, a peach tree crowned our backyard. It had been struck by lightning years before, lush with leaves but void of fruit. It reminded me of those summers back home with my Grandpa. What would he do? I wondered.

Charred black from its scar, I knew how this peach tree felt. Unexpected devastation. How do you prepare to be struck bare? I observed and attended to its wounds like I did the wounds of my heart. Like the things I had been hoping for and dancing over for decades, though they had not yet come to pass. Of the things in my life that lie dormant, naked, bare . . . I wondered: Will they ever bear fruit again?   

Every season, I attended to the scarred tree, hoping it would bear fruit. Each summer, I was disappointed but remained hopeful. Approaching our final summer, my hope had waned thin. Had all those years counted for nothing? One morning, to my tearful surprise, the tree was covered in fruit. I cried and danced under the tree. The deep joy that accompanied struck me like lightning, itself.

When we are at our darkest and all hope seems lost, there is hope in the seeds we have faithfully sown. Is this not the hope of resurrection? It stood as a testament to me — that no matter what seeds you plant or how you tend to the garden of the soul or of a neighborhood, the toiling is not for nothing. You may not know if the fruit will come back after the pruning, but it matters to keep hoping. Even so, the fruit you do leave behind is the greatest gift you could ever give.

Seeing fruit on the peach tree reminded me to keep showing up, no matter the loss, the shift, or the pain. I learned to figuratively — and literally — keep dancing underneath the peach tree in gratitude because you never know what healing is happening underneath the surface. Turns out, the fruit of my labor was not for me, as we were moving out of the community home for artists that summer. It would be left for whoever was to come.

I did harvest one bushel of peaches, taking them with me to make my favorite pie. You may or may not experience the fruit of your labor, but know this: Generations beyond will see the fruit of your faithfulness. They will, in gratitude, dance under the tree that was once scarred, strengthened by your faithfulness to endure.

The Comfort of God Given Through Community

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Life has been a whirlwind. 2024 was just plain hard in SO many ways. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. If it wasn’t that thing, it was another thing. And at some point, everything just came crashing down on top of me. From hurricanes to wildfires, to finances to friendships. From impending decisions to health setbacks. Everything has felt hard.

In the sea of all the things, I’ve felt as though I was drowning. I haven’t seen a way forward. I’ve been unable to catch my breath or keep my head above water.

Over the last few months, a deep sadness has set in, wrapped in an even deeper sense of anxiety. Hope has seemed out of reach and joy, a faint memory.

My go-to response in seasons like this is to keep my struggles to myself and power through as if nothing was wrong. I dig my heels into denial and wait for everything to play out. A lot of my prayers are me asking God, “Why? Why this? Why again?” I often imagine He gets tired of hearing these questions from me, but He doesn’t. I often believe He gets tired of me circling the same mountains, but He doesn’t. I often think He gets tired of my struggles and complaints, but He doesn’t. I often think He gets tired of my unbelief, but He doesn’t.

God doesn’t grow tired of us. He is well acquainted with our sorrows. Jesus is more than familiar with our every emotion. Many times, I assume that the community around me will feel the same way I imagine that God feels towards me. I think they’ll grow tired of hearing my questions, doubts, frustrations, fears, and worries. While some people may, those who are being led by the Holy Spirit won’t. The fruit of the Spirit will flow freely through their lives.

The Lord is graciously patient with me in this process of sanctification. I can be really slow to learn and grow. One of those ways I’ve been slow is to allow the Body of Christ to do what the Body is designed to do.

Galatians 6:2 reminds us that God created us to do life together. It is not good for us to be alone. He designed us to carry one another’s burdens. When we do, it actually fulfills the Word of God. We are to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn. This is one of the sweetest ways of what it looks like to carry each other’s burdens.

The past few months have been overwhelming, to say the least. I have been knocked down. I have been quite tempted to stay down. And I have partnered with some of the lies of the enemy.

But God.

Isn’t that always the case? But God. He wouldn’t let me stay in this pit for too long. His heart is always to rescue us and provide a way of escape. He won’t let the enemy get the best of us. He won’t even let us get the best of ourselves.

God knows what we need before we do. And He knows the best way to meet those needs. Those ways always bring Him glory and are always worked out for our good.

In the weeks surrounding Christmas and the New Year, I was hit with several horrendous migraines, debilitating back pain, overwhelming sadness, thoughts of hopelessness, and then sickness. My cough that I’ve had since November began to flare up along with a sore throat, sneezing, fatigue, etc… Needless to say, this was not how I envisioned 2024 ending and 2025 beginning.

I desperately wanted to hide in the pit that engulfed me. But the Holy Spirit challenged me to do the thing that doesn’t come easily, the thing that I didn’t want to do. He challenged me to let others into my pain and fear and discouragement.

It took almost everything inside of me to reach out, but I did.

The Holy Spirit highlighted particular people to send a voice message. Some of them are near and some are far. But each one was more than happy to help carry the burden of this season I’ve been in. Text messages and voice notes were sent with prayers and encouraging Scripture. I even found myself weeping in the arms of some beloved sisters who boldly prayed in the Spirit and declared Heaven’s promises and the Father’s heart over me.

They upheld my arms in this battle while I was too weak to do so.

It requires humility and courage to reach out when you’re lost and hurting and lonely. I know I wasn’t operating in my own strength. It was only the work of God’s grace in me. I am beyond grateful for His grace that sustains me and leads me and conforms me to the image of Christ.

Know that His grace is at work within you as well. It doesn’t mean that your obstacles will disappear overnight, but God’s grace is guaranteed to be more than sufficient to carry you in the midst of your battles.

The ushering in of the new year did bring some refreshing and hope. I am not fully out of this pit, but the Lord is shepherding me through as only He can.

He who began a good work within us is faithful to complete it. God’s faithfulness encourages us through His Spirit and His Body.

If you find yourself in a hard season, and in need of the comfort of God through His Body, I’d love to pray for you!

 

Listen to Karina’s devotion here or on the (in)courage podcast wherever you stream!

Your Golden Gift for Getting Through Life

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On a chilly evening not too long ago, I hopped into my car and headed east to attend a dinner at my friend Tatiana’s house. While driving, I passed my husband, David, as he returned home from work. Other than that drive-by encounter, it was an uneventful trip to the opposite side of town.

After filling up on top-notch food and friendship, I drove back home. When I arrived, my husband met me in the garage — something he routinely does. Opening my car door, I noticed that the long, white sweater I wore, also called a duster, had been caught in the door.

I grabbed the duster and said, “Ohhh, I drove the whole way home with this in the car door!”, inspecting the duster for dirt or damage.

“Oh yeah…when I passed you, I noticed it hanging out of the car then too,” my husband replied.

I looked up at him as I exited the car. “It was? It was actually hanging outside the car door?!?”

Shutting the car door behind me, he responded, “Yep.”

I pulled out my phone, wondering if I’d missed a message from him letting me know about my duster difficulties. Seeing no message, I said with no small amount of incredulity, “So, you saw my duster hanging out of my car, and you didn’t text me to let me know? I have Bluetooth and could’ve received the message without looking at my phone.”

As breezy as a spring morning, David said, “Well, it wasn’t hitting the ground, so I didn’t worry about it.”

Insert imaginary cricket sounds as I blink, blinked at him.

Now, in my man’s defense, he has a million strengths and takes care of me in a million ways. But helping me avoid a fashion faux pas ain’t necessarily one of them.

This I do know: If a friend had seen me instead of my husband, there’s no way she would’ve let me traverse the entire city looking like a dingaling with my duster flapping in the wind. If you notice a friend with her sweater hanging out of her car or mascara under her eyes or toilet paper trailing out of her skirt, you wouldn’t let her fly down the real or proverbial highway completely oblivious. You would clue her in.

Friends clue friends into what is and isn’t as it should be — and they do so concerning topics a heckuva lot more important than wayward sweaters.

The other day, while sipping my chai latte, I shared with a friend my age how plumb exhausted I feel. She replied, “Well…that makes sense, Kristen. This is a hard time of life. Our kids are grown, but they’re still top of mind. Our parents are aging and ailing. A lot of our relationships are changing — as are our bodies’ hormone levels. In general, there’s a LOT going on.”

I didn’t realize till then how much I needed someone to shed some light on why I’m tired. I’m not a wimp; I’ve got a lot going on. I needed that friend to name what I hadn’t taken the time to name myself.

We all need friends who help us make sense of life — or confirm how parts of life won’t make sense this side of heaven.

While some of you agree, others may read this and think, Oh no, I don’t need friends. I’ve suffered terribly because of “friends.” Not only would they not let me know my sweater was hanging outside my car, but they’d laugh at me because of it. Or they’d set me up to fail in worse ways.

If that describes you today, I’m terribly sorry. I’ve been where you are, believing women aren’t worth the effort. But the Bible tells us something different.

Proverbs says a friend’s counsel is sweet (Proverbs 27:9) and plans made with many advisers will succeed (Proverbs 15:22). Expounding on this, the late Dr. Timothy Keller said the book of Proverbs makes it clear that you won’t be a wise person or make it in life unless you have friends.

But Dr. Keller leveled that up even more by saying, “The less you want friends, the less like Jesus you are.” 

Ouch. But…he’s right. Jesus walked this earth with friends. If He did, we need to do likewise. You and I aren’t the exception. No matter our age or stage of life, no matter how supposed “friends” have treated us in the past — we all need true friends.

If you have put friendship on the back burner because you’ve been burned in the past, take this as your nudge to reconsider. Whether your sweater hangs out of the car or, more importantly, you’re hanging on to life by a thread, you need a friend who will let you borrow her strength and perspective till you’re set right again.

You need a friend who God will use to speak His wisdom and direction to your very core.

While all of us go through painful times of loneliness, it isn’t God’s design for you or me to be alone forever. Keep trying for the friendships you need. It’s hard, I know. It can be a frustrating process. But you don’t need a hundred of them; only a couple of solid-gold folks with whom you can travel life’s depths. As you wait for what you long for, remember that Jesus, your Friend of all friends, is with you always.

If you’re in a season of loneliness, find encouragement in this beautiful devotional from Kirsten and other women who understand the friendship struggle.

 

Listen to Kristen’s devotion here or wherever you stream podcasts.

Recharging Your Spiritual Batteries

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It was only 20 degrees outside, so I pulled on my big coat before trudging out to my snow-covered car. My breath puffed out like cigarette smoke inside my vehicle as I reached to press the button to start the car. I had a lot to do that afternoon, but first, I was eager to feel the heat inside my frozen automotive cocoon.

When I pressed the ignition button, the dashboard lit up and the radio came on. But the car didn’t start. I tried again. Still, no start.  I’ve never met someone who hasn’t felt the sinking sensation of sitting in a car that won’t fire up. My battery was dead. Instant ugh. I looked at my passenger seat, filled with my plans for the day, and knew I wasn’t going anywhere until my battery was charged.

Those acid or lithium-filled rectangle boxes in our cars are metaphors for the spiritual part of who we are. Our spirits power our humanity. Even though we’re comprised of a physical body and mental capacity, our spirits power the essence of who we are. Our spirits hold our imaginations, our convictions, and our desires. Our spirits give us the ability to connect and love. God breathed His Spirit into us, as Paul the Apostle wrote when he quoted the Cretan philosopher, Epimenides, “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV).

At the time, Paul was in Athens, Greece, teaching the Grecians that their idols could not give or sustain life. Only God could! Yet, how quickly do we forget how God is the source of life and sustains our life? Let’s appreciate this reminder:

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Instead, he gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”
Acts 17: 24-25 NIV

Every breath we take is because God gives life to us. It’s mind-blowing when we think about it. While God sustains and maintains life, we often arrange our lives according to our agenda. So, it’s no wonder we attempt to run at a pace or carry excess weight beyond God’s plan. Too often, we’re too busy taking care of others or checking off our to-do list to notice our spiritual charge is running out or already completely drained.

Thankfully, there are clues that our batteries are draining, and there is a straightforward way to plug them in for a recharge.

Sitting in my cold car, I remembered an incident the week before when it took two tries to start my car. It was a brief incident, but I ignored that little flickering warning sign. Once my car started, I kept going and didn’t think about what that warning might mean.

There are flickering warning signs that our spiritual batteries are draining:

  • Complaining
  • Negative thoughts
  • No desire to pray
  • Scripture doesn’t sink in or convict
  • Sin doesn’t evoke sorrow
  • Absence from the life-giving Christian community

The good news is once we recognize those flickering warning signs, we can step toward a spiritual recharge instead of leaning into self-condemnation.

Prayer is our first step toward spiritual recharge. If God’s Spirit gives life to our mortal being, then prayer connects our spirit to God’s Spirit. 

After I sat in my car for a while, I finally called AAA. It took two hours for the truck to arrive. The serviceperson had a mega-powered battery with jumper cables that he hooked to my car battery. Within seconds, my car turned on.

That day, I thought about prayer like spiritual jumper cables. When you pray, you demonstrate a posture and desire to connect with the supernatural, all-powerful God. Prayer is a connector, but God’s Spirit holds your supply of life-transforming power. You can’t receive that power until you decide to connect.

What could spiritual recharge look like for you today? If you recognize that your spiritual batteries are drained, perhaps these words from Psalm 25 can be a recharging prayer for you today:

“O Lord, I give my life to you.
Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.”
Psalm 25:1, 4-5 NLT

I’d love to pray for you:

God, I pray for my friends who are feeling drained by life or circumstances. Thank You for being our source of life, strength, and hope. Renew my friend today as she connects to You. Renew her heart. Please renew her strength and hope in You. Amen.

Barb prays you experience the peace and hope of connecting with God in prayer today. She’s written a new six-week Bible study, Matthew: Pray Like This, a deep-dive study on experiencing transformative prayer and knowing the joy of praying like Jesus.

 

Listen to Barb’s devotion here or on your fave podcast app.