Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, or sorrow, and you didn’t even know what to pray? In those moments, there is power in the name of Jesus — power that brings peace when chaos surrounds you, strength when you’re weak, and hope when you feel lost. Sometimes, when words fail us, the most powerful prayer we can offer is simply a single name: Jesus.
As a little girl, I loved watching Little House on the Prairie. I thought travelling west into the great frontier would be a great adventure. I wanted to go where no one has ever gone before and get a fresh start on life. It didn’t matter to me that this new life might be fraught with danger. I wanted to forge a path into the great unknown and be brave and free like the pioneers. What I didn’t know then was that as Christians, we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps and be pioneers of faith.
Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t answered your prayers? Dear one, unanswered prayers do not mean that God doesn’t care. Just the opposite is true. God loves us and wants the best for us. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV).
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought that once I became a Christian, my life would be easy and trouble-free. After all, the Bible promises us peace. However, it never portrays the Christian life as a bed of roses. After all, even roses have thorns. Biblical peace does not mean the absence of problems. However, peace can be found in the presence of God. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV emphasis added). We can find peace in the storm and become overcomers when we rely on Jesus.
Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “When am I going to get it together?” I know I have. But the older I get, the more I realize—it’s not really about my plan. It’s about God’s plan.
What does it truly mean to have your life “together”? Is it finding love, building a family, achieving success, being a good parent, or faithfully following God’s calling?
The world may say there’s a timeline for everything. Yet studies suggest most people don’t feel like they have it all figured out until around age 60. The truth is, there’s no magical age or switch that makes everything fall into place. Some people seem to follow a straight path from early on, while others don’t discover their direction until they’ve lived through a few twists and turns. And yet, through it all, God’s plan continues to unfold — patiently, purposefully, and perfectly.
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life?
On the surface, my life appeared fine. I had a good work-life balance, and my family was thriving and healthy. Yet, I felt something was missing.
One Sunday afternoon, my husband said, “We’re taking a day trip.” When I asked where we were going, he just smiled. I grabbed a jacket and got in the car. About an hour later, we arrived at a nearby lake. My husband whipped out a blanket and cooler. As we picnicked, talked, and relaxed, I realized what I’d been missing: connection and “being present” in our relationship. It took stepping out of my routine to see how my soul longed to listen, laugh, and love.
We’ve all had them, a bad day when nothing seems to go our way.
I remember reading the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to my first-grade class. They giggled and rolled on the floor as Alexander struggled through arguments with his siblings, gum in his hair, and a marathon day of difficulties. All the while, Alexander kept proclaiming he was moving to Australia, as if this would solve all his problems.
At the end of the book, Alexander’s mom hugged him and said, “Some days are like that.”
What exactly does ‘God will never fail’ mean? How do we know?” Because, if I am being honest, sometimes, when life gets tough, it feels like maybe it isn’t true.
Sometimes, we pray and pray and pray some more, but our circumstances don’t change. Sometimes, it feels like we are waiting, oh, so long for a dream to become reality, a prayer to be answered, a friend to be healed, or a loved one to turn and follow Jesus. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe it’s just not part of God’s perfect plan. And then I feel guilty, because I know, my faith is wavering and I am not trusting God. Perhaps you’ve been there, too.
Has anyone ever told you, “God will never give you more than you can handle?” This phrase is often used to express encouragement during difficulties and to comfort people grieving the loss of a loved one. But if I am…
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “God’s grace”? My first thought is “a beautiful, unearned gift of salvation and forgiveness.” But recently, God has begun challenging my long-held belief of grace being a one-time gift we receive when we are saved. Perhaps you also desire more understanding about God’s generous gift of grace.
