Yesterday, I stood in church singing songs of praise with tears streaming down my face. As I sang words of praise, I also silently pleaded yet again for God to miraculously heal my stepmom from her cancer and to free her from her pain. Finally, I told God that no matter what, I would surrender to His will and plan for our lives.
When I read this verse in my quiet time, “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV), I thought, “Ah, so Jesus wasn’t the only one instructing us to love.” But then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “No, this is subtly different.”
What leaks out of you when you’re under pressure? This morning, I saw this question in a social media post and immediately felt God’s conviction. Just two days ago, I found myself standing in the kitchen yelling at my husband over something small and ridiculous. Within minutes, I was crying, hugging him, and asking for his forgiveness. Afterwards, I told him I wasn’t even sure why I got so angry or upset. I had all these feelings, and they burst out of me like a volcano.
Have you ever felt that God has turned His back on you? Maybe you’re walking through excruciating pain and loss, and it seems like He’s nowhere to be found. Perhaps you’ve made mistakes and run from Him in guilt or fear. Or maybe you’ve followed the world’s ways and turned your back on God, and now you feel certain He must have done the same to you. But friend, no matter how it feels—God is never far.
Eight little letters, yet such a powerful word—forgiven. And friend, forgiveness is freedom.
What comes to mind when you hear that word? Relief? Gratitude? Maybe even disbelief that it could truly apply to you?
For me, forgiveness was everything. More than the promise of heaven one day, it was the lifting of the heavy weight of guilt and shame I had carried for years. I knew I was a mess. I knew I didn’t deserve it. And truthfully, I still don’t, because even on my best days, I fall short.
Have you ever wanted a “do-over” or a new beginning? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished for an opportunity to take back my words or actions, to erase or fix them.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22–23, ESV “Oh no… not again!” I whispered to myself, feeling the sting of guilt. I had just yelled…
Have you ever believed the lie that your sin was too great for God to forgive? Sadly, I spent years feeling unworthy and unable to accept His forgiveness. It didn’t feel right or fair. It seemed too good to be true. Yet, my friend, that is the lie the enemy would have us believe.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. “ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) Have you ever felt shattered by life, as if nothing could…
Do you remember the wonder of discovering Jesus for the very first time? Every word of the Lord sparkled, every prayer came alive, and we felt delight simply by being in His presence. As a result, we approached Him and worshiped with wide-eyed curiosity, amazed at all that He revealed to us.
