Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

“No one puts Baby in the corner!”

Written during a weekend at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA, the iconic 1987 movie Dirty Dancing came to life on the lodge’s grounds. The epic love story of Johnny and Baby unfolds over three weeks. As the movie comes to life, both grow into adulthood. The story reaches its pinnacle when Johnny dares to face Baby’s disapproving father.

Throughout the film, Johnny repeatedly shows self-control over his emotions, love for his friends and family, and ultimately bravery. By the end of the movie, Baby has left her nickname behind as she enters adulthood.

Fear didn’t rule Johnny and Baby.

Fear does not have to rule you.

Unlike Johnny, we have the Holy Spirit within us, giving us the power to face difficulties, love to guide our response, and a sound mind giving us self-control, discipline, and clear judgment.

When we faithfully use the gifts God gives us, we can face our mountains and resist the temptations that would steer us in the wrong direction.

Paul wrote Timothy’s letter from prison, near the end of his life. He encouragesTimothy to remain faithful, even when ministry feels difficult or frightening. Paul reminds Timothy that God has entrusted him with a gift and a calling, and doesn’t want his apprentice to shrink back from using it.

Timothy faced pressure, opposition, and discouragement. Paul knew proclaiming the gospel could bring suffering like no other. But he tells his young protégé not to let fear determine how he responds to God’s calling.

Johnny didn’t let fear stop him from doing the right thing.

And neither did Timothy.

True heroism comes when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

While Johnny’s story conveyed a fictional message, Paul tells a spiritual truth that stands the test of time.

God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control.

When we rely on Him, we can do anything. The Lord doesn’t put us in a corner; He takes us onto the dance floor and leads the way. In Christ, we can discover the rhythm of abundant life as we lean into His Spirit and follow His commands.

Put on your dance shoes. Lay aside your fears and enjoy the journey with Jesus.

Journal Questions:

• What fear or uncertainty are you facing right now, and how might God be inviting you to respond with His power instead of allowing fear to control you?
• How can you allow God’s love to shape the way you respond to a difficult person, situation, or decision?
• What would it look like for you to practice self-discipline and trust God’s strength in an area where you have been feeling overwhelmed or hesitant?

Application:

Let God’s Spirit lead you to live fearlessly in Him.

Two-minute read.

“We don’t know what starving is,” a friend said to me one day when I used starving to describe my hunger. I’ve never forgotten that moment from so many years ago; it gave me a new perspective on hunger.

 I have never starved. Born to a middle-class family in America, I’ve always had food on my table, clothes on my back, and a bed to sleep in at night.

Yet somehow, I became a worrier.

When Jesus spoke these words, He addressed something that competes with our trust in God: anxious concern about whether we will have enough.

When the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, God provided manna from heaven. Each morning it appeared on the ground, fresh and delightful. The Lord gave them only one command: gather only enough for today.

“But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell.”

Exodus 16:20 (NLT)

Human nature makes us want a little extra, “in case something happens.” But God gives us what we need for today. He doesn’t meet tomorrow’s need today. The Lord lives in the present with us, and He wants us to stay present with Him. As Jesus reminds us, He takes care of the birds of the air; He’ll take care of us, too.

By pointing to the birds, Christ gives us something ordinary to look at. They don’t plant crops or store up harvests in barns, yet God provides for them. And then He asks the pivotal question: Aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?

Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.

If God cares for His creation, how much more does He care for His children?

Christ doesn’t tell us to stop worrying. Instead, He reminds us of our place in God’s family. Our heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for them. We may not know how the Lord will provide, but we can trust that He will.

Journal Questions:

• What are you currently worrying about, and what would it look like for you to place that concern in God’s hands today?
• Where in your life do you need to remind yourself that your Heavenly Father knows what you need and cares deeply for you?
• What can you learn from the birds about trusting in God’s provision rather than carrying tomorrow’s worries today?

Application:

Take time to look at the birds and how well God cares for them. Remind yourself that He cares even more for you.

Two-minute read.

Peter wrote this letter to Christians scattered throughout northern Asia Minor, known to us as modern-day Turkey. Living under Roman authority, they represented a distinct minority and experienced pressure, rejection, and in some cases, suffering because of their faith in Christ. Not a nationwide persecution, the evidence points to more localized social hostility rather than systematic persecution throughout the Roman Empire.

In 1 Peter 5:6, the disciple tells people to “Humble yourselves before God…” then to give their worries and cares to the Savior, stay alert, and watch out for the enemy. Peter doesn’t simply advise about everyday stress, but speaks to people who had real reasons for their anxiety. The apostle wants them to know: yes, you have pressure, but you don’t carry it alone. Because the Savior cares for them, they can hand their concerns over to God.

First, we must understand the depth of the Lord’s love for us and how much He truly cares. In a world where the Savior sometimes seems silent, we can doubt His affection for us. But Peter affirms confidently: God cares for you.

Because He cares, we can hand over our worries.

Each morning, when I write out my prayer requests to the Lord, I hand Him my worries. Whatever weighs down my heart, I let it pour from my fingertips onto the page and physically give it to the Savior. The more I release to God, the fewer worries I have. Knowing Christ’s deep affection for me, a love that led Him to the cross on my behalf, gives me confidence in His interest in my life and in the worries I carry. Jesus wants us to give them to Him and experience His gift of peace.

Find a way to hand your worries to God.

Maybe, like me, writing them in a journal helps you release your anxieties and fears. Or maybe taking a prayer walk around your neighborhood while giving God your woes will help you release them. Sometimes, making a list of your concerns, then writing beside each one, “God, I give this to You because You care for me,” will help you let go of what you can’t control.

Let go of your worries. Give them to the Father who cares for you. Allow Him to hold what you can’t.

Journal Questions:

• What worries or cares are you carrying right now that you need to surrender to God?
• Do you truly believe that God cares about what you are going through? What makes it hard to trust His care?
• What would it look like for you to release one specific worry to God today and rest in knowing that He is carrying it with you?

Application:

Write down your cares and give them to God.

Two-minute read.

Anchors hold us steady.

Living in coastal Virginia, on warm, sunshiny days, you will see boats anchored in the water, usually clustered together, while their occupants float lazily beside them. In the early morning hours, you will find fishermen sitting silently on the deck, fishing lines in the water, anchors keeping their crafts in one spot. And during the off-season, boats sit along the shoreline, empty, anchored to their spots, waiting for their next outing.

In the Mediterranean world, when the Hebrews received this letter from an unknown author, they depended on anchors to keep their boats secure against winds and waves that threatened to carry them away. Using familiar imagery, the author paints a spiritual picture of hope in God’s promises, giving believers stability in unstable circumstances.

Using language from the Jewish worship system, the writer uses the anchor to represent more than just dropping it into the sea; it also represents a way to enter the “inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” The sanctuary represented God’s presence, separated by a curtain, that the high priest entered on the Day of Atonement. Applying this imagery to Jesus, we see Him as the forerunner and High Priest who enters God’s presence on behalf of believers.

We can anchor ourselves to Christ.

Our circumstances may feel like waves, our emotions rising and falling. But when we anchor our hope on Jesus, the storm cannot reach us because of His presence. The Lord made promises and kept them through Christ. Therefore, our present circumstances don’t determine our confidence in the Savior. When we hold fast and persevere, we will draw near to God.

We can find rest in Christ, knowing we have anchored our souls to the One who controls the wind and the waves. Rest well, even when you don’t have all the answers. Hope doesn’t come from our ability to control tomorrow, but from anchoring ourselves to the Savior.

As Christ followers, we must guard against drifting away from His promises. The Hebrews faced pressure, discouragement, and uncertainty, but persevered in their faith. As the writer encouraged them, he encourages us.

Anchor yourself to the Savior.

Stay connected to God’s promises.

Experience the Lord’s faithful character, no matter what the storm.

Journal Questions:

• What circumstance in your life currently feels like a storm, and how can you anchor your hope in God rather than in the outcome?
• When you feel uncertain or afraid, what promises of God can you remind yourself are firm and unchanging?
• 3. What would it look like for you to truly rest today, knowing that your hope is anchored in Christ—even when your circumstances haven’t changed?

Application:

Find a small object to carry in your pocket as an anchor, reminding you of God’s promises in Christ.

Two-minute read.

David wrote this psalm during a time of distress and opposition. People surrounded him, questioned him, and turned to false narratives. Instead of letting fear and uncertainty control him, David turns his attention to God.

The king’s circumstances haven’t changed, but his response to them has. David’s peace came from knowing who controls tomorrow and who watches over him. Peace comes from trusting God with what we cannot control. David could sleep well because his security depended on God, not his circumstances.

Finding rest in the Savior requires a choice. We can choose to let our fears control us, or we can give them to God and trust Him to protect us.

Recently, I shared my anxiety about traveling abroad with a friend, something I’ve only done once. That trip went well, and God showed up powerfully, yet the devil still likes to whisper “what ifs” in my ear. Her response helped me.

“I just know I have an appointed time, and nothing will change that, so I live a little recklessly, knowing when my time comes, it comes.”

My friend’s confidence in the Lord struck me more than anything else. She had complete trust in her Savior and His plan for her life. As I pondered her words in the days after that conversation, I recognized their truth. And I also realized that fear and anxiety kept me from living life fully. Christ came to give us abundant life. When I live abundantly in Him, it blesses the Savior.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, whatever anxieties and fears try to steal your joy, give them to Jesus. Write down one thing you can’t control, then pray:

“Lord, this belongs to You. I cannot solve it tonight, so I choose to trust You with it. You will watch over me while I rest.”

Physically put the paper away, close your journal, turn off the light, and let that action remind you that you don’t have to keep working on the problem while God takes care of you.

Rest doesn’t ignore the problem; it chooses to trust God with it.

Sleep well knowing the sovereign Lord has your back.

Journal Questions:

• What is keeping me from experiencing God’s peace and truly resting tonight?
• 2. What situation or worry do I need to place completely in God’s hands?
• 3. What would it look like for me to trust God’s protection instead of allowing fear to control my thoughts?

Application:

Write down your worries and give them to the Lord.

Two-minute read.

God speaks quietly.

Recently, I spent time in prayer with God, asking Him what He wanted to say to me. Every morning when I come to Him, I have a list of things I want to talk about, but I rarely ask the Lord what He wants to say. So on this occasion, I put my desires aside and asked my heavenly Father, “What do you want to say to me?”

Waiting in anticipation, I thought the Lord would have some delicious piece of information, like when you chat with a girlfriend and get the “scoop” on current events.

Then I heard His still, quiet voice say three words: “I love you.”

At first, I questioned what I heard. Then I felt disappointment and responded casually. “I know you love me, but what else?”

Again, I heard, “I love you. You’re enough.”

For an hour, the conversation continued until I finally got it. God loves me, and that’s all I need to know. He’ll take care of the rest. By the time I said “Amen,” my prayer had changed from give me more to help me accept. I asked my Creator to make His love part of my DNA, understanding that truly matters more than anything else.

None of that happened in a roaring wind or epic scene, but in a quiet moment where I allowed myself to sit and wait. When the Lord spoke, it came as a whisper I heard in my soul.

To hear from the Lord, we must quiet ourselves from the world’s noise and give Him time to speak. In an ever-connected world, disconnecting from the ongoing hamster wheel takes intention.

Start small: sit quietly for five minutes. Close your eyes. Focus your thoughts on Jesus. When other thoughts drift into your mind, let them go; don’t hold onto them. Bring your mind back to the Savior. Eventually, you’ll find it easier to let go of errant thoughts and keep your mind focused on God.

As you learn to quiet yourself, you’ll begin to hear God more. The Spirit’s quiet nudges will become easier to recognize. The heart connection between you and the Savior will become stronger, and you will experience the Lord in a new and refreshing way.

And as you do, you will begin to understand that God loves you more than you ever knew.

Journal Questions:

• What “noise” in my life makes it difficult for me to hear God’s voice?
  What might I need to quiet or set aside so I can listen?
• Where might God be speaking to me in ways I have overlooked because I was expecting something dramatic?
  What gentle prompting, truth, or reminder has He been placing on my heart?
• When I become overwhelmed, afraid, or discouraged, do I make space to be still before God?
  What would it look like for me to intentionally create a quiet place to listen for Him this week?

Application:

Find a time and quiet space to sit before the Lord and ask Him what He wants to tell you.

Two-minute read.

“How are you doing?” My friend Claire asked as I arrived at our last women’s breakfast.

“Tired. I’m tired.”

My honest response, I think, surprised her at first, but then she said, “Me too.”

We live in a world that never stops. Keeping up with the constantly changing world around us, with a slew of unmet needs, wears anyone out. But God has an answer to the world’s chaos.

He makes us lie down in green pastures.

The Lord knows we need rest, and He provides it through His shepherding. Like sheep who won’t lie down if they feel hungry, afraid, irritated, or uncomfortable, God provides conditions for rest. Through His Spirit, we learn to trust the Savior and stop striving. Rest doesn’t mean laziness; it means trust.

God doesn’t merely tell us where to go; He leads us.

After pouring my heart out at our women’s breakfast, I felt weary. The Lord led me to rest. When I got home, I spent the afternoon outside in our backyard, resting in the shade with my husband. All of the world’s troubles slid away as I allowed the Lord to lead me to a quiet place where I could let it all go.

Green pastures and quiet waters lead to a restored soul.

Although we may not find ourselves in green pastures physically, we can find ourselves there spiritually. Closing our eyes, we can envision the quiet waters surrounded by luscious green fields. We can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding as we focus our thoughts and minds on Jesus. Sitting quietly with the Savior will restore your soul and give rest to the weary.

God restores what life drains.

Restoring brings something back to health, strength, or usefulness. As we learn to take time to rest in the Lord, we will find restoration. When we try to carry life on our own, we will experience spiritual and emotional exhaustion. But David reminds us that we don’t have to restore ourselves. The Shepherd does it.

Sometimes, God answers our prayers with rest.

Lying down can become the most spiritual thing you do.

God invites us to live differently, letting Him lead us, and, as the Shepherd does, He restores our souls.

Journal Questions:

• Where in my life am I striving instead of resting and trusting God?
  What would it look like for me to let God lead me into His “green pastures” today?
• What is draining my soul right now?
  Where do I need God to restore, refresh, and renew me?
• Am I willing to follow God’s direction even when I cannot see the whole path?
  What is one step I believe God is asking me to take, and how can I trust Him with what comes next?

Application:

Lie down, take a nap, let the Lord restore your soul.

Two-minute read.

Can you imagine having to say goodbye to Jesus?

On the night before His crucifixion, he spoke these words to His disciples. Although they didn’t understand what would happen in the next 24 hours, Jesus knew. And He wanted to prepare them for His absence.

We recently said, “See ya later,” to dear friends moving across the country. We spent the day with them, went to church, and had lunch afterward. As we parted ways, not knowing when we would see each other again, deep sadness overwhelmed me. I spent the next two hours crying and allowing myself to feel the sadness.

Jesus never promised us trouble-free living. He understood the pain of separation, and to help us persevere, He gave us His Holy Spirit, who connects us not only to Him but also to other believers.

Like my friend, whom I will miss dearly.

Because of Christ’s Spirit in us, we will always remain connected, no matter how many miles separate us. And one day, we will live in heaven together, with our Savior, never separated again.

Peace came through Jesus.

As my heart ached, the Lord comforted me. An unexpected text shared an uplifting story that immediately lifted my soul. Friends praying for me helped me keep the Son in my eyes. And knowing that Christ understood my sadness helped me share it with Him and receive His divine comfort.

When Jesus says, “The peace I give,” He distinguishes His peace from what the world offers. Peace from an earthly perspective depends on comfortable and predictable circumstances. But Christ’s peace has different roots and doesn’t depend on circumstances.

Tenderly, Jesus says, “Don’t be troubled or afraid.” In the Savior, fear doesn’t have the final word; Christ does. In life, we will face situations, such as a friend moving away, that disturb our peace of mind. But when we keep the Son in our eyes, He gives us peace that defies our circumstances, and we cannot lose it.

When we seek the Savior, He gives us His peace as a gift. No matter what our circumstances, we can experience divine peace through Jesus.

Journal Questions:

• What is troubling your heart today? What would it look like to receive Jesus’ gift of peace instead of carrying that burden alone?
• Where are you allowing your circumstances to determine your peace? How can you shift your focus from what is happening around you to the One who is with you?
• What fear do you need to surrender to Jesus today? Write a prayer asking Him to replace that fear with His peace.

Application:

Receive Christ’s peace by choosing to trust Him with the trouble of your heart.

Two-minute read.

Picture this moment: Jesus tells the disciples to get in the boat and cross the sea. In complete obedience, they follow His instructions and sail into a violent storm. Being in God’s will doesn’t free us from difficult circumstances; in fact, it sometimes leads us into them. Only through storms do we learn the Lord’s reaction.

Sometimes He calms the storm.

Other times He calms us in the storm.

Either way, His presence changes the situation.

The disciples ask a question I think we all ask at some time or another: “Don’t you care?” Storms can make us feel isolated and alone. We want action, but none comes. And we may wonder why we must go through the difficulties we face. When Jesus calmed the storm, He showed the disciples He hadn’t abandoned them, even when He seemed silent.

Without the storm, the disciples wouldn’t have learned the lesson.

Peace doesn’t mean the absence of a storm.

Jesus’s presence brings peace.

We live in a world that tells us about the storms coming our way. The disciples didn’t have the weather channel. When they sailed across the Sea of Galilee with Jesus in their boat, they didn’t know what awaited them.

And neither do we.

Even with advance notice of a hurricane coming our way, we can’t comprehend what the storm will do when it arrives. Sometimes the storms lose steam before they hit land; other times they cause unimaginable damage.

But one thing remains the same.

We can’t avoid the storm.

And we can weather it with the Savior, who controls the winds and sea.

When Jesus says, “Be still,” we can trust His authority over both the storm and our fear. Nothing can stop God’s will from unfolding. Each day, as we face the challenges, we can thank Him for them. Through our storms, we learn the greatest lessons and draw close to the Savior. Without challenges, we would never call on the Lord. But because of our struggles, we wake Him up and seek His help.

Without a bad day, we wouldn’t appreciate a good one.

Without a storm, we wouldn’t cry out for divine help.

Without the Lord, we can’t find peace in the storm.

Journal Questions:

• What “storm” are you facing right now? What fears or worries are rising to the surface as you walk through it?
• Have you ever felt like Jesus was silent or asleep in the middle of your storm? What does this passage remind you about His presence and care?
• Where do you need to hear Jesus say, “Be still” today? What would it look like to surrender that situation to Him and trust His authority over the storm?

Application:

Ask Jesus to move in whatever storm you face.

Two-minute read.

What gives you anxiety?

Family, friends, kids, jobs, health. The list of things that can make our hearts race and our minds run seems endless. For me, on the day I’m writing this, I have a meeting to do something I’ve never done before, and I want to make sure I do it right.

So, I’ve spent the past week praying about the meeting and my obligation in it.

And now I feel prepared.

God doesn’t ask us to hide our anxiety. Instead, He invites us to turn it into prayer. Every time an anxious thought came up, I would immediately turn it into a prayer.

“Lord, help me do the work well.”

“Lord, show me anything else I need to do to prepare.”

“Lord, help her understand.”

The list of prayers went on and on. When something new entered my thoughts and tried to steal my peace, I gave it to the Lord and kept a continual conversation with the Savior. Instead of trying to stop myself from worrying, I changed my focus from the anxious thought and talked to God about it.

Telling the Lord our needs and remembering what He has done for us teaches us that gratitude helps redirect our hearts from fear to trust. For me, I asked God for provision, and He provided me with a job. I’m grateful for the work and the reward I will receive.

As I turned my anxiety into prayer and gratitude, divine peace permeated my soul. The Lord didn’t make my problems disappear, but He gave me peace when I had plenty of reasons to worry. By trusting God’s sovereignty, I don’t have to know what will happen, because He does. Acceptance of the Lord’s control gives me peace in my daily life.

Turn worry into prayer.

Ask God for His help.

Thank Him for what He has already done.

Receive the Lord’s peace.

Four simple steps that don’t make our problems disappear, but give us peace in the middle of them. Fill your mind with God’s word rather than continually returning to your anxieties. Peace comes not from knowing the outcome, but from knowing the One who holds the outcome in His hands.

Journal Questions:

• What worry are you carrying today that God is inviting you to bring to Him in prayer? Write it down and honestly tell God what you need.
• What can you thank God for even in the middle of this situation? How does gratitude change the way you see your circumstances?
• What would it look like to trust God with the outcome instead of trying to control it yourself? Take a few moments to ask God for His peace and surrender your worry to Him.

Application:

When anxiety starts to steal your peace, turn it into a prayer and let God take control.