Category: Uncategorized

Two-minute read.

A few years ago, I received an invitation to an event with Tim Tebow as the featured speaker. We arrived on time and joined our friends at the round table to enjoy dinner. Murmuring conversations filled the banquet hall as people ate. Then, when Tim entered the room, silence fell upon the crowd. His mere presence changed everything as we prepared to hear him speak.

But nothing compares to when God shows up.

The minute we invite the Lord into our situation, everything changes.

Peace transcends.

Anxiety lifts.

And rest begins.

Think about the last time you turned to the Lord in the midst of a struggle. What happened when you stopped trying to solve the problem on your own strength and asked God for help?

Transformation happened to me.

Coming home from a women’s event late one Friday night, I got lost. My heart beat faster, my thoughts began to race, and I felt my breath tighten. But then, from years of crying out to the Lord, I cried, “Lord, help me. I’m lost.”

Immediately, I felt His peace. My heart slowed to a normal beat, my thoughts stopped flailing, and my breath evened out. I pulled over to the side of the road, opened Maps, and found my route home. Then I called my husband, shared my dilemma, and talked to him the rest of the way home.

God’s presence changed everything for me in that moment.

He can do the same for you.

But first, you must ask.

To experience the Lord’s presence, we must seek it. Until I cried out to Him, God respected my decision to handle the incident on my own. But as soon as I turned to Him, the Lord responded, replacing my panic with peace. I found rest from my anxiety by giving it to the Lord.

None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we do know the Savior who goes with us. The Lord’s presence gives us peace before our circumstances change. And eventually, they will change.

We often want God to give us a plan before we take the next step. But the Lord wants to give us rest instead of a detailed explanation. We don’t need to know the itinerary; we need to trust the one who made it. And we can.

If God says it, He does it.

The Lord keeps His promises. He goes with us wherever we go. And He gives us rest along the way.

Journal Questions:

• What situation am I facing right now where I need to remember that God is going with me?
• Am I seeking God’s plan more than I am seeking God’s presence? What would it look like to focus on His presence today?
• What is one worry I can release to God today and trust Him to handle as I take the next step?

Application:

When you feel uncertain, seek God’s presence and enjoy His rest.

Two-minute read.

Do you remember the last time you sat still for longer than five minutes? Two minutes? Thirty seconds?

Our world does not promote stillness; it promotes FOMO: Fear of Missing Out.

 If we take time to sit still, guilt can quickly overtake us as the hundreds of things we need to do race through our minds. I find stillness through prayer and stretching. Medically, it takes 90 seconds to 3 minutes for fascia to stretch and remodel, improving joint mobility and expanding range of motion while rehydrating the fascial netting. As I move into a pose, I pray and find stillness, connecting with the Lord on a deeper level.

But it has taken years of practicing to embrace the stillness and rest in the Lord.

And I’m still working on it.

When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t tell us to become busier. Instead, the Lord tells us to trust Him, accept His gift, and rest. During times of trouble and uncertainty, God doesn’t call us to do more. He calls us to be still.

The Lord invites us to sit quietly with Him. Finding a space that promotes stillness helps with the process. In my house, I have a loft where I find stillness. Outside, I like to sit where I am now, on lounge chairs under an umbrella, listening to my husband mow the lawn and smelling one of my favorite smells: fresh-cut grass.

When we submit our lives to Christ, we give up control. Instead of desperately trying to run the world around us, God invites us to release our grip and know that, whatever the situation, the Lord has it under control.

Sitting still before our Savior acknowledges His sovereignty. Jesus sees what I cannot see. He hears the conversations I don’t and knows things I will never know. Through it all, Christ remains faithful, and we can find stillness in His presence.

The psalmist points beyond our immediate problems to God’s purposes. Even though we can’t see the solution, we know the One who does. And we can rest in His presence as God’s plan unfolds.

Take 30 seconds right now. Close your eyes. Fix your thoughts on Jesus and be still. Let the Lord take care of the rest.

Journal Questions:

• What are you currently trying to control that you need to surrender to God?
• What does “Be still and know that I am God” mean to you in this particular season?
• What would change today if you truly believed that God is your refuge and is already at work?

Application:

When you feel overwhelmed, try this simple practice: Stop, Breathe, Pray, Release.

Two-minute read.

Did you know that more than 10,000 grape varieties exist? Some grapes have different names in different countries. Winemakers cultivate 1300-1400 different types for their product. Some get dried and used for raisins; others get squeezed for juice. Different vines produce different fruit.

What vine we attach ourselves to determines the fruit we produce.

In His Farewell Discourse to the disciples, the night before His crucifixion, Jesus wanted them to understand this lesson. Using familiar agricultural terms, the Savior taught about the true vine: Him. The disciples and we, as His branches, depend on Him for strength and spiritual growth. The fruit we produce shows our connection to Christ and helps us display love, obedience, character, service, and spiritual transformation.

Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Therefore, we must make sure we attach ourselves to Him. Like the thousands of varieties of grapes, we live in a world with thousands of ideologies. Some seem very similar to Christ’s teachings, but slight differences lead people astray. The fruit produced identifies the vine.

We live in a world that changes constantly, and with it, so do the vines. Movements pop up, people follow them, and then, when they produce no fruit, they move on to the next fad. To avoid folly, we must keep our eyes on the Savior and our branches attached to His vine. Only one true vine exists: Jesus.

We can attach ourselves to the vines of work, friends, family, hobbies, and keep trying harder to produce the fruit we want. Or, we can attach ourselves to the true vine and let Him produce the fruit. Connected branches to the true vine produce the best fruit.

Through a close relationship with Christ, we will produce spiritual fruit. Not because we work harder, but because we remain strongly connected to the Savior. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Connected to Him, we can do anything.

Strive for dependence on Jesus. Nothing else matters more than our relationship with Him. From our divine connection, we receive all we need to do the work the Lord has for us. Not on our strength, but His.

Journal Questions:

• Where in my life am I trying to rely on my own strength instead of depending on Jesus?
• What “fruit” do I see—or want to see—growing in my life because of my relationship with Christ?
• What is one practical thing I can do today to remain more closely connected to Jesus?

Application:

Find a scripture to meditate on today that will keep you connected to the Savior.

Two-minute read.

In my garden, I planted eggplant. By late July, the leafy green plant had started producing a couple of deep purple vegetables. Because I didn’t see any other flowers, I thought we wouldn’t get any more fruit from it. But then we went away on vacation for two weeks, and when I came back, the plant exploded. I counted six growing eggplants when I weeded the garden after we returned.

Hot sun, afternoon showers, and a little help from our watering system caused the plant to flourish. Because the eggplants stayed connected to the vine, they began to grow and produce good fruit. If I had succumbed to my temptation to give up on the plant and pull it, the bountiful harvest would never have come. For eggplants to grow, they must remain rooted in the earth and attached to the vine.

Just like we must remain in Christ to produce His fruit.

Each morning, I start a fresh connection with the Lord. I open my Bible, read His Word, and let it begin to transform me. As verses capture my attention, I write them in my journal and note why they speak to me. First, I praise God for His work in my life, and then I write out any prayer requests I have, giving Him the burdens of my heart. And recently, I’ve started thanking Him for the challenges I will face in the day ahead and how they will grow me.

As the eggplant stayed connected to its source of life, my morning routine keeps me connected to mine: the Savior.

Remaining in Christ means staying connected to Him. Fruit comes from the connection, not from working harder. We don’t have to manufacture spiritual fruit; Jesus gives it to us when we abide in Him. The Lord produces love, patience, kindness, peace, faithfulness, and ultimately a life that reflects Him.

My eggplants didn’t strive to become hearty vegetables. They grew that way because of their connection to the vine.

God requires us to stay connected. When we do, He takes care of the rest. We don’t have to strive to become fruitful. The more attached we stay to Jesus, the more fruit we will bear.

Journal Questions:

• What does “remain in Me” look like in your life right now? What could you do to stay intentionally connected to Jesus each day?
• Are there areas of your life where you are trying to produce fruit through your own strength? What would it look like to surrender those areas to Jesus and depend on Him?
• What kind of spiritual fruit do you see Jesus growing in your life? What fruit would you like Him to develop more deeply in you?

Application:

Start your day connected to Jesus, and keep the connection strong throughout the day. Do things in Christ’s strength instead of yours.

Two-minute read.

Jesus faced opposition. When He said these words, John the Baptist, in prison, questioned Christ’s identity. Jesus affirmed John’s ministry and then began addressing the spiritual condition of the people around Him. People had witnessed the Savior’s miracles but refused to repent.

Religious leaders at the time followed a complex system of laws. And their stringent rules imposed additional, overwhelming requirements on the people, more than God’s law. When Jesus spoke of weary and burdened people, his audience immediately understood what He meant.

People carried sin and guilt because they couldn’t keep the laws and religious expectations of the Pharisees. They feared failing God all while dealing with the difficulties of everyday life. The weight of trying to make themselves acceptable to the Lord exhausted them. Jesus responds to their weariness with a simple request: Come to me.

Like Jesus’ audience, we too can feel tired and worn out from the pressures of life. A constantly changing culture and societal shifts exhaust the best of us. Christ offers us a solution that doesn’t require more effort, only that we rest in Him.

Through a relationship with the Savior, we can find rest from the world’s craziness. God invites us to stop carrying the weight of life as though everything depends on us. We can lay our guilt, anxiety, grief, and discouragement at the foot of the cross. Jesus wants to carry our burdens and give us a light yoke that requires nothing more than a committed relationship with Him.

As we follow Jesus and become His disciples, He walks with us, listens to our prayers, and teaches us His ways. Transformation occurs as Christ reshapes our lives and the way we think. Over time, we discover that God’s way gives us abundant life and requires far less effort than trying to control everything ourselves.

Jesus never promised us an easy life or that we wouldn’t have a load to carry. But He does promise to carry our burdens with us and give us rest from them. Often, people can’t see the heaviest things we carry, but Christ does. Not only will He help us carry it, but the load will become light when we lay our burdens at His feet.

Journal Questions:

• What burdens are you carrying right now that Jesus may be inviting you to place in His hands? What makes it difficult for you to let go?
• Jesus says, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What does this reveal about His character, and how might knowing this change the way you approach Him?
• What would it look like for you to “take Jesus’ yoke” today? Is there an area where you need to stop striving and begin trusting Him more fully?

Application:

Spend time with Jesus today. Write Him a letter and tell the Savior what burdens you carry. Let Him help you carry the weight.

Two-minute read.

Some days you never forget. Like March 6th, 2010, a day I spent in Williamsburg Sentara Hospital while surgeons worked to remove a mass from my mother’s abdomen. By the end of those six hours, they had performed a “Whipple,” removing the tip of her pancreas, 90% of her colon, and her spleen. At 77 years old, it changed my mother’s life forever, as well as her entire family.

I remember experiencing the Lord’s peace as I spent time reading my Bible and striving to keep the Son in my eyes. No one on earth knew what the surgeon would find, or the outcome, except God. And so I turned to Him, and in Him I found the divine peace only He can give.

But I also remember other people, waiting on the outcome of their loved one’s surgery, pacing the floor, constantly checking their watches, and imagining the worst. Tense faces paired with nervous movements mirrored their thoughts.

The world says, “You’ll have peace when everything works out.” The contorted looks on the worried waiters spoke volumes about where they found their peace. In an ever-changing world, the calm found in the Lord alluded them.

Jesus says, “You can have peace because I am with you, even before everything works out.” During that day, I felt the Savior’s presence in the words I read and the people who supported me through it. My peace didn’t depend on the absence of trouble; it came from His constant presence in the midst of my crisis.

And He will do the same for you.

When anxiety begins to rise, pause and pray before reacting. Meditate on Jesus’s words, “My peace I give to you.” Thank God for His presence, even if your circumstances haven’t changed. Focus on what you know about the Lord’s character rather than what you don’t know about the future. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with Christ’s peace.

Peace doesn’t ignore struggles; rather, it trusts God in them, knowing He will never leave nor forsake you.

Journal Questions:

• What situation is causing my heart to feel troubled today?
• Am I looking for peace in changing circumstances or in my relationship with Christ?
• When have I experienced God’s peace even though my circumstances were difficult?

Stress Buster:

Unclench your shoulders, relax your jaw, and whisper, “I choose Christ’s peace over my fear.”

Two-minute read.

Peter wrote to Christ’s followers living in different regions of Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. The disciple knew they faced persecution, social rejection, and uncertainty because of their faith. In his letter, Peter encourages them to remain steadfast, to trust God, and to remember that we have temporary suffering, but the Lord’s promises remain forever.

“Give” in today’s verse means “to throw upon” or “place completely on someone else.” Like carrying a heavy log in your arms, you move slowly, your arms quivering under the exertion, your body tired. But then someone comes along and takes the load. You no longer bear the burden and can walk freely because they carry it for you.

God wants to carry our burdens.

He wants us to give Him the load we carry. Worrying about our spouse and children? Give it to God. Scared about losing your job? Unload the fear onto the Savior. Unsure of what the future looks like? Let the Lord carry your uncertainty. Overcome with grief? Cast it upon Jesus and let Him give you comfort.

When you notice anxiety of any kind rising, pause and pray before reacting. Tell the Lord what troubles you. Write your worries in a journal, then pray over each one. Replace your anxious thoughts with God’s promises. Then thank the Savior in advance for His faithful care. Each time worry returns, choose again to place it in the Creator’s hands.

Worry and trust can’t coexist. Every anxious thought becomes an opportunity to choose faith. Trust doesn’t mean we have all the answers; it means we know the One who does. We serve a Savior who knows us intimately. He never overlooks us. The Lord sees our tears, hears our prayers, and walks beside us through every season.

God draws near to us when we draw near to Him. Constantly present, the Lord remains compassionate and faithful. He cares so deeply for us, knowing every concern on our hearts. When we choose to place our worries, fears, and unanswered questions in His hands, God fills our hearts with His peace, reminding us He faithfully cares about every detail.

Journal Question:

• What burden have I been carrying that I need to surrender to God today?
• Why is it sometimes difficult for me to trust that God truly cares about every detail of my life?
• How has God shown His loving care for me in the past?

Stress Buster:

Write down one worry, then pray over it and imagine placing it at the foot of the cross.

Two-minute read.

Finding calm doesn’t deny life’s stresses, but creates space to remember God’s presence in the middle of it. We can use practical applications to find the Lord’s peace no matter what our circumstances. The Sons of Korah, who wrote Psalm 46, tell us one way we can discover the divine gift: be still.

Simply taking five minutes to sit quietly, turn off distractions, breathe deeply, and focus on God’s presence will help you discover His calm. However, unplugging for five minutes doesn’t come easily.

Stop reading, set a timer for one minute, and try to sit quietly.

How did it go? Did you even do it?

My mind starts wandering all over the place about five seconds into the minute. But I have learned, over time, to quiet myself. Having a scripture to meditate on helps block out the random thoughts. Deep breathing helps me tune out the noises around me. And closing my eyes allows me to focus my thoughts on Jesus. When I do those things, I discover the Lord’s peace and His calm.

As you try to settle yourself into a quiet moment with the Lord, start with prayer. Empty out your heart to the Savior, tell Him everything, the good, bad, and ugly. Then try a simple breathing exercise: inhale slowly for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and exhale for 6 counts. Repeat several times while praying, “Lord, You are my peace.”

Calm doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from knowing the One who holds them. When you slow down long enough to remember who created you and the love He has for you, your heart can find peace, even when life feels uncertain.

Journal Questions:

• What circumstances or worries are making it difficult for me to “be still” and trust God today?
• When I look back over my life, where have I seen God’s faithfulness, even during seasons of uncertainty or waiting?
• What is one practical step I can take today to quiet my heart and intentionally rest in God’s presence?

Stress Buster

Practicing controlling your breath and breathing deeply.

Two-minute read.

As we conclude six weeks of stress-busting, it seems fitting to end with these words from Isaiah. Part of his praise song, Isaiah wrote these words to celebrate God’s future victory and the security of His people. Isaiah ministered during a turbulent time in Judah’s history. The nation faced threats from powerful empires and political uncertainty. Fear and spiritual decline loomed over the land, a time not so different from today.

Isaiah reminds the Israelites, in the midst of these unstable circumstances, that peace comes from the Lord, not military strength, political alliances, or favorable circumstances. Trusting the Lord leads to lasting peace. When we anchor our confidence in the Savior, rather than changing conditions, we will discover divine calm.

We can’t manufacture peace; each day comes with its own troubles. The verse begins with God’s action; He gives us peace when we seek Him. If we try to find calm in any other way, we will fail. Just as ancient cities built walls to protect them, the Lord promises to guard the hearts of those who trust Him. We have secure peace because it comes directly from the source: God Himself.

Peace, in Hebrew, means “shalom, shalom.” Repeating words emphasized their completeness or intensity. Isaiah describes a complete, lasting, and whole peace, rather than merely the absence of conflict. Divine peace gives us inner calm, wholeness, well-being, and harmony with the Savior as we have confidence in His care. Even when we face difficult circumstances, His peace will remain.

Our focus determines our peace. We must redirect our thoughts towards God’s promises, faithfulness, power and presence. When we keep the Son in our eyes, we will maintain His peace. What occupies our minds often shapes the condition of our hearts. Trusting in Jesus gives us the firm foundation we need for His peace.

When we rest the whole weight of our lives on God, we will discover His peace. Anxious minds become peaceful when filled with the Lord’s greatness rather than life’s uncertainties. With the Son in your eyes, the storm diminishes and peace reigns.

Trust leads to peace. No matter what our circumstances, the Lord can transform our hearts during them. Enduring peace comes from the Father, the source and keeper of true peace.

Journal Questions:

• What have you learned during these six weeks?
• How has God changed your perspective on stress?
• What practices will you continue moving forward?

Stressbuster:

Celebrate your journey by doing something that brings you peace and joy.

Two-minute read.

Charles Spurgeon, called the Prince of Preachers, lived in the mid-to-late 1800s. As a Baptist preacher, he had powerful sermons, a deep love of Scripture, and an ability to explain biblical truths in ways ordinary people could understand, which made him legendary. Spurgeon described memory as “faith’s handmade.” He taught that remembering God’s past mercies fuels present trust. Every answered prayer becomes a reason to trust Him again.

Asaph, the author of Psalm 77, led Israel in worship. In deep anguish, overwhelmed by trouble, unable to sleep, he wrestled with questions about the Lord’s presence. Honest questions born out of pain, not unbelief. But then things change when he gets to verse 11. Asaph’s situation remains the same, but he shifts his focus. Instead of dwelling on his fears, he deliberately chooses to remember God’s faithfulness. His memory becomes faith’s handmade.

When we follow Asaph’s example and remember God’s past faithfulness, it will strengthen us. As we recall how the Lord has helped us before and the prayers He has answered, our faith will grow. Remembering His past provision helps us trust that God will provide in the future.

Our feelings don’t define the Savior’s character. Just because we feel alone doesn’t mean the Lord has abandoned us. When Asaph’s feelings told him God had forgotten him, the facts reminded him of the Lord’s faithfulness for generations. We have real feelings, but real doesn’t mean reliable. God’s character never changes.

Keeping a journal helps us remember God’s work in our lives. Recording answered prayers and unexpected blessings creates a personal testimony that can encourage us during future trials. As a writer, journaling comes easily to me. Each morning I write out my prayers, laying them at the foot of the cross. Reading back over them always surprises me because I often forget what I wrote.

When we choose to remember the Lord’s faithfulness, as Asaph did, it will strengthen us. As we reflect on God’s past works, it builds our present faith. Circumstances may not change immediately, but our perspective can. The Lord remains constant, even when our emotions fluctuate. Looking back on our Father’s faithfulness will give us the courage to face the future.

Journal Questions:

• How has God been faithful in your life?
• What prayers has He answered?
• How can remembering His faithfulness reduce stress?

Stressbuster:

Write a personal testimony of God’s goodness.