Prayer Journey—A Rich Faith

You know my heart dear God. You know the deepest parts of my inner being, the struggles I face each day. I pray you will fill me with your wisdom. Deepen my faith, especially when the darkness seems overwhelming. Give me a richness of belief in what is possible with you. Show me how to […]

Bow of Hope

The storm clouds gather above. Rain pours down, drenching. The waters threaten to rise and overtake. I am bowed down with sorrow. “For the waves of death encompassed me; The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me (2 Samuel 22:6, NASB).” Fear fills me as the storm persists. “Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart […]

Struggling for Purpose

We struggle for years, working to serve the Lord. Yet there are moments when setbacks can cause us to wonder why we expended so much effort. It can seem like it is wasted. Isaiah expressed this sentiment: “But I said, ‘I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity (Isaiah […]

Vignettes—Disbelief

It can’t be. How could that possibly happen? She parked her car and stared at him with skepticism. She was lost for words. Did he not know that she had been praying to God about this for years? Month after month her prayers went unanswered. It seemed nothing would change. How could things be different? […]

Together for Good

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28. (NASB) “What good can come from this?” It is a phrase I have found myself saying many times in my life. Sometimes it goes along […]

Comfort From Affliction

When we are in the middle of struggles in life, it is hard to see any purpose in it. From my own experience a few years ago, when I felt trapped in a very traumatic situation with no evident end in sight, it all felt pointless. Day after day, as the trauma continued, it was […]

Shared Suffering, Shared Joy

Our suffering teaches us to reach beyond ourselves and rely on God. It helps us to learn perseverance that deepens our faith in Christ Jesus. The suffering we endure also provides hope to those currently suffering.

Roadblocks of Faith

Have you ever faced someone who is stubborn and resisting your pleas to act according to what God has asked you to do? This is the situation that Moses faced in attempting to get Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Repeatedly, Moses goes to Pharaoh, as instructed by God, to tell him, “Thus says the […]

Empathy for the Struggling

There have been times in my life, when I have struggled with trials, trauma and grief. In the depths of those struggles, I have often felt misunderstood and alone. At those times I needed someone to listen and empathize with me. Someone to walk with me through the trial and not judge me. Job faces […]

Seeking Refuge in God’s Fortress

As a fortress, God also defends us against the forces of evil. We need not be afraid because the arrows of the evil one bounce off the fortress of God that surrounds us. We do not need to fear the evil that stalks us.