Be Still: 30 Devotions for the Hopeful Heart

Scripture: 1 John 3:19

In the Hands of Hope 

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence. I JOHN 3:19 NIV 

We try so hard to make things happen on our own, don’t we? In our timing. The way we like it. How we’ve planned it in our mind. In our mixing-up of roles, we often forget His power. We think we have to “wake Him up” to our reality when the waves feel too big and inform Him of our dreams when the waters seem stagnant. 

But He is God. 

He knows our desires and where we would like to go. 

He knows our shortcomings and what might prevent us from getting there. 

He knows our potential and the possibilities that lie within us. 

He also knows the timing of how it all comes together—how things will shift into place, how certain doors will close, and unexpected ones will open, how stubborn we can get when we believe in something, and how fearful we allow our hearts to get when vulnerability calls our name. 

Yet even though He knows all, He gives us grace when we think we do. It’s like a child pretending to drive a car while sitting in a parent’s lap, gripping the steering wheel, wide-eyed and ready, believing they’re in control—when in reality, their loving parent has control of the wheel the entire time. The child’s feet dangle in midair as the parent presses the gas and the brake. They chuckle that their child believes the verbal command “Go faster” actually makes the car travel at higher speeds. 

Isn’t this us, white-knuckling the wheel, believing we are in control, while our Father smiles and keeps us on the course? 

We do not have to worry that our God is One who doesn’t know what we want or need. Or that He’s boring, stingy, or stale and won’t provide it. Or even that His timeline is a little behind what our mind tells us is the socially acceptable timeline. Our desires are not far from His mind. 

He is mighty. Trust what He knows and follow where He goes. Remember His hands—they have us. And haven’t we learned? His hands do not fail. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being patient in our stubbornness and forgetfulness. Remind our hearts that Your will is perfect and true. You know us intricately, and You lead us perfectly. We place today in Your hands.

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Romans 16:20

Removing the Busy Badge 

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. ROMANS 16:20 NIV 

It’s hard to get a handle on time, isn’t it? It passes more quickly with each year. The days seemed longer “back then.” It felt a little easier to stay in our present, with our mind focusing on exactly where we were, who we were with, and what we were doing. 

But the clock has not changed any, other than the fact that it has become a little square on our Apple watch instead of the ticking circle in the elementary school classroom. Each moment is as available to soak up today as it was then; it’s just that we are less available. 

We have nurtured the myth that busyness equates to value and that a hurried lifestyle means an important life. But stacking our demands like dominoes and overcommitting ourselves does not make us popular or powerful. It only makes us less purposeful. 

Busy is not a badge of honor. At the end of our lives, we will not want to be remembered for how many e-mails we typed or how many coffee dates we were able to fit into a month’s timeline. We will have wanted to have been intentional with those we love and selfless in those we serve. 

We can slow it down. Nothing will catch on fire. Watch as Jesus multiplies our time and gives us the ability to pursue what matters most in each moment. 

As we plan our days, why don’t we consult our heavenly Father on how to do so? Instead of claiming “busy,” let’s change it to “full.” And when we begin to question our importance, let’s ask Him for reminders of who we are. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for the value you have placed over every one of Your children. We do not have to earn our significance, for You already claimed us by name. We will walk in that truth today knowing that You desire our time to be marked with intentionality rather than busyness. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18

The Power of Our Potential 

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. EPHESIANS 1:18 NLT 

Our potential—do we really have any idea what it is? Or what it could look like? 

Even with the ways we perceive life will change or imagine the possibilities that could happen when we dream big and fly high, we still tend to undermine our abilities and place ourselves in a box. 

We want to believe for the impossible, step into the unknown, and trust God completely in His Word, but we want to do these things in ways that do not force us out of our comfort zones. 

Friends, if we really and truly understood the mightiness and grace of the Father, our lives would look different in every way. But to know how they would look different, we have to understand the heart of our heavenly Father. 

Scripture states, “Your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope…” When our heart is flooded with light, which is the truth of His Word, we no longer question our ability to show up—nor do we need the affirmation of everyone around us before we enter our potential. When our heart is flooded with light, we begin to step into the person He has always seen us as—holy, beloved, and pure…full of complete joy and soaked in creativity, passion, and kindness. This process is not glorious because of the earthly riches it will provide but because of the way it refines our hearts. 

How are we doing with this? Do we read Scripture as though it is truly written for us and about us, or does it feel distant and confusing? It is time to step into these places we know our feet have been created to go and then walk in the confident hope that our inheritance offers. Our potential is unmatched, world-changing, and certain, but we must let the light flood our hearts and hope guide our footsteps. It is time to fully believe. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being a sure and loving Father. You believe in us, and You desire to use us in mighty ways. Help us break out of our socially acceptable boxes and run hard after You. We want to break the mold. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Psalms 62:1

He Knows Life is a Lot 

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. PSALM 62:1 NIV 

“Unclench your teeth. Take your tongue off the top of your mouth. Release the tension in your hands.” As the yoga instructor mentioned each thing, I thought to myself. “What? I didn’t realize I was doing these to begin with!” 

Isn’t that so often how we approach so much of life, though? We do what we have always done simply because we have always done it. We go at breakneck speed because we are told we will get behind or be subpar if we choose our own pace. This accelerated rhythm not only affects our mental capacity, spiritual awareness, and emotional well-being, but it also physically causes our body to be in defense mode. It often takes us being still to realize how frantic we have become. 

The reality is, we all have a lot going on. We have a lot to manage, a lot to balance, a lot to understand, and even a lot to surrender. But it also probably feels like a lot because we never slow down long enough to set it down and rest our shoulders. We assume that whatever we want to remain in our lives, we must deal with it all at once. We cannot miss out, mess up, or miss it. We feel the need to be the perfect friend, husband/wife, family member, or leader all while painting the picture that we understand vulnerability. What we share with others still remains the socially acceptable answer because if they really—like, really—knew our level of crazy? Well, it is just too much. So we juggle. 

We forget to breathe and remind ourselves of the bigger picture. His Word has informed us that we have been placed exactly where we are, with what we have, “for such a time as this.” All the balls in the air can wait for a moment. Because if the juggler forgets that underneath them is a net to catch them, they will live in constant fear of falling. 

He knows we have a lot. But nothing in our hands is worth compromising the hope in our hearts. 

Let’s unclench our teeth, remove our tongue from the top of our mouths, release the tension in our hands, and be okay with just being. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being a God of peace. Help us to be thankful for the blessings and the burdens we have, trusting that You are our Help and Provider. We are not crazy; we are human, and You love us more than anything. Remind our souls of that. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1

Just Passing Through 

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. II CORINTHIANS 5:1 ESV 

The more “life” we experience, the more we learn that grief comes in many forms. It can come at any moment. It offers no manners, asking when we think our heart could better handle the tough moments. It spares no one, seizing the opportunity to strike us all to our knees. 

And in these moments, the ones when we believe the world truly stops, we are jolted out of our reality. Nothing feels in control. Everything feels fragile. 

We deeply question, “Lord, where are You? Why?” We search the index of possibilities and wonder why this had to be. Life as we know it will always look different. While the passing of a loved one, a divorce, or extreme financial hardship are moments that automatically can be registered as grief, sometimes grief looks a lot different. Sometimes it looks like abandoning our preconceived timeline for getting married, letting go of a relationship that had become toxic, or coming face-to-face with consequences we ourselves induced. We often mislabel grief, not fully comprehending the void that is in our lives. 

But in these moments, our soul recognizes desperation. We grasp the realization that life on earth requires many knee-prints. When uncertainty, fear, and pain become real to us, we more intimately understand that Jesus is our only known. As we cry out to Him in prayer, we begin to see that He is our only Source of peace. These conversations with Him link our hands and keep them interlocked with His. Being close to Him, our spirit witnesses the depth of His love, His grace, and His mercy for us. As our hearts ache and our feet stumble, He uses our weariness to show us His glory. Because how else do we get put back together except by His hands? 

Moments of grief remind us that we were never meant to get comfortable here. We learn that maybe all this hard stuff is the big arrow that points to our true home with our heavenly Father. We are just passing through. No need to set up a kingdom here or let life convince us that grief is our constant companion. Oh no. Hope is our companion. We, the chosen people of God, can have hopeful hearts. 

Dear Jesus, thank You that You are always near, even when our hearts are weary or sad. Will You remind us of our forever home? Let the truth of eternity with You permeate our hearts with hope and joy. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3

Posture of Peace 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. ISAIAH 26:3 NIV 

Have you ever met someone who seemed to have a supernatural ability to be unaffected when life threw them curveballs? They received no warning and yet they never lost their peace or gave up hope. 

We probably all have someone who immediately comes to mind. We envy their steadfastness. They challenge our own hearts—“Lord, I want whatever that is.” 

Of all the riches we own and of all the qualities we admire, there is nothing richer than a life of peace. In fact, if we really think about it, when we are striving and reaching and working to attain more, isn’t that what we are actually after? We want to wake up, enjoy our days, practice contentment, and know that our heavenly Father is trustworthy. We want to be people of peace, especially when the unexpected arises or struggles are present. Peace is not reserved for pastors, Bible study leaders, or worship teams. It is God’s desire for all of us to experience peace so that we will stand out in today’s world. When we spend time being still, allowing our mind to grab hold of truth and not be distracted by what’s around us, we give margin for peace to flow within us and from us. 

This posture of peace is a decision. Having a posture of peace doesn’t mean having an event-free life. We will all face harsh circumstances, tough decisions, and painful events. But God’s peace “surpasses all understanding,” meaning that we can rest in Him no matter what comes our way. It means carrying His peace inside us. Our desire to have a peaceful life is already God at work. 

Today, let’s focus on keeping our gaze ahead, allowing our spine to fully strengthen itself in courage and our focus to be on pursuing peace. It is not enough to just believe He is God; we must believe that God wants to be great in us. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for the richest gift we could ever ask for in this life—Your peace. When we begin to feel pressured or worried, recalibrate our minds. Your promises are true, and Your way is peace. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Matthew 8:26-27

Even the Waves Obey Him 

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” MATTHEW 8:26–27 NIV 

We can all close our eyes and imagine the ocean; it is its own beast, gigantic and mysterious in all it holds. Most of us can remember a time we learned about the power of the waves as we were knocked down and carried by a current we severely underestimated. This image allows us to really picture ourselves in the biblical story of Matthew 8:18–27. Here we are, on a boat in the middle of the sea, with the storm pulsing all around us. Despite our frantic concern, Jesus is lying still, sleeping. We wake Him and He immediately calms the waves. Stills them, actually. Roaring tidal waves become like glass. 

Jesus knew that the disciples needed to physically feel and see His power. Even though their faith had drifted, His authority had not. The disciples were placing their trust in what they could see, but Jesus was asking them to trust in what they could not see. 

Jesus, the One who can silence the sea, is watching over us too. How can we not be hopeful? How can we let the bumps so easily discourage us? Belief in Him has never been about the absence or disappearance of storms; it is about the faith to get in the boat and the hope that will guide us until we get home. 

When our life feels chaotic or we feel as if God is taking a nap in the middle of our hurricane, let this story remind us of the truth. He is not worried, because He is in control. When the rest of the world is calling “Mayday” or those around us are unsure, we will take refuge in Him. 

Good news for us: the Captain of our ship is also the Creator of the ship and all that surrounds it. Our security is His top priority and our peace is His top concern. So remember when the storm comes, He has navigated through many before yours. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for telling us of the time You stilled the waves and calmed the storm. Remind our hearts that You are our safe place, the Source of our peace. Our eyes are on You. You are mighty in our life, and we trust what You’re doing. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Knowing the Hope Giver 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:13 NIV 

Oftentimes we think that if we could just change our viewpoint, that would be the answer to all our problems. We have been told that perspective is powerful, which is certainly true, but we miss a crucial point. What if instead of searching for a different pair of glasses, we focus on the Hand that is moving us forward? Our route would then become all about who is leading us, trusting the plan of the Guide and His wisdom on this treasure map called life. 

God is not holding hope in a jar, choosing to delve out amounts according to our allegiance. He does not desire to ration our supply or “teach us a lesson.” Oh no. He is generous beyond belief and yearns for our pursuit of His heart so that we may become more like Him. 

Remember, the only way to attain a heavenly perspective is to spend time with the One who made heaven itself—the One who knows what forever really looks like and what it expects from us now. If we want to share the hope we have found, we must know the hope we have found. 

Are we hopeful because our life looks as promised, or are we hopeful because we know the Giver of hope and firmly believe that He has our best interests at heart? Life will never keep the same set of circumstances; even in the mundane, our situations evolve, and our resources change. This uncertainty can scare us, or it can draw us in, searching for our Savior and the security of His character amid the unknown. With the Giver of hope as our guide, we can have the same assuredness in our steps on our hardest and our happiest days. 

Lord, thank You for being the Giver of all hope. As we go about our day, remind us that hope is who You are, the very nature of Your being. Let us draw near, spend time with You, and be reassured that because we can trust Your heart, we can always have hope beyond our situations. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Luke 12:27-28

Change of Pace 

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” LUKE 12:27–28 ESV 

Our body naturally responds to and is strengthened by resistance. In our physical journey, we have to change our routine if we want our muscles to be challenged by our exercise regimen. Our spiritual walk is the same way. Life suggests the “do more, be more” approach, offering very little time to be still. This yields the same rushed rhythm we have grown accustomed to; we are always going and coming, both mentally and physically. 

But what if we literally forced our bodies to slow down? No explanation is given to the outside world other than that of self-awareness and spiritual care if any explanation is even offered. We know resistance will be present, but that means we are experiencing growth. 

Would our body respond? This welcomed form of solitude and intentional decision to slow our roll would invite Jesus to take over. Much like when we change up our exercise routine, going against the grain will not come easy. In the moments when the lies start to fill our heads, labeling our stillness as laziness, we can invite Jesus to remind us of our new pace. As we force ourselves to stay in one place instead of hopping from here to there, we will experience the freedom to just be with Jesus and experience His kindness. 

Jesus never intended His children to travel at breakneck speed and still maintain a mind of peace. He knows that if we can accept the change of pace, we will be shocked at how much our understanding of our purpose follows. The rush-around no longer will cause a rush inside us; it will remind us that our heavenly Father’s pace is perfect. 

Jesus, thank You for the ability to slow down and be still in You. While You provided us with bodies to soar to great heights, You created us to have boundaries that, when crossed, make us weak. Settle our minds when we feel the pressure to speed up, and remind us that You are transforming us. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 40:13

Not the World’s Hope 

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ISAIAH 40:31 NIV 

Have you ever heard someone say, “I really hope it works out!” or maybe, “I hope everything ends up okay”? While neither statement is negative, this connotation of hope can be extremely fickle. Here, the word “hope” is used as a positive expression—a wishful desire that may or may not come true. 

However, biblical hope? The kind that stems from a “hopeful heart” is a hope of confident expectation. The desire is present, but the outcome is also secure. When we “hope in God,” we are expressing in absolute certainty our belief that we know He will deliver. We are not wondering and wishing God to show up; we are sure He will make Himself known. It is not positivity, “good vibes,” or a wish list; it is a firm stance that determines how we will or will not move forward in a situation. It is hope placed on the One in control versus hope placed in the outcome of our circumstances. 

We know very little, see only a smidgen, and have no inclination of what is to come. But our God is everywhere at all times; He is all-powerful, and He knows all things. A hopeful heart is one that is anchored in the true character of God. Hopeful hearts believe God to be who He says He is; they do not waver based on the ebb and flow of what we experience on this earth. 

When we hope in God, we are choosing a different way. His way is supernatural, finding renewal when depletion feels imminent. His way allows us to run our race and not worry about the race of others. His way provides us with the divine direction and energy we need to live the abundant life He has called us to. Let us be a people who live in expectation and anticipation of what our God is doing and how He is moving. Let us be a people who do not flake out at the first mention of unforeseen circumstances or who fear the future. 

Let us hope like Jesus and show the world what it means to be loved by God. 

Dear Jesus, thank You that Your hope is not one that diminishes or discourages us. Your hope is always present because You are always present and You are our hope. Show us how to cling to Your hope. Let us look different than the world. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: John 7:38

Return to the Reservoir

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” JOHN 7:38 NASB

What does hope or faith have to do with a reservoir? A reservoir is a base of water that is tapped into and used to supply water to connecting rivers in case the river-water level is low during droughts or dry periods. These reservoirs serve as life rafts, supplying the need during tough seasons. What is our reservoir? When tracking through the wilderness or the lonely times in life, we desperately need that reservoir of hope to kick into gear and help sustain us.

Think about times when our backs have been against the wall and everything seems to be going wrong—where do we turn? If we do not have a supply of hope that we can lean on, our dismal perspective during the wilderness can keep us from seeing Jesus in our circumstances.

When we have this reservoir, this place full of His promises and His teachings, we have a deep well to depend on when we feel broken, bruised, or empty. When evil is done to us, we can deny our human desire to retaliate and dig deep into the well of truth. When temptation knocks or immediate gratification vies for our attention, we can remind our hearts of our eternal hope. We can stop, be still, and visit the well. That is the only way our reservoir will be filled, by accessing the center of all wellness and wholeness—the Living Water. When setbacks are experienced, this reservoir is a dependable source that speaks life into our dry bones and assures us that our temporary emotions are not our God-given destiny.

How do we fight for holiness? We dig a deep reservoir and fill it with hope. We do not let our pride determine our need for water, because we know we are nothing without our thirst for Him. We are diligent in our work and faithful in our service, and when our emotions get the best of us? We return to the reservoir and drink again.

Lord, thank You that You are the well that never runs dry. You fill us with strength, lead us in joy, and usher us forward in peace. When we are feeling empty or dissatisfied today, let us return to You. Thank You for being our reservoir, dependable, and abundant in all You give. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Psalms 95:6

Kneeling in Need 

Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. PSALM 95:6 NASB 

Kneeling, the ultimate display of surrender to authority… Although we would like to say that we assume this position at all times, isn’t it often the moments when we have nothing left that we are brought to our knees? 

God made us. He knows the presumptive nature of our deceitful hearts and that we try to do things ourselves until we are at the point of desperation or breaking. These moments become invitations to assume the position that we were meant to live in—kneeling. There, we are humble, surrendered, and fully dependent on our heavenly Father to show up. And when we do? Our hearts are filled with hope. He scoops us up in typical Father fashion and speaks life into our souls. 

Don’t you think He deeply desires to have this relationship with us not just on a “have-to” basis? As in, we kneel before our backs are against the wall because the record of our life proves that we will never not need Jesus and He will never not be faithful. 

What if, in each moment of stress we experience, instead of whipping out our cell phone and calling a confidant, we took that moment to Jesus? It does not have to be big in order for it to be pressing. Those little moments are the ones that eventually add up to be the mountains we fear we cannot climb. But if, one by one, we decide to take them to the throne and address them with the King, our confidence will grow with each step up the mountain. 

The greatest way we could ever spend our time is to be in conversation with God. Whether we are the ones talking or the ones listening, it is our kneeling to His authority that opens the gates of heaven to move on our behalf. Learning His heart equips us with the courage we need for all endeavors and the joy we desire to express amid our journey. 

And if it is desperation that takes us to our knees? Take heart. The hard times heighten all our senses as we become more aware and dependent upon His presence. 

Dear Jesus, thank You that nothing is too big or too small to bring to Your feet. You desire more than anything for us to stop and kneel so that we can be reminded of who You are and who we are in You. We love You and we kneel before You, giving all of ourselves today. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:13

Vulnerability without Pity 

But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. I PETER 4:13 NASB 

Authenticity has become somewhat trendy. Instagram has provided a platform for people to share “behind-the-scenes footage.” It is exciting that our society is embracing this level of vulnerability and preaching the “grace, not perfection” message because it is so needed for every single one of us. 

It has been refreshing to witness it provide hope to many who believed they were alone in their struggles. With the response this transparency has given to those who are willing to strip themselves and bear their hearts to the world, this movement will only continue to gain momentum. 

Being made aware of the struggles of those around us allows us to speak life into them, not wallow in our own isolation, and be consistent in prayer and fellowship with one another. 

God does not reveal our weaknesses and show us our fragility so that we become powerless or pitiful. He exposes sickness so that we can be healed. He brings brokenness to the light so that we can be restored. He calls shame to the surface so that freedom can be our expression. 

Vulnerability is possible because of the hope we have and the promises we know. After we learn to cry together, let us focus on healing together, going to war on one another’s behalf, and assuming the authority that we have in the name of Jesus. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us the courage and the strength to show up and be vulnerable with others. Help us to remember that You expose weakness so it can be made stronger. We are powerful in Your name, and we choose redemption over pity. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:31

Expectations from the Garden 

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. II SAMUEL 22:31 ESV 

The Garden of Eden was a picture of true perfection. All was right with the world. Healing was not necessary because pain was not present. Disappointment was not possible because sin had not entered the scene. Adam and his bride, Eve, were in perfect unity under a perfect God, naked and pure and shameless without a worry in the world. (Really! There was no worry in the world!) Out of Eden came all humanity, and therefore, this picture of perfection in the garden can be found deep within our own hearts. 

This utopia, which seems like a pipe dream, is still the standard we seek to attain in our own lives here on earth. It is out of this place that we create our impossible standards, hoping to achieve perfection as it was back then. But we live in a broken world now, which makes this standard impossible to achieve. Understanding the complexity of our desires and the discrepancies they create in our minds and in our relationships helps us craft more realistic expectations. 

If we want to invest and believe in a hope that does not disappoint, we will have to remember that perfection is only possible in one person: Jesus. This truth is so important to remember, not in providing a scapegoat for our mistakes but in helping us give grace to ourselves and those around us. If we place our hope in people while aligning with our expectations from the garden, we will remain discontented, disappointed, and discouraged. Our hope can only be placed in Jesus—He is the One who can meet our standards, never put us to shame, and will continue to show up every step of the way. 

When we find our hearts growing weary, let’s retrace where we placed our hope. As we learn to continually renew our minds and put our lives back in His hands, our souls will cultivate a place of rest. That peace that Adam and Eve felt in the garden? That freedom to be themselves and not hide? It is still ours in Jesus. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for making us in Your image, bearing perfection and honor. Will You help us as we craft our own expectations on earth? Help us rely on You and give grace to others. Thank You for loving us. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 50:7

Remove the Scarlet Letter 

But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. ISAIAH 50:7 ESV 

There is messy stuff in our past. Hard stuff. Broken places and stories that we don’t really prefer to share. Our history has heartbreak and confusion, lots of fear and mistakes, and a whole lot of us not believing what the good Lord has said about us. If we go back there? It feels too heavy. Doesn’t He want us to live in the present? We tell ourselves this, being afraid to look in the rearview mirror and see the person we once were in case we still look anything like them. 

But who said our past has to be labeled “toxic” simply because it is uncomfortable? That’s not to say that it is healthy to rehearse strongholds and past fears or marinate on what used to be. However, we would be foolish not to glean from our past and realize that Jesus made no mistakes about how we got to where we are today. Our past was never supposed to be our source of shame but rather our springboard to something so much greater. 

When we “scarlet letter” ourselves and let guilt or shame be the label we place on our past, we strip them of the power they provide in our present. When we say we believe in the redemptive power of Jesus, we are stating in full confidence that we know our past has prepared our hearts for this present moment. Our capability, compassion, and calling have been made possible by both our mistakes and our successes. Because we know the depth of our pit, we more greatly comprehend the strength and magnitude of the grace required to take us to where we are today. 

The Lord is wildly attracted to our weakness. Masking the pain of past experiences keeps us and others from witnessing mercy in motion. We are where we are for such a time as this, with such a story as this, for such a purpose as this. Our old selves have prepared us for our future plans, and we have been made new. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for taking all our guilt and our shame upon the cross. We know that Your redemptive power turns even our biggest failures into springboards for greatness. You make all things good and glorious. Help us to see our past with a hopeful heart. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Scripture: John 16:13

Stillness Invites the Prompting 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. JOHN 16:13 ESV 

Remember as a child when bedtime was way earlier than desired and no one thought they were tired—until they were forced to get horizontal, and everyone went out like a light? Or when the quiet time was encouraged at church camp and everyone was silently doubting their ability to journal what they were hearing from God until the quiet surrounded them? Then all around the place, pens were going a million miles per hour, scribbling what God was depositing into the heart. 

Both of these examples show us that oftentimes, until something is forced upon us, we do not realize how much it is calling our name. Stillness is the same way. We believe our laborious tasks offer a far more productive outcome than stillness could ever provide and so we dodge it like a bullet. Or we dodge our own ability to hear God speak, and so we never give Him the invitation to do so. 

But just like a child when bedtime hits or a quiet time that forces us to slow down, creating a time of stillness invites the prompting for whatever needs to happen, to happen. How do we expect to hear from God when we have given Him no time to speak or read the words He has already written to us? He is not silent, and we are not deaf. It is that He is not forceful, and we are not intentional. 

When we allow for this time, we give space for the Holy Spirit to do what He was designed to do inside of us. Clarity is brought to the surface. Decisions go from gray to black and white as remembrance of His instruction comes to our mind. Comfort becomes a close friend as we draw close to Jesus. 

We often have no idea of what we need and far too much of an idea of what we want. But when we are still, we are reminded that He is all we need and the only One who knows what we truly desire. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for the way You faithfully show up when we make time for You. Help us to create this time of stillness and allow our spirit to be prompted, giving us direction for the steps ahead and the decisions to come. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16

Living on Autopilot 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. EPHESIANS 5:15–16 ESV 

We have all had the experience of driving somewhere, arriving, and having absolutely no idea how we got there safely. We went through stoplights, made a few turns, and shifted gears, all without really telling our brains to do anything. The autopilot kicked into gear. 

How often do we operate like this in other parts of our life? We establish thought patterns and drive down the same “roads”—and before we know it, they become our go-to routes. We see the results they cause and we want our life to look different, but we also want the new thought patterns to come easily. The work feels too hard; shouldn’t it come easier if the desire is there? We forget the power of autopilot and the tendency to jump into our car, turn on the music, and drive without intentionally deciding where we are going. 

We wonder why our hope feels drained, but we have not chosen a new method of thinking. 

We are frustrated with the lack of progress on our dreams, but we have made no efforts to carve out time to work on them. 

We yearn for self-confidence, yet we rehearse the same lies over ourselves and our bodies. We have to do some rewiring. The Lord is really good at giving our brain new truths to marinate on and our soul new promises to hope in, but we must spend time with Him first. 

Being still with Jesus is the only way to reverse our autopilot lifestyle and create a more intentional route. 

We do not have to clean up or pretend as though we have been intentionally aware; He knows when we are just moving through life. We do not have to wait until we get to another corner in order for Him to get involved—we can begin now. Even though we will want to turn on the music when we feel like life is asking too much of us, if we can just lean into Him and be still as He leads, we will experience the fullest life possible. 

No more autopilot; life is too short and too grand to waste on simply existing. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for the way that You lead us, even when our pride or fear has kept us from seeking You. Show us the way to go. Turn off the music, shut off our distractions, remove “autopilot” mode, and let us be alert as we seek Your will. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

When God is Silent in Our Stillness 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. MATTHEW 5:6 ESV 

We’ve all had the experience where we have consulted with God on a situation or a relationship in our life and felt like we could not hear Him speaking about it. Our frustration grew as we wanted to remind Him that He was the One who asked us to draw near—but He was quiet…why? What were we supposed to do? The prayers of our hearts felt pressing and urgent, and it seemed as if the Lord had taken a vacation. 

We must always know that the Lord is not quiet seemingly because He does not know the answers. The depth of our depravity or the uncertainty of our circumstances has not forced Him to retreat. Sometimes the Lord does not answer via burning bush because His Word has already answered the question for us. Have we searched the Bible to inform our hearts of the truth regarding our situation? Or have we only let our emotions dictate what is coming out of our mouths? 

Other times, the Lord is silent because He is silent. He is God. Despite our human desire to receive an explanation for unfilled airwaves, He does not answer to us. His silence does not license us to run and seek a louder voice; His silence is our invitation to draw deeper into stillness. When we grasp the truth that God is God and sometimes our life will feel full of the unknown, we can begin to walk in the peace that stretches beyond our understanding. Where we mess up is when we equate His silence with His absence. He is always working. 

When we feel like God is silent, we must continue to seek. As we seek and discover the truth, this truth invites true transformation. His silence is not His dismissal of our voice; it is His desire for us to keep coming, keep pursuing, and keep searching for His wisdom amid our uncertainty. We become His image-bearers as we pursue His voice in the quiet. 

The resting of our hope cannot be found in our solutions. Our heart is anchored in the King of kings who never leaves the authority and power of His throne. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for always answering in the most perfect way, even when that feels like an absence to us. Remind us to continue pursuing You and disciplining ourselves in stillness. Your silence is an invitation, not a dismissal. You are God alone, and we trust Your ways. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Proverbs 19:21

Discovering Our Purpose 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. PROVERBS 19:21 NIV 

Purpose…it’s one of those popular terms in today’s culture, but if you ask everyone for their definition of the word, it is about as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster. And in our hurried culture? It is usually defined by what we can see. 

What do our hands do? How are our days spent? We often believe this is proof of whether or not we are pursuing our purpose. While what we do matters, the Lord’s greatest concern is with who we are becoming. Therein lies our true purpose and mission: looking like Jesus. 

In general terms, our purpose is to show the love of our heavenly Father to every human soul we encounter so that they may more intimately know Him and long to be with Him too. This cannot happen through words or deeds alone but by becoming more like Jesus. When we begin to resemble our heavenly Father, our heart is infectious, our spirit is magnetic, and our life is like a sunbeam. The King of kings and Almighty God does not need our assistance because it is too much for Him; rather, He allows us to partner with Him so that our life can mean something…so that we can taste true purpose, eternal purpose, a purpose that extends far beyond ourselves and lasts in the next lifetime. 

Seeking stillness and adjusting to the rhythm of our God allows us to rightfully define our purpose, looking inwardly to evaluate and test our heart rather than let our life be a performance of what our hands do. When walking in step with Jesus, we can hear Him as He instructs, “A little to the right…there you go” and finding that balance is no longer on our own terms. 

Lord, thank You that You desire to mold us, transform us, and use us according to Your purposes. Renew our minds when we begin to define our worth by what our hands are doing and recalibrate us to the truth. Thank You for giving us opportunities to serve You and look more like You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

An Identity Issue

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. I PETER 2:9 NIV

Why is stillness so difficult? Why do we feel the need to be everything to everyone and everywhere all the time? Do we truly desire this type of demanding lifestyle, or have these expectations been placed on us because we have forgotten who we are?

If we think about it, the only reason we would add a million things to our to-do list and try to please everyone around us is because we desire their approval. The only reason we would be attempting to secure their validation is because we have forgotten our inherent value as children of the Most High King. This lack of belief in ourselves puts our security out in the open, waiting and vulnerable for anyone to discredit, disapprove, or deem us unworthy.

When we take the time to dig into Scripture and study what the Lord thinks about us, we learn that God says we’re deeply loved, wonderfully made, and part of His master plan. Our rushed approach to life makes us forget who we are and the price that has already been spoken over our lives. We cheapen our worth because we are too tired to fight for it.

But we were never supposed to fight to attain our identity—the Lord has already gone before us, knows our shortcomings, and carried the cross up the hill anyway. Our level of “worthy” has never been up for question; it has always been our belief that is in question. When we allow our mind and body to be still, we allow our soul to hear what our Maker says about us. The lies become glaringly obvious and our awareness is increased—“I know who I am; that is not of Jesus”—we now can detect it, reject it, and replace it with truth. Knowing our true identity is the key to living a life of purpose.

Dear Jesus, thank You for weaving us perfectly in Your image. When we find our mind wandering or letting our identity be up for negotiation, take us back to Your Word and the truth that sets us free. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: John 15:12-14

Loving Like Jesus Does 

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. JOHN 15:12–14 ESV 

How often do we find ourselves switching from loving to bothered/frustrated/bitter/angry because we feel the need to reciprocate? We hear about loving unconditionally, but our human heart is so used to loving based on emotion and changing circumstances that it is hard to fathom a love unwavering. 

But what if we made it our mission? Instead of getting even, we could commit our hearts to forgiveness and offering a true clean slate to another? What if, when we feel slighted or excluded from a situation, we do not hold tight to bitterness or fear and still offer our love freely? 

What if it stopped being about everything we receive and became about what we can give—regardless of the response, the rejection, the lack of reciprocation, or reassurance? It would confuse others and lead them right to this thought: “Why do they give love that I have not deserved?” Herein lies the perfect opportunity for our hearts to exclaim, “Jesus!” His eternal hope is the reason we can love so freely in return, knowing that He will work as He sees fit. 

Wouldn’t that be incredible? To not be scared to be the people who love more, forgive freely, give grace abundantly, and walk in a confidence that stems from the ever-flowing love of Jesus? That would be the gospel. 

Our heart is fragile. We take things personally. We are scared to let in others once we’ve been wronged. We have been taught by the world to only give what we receive—they must be worthy. 

But Jesus calls us to love others out of a heart that is fully and recklessly loved by Him. This does not mean our emotions become absent and our pain won’t be felt; it just means that when those things do happen, we can remind ourselves we’re already accepted and abundantly loved by our Creator. It is in this truth that we no longer crave and depend on the reassurance of this world, and we begin to look like people of hope. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us beyond what we can ever fathom or deserve. You are so gracious to us. Remind our hearts to not take things personally and to love others the way You love us. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Lamentations 3:25

Practice Pausing 

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. LAMENTATIONS 3:25 ESV 

The Apple watch is pretty neat. It takes into account many different factors throughout the day and offers insight into our personal rhythms. I have found it extremely informative in showing my habits and tendencies. 

The discovery of my own personal rhythm forced me to change some things. I was going to sleep way too late and not getting my heart rate up first thing in the morning—and everything else was being affected. Making these changes initiated several other habits, as once I began getting more rest and getting my workout completed first thing in the morning, the rest of my day offered different opportunities. My Apple watch also allows me to set different alarms, including reminders to breathe and slow down. While it seems unnecessary, these often come at the perfect time and have made me realize how little I used to pause. 

Pausing is much the same for all of us. Is there ever an opportune time to slow down when we have so much to do? It feels counterintuitive and unproductive. Childish, even. But much like the habit of going to sleep earlier, carving out time for intentional solitude affects every other part of our day. 

Meetings will pop up, e-mails will need to be sent, children will be sick from school, and opportunities to avoid pausing will always present themselves. But much like any other habit or desired change in our life, the more we practice something, the better we get at it. The more we see the results of a particular discipline, the easier it becomes to require it of ourselves. The further we get away from where we once were with a particular habit, the clearer it becomes that change was, in fact, necessary. 

How can we practice pausing in life today? Are we afraid of what the Lord might reveal when we stop long enough to hear Him? 

Let’s let our hearts slip into that restful state—pausing and remembering to be grateful, collecting our emotions, resuming our posture of peace, and choosing a different rhythm for our lives. 

Eventually, we will not even need the alarm to go off! How exciting will that be? 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being present at all times. Today, we choose to pause and notice Your presence and provision. When we get frustrated with our wandering minds, give us grace to extend to ourselves. Help us pause. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Isaiah 54:4

No Time for Resentment 

Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. ISAIAH 54:4 NASB 

We should be used to it. It is not a new trick or an impressive switch of strategy. Isn’t this what happens every time we begin to ignite change in our lives or seek to form a new perspective? As soon as we turn a corner, set new goals, or establish a fresh mindset, it starts to feel as if we’re being sabotaged from every angle. Whether it is new frustrations, unforeseen life events, or shameful feelings from our past, something starts to stand in our way—causing us to give up on our efforts for change. 

And while we know it is not good for us, sometimes choosing to live in what should have been is easier than dealing with the present. It is more comfortable to hold onto what’s hurt us, to make others pay for the wrongs they’ve extended to us, or to remain in our shame and our own self-resentment for the mistakes we’ve made. We give into temptation letting it become a pattern, and before we realize it we’ve let our present be compromised by the mistakes of our past. 

But we have a greater hope. We have no time for resentment because we are too busy singing praises to God. Our eyes have a light in them because we are children of the Most High God; we have places to go and people to reach. 

As we approach our day today, let us throw off everything that entangles us. We are chosen and equipped—may we see ourselves as so. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for offering us a clean slate with every day that passes. Your grace really is more than enough. Help us let go of any resentment we hold against ourselves or others. Thank You for the opportunity to run confidently in You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Don’t Borrow from Tomorrow 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. MATTHEW 6:34 NIV 

There it goes again. We keep reaching for it. Our hands are full of today’s responsibilities and yet we strain to try to reach into the jar of tomorrow. “What’s in there?” we wonder. “Can I handle it?” we ponder. 

We presume, do our best to predict, and conclude accordingly. We begin toiling, rocking back and forth, trying to make a plan, gathering treasures, and hoping they’ll be enough—all based on our best guess at what the future could possibly hold. 

When the Lord told us that His grace is sufficient for our weakness, He meant within the confines of one day. He instructed us to remain in the present because our ability to remain hopeful when we begin assuming and assessing is minuscule. We have no concept of how God will connect the dots or how life will transform by the time tomorrow actually arrives. 

When we dig into tomorrow, we borrow grief and concern that was never meant for us to carry. The forecast for a day we have never experienced will always seem more daunting—“How will I have the money/time/energy to do that?” “Will I feel this alone?” “Has God forgotten about this?” All these questions plague our minds and invite us to snowball into the roller coaster of tomorrow. 

This is the reality—grief will knock. So will disappointment. Rejection will have its day. Hardship will be a guest at our table. But when they show up, we will be ready! The Lord will have prepared us for such a time, and He will sustain us with each passing day. Reaching into tomorrow’s jar is the decision not to embrace what is being offered to us today. 

As we discipline ourselves in staying in today’s time frame, we will realize how lightly we travel. It no longer requires a million bags and a mapped-out plan to experience victory; it simply requires trusting Jesus for today and not borrowing from tomorrow. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for reminding us to remember the gift of today. We know nothing of tomorrow, but You do, and You will go before us. Help us to travel lightly. Tomorrow will come, and when it does, You will have prepared us to conquer it. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Kingdom Builders 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II TIMOTHY 1:7 NKJV 

How often do we give energy to thoughts that deserve none of our attention? We play the “what-if” game, entertaining any and all possibilities of the future. Our imagination gets the best of us, and we forget to filter those thoughts through the truth. 

How frequently does our situation turn out exactly as we assumed it would? More often than not, so many of our predicted outcomes never come to fruition, and we are mentally worn out by the unnecessary roller coaster. We imagine how the puzzle pieces will all fit together, and then the Lord blows our minds. Somehow, someway, the resources are provided, the tangible details come together, and it all ends up being okay. 

No matter where we are or what we have on our plate, if we continue to rehearse fear, we will miss out on operating in the faith He has instilled in us. The reason it is called a “leap of faith” is because there is a little air in between those steps, a little uncertainty in between those stones. It requires us to get out of our own heads and trust fully in Him. It requires us to remember that while our paralysis feels permanent, we know it is not—we know we must silence the chatter in our heads and trust the One who calms our hearts. 

If we think for a moment that those who are shakers and doers, big dreamers, and serious kingdom-builders operate without fear, then we are seriously mistaken. They just have decided that the world is big and full of life and they serve the Creator of it! They have decided that if they want to experience the view, they will have to overcome their fear of heights. 

Because when they do? When we do? When we get out of ourselves and stop rehearsing our fears, our mind follows suit. We are capable of far more than we realize. We are eternity shapers who step forward in courage and have the power of a sound mind. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for the reminder to focus on You and not rehearse the future based on circumstances and details we do not know. Help us trust You, taking one step at a time, believing You to provide when necessary. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Stop Freaking Out 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II CORINTHIANS 10:5 NIV 

Beth Moore made this brilliant statement: “You can go ahead and freak out, or you might just choose to believe that God is going to be faithful.” 

It is brilliant because every single one of us can relate. And if we are being honest, we often choose the first option of freaking out, don’t we? Something goes awry and we are in a tailspin before we even understand what it all means. We jump to conclusions, assume the worst, allow irrational thoughts to cloud our judgment, and let our emotions tell us what’s next. 

When we freak out, we miss so much that is right in front of our eyes. It’s like we take on tunnel vision, only permitting our memory to retain the negative. We forget in just one situation what the Lord has already done for us. Is that all it took—something going wrong—for us to assume that He is not in control and we need to put matters into our own hands? Our “plans” were interrupted, and instead of viewing this as an opportunity for God to do His thing, we question whether God is even present. 

Believe it or not, we always have a choice. Even in the stickiest situations or when our backs are so hard-pressed against a wall that we can’t see anything else, we can still choose to trust God. 

Will it make sense in our little box of normality or comfort? Will it be easy? Will it fix itself immediately? Probably not, to all these. 

But aren’t these the very moments we were created for? To be warriors of faith? To pick the side of trust and stay on the battlefield? He has never failed us. Ever. He does not lead us into traps; He guides us in His truth. His promises are secure. 

So let’s chill a little bit. And when we want to freak out, vent, or worry, let’s reel it in. Let’s remind ourselves of who we serve and remember His track record: He is always faithful. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being a calming Father. When we feel ourselves getting overwhelmed, can You remind us of Your faithfulness? Reserve our energy for what matters and give us the wisdom to consult You first and foremost. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Show Me the Chains 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. GALATIANS 5:1 ESV 

Even in our very best, all of us have things that are holding us back from experiencing the best God has for us. 

Sometimes that can be an inherently bad thing, like an addiction or an affair, choices of separation from God that we know are restricting our ability to walk freely in Him. 

Other times, our entanglements look like the roses in our life. There is nothing wrong with the resources, hobbies, or relationships we have, but due to our stewardship of them, they have become idols. What the Lord desired for our good can quickly be used against us if we are not aware, prioritizing Him first and foremost. 

We all have our kryptonite, and while we know it is hurting us, we still crave its existence or the outcome it brings. We fear who we will be without the substance. We worry that we will lose the possibility of a promotion if we work any less. We concern ourselves with meticulous details of our appearance. 

These things in our lives become chains, and they prevent us from pursuing our calling. Our fulfillment becomes compromised by our comfort because our comfort has become our kryptonite. We fear what life would look like without our crutch, and we deceive ourselves into thinking all is okay. We can manage, right? 

This crutch steals our joy and works hard to make us forget our identity in Christ. We were created to live courageously. To live freely. To do the hard things and look differently than the world. We were not designed to hang out in mediocre places, because our God has an abundant life in store for us. 

Let’s let Him reveal our chains—however they look—and be willing to take them off. Surrender will require transparency of our struggles, awareness of God’s promises for our lives, patience with ourselves, and fervent fortitude as we take a step into freedom. He is near and He is working. Let us run with the wind at our back and our eyes on Jesus. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for making us free. There is nothing we must do to loosen our chains except to fully trust in You. Show us our limitations; break off our fears. Lead us in Your righteousness. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Esther 4:14

Divinely Placed and Purposed 

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? ESTHER 4:14 NIV 

Remember the Bible story about Jesus using an ordinary boy carrying five loaves of bread and two fish to produce a meal for a crowd of five thousand? 

Or what about when Esther was chosen to be queen of Persia, and, in turn, saved the entire Jewish population? 

Or what about Joseph, who, after being rejected by his brothers, was made the king of Egypt’s right-hand man and saved their lives? 

Each of these stories represents a common thread that is woven into the fabric of our own testimonies: we have been divinely placed “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14 NIV). Sometimes life is weird and confusing. Circumstances are less than preferred and we are just not where we thought we would be. But what if our perspective changed? 

What if we started believing in this moment that God is big enough and mighty enough to get us to where He wants us to go? What if instead of planning and worrying and desperately trying to make sense of what isn’t you focused on all that is? 

We follow Jesus. He is the miracle worker, and His desire for our lives is not only to use us, but that we would do even greater works than He did on earth (John 14:12). The mundane is often the exact preparation we need for the miracle in our own backyards. But if we are trying so hard to get to somewhere else rather than walking in our purpose exactly where we are today, we might miss our opportunity. 

We have an on-time God who is never a second off in His delivery. He has not forgotten our desires. What feels like denial is often His delay, allowing our hearts to be refined and ready for the blessing. Divinely placed and purposed, that is our assurance. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for positioning us exactly where You want us to be. We know that Your best for our lives is far greater than our minds can comprehend. Make us aware of our purpose where we are and help us to do Your will. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Psalms 16:11

Fullness of Joy 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. PSALM 16:11 ESV 

Joy often feels elusive, doesn’t it? The butterfly we cannot catch, that piece of ribbon blowing in the wind we just cannot seem to grab… We know it’s there, so it is certainly real, but it feels impossible to attain. We hear the phrase “choose joy” and it could not feel more out of reach. 

Sometimes our situations are so involved and intense that separating ourselves from them feels impossible. In the thick of the trenches, when our feet feel paralyzed in the mud that surrounds us, how do we pretend as though we do not feel stuck? Does God expect us to have joy right then? He can see what life looks like—surely He means after we get through this hurdle. 

But Scripture tells us that in order to experience joy, there is one necessary ingredient, and that is the presence of Jesus. When we make ourselves sit still in Him and just “be,” our entire being experiences joy. Sometimes it will be like a swift wind, where once we sit down and really step back from everything, joy will come upon us quickly. However, more often than not, this joy will not feel like the joy we experience when attending a theme park or receiving an answer to prayer; it will be more like a stream of water that seeps into all areas of life and purifies our hearts. 

Our mind is able to lighten its load of worries and to-do lists. Our body is able to relinquish the burdens we have been carrying along our way. Our emotions are able to stabilize as we center ourselves in His arms. We feel renewed as we are reminded who we are and whose we are. Our soul does not have the words, because all we can say is “home.” 

As we relax in His presence, He speaks life back into us and reflects His mirror of identity and then we know we are okay. The realization of our hope and the mere existence of His presence gives us back our joy. It was never gone. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Light of our life and the Giver of all joy. Spending time with You and being loved by You reignites our entire being. Help us to remain in this fullness as we rest in You for the remainder of our days. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Anticipation Versus Anxiety 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7 NIV 

For some, it is pursuing a dream that has been brewing. For others, it is a move to a new city or church. And for some, it is simply the uncertainty of the future. All these moments present a crossroads where both uncertainty and promise coexist. In each of these moments, we can either become anxious or excitedly anticipate what is next. 

We have grown accustomed to treating uncertainty as though it requires anxiety. Because the lights are off, our brain begins to imagine what could be there, and our thoughts get the best of us. But in every moment that we experience anxiety, there is also another path we can let our mind travel down instead: the pathway of anticipation. When we feel out of control and unsure of what is next, we can take great comfort in the fact that our God is always fighting for our best and preparing the way to get there. 

If around the bend lies hardship, it is because preparation is required for the journey ahead. Let’s harness our minds and arrest our anxious thoughts. They hold great power in determining how strongly we plant our feet into the next moment. Let us imagine the ways God is moving on our behalf. Let us dream about the ways we want to serve and grow and speak those into the world. Let us talk with others in a confident manner so that our hope is never in question despite the uncertainty that is up ahead. 

Our God is going to show up. That is assured. The rest of the details? They really are somewhat irrelevant. The exact position our feet are in now provides an opportunity to trust God and believe He is who He says He is. Let this be a catalyst for our faith as we get excited about the future! Whatever comes from His hand. It will be good. Anticipate! 

Dear Lord, thank You for being a God of provision and for always giving us Your best. We do not fear what is ahead because we know who is in control. Help us choose thoughts that anticipate Your goodness instead of anxious thoughts that doubt it. In Jesus’s name, amen.