Scriptures: Hebrews 13:8, Romans 8:28

Changing Circumstances Don’t Change His Goodness 

We’ve all had the occasional bad days or rough season. 

In my experience, it seems that on those days, every inconvenient thing piles on top of one another. 

I’ve had days when I woke up to get ready for work and spilled my coffee, stubbed my toe, put on mismatched shoes, and hit every red light on my way, just to walk in the door and have my boss get onto me about something from the day before. Instant adult temper tantrum on my part, pointing my finger at God for my bad day. 

Maybe you can relate! 

Or how about this: when some unspeakable event happens in your life that causes you immense grief, everything that follows seems to go wrong. This opens the door for far more than a temper-tantrum; try a season of depression and anxiety. 

Sister, when our circumstances shatter, it’s so hard not to do the same ourselves. But when the going gets rough, try to remember this plea: please don’t give your circumstances the power to change your view of God—or of yourself. Because when everything falls apart, that’s the time to fall before God’s feet and take your problems to His throne. 

The Enemy will try to use our hardest moments to infiltrate our hearts and cause us to question God’s goodness. But we know the truth: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 

We must rise above our circumstances. Yes, they challenge us, but they don’t have to change us. The Enemy wants us to buckle under pressure and question God’s goodness. He wants to paint God as a tyrant, and it’s simply not true. 

As hard as it may be, we need to separate our experiences from what we know to be true about God. His goodness is the same, even on our worst days. We can take our grief to Him and know that regardless of whatever pain we may be walking through, He will work in all situations for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). 

Reflection Questions 

1. Do you find that God’s goodness is reliant on your circumstances? 
2. Do your worth and value remain intact when everything goes wrong? 
3. How are you going to shine the light of Christ even in the worst circumstances?

Scriptures: Numbers 6:24-26, Galatians 1:10, Proverbs 9:10

I Used to Be Afraid to Be Seen 

I have a confession to make. I used to hide from being around people because I was in such a deep state of insecurity, I couldn’t handle being in a situation where I’d be seen. Just the thought of others seeing me not at my best gave me immense anxiety. 

When my husband started a remote position with an organization that’s based out of state, we traveled for a visit to the home office, where we were invited to a dinner with a few executives. I couldn’t bring myself to be put in a situation where I’d have to talk to people because at the time, I was so insecure about who I was. 

So there I sat in the hotel room alone, hiding. While my husband went and met some amazing people from his new workplace, I missed out. Looking back now, I feel sad that I allowed myself to become so entangled in my insecurity that I couldn’t step outside of myself, outside of my comfort zone to be there for my husband. I was so fixated on myself and my own discomfort that I had abandoned him. 

I’m sure my husband didn’t view it that way. He’s loved me through all my insecurities. But I felt guilt and shame that I allowed my insecurities to rule me. 

Not only was I afraid to be seen, but I was afraid of the people around me and their opinions of me. Yet God’s Word specifically says two things that relate to this deep-seated fear: 

1. “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 ESV). 
2. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10 ESV). 

These verses really helped me through my personal battle of insecurity. If I’m placing the Lord first in my life, then my need to please Him comes before anyone else. 

I don’t know about you, but I find freedom and rest in that truth. To aim to please God before man gives me a sense of relief because I know that even if I mess up, God will never change His mind about me. The same goes for you, friend. 

If you’re struggling with feelings of inadequacy or insecurity, know this: God created you and knows every detail about you. He sees every flaw, every insecurity, and every mistake, yet He still loves you the same because His love is unwavering. 

So step out of hiding. Let His light shine on you so that it can reflect on others. 

Reflection Questions 

1. Be honest for a second: are you letting others’ opinions of you dictate your confidence in yourself? 
2. In what ways are you currently feeling insecure or inadequate? 
3. What do you think God has to say about the areas in which you’re feeling insecure?

Scripture: Psalms 121:1-2

It’s Not Weak to Ask for Help 

Have you ever been in an overwhelming situation and in need of rescue? Not to be dramatic, but that was totally me recently. I had just returned to Oklahoma City after an exciting work trip in Nashville, Tennessee, to celebrate our first book launch (!). It was an incredible trip, jam- packed with radio, TV, and podcast interviews. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement, but when I arrived home, a different type of overwhelm began to settle in. 

Here’s where I need to tell you something: I battle mild anxiety. And under extreme circumstances, I even suffer from debilitating panic attacks. 

On even ordinary days, life can feel like a lot. I’m a mother of three who works from home, and our closest family lives six hours away. But on this particular day, my rowdy little humans were home for summer break. I had overlapping projects, multiple deadlines, tons of meetings, and the mission of motherhood all demanding my attention at the same time. The word overwhelmed doesn’t begin to capture how I felt. 

Feeling the tension of my limitations, I reached out for help. But the people I usually look to were unavailable, and I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone or let anyone down. I was stretched thin and growing weary. I needed help, but I felt like I was out of options. 

And then I felt it starting. My heart began pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. Before I knew it, I was gasping for air, and my entire body felt like it was on fire. 

I slowly walked into the living room, where my husband was relaxing. He glanced up at me with immediate concern and asked what was wrong, but I couldn’t get the words out as tears streamed down my face. 

“Take a deep breath in through your nose, and slowly let it out from your mouth,” he said calmly. 

As I inhaled, I placed my hand on my belly, and as I exhaled, I placed my other hand on my chest. I continued to do this until my panic subsided, and I was able to share my concerns with my husband. We talked through a plan to ease the stress I was dealing with. I also sent a text to my closest friends, letting them know what I was going through, and they lovingly rallied around me with prayer. 

I wish I could tell you that my anxiety instantly disappeared and my plate became easier to manage, but that simply wasn’t true. Life often hands us more than we can handle. The good news is, we don’t have to tackle the troubles of this life on our own. God places people in our lives to come alongside us, to bear our burdens with us. 

Dear friend, asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s proof of wisdom. Allow the people in your life to meet you in your time of need. 

So if you’re in need of some help, cry out to Him today. He is with you and for you, and He’ll provide you what—and who—you need in your overwhelming moments. 

Reflection Questions 

1. Do you find it difficult to ask for and accept help? 
2. In which areas of your life do you need more help? 
3. God doesn’t promise us a life without trouble, but He does promise us that we will never walk through difficulty without Him. How does Psalm 121:1-2 encourage you?

Scriptures: Luke 7:36-50

Embrace Your Brokenness 

Which woman in the Bible do you most identify with? If I’m being totally honest—which I am because we’re friends here, and that’s what friends do—I wish I could say I embody the fierce leadership of the judge and prophet Deborah. I’d love to say I have the courage of Queen Esther, the loyalty of Ruth, and the work ethic of Martha, but that wouldn’t be true. 

Do you know who I identify with the most? The woman in Luke who showed up at a dinner party with Jesus and some Pharisees, the one who smashed an alabaster flask of fragrant oil and washed Jesus’ feet with her tear-soaked hair. 

Think about this scenario. It’d be something if it happened today. But in biblical times, to say this behavior was wild would be a complete understatement. 

This would have been culturally unacceptable behavior for a man, but it was punishable for a woman and definitely unpardonable for a woman of her reputation. (Luke 7:37 says the woman was known to have a “sinful” reputation, which was a code word for scandalous.) This unnamed woman knew the risk of what she was doing. She counted the cost, and she decided it was worth the danger if it meant getting close to Jesus. 

The party was full of religious men who knew her reputation. Surrounded by her accusers, she dared to approach Jesus. I imagine her with her head hung low, carrying the most valuable thing that belonged to her, painfully aware of her brokenness as she burst open the alabaster flask of fragrant oil. Overcome by emotion, she knelt before Jesus, weeping, wetting His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them repeatedly, and poured perfume on them (Luke 7:38). 

How often are we like this unnamed woman? When we know we’ve made a mistake, we fall at the feet of our Savior, overwhelmed with what we’ve done, doing what little we can to honor Him with the little we have left. If you and I were sitting in the same room right now, you would see me raise my hand because that’s been me so many times. 

But that’s not where the story ends. The gathering was hosted by a Pharisee named Simon, who was curious about Jesus yet suspicious of Him. When Jesus had arrived earlier that night, Simon didn’t greet Him with a customary kiss. He didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with oil or offer Jesus any water so He could wash His feet. Simon’s behavior was an intentional diss in this context—and Jesus called out Simon’s disrespect by contrasting his behavior with the sinful woman’s selfless act of courage. 

When you’re at your lowest, when you feel like you’re broken beyond repair, Jesus is there to put you back together. It’s only when you’re intimately aware of your need for forgiveness and choose to embrace your brokenness that you’re able to experience the fullness of His love. 

Reflection Questions 

1. Have you ever had a moment when you felt as though you were beyond repair, either because something happened to you or because you did something you felt you couldn’t fix? 
2. Read Luke 7:36-50. How does it feel to know that Jesus sees your deepest pain and biggest mistakes and doesn’t condemn you for them? That He forgives you when you come to Him?

Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 49:15-16, 1 Kings 8:56, Hebrews 13:8, Romans 8:38-39

Getting Real With God 

I’ve heard more about vulnerability in the last decade than I have in a lifetime. 

I think that’s because we’re seeing how important it is for your soul to align with what you say and do. It’s important to share your convictions and be your real self with others. That’s how integrity is born. 

But I’ve got to be honest: it’s hard to be vulnerable because being vulnerable means putting yourself at risk of being hurt or rejected. But there is so much beauty in being “real” with the people in your life, and that especially includes God. 

I know it can feel scary to get real with God, especially when you don’t feel like you’re worthy to be in His presence. But you can trust Him, I promise. Here are a few reasons why: 

1. He will never leave you or abandon you (Isaiah 49:15–16). 
2. He keeps His promises (1 Kings 8:56). 
3. He doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8). 
4. Nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38–39). 

You’re safe with God, sister. And when you draw near to Him, here’s the good part: you don’t have to deal with your pain alone. He invites you to cast your burdens on Him because He cares for you. 

So get real with Him. Be transparent about your struggles. He sees you, He knows you, and He loves you just as you are. And remember: to be vulnerable is to surrender. So surrender your heart to Him, and you’ll receive His healing, comfort, and peace. 

Reflection Questions 

1. Do you struggle to feel like you can be in God’s presence as your real self? 
2. Think about three pain points in your life. Now, ask God to help you work through 

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5

Anchored in Christ, Even in Crisis 

If your life is anything like mine, when it rains, it pours. 

I’ve walked through some pretty difficult seasons in the last four years. I’ve watched a close family member suffer a brain injury and regress to the mental capacity of a child. I battled severe postpartum depression that landed me in the hospital for several days. Needless to say, I’m no stranger to crisis. 

And it never fails: at the moment when I feel I’ve mustered enough strength to climb out of the pit, it’s as if the Enemy kicks me right back in. It might be something small, like watching the minuscule details of my day topple like dominos. Or it could be something a bit bigger, like continual bad news that leaves me feeling like nothing will ever go right again. 

In these moments of despair and uncertainty, the only thing that keeps my foot from slipping is knowing that Christ is my anchor. He is my safety. His Word stabilizes me from falling under. 

You see, when the storm comes, it’s not time for me to lose character or hope. It’s time for me to drop my anchor, be still before the Lord, and trust Him. Being anchored in Christ protects me from allowing crisis around me to create a crisis within me. Hard circumstances don’t change who I am, and they certainly don’t change God or His goodness. 

You may not see Him, but He always has His loving eye on you. Cheek to cheek, like a mother rocking her child to sleep—that’s how close He is to you in your pain and distress, nurturing you and protecting you. 

If you find yourself in crisis, know this: the storm of crisis cannot overcome you, friend. It can never cloud God’s vision of you, and He will never abandon you. 

Reflection Questions 

1. When life’s hard moments hit, what’s your typical first response? 
2. Do you ever let crisis around you become crisis within you? 
3. Is there a storm you need to surrender to Him today? Talk to God about it today. 

Scripture: Luke 8:45-48

Changing Out Our Labels 

Have you ever felt so broken that you lost all hope of ever being healed or freed from your pain? I know I have. I went through a difficult mental health crisis during my postpartum period after the birth of our daughter. I felt afraid that I would have to live in a state of broken mental health for the rest of my life. In my brokenness, I had to cling to Jesus like never before. 

And in my pain, I was comforted by the faith of the woman in the Gospel of Luke who had a horrible blood issue that lasted well over a decade. 

This woman, who was rejected by all around her, had been hemorrhaging for twelve years and was considered “unclean” in her society. She was unable to touch anyone or be around them, so she remained hidden from everyone. 

As Jesus made His way through a crowd of people who were seeking His healing, she, too, made her way to Him, hoping one touch of His cloak would heal her. She got her chance. She reached out and touched His cloak. He felt power leave from Him and asked, “Who touched Me?” (Luke 8:45). 

Luke went on to say, “The woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’ ” (Luke 8:47–48). 

As a woman labeled unclean by society, her behavior suggests she felt it was considered unacceptable to come to Jesus, openly risking being seen by others. Yet He not only healed her, but He brought her into the open and changed her label from outcast to daughter. 

How often do we label ourselves as unclean, unworthy, or dirty? Yet, at the same time, the love of Christ calls us away from those broken labels, bringing us into a state of wholeness in Him. 

I learned from this story that nothing is beyond Jesus’ repair. He sees my uncleanliness and still calls me daughter. Even when I feel like an outcast, He still looks at me with love. 

The same is true for you, friend. 

The lie is that you will never find healing, hope, and freedom from your pain. 

The truth is that Jesus is our Healer, and no amount of pain or brokenness is too far beyond repair. 

You are not too broken, damaged, or unclean for the healing and redemptive love of Christ. 

Reflection Questions 

1. Think about your biggest pain points mentally, physically, and spiritually. Jot down the first three that come to mind in a journal. 
2. Then, ask Jesus to show you hope and healing in each of these. Write a prayer to Him beside your list.