Everyone goes through hard times, at different times and for different reasons. Jesus even told us we would have troubles in this life (John 16:33). Maybe for you, something happened that you weren’t expecting. Maybe you’re confused as to what God is doing in your life. Maybe for whatever reason, things are just plain hard.
How can we daily choose to put God first above everything else?
Might we look to the faith of individuals in our lives, those documented from history and the Biblical texts to gain encouragement and wisdom from their convictions in the Spirit.
Hannah Kerr, famed singer/songwriter of 'Warrior' (below) and 'Ordinary,' is anything but ordinary. She wears her faith on her sleave, trusts God with her whole heart, and uses the gifts God's given her by encouraging young women all over the globe.
“Good morning sweet boy," I said as I smiled at my son. It was a typical morning, waking up to fresh air and thinking about what God would have for me. I was preparing for my day as usual. I had been loving the mornings; sweet time with the Lord and running early so I could set the pace for the rest of the day.
Over the next three days, we will be taking time to meditate on Psalm 23. My prayer is for us to set aside time to quiet our hearts and open our minds to the things God has to reveal to us about who He is and what He is doing in and through our lives. I’d encourage you to write down any thoughts, questions and prayers you may have pertaining to this passage. It might be a good way to spark conversation with a dear friend or another way for you to deepen your prayer time with the Lord.
"He's definitely not for you," my dad shared about Will*. As I opened my Bible that night, I knew I had God's confirmation, too. "Listen to your father who gave you life" (Proverbs 23:22). I broke things off the next morning, a tear coating my cheek.
Let’s go back a few years together. I was 14 years old, and I’d just lost 50 lbs in a matter of a couple months for no reason other than I'd basically stopped eating. I knew exactly how many calories I was eating at all times, I skipped social gathers where I knew I would be tempted to overindulge, I was in the gym every single day (slightly dizzy, but you better believe I was going to be there). I was consumed with my body image, and then I remember one day looking in the mirror and weighing myself. I was 5 ft. 10 in and 110 pounds. It freaked me out!
In the span of a few months, coronavirus has seemingly brought the world to its knees by perpetuating illness & death and disrupting regular routines. Coronavirus is now ubiquitous for “social distancing,” “self-isolation,” and “shelter in place.” In the context of dating, coronavirus seems to present a no-win dilemma for those seeking love; if I cancel the date, I risk dying alone; if I go on the date, I risk dying now.
About a month ago, five friends of mine and I traveled to Peru. We had this trip planned for months and could not wait to see Macchu Piccu and explore the country. Coworkers would say things like “Good luck getting back” and “I would not go if I was you”. I’m someone who does not choose to live in fear, someone who wants to think positively, and I did not get absorbed into the panic. At the time we were leaving, there was 1 reported case of coronavirus in Peru. It was safer to be there than in the United States, or so I thought.
Jealousy: A third party, a rival, competing for, stealing something that is or should have been yours.