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I have had the blessing of knowing a multitude of people in my life. Some were for a season, some still remain, but each one, in some way, affected the outcome of the person I am today. From some, I learned to be bolder. From others, I learned to procrastinate less and plan more. One taught me to worry less. Yet another showed me that things don’t have to be perfect to be good. This is just a tiny example of the things I have learned from people in my life throughout my years of living. Some of the things I learned have helped me as I continue my journey and some things I realized weren’t for my betterment so I left them behind, but each lesson, taught by each person, had a hand in shaping the person I am today.

Without other people we will struggle to ever become anything more than the carnal man we were born. We each were born with our own personalities and innate tendencies and without others to show us another way, we would walk through life the same person we have always been.

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us the importance of surrounding ourselves with others. It says-“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I am thankful today for the beautiful group of people who make up my assembly. I am truly blessed to have so many friends to speak goodness and truth into my life.

Don’t isolate. Don’t shut yourself off from those around you who could help teach you something you need to know. We need each other.

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Typically I drink black coffee, but every once in a while I will put in a little cream and sugar. Because I don’t do it often I don’t really have a set amount of cream or sugar I add so, recently, while eating breakfast,  I added two packets of sugar, which, after one drink I realized simply wasn’t enough. I went to add another packet and, as I reached for the real thing, I saw those little pink packets of the fake sugar and thought…bet it would only take one of them to sweeten the whole cup. In that moment I began to reflect on how the fake things the world has to offer can seem so much sweeter than the truth God offers us.

God reminds us that we must express self control while the world tells us we should be who we want to be and act how we want to act and people should accept us no matter what. God reminds us that we should look out for others’ needs above our own. The world tells us to look out for number 1 because no one else will. God reminds us that we are to love our brothers as ourselves. The world tells us that we deserve to be loved despite our behavior and actions.

Remember today that just because something seems sweeter to our carnal man, doesn’t mean it is better for us and our growth. Colossians 2:8 reminds us to-“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Just because the world says it is sweet and it appears to be so, doesn’t make it good for you. Just like it may take more real sugar to get the same effect as the fake stuff, it may take more effort to experience the good God has to offer, but the end reward is always worth it. Don’t trade the fake the world has to offer when God has something so much sweeter and better waiting for you.

The real truth is always sweeter than the fake sweetness of a lie.

“I’ll do it tomorrow.”

The procrastinator's favorite saying and the devil’s favorite phrase. So many times we see others in need of help and think…I’ll help them tomorrow. I’m so busy today, but tomorrow I will take the time. The problem with this mentality is that, often, tomorrow comes and then it is today and we push it off into tomorrow again and, before we know it, tomorrow becomes today again and we simply “don’t have time”.

We are reminded in Proverbs 3:27 the expectation of the Christian with regards to helping those in need. It says-“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” If something needs to be done and it is in your power to make it happen, then today is the day to do it. Don’t push it off until tomorrow. You will be busy then too. Take the time to make the effort today.

If you have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others it’s time to make the time.

I was in the kitchen working on dinner when I heard the crash. I ran to the source of the sound and saw my son sitting in the tub with a shocked expression on his face as the remains of the broken mason jar were scattered on the floor in front of the tub. With a concerned look on his face he said “I didn’t mean to! I was just pushing it back a little bit and it fell off!” I responded with “ok” and went to get the broom. When I returned I began to sweep up the glass and what struck me was the number of times my son said “so you aren’t mad? I assured him I wasn’t mad and knew it was just an accident. It was a simple mistake that deserved grace. In that moment the grace I gave changed a frightened, worried little boy into a happy talkative little guy. There is something about grace that affects us more than punishment ever could.

1 Corinthians 15:10 says-“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Sometimes I look at all the things God has forgiven me for and I’m astounded, much like my son was the day he broke the glass. I ask Him repeatedly: “Are you sure you aren’t mad at me?” and grace is always the answer. I encourage us all to look at the grace we’ve been given and to use it as a catalyst to become more than we’ve ever been in the kingdom. God has forgiven more than we deserve.

Grace is His answer, positive change should be ours.

Have you ever had one of those days or one of those moments where it seems like no matter what you say no one is listening? You feel as though you could stand in the middle of the room on a raised pedestal and shout at the top of your lungs using a top of the line sound system and yet your words still wouldn’t be heard. I believe many of us have been there.

It may be that conversation we have had thousands of times with that loved one who continues to make life altering, destructive decision. It may be that adult child who insists on dancing to the beat of their own drum even though you have cautioned them time and again where their dance is leading. It may even be that friend at church who refuses to see where their poor attitude could lead them. The list of scenarios could continue for days. However, if you feel unheard there is hope. Psalm 116:1-2 says-“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” God is always listening.

This is something you should never doubt. From the first moment you speak to Him until the moment you draw your last breath He will be listening. He knows your heartache. He knows your pain. He knows exactly how you feel and exactly what you need. He knows what those we love need as well. Stop wasting your breath on those who refuse to listen. Step out of situations where you feel you are screaming, yet still unheard and instead give that energy to prayer. God is listening and He can make a difference like you never could.

He will take it. Will you give it to Him?

“We are not ok.” This mantra is fed to us day in and day out. We are told that we are
exhausted, beaten, broken and in desperate need of rest and an escape from it all. We
are told to show ourselves self care, make time in our schedules for us, give ourselves
the time and attention we deserve and so desperately need to make it through another
day.

Stop believing the lies. You aren’t broken, beaten, and so overwhelmed that the
best you can do is struggle through another day! Sure, you may be tired. You may feel
worn. You may need a little time to step back and reassess, but it isn’t over. The fight
isn’t too much. It isn’t time to step down, sit in silence, and try to figure out when it will
all get better. It’s time to push forward, speak up and find the strength that only God can
give.

Isaiah 40:31 says-“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.” Instead of self care, it’s time for some spiritual care. Find a place to
worship regularly, read your Word, and spend time in prayer. It’s spiritual care, not self care, that will produce the changes you need to thrive no matter your circumstances.

The other day a memory came to mind. A long time ago I was looking for daycares and as I walked into one facility my eyes were instantly drawn to a small picture on the front
desk. In the picture it showed two children looking up at what appeared to be a loving
mother, yet the words in the picture made me automatically decide against that daycare.
It said “mommy’s busy, you kids go play in traffic.” I know it was meant to be humorous,
but it wasn’t. It gave the impression that they were blasé about safety…something I
didn’t want anyone watching my child to be.

As I reflected on this memory I began to wonder if I give the right impression to God
with regards to caring for His children. We are reminded of God’s expectations in
If we aren’t treating every person as valuable and giving everyone a chance to be
someone in the kingdom then we are just like the childcare center with the unappealing
sign. We are proclaiming to be one thing while showing evidence of something else. We
are called to be caretakers of the lost and the lowly, not someone who says they care in
one breath and proves they don’t in the next.

If you take the time to speak to any adult for any length of time you will quickly discover that no one really knows what they are doing. Sure, most of us have a general idea of where we are going and how we are getting there and some are more confident than others in our pursuit, but the truth of the matter is, most of us are simply doing our best
on a day to day basis to be the best person we can be.

This can be pretty disheartening when we first figure this out because most of us
would like to believe that there is always someone a little wiser than us that we can turn
to when we simply don’t have the answer.

Thankfully, however, for those of us who serve God, there is. While those who we
spend our days with are, at times, just as confused as we are, God is never confused or
uncertain. In fact, Proverbs 2:6 says-“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and understanding.” Sure, your mom, best friend, spouse, and
coworker may have no clue how to conquer your current battle, but never forget that
you serve a God who is all knowing, all caring, and always available. Don’t get lost in
the opinions of a world full of people figuring it out as they go. Trust the Words of God
and the words of the spiritual leaders He sends into your life and you will be amazed at
the clarity His wisdom will bring.

Psalm 60:11-12 says-“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through
God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.”

It would be easy to read this verse and think “oh, my help is vain...guess I won’t help or ask other people to help because the help of humanity is vain.” While that is what this verse says, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t called to help a fellow man in need. We absolutely are.

What it does mean, however, is that everyone, no matter their age, race, gender, or
background will one day face a problem that only God can help fix. In that instance the
help of man will be vain because there are only so many things a human can
accomplish. It’s in these times that we must remember it isn’t hopeless. Instead it’s
simply time to hand our problem over to the master problem solver. The one who
designed a boat to withstand the flood. The one who parted the seas so His people
could cross on dry land. The one who shut the mouths of lions and caused the raging
heat of the fire to be of no effect. He is the one who we can always trust to help us
through whatever situation we may face.

Have you been trying to solve your problem on your own or with the help of your closest friends and you just don’t see any relief? It’s time to put it into the hands that can: God’s hands.

Have you ever spent time with an angry friend and found yourself angry without really
understanding how you got there? Have you ever listened to an angry news reporter or an
angry podcast and found yourself angry about something that you had no knowledge of minutes before? The reason why we can find ourselves frustrated and angry without any connection to the issue is found in Proverbs 22:24 which says- “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

Spending your time with those who struggle to control their anger is a dangerous place to be. Before you know it you will find yourself fuming for reasons completely unknown to you. Be careful who you choose to spend your time with…
—those who are always sad won’t bring you joy
—those who are always confused won’t bring clarity
—those who are always lazy won’t bring a productive spirit.
—and those who are always angry won’t bring happiness.

Who you spend time with matters. I encourage you today to observe your circle and ask yourself what they are bringing to your life. Are you surrounding yourself with people who are helping you become more Christlike or more carnal?

I recently saw a picture of a little boy looking up at an older man with a puppy behind his back. The picture was titled “a few seconds before happiness”. As I looked at that picture I was reminded that, often times, we are much like the little boy in the picture looking up at our Heavenly Father and waiting, waiting for the next wonderful thing He will bring to pass, waiting for Him to calm our storm, waiting for a reminder that He is still there and still loves us. I want to remind someone who is in the season “before happiness” that God has something wonderful waiting for you if you will just trust and follow His plan.
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 27:13-14- “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord .” God will never fail to come through. We just have to be courageous enough to stand strong and keep the faith until He does. Can you wait a little while to see all the good God will bring to pass?

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One summer evening, as we were sitting in the living room with family talking and laughing, everyone’s phones started to loudly sound an alarm. A tornado had been spotted extremely close to our area and we were being cautioned to head to safety. In that moment four of us sprang to action while the rest of our group laughed it off and continued with what they were doing. Long story short…nothing came of the threat…at least not in our area and we quickly returned to the group. As expected we got the good natured ribbing that normally comes when we take shelter during a storm. As I listened and laughed along with the expected jokes, a thought came to my mind…sometimes people don’t understand what you have to do to keep yourself sheltered.

This was a physical situation we sought to find shelter in and maybe we overreacted a bit, but sometimes we have to shelter ourselves even when it doesn’t make sense to others. This is true in the spiritual sense as well. For example, maybe others don’t understand your need to stay away from situations that involve alcohol. They may laugh at your refusal to go to a restaurant where alcohol is served because they don’t understand your need to be sheltered from it, but you know the need and you have to continue to protect yourself even if others don’t understand. Philippians 2:12 says- “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Sometimes you have to do things that others may view as silly because they don’t understand the need for shelter that you have in certain areas of your life. Shelter yourself
anyways. Others may laugh. Continue to protect yourself anyways. You might be doing more than you need, but I would much rather face the enemy with too much protection than be left vulnerable because I didn’t have enough.

Some days we are pushed past the limits of the strength we were certain we had. Some days we give more than we ever thought we could possibly give. Sometimes we make it through storms that, in retrospect, should have killed us. How?

How are we able to go further, give more, and fight through more than we ever thought we could? God. Isaiah 41:10 says- “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

When you come to the end of your limits. He is able to pick up where you left off. When you give all you’ve got, He gives the rest. When you grow weak and weather beaten in the storm, He provides shelter to allow you to make it through. Whenever you reach the end of you, God will always be there to give you just what you need to stand strong. Don’t dwell on your weakness, remember He is your strength.