Delayed, Not Denied: Trusting God’s Perfect Timing

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)

If I'm discouraged because of God’s delay in answering my prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer—or that he’s forgotten me or doesn’t care about me. It simply means “not yet”!

Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

God’s delay may be a test of my patience. Anybody can be patient once. And most people can be patient twice—or even three times. God will test my patience over and over.

Does he do this to see how patient you are? No, he does it so I can see how patient I am. His testing helps me see God’s power at work in me and examines my level of commitment to him.

God tests me also so that I can know he is faithful, even if the answers I seek are delayed.

I may go through difficult times. I may be discouraged because the situation I face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable, and inside I'm basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”

But I can. I can stay with it longer because God is with me. He’ll equip me to press on.

Remember, I'm never a failure until I quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before me.

In summary:

When God delays in answering prayers, it’s not a denial—it’s a test of faith and patience. Learning to distinguish between “no” and “not yet” is part of spiritual growth. Though discouragement may come during difficult or seemingly unfair times, God remains faithful, and His timing is perfect. These delays help reveal my endurance and dependence on Him. I’m not alone; God equips me to keep going. I only fail if I quit—so I must persevere and trust that His promises will be fulfilled in due time.

Bottom line:

God’s delays are not denials—stay patient, trust His timing, and don’t give up, because He is faithful and will fulfill His promises.

What to Do When It Makes No Sense

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:2-3, 6 (NLT)

Instead of always asking God “why” when I don’t understand, start trusting him.

For 37 chapters in his book, Job asks questions like, Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?

But in chapter 38, Job stops asking “why”—and God tells Job, “I have some questions for you” (Job 38:3 NLT).

For the next two chapters, God bombards Job with questions that only God could answer. He asks things like, “Where were you when I made the universe? Can you explain the law of gravity?”

After two chapters, Job realizes that he is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God?

Job stops questioning—and starts trusting. He replies to the Lord, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:2-3, 6 NLT).

What do I do in a situations where I can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and life doesn’t make sense?

First, I need to remind myself of the things I know about God. Even while doubting, Job affirmed what he knew to be true about God: God is loving (Job 10:12); God is all powerful (Job 36:22); God is in control (Job 34:13); God had a plan for his life (Job 23:14); God would protect him (Job 5:11).

God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail. He’s paying attention to my every breath. Nothing gets past God’s attention.

I may not understand what I'm going through, but I can still say this to God: “I know you’re good. I know you’re loving. I know you’re powerful. I know you notice the details of my life. I know you’re in control. I know you have a plan. I know you will protect me.”

Then set aside my “why” questions and trust God—no matter what.

In summary:

When life doesn't make sense, the story of Job can remind me to stop demanding answers and start trusting God. After questioning God's actions through suffering, Job is humbled by God's response and realizes that God's wisdom far exceeds his own understanding. Rather than clinging to “why,” Job acknowledges God's power, love, and control, repents for his limited perspective, and chooses trust over explanation. In times of confusion and pain, I'm called to affirm what I do know about God—His goodness, attentiveness, and sovereignty—and place my faith in His greater plan, even when I can’t see it.

Bottom Line:

When life doesn’t make sense, stop asking “why” and start trusting the God who sees the whole picture, loves me deeply, and has a greater plan than I could ever imagine.

I Can Tell God What’s Really Going On

“Get up, cry out in the night, even as the night begins. Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord.” Lamentations 2:19 (NCV)

If I ever thought I had a bad day? Job would understand; he practically had a PhD in pain and loss.

In the very first chapter of Job, everything in his life fell apart. His response? “Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 GW).

Notice that Job openly expressed his pain to God. When I experience pain, do I tell God exactly how I feel? What I'm learning is that It should be the first thing I do.

God can handle my anger and frustration. He can handle my emotions. Why? Because he gave them to me. I was made in his image, and he is an emotional God.

When a 2-year-old has a temper tantrum and pulls on my legs, I can handle that. In the same way, God is bigger than my emotions, and it’s okay to tell him exactly how I feel.

When I pray for a promotion but don’t get it, when a loved one walks out, or when I get a dreaded call saying, “It’s cancer,” I can tell God how I feel. I can say, “I’m mad. I’m upset. I’m frustrated.” God can handle my complaints, questions, fear, and grief. God’s love for me is bigger than all my emotions.

I remember my daughter would sometimes question my judgment—even though she knew I loved her and had more life experience. Still, I’d rather have an honest, gut-level conversation with her than have her stuff frustration and disappointment inside.

God is the same way! He would rather I wrestle with him in anger than walk away in detached apathy. 

When tragedy strikes, I don’t have to grin and bear it. Instead, go to my heavenly Father with my pain. “Get up, cry out in the night, even as the night begins. Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord” (Lamentations 2:19 NCV).

In summary:

Lamentations 2:19 encourages me to pour out my heart to God in prayer—especially in pain. Job modeled this when he lost everything yet honestly expressed his grief to God. Like Job, I don't need to hide or suppress my emotions. God created me with feelings and is big enough to handle my anger, fear, grief, and frustration. When life falls apart, the best response isn’t to shut down emotionally but to bring everything—raw and unfiltered—to God. He values honest, heartfelt connection far more than quiet detachment. God’s love is bigger than my emotions, and He welcomes every part of me in prayer.

Bottom Line:

God can handle my raw emotions, and He wants me to bring my pain, anger, and grief to Him honestly in prayer—because He loves me and meets me there.

How to Plant Seeds of Great Value

“Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” Genesis 1:11 (NIV)

Everything starts as a seed. That’s the first law of the harvest.

Every achievement started as a seed. My life started as a seed, my parents got together and I was conceived, my life began. Literally everything that’s living on planet Earth came from a seed.

In Genesis 1:11 God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds” (NIV).

There are physical seeds that I plant in the ground. But seeds are also anything valuable that I give away. When I give away praise, there’s value to that. When I give away good advice, there’s value to that. When I give away my time, there’s value to that. When I give away money, there’s value to that. When I share my experiences to help other people, there’s value to that. When I give my love away, there’s great value to that.

It all starts as a seed, whether it’s my time, money, appreciation, attention, wisdom, or energy. I will have thousands of opportunities to give away the best of myself and make a difference for God’s kingdom. I can use those opportunities to sow life.

My words can also be seeds that you plant in people’s minds. They grow, and they bear fruit. So I need to choose my words wisely. My words have power over the people I love the most—my daughter, spouse, and friends—but also the people I meet in your everyday life.

What kind of seeds am I planting in my relationships and with the people God brings into my life? It takes courage to plant seeds of trust when I've been hurt. Am I planting seeds of trust—or seeds of distrust? Am I planting seeds of kindness, or seeds of crankiness? Am I planting seeds that build up, or are seeds that tear down?

Remember: I will reap whatever I sow. So take heart—and I need to be courageous in planting seeds that have great value and lasting impact.

In Summary:

Genesis 1:11 teaches that everything begins with a seed—and that includes not just plants, but every part of life. Whether it’s time, money, love, encouragement, wisdom, or even our words, what I give away holds the potential to grow and bear fruit. Seeds are anything valuable I sow into others, and my life is filled with countless opportunities to plant for God’s kingdom. My relationships, conversations, and actions are all fertile ground. The kind of seeds we choose—whether trust or fear, kindness or criticism—determines the harvest I'll one day reap. So I'm called to sow wisely, courageously, and generously for lasting impact.

Bottom Line:

Everything I give—whether time, words, love, or resources—is a seed, and what I sow into others will grow and return, so I must choose to plant what honors God and builds others up.

Uncommon Courage

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Acts 18:9 (NIV)

There are many parts of the Bible that most people have no problems embracing—like helping the poor. That’s something nearly everyone agrees on. But other parts of Scripture can be harder for the world to accept, and that can make it challenging for Christians to stand firm in their faith.

Some people won’t just disagree with me on these topics—they’ll feel strongly and won’t hesitate to challenge my perspective.

It takes an uncommon courage to stand up against that kind of pressure.

Here are three issues related to sanctity that Christ followers today need to stand up for.

The sanctity of life: God has a purpose for every unborn child. God planned your life before you were born: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16 NLT).

When I put my faith in Jesus, it shapes how I see the world—including the belief that every life, born or unborn, has purpose and value.

The sanctity of sex: Sex is only for marriage. Sex is God’s idea. It isn’t dirty or wrong; sex is holy. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (NIV).

God’s instructions never change: Premarital sex and living together without being married are unacceptable to God. Adultery and pornography and the objectification of women are unacceptable to God.

The sanctity of marriage: One man and one woman for life. That is God’s intended, original design. The Bible is very clear on the issue of marriage: “Haven’t you read . . . that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV).

People of goodwill can disagree over many issues in life. But as a believer, it’s important to line up with what God says about the sanctity of life, sex, and marriage. And I need to have the courage to stand up for them—even when it’s not the popular or politically correct thing to do.

In Summary:

Acts 18:9 reminds believers to speak boldly and not remain silent, even when the truth is unpopular. While some biblical values—like helping the poor—are widely accepted, others require uncommon courage to defend, especially in a culture that increasingly challenges Christian convictions. Christ followers are called to stand firmly for the sanctity of life, sex, and marriage. Every unborn life has God-given value and purpose; sex is a sacred gift reserved for marriage; and marriage is God’s design between one man and one woman for life. These truths may not align with society’s views, but they are clearly outlined in Scripture. As believers, we must remain faithful to God’s Word and courageous enough to speak it—lovingly and without compromise.

Bottom Line:

God calls me to stand with courage and speak His truth—especially about life, sex, and marriage—even when it’s unpopular or challenged by the world. 

Courage That Lasts

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

My worldview is the filter I use to see and understand life. As a Christ follower, I may notice that a lot of people around me see things differently. Not everyone will share my beliefs—and some might even push back.

So how do I find the courage to stand strong when that happens? I can do two things:

First, accept God’s Word as my authority. It’s the only source of truth! To be a man of courage, I need to build my life on the Rock that never changes, not on popular opinion.

Hebrews 6:18 says, “God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us” (NLT).

I will build my life on one of two things: the world’s opinion or God’s Word. When I build my life on God’s Word, I won’t waste my time worrying about what other people think. I say things all the time that are unpopular. Why? Because I fear displeasing God more than I fear someone’s rejection.

If I don’t know what I believe, a great place to start is by exploring the Bible and getting to know it for myself. My local church is a great resource and can give me the tools I need to grow closer to God through his Word.

Second, spend time with Jesus. The more time I spend with Jesus, the more confident I'll be to stand up to any opinions that contradict God’s Word. Spending time with Jesus fills me with courage to stand for the truth even when it’s hard.

This was true for Jesus’ followers in the Bible: “The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NCV).

The reward of standing courageously for the truth will last forever! It might be unpopular and is rarely easy, but when I accept God’s Word as my authority and spend time with Jesus, I'll develop an uncommon courage I never thought possible.

Here’s a prayer I can pray today: “God, I want to be a person of courage. I want to live to please you and not other people. I want to build my life on a biblical worldview and stand courageously for my faith. I make these two commitments today: First, I accept your Word as my authority and the foundation for my life. Second, I want to spend time with you every day and get to know you personally. I want to be so full of joy and courage that people say, ‘That person’s been with Jesus.’ I ask you to help me to be fearless for the truth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

In summary:

Hebrews 10:35 reminds me not to throw away my confidence, because standing firm in my faith brings lasting reward. As a Christ follower in a world full of differing opinions, I can develop courage by doing two things: accepting God’s Word as the ultimate authority and spending daily time with Jesus. Building my life on Scripture gives me a steady foundation that isn’t shaken by public opinion, and deepening my relationship with Jesus fills me with the courage to stand for truth—even when it’s unpopular. Like Peter and John, people will see boldness in me not because of my background, but because I’ve been with Jesus. Courage grows when I live to please God, not people, and the reward of that courage will echo into eternity.

Bottom line:

The courage to stand for truth comes from building my life on God’s Word and spending time with Jesus—because confidence in Him will always be rewarded.

 

Being Led by the Spirit, Not by Feelings

“To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:6, 8 (GNT)

Learning to manage my emotions is the key to peace of mind.

There are four important reasons from God’s Word for why I need to learn to deal with what I feel.

I need to learn to manage my emotions because they are often unreliable.
My gut is often wrong. My intuition is often flawed. My emotions often lead me down a blind alley. I can’t depend on everything I feel!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). You don’t have to accept everything you feel, because not everything you feel is right or authentic or will lead you in the right direction.

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I don’t want to be manipulated.
If I don’t control my emotions, they will control me, and I will be manipulated by my moods. And if I'm always guided by my feelings, other people are going to take advantage of me. Worst of all, negative emotions are Satan’s favorite tool. He will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in my life.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I want to please God.
God cannot rule my life if emotions are ruling it. If I make my decisions based on how I feel, then I've made my feelings god, and then God can’t be God in my life.

Romans 8:6, 8 says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (GNT).

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I want to succeed in life.
Study after study has shown that my emotional quotient is far more important than my IQ when it comes to success. How many people do you know who ruined their reputation because of something said in anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of self-control?

Proverbs 5:23 says, “[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control” (CEV).

Jesus doesn’t just want to guide my thoughts and actions—he wants to be Lord of my emotions too. When I surrender my emotions to him, I open the door to greater peace, clarity, and spiritual growth.

In summary:

Romans 8:6, 8 remind me that living by my human nature leads to destruction, but living by the Spirit brings life and peace. That’s why learning to manage my emotions is essential—not only for my well-being, but also for spiritual growth and success. My feelings are often unreliable and can mislead me, manipulate me, and even become idols that take God’s place in my decision-making. If I let emotions rule, I become vulnerable to others’ control and Satan’s attacks. But when I surrender my emotions to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead, I will experience peace, make wiser choices, and live a life that honors God.

Bottom Line:

If I want true peace and a life that pleases God, I must stop letting my emotions lead me and start letting the Holy Spirit guide me.

Walking Through, Not Stuck In

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

Loss is a common source of stress. I can lose so many things—like my job, health, money, reputation, or a loved one.

When people go through loss, there are two common reactions: One is fear, and the other is grief.

Grief is good. Grief is the way I can get through the transitions of life. In fact, if I don’t grieve, I'll get stuck!

On the other hand, fear is a bad thing. Not once does the Bible say, “Grieve not,” “Mourn not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is, “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! Grief doesn’t paralyze, but fear does.

David says in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (ESV).

When that psalm was written, shepherds always carried a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. David knew that, in the same way, God had the tools to protect him. And he trusted God, even in the darkest valleys.

I will end up going through the valley of a shadow. It may be the valley of the shadow of death. It may be the valley of the shadow of debt. It may be the valley of the shadow of conflict. It may be the valley of the shadow of depression. It may be the valley of the shadow of discouragement.

Here are a few things about shadows:

First, shadows can’t hurt me.

Second, shadows are always bigger than the source.

And here’s more good news: Wherever there’s a shadow, there has to be a light. I can’t have a shadow without light. So the key when I'm going through the valley of the shadow is to turn my back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as I keep mt eyes on the light—Jesus, the Light of the World—the shadow won’t scare me.

That’s how I can go through the valley of the shadow of death. That’s how I can lower my stress. I trust God in the dark valleys, just like David, who prayed, “When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do” (Psalm 142:3 GNT).

In summary:

Psalm 23:4 reminds me that even in life’s darkest valleys—whether it’s loss, grief, depression, or fear—I don’t have to be afraid, because God is with me and fully equipped to protect and comfort me. Loss is inevitable and grief is healthy, but fear paralyzes. While shadows may seem large and threatening, they can’t harm me, and they only exist because light is nearby. By keeping my eyes on Jesus, the Light of the World, I can walk through the valley with peace instead of panic. Trusting God in the shadows lowers my stress and strengthens my faith in His presence and guidance.

Bottom Line:

In life’s darkest valleys, I don’t need to fear—because God is with me, guiding, protecting, and comforting me as I keep my eyes on Him.

The Test of Character

“Tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” James 1:2-3 (MSG)

People are like tea bags—sometimes you don't know what's in them until you drop them in hot water.

In The Living Bible paraphrase, Jeremiah 17:10 says that God “searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds.”

So, how does God inspect and test me? The Bible says, “I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10 NKJV).

Pain is a measuring tool to test my character, and my reaction to it reveals a lot about me. James 1:2-3 says in The Message paraphrase, “Tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.”

Pain exposes the real me and shows what I'm really like inside. My image and reputation are what everybody thinks I am. But my character is what I really am. And when I'm in pain, it’s hard to keep up appearances.

I can say that I have integrity, but do I lower my standard when life is painful? I might say I'm committed, but do I want to throw in the towel when life is difficult? I say I'm a person of faith, but do I want to give up when pain comes my way? My faith, commitment, integrity, and maturity can be measured by my reaction to pain.     

Going through a tough time right now might be a test. God’s showing me what’s really going on in my heart so he can help me grow and become more like him—and learn to trust and follow him more closely.

In summary:

James 1:2-3 reminds us that trials reveal the true state of our faith—just like hot water brings out what’s inside a tea bag, pressure and pain expose what’s really in my heart. God uses difficult seasons to test and refine me, not to harm me, but to show me where I truly stand in terms of integrity, commitment, and trust in Him. While my image is what others see, my character is who I am when everything is stripped away. Pain reveals that. And when I go through hardship, it’s often God’s way of helping me grow, mature, and become more like Him—if I'm willing to trust Him through it.

Bottom Line:

God uses pressure and pain to reveal who I really am—not to shame me, but to grow my character, deepen my faith, and make me more like Him.

Courage in the Chaos

“When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” Mark 6:49-50 (NIV)

It’s only in the storms of life that I learn what Jesus is really like. I see that he’s not a mere man. He’s not just a nice teacher or an ethical leader. He is God, the Creator of the universe.

In Mark 6, Jesus noticed the disciples were in distress. They were in the middle of a lake, where the wind and waves were pounding their boat and keeping them from making any progress. And so Jesus walked out to them on the water. “When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid’” (Mark 6:49-50 NIV).

The disciples still had some nagging doubts—maybe Jesus was just a nice prophet who could do some miracles. But by walking on water, Jesus revealed he was far more than just a man. He showed them he was God.

He also gave them a challenge: “Don’t be afraid.” And he reassured them: “It is I.”

In Greek, the language this part of the Bible was originally written in, the phrase “It is I” is actually two words: ego ima. Ego ima simply means “I Am.” Why is that important?

The name of God is “I Am”—not “I was” or “I will be” or “I hope to be.” When Jesus says, “I Am,” he is saying that I don’t need to be afraid. I don’t need to sweat it. He is God. And that is enough.

If I'm going through a storm, I don’t need a job—I need Jesus. I don’t need a plan—I need a person. I don’t need a system—I need a Savior. I don’t need a new goal—I need God. 

When I'm going through a storm, remember that God is not distant, apathetic, or uninvolved. He is “I Am.” And he will get me through the storm.

In summary:

In the storms of life, I can come to truly understand who Jesus is—not just a teacher or prophet, but God Himself. In Mark 6:49-50, when the disciples were terrified by the sight of Jesus walking on water, he calmed their fears with the words, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” The phrase “It is I” (ego eimi) echoes God’s divine name, “I Am,” revealing Jesus’ identity as the eternal, ever-present God. His presence in the storm reminds me that I don’t ultimately need solutions or systems—I need Him. When life feels overwhelming, Jesus doesn't stay distant; He comes near, speaks peace, and proves He is enough.

Bottom Line:

In the middle of life’s storms, Jesus reveals that He is God—ever-present, powerful, and enough—and His presence brings the peace and courage I need.

When Pain Becomes a Teacher

“God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes.” Job 36:15 (GNT)

There are some things we only learn through pain—and sometimes it’s through the pain of other people.

It's wise for me to learn from my own experiences, but it’s wiser to learn from the experiences of others—and to let others learn from my pain. I don't have time to make all the mistakes myself! That’s why it’s important to learn from each other’s mistakes—but only if I'm honest about how God uses pain to get my attention and teach me important lessons in life.

Job 36:15 says, "God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes" (GNT).

What does God want me to understand about the distress I'm going through right now? What am I learning? Once I've learned it, he wants me to pass those lessons on to others.

We all go through different kinds of trouble. But no matter what my  specific pain is, God wants me to learn these three things from it:

First, I learn to depend more on God through my pain. God wants to teach me about himself—about his power through my weakness, his love when I feel unlovely, his grace when I feel unforgiven, and his wisdom when I don't know which way to turn.

Second, I learn to trust and obey God's Word when I'm in pain. It's easy to trust God when things are going great. It's not so easy when things are going bad.

King David said in Psalm 119:67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word" (NIV). Lessons learned through failure and painful mistakes will drive me to claim and trust in God’s promises. His Word provides hope that he is with me and has not stopped working for me and in me.

Third, I learn through pain that I need other people. If I never had any pain in my life, I wouldn't think I needed anybody. It's only in pain that some people admit that they need others to help them. Pain is one of the most powerful reminders that I'm not meant to go through life alone.

So when I go through pain, I need to trust that what God is teaching me will be helpful to others as I pass the lessons on to friends, family, and even future generations.

In summary:

Pain is one of God's most powerful teaching tools, often opening my eyes to deeper truths I might otherwise miss. According to Job 36:15, God uses suffering to instruct us, and through our distress, we learn vital lessons—not just about ourselves, but also about God’s power, grace, and presence. While it’s wise to learn from my own mistakes, it’s even wiser to learn from others' experiences—and to let others learn from ours. Pain teaches me to depend more on God, to trust and obey His Word more deeply, and to recognize my need for others. Ultimately, the lessons I learn in hardship are not just for me; they are meant to be shared to help others find hope and wisdom in their own struggles.

Bottom line: 

God uses pain to grow us, draw us closer to Him, and equip us to help others through what we’ve learned.

When You’re Sinking

“But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” Matthew 14:30 (NIV)

When I'm going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is with me, and he is working in my life for my good. 

When I feel I'm sinking in a storm, here are five things God wants me to do:

Have courage, because Jesus is with me.
Don’t ever argue with a fear. Just send it straight to Jesus! 

Take a risk in faith.
Don’t ask God to bless what I are doing. Instead, do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants me to do, and then be willing to do it with him.

Stay focused on Jesus.
The moment I take your eyes off the Lord, I'll go under. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”  (NIV). If I focus on the wind and the waves—my circumstances—I'm going to sink, just like Peter.

Don’t doubt.
I don’t need great faith to make it through the storm in my life. I just need faith in the right person—Jesus Christ.

Praise God.
Even in the storm, even when I feel like I'm sinking, even when I'm scared to death—praise him all the time. Thanking God is how I make it through.

What storm is scaring me right now? What storm is sinking me? Why do I think God is letting me go through this storm?

He’s letting me go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm. He wants me to know: He's all I need. I can handle anything. And I’ll come walking on the very thing that scares me the most. He is not asking me to come to him. He's going to come to me.”

If I feel like I'm sinking today, don’t fear. Just call out to Jesus. I'll find he’s with me.

In summary:

Matthew 14:30 reminds me that when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind, fear took over and he began to sink—just like I do in life’s storms. But storms aren’t signs that God is distant; they are opportunities to trust Him more deeply. In the middle of fear, uncertainty, or sinking moments, God calls me to take courage, step out in faith, stay focused on Him, silence doubt, and praise Him anyway. He allows storms not to punish me, but to prove that He is all I need. When I cry out, “Lord, save me,” He always comes to me—right on top of the very thing that once scared me.

Bottom Line:

When life’s storms make me feel like I’m sinking, I don’t need to have it all together—I just need to keep my eyes on Jesus and call out to Him, because He is always near and ready to save.

Rescued in the Storm

“About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” Mark 6:48 (NLT)

I have had storms in life that blew my life off course.

In Mark 6, Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him to Bethsaida while he went off by himself to pray. It wasn’t a long trip by boat, but the disciples were blown off course by a storm. When Jesus saw them struggling against the wind in the middle of the lake, he came to their aid.

Did my life feel like the disciples’ did during that storm?

What does Jesus do when I'm at my moment of desperation? Mark 6:48 says, “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water” (NLT). Notice that he didn’t tell the disciples to come to him. He knew they couldn’t get to him. So he went to them instead. The same is true for me. When I'm at my point of desperation, Jesus comes to me!

I love the fact that Jesus did not stand on the shore and shout instructions. When I'm in a storm, I don’t need advice. I need a miracle! I need somebody to show up, and that’s what Jesus did. He intervened in the disciples’ storm.

This is the gospel: God doesn’t stand on the shoreline telling me what to do; instead, he comes out and meets me in my own storm—in my pain, fear, depression, and discouragement. He comes to me. What a God!

I may feel abandoned but I'm not. The Living Bible paraphrase says, “I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you” (John 14:18). I can count on it!

In summary:

Mark 6:48 reveals the heart of Jesus in life’s storms—He doesn’t wait for me to find my way to Him; He comes to me. Just as the disciples were blown off course and struggling in the dark, Jesus walked on water to meet them at their point of desperation. When I feel lost, afraid, or overwhelmed, Jesus doesn’t shout instructions from afar—He steps into the storm with me. This is the essence of the gospel: I’m never abandoned, even when it feels like it. Jesus shows up in my pain, fear, and discouragement, bringing the miracle and presence I truly need.

Bottom Line:

Jesus doesn’t wait for me to find Him—He comes to me in the middle of my storm, bringing hope, help, and the miracle I need most.

Beyond What You Can Imagine

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)

I may face seemingly impossible challenges in life. Something that couldn’t be solved without a miracle?

When that time comes, I’ll have a choice. I can wait on God’s timing and his way. Or I can take matters into my own hands and try to make a miracle happen myself.

But the truth is that miracles don’t come from the places I expect them. And they don’t come as a result of my own effort. The source of a miracle is always unexpected.

Take Abraham, for example. God told Abraham that he was going to have a son, and that the son would be the father of a great nation. Abraham was nearly 100 years old, and he and his wife had no children. It would take a miracle to make it happen.

But Abraham had trouble believing God’s promise, and he didn’t wait on God to work a miracle. Instead, he took matters into his own hands and had a child with a woman who wasn’t his wife.

That wasn’t God’s plan. God’s plan had been to work a miracle in Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Abraham’s solution was inferior to God’s.

The same is true for me. My way of making things happen is always second best—God’s way is best.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand God’s plan. In fact, if I could always understand God, I would be God. But I'm not! Isaiah 55:8 says, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’” (NLT).

Miracles always come in unexpected ways. So there’s no need to fret, fear, or try to figure it out.  

Trust God and say, “I don’t know how God is going to do it, but I know he will do it.”

Then simply obey and follow where God leads. And get ready for a miracle.

In summary:

Isaiah 55:8 reminds me that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond my own, especially when facing challenges that seem impossible. When I try to force solutions in my own strength—like Abraham did—I often settle for something less than God’s best. Miracles don’t come from my effort or logic; they come from God’s unexpected and perfect timing. Even when I can’t see or understand His plan, we can trust that He is working. My role is to wait patiently, obey faithfully, and believe confidently that God will come through—just not always in the way I expect.

Bottom Line:

God’s way is always better than mine—when I trust His timing and surrender control, I open the door for miracles I could never create on my own.

Seeing People Like Jesus Does

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34 (NIV)

How can I know if I'm looking at life from God’s viewpoint? Think about the way I see other people.

How I see others is a great test of my spiritual maturity. It’s a better indicator of my spiritual maturity than how much Scripture I know, how often I attend church, or whether I serve, tithe, or pray.

Life is all about love and relationships. So if I want to gauge my spiritual maturity, think about how I see other people.

Consider, how God sees my wife; Valuable. Acceptable. Lovable. Forgivable. Is that the way I see my wife?

How about the stranger at the grocery store? The person who cut me off in traffic? The beggar on the street? What do I see when I look at other people? Do I see them as irritations and burdens?

What about the people I work with? Do I see them as enemies? Competition? Or do I see them the way God sees them?

All people matter to God. It doesn’t matter who they are, what they’ve done, or even what they believe. Jesus Christ died for them. He loves them. God has a plan for every person, and he wants them to have a relationship with him.

The Bible says in Mark 6:34, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV).

That’s the way Jesus sees people. And that’s the way I can grow to see people too. I can learn to have compassion for my own family as well as for my neighbors, community, country, and the rest of the world.

Let my spiritual vision get stronger as I learn to see people the way Jesus does.

In summary:

Mark 6:34 shows me the heart of Jesus—full of compassion for people who were lost and in need, like sheep without a shepherd. This verse challenges me to evaluate my own spiritual maturity not by religious activity, but by how I see and treat others. God calls for me to view people—family, strangers, coworkers, even those who frustrate me—with His eyes: as valuable, lovable, and forgivable. Every person matters deeply to God, and true spiritual growth means developing a heart of compassion that sees people the way Jesus does and responds with love.

Bottom Line:

Spiritual maturity for me isn’t measured by religious activity but by how I see and treat others—true growth means seeing people through the compassionate eyes of Jesus.

Where God Guides, He Provides, Obedience is the Key to Unlocking It

“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Waiting for a miracle can be hard. Sometimes the road is cold, dark, and lonely; I may even find myself stuck in a rut. I might not know where I'm going or how long the journey will take.

No matter where I am on the way to my miracle, here are some things to keep in mind:

God is all I need.
I don’t need a big bank account, a full refrigerator, or even a job. If God wants to, he can have ravens drop food on me as his way of providing. That’s how he provided for the prophet Elijah, who was exhausted and burned-out in the desert; see 1 Kings 17. When God turns off one source of provision, he can turn on another just as easily. I can trust him for all my needs.

Where God guides, God provides.
After sending the ravens to feed Elijah, God told him to make a dangerous trip to Zarephath. There was a drought in Zarephath and very little food. Yet God provided for Elijah through a poor widow with a generous heart. When God tells me to go somewhere, go immediately. When God tells me to do something, do it right away. When God gives me direction, he will provide what I need to get there.

I must trust him one day at a time.
Why? Because some of your problems persist day after day. For instance, if I had financial problems, I'll have to deal with them every day. And so I must trust God one day at a time to provide. The Bible says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

God’s promises work when I'm obedient.
God often lays out his plan just one step at a time. He wants me to take the first step in obedience, and then he’ll show me the next step. Each step along the way may not seem logical, but I can obey in faith and confidence, knowing God’s way is always best. 

In summary:

Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will meet all my needs through His limitless riches in Christ. While waiting for a miracle can feel lonely, uncertain, and slow, I am reminded that God is my ultimate provider—He alone is enough. Just as He provided for Elijah through ravens and a widow during a drought, He can supply in unexpected ways. Where God leads, He also provides, but His provision often unfolds one day and one step at a time. Trusting Him requires daily faith and immediate obedience, even when the path doesn’t make sense. God's promises are activated through trust and faithful action.

Bottom Line:

God will always provide what I need—your job is to trust Him daily and obey Him step by step, even when the way forward isn’t clear.

Obedience Over Understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

As a follower of Jesus, he calls me to a life of obedience—even if it appears foolish to other people, even if it doesn’t make sense financially, and even if I don’t understand it and scared to death.

Luke 5:4-5 says, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (NIV).

Jesus had stepped into Simon Peter’s boat. But he didn’t stop there. He also started giving this professional fisherman instructions on how to fish!

Notice Peter’s reaction. He didn’t argue with Jesus. He didn’t say, “Excuse me, Lord. You’re a carpenter. I’m a fisherman. And those fish aren’t biting! Who are you to tell me how to do my job?”

And he didn’t hesitate. When Jesus told him to launch the boat, he didn’t say, “Why don’t we think about this for a minute? Let’s form a committee and vote on it” or “We’re pretty dirty and tired here, Lord. How about we try again this afternoon?”

What did Peter do? He responded to Jesus with unquestioning obedience.

God has tells me to do things: Disobedience always hurts me because I miss out on God’s blessing in my life.

But when I say, “God, I don’t understand it all, but I choose to obey you no matter what,” I'll experience a life of purpose and peace. His instructions don’t have to make sense to me; I just need to follow them—trusting him in faith.

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

I can trust God because he always has my best interest in mind, even if I can’t see it right away.

In summary:

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to fully trust in God, not relying on my own limited understanding, but submitting to Him in every area of life. This kind of trust often requires obedience even when it doesn’t make sense—just like Peter in Luke 5, who, despite exhaustion and doubt, obeyed Jesus’ unexpected instruction to fish again and witnessed a miracle. God calls me to follow Him with faith, not logic, because His ways are higher than mine. When I choose obedience over understanding, I open myself to His guidance, peace, and blessing—trusting that He always has my best in mind.

Bottom Line:

Even when it doesn’t make sense, obedience to God leads to blessing—trust Him fully, surrender my understanding, and follow His lead.

When Effort Isn’t Enough: Trusting Jesus for the Breakthrough

“When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

In Luke 5, we read about Simon Peter admitting his failure to Jesus. He was a professional fisherman—and a good one. It was how he made his living. So imagine how hard it must have been for Peter to confess to Jesus, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5 NIV).

But sometimes, even the pros fish all night and catch nothing.

Sometimes I feel that way. Sometimes my best isn’t good enough, and sometimes I face situations out of my control. I can’t control the economy. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control a lot of things that affect my life.

So what should I do when I keep trying hard in my work but just don’t have much to show for it?

First, I need to get Jesus in my boat. In other words, let him be the center of my career or whatever I do each day to provide, care, or serve. Then, once I've asked Jesus to come into my boat, I need to admit my way isn’t working and let him take over. The Bible has a name for “admitting your way isn’t working.” It’s called confession, and it can be tough.

Why is it so hard for me to admit my way isn’t working? 

Here are a few reasons:

Pride. I don’t want anybody to think I can’t handle it. Instead, I try to look like I'm in charge and like I've got it all together. I want to be able to handle everything by myself, even if it means working 12 hours a day.

Stubbornness. I'm unwilling to change the way I do things. The greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is yesterday’s success?

Fear. I can’t admit I've fished all night and caught nothing. I'm afraid people will think less of me. I'm afraid to let Jesus into my boat because he might steer it in a direction I don’t want to go.

It’s time to confess that my way isn’t working. Let go of my pride, stubbornness, and fear. See how Jesus can take my boat and fill my nets to overflowing.

In summary:

In Luke 5:4-5, Simon Peter, a skilled fisherman, humbly admits his failure after a long, unproductive night of fishing—but still obeys Jesus' instruction to try again. This story illustrates how, despite our best efforts and expertise, I sometimes come up empty due to circumstances beyond my control. When that happens, the key is to invite Jesus into the center of my work and life, confess that my way isn't working, and let Him lead. Confession requires letting go of pride, stubbornness, and fear—barriers that keep me from trusting God fully. Only then can He guide me to abundance beyond my efforts.

Bottom Line:

When my own efforts fall short, learn to invite Jesus into the center of life, surrender control, and trust His direction—He can do more with my obedience than I can with my expertise.

Short-Term Thinking, Long-Term Loss

“His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” Mark 8:16-17 (NCV)

When I focus on the wrong things, I miss what God is doing in my life.

When my attention is only on the here and now, I miss God’s long-term plan. When I just think about comfort, I miss out on character. When I concentrate on happiness, I forget holiness. When I just want to enjoy the moment, I may not prepare for eternity.

When my thinking is short-term, I miss seeing the spiritual work God is doing all around me.

This is what happened to the disciples in Mark 8. The Bible says, “Then Jesus left the Pharisees and went in the boat to the other side of the lake. His followers had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat; they had forgotten to bring more. Jesus warned them, ‘Be careful! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod’” (Mark 8:13-15 NCV).

But the disciples missed the point: “His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” (Mark 8:16-17 NCV).

Using yeast as a metaphor, Jesus was trying to teach his disciples a lesson about pride. When you put yeast in dough, the yeast puffs up the dough. It only takes a small amount for this to happen.

Pride in people is similar. Just a little pride can puff me up and quickly take over my life, getting me in all kinds of trouble. But the disciples didn’t understand the deeper meaning—they thought he was talking about lunch!

While Jesus was talking about the need for maturity, his disciples were talking about their next meal. That’s short-term thinking.

Whenever I think short-term, I can’t see the larger picture of what God is doing in my life. So ask God today to give me a glimpse into eternity and to help me experience the hope that comes from seeing his long-term plan.

In summary:

When I focus only on immediate needs or concerns, like the disciples worrying about having no bread, I can easily miss the deeper spiritual lessons God is trying to teach me. In Mark 8, Jesus uses the metaphor of yeast to warn about the destructive nature of pride, but his followers misunderstand, showing how short-term thinking blinds us to God’s greater plan. Like them, when I prioritize comfort, happiness, or the moment, I risk losing sight of character development, holiness, and eternal purpose. To truly grow, I must ask God to shift my perspective from temporary concerns to his long-term, eternal work in my life.

Bottom line:

Don’t allow short-term thinking blind me to God’s deeper work—I need to shift my focus from the temporary to the eternal so I can grow in faith and maturity.