Author: normascott21

Hi, My name is Norma, welcome to my page There are times in life when we go through things that we don't feel like we can share with anyone, maybe because of fear of being misunderstood, or weak or just not supported, so I started this blog to introduce how even as I child, my love of writing, and putting pen to paper has helped me throughout the years, to process thoughts, to put things into perspective, to heal, to release, to vent and to cope while creating a space for change. Although this may not be for everyone, I believe that God has given us all gifts and talents, even if we don't always realize what they are or how to use them. So my hope is that it will help someone as it has helped me, as they go through all the difficulties and challenges that life can bring to tear us down and question our very being. Happy Writing

Hitting Below the Belt

There are times in life when we are hurt so deeply that our first reaction is to hit below the belt.

We want to say or do the very thing we believe will cause the other person the greatest amount of pain. In those moments, we may convince ourselves that we are simply giving them a taste of what they have done to us. Sometimes, we even feel that getting the upper hand will somehow satisfy the hurt inside of us.

But what we often fail to remember is that God can fight for us far better than we ever could.

The Bible says:

“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
— Romans 12:19

We also find this same truth in Deuteronomy 32:35.

When we choose to handle situations out of anger and retaliation, we don’t solve the problem—we often make it worse. We can allow one offense to become another offense, and before we know it, the very hurt we were trying to escape has multiplied.

But there is power in being still.

“Be still and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

Sometimes our greatest weapon is not what we say or do. Sometimes it is our willingness to stand still and let God be God.

Let God Fight the Battle

Speaking the Word of God over our circumstances and trusting Him to handle things in His way can be one of the hardest things we are called to do.

It is much easier said than done.

When someone hurts us, our flesh wants justice immediately. We want an apology. We want them to understand how badly they hurt us. We want them to feel what we felt.

But God calls us to something different.

First Samuel 15:22 reminds us that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Our obedience to God may require us to remain silent when we want to speak, forgive when we want to hold a grudge, and walk away when everything inside of us wants to retaliate.

That kind of obedience is not weakness.

It is strength under God’s control.

Bless Them Instead of Cursing Them

The Bible often doesn’t make sense according to our human way of thinking.

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:28 to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us. Romans 12:14 gives us a similar instruction: “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

But how do we accomplish that when someone has hurt us?

We can’t always do it with our own strength.

It takes God’s help.

It takes remembering His promises. It takes remembering that we don’t have to fight every battle ourselves. There are battles that belong to God, and our responsibility is to trust Him enough to obey His Word.

When we surrender the situation to God, we give Him room to move in ways we could never accomplish through anger or retaliation.

We may not understand how He will do it.

We simply must trust that He can.

You Will Reap What You Sow

I can remember a time when I was faced with a situation where I wanted to hate the person who had hurt and offended me. I wanted to do whatever I could to get back at them.

I wanted them to hurt the way I had hurt.

But then I remembered the Word of God.

We reap what we sow.

That truth applies not only to the person who caused the offense, but also to the person who chooses to retaliate.

Sometimes, in our desire to get even, we can end up planting seeds that we never intended to grow.

Our obedience in certain situations can be a matter of life and death—not necessarily in the physical sense, but in the sense of what we allow to live or die within us.

Will we allow anger to live?

Will we allow bitterness to take root?

Will we allow unforgiveness to control us?

Or will we surrender those things to God?

Stillness, Forgiveness, and Obedience

Stillness, forgiveness, and obedience are powerful weapons when we are offended, betrayed, or attacked.

Of course, our first reaction may be to strike back.

That’s human.

But before we react, we can pause long enough to consider the consequences of our response.

We can ask ourselves:

Will this response bring healing, or will it create another wound?

Am I responding from God’s Word or from my pain?

Am I trying to fight a battle that I need to place in God’s hands?

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that we have been hurt. There is nothing wrong with setting healthy boundaries or removing ourselves from harmful situations.

But there is a difference between protecting our peace and seeking revenge.

God never asked us to become the instrument of someone else’s punishment.

He asks us to trust Him.

When we choose forgiveness over revenge, stillness over anger, and obedience over retaliation, we are saying, “God, I trust You with this.”

And sometimes trusting God means refusing to hit back—even when we know exactly where to aim.

So, the next time you are hurt to the point that you want to hit below the belt, stop.

Take a breath.

Pray.

Remember the Word.

Remember who God is.

And remember that you don’t have to fight every battle yourself.

Stand on God’s Word. Trust His promises. Let Him fight for you.

Because sometimes the greatest victory isn’t getting even.

Sometimes the greatest victory is having the strength to walk away from retaliation and choose obedience instead

Don’t hit below the belt.
Let God handle the battle.

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Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

What if the very thing you’re rejecting holds the insight you need?

We’ve all been there caught in a disagreement, emotions rising, walls going up. And in those moments, it’s easier to shut everything down than to sort through what’s being said. Instead of listening, we dismiss it all.

Sometimes, we truly don’t agree with anything the other person is saying. But other times, there are pieces of truth buried within their words things worth holding onto. The challenge is that we often become so closed off, we don’t even pause long enough to recognize them.

I see this happen often, especially when it comes to religion. There may be beliefs we strongly disagree with, and instead of separating what resonates from what doesn’t, we reject it all. Over time, I’ve learned the value of simply agreeing to disagree and moving on while still keeping an open mind. That openness creates space to learn something new, or at the very least, to better understand how someone arrived at their beliefs.

Many times, a person’s perspective is shaped by their life experiences, and those experiences deeply influence what they believe. In Christianity, the Bible serves as a foundation. But beyond that, a personal relationship with God gives deeper meaning to those beliefs. When you’ve experienced God for yourself, your faith becomes personal and rooted. It’s no longer just about what you’ve been told or even what you’ve read, it’s about what you know through experience.

Those personal encounters shape how we see God and how we see ourselves. They ground our faith in a way that can’t easily be shaken.

At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge that people can interpret the Bible in ways that suit their own perspectives—and sometimes even misunderstand it entirely. There are things we won’t always understand, and pride can keep us from admitting that (Proverbs 16:18). In those moments, we’re called to lean not on our own understanding, but to seek God for clarity.

Even when there isn’t a direct answer in front of us, we can turn to His Word for guidance and ask Him to reveal what we don’t yet understand.

We serve a merciful, all-knowing God one we can come to at any time (Hebrews 4:13). A God who does not fail. A God we can trust, even when life doesn’t make sense (Proverbs 3:5–6). And through that trust, we come to a deeper confidence in what we believe and why we believe it.

As we grow in that truth, we’re also called to walk in humility (Matthew 23:12).

So, in the midst of disagreements, conversations, and differing beliefs stay open, stay humble, and remember:

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

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Integrity in Action

I’ve always considered myself a person who values integrity. I truly admire people who live with it. There is something powerful about a person who does what they say and says what they mean. When you meet someone like that, it feels different. It stands out.

Integrity shows up in the person who stands on their word. The person you can depend on. The one who follows through and does what they said they would do. It’s the person who chooses to do what’s right, even when it feels uncomfortable, even when it hurts.

A person with integrity practices what they preach. They hold themselves to a higher standard, even when life applies pressure. Challenges come, stress happens, and difficult situations arise, but they still choose to move with honesty, character, and accountability.

Often, people who walk in integrity have gone through a lot themselves. They’ve experienced pain, disappointment, jealousy, and even people with bad intentions. Yet instead of becoming bitter, they choose to grow. They choose to become better. They choose to be different even when others are not.

Integrity is also the ability to walk away from things that no longer serve you while still wishing others well. It’s praying for someone without judging them. It’s understanding that not everything is personal and recognizing that people may be fighting battles you know nothing about.

People who walk in integrity understand that healing is a process. Everyone’s journey looks different, and everyone’s timing is different. They offer grace where others might offer criticism.

They build people up rather than tear them down. They speak truth, but they speak it with love. Even when someone’s actions don’t reflect their potential, they still choose to see the good in them.

A person living with integrity understands the principle of reaping and sowing. They know that what you put out into the world eventually comes back. Even when life doesn’t go according to plan, they trust that everything is still working together for good and that God remains in control.

Integrity also means being mindful of the words you speak over your life. Speaking life, hope, and purpose—and then walking those words out daily.

True integrity requires humility. It means understanding that life is always evolving and that growth never stops. The person who walks in integrity knows they are still learning, still growing, and still becoming.

And that journey—choosing character, truth, and growth—is integrity in action.

Closing Reflection

At the end of the day, integrity is not something we simply talk about—it’s something we live. It shows up in our everyday choices, in the quiet moments when no one is watching, and in the difficult moments when doing the right thing isn’t easy. It’s a commitment to remain true to your values, your faith, and your character no matter what life brings your way. When we choose integrity, we not only shape the direction of our own lives, but we also influence the lives of those around us. So the question becomes: Who are you choosing to be when it matters most? Because in the end, integrity isn’t proven by words—it’s revealed through the life we consistently choose to live. ✨

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Living Out Our Pain

A Devotional Reflection

There are moments when we react to something small… and later realize it wasn’t so small after all.

Maybe someone’s words felt sharper than they intended.
Maybe you felt overlooked, rejected, or misunderstood.
Maybe jealousy, insecurity, or defensiveness rose up before you could stop it.

Often, what we are reacting to in the present is connected to something unresolved in our past.

Pain has a way of following us when it hasn’t been healed. It quietly influences our relationships, our confidence, our decision-making, and even how we interpret other people’s intentions. Without realizing it, we can begin living out old wounds in real time.

Think about the experiences that shaped you.

Was it harsh words that replay in your mind like a broken record?
Was it bullying or rejection that made you question your worth?
Was it betrayal, abandonment, divorce, or infidelity that left you feeling like you were not enough?
Was it growing up in instability, addiction, or emotional neglect?

These moments leave impressions. And unless we confront them, they can grow into patterns—fear, anger, unforgiveness, comparison, jealousy, and insecurity.

But here is the hope: what wounded you does not have to rule you.

Scripture gently reminds us:

Isaiah 43:18–19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

God is not dismissing your pain. He is inviting you forward.

Philippians 3:13–14
“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…”

Healing requires intention. It requires humility—the willingness to say, “Maybe my reaction is coming from somewhere deeper.” It requires surrendering courage to release bitterness, comparison, and the belief that we are somehow not enough.

Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Notice that He doesn’t shame the brokenhearted. He heals them.

We cannot change what happened to us. But we can decide whether we will continue to let it shape how we love, how we trust, and how we see ourselves.

When we choose to examine our wounds instead of ignoring them, cycles begin to break. Compassion grows. Reactions soften. Freedom begins.

Our past may explain us—but it does not have to define us.

The question is: Will we allow God to heal what we’ve been unconsciously living out?

Reflection Questions

  • What situations tend to trigger strong emotional reactions in me?
  • Can I trace those reactions back to a specific experience or season?
  • Is there unforgiveness, insecurity, or fear I need to surrender?
  • What would it look like to respond from healing instead of hurt?

A Prayer

Lord,
You see the places in my heart that still ache. You know the words that wounded me, the moments that shaped me, and the memories I still carry. Help me to recognize when I am reacting from old pain instead of present truth. Give me the courage to confront what I’ve avoided and the strength to release what I’ve held onto. Heal what is broken in me. Break cycles that no longer serve Your purpose in my life. Teach me to live from wholeness, not from hurt.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Work In Progress

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the work we all need to do on ourselves.

So often, we focus on what someone else needs to change. And while it’s true that others may have their own growth to do, we sometimes overlook a powerful truth: real change often begins within us.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we are fully responsible for how we respond. We are responsible for our healing, our triggers, our growth, and our transformation.

The truth is, we are all a work in progress — and that progress doesn’t end. It is a lifelong journey. As it says in Epistle to the Philippians 1:6, God, who began a good work in us, is faithful to complete it. From moment to moment, He is shaping us — refining, stretching, pruning, and growing us. Teaching us to forgive. To show compassion. To walk in humility. To become better so we can do better.

The work always begins when we look in the mirror.

When we honestly examine ourselves — our reactions, our patterns, our wounds — we begin to see what needs to change. And often, the changes we make within ourselves shift our entire situation. They can change our relationships, our environment, or at the very least, our perspective. And what we cannot change on our own, God can work through us to transform.

We often ask, “When will things change?”
But things begin to change when we change.

Growth is not easy. It requires digging deep. It means confronting uncomfortable emotions. It means acknowledging past pain and recognizing the triggers we carry. It means admitting that we may need to think differently, respond differently, or even seek help. Sometimes that help comes through prayer and surrender. Sometimes it comes through therapy and intentional reflection. Often, it’s both.

Interestingly, the red flags we notice in others can become mirrors. When we see someone avoiding their inner work, it can prompt us to ask: Am I doing mine?

Self-work is not about blame. It’s about responsibility. It’s about recognizing not only what we are carrying internally, but also how it affects the people around us.

Instead of constantly looking outward, let’s start inward.

This doesn’t mean others don’t need to change. It simply means we take ownership of our part. And sometimes, when we do our work faithfully and consistently, it inspires others to begin theirs.

We are all a work in progress.
And that’s not a weakness — it’s grace in motion.

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Expectation: Speaking Faith, Growth, and Purpose into the New Year

As I sit and reflect on my expectations for this year and for life in general, I’m reminded of how powerful our expectations truly are. After all, we often receive what we expect — whether good or bad. It may sound too simple to be true, but God confirms it: “You will have what you say” (Mark 11:23).

With that truth in mind, I’m choosing to expect 2026 to be the best year of my life so far.

I’m expecting happiness, joy, and peace like I’ve never experienced before. I expect to be in the right place at the right time, to be healthier than ever, and to walk in obedience so God’s blessings will pursue and overtake me (Deuteronomy 28:2). I’m expecting to grow sharper, wiser, and better every single day.

I expect to meet like-minded people who empower me, challenge me, and help me grow. I’m expecting increased provision beyond what I can imagine. I’m trusting that angels will continue to watch over me and my family in all our coming and going (Psalm 91:11). I’m expecting better communication, deeper understanding, and continual healing from past and present hurts. I expect to both give and receive forgiveness freely, to deepen my relationship with God, and to fulfill His purpose for my life.

I’m expecting to remain grounded no matter the circumstances — to keep perspective, to move forward without looking back, to focus on what I desire rather than what I fear, and to release what I cannot control. I choose to surrender the rest to God and to speak life over my life (Proverbs 18:21).

I’m expecting to be still and allow God to fight the battles I cannot (Exodus 14:14), to receive beauty for ashes and double for every trouble (Isaiah 61:3). Above all, I hold fast to the truth that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

My expectations are anchored in faith, guided by gratitude, and strengthened by trust. I step into this year believing that what I speak, nurture, and walk in alignment with will continue to unfold.

Your expectations matter. Align them with truth, intention, and purpose.

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Choose Wisely, Know Your Worth — and Add Tax

Choosing yourself is an act of wisdom. It protects you from being taken advantage of, taken for granted, or mistreated. It keeps your mind clear when actions don’t align with words and helps you recognize when something simply isn’t right.

Knowing your worth means refusing manipulation, gaslighting, and the quiet confusion that leads us to blame ourselves for the behavior of others. It means not allowing feelings of inferiority—feeling like you’re not enough or that you’re too much. At the same time, it’s not about believing you’re better than anyone else. It’s about standing firmly in who you are and refusing to let anyone or anything convince you otherwise.

When you’re doing the work and you truly know your worth, you stop settling for less than you deserve. You understand that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission, as Eleanor Roosevelt so wisely said. And when someone wants access to your time, energy, or peace, you add tax—because your value comes with a cost.

Setting boundaries, walking away when necessary, forgiving, and choosing happiness despite circumstances leads to a life of fulfillment and joy. It frees you from comparison, competition, grudges, unforgiveness, and hatred. Instead, you get to live as your true, authentic self—unapologetically.

As this New Year begins, I will continue to do the work. I will be thankful for every new day God blesses me with and learn from every test and trial that comes my way. I will continue to choose me—not out of selfishness, but out of necessity—so I can become my best self and be intentional about what I allow into my life.

Peace comes from choosing yourself. It gives you the clarity to choose what is right for you in every area of your life and opens the door for the right people to walk in—those who see your worth and are willing to pay the tax.

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Thankfulness

We’ve come once again to the season of Thanksgiving—a time for family gatherings, good food, laughter, fun, and love. For many, it’s a time to celebrate and reflect on the blessings we’ve received throughout the year.

Taking this time to pause and truly think about what we’re thankful for is meaningful. Yet often, the holiday becomes just another day to enjoy turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. We sometimes forget how many mornings we were blessed to wake up this year, how many breaths we were given, how many dangers we were spared. We made it home safely each day—whether driving, walking, or taking public transportation. We survived sickness, avoided accidents, overcame financial setbacks, kept a roof over our heads, and saw our children and families protected and provided for. All of it—every moment—was by grace and goodness.

But there are also those for whom this year didn’t go as smoothly. If things didn’t work out the way you hoped, as long as you are alive and have breath, there is still much to be thankful for. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still” (Exodus 14:14). This means don’t worry, don’t exhaust yourself trying to figure everything out, and don’t dwell on what went wrong. Even in the hardest moments, the battle is not yours alone.

People who are struggling often feel frustrated when told they should still be thankful. What they may not realize is that the person offering that encouragement likely had to go through something themselves. They learned to stand back up—sometimes many times—before they understood the truth of gratitude. So for those who recognize their blessings, and for those who are still searching for them, know this: God is with us and in control, no matter what things look like. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). He is always working behind the scenes, fighting battles we cannot see. “There is no searching His understanding” (Isaiah 40:28). His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always better—even when we don’t understand.

So in the meantime, we can continue to be thankful—not only at Thanksgiving but every day. Gratitude opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

Be thankful this Thanksgiving, and every day forward in the coming years.

Happy Thanksgiving

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The Gift of Correction

“The Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father delights in his child.” — Proverbs 3:12

Correction doesn’t always feel like a gift at first. In fact, it can sting, stir up defensiveness, or make us want to shut down. Recently, I found myself in a conversation where it was pointed out that I wasn’t seeing something clearly in my life. My initial reaction was to grow quiet, wrestling inside with whether there was truth to what I was hearing. Admitting it wasn’t easy. I wanted to defend myself, make excuses, or brush it off altogether. Yet as uncomfortable as it was, I knew deep down this was something I needed to receive, accept, and take responsibility for.

In my case, the correction was about setting boundaries. I had heard this message in different ways before but had not taken it seriously. This conversation served as confirmation that it was time to truly address it.

As I thought about it further, I realized how often I’ve seen others resist correction. Instead of pausing to consider whether there’s any truth to it, many respond with defensiveness, excuses, denial, or even anger. I’ve seen it in families, in friendships, and especially on social media—people so determined to be “right” that they reject correction altogether. Sometimes it’s treated as an offense, as though the very act of bringing something up is crossing a line. Rarely do we stop and ask ourselves if the correction is valid or being offered in love.

But what if we did? What if accepting correction could become the starting point of healing? Imagine relationships that could experience deeper communication, less confusion, and more honesty. Imagine the relief of no longer walking on eggshells to protect someone’s fragile ego and eliminate resentment. Acceptance has the power to free us from denial and open the door to growth.

Scripture reminds us: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:11–12)

Correction, when given in kindness, is not meant to wound us but to guide us. It may reveal blind spots we didn’t realize we had or confirm what we’ve long ignored. It isn’t always comfortable, but when we choose to receive it, correction becomes a gift—an opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation. Just as God corrects those He loves, we can embrace correction as a sign of love and care, a reminder that we are not left to stay the same but invited to become better.

Correction is God’s way of shaping us into who He created us to be.”

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The Ripple effect of kindness

Kindness is powerful, yet so often misunderstood. Sometimes we think it means letting people walk all over us, or that it’s weak to respond with grace when someone is rude. But the truth is, as God continually shows us grace, we are called to extend that same grace to others.

When I’m tempted to react harshly, I stop and ask myself: What might this person be going through? The driver who cuts me off, the cashier who snaps at me, or the customer service rep who sounds irritated—any of them could be carrying unseen burdens. They may be grieving, stressed about finances, facing illness, preparing for an important exam, enduring abuse, or silently battling depression. We rarely consider those possibilities in the heat of the moment because we’re too busy feeling offended.

But what if we shifted our perspective? Instead of reacting with anger, what if we prayed for them? What if we offered a smile, a kind word, or simply patience? That single act of kindness could be exactly what they need to feel seen, valued, and loved. Sometimes, it might even be life-saving.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:13:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

We are called to flavor the world with God’s love. As the saying goes, hurting people hurt people. But when we respond with compassion, we can break that cycle. Even if we don’t see the impact right away, we are planting seeds—seeds of hope, healing, and faith.

At the end of the day, kindness costs us nothing, but it can change everything for someone else.

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