Tag: faith

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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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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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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When It’s Not Okay to Be “Okay”

We all have days when we are not okay. Yet, when someone asks how we’re doing, our automatic response is often, “I’m fine.” Inside, however, we may feel like we’re about to fall apart—on the verge of a breakdown, wanting to scream, run away, or even disappear.

As people—and especially as Christians—we often feel pressure to always appear okay. We may quote a Bible verse instead of admitting our true feelings, believing that honesty about our struggles is a sign of weakness or lack of faith. Because of this, we keep things bottled up, suffocating under the weight of our emotions rather than saying, “I’m exhausted. I’m stressed. I’m overwhelmed. I’m struggling.”

But hiding how we feel does us a disservice. When we open up, we give others the chance to pray for us, support us, and simply empathize with our pain.

The truth is, being vulnerable is not weakness—it’s human. God knows we will face moments when we feel this way. That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We are not alone in our struggles. Others have felt the same way, and more importantly, God invites us to bring Him our burdens. When we do, He gives us rest, compassion, and understanding.

There is no judgment in admitting we’re not okay. The danger lies in staying there. Scripture reminds us in Psalms 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” That morning may take longer to arrive for some than for others, but with God’s help, it will come.

Being “not okay” can even be a signal to pause and evaluate where we may be unbalanced in life:

  • Am I focusing on my circumstances instead of what God says about them?
  • Am I truly resting—not just sleeping, but making time to be still and quiet?
  • Am I letting stress or people control my peace?
  • Am I trying to fix everything myself instead of trusting God’s timing?
  • Am I speaking life, or am I feeding negativity with my words?
  • Am I learning from my situation, or only focusing on the problem?
  • Am I caring for my body—through healthy eating, exercise, and proper rest?

We know ourselves better than anyone—except God. And sometimes, admitting that we’re not okay is the first step toward healing, balance, and restoration.

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“Be Still: God’s Invitation to Rest”

Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 30:15; Exodus 14:14; Hebrews 13:5

The Sign in the Store That Stopped Me

I was out shopping the other day, moving quickly through the aisles, when a picture caught my eye: “Be still and know that I am God.” I walked past it—but couldn’t shake it. It felt like the Holy Spirit whispering, You’re going to need this reminder. Often. So I turned around and bought it.

That simple sign exposed something deep in me. I started remembering all the times I did not obey God’s invitation to be still. Instead, I pushed, strategized, worried, lost sleep, and tried to fix things in my own strength. And when my effort didn’t work, I just worried harder—sometimes even after praying, and sometimes without praying at all. No surprise: I wore myself out.

When Prayer Turns Into Panic

Have you ever prayed and then, when nothing changed right away, assumed God was taking too long—or maybe not going to answer at all? We shift from prayer to anxiety, from anxiety to frustration, and sometimes even into anger. In that swirl, we forget God’s promises and start imagining worst‑case outcomes instead of God’s best.

Scripture reminds us: God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). While we are “waiting on God,” it’s often true that God is waiting on us—to trust Him, to slow down, to stop trying to muscle through what only He can do. Our part is to bring what we can do, and then release what we cannot to the One who sees the whole picture.

Why Stillness Matters

I’m not saying being still is easy. It isn’t. Everything in our culture rewards hustling, fixing, managing, controlling. But striving without surrender rarely speeds things up; more often, it slows what God is forming in us. Stillness is not passivity—it’s active trust.

God is sovereign. He sees what we cannot. Whatever the situation is—He’s got it. Our rest is found in remembering who is in control.

“In quietness and trust shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

We may feel like quietness can’t help us, but anxiety and worry certainly don’t.

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

What Does It Mean to “Be Still”?

Being still is more than sitting in silence. It’s a posture: heart surrendered, mind anchored, spirit attentive. Here are some practical ways to practice it.

1. Pause & Breathe Prayer

When worry spikes, stop and take a slow breath. Pray, “Lord, I know You are God. I place this (name it) in Your hands.”

2. Anchor in Scripture

Keep verses where you’ll see them—mirrors, phone lock screen, dashboard, that new wall art you felt led to buy. Let God’s Word interrupt anxious thoughts.

  • Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
  • Isaiah 30:15 – “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.”
  • Exodus 14:14 – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.”
  • Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

3. Do What You Can—Release What You Can’t

Make two columns: My Part and God’s Part. Act faithfully on what is yours; pray and release what is His. Revisit the list when anxiety returns.

4. Schedule Stillness

Set aside a daily or weekly time to be with God: read, pray, journal, sit in silence, listen. Consistency trains your heart to settle more quickly when storms come.

5. Ask for Help

Stillness grows in community. Ask a friend to pray with you, check in, or remind you of God’s promises when you start to spiral.

When Life Hurts

Whatever you’re facing—sickness, loss, financial struggle, work pressures, family stress—God invites you to stillness in Him. Stillness does not deny the reality of pain; it anchors us in the greater reality of God’s presence and power.

So today, if you feel overwhelmed, remember that sign in the store—and the God who prompted me to turn around. He’s saying the same to you: Be still. Let Me be God.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, You are God and I am not. I lay down my need to fix what I cannot fix. Teach me to be still, to trust Your timing, and to rest in Your presence. Fight for me where I cannot fight for myself. Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me. Amen.

What helps you stay still when life feels out of control? I’d love to hear your practices and verses in the comments.

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Honoring Fathers – A Father’s Day Reflection

Happy Father’s Day

Proverbs 20:7
“The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”

Today, we thank God for all the fathers who have shown up for their children—regardless of the circumstances.

To the fathers who have been present—whether married or not—thank you.
To the fathers who take responsibility, who raise their children with love, strength, and presence—thank you.
To the fathers who lead by example—showing their sons how to be men of honor, how to treat women with respect, and showing their daughters what to look for in a good man—thank you.

To the fathers who stepped into the lives of children who weren’t biologically theirs—stepfathers, mentors, teachers, coaches, pastors—your impact is immeasurable.
To the fathers breaking generational cycles of absence, rewriting the legacy for their families—thank you.
To the fathers who do what needs to be done without placing blame, even when it means raising their children alone—thank you.
To the single fathers grieving the loss of their children’s mother—our hearts are with you.

Thank God for you all. You are seen. You are appreciated. You are vital.

Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

We also pray for the fathers who were absent.

To the fathers who placed blame instead of taking responsibility—there’s still room for reflection and change.
To those who walked away because the woman they conceived with wasn’t who they imagined as the mother of their child—your child still needed you.
To the fathers who accused the mother of trapping them, not realizing they made that choice too—we pray for your awakening.
To the fathers who avoided child support or mistook financial responsibility as optional—we pray you come to understand the weight and worth of your role. To the fathers wounded by trauma, unsure how to be present—we pray you find healing.

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Belief vs. Unbelief: The Impact on Our Lives

They say that seeing is believing, or I’ll believe it when I see it, but with God believing is seeing (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen) so the question is what do we truly believe? Do we only believe when our prayers are answered in the way and time frame that we want? Or are we trusting God to be God and answer them in the way that is best for us.

I wonder how much of our beliefs shape and form the trajectory of our lives? We can say we believe in many things, but our words and actions can tell an entirely different story, I wonder how much of what we do, or do not believe, leads us to try to solve and handle our own problems instead of relying on God?  How much of what we do believe causes us to believe other people over God. Or our circumstances over God.

If we truly believe in something but we don’t act accordingly, as if we do believe, by speaking what we believe in, not worrying and instead resorting to complaining starting to fear and becoming impatient, when something we’re believing for doesn’t happen on our timeline, then are we truly believing?

 For some it may be believing in things in the world to change or be different or finding that wife or husband or our soulmate, or healing or starting a business, or becoming financially stable, but no matter what we’re believing for do we really believe, if we don’t believe enough to wait for it?

Do we continue to believe when things are getting worse instead of better? Or when it looks like it’s not going to happen? Do we continue to believe when the healing is not happening fast enough, or when we’ve lost a loved one? Do we continue to believe God is still a good God in those type of circumstances? Do we believe or tend to question everything? Do we believe when things are difficult and it seems like everything is going wrong, or do we believe that things should not have happened in a certain way? Or should not have happened to us at all.

Often times we question the unfairness in the things that we go through, taking us further into unbelief, and sometimes causing us to give up or to believe that things will truly work out for our good.

What we fail to understand, is our unbelief is what causes our prayers to sometimes be stalled, we say we believe but act and talk in a way that says we truly don’t. (Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those that earnestly seek him)

So, while we’re waiting on God, he’s waiting on us to get in line with the word of God. There often may be times in our lives when things do not make sense and seem so unfair, and we may need to go through the process of questioning God as to why something may have happened the way it did, and asking God to help us through it, but even in those times we must get back to our belief in God, believing that God is always a good God, even when we don’t understand.

So in the best as well as the worst of times believe God, believe that he is a God that does not lie (Numbers 23.19) believe that he answers our prayers not always in the way that we want but in the ways that are best for us, believe that he will help us through even in times when we are having trouble believing, Believe that God is the same yesterday today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

There may come a time in all of our lives when we stop believing, just one of the times for me, was when my mother died early on in life, I could not understand or believe that a God that loved me could let my mother die, and it took me a while to believe that God is still good even when we can’t make sense of things that we don’t understand. For some of you it may be losing a loved one, it may be and illness, it may be a financial problem or a disaster that has happened, but whatever it is, we can still believe that God is good.

Just remember that believing is seeing, not the other way around.

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