Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
Celebrating life's moments, big and small, is a powerful way to experience joy and remember God's goodness in our daily lives. By choosing to celebrate, we can shift our focus from what's lacking to the abundance of blessings already present, and invite others to do the same, as encouraged by Psalm 27:13.
Dr. Avril Occilien-Similien invites readers to discover the secret place where they can meet God, a space of intimacy, transformation, and renewal, and encourages them to prioritize their relationship with Him above all else. By creating a quiet space for God's presence in daily life, individuals can abide under His shadow, protected, strengthened, and reminded that they are never alone.
Worry can creep in, whispering that we must manage every aspect of life, but God invites us to release our burdens and trust Him with all our heart. By casting our anxieties on Him, we can find rest in His sovereignty and strength, and learn to surrender our worries to a loving Father who cares deeply for us.
Crystal Paine shares a personal reflection on aging, encouraging readers to reframe their perception of wrinkles and gray hair as signs of growth, maturity, and God's faithfulness. By exploring the biblical promise that "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever," Paine invites readers to rest in God's love and trust in His goodness, even as they navigate life's challenges.
When anxiety and uncertainty grip your heart, prayer can be a powerful lifeline - but what if you don't know where to start? In this poignant devotional, Alicia Bruxvoort shares her personal journey of learning to pray without words, and how embracing the simplicity of an earnest cry can lead to a deeper connection with Jesus.
Feeling impatient with yourself today? A recent personal struggle with impatience has led to a profound realization that embracing our growth journeys, rather than trying to skip over them, can invite our hearts to open and lead to true transformation. By consenting to be where we really are, we become who God created us to be, and find healing in the slow work of God in our lives.
Kia Stephens shares a personal story of how her relationship with her father, who struggled with addiction, was transformed through their conversations about Sunday dinner, illustrating God's ability to do new things in our lives. Through her own journey and biblical references, Kia highlights the power of forgiveness, new beginnings, and God's love, encouraging readers to trust in His ability to bring change and renewal.
Lysa TerKeurst shares a personal and powerful story of how she learned to "go near" individuals who are different from herself, gaining understanding and earning the right to share her faith with them. Through her own journey and biblical teachings, TerKeurst encourages readers to break out of their comfort zones and lovingly share the good news about Jesus with those they may have previously avoided.
Margaret Feinberg shares a personal story of how her husband's recurring dreams, which she initially thought were just nightmares, actually became prayer prompts that led her to confront her own struggles with health and loneliness, ultimately prompting her to seek healing and deeper connection with God. By exploring the role of ordinary dreams in spiritual growth and intimacy with the Holy Spirit, Feinberg invites readers to bring their dreams to God as conversation starters, fostering self-awareness and vulnerability in their relationship with Him.
God is not mad when we wrestle to do His will, as evidenced by the stories of Jesus and Esther, who both struggled with obedience before ultimately surrendering to God's prompting. By embracing our own wrestling matches with God, we can learn to trust Him, let go of control, and experience His peace, just like Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane.