Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
Men are often socialized to suppress emotions, leading to a rise in loneliness and disconnection from others. By recognizing the importance of community and friendships, men can learn how to create meaningful relationships that bring life and joy, as highlighted in author Jefferson Bethke's book "Fighting Shadows".
Jennifer Dukes Lee shares her personal struggle with indecision and how she learned to trust God's will, using the story of Ananias and Saul from Acts 9 as a powerful example of obedience and faith. By surrendering to God's guidance and praying "Your will, Your way," believers can find peace and direction in life's uncertain moments.
Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal journey of learning to let go of control and trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that trying to control the uncontrollable leads to chaos, while surrendering to God brings peace. By acknowledging what she can and cannot control, and practicing surrender through prayer and worship, Lysa encourages readers to release their fears and replace them with a peaceful trust in God.
As a Christian leader, Gretchen Saffles shares how Jesus handled distractions and interruptions, reminding us that they can be opportunities to live out the Word and follow in His footsteps. By embracing these interruptions with patience, grace, and purpose, we can cultivate a spirit of joy and trust in God's goodness.
Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal struggle with loss and grief after the sudden passing of a dear friend, grappling with questions of why God would allow such pain. Through her own journey of faith and reflection on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, she finds hope in the enduring love of God and encourages readers to trust Him even in the midst of uncertainty.
As loneliness continues to affect millions, author Becky Harling shares her personal journey of rediscovering the joy of deep connection through offering hospitality in her home, and invites readers to do the same with practical ideas for welcoming others into their lives. By embracing a spirit of welcome and community, we can foster deeper relationships and ease our own feelings of loneliness.
When life's plans go awry, it's easy to lose confidence in God's dependability; however, His character remains unchanged, and He will establish your plans if you commit to Him. By surrendering your activities and intentions to the Lord, you can find freedom to trust that God has a right turn planned for you, even when your schedule is altered from what you anticipated.
Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal experience of rejection and betrayal, revealing what makes these painful experiences so devastating and how she has come to understand the power of grace in healing and moving forward. With a deep dive into her own heart and the Bible, Lysa offers hope and encouragement for those struggling with trust issues and broken relationships.
The concept of Sabbath has been misunderstood in modern times, with many focusing on ceasing work rather than honoring God's reign and trustworthiness. By reorienting ourselves towards God and reflecting on His character, we can find a rest that grounds us in the midst of life's daily crises.
Meghan Ryan Asbury invites readers to reframe their understanding of life's journey, encouraging them to focus on their own unique pace and not compare themselves to others. By letting go of the need to keep up with others and instead focusing on God's plan for each individual, readers can find freedom and purpose in their own "race."