Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
When life is out of control, our reflex is to grasp for control, but realizing we are not in control can lead to a deeper intimacy with God. In their new book "Beyond Our Control," Lauren and Michael McAfee offer direction and inspiration on how to trust God in times of uncertainty and discover peace beyond our circumstances.
Dr. Anita Phillips challenges the conventional wisdom that emotions are our enemy, instead arguing that they are a gift from God and a key to experiencing spiritual power. By exploring biblical examples of Jesus' emotional expression and its supernatural consequences, Phillips invites readers to end their internal war with their emotions and cultivate a deeper connection with Christ.
When prayer seems complicated or uncertain, Jesus reminds us that we can come to God with childlike faith and trust that our words are enough. By understanding who God is and who we are as His children, we can deepen our prayer life and experience the peace and friendship He offers.
Lysa TerKeurst shares a powerful message about choosing compassion and kindness in the face of pain, encouraging readers to redefine their legacy beyond current struggles. By embracing God's goodness and letting it transform them into people of compassion, readers can change the narrative of their story and make a lasting impact on those around them.
Karen Ehman shares a personal story of emotional overload and her search for peace, only to discover that true peace comes from Jesus, not from the world's promises of tranquility. She invites readers to take their troubles to Jesus, who alone can provide serenity for their souls, offering a "peace that surpasses all human understanding."
As the chaos of Christmas Day subsides, Sarah Freymuth invites readers to slow down and ponder the true meaning of the season, reflecting on the quiet moments of reverence and wonder that can be found in the stillness of a holy night. By embracing faith, trust, and slowness, we can rediscover the gift of Jesus, who is God with us, and find peace in His presence.
As Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth, a mother reflects on her own struggles with feeling unsteady and overwhelmed, finding comfort in the promise of God's presence and strength through His Word and the life of Immanuel, God with us. Through personal experience and biblical wisdom, Alice Matagora invites readers to discover the joy of engaged discipleship and the steadying Spirit of God that can lead them to a deeper relationship with Christ.
As Christmas approaches, many of us struggle with food anxiety and body insecurities, distracting us from our true purpose. By embracing the biblical perspective that our bodies are vessels for God to use for holy things, we can shift our focus away from self-doubt and towards serving others and honoring God.
A 45-foot-long mural in an alleyway, once vibrant and alive, has faded with age, prompting the author to reflect on the impermanence of things and the hope found in God's promise to make all things new. In a powerful exploration of faith and resilience, Stacy J. Lowe shares her personal journey of finding comfort in the uncertainty of empty spaces and trusting in God's plan for the future.
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole invites readers to reconsider their relationship with darkness, arguing that spiritual nights are not only normal but essential for growth and deepening faith. By exploring the biblical concept of "night-faith" and its connection to trust, healing, and love, Chole offers a practical guide through spiritual pain and encourages readers to embrace the darkness as an opportunity to discover God's presence and guidance.