God Is Your Only Hope

If life has broken you to realize that God is your only hope, life has done you a favor.

Sometimes it takes losing what we leaned on to discover what was holding us up all along. When everything else has been stripped away, you begin to see God differently. He’s no longer one part of your life. He becomes your refuge. Your foundation. Your daily bread. The One you run to because there’s nowhere else that can give what your soul truly needs.

David wrote, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1

Maybe you wouldn’t have chosen the road that brought you here. Maybe you still don’t understand why God allowed certain things to fall apart. But if the breaking taught you to cling to Him, pray honestly, surrender deeply, and to stop building your life on things that can’t last, then even the pain wasn’t wasted.

Sometimes the greatest mercy is discovering that God was never supposed to be your backup plan, but your center.

- David Delfeld

Provided by "I Am With You Always"

Tell God...

Sometimes you have to tell God that you are upset. Not because He cannot handle your honesty, but because He already knows what is happening inside your heart.

Maybe you feel like you have hit rock bottom. You hate your job. You do not have the relationship you hoped you would have. Things at home are difficult. Finances are stressful. You have been waiting for something to change, and instead of weeks or months, it has been years. You keep thinking, “When do I finally get a break?”

Sometimes it feels like you are drowning while everyone else is moving forward. You can feel isolated, exhausted, and completely alone.

Sylvia Plath’s "The Bell Jar" comes to mind when I think about this. There is an image of a fig tree where the main character sees countless possible lives in front of her, but she becomes paralyzed because she feels like choosing one means losing all the others. Eventually, the weight of those possibilities becomes unbearable. Yet her story also reminds us that suffering can look different when someone finally receives care, compassion, and understanding.

I think about Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

And then He says something even harder: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

There are seasons when I genuinely feel like I have lost parts of my life. The joyful parts. The exciting parts. The parts I thought would be here by now. Sometimes following God does not feel like gaining everything I wanted. Sometimes it feels like surrendering things I desperately wanted to keep.

But maybe this is where God is teaching me something I could not learn anywhere else.

If I cannot find my joy in my circumstances, where will I find it?

I can look to Him.

Not because my circumstances do not matter. They do. God cares about the job you hate, the relationship you are longing for, the financial stress keeping you awake, the tension at home, and the loneliness you cannot explain.

You can tell Him that you are angry. You can tell Him that you are tired. You can tell Him that you do not understand why this season has lasted so long.

You do not have to pretend before God.

But even here, He is still God.

Even here, He is still near.

Even here, He is still worth following.

Maybe losing the life you thought you would have is not the end of your story. Maybe, in the middle of surrender, God is teaching you how to receive a life that is rooted in Him rather than dependent on everything going according to plan.

Your circumstances may change. Your prayers may eventually be answered differently than you imagined. But Christ remains.

And when everything else feels uncertain, He can still become the place where your soul learns to breathe again.

- Ellie Mont

Prayer: Steady

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,

And I have walked in Your truth.

Psalm 26:3 (NKJV)

Lord, you know me better than anyone else does. You have searched my thoughts, examined every part of my life, and refined my heart. It is only by your mercy that I stand righteous. As long as I keep my eyes fixed on you, I will never stray.

I want the world to know I am intensely devoted to you, choosing to walk before you in honor. Your faithfulness steadies me. Your holiness reminds me that apart from you, I am nothing. I approach your throne with songs of thanksgiving, awed by the miraculous ways you've changed my life. I owe everything to you.

Look at what you've done for me - I'm not tempted by wickedness and have no desire to hang out with deceptive, conniving people. Establish me as one of your innocent ones, so I will never deviate from this remarkable path of faith. In your glorious presence, I have found my home. Thank you for your love.

Excerpt from "Prayers On Fire" by Brenna Stockman

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Relax in My healing, holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God. Do not be like Pharisees who multiplied regulations, creating their own form of 'godliness.' They got so wrapped up in their own rules that they lost sight of Me. Even today, man-made rules about how to live the Christian life enslave many people. Their focus is on their performance, rather than on Me."

"Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Defeat Temptation

Every battle begins in the mind, and temptation is usually the first shot fired. When we are tempted, we can feel as if we are the only ones facing such an intense desire to do something we know is wrong. It can feel overwhelming and isolating.

But 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT).

Temptation in this passage comes from a Greek word that means “a test, trial, or enticement to sin.” Temptation itself isn’t a sin, but it is a moment of choice - a crossroads of decision.

Temptation, while difficult, actually does a couple of positive things. First, it reveals what is hidden in our hearts. James points out that our temptations occur when we are drawn away by evil desires already in our hearts, temptations that will lead to sin if not dealt with (1:13-15). When you are tempted, use that as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to help you see hidden wrong thoughts or desires you need to surrender.

Second, temptation provides an opportunity to strengthen our faith muscles by trusting God. Resisting temptation is a statement in the spiritual realm, a declaration that says, “I will obey God. I will trust him in all things.”

The process of resisting builds faith and perseverance. In the same way that lifting weights fatigues your muscles but also makes them stronger in the end, so your fight against temptation will strengthen your spiritual muscles so you can stand firm in the face of trials.

Temptation often feels overwhelming because of what is going on in the brain. During temptation, your brain releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter tied to anticipation and reward. This activates the limbic system, the emotional center of your brain, and can make the desire feel overwhelming and urgent. At the same time, your prefrontal cortex (the logical, decision-making part of your brain) is being overridden by the flood of emotion. Your body may even respond physically: your heart rate increases, muscles become tense, and you feel like you can focus on nothing else but the need to get what you want.

Prayer: Conquering Fear

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)

You did it, Lord! You have conquered fear and I will never be held in its clutches again. As long as I am with you, I can face anything. I am brave. I am an overcomer. Fear will no longer dictate my life. And even if I have to remind myself of these truths, every moment of every day, I will no longer allow myself to be its victim.

When I stand in the midst of the unknown, faith will be the posture of my heart, even if my legs are shaking. Step by step I will walk into a life of freedom and never look back. I will trust you and release my concerns into your hands. Instead of fearing the challenges, I will thank you for them - they remind me to continually look to you.

I choose a life of victory, where you have full control. I won't be afraid of the things I don't understand. You are here. You are faithful. I am free!

Excerpt from "Prayers On Fire" by Brenna Stockman

Tired of Toughing It Out?

What to Do If You're Tired of Toughing It Out
(Overcoming Negative Thoughts for a Positive Life)

Have you ever noticed how so many different thoughts run through our minds every day? Some are good, some bad. Unfortunately, our natural temptation is to focus on the bad; so accepting them doesn't take any effort. The effort comes when we're determined to cast down the negative thoughts, and take a firm grasp of the positive ones.

The Battle for Your Thoughts

Positive minds full of faith and hope produce positive lives. The opposite is also true: negative minds full of fear and doubt produce negative lives, which can ultimately destroy your life. Some people have been hurt so many times that they don't think they can face the pain of another letdown. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed.

Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel the battle is just too difficult and want to give up, we must choose to resist negative thoughts and be determined to rise above our problems. We must decide that we're not going to quit.

When we're bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: "I'll never give up! God's on my side. He loves me, and He's helping me! I'm going to make it!"

Don't Give Up!

No matter how bad the battle rages in your mind, don't give up! Step out and regain the territory that's been stolen from you. Even if it's only an inch at a time, make sure you're leaning on God's grace and not on your own ability.

In Galatians 6:9 the apostle Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God's looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive.

Whatever you may be facing or experiencing in your life right now, I want to encourage you to stay positive and refuse to give up! God is with you. He'll help you make spiritual progress - strengthening and encouraging you to keep on keeping on during rough times. It's easy to quit, but it takes faith to press on to victory.

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Walk with Me in holy trust, responding to My initiatives rather than trying to make things fit your plans. I died to set you free, and that includes freedom from compulsive planning. When your mind spins with a multitude of thoughts, you cannot hear My voice. A mind preoccupied with planning pays homage to the idol of control. Turn from this idolatry back to Me. Listen to Me and live abundantly!"

"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21

"Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

When Negative Thoughts Run Your Life

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

I knew they were there, but I tried to ignore them and deny their existence.

They controlled how I felt in the morning and when I went to sleep. They often caused my emotions to feel out of control, making me feel out of control too.

They dictated how I reacted to situations or conversations. They often made me feel offended, angry, or hurt, whether or not it was truly justified. They never ceased to remind me of my shortcomings and flaws, making me feel inferior and without value, and they constantly tried to pull me down with discouragement or hopelessness, stealing my peace and joy.

What are “they,” you ask?

My thoughts.

Life had been tough for many months due to a painful situation in my marriage, and as a result, negative thoughts were running my life.

I didn’t want to feel sad or unhappy, but my thoughts stayed consumed with all the things that made me sad and unhappy. I didn’t want to feel discouraged or fearful, but my heart was heavy.

My negative thoughts were weighing down not only my emotions but my outlook on life. I felt as if I were sinking mentally, emotionally, and at times spiritually.

Todays key verse gives us wise advice on dealing with our thoughts: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).

This passage was written by King Solomon for the benefit of his own sons. As I read Proverbs 4, I notice that although Solomon was the king of Israel, he didn’t just advise his sons about royal matters like how to handle money, job responsibilities, or leading the kingdom. Instead he spoke here of the value of controlling their thoughts, which would determine how his sons felt and lived.

The quality of our thoughts will always determine the quality of our lives.

Whatever our minds focus on will shape what plays out in our lives and who we become. Our thoughts and feelings have more power than we may realize, gradually steering us - and possibly our faith - in a direction we may not want to go. King Solomon knew it’s often our thoughts, not just our circumstances, that cause us to sink, and his scriptures counsel us to be careful about what we think and feel.

When I realized my thoughts were running my life, I admitted to Jesus how I had allowed emotionally fueled thoughts to sink my joy, hope, and faith. I asked Him to remind me of His Truth that says I can be positive even if my circumstances aren’t.

As He helped me intentionally change my thoughts, my life changed as well. And so can yours.

Dear Lord, at times I feel as if I’m sinking in my attitude, my thought patterns, and even my faith. Forgive me for letting negativity have power over how I feel, think, and live. Fill me with hope today. Give me wisdom to control my attitude, and help me learn to transform my thoughts, heart, and life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Tracie Miles

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I don’t expect perfection in this pursuit; it’s not about that at all. It is the effort itself that pleases Me - when you keep on seeking Me even though it’s so difficult. Actually, the intensity of this challenging search blesses you. As you strive to find Me in your moments, your focus is on Me. While you trudge toward Me through countless distractions, your awareness of Me increases. Even if you don’t feel close to Me, you find yourself communicating with Me. So there is a sense in which your efforts to find Me are self-fulfilling: I am richly present in your striving. As a result, you feel more alive - more awake and real - when you are actively pursuing Me."

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Focus On The Heart Of Christmas...

The closer it gets to Christmas, the more our hearts can ache. Lights, music, and celebrations can feel like a contrast to the emptiness, grief, or longing we carry. It is normal to feel sadness, frustration, or even guilt for not feeling “joyful enough.”

The first thing to remember is that feeling this way does not make you weak or faithless. Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow. He wept, grieved, and carried burdens. Our hearts are allowed to feel deeply, even during seasons that the world calls “merry.”

One way to handle this season is to intentionally create space for your feelings. You do not have to force joy. You can acknowledge your grief, pray through it, and let God hold it for you. Sometimes writing down your feelings, talking with someone you trust, or quietly sitting with God can bring relief. Even lighting a candle, listening to soft music, or reading Scripture can provide a gentle anchor for your soul.

Another way is to focus on the heart of Christmas. Beyond gifts, parties, and traditions, Christmas is about God coming near, about Emmanuel. He understands loneliness, sorrow, and brokenness because He entered a world that carried all of it. Leaning into Him, reflecting on His presence and love, can bring peace even when joy feels distant.

It’s also okay to protect your energy. If certain gatherings, songs, or social media triggers make the ache worse, it is not sinful to step back. Give yourself permission to grieve, to remember, and to simply survive the season. Sometimes the best thing you can do is show yourself the same kindness God shows you.

Finally, find small ways to bring light into your own heart and the lives of others. Acts of kindness, reaching out to someone who may be struggling, or quietly serving without expectation can create moments of connection and purpose even when your own joy feels dim.

Remember, this season does not demand that you feel happy all the time. It only invites you to let God meet you where you are, in your sadness, your hope, your memories, and your longing.

Prayer: God, this season is hard for me. My heart feels heavy, and the world’s cheer feels far away. Meet me in this sadness. Hold the parts of me that ache. Help me to feel Your presence even when joy feels distant. Teach me to be gentle with myself and to trust that You are near, Emmanuel, with me in every sorrow and every hope. Amen.

- Ellie Mont

How Can I Experience Joy In My Christian Life?

Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us.

We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness. For instance, Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16-46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5). If these men struggled, how can we experience consistent joy in the Christian life?

The first thing is to realize that joy is a gift from God. The root word for joy in the Greek is chara, which is closely related with the Greek charis for “grace.” Joy is both a gift of God as well as a response to the gifts of God. Joy comes when we are aware of God’s grace and relish His favor.

With this in mind, it’s evident that one way to experience joy is to focus on God. Rather than dwelling on our difficulties or those things robbing our contentment, we can dwell on God. This is not to say we should deny our discontent or stuff negative emotions. Following the example of many of the psalmists, we can pour out our hearts to God. We can tell Him bluntly all the things that ail us. But then we submit those things to Him, remember who He is, and are happy in Him. Psalms 3, 13, 18, 43, and 103 are good examples.

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Be still in My Presence, and wait patiently for Me to act. Spending quality time with Me is so good for you, beloved. I rejoice when you push back the many things clamoring for your attention and focus wholeheartedly on Me. I know how hard it is for you to sit quietly with Me, and I don’t expect perfection from you. Instead, I treasure your persistence in seeking My Face. My loving approval shines on you as you seek Me with all your heart. This intimate connection between us helps you wait trustingly for Me to act."

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; - Psalm 37:7a (NIV)

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Lord, Silence my worries...

Lord, silence my worries so I can hear Your voice.

My mind is so loud with distraction and fear, and I long to hear You clearly.

Silence the noise within me, the anxious thoughts that spiral, the fears that shout, the doubts that whisper.

Teach me to be still in Your presence, to quiet my heart enough to listen for Your gentle whisper.

I confess I often fill the silence with my own plans and solutions, when what I really need is to hear Your wisdom and guidance.

Help me create space in my day to sit with You, to wait for You, to tune my ear to Your voice above all others.

Remind me that Your voice brings peace, not panic; clarity, not confusion; truth, not worry.

Give me the courage to trust what You say, even when it asks me to let go of my need to control.

Let me find rest in knowing that You speak to those who listen, and You guide those who wait on You.

Amen

- Provided by "Faithful Grace"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Because I never leave your side, My Peace is always with you. You need this Peace each moment to live out My plan for your life. Sometimes you may want to take shortcuts - to reach your goal as quickly as possible. But if taking the shortcut means you turn your back on My peaceful Presence, then don’t do it. Keep walking with Me along paths of Peace - even in this crazy world."

"And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 - "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

You Are Not Failing

There comes a moment when you realize that what you are calling failure is actually just life unfolding in a way you did not expect. You have been holding your breath trying to make everything make sense, trying to fix what slipped through your fingers, trying to rewind what cannot be rewound. And somewhere in all of that pressure you began to label yourself with words God never spoke over you.

You are not failing. You are living. You are learning. You are moving through a season that feels heavier than you wanted, but it is still shaping you in ways you cannot see yet.

Sometimes the most freeing thing you can do is stop naming your situation something it is not. Instead of calling it failure, call it what it is. A moment. A season. A point in your story where you get to choose what happens next. Acceptance is not giving up. Acceptance is choosing to stop fighting what already happened so you can finally focus on what God is inviting you into now.

When you stop trying to force what is gone, you create space for what God is still growing in you. This is the shift where strength begins. You look at what is and you say, I accept this. I release the shame. I refuse to drag the past into the present. And now I choose to move. I choose to do something. I choose to show up again.

God meets you in that choice. God breathes hope into the small steps. God honors the decision to stop spiraling and start building. You are not behind. You are not weak. You are simply standing at a doorway that requires courage instead of perfection.

Choose courage. Choose movement. Choose the next right thing, even if it is small. That is not failure. That is faith.

- Ellie Mont

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I want you to live your life focused on My Presence in the present. Since you know I am always with you - leading and encouraging you - you can live in that reality moment by moment. Your mind tends to leap over the present moment to the next task, ignoring the one that is before you and the One who is before you. During rare times when you are able to stay focused on Me, your work is infused with My Presence. It is no longer laborious but delightful: more like play than work."

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men...; for you serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24

- "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I understand your struggles; I know that the world exerts relentless pressure on you, trying to squeeze you into its mold. This is why you need time alone with Me. When you open up to Me and invite Me to transform you, I can work freely in you and accomplish amazing things. One of My most challenging tasks is renovating your mind, and My Spirit is always at work on this project. He does not overwhelm you with His Power. Instead, He prompts you gently and convicts you cleanly - showing you where you need to make changes and helping you develop new attitudes."

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

- "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I draw you with gentle cords, with bands of Love. These Love-cords keep you connected to Me; they also help you discern the way you should go. Though My bands of Love are unbreakable, they do not curtail your freedom. These highly elastic bands allow you to go your own way for a while. However, even if they are stretched out for a long time - as you seek to live independently of Me - they retain their drawing power. Eventually, when you grow weary of worldly ways, the cords draw you gently back to Me. No matter how far you have roamed, I welcome you with unfailing Love." I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. - Hosea 11:4 NKJV - "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Combating The Unreliable Narrator Within

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

I’m a words girl. Always have been, always will be. Whether it’s reading or writing, stories have always been a part of my DNA. In recent years, I’ve found myself drawn to plotlines full of twists and turns I could never predict, an effect sometimes created through an unreliable narrator.

An unreliable narrator is a storyteller who is not completely trustworthy, either intentionally (because they’re lying) or unintentionally (because they don’t know what is true). While this makes for a creative literary device, it can be treacherous when applied to real life.

Here’s what I mean …

From the time we’re born, the world begins applying labels to us. Some are lovingly given - others not so much. And while true and well-intentioned words often tiptoe in with a gentle whisper, lies and mean-spirited labels seem to march in with trumpet fanfare and make themselves at home. If we’re not careful, we become the unreliable narrator of our own story, not knowing what is true. We may live from the faulty core belief that we are, in fact, ugly. Incompetent. Unworthy of love. (Insert your chosen lie here.)

With each lie we believe, we shrink down in our soul just a little bit more, certain God Himself must view us in the same way.

But let’s consider these words from God's prophet Zephaniah: “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

When I read this verse, I don’t see a God who looks on us with disgust. Instead, I see One who unashamedly loves His children despite our flaws. One who delights in us so deeply He can’t help but burst into song.

That God is our Creator, the Author of who we are. And as our Author, despite any lies we may believe about ourselves, only He gets to determine what’s true.

Throughout the pages of Scripture, He says we are:

• Created in His image (Genesis 1:27).

• Chosen (Ephesians 1:4).

• Wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

• Accepted (Romans 15:7).

• Loved (John 3:16).

• Worth dying for (Romans 5:8).

If He says all these things, among many others, about us, who are we to say otherwise?

Today, let’s stop the unreliable narration. Let’s hold our heads high and listen to the only voice that matters: the voice of God, our Author.

Father, in the sea of voices surrounding us, help us to focus on Your voice and the words You speak over us. Help us to live from the truth of who You say we are, created and loved by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Stacy J. Lowe
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"