silhouette of person standing beside cross during sunset

Praising My Savior, Jesus Christ!

God, I cherish Your name as my Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4). Into my suffering today, please remind me of Your love story in my Savior, Jesus Christ. Chapter 1: Creation and Fall In the beginning of the love story, You declared everything in Your creation as “very good” (Gen. Read more…

stacked blue colored gift boxes

Take joy! It’s God’s gift!

I often see the popular meme, “Choose joy” and it can make me feel condemned when I’m in agonizing pain, overwhelming fatigue, sad tears of loss, or just numb. If I’m not feeling emotionally happy, am I letting God down? Am I walking in sin? Am I making a “bad Read more…

dawn love people woman

Singing the gospel when I feel like things aren’t fair

Have you heard the exasperated cry of someone suffering, “This just isn’t fair!” Have you lamented the injustices and evils of this world? Do you resonate with Job when he cries to God, “Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor Read more…

photo of cross in an ocean during dawn

Singing “Hallelujah, What a Savior!” Into Suffering

In this holiest of weeks, we “survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died.” I don’t cry often, but in my physical pain a few days ago, I wept when I re-realized how willingly Jesus submitted Himself to immense pain, torturous suffering, and surpassing agonies of complete Read more…

selective focus photography of hand

God’s Kindness to Us When We Suffer

Do you ever feel like your suffering negates God’s kindness? Just as in the garden of Eden, is our lying enemy making you think our powerful and glorious King is more of a punishing tyrant with His children, rather than our kind Father? Are you struggling to reconcile your suffering Read more…

person s scooping water by hands

“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” in Times of Loss and Waiting

Are you walking through a time of “unanswered prayer?” Does it seem like a lifetime of waiting for something? Are you experiencing discouragement and loss? I wrote this last week, not knowing that I would be suddenly walking in “the valley of the shadow of death” a few days later. Read more…

macro shot photography of tea candles

Help and hope of Jesus at Christmas

What does the tender image of a baby born in Bethlehem have to do with my suffering? How does the gospel relate to my suffering? I’ve spent years seeking God with these thoughts, especially when suffering continues through Christmas Day. So often I’ve cried, “O come, Lord Jesus” as I Read more…

withered leaves photo

Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD

My suffering appeared hopeless. Every circumstance pointed to endless hardship, permanent challenges, a life of tribulation. It felt Job-like, impacting health, finances, family, work and home tasks, relationships. My husband and I were now walking through years of long-suffering affliction and endless pain. And now my soul is poured out Read more…

brown rock formation

Rock of Ages, cleft for me

Majestic jagged rocks scraped the clouds. My granddaughter explained, “Nana, these rocks were here a billion million years ago!” Oh yes, they’ve endured, standing firm when heavy wind, storms, and droughts beat strong. I imagined Biblical lands where people found shelter in rocky crevices. Rocks shaded people from blazing heat Read more…

foamy sea waves rolling on sandy beach

Praising God for what is unseen

She bowed before her Lord in desperate need. “Lord, all I can see is suffering, pain, turmoil, unrest, evil. My anxiety is ramping up and my situation isn’t improving. Please help me find rest in this un-rest.  Help me to praise You, God.  Maybe today, help me praise You for what’s Read more…

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