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Strength in Him

Awesome, Even Here

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!” — Psalm 68:35, NKJV

There is a song I used to sing many years ago, one I remember hearing sung by Gary Sadler:

“You are awesome in this place, Mighty God. You are awesome in this place, Abba Father. You are worthy of all praise, to You our lives we raise. You are awesome in this place, Mighty God.”

Even now, those words bring my heart back to worship. I think about the holiness of God, and I am awestruck. He is just so awesome!

We use that word pretty casually these days. An awesome meal. An awesome picture. An awesome afternoon. But in Psalm 68:35, the Hebrew word translated as “awesome” carries the sense of inspiring fear or reverence. When I consider God’s holiness, His divine nature, and His mighty works, that word takes on a depth that everyday conversation cannot quite hold.

And this holy, awesome God is the very One who gives strength and power to His people.

People like you.

People like me.

Even on the days when we are frustrated, hurting, and determined to handle everything ourselves.

Last week was, with no exaggeration, one of the most frustrating weeks I have experienced in a long time. I was challenged emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Early one morning, I experienced something that felt like hitting a brick wall. It dropped me to the ground—not once, but twice, back to back. From a professional perspective, or any perspective for that matter, I could not understand what had caused such a “mechanical error” of sorts.

I became upset. I internalized it, “fixed myself up,” and kept moving through the day.

But in the back of my mind, it was eating away at me.

I was doing everything in my power to handle things on my terms and in my strength. By the time I got home, I literally shut down.

I knew I had hurt myself earlier that day, but I refused to acknowledge it. I was angry, and I was determined that this was not going to have power over me.

So I propped my leg on a pillow and covered myself with blankets. I noticed I had chills, but I stayed there, eventually falling asleep with a hundred-plus-pound fur baby securely wedged on either side of me—one head resting on my thigh, the other tucked into the crook of my neck.

My boys instinctively know when something is amiss with me. And that day, they stayed close.

When I woke, my mood, attitude, and pain level were unchanged.

It was then that I started telling God how I felt—as if He had not known before any of it even happened!

Full disclosure: I had not yet repented for my attitude or acknowledged how tightly I was holding on to my own strength. My first response had not been to cry out to Him. I had become caught up in my emotions, grown angry, and shut down.

Feeling frustrated did not mean God had turned away from me. But I could see how my anger was keeping me from turning toward Him.

I was not ready to surrender a frustration He was already fully able to carry.

Well after dinner, and after the prayer call with my church family, my Diana came upstairs and asked what I had done for my ankle.

I was honest.

“Nothing.”

She urged me to unwrap it, and I am so thankful I listened. I almost did not.

When I removed the wrapping, I found swelling and discoloration extending from my toes up my leg. I knew then that I needed to go to urgent care for an X-ray.

Indeed, my ankle was broken.

It was there, sitting alone in that urgent care room, that something shifted.

Waiting for the doctor.

Waiting for the diagnosis.

Waiting to be discharged.

Wanting so badly just to take myself home.

And in the middle of all that waiting, I sensed God speaking to my heart:

Stop being angry at your disabilities, and focus on your abilities in Me.

There was something completely humbling and awe-inspiring about that moment.

I felt the frustration lift from my shoulders. When the doctor confirmed the break, I was not pleased. But I knew God had not abandoned me in that room. He could work in this situation, even though His purpose and the road ahead were beyond what I could see or understand.

My dear friend, Isaiah 40:29 tells us:

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”

And in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord says:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul responds:

“Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Then, in verse 10:

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What an extraordinary truth to hold on to when you feel like you have nothing left.

I did not have to pretend I was fine. I did not have to deny the pain or prove that I could push through it. I could acknowledge my weakness and trust that His grace would meet me there.

And when I think about Jesus, I see how deeply that truth reaches.

Jesus took the bitter cup of suffering and bore our sin and shame at the cross. He endured humiliation, agony, and death. His body was laid in a tomb, its entrance sealed with a massive stone and guarded.

To those watching, it must have looked like defeat.

But His willing sacrifice revealed a strength far greater than they understood.

At His death, the veil of the temple was torn in two. On the third day, He rose from the grave. Death could not hold Him. Through His death and resurrection, He accomplished our redemption and opened the way for us to draw near to God.

The Savior who suffered for us is alive.

He is eternally mighty, eternally holy, eternally awesome.

And He is the One who meets us in our weakness.

Friends, sometimes our feelings can pull us underneath their currents—physical pain, emotional exhaustion, spiritual discouragement. It took me hours to recognize how much energy I was spending fighting what had happened and trying to carry it alone.

God met me right there, in an urgent care room, with a broken ankle and a heart that needed His gentleness.

Do I now have some grand vision of why everything happened or what will transpire moving forward?

No, I do not.

But I know He is holy.

I know He is awesome.

And I know He is strengthening me as I submit myself to Him, even on the hardest of days.

The God who inspires our reverence also draws close enough to sustain us.

He is awesome in this place, too.

Even here.

Even now.

Even in me.

Blessed be God!

Anchored in Grace, Alley

Peace in His Presence

Hope on the Horizon

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” — John 14:27, NKJV

This past week has been especially trying for me personally. I don’t know what trials you’re going through, friend, but I get so frustrated when I find “hiccups” every ten paces! Oh my goodness!

It’s easy to get caught up in everything that needs to get done. You’re on a tight schedule, time is a precious commodity, and who has time for that coveted pumpkin spice latte right now?

The pharmacy just took a lunch break. There’s a super-long line at the gas station. And the lady at the self-service aisle at the grocery store is looking straight at you, sees your light blinking, but continues her personal conversation with the other cashier.

You are steaming. There’s little possibility of a “Have a blessed day” coming out of your mouth. Right now, you’re envisioning yourself becoming a ten-foot-tall, green-eyed, hairy monster, horrifying everyone enough to make them step back so you can grab your things and leave—crashing through the glass doors of the grocery store!

Then you come back to reality with a sigh. “Can I help you, ma’am?” You tell her, rather defeatedly, what’s going on. The issue is quickly resolved, and you half-heartedly utter a “Thank you. God bless you,” and leave.

Friend, I understand having a day, a week, a month—or longer—of constant turmoil. You feel like you’re being hit again before you can recover from the previous hit, and the blows keep coming.

Some people say, “God gives those burdens to those He knows can endure them.” Others say, “You must not be living right. You’d better examine what’s wrong in your life so God will begin to bless you again. You’re clearly out from under Him.”

Let me just say this: hardship is not proof that God has rejected you. And we are not promised that every burden will fit within our own strength. Sometimes we need help, rest, and someone to walk beside us. We can bring that need to Him without shame.

God is not in the business of emotionally torturing His children. He is a loving Father. We live in a world wounded by sin, where suffering is real. Do you think God sits and enjoys watching His children suffer? Of course not! Jesus told us we would have tribulation, but He also reminded us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He calls us to love one another and share the good news of His kingdom.

That’s where this peace comes in. Stay with me, friend.

The Greek word translated “peace” is eirēnē. It can speak of peace, harmony, and well-being. Read alongside the biblical idea of shalom, it invites us to think about wholeness—not simply a moment when nobody is bothering us. Interesting!

I would like to think of this as a 360-degree picture of peace: the Father lovingly sending His Son; Jesus coming to earth, living among us, and ministering to people during His earthly ministry; then willingly giving His life for us on the cross and rising again. Through His death and resurrection, He opens the way for forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life.

We receive His gift by faith, and we tell others about the Savior who offers it to them, too. We cannot create His peace ourselves, but we can receive it and reflect it. This is the peace He offers—not as the world gives.

Understanding biblical peace means seeking reconciliation and harmony in our relationships, trusting God for provision, and bringing our troubled hearts into His care. His peace can steady us even while our circumstances remain difficult.

Galatians 5:22 names peace as part of the fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 4:6–7 invites us to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving and reminds us that His peace, beyond our understanding, guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This challenges me to be a peacemaker—to reflect God’s peace in a world marked by division and conflict. Yes, even at the self-service checkout. Even when the line is long. Even when I desperately want my pumpkin spice latte!

Friend, we can pause, take a breath, and ask Jesus to meet us right there. We can be honest about our frustration and let Him shape what comes out of our mouths next. Receiving His peace does not mean we never feel overwhelmed. It means we have Someone to turn to when we do.

There is still hope on the horizon. The One who gives us His peace is with us in the middle of the hiccups, too.

Renewed by Grace

Grace Washed Over Us

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV

Friend, we are all imperfect. We have made mistakes, missed the mark, and lived through chapters we would rather not revisit. We all have a past. And truth be told, there always seems to be someone ready to “spill the tea” about something—or someone.

As much as we try to move forward, sometimes it is hard to walk confidently in who we are becoming: redeemed through Christ, transformed by His blood, renewed by His Spirit, and restored by His grace. Only God could do that kind of work within us.

Yet one phrase, one look, or one sentence can pull our thoughts right back to who we used to be.

But God’s Word says we are a new creation.

Old things have passed away. Wait—what? Passed away as in gone? No longer defining who we are?

Yes, friend. When we belong to Christ, our past no longer has the authority to name us.

God knows every chapter of our story. Nothing is hidden from Him. Yet when we repent and receive His forgiveness, He does not hold our forgiven sins against us. He welcomes us into a new life in Christ. We may still need to make amends or face the consequences of earlier choices, but those choices do not have to become our identity.

We are a new creation in Him.

Hebrews 2:7 reminds us of the dignity God gives humanity: He made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor. How precious we are to our Heavenly Father! If He regards us with such love and care, why should someone else’s reminder of our past become the measure of our worth?

It is okay to look back and remember. Some memories may still be hard to face. We can acknowledge what happened, learn from it, and recognize how far God has brought us.

But, friend, do not let your past define you.

Let God’s grace wash over you. Allow Him to continue His work within you and reveal the beautiful creation you are becoming in Him.

You are loved. You are forgiven. And in Christ, your story is still unfolding.

The Voice of the Lord

Over Many Waters

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. — Psalm 29:3

The Hebrew word for “voice,” qol, can mean voice or sound. Here, I hear more than a sound: I hear the powerful proclamation of the Lord. “Thunders” fills me with awe at His power and authority. And “many waters”—mayim rabbim—calls to mind the vastness and might of the waters. When those waters feel like a picture of chaos, this verse reminds me that God reigns over them.

God's Word brings peace out of chaos and order out of disorder. Jesus calmed the stormy sea. That truth encourages me to trust the authority of the Most High, not only when life is good, but also when life feels like a raging sea and my little vessel seems ready to capsize.

In the middle of the crashing waves, I want to listen for His still, small voice. I can cling to Him like a life raft, draw near to His presence, and find peace and strength there. I can thank Him because He is in control. He is majestic, and I can rest in His capable arms of love, assured that He loves me, holds me, and will not let me go.

I'm taken back to the last thunderstorm I heard from my room. Some of the thunder was so powerful that it shook the walls of the house. As I listened, I wondered: if thunder can shake the walls around me, what must it have been like to hear God's voice shake the earth?

The Lord who speaks over many waters is the same Lord who hears us when we call to Him. Today, I want to pause and remember how mighty He is.

Faith Over Fear

Fear Not, I Will Help You

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ — Isaiah 41:13 NKJV

Isaiah 41:13 NKJV says, “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”

What a beautiful promise.

This world gives us many reasons to feel afraid. Perhaps current events weigh heavily on your heart. Maybe you’re worried about your finances or facing a medical concern. Whatever troubles you today, God’s promises remain true. He never changes.

God is with us through every circumstance, emotion, and uncertainty. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” How gracious and loving is our Heavenly Father, who sends even His angels to serve those who belong to Him!

Friend, if you’re worried about life, death, or anything in between, remember this: God knows. God hears you. God sees you. You have not been left alone to face life on this earth.

Our kind, merciful, and loving Father holds our right hand and helps us. His presence does not depend on how strong we feel or how steady our faith seems. Even when our hearts tremble, His hand remains faithful.

He has given His Holy Spirit to dwell within those who believe in Him. He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we could receive forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death and the grave. Our hope rests in His finished work and His unfailing love.

You are made in God’s image, precious in His sight, and deeply loved. He knows every concern you carry, including the ones you cannot put into words. Nothing about your life escapes His attention, and His love for you is immeasurable.

So lift your eyes beyond the circumstances that frighten you. You may not know how everything will unfold, but you can trust the One who holds your hand. Bring Him your fears, your questions, and your weary heart. He is near, and He welcomes you.

Let His promise settle gently into your spirit today:

“Fear not, I will help you.”

You are seen. You are loved. And you do not walk alone.

Faith in the Wilderness

Worship in the Wilderness

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength. — Habakkuk 3:18–19

Sometimes worship is loud and joyful, like when David danced before the Lord with all his might. But sometimes worship comes in whispers through tears.

Habakkuk’s song was not inspired by pleasant circumstances or visible victory. His nation was facing God’s correction because the people had turned their hearts away from Him. Habakkuk knew devastation was coming. The fig trees would not bud, the vines would produce no grapes, the fields would yield no food, and the stalls would stand empty.

Yet, in the middle of it all, Habakkuk declared: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” — Habakkuk 3:18

That is powerful!

His worship was not based on his circumstances, what he wanted, or what he believed he deserved. His worship was rooted in who God is.

When we worship in the wilderness, we are not denying the dryness of our season. We are declaring that our circumstances do not have the final word. We are acknowledging the faithfulness of our God and Savior, even when we cannot yet see His provision.

It is easy to worship when everything is going well and our prayers are being answered in the way we hoped. But true spiritual growth often happens in the waiting—when everything is quiet and it feels as though we have been waiting for an eternity.

This is where our roots grow deep and our faith becomes strong.

Friend, God is not good only when life is good. God is good because He is good—and He is good all the time!

When we worship during seasons of waiting, we declare that He is enough. We proclaim that He is our hope, our strength, and our salvation. We choose to anchor ourselves in His grace, trusting that the same God who sustained us before will faithfully carry us again.

So, be encouraged and lift your head, however weary you may be. Declare the truths and promises of God until they begin to settle deep within your spirit.

Like Habakkuk, you can say: Even here, I will rejoice. Even now, I will worship. Even while I wait, I will trust the Lord.

Faithful Perseverance

When Frustration Gets the Best of You

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9

Have you ever been so diligent, disciplined, and intentional about something—perhaps your health, an exercise routine, a meal plan, your work, or even your spiritual growth—only to realize that your efforts have not been as fruitful as you expected?

I have experienced seasons like this. And if I’m being honest, I felt defeated and emotionally exhausted. I found myself reviewing everything again and again, second-guessing every decision and retracing every step, trying to determine where I had gone wrong.

But sometimes, friend, you have not gone wrong.

Sometimes the journey simply requires more time, more patience, and more perseverance than you expected. Scripture reminds us that if we do not give up, there will be a harvest at the proper time—not necessarily according to our preferred timeline, but according to God’s perfect one.

Jesus lived approximately thirty-three years on this earth before willingly going to the cross and rising again in victory over sin and death. Talk about living a life of diligence and intentionality! He is the perfect example of faithful endurance. As the Son of God, He experienced hardship, rejection, temptation, grief, and suffering—yet He remained completely committed to the Father’s will.

“For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2

Ecclesiastes teaches us that everything has its appointed season: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a season for planting and another for gathering. There is a season for waiting and another for witnessing the harvest. We cannot always see what God is developing beneath the surface, but hidden growth is still growth.

We also cannot fully appreciate deliverance if there were never anything from which to be delivered. Consider the blind man who received his sight, the lame who walked, and those who were freed from evil spirits. Their suffering was real, but so was the joy of their restoration. Their waiting prepared them to recognize the wonder of what Jesus had done.

Pushing through has a price tag. It requires perseverance in the waiting, even when frustration threatens to overwhelm us. It means continuing to do the next faithful thing when the results have not yet appeared.

God notices your diligence. He sees every prayer, every sacrifice, every disciplined choice, and every quiet act of obedience. Nothing surrendered to Him is wasted.

So, when frustration gets the best of you, pause. Breathe. Give yourself grace. Then remember that your Father sees the entire journey—not merely today’s results. Keep planting. Keep trusting. Keep walking in His will.

In His perfect season, He will make your faithful efforts worth it.

Prayer & Praise

What Is Prayer?

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’ — Matthew 6:9–13

There are so many ways people can pray. In fact, there are no rules and regulations you must follow in order to pray. I know I’ve heard, ‘You have to close your eyes,’ or, ‘You need to be alone and set aside time just for Him,’ and on and on. The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to pray as long as you are having a private and personal conversation with the Father.

We are given a beautiful guideline in Matthew 6:9–13, where we read the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus teaches us to honor the Father, seek His will, ask for what we need, receive and extend forgiveness, and depend on Him to guide us away from temptation. It is not a formula meant to make prayer complicated; it is an invitation to draw near with an honest heart.

Friend, I understand how busy life can be. Prayer does not always have to happen in a quiet room with everything perfectly arranged. You can talk with God while driving, washing dishes, walking down a hallway, or sitting beside someone you love. Communication with the Father can be as simple as calling out the name of Jesus. He hears you, He knows you, and He welcomes you just as you are.

Prayer & Purpose

Pray On Purpose

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. — Colossians 4:2

Prayer can become something we reach for only when life feels urgent—a whispered request on the way out the door, a list of needs offered while our minds are already moving to the next thing. God welcomes every hurried prayer, but He also invites us into something deeper: a life shaped by intentional conversation with Him.

To pray on purpose is to pause and remember Who is listening. It is bringing God our worship before our worries, naming the people He has placed on our hearts, and leaving room to hear what His Spirit may be saying. Purposeful prayer is not about finding perfect words. It is about offering God our full attention and trusting that time spent with Him is never wasted.

Choose one simple rhythm today. Write down a name, set aside five quiet minutes, or pray through a single verse slowly. Come expectant, not because God must answer in the way you imagine, but because He is faithful to meet you. Prayer changes circumstances, and it also changes us—aligning our hearts with His and teaching us to notice His grace at work.

Whatever you're going through, it's important to remember that He never leaves us or abandons us. God is a good Father and is concerned over all issues that concern you, both great and small, and that's something you can be assured of. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us that the Lord goes before you, He won't leave you, and encourages you by telling you not to be discouraged or afraid. Knowing our prayers reach the Father gives us hope to know He's already at the end of your circumstance and He's already resolved it all.

Grace for Today

Have Another Cup

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

Some days ask more of us than we expected. Before we know it, the coffee has gone cold, the list has grown longer, and we have measured our worth by how much we managed to accomplish. But grace invites us to pause. Have another cup. Sit with Jesus for a moment and let His presence remind you that you are loved before you ever do another thing.

God did not create you to hurry past the life He has given you. The quiet moments matter, too—the conversation that lingers, the prayer whispered over a kitchen table, and the small kindness no one else sees. These ordinary offerings can become holy when they are placed in His hands. You do not have to imitate someone else's calling or carry every need. Faithfulness begins by receiving today's grace and offering the gift that is yours to give.

In the eyes of God, we are His handiwork, and He cherishes us so deeply. He created us uniquely and intentionally. You are here to share your own special gift with the world.

Faith in the Waiting

When God Is Quiet, He Is Still Close

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. — Psalm 145:18

There are seasons when prayer feels like speaking into a quiet room. We ask, wait, and listen, yet the answer does not arrive in the way or timing we hoped. In that silence, it can be easy to wonder whether God has stepped away.

But God’s quietness is not His absence. Scripture reminds us that He is near to everyone who calls on Him. Even when we cannot trace His hand, we can trust His heart. He is working beneath the surface—strengthening our faith, preparing the way, and holding details we cannot yet see.

Today, you do not have to manufacture certainty. Bring God your honest questions and rest beside Him. The Shepherd who led you here has not lost sight of you. His presence is still your safe place, and His love has not moved an inch.

Grace for Today

Letting Go of What Was Never Yours to Carry

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7

Some burdens arrive through circumstances, but others settle onto our shoulders because we believe everything depends on us. We replay conversations, manage tomorrow in our minds, and quietly carry responsibilities God never asked us to hold alone.

The invitation of Jesus is not to try harder beneath a heavier load. It is to come close and release it. Casting our cares on Him is an act of trust: naming what hurts, opening our hands, and believing that His care is stronger than our control.

Grace gives us enough light for today. Tomorrow will meet us with fresh mercy when it comes. For now, breathe deeply and give one burden back to God. You were created to walk with Him, not ahead of Him.

Prayer & Praise

A Morning Prayer for a Steady Heart

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3

Before the messages, responsibilities, and needs of the day begin to call our names, we can choose where our hearts will rest. A steady heart is not one with a perfectly calm schedule. It is a heart anchored to the unchanging character of God.

He already knows what this day contains. Nothing ahead will surprise Him, exhaust His wisdom, or diminish His love for you. When your thoughts begin to scatter, gently return them to what is true: God is with you, God is for you, and His grace will be sufficient.

Let this morning begin with surrender rather than striving. You do not need every answer before taking the next faithful step. Walk slowly with Jesus and allow His peace to set the rhythm.