Count It All Joy

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By Mollie Astromowicz

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3 ESV

I still remember the uneasy feeling that washed over me the first time this verse came to mind. It was a calm spring night, and I was getting ready for bed when the phrase count it all joy kept repeating in my thoughts. I knew it was Scripture but couldn’t remember where it came from, so I looked it up. When I read the full passage, my good mood faded. Instead of comfort, I felt anxious, wondering what the Lord was trying to tell me.

About a month later, a couple from my church approached me – separately, on the same Sunday – with the same message. Their daughter’s school was hiring, and they thought of me. It felt like one of those moments that had to be God. I applied, interviewed, prayed, and waited, convinced this door was meant to open. Weeks passed, and eventually I learned my references had never even been contacted. The disappointment was heavy. Around that same time, another opportunity appeared at my current job, but it fell through when a coworker chose to stay instead of moving on. I was frustrated, believing God was leading me somewhere while every path seemed blocked.

Months later, another coworker shared they were applying elsewhere, and if they left, I would likely step into their position. This time, it finally worked out and I accepted the new role. That same week, a speaker at my church quoted James 1 – the same passage that had unsettled me months earlier. In that moment, I saw how God had been working all along. The waiting, the closed doors, and the frustration were not wasted. I paused to thank Him, realizing the story had come full circle.

How are we supposed to count it all joy when nothing seems to be working out? This life wasn’t promised to be easy – but how can we find joy through the trials? The trials we face all serve a purpose. When all we see is the struggle, God is actually strengthening us. It may not always feel like it, but He is preparing us for what we are going to face throughout our journey. 

Counting it all joy doesn’t mean rushing toward the resolution. It means recognizing that God is just as active in the in-between as He is in the answered prayer. Joy can be found in knowing we are not forgotten, even when the answer hasn’t arrived yet. There were many moments during my journey that I felt forgotten or hopeless, but God never stopped working. Even when I had given up. If you feel the same way, know there is hope. God is faithful in the in-between, and He has not forgotten you. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You in the waiting and recognize that You are just as present in the in-between as You are in the answered prayer. Teach me to find joy in knowing You are near, faithful, and working in every season.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Mollie Astromowicz has been writing since her school days. She is a multi-published short story writer, writes church newsletters, and is a blogger. Her WIP’s (Works in Progress) include a fiction book for youth, as well as two children’s books. She is a DayCare Teacher, an Auntie to eight nieces and nephews, and is a pet mom to a guinea pig named Russell and a kitten named Pip. She loves playing the piano and ukulele, and is an avid golfer.

Join the Conversation: How well do you handle the in-between seasons of life?

The Land of Ick

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By Sally Cressman

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

A friend from church called the season of caregiving the “Land of Ick.” That phrase stuck.

Her mother-in-law was mentally declining and needed to move into an assisted living facility. A few weeks after the move, she broke her hip from a fall. A month later, she passed away.

This icky landscape is an unwanted and unplanned place. It takes far more than it gives,  consuming our time and draining our energy. My former pastor liked to say, “We’re all going into a trial, currently in one, or coming out of one.” That feels painfully accurate.

So where are you right now?

Are you knee-deep in that uncomfortable space, wondering how much longer you can hold on? Are you breathing a sigh of relief after a hard season finally passed? Or maybe you’re bracing yourself, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

You’re not alone.

Joseph lived in the Land of Ick after being thrown into a well by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, imprisoned, and then forgotten. David wandered through this bleak landscape while fleeing from King Saul, even though he was the rightful king. He grew weak from unconfessed sin after the affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, which resulted in the loss of his firstborn.

Sometimes the Land of Ick is God’s refining ground, preparing us for what’s next—like Joseph. Sometimes it’s the result of our own sin—like David. And sometimes the reason remains a mystery.

No one is immune to this season of suffering. James tells us, “when troubles of any kind come your way” (James 1:2).  Not if you have trouble, but when.

And let’s be real—our instinct is to get out of that place as fast as possible. We try to fix everything. We look for someone to blame. We might even get angry at God for allowing it in the first place. The icky space is uncomfortable. It hurts. It’s exhausting.

But a season of suffering can serve a purpose. David’s failure led him to humility and repentance, and he became known as “a man after God’s own heart.” Joseph’s injustice refined him and prepared him for saving a nation. My friend experienced unexpected joy in knowing that her mother-in-law was now with Jesus and in seeing all the lives she had touched.

None of us sets a goal to suffer. But when suffering comes, we can invite God into it. If it’s tied to sin, we confess, accept the consequences, and move forward. If it’s God shaping us for His purposes, we ask Him to strengthen our faith and soften our hearts. And when answers don’t come, we cling to what we know is true—God is still good.

Even now.

Even here.

Even in the Land of Ick.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t like it here in this icky season. It’s hard, and I’m tired. Hold me and show me your purpose in all of it —even here.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Sally Cressman is the award-winning author of The Dance of Easter. She has written children’s Sunday school curricula, devotions, and articles. Her publishing credits include LifeWay Kids Ministry, Focus on the Family, Moms in Prayer, and Nashville Christian Family magazine. She’d love to connect with you on her website www.sallycressman.com or Instagram.

Join the Conversation: Have you ever been to the Land of Ick?

He’s a Good, Good Father

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By Rhonda Rhea

See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! 1 John 3:1 CSB

My dad is a great dad. His jokes though? Well, I’ve never traced this all the way back, but it’s quite possible he invented the dad joke. My dad has jokes on jokes on jokes—no joke. Not good jokes, mind you. Just jokes. Not even original jokes probably. Just … jokes.

For the record, dad jokes are usually not as bad as uncle gags. The old “gotcher nose” or the infamous “What’s that behind your ear?” If you have an uncle in the category of “one of those,” hear me when I say, never ever pull his finger.

Back to my dad. I have to admit, I thought the dad jokes would slow down once I reached adulthood. That would be a nope. He once called me up and asked me to save my burned-out light bulbs for him. Some kind of art project? I wondered. I asked him and he said, “No, I’m taking up photography and I want to build a dark room.” I half-chuckled and made sure he knew I was eyerolling really hard on the other end of the line.

To further make my case about my dad and his jokes, he told me that throughout the entire stay-at-home order during the pandemic he only told “inside jokes.” (Add another half-chuckle/eyeroll combo here.)

FYI, my dad is still the greatest dad and can probably beat up all the other dads.

That’s how it often is with dads. We love them big and eyeroll big.

Whether you were blessed with chuckles and eyerolls with your earthly dad or not, it’s a no-jokes blessing to remember we have a good heavenly Father. Not only good, but perfect. Completely loving. Can we ever fully wrap our heads around the truth that the one who created the universe and holds it together is also the Father who loves us deeply and personally? (1 John 3:1)

Oh, the magnificent blessing of this knowing. You are loved. You are embraced, the treasured child of the Creator/Father.

I believe with all my heart that it blesses your heavenly Father when joy lights your life. He created joy. Jesus gave His life to make our Father/child relationship a reality. He did it with love and our joy in mind. “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10 CSB).

Fullness of life happens as we’re richly connected to Him. Jesus showed His loving heart when He wouldn’t let His disciples eyeroll and shoo away the children. (See Matthew 19:14.)

He loved them. He touched them. Our Lord has a non-shooing, hands-on, personal, nary-even-an-eyeroll, deep love for His children. He wants us to know His love, and to let it become a catalyst for an abundant life of joy.

Let’s shine a light on the perfect love of our good Father today. Let’s shine it with joy. No room for darkness. (So, thanks Dad, but we probably won’t be needing your pretend darkroom today.)

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you are the perfect heavenly Father. I can’t fully understand how or why the creator of the universe wanted me, but I accept it. Thank you, Father.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the author: Rhonda Rhea is a TV personality for Christian Television Network and an award-winning humor columnist for great magazines such as HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway and many more. She is the author of 17 books, including , Messy to Meaningful: My Purse Runneth Over, will help you stop holding on to what you don’t need and start fighting for what you do. Learn to walk out your faith life less weighed down, lighter, and freer than ever!

Join the Conversation: How has God the Father shown His love to you?

Stepping into the Cold

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by Beverly J. Schweigert

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

I’ve lived in western Pennsylvania my entire life, and winter has never been my favorite season. Give me spring with its promise of new growth or summer with its warmth and long evenings. I’m a warm-weather person at heart. So when my doctor suggested I needed more exercise and walking would be ideal, I eagerly set up a walking schedule and did pretty well until a winter storm arrived with its bitter cold and biting wind.

The thing is, my doodle puppy Bailey doesn’t care about the temperature. She needs her walks regardless of what the thermometer says. And honestly? I need them too. But some mornings, watching frost patterns spread across my windows, everything in me wants to stay inside where it’s cozy and warm. The thought of bundling up, braving the cold, facing the discomfort—it all feels like too much effort.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: if I prepare properly, layering up, pulling on warm gloves, wrapping my scarf just right, the cold becomes manageable. And once we’re outside, Bailey plunges her nose into the snow with pure joy, bounding through drifts and discovering treasures I’d never notice from my warm window. The stark beauty of snow-laden branches. The way sunlight catches on ice crystals. The absolute stillness of a winter morning that takes my breath away for reasons that have nothing to do with the temperature.

When Paul wrote “I can do all this through him who gives me strength,” he wasn’t sitting in comfort. He was writing from prison, facing genuine hardship and uncertainty. Yet he’d learned something profound: God’s strength shows up precisely when we step into the uncomfortable places, when we do the hard thing we’d rather avoid.

How often do we miss what God has for us because we’re unwilling to face the discomfort? We stay in our cozy spaces—physically, emotionally, spiritually—because stepping out feels too hard, too cold, too uncertain. But growth rarely happens in our comfort zones. The beautiful discoveries, the strength we didn’t know we had, the presence of God we desperately need, they’re often waiting just outside our door, in the very places we’re most reluctant to go.

Maybe you’re facing something that feels impossibly hard right now. A difficult conversation. A necessary change. A step of obedience that requires courage you don’t think you have. You’re looking at it from your warm, safe place and thinking, “I can’t do this.” But here’s the truth: you’re right. You can’t. Not alone. But with God’s strength? You can bundle up, step out, and discover beauty you never would have seen from the window.

Prayer: Lord, I’m facing something hard and everything in me wants to stay where it’s comfortable. Give me your strength to step into the uncomfortable place. Help me trust that you’ll be with me in the cold, and that you have something beautiful waiting that I can only discover by going. Amen.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Beverly J. Schweigert is a devotional author, Certified Lay Speaker, and founder of Blessed Be Boutique from western Pennsylvania. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her quilting, painting, or diving into her latest crafting project. Creator of the BLESS Method of Bible study, Beverly has authored over 24 devotional journals that make Scripture accessible and applicable to everyday life. Her heart’s desire is to help women discover God’s presence in both the extraordinary moments and the beautifully ordinary ones.

Join the Conversation:  In what ways does it help to know something beautiful is coming?

Darkness Will not Silence Us

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By Hadassah Treu

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. Job 23:16–17 NIV

The heavy grief enveloped me like a dark cloud, pressing on my chest and taking my breath away. My only desire was to escape, to go somewhere far away, in a distant land, away from the cloud, away from the pain. My head was replaying scene after scene from the last days of my beloved in the hospital.

His death plunged me into cold, suffocating darkness, and I felt the waters closing over me. I cried desperately to God in anguish, with tears and sobs. However, I was surprised to discover that I could still breathe underwater; I was still alive. How was this possible?

The day after my husband died, I came across this verse in Job 23 in which Job made the stunning declaration that the thick darkness covering his face would not silence and destroy him. This spoke straight to my heart.

There are several powerful truths we can glean from these verses that can help us face the darkness of pain and suffering with hope and courage. The first truth we can stand on is that our darkness is a season allowed by God. This means He is fully in control of this ordained season in our lives.

The heart of the verses is God’s message that the darkness will not silence us. This is a key point with double implications. It is crucial to keep the communication open and learn to abide in the Lord in our pain. The second aspect is that Satan’s plan to use our pain to silence us as God’s faithful witnesses and to silence our faith will fail.

Lastly, the darkness will not destroy us. It may feel like this for a long time, but if we stay connected with God, with our source of Life and Power, our souls will not be destroyed. We will pass through the fire and the water, and come out without any permanent damage because this is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants.  

These words of Job were God’s acknowledgment of the terrible season I was passing through, but also His assurance that I would survive; the darkness covering my face would not silence me. I would not turn my back on God but would continue to seek Him and communicate with Him, following Job’s example. More importantly, the terror of grief would not silence my testimony of faith, as Job’s losses didn’t destroy his faith in a fair and loving God.

If you are passing through the dark waters of grief now, let’s hold on to this truth: God is aware, He knows, He has allowed it, and even if we don’t understand, He has a good purpose and far-reaching plans. We can choose to trust His wisdom and His love and rely on His power to overcome the darkness.

Prayer: Lord, I am dealing with so many losses, and my soul is heavy with grief. I put my trust in you and declare boldly that the darkness will not silence and destroy me because you are with me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Hadassah Treu is an award-winning international author of “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” writer at onthewaybg.com, poet, speaker, and motivator, living in Bulgaria. She is the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner for 2020 and the Literature Award Winner of the Municipality of Pazardzhik, Bulgaria for 2024. Hadassah loves encouraging people to draw near to God in the dark valleys of life. Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms likeKoinonia, Devotable, Proverbs 31 Compel Pro Blog, and 14 devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured on over 70 popular platforms and podcasts like The Upper Room, (In)Courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Today’s Christian Living, Living by Design Ministries, and many others.

Join the Conversation: What painful experience have you suffered and needed to rise above?

Looking for a Little Attention Here

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By Patty LaRoche

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV

My husband’s mother, Phyllis, worked for decades as the office manager of a car dealership. Buyers dealt with her when they purchased a vehicle. One day, a man sat down at Phyllis’s desk to finalize the details of his purchase. Phyllis noted that his last name was “LaRoche.”

“LaRoche? Seems like I’ve heard that name before,” she chuckled.

“Do you follow baseball?” he answered.

“I do.”

“Well then, that’s probably it. My brother Dave is a pitcher for the California Angels.”

Dave’s mom started laughing. “You could have fooled me. I’m Phyllis LaRoche. I’m Dave’s mother.”

Some people will do anything to be recognized or valued. If you’ve ever stretched the truth to appear qualified, needed, or superior, you know what I mean. In the New Testament, we read that Barnabas sold his property and presented the disciples with the money he made from the sale. Imagine the accolades and high-fives given to Barnabas for his generosity.

The married couple Ananias and Sapphira wanted in on the praise. They too sold their land but kept back some of the profit for themselves. There’s nothing wrong with that, except they lied to the disciples, saying that they gave it all, a lie that cost them their lives.

God doesn’t want big shots; He wants people of humility. In The Best of Lee Strobel’s “Investigating Faith,” he writes this: “Humility involves an appropriate acknowledgment and realistic assessment of oneself. If you’re a skilled piano player, you don’t say, ‘I’m no good on the piano.’ That’s being out of touch with reality. On the other hand, the pianist should recognize that this talent is a gift he’s received from God.”

“John,” an American atheist who owned at our condominium complex in Mexico, showed up one year with long hair and a story about how he, in a few months, would lead an orchestra in his hometown in the United States. Impressive, right? It was the talk of the complex. I ran into John one day and congratulated him on being selected for his upcoming debut. He began demonstrating his “a-one-and-a-two-and-a” pretend-baton movement while shaking his long hair from side to side. He definitely was into his new role.

A few days later, his wife and I were chatting. I asked if she was impressed that her husband had been chosen to conduct an orchestra. She seemed surprised. “He wasn’t chosen. He won it in an auction. He just outbid the other bidders.” A small detail John failed to share.

Pastor Rick Warren said it well. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less …”

No one knew this better than Jesus. After Jesus fasted for 40 days, Satan appeared to Him and gave Him three chances to exalt himself: change stones into bread so He could eat; throw himself down from a high building and be saved by His angels; or worship him (Satan) and be given all the world’s kingdoms.          

Jesus wasn’t about to do any of those things. His purpose was to show others the way to Heaven, not to call attention to himself. One demonstrates humility, the other, pride. In life, choose humility.

Prayer: Dear Lord, let me remember that in everything I say and do.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Patty LaRoche has spent forty-five of her fifty years of marriage in professional baseball.  A retired teacher, Patty speaks professionally and writes a weekly, Christian column for area newspapers.  She is certified to speak on the evils of sex trafficking and has presented a Tedx Talk on the “Rewards of Rejection.” Her first book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection, addresses how laughter covers a multitude of humiliating experiences.  She should know.  Website: alittlefaithlift.com

Join the Conversation: What tips do you have to share about maintaining humility?

A Reminder in the Clouds

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By Melissa Heiland

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

My husband and I attended a missions conference in Malaga, Spain. It was a beautiful week of growth and on the final day our organization had planned a tour of a historic city nearby. Mijas is known for its historic charm and beauty. We had been looking forward to this day for months. Unfortunately, it was a very cloudy, rainy day. Our tour guide was growing visibly nervous as he spoke to us on the bus. He explained the city was truly beautiful and that the rain and clouds were an anomaly. He tried to remain upbeat as he talked about this tourist destination.

When we arrived, the weather remained dreary. The clouds were dense and obstructed every view. Our tour guide continued to guide us throughout the city. He patiently described the beauty of the village and the scenic views of the ocean. He ended each description with a heavily accented, “But you don’t see nothing.” He seemed embarrassed and frustrated, but our team remained in good spirits. We were together in Spain enjoying one another’s company and happy to be strolling the streets of Spain even on a very cloudy day. After an hour of talking to us about what we would have seen, had the sun been shining, Miguel released us to shop and dine and showed us our meeting place with instructions to return in two hours.

After eating and buying gifts for our loved ones, we found our way back to place we began. As I was looking at the clouds, an incredible thing happened. The clouds lifted and I saw the breathtaking view of the expansive white village perched on the mountainside. In an instant everything changed. It seemed miraculous. One minute we could see nothing but clouds, the next we saw an intricate panoramic view of the Mediterranean. It did not happen gradually. The view changed from nothing to spectacular in an instant. It literally took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes.

This moment was such a clear picture of life with the Lord. So often it looks to me like God is not moving. I see nothing but clouds in every direction. I feel like I am walking in a fog no matter where I turn. And then the Lord opens my eyes to show me that He has been working all along. He is always working on our behalf. We do not have to see what He is doing, to know that He is. That is the essence of faith, believing even we don’t see. The work that He is doing on our behalf is glorious, spectacular, intricate. We can trust Him even in the clouds.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you are always working on our behalf. Forgive me for not trusting you when I cannot see what you are doing. Thank you for your intricate loving care for us.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the author: Melissa Heiland is the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Feet International, a mission organization that plants pregnancy ministries around the world. She is an international speaker and author who is passionate about mommies, babies and sharing the Gospel. She and her husband Ken have 6 children and 13 grandchildren.



Join the Conversation: Share a time God was working behind the scenes and you realized it later.

Because of Jesus

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By Lisa Pritchard

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NKJV

Ten years ago, I was barely living. I laughed, ate, went out, talked with friends, went to work, managed my home, loved my family, and all the normal things people do. But I was pretending—reeling from harsh events and sinking deeper into the mire every day. My emotional resources were limited, and I felt like a drain on the time of others. Depression joined my disappointment. Taking the next breath seemed an unmanageable task. I questioned God, why? Now I know He permitted my downward muddy spiral so I could discern my need for dependence on Him. At my lowest, I called on Him, and He rescued me. He gave me a purpose and equipped me to complete it, giving me a firm place to stand.  

Are you hurting, helpless, or hopeless? Are you anxious, angry, or afraid? Is the darkness closing in? Are you disappointed in unanswered prayers or unwanted answers? If you answered yes to any of those questions, like I have, then let me share my rescue from the pit and some good news.

 About 2,000 years ago, darkness seemed to claim the only sinless man who will ever live, Jesus Christ. He was wrongly accused, humiliated, stripped, flogged, and nailed to a cross. He died and was buried in a tomb. I imagine His friends and family felt all the emotions above: hurting, helpless, hopeless, anxious, angry, and afraid. Surely, they were disappointed that Jesus didn’t come as a fierce warrior but a sacrificial lamb. Can you imagine how they felt when He appeared among them? When they finally grasped the plan?

Jesus prayed that the cup could be taken from Him, but God’s redeeming plan required His obedience. In God’s timing, Jesus was pulled out of the pit (tomb) defeating the mud and mire (sin and death). His feet have a firm place to stand, at the right hand of God the Father. Our pain  won’t save the world; Jesus already did that. But take comfort knowing your tears and hurts aren’t wasted by God.

When we have financial concerns, a health crisis, hurtful relationships, low self-esteem, or any problem, let’s take it to the One who will advocate for us. He will never treat you like a drain on His time. He has unlimited resources and already knows what lies ahead for you and me, and He can handle it all. He may not give us the outcome we desire, but His plan is always better than ours. We can call on Him anytime. Anywhere. He is longing to hear from us, to pull us out of the pit, and stand us firmly on the rock of truth.

Prayer: Dear Father, You are all that is good and offer hope when situations look hopeless. Help us remember Your omniscience and omnipotence when we are hurting and let Your Spirit guide us to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Lisa Pritchard lives on the East Coast writing books, devotions, presentations, essays, and poetry. She is a member of Word Weavers, BSF, and is Speak Up speaker certified. She speaks with and co-leads book studies with an online international prayer group of W@W Ministries. She was published in El Raah – The God Who Shepherds (2024) and to be published twice in Glimpses of God in Nature (November 2025). She wrote a light Christian romance for a beach anthology (Spring 2026) and is co-writing a six-book children’s series. Her first children’s book, Dirt Dog, releases on March 17, 2026. You can learn more about her at www.Praying-Prodigals.com.  

Join the Conversation: What hope has God offered you when things look dark and bleak?

Living a Skyscraper Life

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By Lane Jordan Burday

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24 NLT

At a recent church service, our new pastor, Daniel Floyd, spoke about building our lives on God’s true foundation. And yes, I have heard this preached before, and I have heard the above verse all my life.

But I never realized how important it is to build our lives on the firm foundation of God’s Word, His Truth, and His principles for a life that works.

Did you know that before a skyscraper can be built, the foundation must be measured and built first? In fact, the building will fall if the foundation is not deep enough or if it is not set on bedrock. Skyscrapers require a foundation that is anchored on bedrock because it must support the enormous load, the wind forces, and the soil settlement, and in some places, like New York, it’s hard to find the bedrock because it is irregular.

Here is some interesting information. The Freedom Tower in New York is 1700 feet high, and they had to dig 70 feet below street level to lay its foundation. The Empire State Building is 1,250 feet high and has a foundation 55 feet below street level. That’s some deep digging! Yes, it took a lot of time and effort to find it. But the builders knew they could not build unless they found this solid rock.

Pastor Floyd then said,

“The higher you want to go, the deeper your foundation must go. If you want a one-story kind of life, you only need a foundation that is 2 to 4 feet deep.

But if you want a skyscraper kind of life, for God to do anything you can’t think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), then you’d better dig the foundation very deep in your life.”

Do you want a marriage that goes the distance? Or children who love God and are building families according to the principles of God’s word? Then we must do the challenging work of living life God’s way. A life that can stand firm when the storms of life come. And to have a “peace that passes all human understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

If you want to build your life differently this year, then we have to do some digging, which no one sees, until we hit bedrock! Then you can build your life on a sure foundation. But here is a problem: John Maxwell says, “Do you have uphill dreams? Or downhill habits!”  Yes, it’s so much easier not to work very hard and to keep bad habits, but the results will not be as good.

In Timothy 4:7-8, Paul says that if you want godliness, you have to work at it. He commands believers to “Train yourself for godliness” rather than worldly pursuits, emphasizing that while physical training has limited benefit, “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come,” stressing active spiritual discipline and obedience to God’s way.

Please give yourself some time every day to read God’s Word and to build your ‘skyscraper life’ on a solid rock – not on shifting sand.
 
Prayer: Lord, I want to have a deep and strong foundation, so I may stand tall and firm like a skyscraper. Help me to use wisdom and follow your teachings, that my life may be built on the solid rock.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the author: Lane Jordan Burday is the best-selling and award-winning author of over ten books.  Find her latest fiction book, Evangeline, based on the story of Esther, on Amazon, as well as her books on becoming more organized.  She is an international speaker, life coach, Bible teacher for over 30 years, writer, and artist. She has served as Associate Producer for the program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. You can visit Lane at: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com. She is also on the Pearls of Promise Ministries team. You can find her there at www.PearlsofPromiseMinistries.com,  where she is a co-host for the Radio/TV ministry and blog writer.

Join the Conversation: In what ways are you wisely building your life on the solid rock of Christ?

Mistakes Happen

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By Cherie Fresonke

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Psalm 119:73 NKJV

There have been many times in my life when I felt like a total failure, and I could have easily embraced the lie that I was a mistake. But the truth of the matter is you and I are not a mistake. I cannot count the number of times (over my 30 plus years in ministry discipling the hurting) that a woman told me she was a mistake.

Psalm 119:73 is a beautiful verse filled with encouragement for all who have ever embraced the lie of being a mistake, a failure, or less than all that God created you to be. Have you ever read this verse and really embraced what it is teaching? The psalmist recognized that God’s hands made him and fashioned him. Just as God’s hands made you and fashioned you! He is your creator, who formed you for a specific purpose, not by random chance or some cosmic accident. You are His work of art explicitly made for this time in history. The psalmist goes on to plead, “Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” It’s the psalmist’s petition for spiritual wisdom and understanding so that he can live according to God’s Word and His commandments.

Oh, how you and I can learn from this verse. Have you ever felt like you are a mistake? Maybe someone always fed you that lie. Maybe someone told you that you can never do anything right. Maybe someone tried to convince you that you will never amount to anything. If so, that’s a lie from the pit. The truth is you are not a mistake. Mistakes happen, but not when it comes to God creating people.

The Bible teaches that God’s hands made us and formed us. Therefore, it’s absolutely impossible for you and me to be a mistake because God does not make mistakes. Instead, what we’re really struggling with when we consider ourselves a mistake or a failure is that we’ve embraced a lie someone spewed at us.

So what does this mean to you personally?

The enemy of your soul wants you to hang on to that lie. In fact, he wants you to make decisions based on that lie so that your light as a believer will be dim and unproductive. 

Instead—embrace truth. Memorize this verse. Stand firm and tall as you ask God for spiritual wisdom and understanding to make decisions based upon His Word, His promises, and His commandments and not based upon your feelings. As you set your feelings aside and walk in truth you will become all that God created you to be. Does it get any better than that?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to let go of the lies that I’ve believed about myself and help me to embrace Your truth. Your hands made me and formed me in love. I am not a mistake! I stand amazed! Please give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments and walk in them instead of walking in my feelings. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

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About the Author: Cherie Fresonke is an author, international speaker and teacher, and the host of the Embrace Truth Podcast. She has been involved in biblical discipleship ministry at various Calvary Chapels since 1993. Born and raised in Southern California, Cherie and her husband of 40+ years reside in Ohio after living overseas as missionaries. Visit cheriefresonke.com to learn more.



Join the Conversation: What truth will you remember if you start believing lies about yourself?