We are no strangers to mourning, grief, suffering, and tears. We seem to live in the space between Good Friday and Easter.
Yet, the promise stands that one day, God will put an end to our suffering, wipe away our tears, and finally give us the peace we have been yearning for.
Until then, we pan for gold in the darkness, searching for his goodness amidst trials and trust in God's plan for our lives.
When someone shares their pain with us, our job is to listen to them attentively and love them patiently, not to out-pain their pain with our own pain story.
In that moment, it’s not about us and it’s not a competition. It’s about being fully present and attentive.
The most powerful and effective response to our critics is to remain unoffendable. If they can’t offend us, then they can’t control us.
Lord, give us strength to receive criticism and feedback, not with offense, but with grace and humility.
Make us unoffendable!
Jesus is unrelenting beauty, untarnished goodness, unstoppable grace, unending love, & unflappable peace. He never errs, never sins, never has impure motives. He has an eternally trustworthy track record. You can trust Him w/out taking offense even in the darkest seasons of life.
A made-up resurrection story would've made men, in a male-dominated culture, the heroes, not women (whose testimony wasn't trusted in a court of law).
Yet, women were eyewitnesses & heralds of the message: He has risen!
This is one reason I believe the Resurrection is true.
Daily affirmations are about reprogramming our mindset and beliefs, especially when spoken out loud.
Tell yourself: "Whatever room I walk into today, by God's grace and power, I will change the atmosphere in a positive way."