You, my friend, are surrounded by God’s presence. Some days, your thoughts might tell you otherwise, but don’t believe them. Instead, hold onto the promise found in —”Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.” The Cambridge English dictionary defines surround as “to be everywhere around… [ read more ]
Posts Tagged: suffering
Life’s Storms Linger but Won’t Last Forever
Life’s storms linger but won’t last forever. A friend clung to this truth when one hardship after another struck her. First, her infant son became ill and died. She was still reeling when life-threatening illnesses hit several extended family members, and her husband lost his job. She felt like she was living in Job’s… [ read more ]
3 Truths About the Hard Places of Life
No one enjoys the hard places of life, but sometimes they’re the richest. Genesis 28 tells the story of Jacob traveling to his uncle Laban’s home. This wasn’t a joy ride. He was running from his twin brother who wanted to kill him for stealing his blessing. () One night, Jacob set up camp and… [ read more ]
The Best Path Might be the Hardest
Today I’m pleased to host a guest blog by Kathy Howard. I’ve known her for several years and count her as a special friend. Her latest Bible study is Deep Rooted: Growing Through the Book of Acts. Enjoy this excerpt, and continue reading to learn more about Kathy and this Bible study. Then Paul… [ read more ]
The Purpose for Suffering
One of my favorite things in life is watching my grandchildren grow in every aspect of their lives—physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional. Every time I see them, they’ve changed. That’s the way it should be, right? God never intended a baby to remain a baby. His plan is for infants to grow and… [ read more ]
Encouragement for When Christmas is Difficult
“These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (). Christmas is a time for celebration, but it can also be really tough when life brings change. Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one and you’re keenly feeling the pain of the empty place. Maybe you moved far from… [ read more ]
3 Truths About Life’s Hard Places
Genesis 28 tells the story of Jacob traveling to his uncle Laban’s home. This wasn’t a fun excursion. He was on the run from his twin brother who wanted to kill him for stealing his blessing. () One night Jacob set up camp and found—get this—a stone—yes, a stone—for a pillow. Can… [ read more ]
Three Words That Change Everything
An email arrived in my inbox yesterday, words written by a woman whose husband died recently. She described her concerns for her young adult children and her frustration over lacking a sense of purpose since becoming a widow. My heart hurt for her. That pain added to the hurt I’ve felt for… [ read more ]
3 Keys to Surviving Life’s Hard Stuff
Life is flat-out hard sometimes. Stuff happens when we least expect it, and it can send us into a tailspin or drive us to our knees. Sometimes life’s tough stuff lingers much longer than we’d like. We tie a knot and hang on for dear life, but fear threatens to slip our grip. I’ve experienced… [ read more ]
3 Truths to Remember When Life Hurts
Life often brings challenges, disappointments, and heartaches. As I write this, I’m thinking of the families affected by Pittsburgh’s tragedy and the plane crash in Indonesia. What can one say to console them? Closer to home, I’m thinking of three friends whose husbands have walked away from their marriages since June. I’m thinking… [ read more ]
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