“I feel like a failure.” Have you thought or said those words? I have. Perhaps you feel like a failure in the area of parenting or marriage or your job or ministry or some endeavor you took on. When I start to have those thoughts of being a failure, I get discouraged and want to quit. Sometimes, it’s true that we have failed. Other times, it’s just lies from Satan, who would love to get
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I’ve been feeling inadequate lately. It seems life is busier than ever, and there are more things to get done than time to do them. And I’m doubting if I can do the tasks given to me and do them well. Yep, I’m fighting the battle of inadequacy. Every day I find myself telling God, “I can’t do this.” Maybe you’re fighting the battle of inadequacy, too. God, I can’t be a good mom, or
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None of us enjoy going through painful situations. Life is much more enjoyable when everything’s going smoothly and just the way we want it. But, I have realized that my deepest seasons of spiritual growth are not when everything’s going great, but when I’m desperately dependent on Him – for strength to get through a tough situation, for grace to respond in a godly way. Yes, I want to go deeper in my relationship with
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As you look back over your life, has it turned out as you had hoped it would? Did God follow the script you would have written for your life? He didn’t for me. If He had followed my script, I would be married. I would have children and grandchildren. We’d never have to worry about money. We’d be healthy. My husband and I would stay madly in love until Jesus takes us home together in
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I’ve heard it said that the ABC’s of spiritual growth are Adversity Builds Character. And I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t like adversity. But if we’re going to grow spiritually, adversity is part of the growth process. When I’ve found myself in the midst of adversity, I don’t enjoy it. But when I’m on the other side and look back over that season, I can see how God has used that time
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This past week, I felt the sting of disappointment – not once, but twice. I was waiting to hear back from two different publishers who were considering several Bible studies I had written. I had been praying for God’s will in both of these situations, and a peace regardless of whether it would be a yes or a no. (My heart’s desire was for a yes.) I received two no’s three days apart. Ouch… Even
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I confess. I struggle with comparison. I wish I were as pretty as she is. I wish I was as funny as she is. I wish I could dress as cute as she does. I wish I had what she has. I wish I could sing like she does. I wish I lived in that house or that neighborhood. And on and on it goes. To be honest, I think most of us struggle with
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I think we’re probably all familiar with the song, “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.” We tend to think of this song as a children’s song. But to be honest, the meaning of this song is just as much for adults as it is for kids. The challenge from this song is, are you going to let your light shine? Are you going to let the light of Christ in you
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Years ago, I stepped off a curb without paying attention and sprained my ankle. It was painful, but I was thankful I didn’t break any bones. However, I had to use crutches for a week. They helped, but they were never meant to be a permanent fix. Their purpose was to assist me in getting around for a short period of time while my ankle healed. We all have potential crutches in our lives –
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One of the most difficult seasons in my life was watching my elderly mom decline in the nursing home and wondering why God didn’t release her from her earthly body sooner. I cried; I questioned God’s love for mom (and me); I had many honest conversations with God. But I look back at that season now and realize how God’s timing was perfect in my mom’s Home going, and how He used that time
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