Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Brene Brown – Professor-Social Worker – Author-Podcast Host.
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 | Ways To Walk Your Morning Blues Away With Jesus BONNIE GRAY |
“Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace …” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
Early one morning, I woke up preoccupied. With a long to-do list and a stressful work deadline looming, I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get everything done. As I made coffee, I tried engineering my day like a game of Tetris — optimizing every minute.
My heart sank. There wasn’t much space to breathe. Looking outside at the sunny, blue skies, I saw beauty but didn’t feel it. Instead, I felt weary. Have you ever had a morning like that? The day is still young, but you already feel weighed down and tired, held captive by worry.
When I later returned to the coffeepot after getting dressed, can you imagine how bewildered I felt to find it full of clear water? I had put in the filter and filled the tank, but I was so preoccupied I forgot the most important thing: coffee grounds!
As I made another pot, scriptures surfaced in my heart:
“Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace …” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus’ words felt like a comforting hand on my shoulder. The phrase “walk with me” in the Message paraphrase captured my attention. Jesus invites us to spend time with Him and rest from the burdens we carry. The metaphor of taking a walk, hand in hand, implies an intimate, one-on-one reconnecting of hearts away from distractions.
How do you enjoy spending time with Jesus in your faith-walk?
Here are three of my favorite ways you can borrow today:
1. Listen to a worship song. Songs give us a simple way to practice the presence of God, calling us back to Him. Music can bring calm and comfort — put on a favorite worship song, and let God whisper words of love to you.
2. Journal a prayer based on God’s Word. Just one loving word from God brings light into your day. As you slow down to read and reflect on Scripture, respond by journaling a prayer. Studies show 10 minutes of journaling can lower anxiety and improve mood.
3. Spend time outside reveling in God’s creation. When we hear birds sing, see trees bud, or take a walk in fresh air, we often feel refreshed with God’s loving presence. Studies show 10 minutes spent in nature can ease feelings of anxiety and sadness.
We can orchestrate the most optimized life and high-output schedule, but without time to rest, we don’t have peace or joy. We were created to walk in wellness with Jesus. So let’s take the time to enjoy what helps reconnect our hearts to His.
Sometimes we can walk our morning blues away simply by spending time with our loving Savior — and any day is a good day to start. Jesus will take care of us every day.
Jesus, help me live out my faith-walk in wellness, renewed with Your peace, today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you find yourself growing weary in doing good works, wondering if your prayers are just hitting the ceiling, or sometimes questioning if living out your faith in Jesus is really worth it … our new study is for you … Am I Doing This Right? How To Live Out Your Faith Through the Wisdom Found in James. This study starts on April 8 in the free First 5 mobile app. Click here to order your digital study guide!
Feeling weary? Walk in wellness with Jesus and leave behind stress, worry and anxiety with this FREE Devotional Quick … Guide. Click here to enjoy … “Five Important Questions to Declutter Your Home and Heart” by soul care mentor and bestselling author Bonnie Gray. Find peace in daily challenges based on soul care, Scripture and science.
ENGAGE
Take Bonnie’s free “Soul Care Quiz” — your personal wellness assessment — to learn what type of care you’re missing most and how to flourish with God’s peace and joy in your life! You can also follow Bonnie on Instagram or Facebook.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV).
Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (NIV).
What helps you to find wellness in your faith-walk with Jesus? Share with us in the comments!
© 2024 by Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved.Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
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TAKE THIS CUP
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
On hearing the news of the violent assassination of Christian government minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, Maaria from Pakistan wrote these words in her “Secret Believers” blog:
Another man laid to rest, not like men who die for a better tomorrow or men who die for the restoration of a nation, or men who die for a noble cause. I am writing of a line of men and women who have entered Christ’s rest because they chose to believe in Him above the laws of the land and the laws of Islam. They chose to stand up for Christ…
Mr. Bhatti’s name has been added to that list. Every time I try to sleep, images of his car, the blood, the bullet holes, the sound of what it must have been like, the stench of what must have filled the air come to me along with the voice of a woman hidden away in a prison. A woman whose persecution started this spate of hatred and anger—Aasia Bibi, my sister—in solitary confinement, afraid, alone and waiting for the day she is hung for a crime she did not commit.
For every bullet that was sprayed, whether it hit him and spilt his blood or not, I offer the Al Quaida, forgiveness. I cannot speak yet for my aching people. I will give them time to get there. But I know there are Maarias who forgive the Al Quaida for taking away a man who loved Jesus and loved the Church and loved Pakistan. For every bullet, I remember the nails on the cross and ask the Lord to “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” They have been brain washed. They are not born for this. God allows them into the world for great things. I ask that you forgive them too.
For every drop of blood spilt, forgive them. Jesus hung on the cross and his blood was spilt for us. For every drop of blood, I urge you my Christian family around the world, to remember the sips of wine from the cup that Jesus passed among his disciples in the upper room…Then remember those of us for whom the words of Christ are so real today, “Lord…take this cup from me.” I am sure there were nights when Mr. Bhatti spoke into the darkness to God and asked Him to deliver him from this. But God gave him the courage to carry on. He did not bend to the demand to give up and walk away.
RESPONSE: Today I will pray for courage to honor Jesus and forgive those who snuff out His light.
PRAYER: Lord, grant Your courage, peace and forgiving spirit to all who grieve injustices today.
Soul Food
By DaySpring
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” JOHN 21:15 NIV
Whenever he put on the chef suit his wife bought him years ago for Christmas, the whole family knew what lay in store for them. Their dad loved to cook! He’d pore through recipe books to find just the right meal for the occasion. Then he’d go to several stores in search of every ingredient needed for the experience. Finally, he’d set up stations in the kitchen to cover every course his meal required. Then when the food was fully prepared, he called the family to the table.
As much as he enjoyed the preparation, he was most pleased when they tasted the fruit of all his effort. Seeing the delighted smiles and hearing their applause and satisfied approval sent his spirit soaring. Through serving them good food, he showed them his love, and his family happily received them both.
This earthly father is not alone in getting such joy out of loving and serving his family. Our heavenly Father feels the same way! As the source of all love, He longs to lavish His goodness on our lives in every way imaginable. But it doesn’t stop with us. God gives us the richest of fare from His table so that we can share the experience with others.
What does it look like to feed God’s people? We can literally invite them into our homes to share our table and lives. We can sit with the babies during church so young families can listen to the sermon together. We can teach our kids about the goodness of God as we go about our daily routines. Like the chef, we prepare to love by first spending time with our Savior (the secret ingredient for all nourishment and success). Then, we seek opportunities to share publicly what we have learned in the privacy of our time spent with Him. In feeding others with His love, we’ll draw others back to the bounty of God’s goodness again and again.
Jesus, I love You. I want to show You that I mean it through the way that I love and serve Your people. Please open my eyes to the needs around me and use the time, talent, and treasure You’ve given me to spread a feast of Your love out for others to enjoy in Jesus’s name.
This is an excerpt from True Sweetness: Growing in the Fruits of the Spirit – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
Is God Your Source of Encouragement?
Is God Your Source of Encouragement?
By Victoria Riollano
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
En·cour·age- to give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
Many of us are looking to be encouraged or supported.
We look to family.
We look to pastors.
We look to our friends.
We look to self-help books.
We look to influencers.
We look to man to give us that boost that will change our lives and perspective. However, at some point your friend will decline your call, your books will get lost, and your pastor will disappoint. This is the sad reality of life. Eventually, you will have to dig deep and find your encouragement from someone who cannot fail you… EVER!
In 2017, I learned very quickly that our source of encouragement must come from the Lord. The year started off seemingly normal. However, just three weeks in, my father-in-law passed away. Following this, my husband became severely ill as well. Thus, the person who was typically my source of encouragement was grieving and in need of physical and emotional support. Even more so, many of my personal relationships with friends had started to fade. I found myself in need of someone who could encourage me. Being a military spouse far away from home only added to this frustration of needing someone to stand alongside me. Amid all the trials, I was isolated and had very little strength to continue.
It was during this time of my life, I realized how much I relied on other people to be my source of hope and encouragement. When all was stripped away, and I had no family, friends, or the support of my husband, I realized how I had not leaned on God as much I had pretended to for so many years. This took me on a journey of asking, “What would it look like to depend on God for my encouragement?” In other words, what would happen if God was the source of my hope and joy? I learned day by day that if I could shift my perspective on who God is and allow Him to be what keeps me going, I could get through the most difficult times of my life.
Let’s reconsider the word encourage. Encourage…or IN-courage! The truth is when someone “encourages you” they are really giving you that extra needed push to walk “in courage.” They are helping you to be fearless and keep going when you want to give up. In order to move forward and be successful, you have to learn that true encouragement comes from withIN! This is where God comes in to shake things up.
He says… Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
In other words, your courage comes from knowing that He will never leave you or forsake you. Your courage comes from knowing that everything that happens will work out in the end (Romans 8:28). YOUR courage comes from knowing that no matter what you are going through the Lord has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Your inner courage comes from knowing that the Lord is on your side.
When we have this viewpoint, we can walk confidently in any situation. We can know full well that even when everyone and everything fails, you serve a God who sees you and who has a plan. Although God has created us to be in a community, we recognize that others do not dictate our hope. Our friends now become a resource, not our source. God is the source of our encouragement. The bible is now your personal love letter and instruction book for the midst of every trial.
It took the hardest time of my life to realize this important aspect of who God MUST be in my life. However, in learning to trust God and look Him above all else, I gained such confidence. Even more so, I was able to help my husband through his low times. The key, however, is I was able to direct Him to the Lord versus just being dependent on me. I was able to remind him that his ability to get through those hard moments will be found in God’s presence. Thus, looking to the Lord for courage and directing others to do so, puts the ball in God’s court to bring peace and support.
Truly, there is nothing more refreshing than having God lift you up! May you be encouraged in the Lord.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Victoria Riollano is an author, blogger, and speaker. As a mother of six, military spouse, Psychology professor and minister’s wife, Victoria has learned the art of balancing family and accomplishing God’s ultimate purpose for her life. Recently, Victoria released her book, The Victory Walk: A 21 Day Devotional on Living A Victorious Life. Her ultimate desire is to empower women to live a life of victory, hope, and love. She believes that with Christ we can live a life that is ALWAYS winning. You can learn more about her ministry at victoryspeaks.org.
Looking for authentic conversations about how to deal with body image, insecurity, and comparison issues as a Christian woman? The Compared to Who? Podcast is the show for you! Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like dieting, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, body dysmorphia, and more from a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered perspective.
7 Sneaky Ways Satan Is Attacking Our Children in Today’s Culture
- Alicia Searl
- Contributing Writer
Have you seen that picture of the momma lioness crouching down, head hovering just above her little cub, with a haunting stare that pierces right through your soul? Her eyes say it all: “Don’t mess with this one!” Yep! That’s the image I want you to think of as we approach this subject matter.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it; Satan is after our kids (1 Peter 5:8-10)! We can’t back down and must be ready for this fight because we are in a full-on spiritual war! It isn’t hard to see that the devil’s sneaky tactics have only gotten bolder and more manipulative. As a momma who strives to protect her own cubs and is failing miserably most days, I like to think that God’s got my back and is that stately lion, fearlessly standing behind both of us, always on guard! It is so comforting to know that we serve a God who loves our children more than we do and can fiercely protect them in ways we simply can’t.
That said, God calls us to love, protect, instruct, discipline, and discipline our children. While this task can feel overwhelming and daunting, and maybe even truly disheartening at times, the truth is the enemy is clever and deceptive; not only does he want your children, but he is after you, too! His whole plan is to sabotage the family unit, so we must be on guard and ready.
With that, let’s discover just how the liar attacks our children, especially in today’s culture, and plan a strategic method to fight back with prayer and scripture. Our words have power, so saying these prayers out loud and proclaiming verses over your children will make the evil one shutter, knowing the Mighty Lion of Judah has your back!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Thai Liang Lim
Attack 1: Their Identity
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Our children are bombarded with confusing and mixed messages daily. Movies, TV shows, ads, music, books, social media, and so much more continually influence your child’s life, often declaring a worldly message about love or self-worth that doesn’t align with God’s Word. Satan is sneaky here as he places just enough “half-truths” to make our children ponder what is real and true, inevitably questioning who God is and who they are!
We mustn’t disregard the intention here: Satan wants to deceive and draw our children away from us with false doctrine, and it all starts by attacking their identity! Satan is good at fabricating the truth with enticing imagery and tantalizing temptations, which can ever so easily sway our children into bending to the world’s view of their identity. We must strive to set healthy boundaries to protect their identity while declaring and proclaiming God’s Word of truth over them.
Father, I lift my child up to You. Please etch Your truth about their identity into their heart and allow them to seek You when the world and lies are loud. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: Psalm 139:13-14, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Orbon Alija
Attack 2: Their Innocence
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This may be nothing new, but the way in which Satan is literally and outwardly targeting our children’s precious innocence is highly disturbing. Let me be very clear here – the devil hates children. That may sound like no surprise, but because Jesus loves the little children (Matthew 19:14), that makes the devil despise them all the more.
From society’s stance on abortion that targets the most innocent of lives to the way children have been placed in gruesome situations forcing them to grow up quickly, the devil’s plan of attack is to destroy future generations by stealing their innocence and purity. We need to band together as parents and pray for our youth and future generations.
Father, I lift up our precious children to You. Please provide your fierce and mighty hand of protection over them and keep them pure and innocent. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: Isaiah 54:13, Mark 10:13-16, Psalm 127:3-5
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Dobrila Vignjevic
Attack 3: Their Sexuality
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The enemy is hard at work, misleading our children in an already hyper-sexualized society with messages about their bodies, love, and marriage. His approach is nothing new, but where the messages were once a bit more subtle, they are now glaringly obvious, blatantly going against God’s Word (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Rather than honoring their body as a holy temple, there are endless questions about their gender, pressures to seek sinful pleasures, and temptations to lust after ideal body images or partake in sexual relations that go outside of God’s plan.
These choices and thoughts come with dire consequences that lead to guilt and shame, and the devil would love for nothing more than to condemn our children, leaving them with little hope. Currently, there is a steady and growing rate of children and teens seeking to find body image reassurance through the use of pornography, food disorders, gender dysmorphia, and sexual relationships outside of marriage. This trend is not only alarming but truly unsettling. We must help our children understand that God made them in a special and unique way and that their sexuality is part of God’s good and perfect design.
Father, please help our children to see their body, love, and sexuality as a gift from You. Grant them strength when faced with temptations, allowing them to respect their body and seek Your grace as needed. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Ephesiasn 5:3, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Matthew 5:28
RELATED PODCAST EPISODE: Statistics show that one in five Gen Z children are identifying somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum. One of the largest and most influential churches in the United States, North Point Community Church, pastored by one of the most influential ministers in the world, Andy Stanley, just went on the record telling us about his church’s approach. Stanley’s message, along with the Unconditional Conference for parents of LGBTQ identifying children held at North Point, signify a substantial departure from where the evangelical church has stood on this issue. Does Stanley have the right approach? Is it Biblical? Should we be concerned?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/IURII KRASILNIKOV
Attack 4: Their Purpose
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Satan would want for nothing more than to attack the plan and purpose which God has laid out for our children. He wants them to lose interest in their passions, withdraw from family and friends who speak into their lives, relinquish their commitments, and remain complacent and idle. That’s because at that point, he can pull the strings. After all, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop (Proverbs 16:27-29).
The liar also whispers similar things to us as parents and loves to proclaim that we are failing. The lies usually go a little something like this: your prayers aren’t working, you don’t have enough faith, you’re messing them up, your child doesn’t even listen to you or care, blah, blah, blah… We simply cannot bend to these lies. I repeat, these are lies! As a wise friend once told me, we can lead our children to faith and hope and pray like crazy that they discover their purpose, but they ultimately must make the choice. After all, it is their faith journey. In the meantime, we must remain constant and steady for our children, keeping the faith, even in the most challenging season of our child’s life, because God is still good, and His plan always holds a greater purpose.
Father, we ask that You help lead and guide our children to see the plan You have for them. Ignite their passions and refuel their hearts to live a life that honors and glorifies You. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:4
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Attack 5: Their Faith
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We can do our part to teach our children to love like Jesus and fight like David, but we cannot discount the efforts the devil makes to dismantle that at all costs. When life gets hard and adversity rises, the devil will take the bait and lead your child to question their faith. Remember, his whole motive is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). We must not take this lightly; it is evident that he is after our kid’s souls!
Through discouragement, discord, dissatisfaction, and distractions (among a plethora of other devices), Satan sneaks into the lives of our children to simply torment them with a mission to make their faith waver. As parents we can practically guarantee if our children are on a mission for Christ, the enemy will come out of hiding and weasel his way into their lives, causing friction in their relationships, strife in their current situations, insecurity in their identity, questioning their passions, all in a means to put God to the test. We must pray for spiritual protection and pray on behalf of our children’s faith. It must be a daily habit!
Father, I lift up my child and their faith journey. Please put a hedge of protection around them as they strive to walk in obedience. Help them be a light in this lost world and cling to truth when the devil uses distractions to test them and their faith. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1 and 11:6, Mark 9:23
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/LumiNola
Attack 6: Their Heart and Mind
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The hearts and minds of our precious children can be easily swayed, and the evil one knows this full well. He is well aware that the human heart is innately bent towards getting what it wants and seeks after fleshly desires (Jeremiah 17:9). This is why a two-year-old is prone to throw a fit when mommy says, “no,” to the candy isle at the grocery store. Then there is the precious and pliable mind of a child. Minds that are not fully formed and can, therefore, be easily manipulated.
We must understand that Satan has laid eyes on the hearts and minds of our children from the very beginning. Remember the conflict that arose with Adam and Eve’s sons, Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:6-7). If he can get ahold of their hearts and minds, he can play games that persuade them to bend towards anger, fear, comparison, and so much more. We must speak truth into their lives and remind their hearts and minds that we serve a God that loves us and gives us commandments to live by in order to live a righteous life.
Father, will you please guard the hearts and minds of our children? Allow them to soak up the sweet truth found in Your Word and when brought into temptations where it brings about unrighteous actions, help them look to Your mercy, love, and grace. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: Romans 12:2, Mark 12:30, Matthew 22:37
Photo credit: © Unsplash/Alex Jones
Attack 7: Their Friends
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As our children grow older and become teens, we see the importance of friendships and close family members becoming a crucial part of their lives. Their influence becomes heavily weighted as they seek a little more freedom to make their own choices, trying to decipher their faith and the ways of this world. As parents, it is a delicate and fine line we must walk granting that freedom all the while letting them have some responsibility to make their own decisions.
That said, our child will have good and bad influences and can essentially learn from both. However, as Satan maneuvers in these relationships, we as parents need to stay vigilant because the liar will use negative influences to pull our children away from family, their church, and essentially from God.
Father, we ask that you bless the relationships in our child’s life, placing good influences and friends in their inner circles. Grant them positive peers and mentors that will ultimately help them grow closer to You. Amen.
Proclaim these verses over your child: Proverbs 27:9. 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:33
Friend, I am in the trenches with you, fighting these very same battles. Some days, the attacks are so strong and intense that it’s just too much to bear alone, but the beauty as a body of believers is that we are never truly alone. We are in this together and have a God fighting our battles, too! In the end, we must hold on to the truth that God wins!
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
Photo credit: Amir Hosseini/Unsplash
Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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A Prayer for When You Don’t Feel Like Forgiving – Your Daily Prayer
A Prayer for When You Don’t Feel Like Forgiving
By Laura Bailey
“But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” – Genesis 50: 19-20 NIV
“Tell your sister you are sorry,” I instructed my daughters. My girls had been fighting all afternoon, a minor tiff that started over something small and escalated within minutes. A door slammed, a finger pinched, and egos bruised. In hopes of beginning the reconciliation process, I encouraged the girls to apologize, forgive each other, and return to playing. They grumbled out a few, “I’m sorry,” but forgetting the “harm” done and moving on, they weren’t quite ready for that.
As a mother, it’s easy to point out and address my children’s selfish behavior. I admonish them to forgive quickly, especially when the infractions are minor. Unfortunately, though, I don’t always take my advice.
- My husband makes a harmless comment about the dishes in the sink, and I give him the silent treatment for the next few days.
- Someone has parked in my assigned parking spot at work. It’s raining, and I don’t have an umbrella. I stay annoyed all day, being short with my co-workers.
- A fellow church member critiqued my choice in front of a group. They weren’t rude in their remarks, just sharing an opinion, but I bitterly snapped back a biting remark.
In the grand schemes of life, these are minor grievances that should be quickly forgiven and forgotten. But what about when someone causes permanent damage, when the harm done has lasting consequences?
The story of Joseph and his brothers speaks to just this: how do we forgive the people who inflict pain and suffering on us? Joseph and his brothers experience a bad case of sibling rivalry. Joseph was his father’s favorite son, and all his children knew it. It didn’t help the sibling relationship when Joseph shared a dream that implied his brothers would one day serve him( Read Genesis 37-50 to understand the full story of Joseph better). The brothers decided they had enough of Joseph and sold him into slavery. Joseph ends up in Egypt, and after a rough patch of being wrongly accused and imprisoned, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man. The land had a famine, and Joseph was responsible for food distribution. His brothers reconnect with Joseph ( unknowingly at first) as they had to travel to Egypt to buy food for their families.
This is where we pick up in our key verse, Genesis 50:19-20, “But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Joseph, who endured intense trials because of his brother’s actions, forgives them, choosing to leave the judgment to God, and then encourages them that though they acted sinfully, God used it to save the lives of many!
God is always working in our lives. It can be hard to think about how God will use our pain and suffering for our good in a difficult situation. But, we can cling to the eternal hope in Jesus Christ and, with great confidence, know that God is working all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). There will be times when reconciliation may not be an option, but we can choose to forgive. We can release the need to feel vindicated, knowing that our Father in Heaven sees and is the righteous judge. We can forgive others, even when we don’t feel like it, because God forgives us.
Let’s pray:
Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for being the One who sees. Lord, thank you for being slow to anger but quick to forgive. Help us to be people who forgive those who have hurt us and when able to reconcile. Let us abandon feelings of bitterness, choosing instead to ignore, freely offering mercy and love, just as we, ourselves, have received from You. We love you, Lord. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can surrender our lives to You. Help us, when our faith is wavering, to walk confidently in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/PeopleImages
Laura Bailey is a Bible teacher who challenges and encourages women to dive deep in the Scriptures, shift from an earthly to an eternal mindset, and filter life through the lens of God’s Word. She is the author of Beyond the Noise, and loves any opportunity to speak and teach women of all ages. She is a wife and momma to three young girls. Connect with her on her website, www.LauraRBailey.com, Facebook and Instagram.
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6 Ways an Interfaith Marriage Will Become a Challenge
- Alicia Searl
- Contributing Writer
Rahab and Salmon. Ruth and Boaz. Deliah and Samson. Esther and King Ahasuerus. Asenath and Joesph. And many others are prime examples of interfaith marriages found throughout Scripture. Not only that, but these unions were ordained and blessed by God.
An interfaith marriage is the joining of a man and woman of different faiths and religious backgrounds. This is not the same as an interdenominational marriage, as all Christian denominations serve and honor Jesus Christ as Lord. Rather, an interfaith union (also known as interreligious marriage or mixed marriage) takes place between a Christian and a non-Christian, such as a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or atheist.
2 Corinthians 6:14 warns believers to tread lightly here and to proceed into a marriage that is not equally yoked with caution. Paul warns the church of Corinth that an interfaith marriage will come with resistance and hardships and that there will most likely be an imbalance. He gives the imagery of different livestock being “yoked” together, trying to pull in the same direction in unison. It’s not easily done. This spiritual inequality in a marriage is sure to bring forth the same hindrance along with a unique set of challenges.
God knew an interfaith marriage would prove difficult, which is why He commanded the Israelites not to intermarry (Genesis 24:3-4, Deuteronomy 23:2). Even still, because God loves all people and provides ways for people to come into an everlasting relationship with Him, we see beautiful depictions of interfaith marriages weaved throughout Scripture. Yes, these couples faced many setbacks and struggles, but they also conquered all odds through faith conversions and bold acts that came from their confidence in the Lord.
Take Ruth, the Moabite woman, for example. This woman married Naomi’s Jewish son and then, later, Boaz. Ruth’s newfound faith and trust in Naomi allowed her to become a woman known for her loyalty (Ruth 1:3-4, Ruth 1:16, Ruth 4:13)! Then there was Boaz, a man known for his integrity, yet held his own complicated religious history (Matthew 1:5), being the son of Rahab. These stories show us that our past shouldn’t define us and that God is full of mercy, giving way to create a beautiful remaking of our future.
The truth is that God brings two people together for His plan and purpose. He can always make a way for reconciliation, restoration, hope, and a new-fledged faith to emerge. However, it is prudent to discover the hardships and challenges that may come with such a union and how believers should earnestly seek God’s will, placing their trust in His plan alone.
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1. Pressure from Family and Friends
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There is no doubt that an interfaith couple will face some pushback from well-meaning family members and friends, especially if they were raised in a home that practiced their faith and lived out their religious customs and traditions. In many cases, this can feel like a slap in the face for a parent who has earnestly taught their child the way in which to go.
As believers, we must approach family and in-laws with compassion, sincerity, respect, and love (1 John 4:8). Choose to be an attentive listener while also setting healthy boundaries. If hurtful or untrue statements are made, seek to understand the reason behind the words and actions expressed; many times, it is based on hurt, shame, or the feeling of betrayal.
When we approach family members and friends in love and respect, we demonstrate the beautiful kind of love of our God. An unbiased love that calls upon all people to get to know Him (1 Timothy 4:2-7).
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2. Deciding How to Raise Children
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This is a big challenge. Maybe even the biggest one! While views may differ a bit, the importance of family runs fairly deep in most cultures and religions. While there are those natural ground rules in obedience to keep those little darlings safe and to, one day, be productive citizens, when it comes to what deity to teach them and what to believe about the purpose of this life, well, this is where things can get a bit muddy.
That’s because we not only get emotionally and mentally invested in our children’s lives, but our whole spiritual being gets invested, and we want to share what gives us hope and gives us peace. As believers, we want to explain to our children that their life has purpose and meaning (Romans 8:28) and that there is life beyond this one (John 17:3)! And even more than that, we want to know whole-heartedly that we will be together with them for eternity (1 John 2:25).
We must fervently pray for the salvation of our spouse and children. This is where believers can make a great impact for the kingdom of Christ and pray that God will open minds and soften hearts (Romans 10:1).
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3. How to Celebrate Holidays
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As you may have guessed, major holidays will pose a problem. Granted, some holidays will bring on more meaning than others, but it is wise to plan ahead to address and navigate these sacred and holy times respectfully. Of course, there is not a simple answer here, and once again, it can come with many emotional strings attached.
It’s important to note that an interfaith couple should build time to discuss the holidays that must take precedence and the ones they wish to celebrate. Each needs to allow ample space to honor and respect the other spouse’s wishes. Healthy boundaries always need to set the tone here with love while allowing your family to partake in religious traditions that can cultivate faith.
During these times, believers can read stories in the Bible about Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, all the while sharing how Jesus’ life has impacted their own lives. Personal testimonies are a great way to open up about faith, all while planting a seed (Mark 11:24).
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4. May Lead to Arguments
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Most of the big decisions and choices we make in this life are based on our religious beliefs. As Christ-followers, our decisions are to be in sync with God’s will and way for our lives (Psalm 143:10). We know that this life is about honoring and glorifying God, so as faithful followers, we try to follow His lead and direction, knowing His plans are good (Proverbs 3:5-6).
In a Christian marriage, God is the head, leading and directing a husband and wife as they seek Him through His Word and prayer together. However, in an interfaith marriage, a believer may choose to heed the direction of God, while their spouse may choose to listen to another deity or their own will. This will fuel the fire on topics surrounding major decisions like when to start a family, where to live, career paths, and even where to go to church.
While arguments will arise in every marriage, they may be more intense and controversial when certain topics or issues arise in a marriage that holds different faiths and religious beliefs. Keeping in mind that tensions may rise, a believer may be able to win over the heart of their unbelieving spouse simply by approaching heated situations with amicable peace, reverence, and harmony (1 Peter 3:1-2).
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5. Less Hope for the Future
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As believers, we know where our hope for the future is found (Jeremiah 29:11). We hold on to the hope in the Lord for our future plans in this life and the life beyond this one (John 3:16). However, when a spouse doesn’t have that same life perspective or is holding on to a different view of hope, it can be discouraging as well as disheartening.
As believers, we must remember to have hope that God loves us and that our marriage and future are still in His hands. Just as He did for Samson, Ruth, Joeseph, Esther, and countless others, our God can make way for any marriage to prosper and be rich in love, fulfilling a greater purpose than we may ever know (Proverbs 19:21).
Seeing our loved ones beyond this life is especially crucial to us as Christ-followers, and we should hold on to the precious promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Yet, that should also motivate us to mourn for those who do not fully know Him, convicting us to live out our faith as God leads, all the while praying for God’s mercy and grace.
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6. Sadly, it Is More Prone to Divorce
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Currently, over 40% of marriages in America are interfaith, and that percentage is only said to be growing! That means more and more couples are finding love outside of the Christian faith. The statistics surrounding an interfaith marriage are alarming and should bring about genuine concern because recent studies surprisingly indicate that interfaith marriages hold a 50% divorce rate!
Due to spiritual differences, the majority of interfaith couples choose not to partake in regular or consistent religious activities. Many choose not to go to a church at all; some opt to venture back and forth to the two different faith-based congregations, while others divide and get filled up spiritually on their own endeavors. This can lead to a disconnect as a couple and family.
These couples also claim to share similar values and rather than focusing on faith, they choose to focus on their love. However, a human’s view on love and marriage will shift and change with the cultural tides, which can cause a rift in a marriage. Not to mention, human love is bound by emotions that can become corroded and jaded over time. Yet, God’s view on marriage and love never fails, never changes, and always remains the same (Genesis 2:18, Ephesians 5:21-33, Hebrews 13:4). God sees marriage as a gift that is bound together through a covenant (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
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God Is Still Good
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Unfortunately, many interfaith couples have little faith-based support, lack marital guidance, and cling to misconceptions about love, causing tensions to ensue and isolation to occur. But that doesn’t mean it will befall a tragic fate! It does mean that interfaith marriages will be full of hardships and challenges, but God is still good. His faithfulness may come with glimmers of hope, growing one’s faith, or making way to showcase His unfailing and purposeful love, providing a powerful testimony to share with others. How sweet is that?
Related: Are Interfaith Marriages “Okay?”
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Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
you are on holy ground
devotionals daily
Holy Ground
Today’s inspiration comes from:
by Sarah Young
I am your Father-God. Listen to Me! Learn what it means to be a child of the everlasting King. Your richest duty is devotion to Me. This duty is such a joyous privilege that it feels like a luxury. You tend to feel guilty about pushing back the boundaries of your life to make space for time alone with Me. The world is waiting to squeeze you into its mold and to crowd out time devoted to Me. The ways of the world have also warped your conscience, which punishes you for doing the very thing that pleases Me most: seeking My Face.
Listen to Me above the clamor of voices trying to distract you.
Ask My Spirit to control your mind, for He and I work in perfect harmony. Be still and attentive in My Presence.
- You are on holy ground.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” — Zechariah 9:9 NKJV
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. — Romans 8:15–16
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” — Exodus 3:5
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You are on holy ground
Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground. You need the help of My Spirit to respond appropriately. Ask Him to think through you, live through you, love through you. My own Being is alive within you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. If you respond to others’ needs through your unaided thought processes, you offer them dry crumbs. When the Spirit empowers your listening and speaking, My streams of living water flow through you to other people. Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” — Exodus 3:5
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. — 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. —John 7:38–39
Excerpted with permission from Jesus Calling Note-Taking by Sarah Young, copyright Sarah Young.
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Your Turn
We are on holy ground when we stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. We’re on holy ground when we break from the world and turn toward His face. We are on holy ground when we allow the Holy Spirit to be poured out through us for others. Let’s not take it lightly! ~ Devotionals Daily
Words of Encouragement
Jesus, I love You. I want to show You that I mean it through the way that I love and serve Your people. Please open my eyes to the needs around me and use the time, talent, and treasure You’ve given me to spread a feast of Your love out for others to enjoy in Jesus’s name.
Dose of Devotion 