Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.
Have you ever tried fighting fear with prayer?
For the most part, prayer is my #1 go-to when I’m scared. Sometimes it takes me a bit to get there, but when I do, I am ever so thankful that I did.
I recently wrote about three ways prayer can help you overcome your fears, but before I send you that way, I want to share five Bible verses about fighting fear with prayer.
[Read more…] about Fighting Fear with Prayer2021 has flown by. Between chronic migraines and Covid, I haven’t blogged much this year. But the Candid Gals have written some pretty amazing posts. Here are our top posts from 2021.
[Read more…] about Our Top Posts from 2021“These are desperate times!” These words from Ephesians 5:16 in the Message translation ring true even today. We live in a desperate time in human history, regardless where in the world we find ourselves right now.
So much pain, loss and fear-inducing events swirl around us. Even with feet firmly planted in Christ, believers can get shaken. The time is short, and we don’t know how long we have left on this side of Glory. But with the right perspective, God’s Word offers us a focus and purpose to navigate this time well and for His glory.
“Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Ephesians 5:11-16 exhorts us.
How can we walk wisely in this time? How do we make the best use of the brief time we have been given on this earth, even though the days are evil?
[Read more…] about 3 Tips for Walking Wisely into 2022Christmas is coming. The song tells us, “It is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” But sometimes we don’t feel like it is. Life is a struggle as we continue to go through this pandemic. Many of us have experienced or know someone who has experienced a loss in some form. Maybe you have lost your job, your home, or worse, someone you love. It is understandable to feel sad and overwhelmed. I understand if you are feeling anything but wonderful because I have my own moments. I don’t blame you for wanting to close the door and pull the blinds and shut out the world.
[Read more…] about Grief And Hope During The Most Wonderful Time Of The YearBy Candid Guest Therese Kay
A couple of months ago my friend’s mom was admitted into a nursing home for “failure to thrive.” She was choosing not to eat or drink, which had negative repercussions. When we refuse the nourishment we need, we fail to thrive.
That’s an interesting way to begin a blog about joy, eh? But I truly believe this is a useful allegory. I’ve been there. I refused nourishment and joy and the spiritual gifts (Galatians 5:22-23) that feed me and failed to thrive. Life and grief are hard and therefore we must actively choose to nourish ourselves with the things that help us thrive in life. Joy is a choice that we must actively pursue and seek in our lives.
[Read more…] about How To Choose JoyIf God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, how would you answer?
I read that question recently, and it kind of stopped me in my tracks.
My friend and I finished studying Genesis and Exodus recently, and just began Ephesians. And I feel like we are at the contrast of what life was like before the veil was torn, and being saved by the riches of His grace that were lavished on us through Jesus.
[Read more…] about Why Should God Let You Into Heaven?Written by Candid Guest Leone F. Byron
“You’re falling apart,” my manager said. I laughed, but it really wasn’t funny. Over the past few months, I’d felt exactly that way; wondering what would go wrong next.
Have you ever felt like that, like your body was spinning out of control, and God wasn’t there to stop it? That was me not long ago as I endured a series of health challenges.
[Read more…] about Praising God During The StruggleI struggle with getting stuck in my regrets. These regrets could involve things like deep regrets about hurtful things I’ve done or said to people in the past, or very often regrets about not making the most of my time with my kids. In fact, I feel an uneasiness at the beginning of just about every summer as I’m brainstorming ideas for the coming months.
I didn’t always know what it was, but I’ve figured out it’s “pre-regret” because I’m already anticipating being disappointed that I didn’t manage the summer better. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. The pattern of regret is always the same: I rehash all the things I should have done, could have done if I’d only (fill-in-the-blank), or would have done under different circumstances (which I also often regret).
I don’t just rehash, though; sometimes I wallow.
[Read more…] about Ditch the Wallowing: 3 Bible Verses About RegretYou keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8
This past Saturday was the day. I put all the unpacked boxes of documents and photos from twenty years in the center of my living room.
Moving to a new state to be closer to family, yet on my own with two teens had been the end of a long journey. When I moved in, I wasn’t quite up to facing the emotional aspect of these boxes.
[Read more…] about Lean In & Take Time For YourselfLately, I’ve felt God prompting me to discuss subjects that I’m not all that interested in addressing. These are topics that aren’t fun or glamorous. They’re not ones that you’re likely to see on a bumper sticker or a beautifully curated Instagram post. He’s been impressing upon me the responsibility I have to devote my life to humbly serving others.
I’m sure you understand my desire to talk about literally anything else.
But, because God keeps going there, I thought it would be great to have a candid conversation about what these words practically mean for us.
[Read more…] about Servant-Level Faith
