Maybe, like me, you’ve made a mess of things. You’ve given your life to Jesus, received his forgiveness, and are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit - but that hasn’t stopped you from making an unrecognizable mess of things. There are days when I’m overwhelmed by my ability to choose the wrong response; the wrong response to hardships that aren’t necessarily my fault and wrong responses to opportunities God has brought my way. It’s as if God has dressed me in wonderful “church clothes” and I immediately run outside and play in the mud, only to return to Jesus with my head hung low and hands lifted, filled with mud and shirt covered. If you can resígnate with that experience then maybe it will do your heart well, with mine, to be reminded of the ever-sufficient mercy of God.

The Apostle Paul made it his aim to face trials with a similar posture as Jesus, who “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2a). In saying Paul endured his troubles, and lived his life, in a manner worthy of Jesus we are saying his displayed similar attitude of heart and trust in the Father. Paul exhorted the church in Colossae to do the same, and God continues to encourage You and I to live worthy of Jesus as we heed Paul’s instructions.

Controlling your thoughts can be difficult to do. Mainly because this world is full of messages being directed at you. Finding peace can be challenging in this bombardment of ideas and advertisements. Most advice I’ve read concerning finding peace revolves around finding time to spend isolation away from others and focus on controlling your thoughts. While I agree that this is good practice, this is only half of what the Apostle Paul recommends in Philippians 4. Let’s look at it;

When does a person know that they are healed enough to begin providing care for others? From a biblical perspective, I want to answer the question of when the transition from healed to helping should happen, and when a person with areas of struggle, weaknesses, and personal trauma can know that they are well enough to counsel others.

Satan, in his cunning, does not always resort to lies; he often employs the subtler tactic of redirecting your attention. The great aim of a lifestyle of worship and obedience to God is not a positive attitude or even an encouraged or peppy disposition. Worship is to focus on God.

As God calls us to address issues of the heart, he isn’t just wanting us to ensure that our emotions are in check, so to speak. He desires for our entire inner man to be brought into submission to his will for his glory and our greater good.

The state of your heart holds profound significance in the eyes of God. He is deeply cares for the condition of your inner being, seeking not just outward conformity but a genuine transformation from within. Here are three Bible verses that illustrate God's concern for your heart

Should the Christian trust his heart? The answer to this question is often an emphatic "no!" Frequently, counsel is given that we ignore our hearts and emotions or, at the very least, do not trust their leading as we aim to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

There are many uncertainties and challenges you face every day. It can be easy to find yourself consumed by worry and anxiety about the future. However, in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus provides a profound weapon for overcoming anxiety - daily faithfulness!

In a world where our humility and grace often extend only as far as it's convenient for us, the example set by Jesus can be an inspiration.

Caring for your mental health shouldn't be reactionary but a continuous, intentional practice. Incorporating these suggestions into your routine acts as a preemptive measure, reinforcing your emotional resilience and nurturing a steadfast foundation for holistic well-being.

Do not quit. You are not defeated. God may simply be giving you victory in portions that you are able to sustain. Israel's journey to the Promised Land, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, unveils a timeless truth: the attainment of God’s promises often unfolds gradually, in measured steps.

"Jesus wept" dismantles the notion that Christians must suppress their emotions or present a facade of perpetual serenity. It signifies that faith isn't about masking our humanity but embracing it wholeheartedly. It's about being genuine in our joys, sorrows, doubts, and fears.

Did you know that the Bible mentions the foolishness of God? "for the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." This assertion from 1 Corinthians 1:25 challenges our innate trust in human reasoning when faced with life's trials.

The possibility and reality of conflict can be unnerving. The instinct to retreat into solitude often whispers loudest, especially for those of us who lean towards introversion. When faced with attacks, wounds, or the mere prospect of conflict, the impulse to isolate ourselves from community becomes a compelling temptation. Yet, amidst this pull towards isolation, the wisdom of the Bible beckons us to embrace a different path—a path of constructive conflict resolution within the context of community.

In the maze of life’s decisions, uncertainty often casts a shadow, leaving us grappling with indecisiveness. The quest to decipher God’s will for our lives is a pursuit many embark upon, seeking guidance amidst the labyrinth of choices. In the midst of this quest, Psalm 25:12 offers a beacon of hope: "Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will God instruct in the way that he should choose."

Feeling trapped in the clutches of anxiety is an all-too-common experience, one that can leave us feeling paralyzed, isolated, and overwhelmed. Despite our best efforts to break free, anxiety often persists, its grip tightening with each passing day. If you find yourself mired in this cycle, you're not alone. Understanding the reasons behind this persistent state of anxiety is the first step toward regaining control and finding a path toward peace of mind. Here, I explore three compelling reasons why you might find yourself entrenched in anxiety's grasp, shedding light on potential pathways to liberation and mental well-being.

One of the worst things we can do, when navigating challenging seasons, is choose to isolate ourselves. The reason we often make this mistake usually comes from seeking our “own desire.” Proverbs 18:1 says, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” The context for isolation can involve ignorance of the need for community, hidden sin, or pride. Regardless, each of these results in a crippled spiritual life, since we are designed to live in a community with other believers who hold us accountable.

Emotional health is not something that you can determine by appearance. There are very few signs that give away an emotionally unhealthy person. There may be smiles and laughter, and they seem to be, on the surface, emotionally healthy and stable. However, when the strings are strummed, so to speak, a trained ear can quickly identify whether or not the heart is out of tune. There are two ways heartstrings are strummed, and we evaluate the emotional condition of the human heart; praise and criticism from others. When these two things occur, the heart plays a tune, and how the individual responds displays the condition of the heart. 

We often see other people's shortcomings more clearly than our own. This is true in marriage, friendship, and practically any relationship - even when we see people in the government, or social media. We judge people more harshly than we judge ourselves. How can we, instead, give as much mercy as we hope to receive?