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Fear: The Silent Thief of Joy and Action
Fear. It’s the quiet whisper that becomes a deafening roar in our minds. Fear of the future. Fear of the government. Fear of change. Fear of the unknown. Fear that leaves us frozen, unable to take even the smallest step forward. We’re living in a time where anxiety is like a shadow, following us everywhere—online,…
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The Prison of Depression and the Way Out
Depression is a strange and heavy kind of prison. It’s not made of bars or locks, but it can still hold you captive, keeping you stuck in a place where joy feels like a distant memory and hope seems impossible. Lysa TerKeurst’s words hit close to home:“Some prisons don’t require bars to keep people locked…
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Thankful Thursday: Gratitude in Simplicity and Togetherness
Thanksgiving is a time of abundance—or at least that’s what we’ve been led to believe. Tables piled high with food, every dish more decadent than the last, and enough leftovers to last for days. But what if Thanksgiving isn’t about abundance in the way we think? What if it’s not about how much food is…
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Wisdom Wednesday: The Joy of Work and the Gift of Rest
Work is often viewed as a burden, something to endure until we can enjoy the “good part”—leisure. But Elisabeth Elliot’s words remind us of a deeper truth: work is a blessing. It’s a divine rhythm God has woven into creation. The interplay of work and leisure mirrors His design for balance in our lives. Elliot…
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Wrestling with Questions About Faith and God’s Goodness
Have you ever found yourself grappling with questions about the goodness of God? Wondering if God is so good then why is there so much sickness, suffering, or injustice in the world? If you have, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—sitting in tears, wrestling with these very questions, trying to reconcile what I believe with…
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We Have This Hope as an Anchor for the Soul: Finding Faith in Turbulent Times
It’s Monday—the start of a new week—and the headlines are heavy again. Recently, President Biden authorized the use of long-range missiles from Ukraine into Russia, heightening already tense relations between the West and Russia. In addition to that, there is a swirl of emotions following Trump’s recent re-election, and it’s easy to see why so…
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Envy vs. Kindness: Choosing Gratitude Over Comparison This Season
As we head into the season of thankfulness, it’s easy to feel torn. Black Friday deals are calling our names, social media is filled with highlight reels, and the pressure to “keep up” with others is everywhere. Instead of feeling joyful, this time of year can often lead to something more subtle but deeply damaging:…
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The Antidote to the Endless What-Ifs
Do you ever find yourself trapped in the cycle of “what-ifs”? What if I fail? What if I make the wrong decision? What if the future doesn’t turn out how I hoped? It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Our minds can easily spiral into the unknown, filling us with fear and anxiety about things that may never…
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Sloth vs. Diligence: Embracing Purpose Without Exhaustion
We live in a world that often glorifies extremes. On one hand, there’s the allure of doing nothing—ignoring purpose and responsibilities for the sake of comfort. On the other hand, there’s the constant push to do more, achieve more, and prove our worth through busyness. For those dealing with chronic illness, this dynamic is especially…
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Choose Grace: Washing Feet in a World That Chooses Division
One of the first things I did early in my relationship with my husband was to wash his feet—literally. It was a deeply symbolic act, rooted in the example Jesus gave us in John 13. Jesus, knowing full well that Judas was going to betray Him, knelt down and washed his feet. Let that sink…
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Gluttony vs. Self-Control: Finding Lasting Satisfaction by Renewing Our Minds
In a world where indulgence is only a click, bite, or scroll away, overindulgence—whether with food, media, or even certain thought patterns—can feel almost impossible to resist. Personally, I know this all too well as I have struggled for decades with disordered eating habits and feel like a failure more often than not. But gluttony…
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A Season for Gratitude and Peace
Welcome back, November. It’s a blessing to see you once again. You’re a month of transition, ushering in changes in time, weather, and even the mood around us. You remind us of the words in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” November is that precious time,…
THE OUBAITORI EDIT 