Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

As we conclude six weeks of stress-busting, it seems fitting to end with these words from Isaiah. Part of his praise song, Isaiah wrote these words to celebrate God’s future victory and the security of His people. Isaiah ministered during a turbulent time in Judah’s history. The nation faced threats from powerful empires and political uncertainty. Fear and spiritual decline loomed over the land, a time not so different from today.

Isaiah reminds the Israelites, in the midst of these unstable circumstances, that peace comes from the Lord, not military strength, political alliances, or favorable circumstances. Trusting the Lord leads to lasting peace. When we anchor our confidence in the Savior, rather than changing conditions, we will discover divine calm.

We can’t manufacture peace; each day comes with its own troubles. The verse begins with God’s action; He gives us peace when we seek Him. If we try to find calm in any other way, we will fail. Just as ancient cities built walls to protect them, the Lord promises to guard the hearts of those who trust Him. We have secure peace because it comes directly from the source: God Himself.

Peace, in Hebrew, means “shalom, shalom.” Repeating words emphasized their completeness or intensity. Isaiah describes a complete, lasting, and whole peace, rather than merely the absence of conflict. Divine peace gives us inner calm, wholeness, well-being, and harmony with the Savior as we have confidence in His care. Even when we face difficult circumstances, His peace will remain.

Our focus determines our peace. We must redirect our thoughts towards God’s promises, faithfulness, power and presence. When we keep the Son in our eyes, we will maintain His peace. What occupies our minds often shapes the condition of our hearts. Trusting in Jesus gives us the firm foundation we need for His peace.

When we rest the whole weight of our lives on God, we will discover His peace. Anxious minds become peaceful when filled with the Lord’s greatness rather than life’s uncertainties. With the Son in your eyes, the storm diminishes and peace reigns.

Trust leads to peace. No matter what our circumstances, the Lord can transform our hearts during them. Enduring peace comes from the Father, the source and keeper of true peace.

Journal Questions:

• What have you learned during these six weeks?
• How has God changed your perspective on stress?
• What practices will you continue moving forward?

Stressbuster:

Celebrate your journey by doing something that brings you peace and joy.

Two-minute read.

Charles Spurgeon, called the Prince of Preachers, lived in the mid-to-late 1800s. As a Baptist preacher, he had powerful sermons, a deep love of Scripture, and an ability to explain biblical truths in ways ordinary people could understand, which made him legendary. Spurgeon described memory as “faith’s handmade.” He taught that remembering God’s past mercies fuels present trust. Every answered prayer becomes a reason to trust Him again.

Asaph, the author of Psalm 77, led Israel in worship. In deep anguish, overwhelmed by trouble, unable to sleep, he wrestled with questions about the Lord’s presence. Honest questions born out of pain, not unbelief. But then things change when he gets to verse 11. Asaph’s situation remains the same, but he shifts his focus. Instead of dwelling on his fears, he deliberately chooses to remember God’s faithfulness. His memory becomes faith’s handmade.

When we follow Asaph’s example and remember God’s past faithfulness, it will strengthen us. As we recall how the Lord has helped us before and the prayers He has answered, our faith will grow. Remembering His past provision helps us trust that God will provide in the future.

Our feelings don’t define the Savior’s character. Just because we feel alone doesn’t mean the Lord has abandoned us. When Asaph’s feelings told him God had forgotten him, the facts reminded him of the Lord’s faithfulness for generations. We have real feelings, but real doesn’t mean reliable. God’s character never changes.

Keeping a journal helps us remember God’s work in our lives. Recording answered prayers and unexpected blessings creates a personal testimony that can encourage us during future trials. As a writer, journaling comes easily to me. Each morning I write out my prayers, laying them at the foot of the cross. Reading back over them always surprises me because I often forget what I wrote.

When we choose to remember the Lord’s faithfulness, as Asaph did, it will strengthen us. As we reflect on God’s past works, it builds our present faith. Circumstances may not change immediately, but our perspective can. The Lord remains constant, even when our emotions fluctuate. Looking back on our Father’s faithfulness will give us the courage to face the future.

Journal Questions:

• How has God been faithful in your life?
• What prayers has He answered?
• How can remembering His faithfulness reduce stress?

Stressbuster:

Write a personal testimony of God’s goodness.

Two-minute read.

Years ago, in the land before cell phones, I found myself in a valley. New in my adult relationship with Christ, I went to a payphone and called my spiritual mentor. The ‘beep, beep, beep” of a busy signal filled my ears. Repeatedly, I kept trying, to no avail. Then a thought crossed my mind.

Call God.

I remember the moment as clearly as day. Realization set in: the Lord had my friend attending to other business, but He waited patiently for me to cry out to Him. And so I did, pouring my heart out to the Savior in prayer, telling Him all the details of my struggle.

Relief set in first, then peace. When I took my eyes off the problem and focused them on the Savior, my perspective shifted, and what seemed hopeless now had hope.

Jeremiah wrote these words while imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard, while the Babylonian army held Jerusalem captive. As the city fell, the people faced destruction and exile because of their persistent rebellion against the Lord.

From a human perspective, they had no hope, but God called Jeremiah to pray and promised to reveal His greater plan to the prophet. The Lord speaks His greatest promises in our darkest moments.

Our heavenly Father begins with an invitation: “Call to me.” He doesn’t ask us to figure everything out on our own but invites us into a conversation with Him. The Lord wants us to bring our fears, questions, and burdens to Him. God doesn’t mean casually mentioning a need; it means seeking Him with dependence and expectation.

And God promises He hears.

The Lord listens to our pleas and hears our hearts, but that doesn’t mean He will answer as we expect or on our timetable. God answers in three ways: Yes, Wait, or No, because I have something better. With wisdom, love, and purpose, the Creator always answers consistently. We don’t control God through prayer, but He faithfully responds to those who seek Him.

God promises to reveal truths to Jeremiah that he could never discover on his own. The Lord’s perspective differs from ours, and He sees the hidden things we can’t.

When we dial our Father’s telephone number (Jeremiah 33:3), we never receive a busy signal. He longs to hear from You, and can’t wait to answer.

Journal Questions:

• What have you not yet brought to God in prayer?
• How has prayer changed your perspective?
• What answer are you trusting God for?

Stressbuster:

Spend fifteen uninterrupted minutes praying.

Two-minute read.

“Ordinary Angels,” released in 2024, details the inspiring true story of Michelle, a young girl in need of a transplant. Her father, Ed, lost his wife and now faces raising his two girls alone. Mounting medical bills and one problem after another put the family in a valley with no hope.

Until a struggling, alcoholic hairdresser learned of their story in church and made it her mission to help Michelle get the liver she needed. As the story unfolds, faith gets tested, and patience wears thin. In the middle of a road-closing snowstorm, they get the call that Michelle must make it to the hospital within six hours to receive the life-saving procedure. And then a miracle happens that no one expected. Watch the movie to find out what.

Not only did the Lord use imperfect people to perform everyday miracles, but He also provided the family with hope at just the right time. When money had run thin and the bills piled high, an unexpected donation gave them the strength to continue. When alcohol threatened to derail the hairdresser, God intervened. Time and again, at just the right moment, hope appeared, and the family persevered.

Paul’s words to the Romans represent a prayer that believers would experience the fullness of God’s presence as they place their trust in him.

Ed and Michelle found that fullness as they walked through their valley. God never left nor forsook them, and He always provided what they needed when they needed it. The Lord of hope fulfills His promises and gives hope in hopeless situations. Jesus points us beyond our present circumstances to our eternal future with Him.

Hope anchored in Jesus never fails. His unchanging nature gives us a rock to hold onto when the storm winds blow. Deep Biblical joy doesn’t depend on what happens around us, but comes from knowing Christ and trusting His promises. Paul asks God to give us hope that overflows and affects everything around us. Hope’s contagious nature becomes a source of encouragement to family, friends, coworkers, and fellow believers.

Our hope comes from the Holy Spirit; we can’t manufacture it. He reminds us of God’s promises and strengthens our faith. In our suffering, the Spirit comforts us and continually points us to Christ.

Our hope comes from above; we can have confidence in it.

Journal Questions:

• What gives you hope today?
• How does hope affect stress?
• What promise of God encourages you most?

Stressbuster:

Create a list of God’s promises.

Two-minute read.

For the past week or so, I’ve made a new breakfast. Taking rolled oats, a little brown sugar, some blueberries, and a splash of milk, I mimic my friend Claire’s infamous Blueberry Oatmeal Delight. She cooks hers in a crockpot overnight, and it has a few more ingredients. The overnight mixture receives high praise every time we put it on the menu for one of our women’s breakfasts. Taking ingredients that taste ok on their own, mixing them in just the right amounts, and baking them makes something good out of something so-so.

In life, God takes everything that happens to us and works it for the good of those who believe and trust in Him. The bad moments that take our breath away can become reasons to praise the Lord.

When I unexpectedly lost my position at church, it devastated me. Pouring my heart and soul into my ministry, I felt angry and betrayed. But when I turned to the Lord and let Him lead me through the valley, He took that brokenness and made something good. Now, I’m grateful God pulled me out of that situation and changed my path. Looking back, I can see His hand in removing me from an unhealthy environment and leading me to a healthy one.

Paul’s words to the Romans emphasized “good,” referring to spiritual transformation rather than comfort. Through my job loss, God transformed me, drawing me closer to Him and maturing my faith. When my nephew died, one of the darkest days of my life, the Lord showed up for me, carrying me through that day and showing me a grace I would never have known any other way. Jesus told us we would have struggles in this world, but to take heart, because He overcame them. The longer I follow the Savior, the more I realize the truth of His words.

Paul doesn’t call everything good. Evil remains evil, and suffering causes genuine pain. However, God’s sovereignty can weave even painful events into His greater plan for His people. Those who love the Lord and have a relationship with Him will find hope in their darkest days.

The Lord can take our hardest chapters and use them to shape us into the image of Christ, accomplishing His eternal purposes, working all things to the good.

Journal Questions:

• What difficult circumstance are you facing?
• Where might God be working behind the scenes?
• How can you trust His purpose?

Stressbuster:

Reflect on a past challenge God brought you through.

Two-minute read.

Today’s verse marks the peaceful transition of power. Moses, 120 years old, has fulfilled his mission, leading the people for 40 years in the wilderness; they have arrived at the Promised Land. But because of an earlier act of disobedience, God told Moses he wouldn’t enter the new land. The Lord chose Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan, an overwhelming task for the young leader.

Moses spoke these words to Joshua and all Israel, letting them know God Himself would go before them every step of the way.

God never sends His people where He has not already gone.

While in the wilderness, the Lord led the people with a cloud by day and fire by night. Before Joshua ever crossed the Jordan River, God had established His presence with them. The Lord created a way before they ever encountered the rushing waters or the battles that awaited them. God had already planned the victory long before they took their first step.

Our heavenly Father doesn’t simply point us in the right direction and wish us well. He goes ahead of us, preparing circumstances, opening doors, removing obstacles, and accomplishing His purposes. Not only does He go ahead of us, but the Lord walks beside us as well.

Throughout Scripture, we see God’s presence. The Lord showed up for Joseph in prison, David on the battlefield, and Daniel in the Lion’s den. When the disciples found themselves in the middle of a storm, Jesus endured it with them. God promises the same thing to us today: the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us. We don’t avoid hardship because of the Father’s presence, but we will never have to face it alone.

The Creator promises never to fail us or abandon us. People will disappoint us. Plans fall apart. Circumstances change. But God’s character never does. The Lord never loosens His grip on His people.

Because God goes before us, we can face uncertainty with confidence and move forward without despair. Even when we feel inadequate, the Lord’s presence will give us the strength to persevere. Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; rather, it means choosing to trust God’s presence more than our circumstances.

Journal Questions:

• What future concern weighs on you?
• How does God’s presence calm your fears?
• What step of courage can you take today?

Stressbuster:

Write down your fears and pray over them.

Two-minute read.

Driving in heavy traffic on the interstate with cars weaving in and out causes my anxiety to kick into high gear. Motorcycles roaring out of nowhere instantly raise my blood pressure. My hands tighten around the steering wheel, and frustration builds, making it easy to react in anger.

But then God.

When Christ rules our hearts, we will experience His peace, even while driving in heavy traffic. Remembering that Jesus died for that person who just cut me off in traffic helps me remain calm. God transforms our hearts as we trust in Him. Our circumstances don’t change, but the Lord steadies us in them. Focusing on the Savior protects our divine peace and helps us remain calm in the face of adversity.

In one of Paul’s prison epistles, He wrote to the believers in Colossae, encouraging them to remain rooted in Christ. Dealing with false teachers, Paul tells them to focus on God’s peace and let it rule their hearts, acting as a referee. When faced with difficult decisions, conflicts, fear, or uncertainty, allow the Savior’s peace, not our emotions, anxiety, or circumstances, to have the final say.

Christ’s peace doesn’t mean the absence of conflict, but the deep confidence that comes from knowing Jesus walks with you through it. The Lord doesn’t lose control; He always works for our good.

And as members of one body, God calls us to live in peace.

Which means that when I encounter an irresponsible driver on the interstate, I pray for them, asking for God’s protection over their reckless behavior. And I pray they know Jesus and love Him. A simple prayer allows me to remain in the Lord’s peace and not let a few moments on an interstate ruin my entire day. Protecting unity means forgiving quickly and speaking gently. When we choose humility over pride and listen before responding, we’ll unite people rather than separate them.

Lastly, Paul calls us to practice gratitude daily. As we shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have, we will realize that God has already provided all we need. No matter what the storm, the Lord supplies what we need to survive it. A thankful heart leads to a peaceful heart as we remember God’s faithfulness.

Peace requires courage and intentionality. Unity requires humility. And gratitude requires thankfulness. When we focus our eyes on Jesus, we have all the tools we need to let God’s peace rule our hearts.

Journal Questions:

What is disturbing your peace?

How can you invite God’s peace into this situation?

What are you grateful for today?

Stressbuster:

Spend ten minutes in quiet prayer.

Two-minute read.

Jeremiah authored Lamentations after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians. A book of honest lament, it relays his grief and sorrow. But in the middle of the darkest chapter comes one of the brightest declarations of hope in all scripture, reminding us that God’s character remains constant even when we endure heartbreaking circumstances.

“Faithful love,” in Hebrew, translates as hesed and refers to the Lord’s steadfast, covenant love. Loyal, unchanging and rooted in His promises rather than our performance, nothing can separate us from God’s love. Even in their darkest hour, the Lord didn’t abandon His people. Instead, divine mercy preserved a remnant and left room for restoration.

Our Abba Father doesn’t base His love on how well we performed yesterday. When we fail, His love remains. When life falls apart, His love remains. And when we cannot see the way forward, His love remains. Our hope rests not in our consistency, but in God’s.

The Lord’s mercies embody deep compassion, the tender love a parent has for a child. We don’t exhaust God’s compassion by repeated failures or difficult seasons. Unlike human patience, which can wear thin, our Father’s compassion never ends. When we face hardships, the Lord’s compassion meets us in the middle of it.

Every morning God gives us new mercies.

One of the most comforting promises in scripture, every sunrise gives evidence of the Father’s fresh grace for a new day. Yesterday’s failures don’t prevent today’s mercies. The Lord doesn’t recycle old mercy or ration it. Each morning, He provides exactly what His children need for that day’s challenges. Jesus echoed this promise in Matthew 6:34 when He taught His followers not to worry about tomorrow, because each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jeremiah ends with praise before his circumstances change. Jerusalem still lies in ruins; the suffering hasn’t ended. But Jeremiah chooses to anchor his hope in God’s character rather than his circumstances.

God keeps His promises, never changing. The Lord doesn’t forget His children, always trustworthy. Our Father’s unwavering presence through every season defines His faithfulness. In an uncertain life, the Lord’s love remains steadfast; His compassion never runs out.

Journal Questions:

• What mistake do you need to leave behind?
• How does God’s mercy encourage you?
• What fresh start do you need today?

Stressbuster:

Start a gratitude journal entry.

Two-minute read.

In my late twenties, I started my career in retail management. Obsessed with “making it,” I worked long hours to prove myself to my company. Promotions came quickly, and before I knew it, I had become a district manager overseeing 17 stores. Then my sister received a stage four cancer diagnosis, and none of that mattered. I realized, in that moment, I had chased the wrong thing.

Today’s verse addresses two common struggles: the love of money and discontentment. As I strove to climb the corporate ladder, I placed my trust in a sandcastle with no foundation. When tough times hit, I found no comfort in the money I made or the position I held. I learned, during that period, that my greatest treasure came from God’s presence in my life and in my sister’s.

For the next year and a half, as my sister battled the unseen enemy, the Lord gave us contentment in Him. Sitting with her during chemo treatments, we laughed and played cards, passing the time as the cancer-killing liquid flooded her body. My visits with her during that period always centered around God’s goodness and His provision in our time of need.

God never left us nor forsaked us.

On the night the Lord called my sister home, I will never forget her last words. With wonder in her tone, she said, “It’s so beautiful.” Then slipped into the Savior’s arms, welcomed into the majestic realm of heaven.

Biblical contentment doesn’t mean settling for less or giving up on goals. When we recognize God as our greatest treasure, whether we have much or little, we can rest in the assurance of His faithfulness and provision.

The promise, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you,” echoes God’s words throughout Scripture. He spoke similar promises to Joshua before leading Israel into the Promised Land and reassured His people in times of uncertainty. The same promise belongs to those who trust in Christ today.

Just as my sister rooted her contentment in God’s presence, we don’t have to base our peace on bank accounts, possessions, or circumstances. Security comes from the Savior, not wealth. Money can disappear overnight, but the Lord’s faithfulness never changes. The Creator never leaves His creation. God never promised an easy life, but He did promise that we won’t face our challenges alone.

Journal Questions:

• What are you longing for right now?
• How can contentment ease stress?
• What blessings do you already possess?

Stressbuster:

Take a social media break for the day.

Two-minute read.

People often refer to Philippians as the “Epistle of Joy,” yet Paul wrote it while imprisoned in Rome. No running water, no indoor toilet, and no electricity. They didn’t have air conditioning or heat. And most likely, Paul spent his days in these primitive circumstances chained to a guard, all the while telling us to “Rejoice always!”

Paul does not simply say, “Rejoice.” He says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” The source of joy doesn’t come from our circumstances, accomplishments, or possessions; it comes from our relationship with Jesus. Earthly happiness comes and goes, but the joy Christ gives us remains steady because He never changes.

Repeating his command, “I say it again, rejoice!” Paul emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in the Lord. When we choose to focus on God, we discover His joy, not an optional emotion, but a decision to meditate on the Lord’s character, promises and presence, even when life gets difficult.

Life has seasons of celebrations and seasons of sorrows. When we root our joy in Christ, our circumstances won’t affect it. Instead of putting on a mask and acting like we have no problems, we trust God’s goodness even when we suffer.

Each day, we must choose joy again. We can’t choose our circumstances, but we can choose where we fix our attention. Rejoicing means intentionally remembering God’s faithfulness, thanking Him for His blessings, and trusting His praises.

And as we discover the Lord’s joy, our faith will grow. We don’t deny the pain, and we don’t give it the final word. Joy reminds us of God’s presence, doing work in our lives worthy of our praise.

Applying Philippians 4:4 to our lives means putting it into practice. We practice thanking God, even while waiting for an answer to prayer. During difficult seasons, we worship Him. Instead of dwelling on our problems, we look for His blessings. Everywhere we go, we encourage others with hope because of Christ’s faithfulness. And every day, we choose gratitude instead of allowing discouragement to take control.

Rejoicing doesn’t mean we never cry or struggle. Instead, we live with a confident hope in God’s control of our lives and circumstances. Beneath our tears, we discover the joy of the Lord and the strength that comes with it.

Journal Questions:

• What joy have you overlooked?
• How does joy reduce stress?
• What reason do you have to rejoice today?

Stressbuster:

Listen to your favorite worship song.