Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 22-24 GW; Colossians 2 GW

Bask in Sonlight.

In life, getting off track is the easiest thing to do.  Our minds get focused on an event or project, and it occupies our thoughts.  Before we know what happens, we’re on a completely different path, and we don’t even know how we ended up where we are. Unintentional living will take you to unwanted places.  Intentional living will lead you to Jesus.

Choosing to follow Jesus is a conscious decision.  You’re saying that the way Jesus wants you to live is better than the way the world does.  Intentionally applying Jesus’s teachings to your life will change it in ways you can’t imagine.  God exposes the truth to you with each obedient step you take.  When you follow the world, you will quickly find, you’re following lies and half-truths.

Currently, in our world, truth is hard to find.  Misleading news articles, partial stories, and opinion pieces taken as facts make reality hard to decipher for everyone.  Even my husband, who is a wise man, struggles with discerning who is telling the truth.  If we keep our focus on the world, we will lose all faith in humanity.  Thankfully, our trust isn’t in man; it’s in Jesus.

Focus on the Son.

You can train your brain to focus on God.  Studies show how you start your day impacts how it will go.  If you spend your first waking moments with God, you’re more likely to have a God-driven day. 

How you spend your time with God is up to you.  I read my Bible. As is evident by my daily devotional blog, I find it easiest to find one plan for the entire year.  All I have to do is open up my Youversion app; I fill my mind with God’s word first thing in the morning.  Over twenty years later, I can testify that this 10-15 minute habit started long ago is still transforming my life decades later.

Get your day started right.  Begin with a Sonrise. Spend time in God’s word first thing.  Let Him lead the day.

Lord, thank You for providing light in our life.  Forgive us for not seeking You but the world.  Help us get back on track today.  As we focus our thoughts on You, help us see and know the truth.  With each breath we take, draw us closer to You.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you start your day with God?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Job 20-21 GW; Colossians 1 GW

Just listen.

When someone you love is in pain, you don’t have to talk.  Words aren’t necessary, but open ears are.  During tragedy, I hear these words often, “I don’t know what to say.”  Neither do I, which is why saying nothing is a good choice.  

Three and a half years ago, one of my best friends’ sons became a murder victim.  While helping his father finish a project for a homeless veteran, two 18-year-old boys accosted them.  My friend’s husband miraculously recovered from five bullet wounds.  Her son died from two shots to the heart.  What do you say in a moment like this one?  Nothing.

No one knows what to say when the worst-case scenario happens.  I called and left a simple message.  “I have no words. I’m here for you whatever you need, day or night.  I love you.”  Then I just kept showing up, over and over again.  Not just at her son’s memorial but week after week.  Not offering advice, listening when she wants to talk, continually praying for her and the family, moving forward with them, one step at a time.

Silence helps heal.

Choosing to remain silent allows others to talk and heal.  Discussing things you never thought you would isn’t easy for anyone.  Create a safe place for them that will enable them to vent.  Trustworthy environments allow hurting people to release their pain which helps them heal.

Forty-two months later, I’m still quiet.  We talk about whatever topic she wants.  When God nudges me, I send encouragement.  With Jesus, we’re healing together, one day at a time.  You don’t have to have all the answers for a heartbroken person.  All you have to do is show up and say nothing.

Listen with love.  Allow others to vent, knowing they’re safe with you.  Hugs heal more than words.

Lord, thank You for always listening when we’re hurting.  Forgive us for trying to explain the unexplainable.  Help us today listen more than we talk.  Give us open ears to hear the pain in our loved ones’ voices.  Please help us to let others express themselves to us; however, they want. Keep our mouths closed and ears attentive.  Let us love well today for Jesus.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Who can you listen to today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Job 17-19 GW; Psalms 102 GW

Stick to your ways.

Seventeen chapters into Job’s saga, and he’s still debating his circumstances with his friends.  Only halfway through the book, God doesn’t start talking for another 21 chapters.  This means Job is defending his faith to his friends for a very long time.  Clean hands grow stronger,  but the journey isn’t without its problems.

“Now my eyes are blurred from grief.  Now all my limbs are like a shadow.” (Job 17:7 NIV)

Standing strong in the midst of adversity requires perseverance.  When the world crashes around you, the best thing to do is wait.  Don’t try to make sense of things you were never meant to understand.  Like Job, keep your eyes on God. Let Him restore calm to your chaos. Stick to what you know.

God’s consistency stands the test of time.  He is present in times of trouble as well as when you rejoice.  Understanding God is something our human brain can’t do, but we can trust even if we don’t know.

Develop discipline.

Job clung to God because of his discipline.  Remember the beginning of Job’s story:

“In the land of Uz, there lived a man whose name was Job.  This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1 NIV)

Job didn’t start following God in the middle of the crisis; he began long before trouble hit.  Developing a spiritual discipline means making time for God in your daily life.  Whether you spend five minutes or five hours, any time you give God is better than none at all.  Then, when the storms of life happen, you already have a firm foundation in the Big Guy.  In the midst of your grief, like Job, you will find God.

Cleanse and repeat.  Just like bathing, we must clean our spiritual souls often.  Developing a spiritual discipline will strengthen you.  When the storms hit, you will withstand the gale winds.  You can stand strong before the Lord, knowing He is the One who controls the storm.

Lord, thank You for keeping us clean.  Forgive us for not making time with You a priority in our lives.  Help us today start again.  As we come before You, cleanse us from within as You fill us with Your Spirit.  Let us stand firm in the face of adversity as we keep our eyes on You.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What can you do today to develop spiritual discipline?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Job 15-16 GW; Psalms 69 GW

Agree to disagree.

Eliphaz is responding to Job; they are in the middle of a disagreement.  Eliphaz thinks Job sinned, so God punished him by taking his family, servants, and livelihood.  Job disagrees:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21 ESV)

Starting in chapter four, their conversation is still going on eleven chapters later.  Both men standing firm in their positions, neither one of them budging. Finally, Job says:

“I have heard many things like this before.  You are all pathetic at comforting me.” (Job 16:2 GW)

If this conversation was taking place on social media today, name-calling is a likely response.  People don’t handle disagreements well on the internet. Someone needs to lead the way.

Start with you.

When you’re in a disagreement with someone, neither side bending, agree to disagree.  Don’t allow the conversation to degrade into name-calling and meanness.  Take the high road first.  Allow the other person to have their opinion; they are entitled to it.  Whether you’re right or wrong isn’t as important as preserving the relationship.  No one is going to agree with you all of the time; that’s ok.

Agreeing to disagree takes practice, especially for someone like me.  But the more comfortable I become, allowing others to express their opinions, even if different from mine, the better I get at this lost art.  Somewhere down the line, this notion that everyone has to do things the same evolved.  Nothing is further from the truth.  Our purposes on earth are as unique as the stars in the sky.  

Not everyone will look at life the same way as you; thank God.  Sameness doesn’t add spice to life. We need salt and pepper to balance a meal. However, agreeing to disagree that is flavorful.  

Spice up your friend’s list.  Practice agreeing to disagree.  Watch how flavorful life becomes.

Lord, thank You for constantly challenging us to grow.  Forgive us for not accepting the challenge.  As we move through our lives today, help us not force our opinion on others.  If an argument hits a dead end, give us the courage to agree to disagree.  Help us lead the way in promoting peace in the world.  All glory is Yours.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Who do you need to agree to disagree with today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Psalms 25 GW; Job 13-14 GW

God’s ear is listening.

Job is responding to his friends.  They are sure Job’s suffering is the result of sin in his life.  But they are wrong.  Job’s suffering is part of his life journey.  Only God knows why He allowed the events to happen that He did.  One thing I know, we all suffer in this life.  Somehow, someway, everyone you encounter in your day today is walking wounded.  Hurts exist inside of them that you can’t see on the outside.   Heartache is part of life.

Teaching a tennis camp this summer with another coach, God reminded me of this fact.  On our second day of camp, my co-worker arrived a little late, looking tired.  From the outside, my good-looking court mate’s life looked picture perfect.  Looks are deceiving.  When I asked him how his previous night was, he shared his heartache with me.  The previous night he put his house on the market because his wife left him eight months ago.  His marriage didn’t survive the pandemic.

Don’t fill the silence.

My shock at the coach’s confession was a reminder from God.  Don’t judge what you don’t know.   Every preconceived notion I had in this situation was wrong.  After offering my sympathy for his current position, I just listened.  When he told me he just wanted to have fun and make it through the day, I made his request my mission.  We enjoyed coaching the kids, forgot life’s problems for a bit, and all left smiling.

Friend’s in despair need company, not advice.  Their quarrels are with God, not us.  Job was politely telling his friends, your words are fruitless.  They had no clue why these things happened, but they wanted to act as they did.  Job knew God is the only one that knows; therefore, God is the only One with answers.

You don’t have to explain God’s actions to anyone.  God does what God wants to do.  Point them to the One who has the answers.  Going directly to the source saves time and money.

Healing begins when we talk to God.

Lord, thank You for having a plan for our lives.  Forgive us for trying to figure out what You’re doing.  If we need answers, help us seek You and no one else.  Strengthen our faith as we turn to You in our storms.  Help us survive the tornadoes that sweep through our lives.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What do you want to speak to God about today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Psalms 39 GW; Job 10-12 GW

God wants to hear your complaints.

Job’s relationship with God was intimate.  He was willing to tell God how he felt.  After losing everything, Job wasn’t a fan of life.  Although Job never turned his back on God, he did ask God questions.  Job lived his life “right” before the Lord, yet tragedy happened.  Why would God allow such heartache to enter into his life?  Job wanted to know, and so do we.

When I was single, I felt like Job, but mine was more of a first-world problem.  I didn’t like my life because I didn’t have a spouse.  Every failed date made me question God.  The worst weekend of my lonely life, I had a blind date on Saturday, as well as an online possibility.  The date was a bust, and my online friend closed communication. I went from hope to discouragement in 60 seconds flat.  

Did I mention Saturday morning, before the bad date and online dumping, I was maid of honor for one of my best friends? Like Job, I hated my life and didn’t know why God wasn’t answering my prayers. 

Let God have it.

Seriously, don’t let fear stop you from expressing how you feel to God. He doesn’t expect us to put on airs.  People pose in life, but God knows the truth.  God isn’t interested in posing; He wants honesty.  Releasing feelings and emotions to God allows us to process them in a safe place.  God’s healing begins when we give Him our pain.

For years I quarreled with God.  Finally, after celebrating my fortieth birthday alone, I surrendered.  “God, if Your will means I live life single, I’m good with that.” 

A YEAR later, I met the love of my life. We just celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary.  God’s timetable is different from ours; trust His clock.

Honesty with God is what He wants.  God knows He makes you mad.  You aren’t telling Him anything He doesn’t already know.

Lord, thank You for loving us completely.  Forgive us for trying to hide our feelings from You.  Help us today talk to You honestly.   Search us and reveal where we aren’t honest with ourselves.  Let us tell You how we feel today, knowing, You still love us.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What are you mad at God about today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 7-9 GW; Psalms 38 GW

God doesn’t miss a thing.

Job, our hero who is in the depths of despair, wants God to leave him alone.  The tragedy of losing his children, servants, and livestock has brought Job to his knees.  If I was in his situation, the only thing I would want to do is crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head.  But life doesn’t allow us to hibernate; God forces us to engage with the world around us.  

When I was a child, living in the country of Pennsylvania, I remember standing on the hill above my house, looking up at the countless stars in the sky.   A feeling of insignificance would overwhelm me as I realized how small I was in a big world.  Yet God calls me by name and knows me intimately.  Grasping our significance to God in the vast world we live in today challenges us, especially when we’re in the grips of grief.

Let God hover.

Job’s pain caused him to want to isolate himself from God and people.  Often, our pain does the same thing.  We don’t want to hear what others have to say; we just want to wallow in our misery.  But God wants us to deal with the pain we experience, moving through it, not getting stuck in hurt’s spirally web.  The people God sends to us help us to keep moving forward, whether we like it or not.

The day after my nephew passed away, I didn’t want to get out of bed.  My pain overwhelmed me; I couldn’t imagine life without him.  But his parents got out of bed; they kept going.  If they could,  I could.  Together, we persevered through our pain.

God is intimately involved in your life, whether you believe He is or not.  You are constantly on His mind.  God calls you by name.  He loves you so much; Jesus gave His life for you.  You do matter; God values and loves you.  Allow yourself to believe God’s truth about you today.

Lord, thank You for loving us so deeply.  Forgive us for wanting You to leave us alone.  Help us believe entirely in Your love for us.  Fill our souls with the knowledge of how much You value us.  In You, we place our hope and trust.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Do you feel valued by God?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 4-6 GW; Psalms 6 GW

Bad things happen to everyone.

Eliphaz, one of three friends comforting Job in his miseries, is today’s speaker.  Family man and millionaire Job lost everything but his wife.  After sitting and crying for seven days and nights with his friends, Job speaks first and laments his life. Eliphaz is the first to respond.

Eliphaz’s viewpoint is Job’s actions caused the outcome.  God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked in Eliphaz’s theology.  Job sinned, and this was his punishment.  But Eliphaz is wrong.   

“Although it’s tempting to think that the righteous are always rewarded and the wicked are always punished, in this world, it’s not always true. No one was ever more innocent than Jesus, yet He perished for our sins.” Charles Stanley

Unfortunately, bad things do happen in life.  One of the most challenging events I experienced was the tragic death of my spiritual mentor’s 16-year-old son on her birthday. The only passenger, both boys, died. Monday nights, we met for Bible study.  We were studying Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.  Her son was sitting at the computer as he always was just four days before the event.  I was in my car at Home Depot when I received the call informing me of the accident.  I remember thinking, “Wow, no one I know is more devoted than my friend, yet God allowed this to happen to her.”  What truth I learned, doing everything the “right” way doesn’t mean you won’t experience heartache.

Turn to God.

Watching my friend give her grief to God inspired my faith.  The accident occurred because her son snuck out of the house.  When people flooded her home to offer condolences that evening, his mom used the moment to teach the other kids.  I’ve never forgotten her words, “This is what happens when you don’t listen to your parents.”  Giving her grief to God meant helping others not make the same mistake her son did.  In her grief, God brought her comfort.  God’s strength carried us all through those tragic days.  

Pain is a part of our lives.  Bad things happen to everyone.  Often, we don’t know the reason.  Don’t draw wrong conclusions.  Lean into God for guidance.

Lord, thank You for Jesus, who died for our sins.  Forgive us for thinking; we always need to know why.  Help us get past the why and trust You in all situations.  Comfort us today, Lord, in the areas we are grieving.  Strengthen us where we need strength.  Help us live our lives to the full today for You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What “Why?” do you need to let go of today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Psalms 15 GW; Job 1-3 GW

Job knew God.

When disaster struck in Job’s life, he didn’t blame God.  In verse one, we learn what kind of man Job was:

“He was a man of integrity: He was decent, he feared God, and he stayed away from evil.” (Job 1:1 GW)

God blessed Job with seven sons and three daughters, thousands of livestock, and lots of servants.  He was the wealthiest man in the Middle East.  One day, Satan slithers his way into God’s presence.  During their conversation, the devil challenges God.  Satan thinks if bad things happen to Job, he’ll curse God.  As always, the fallen angel was wrong.

When catastrophe strikes, Job doesn’t curse God.  He does the opposite:

Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.  He said, “Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:20-21 GW)

Praise God in the storm.

Job knew God so intimately, in his worst moment, He praised Him.  What Job understood was the fragility of life.  Job realized life and things are temporary; only God withstands the test of time.  All of us will die, our possessions will fall away, but God is always with us.  Whatever we have is a gift from God.  Our Creator gives and takes away.  We are to cherish what we have while we have it.

Today is a gift; God doesn’t guarantee tomorrow; yesterday is gone.  Our journey through this life will include ups and downs, some lows worse than others, some highs better.  Keeping God in the center of our life will help us remain constant when the storm winds blow.  Just as God eventually restored Job to his prior position, He has a plan for you as well.

Keep the Son in your eyes.  Trust Him to help you through the storm.  Praise God for His presence that never leaves you.

Lord, thank You for the example Job sets for us.  Forgive us for blaming you when things don’t go our way.  Help us keep our eyes focused on You.  When faced with a storm, help us praise You in its midst.  In all things, the glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What can you praise God for today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezra 9-10 GW; Psalms 32 GW

Hidden sin exhausts.

When we try to disguise our misdeeds, it has physical effects.  Because we’ve judged and condemned ourselves, we can feel miserable, weak, and isolated from God.  The longer the secret continues, the worse we feel.  Groaning becomes our companion.

At this point in life, I’ve learned trying to hide my flaws is pointless.  Accepting my sinful nature helps me honestly discuss my struggles with God.  No matter how hard I try not to make mistakes, more mishaps occur.  But if I embrace my imperfections and give them to God, my weakness becomes my strength, and my groaning turns to praise.

“I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt.  I decided to confess them to you, O Lord. Then you forgave all my sins. Selah” (Psalm 32:5 GW)

Selah means to pause or break.  After the psalmist confessed his sins, he found rest.  When we admit our faults to God, we can relax.  Instead of groaning, we can praise God for making us whole.  God cleanses us from our sins, separating them as far as the east is from the west.  But first, we must confess.

Confession leads to rest.

When we tell God our secrets, He responds with unconditional love.  No matter what the offense, God forgives.  Then He takes what was terrible and uses it for His good.

One of the most uplifting stories I’ve heard lately is about an ex-convict who turned his life over to God.  After spending 20 years in prison, he began a new life in Christ.  Now he lives on a literal mountain top where he takes beautiful photos of God’s creation and shares them with the world.  He tells his story to youth groups, hoping to deter young people from making the choices he made.  God turned his groaning into praise.

Don’t try to hide your faults.  Confess to God the heaviness of your soul.  End the groaning, turn it into praise.

Lord, thank You for meeting our sins with unconditional love.  Forgive us for trying to hide from You what You already know.  Help us become comfortable with our imperfections.  As we confess them to You, use our stories to help others find freedom in You.  Give us the courage to confess.  Let our groanings become praise.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What do you need to tell God today?