Devotionals for the Heart: Why God's perfect timing is worth the wait

Trusting God When His Gifts Are Out of Reach
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”—Hebrews 11:11-12 (NIV)

Do you ever feel like a kid beneath the Christmas tree, anxious to open God’s gifts now instead of waiting until Christmas Day arrives?

The week before Christmas, I would help my father wrap gifts while my mother was in the kitchen making chocolate fudge and anise candy. Dad crooned to Bing Crosby as he transformed boring brown boxes into colorful masterpieces while I sat beneath the tree, desperate to see their contents.

We are a society caught between wanting everything now and having to wait for it. We wait for our morning coffee to heat up, rush hour to clear up, the weather to warm up, and our bodies to shape up. But the more significant challenge is waiting for God to fulfill our deeper longings.

If you’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity, find solace in knowing God’s delay is rooted in His perfect judgment and goodness. His plan may be mysterious, but His love for you is not. True contentment comes not from having everything we want but from recognizing that Jesus Christ is enough—that He is our ultimate source of joy and our reason for living.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) is a powerful reminder to trust Him with all our hearts, acknowledging His perfect timing and wisdom. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Feeling entitled robs us of joy and peace and fuels a never-ending struggle to align life with our wishes. I don’t know about you, but I find that exhausting!

If you’re tired of waiting and are tempted to take matters into your own hands, you’re not alone. Even heroes of the faith, like Abraham and his wife Sarah who we read about in the Bible, took matters into their own hands when they thought God wasn’t moving fast enough. Read Genesis 16:1-16 for details.

Trusting God means knowing at this moment you are precisely where you’re supposed to be. Like Sarah in the Bible story, who had unwavering faith amid uncertainty, you too can trust God to fulfill His promises, even if they seem far-fetched.

My waiting season began several years ago after I suffered three concussions. While I saw nothing good about my suffering, God used it to prepare me for my calling. By the time I recovered, God had already opened several doors for me to minister to women. My experience taught me this: Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is working behind the scenes to prepare us for our ultimate purpose: to glorify Him.

As hard as it is to wait, I hope you let God use this time to prepare you for your promised land. And don’t forget to enjoy the present because tomorrow’s gifts aren’t meant to be opened yet.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When my waiting season feels heavy, equip me to enjoy today as I trust You with my tomorrows. When doubts fill my mind, remind me that Your plans for me will unfold perfectly as I trust Your timing above mine. I’m grateful you love me enough to ensure all the pieces fall into place. When I can’t see the complete picture, I’m confident that the day I open Your gifts, I will be ready to enjoy them. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Promises” (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "We Are the Reason" by AVALON. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s passion to follow Jesus Christ is woven throughout her writing. She loves using words to encourage women to embrace their identity in Christ so they can experience victory in every area of their life. 

In 2024, Sarah was a featured speaker in the 28-Day Devotional Challenge. She also launched her new Substack newsletter, "A Peaceful Pace", which inspires her readers to let Jesus Christ set their pace in a world that values speed at all costs.

Sarah’s short stories have appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. Her latest short story is featured in a new book published by Guideposts, titled Too Amazing For Coincidence.

Her devotionals have appeared in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts.

Sarah is a dog sitter who lives in Minneapolis with her dachshund Frank. Her hobbies include cooking and vacationing each year on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

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Connect with Sarah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52
Substack: https://colebopper58.substack.com/publish/home

Devotionals for the Heart: Dance through life following God's lead

The Dance
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.”—Psalm 149:3 (ESV)

There’s a bronze sculpture in my family room of a man and woman dancing together. This is a treasured gift from the past. It catches my eye each time I walk into the room and causes me to remember the night when that sculpture found its way into my heart and home.

One December evening after work, I arrived home late. When I walked through the door, I caught a whiff of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen. A fire flickered in the fireplace, music filled the room, and my husband greeted me with a hug. Walking toward the kitchen, I saw an elegant bronze sculpture of a man and woman dancing together. A decorative envelope with my name on it was propped against the sculpture. Anticipation began to build inside me as I took the envelope, carefully opened it, and then discovered a gift I had always longed for: a certificate for ballroom dancing lessons.

Three months of lessons with the man I adore by my side. It just doesn’t get any better. This gift was more than just dance lessons from his heart to mine. He did this just for me, and it made my heart sing. A gift that shouted, “I love you” all the way down to my soul. Thereafter, I learned a lot of life lessons through ballroom dancing classes.

The most basic lesson in ballroom dancing is someone must lead and someone must follow. Yes, we were aware of that going in, but I don’t think I gave it any serious thought. However, I suspect that my darling husband knew all along—we were not going to rock the ballroom dancing world. Our challenge? We march to different drummers. And believe me, this is a problem on the dance floor! So much for smooth beginnings. This was the first of many dance lessons that season. We never got the hang of it, but that didn’t stop us. We fumbled, stumbled, twisted, and turned our way through each lesson. It was a joyous time, and there was much laughter.

This sculpture represents love and reminds me that dancing with someone is a give-and-take of the heart. My husband and I have been doing the marriage dance for quite a while now, and it’s not a problem-free endeavor. Sometimes he leads, sometimes I lead, and sometimes we step on each other’s toes. The dance isn’t perfect, but the music keeps playing.

The lessons learned from ballroom dancing remind me of my walk with Jesus Christ. I’m often distracted by the chaos of life and stumble off the path God has prepared for me. In His perfect timing, He gently reminds me to be still, know He is in control, and wait for His lead. Other days, I’m in step with the Savior and feel His presence at every turn.

When you walk through life with faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into God's loving arms and the dance begins. He is the master choreographer, guiding you gracefully through every leap and every turn. God will hold you tight and let you soar. He loves you, delights in you, and pursues you relentlessly. Accept His invitation to dance and your life will never be the same.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

We rejoice as we praise you through prayer, music, and worship. Help us to remember you are in control. Just as life keeps moving forward, you’re faithful in guiding our steps, and will catch us when we fall. Praise be to God, the Father of all love and comfort. Please continue to lead us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Let it Be a Hallelujah” Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Lead Me Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with Elizabeth Goodine. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Artist of My Soul” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should look up to Jesus Christ

Look Up
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

—Matthew 2:10 (ESV)

I have an early memory of being in a very crowded store with my mom during the holiday rush. As a small child, all I could see was a jungle of feet, legs, purses, and shopping bags all around me.

As we waited in the long checkout line, I must have been fascinated by my surroundings because I remember reaching out distractedly to grab my mother’s hand, only to realize that the hand I grabbed did not belong to my mother! Fear seized me in that moment, but fortunately, I looked up and saw a kind stranger’s face, and then my mother’s face smiling down at me, and all was made right.

The Christmas season can be overwhelming. Everywhere you turn, signs of the season are on non-stop full display, vying for your attention. Store displays, television commercials, radio playlists, neighborhood lights, and more bombard us from every direction. That’s not to mention all the holiday parties, pageants, potlucks, and other events that fill our Christmas calendars. All good things, but with so much going on at once, it’s easy to get swept up in the festivities and lose sight of what’s most important.

The Magi, or “wise men,” are familiar characters from the Bible’s Christmas story. They were educated men from an eastern land who recognized a new star in the night sky as an announcement of the Messiah’s birth. They followed the star in search of the newborn king. When they reached Jerusalem, they knew they were close, so they asked around for specific directions, saying, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2 NIV).

I wonder what it was like for the Magi when they arrived in the big, bustling city of Jerusalem, a place foreign to them where they knew no one, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds. Were they expecting the people to already know about the birth of the Messiah, since the star they’d followed was there for all to see? That doesn’t seem to have been the case, since the questions they asked in town caused quite a stir. The Bible says in Matthew 2:3 (ESV), “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” The arrival of the wise men and the things they spoke of must have been huge news in Jerusalem. People were probably talking about it in the streets, spreading rumors, and crowding around the Magi, offering their unsolicited advice. Even King Herod heard about it. He summoned the wise men to meet him and gave them his own underhanded instructions.

I imagine the Magi left the buzzing city feeling a bit overwhelmed. They’d been told where to go by Herod, and probably others, too, but it wasn’t until they looked up and saw the star that they knew they were back on the right track. The Bible says in Matthew 2:9-10 (ESV), “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” It was by keeping their eyes on the star that they found Jesus Christ.

As you enjoy all the trimmings and trappings of the Christmas season, remember to look up and keep your eyes on the holy light that still shines in the darkness so that you will find Jesus in the midst of it all.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for sending your son Jesus into the world to save us from our sins. When we feel overwhelmed or distracted by the world’s expectations and distractions during this busy time of year, help us to pause and look up to You to guide us to the true joy and meaning of Christmas. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Oh, Holy Night” by Nat King Cole. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Look Up, Child” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Light of the World” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here. 

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Book Spotlight on "A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul" by Becky Keife

Why I Wrote A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul (my book)

A guest post by Becky Keife

For years, I couldn’t name what lived inside my chest.

I only knew it felt heavy—like a brick I woke up with and carried into the night. I didn’t understand why my thoughts raced when everything around me was quiet. I didn’t have language for the ache that sat beneath the surface of my life, or the sadness that rose without warning and didn’t match my circumstances. All I knew was that something in me felt wound tight—tense, scattered, knotted up.

For a long time, I believed my anxiety was evidence that I wasn’t trying hard enough or trusting God enough. If I could just pray more, be more disciplined, more grateful, more something, then surely I’d find relief. Instead, I felt like I carried a scarlet A—not for adulteress, but anxious. And in my mind, anxious meant weak. Broken. Less-than.

Looking back, I can see how the enemy would have loved for me to stay stuck in that shame. Anxiety became a place I hid. A wall between me and God, and between me and the people I loved.

But walls, even painful ones, can become doors.

It wasn’t until I finally reached the end of what I could muscle through on my own that I discovered anxiety is both a legitimate diagnosis and, strangely, a gift. A teacher. An invitation. A place where God met me not with condemnation, but compassion.

My anxious soul was not proof that God was far away. It was the place He came closest.

Why This Book Matters to Me

A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul was birthed from that journey—years of untangling knots, sitting in therapy, learning the wisdom of medication when needed, and slowly discovering that peace isn’t the absence of anxiety—it’s the presence of Jesus in it. And like any gift God gives, I couldn’t keep it to myself.

I wrote this book for the woman who lies awake at night replaying conversations, sorting through “what ifs” like pebbles she can’t put down.

For the mom who holds everything together on the outside but collapses internally under the weight of worry. For the believer who loves Jesus but wonders why her faith doesn’t erase fear. For the one who has prayed to be steadier, calmer, braver—and feels guilty that she still can’t breathe.

I wrote this book because we need a way to meet God in the middle of the spinning. A way to come—not as women who have it together, but as women who are tired of trying. Jesus never asked us to carry our burdens alone. He simply says, Come.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT) Those words changed me. And I believe they will change you, too.

What I Hope You Experience

As you turn these pages of A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, you won’t find a quick fix or a magic formula. You’ll find a companion. You’ll find Scripture that breathes oxygen into weary lungs. You’ll find gentle truth for days when your heart feels loud and uncertain. You’ll find exercises that help you inhale God’s promises and exhale trust, one breath at a time. You’ll find prayers for the moments when your own words don’t come.

This book won’t ask you to ignore your anxiety. It won’t shame you for it. Instead, it will walk with you toward peace—slowly, steadily, kindly. A little each day. A step at a time. Because peace isn’t something we earn. Peace is Someone we come to. And when you do, even in the smallest, simplest way—reading one verse, pausing for one breath, whispering one prayer—you make space for God’s presence to fill the places fear once occupied.

Why I Believe It Will Help You

You might be holding this article right now with a heart that feels frayed or frantic. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re discouraged by how often anxiety shows up in your story. Maybe you’re worried that you should be stronger by now. Friend, I have been there. Truly.

But hear me—your struggle does not disqualify you from closeness with God. It draws you nearer. An anxious soul is not evidence of spiritual failure. It is an invitation to deeper dependence. To rest. To renewal. To Jesus. If you let Him, He will meet you right where you are. In the racing thoughts. In the shallow breathing. In the midnight hours where your fears feel loudest.

I wrote A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul because I needed a guide like this—practical, gentle, rooted in Scripture and overflowing with hope. And now I want to place it in your hands, so you never have to walk this road alone.

I believe, with everything in me, that peace is possible. Not someday when you feel stronger. Not when the anxiety evaporates. Not when life becomes easier.

Peace is possible today—because Jesus is here today.

Come with me.
Let’s breathe.
Let’s read.
Let’s walk toward rest together.

Your anxious soul is not the end of your story.

It might just be the beginning of healing.

~*~
Author Bio:

Becky Keife is a Bible teacher, speaker, and author of books and Bible studies. 

Her newest release is a 100-day devotional called A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul. Becky is passionate about helping people hear God’s voice, embrace their true identity, and see God’s kindness even when life is messy.

As a mental health advocate, Becky equips individuals and churches to understand anxiety biblically and experience Jesus wholly. She loves long naps, puffy clouds, and shady trails. Becky lives in Southern California with her husband and three always-hungry teenage sons.

Learn more about Becky’s work and invite her to speak at beckykeife.com, or connect with her on Instagram @beckykeife.

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you're feeling overwhelmed

When the Inbox Overflows
A devotional by Terry Overton

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

—Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

I checked my email before the sun was up. Once again, my inbox is overflowing. It is full of two types of email messages: someone wants something from me, or someone wants me to make time for them to offer something to me. I looked at the list. Some of the unanswered emails were from weeks ago yet still unanswered.

I am in a season where I need support but want to avoid all demands. Have you been there? Life’s noise doesn’t just come from outside; it comes from inside—our thoughts, expectations, guilt, and “shoulds.” Even when we try to rest, our minds often scroll through tasks we haven’t completed. We feel we can’t stop because everything seems urgent.

But Jesus Christ’s invitation in Matthew 11:28 is not about adding another task to your list—it’s about relief. He doesn’t say, “Finish your work and then come to me.” He simply says, “Come to me.” It’s an open door in the middle of chaos, not at the end of it. Jesus says in Psalm 46:10 (ESV): “Be still, and know that I am God.” But the voice I hear in my mind is one that says, “Get it done or you will miss the deadline. Don’t stop now. You’re not tired! You can’t stop.” However, if I close my eyes and quiet my mind then I hear another voice. God whispers a calming message: “Be still.”

In an action that seems counterintuitive, I close my laptop. My heart is heavy. My mind feels stretched beyond capacity. I stop. I stop trying to finish self-imposed demands. I stop and whisper, “Jesus, I’m here.” He’s not checking my productivity to see if I’ve met my goal. He is not concerned if I achieved more today than yesterday. No, He is concerned with my well-being. He’s healing my exhaustion.

Have you felt this? Too many demands, schedules, timelines, and not enough rest? This is not what our Lord and Savior wants for us. He is our loving Father. He wants His children to feel His love, compassion, and peace. Stillness doesn’t always mean laziness or incompetence—it means surrender. It’s the pause between breaths where you let go of your busyness and remember who holds the world together (God, not you).

Psalm 46:10 doesn’t say “work harder and know that I am God.” It says, “Be still.” The psalmist wrote those words during turmoil, not peace. God calls us to trust Him even when the world presses us to move faster, produce more, be better at everything. God remains unshaken.

Resting in Him isn’t laziness—it’s surrender. It’s believing that God’s strength can hold what burdens you. His love is everlasting. This means He loves you when you are overwhelmed and He knows you need rest. When others demand, “Pay attention or answer now”, the quiet voice of Jesus whispers, “Abide in Me.”

The work will still be there, but resting in Jesus will provide you with strength and peace. Return to Him. Rest in Him. Trust God. His love will bring you peace.

Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for always loving me and protecting me. Teach me that rest is peace with You and renewal. Replace my hurriedness with silence and rest. Lord, I bring You my exhaustion and endless to-do list. Teach me to release what I can’t control, and to find peace in Your presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Abide in Me” by Ana Laura. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont

Devotionals for the Heart: When you're too busy to breathe at Christmas

Too Busy to Breathe at Christmas?
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Christmas is supposed to be the season of joy, peace, and hope.

But if we’re honest, many of us enter December with good intentions only to arrive at Christmas Eve feeling exhausted, frazzled, and secretly counting down the minutes until everything is over.

Between decorating, shopping, family gatherings, church events, end-of-year deadlines, meal planning, and making everything “special", Christmas can become one big swirl of stress. And while we’re running around trying to create the perfect Christmas, our joy quietly slips away.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed this Christmas season, please hear this: You are not failing. You are simply carrying more than God ever asked you to. Even in the bustle of Bethlehem, God was creating a moment of holy stillness. And He invites you into that same stillness now.

Wondering what you can do when you’re too busy to breathe this Christmas? The key is to put your priorities back at the feet of Jesus Christ. Christmas often turns us into Martha as described in the Bible (Luke 10:38-42). She was busy, distracted, and convinced everything depends on us. But Jesus gently reminds us now as He reminded Martha then that “only one thing is needed.” Mary (Martha’s sister) chose the better portion because she chose to spend time with Jesus first.

When the Christmas holiday calendar starts to run you instead of you running it, pause and realign your priorities. Here’s a way to remember this important life lesson (See the “priority” acronym with descriptions for each letter below):

P – Pray

Ask God to reveal what really matters for this season. Every December is different; your capacity this year may not match last year, and that’s okay.

R – Review

Go back to Scripture. Christmas isn’t about perfection; it’s about His presence. What does God say should anchor your life right now?

I – Inventory

Look at the activities, responsibilities, and even traditions on your calendar. Which ones bring life? Which ones drain it?

O – Order

Put things in their proper place. Some tasks are essential; others are optional. Let God show you the difference.

R – Resist

Resist the “tyranny of the urgent,” the pressure to say yes just because something is happening.

I – Input

Ask trusted friends or family: “Is this something I really need to do right now?” God often speaks through wise voices.

T – Take Advantage

Use your time intentionally. There are only 24 hours in a day (even during the busy Christmas season). Ask God to show you how to use them with purpose.

Y – Yield

Lay your plans at His feet. Christmas belongs to Him. Your life belongs to Him. Yielding brings peace.

Still not sure of what you can do when you’re too busy to breathe this Christmas? Here are a few more points to help you (see headings in bold below):

Say “No” Without Guilt – Even During the Holidays

Some of the greatest gifts you can give this Christmas are the words: “No, not this time.” Saying no isn’t selfish. It’s stewardship. God’s grace teaches us to say no to anything that pulls us away from living with peace, joy, and self-control. That includes unrealistic expectations, overwhelming commitments, and traditions that no longer bless your soul. You don’t need long explanations or apologies. A simple, “I won’t be able to do that this year,” is enough. Remember: If God didn’t assign it, He’s not requiring you to carry it.

Let Go of the Unessential

There truly is a season for everything, but not everything belongs in this season. Maybe this isn’t the year to handmake all the Christmas gifts. Maybe this isn’t the year to host every gathering. Maybe this isn’t the year to try a new recipe, decorate every room, or attend every event. Sometimes Christmas requires the courage to let go. Ask the Lord what can wait until another time. Good things are not always God-timed things. Release what no longer fits the capacity, peace, and purpose God has given you for this moment.

No matter how full your life feels right now, God has not abandoned you to busyness. If you put these principles into practice, you’ll experience more joy, more peace, and more hope than you expected.

Remember this beautiful promise: God will never put more on you than He gives you grace to carry. This Christmas, may you choose the better portion, not the perfect holiday, but the holy One who came to bring you rest, renewal, and life.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me slow down enough to see You in this season. Show me what to release, what to rearrange, and what to embrace so my heart can rest in You. Restore my joy, renew my peace, and let my Christmas be more about Christ than the chaos. Fill me with hope as I trust in You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Need a Silent Night” by Amy Grant. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC, which includes Her RICH Life Coaching, where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats.

She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to do extraordinary things by walking fully in their purpose, calling, and assignment. She knows that each woman has a unique calling that only she can fulfill, and if she doesn’t answer it, that work may never be done. Joyce is deeply aware that there are people waiting for the help only God can give, and He often chooses to work through His people to meet those needs. That’s why Joyce is committed to answering God’s call on her life and inspiring other women to do the same, so together, we can be of greater service to God and one another.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

She makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to handle it when Christmastime hurts

When Christmas Hurts: Celebrating Through Loss and Change
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

—John 13:35 NIV

Turn on the radio or flip on the television, and it doesn’t take long to be reminded this is the happiest time of the year. Except …what if it’s not?

What if, in many ways, this is the hardest time of year for you?

I’ve always looked forward to Christmastime. As a kid, I remember being absolutely giddy with excitement, and it often had nothing to do with what was waiting under the Christmas tree. What caught me up was that glorious buzz of joyful energy from the loved ones all around me—all the laughing grown-ups excited to see each other, everyone dressed up in something festive, all the whispered secrets about gifts and hopes, spinning together to create what felt like a magical time.

Later, when I grew up and had my own kids, it was exciting just to watch them experience that Christmas joy for themselves—going to church, singing the hymns and lighting the candles, picking out gifts for each other. As the years have passed, though, my circle is slowly growing smaller. My grandparents have all passed away, as have my dad, my stepmom, and my favorite aunt. Beloved in-laws, too. My sister lives hours away, my uncle is clear across the country, and I can’t remember the last time I saw the cousin who used to be my best childhood friend.

Loved ones I used to see every holiday are now people I haven’t seen in ages. Two of our four kids are now off to college, and though they’ll be home for Christmas break, it’s different now that the kids are older. Everything feels different, smaller, slightly off-kilter. More subdued. I’m still joyful, still blessed. Yet the difference feels palpable somehow.

Maybe that’s you—maybe you normally love Christmastime, yet the pang of loss cuts deep right now. Maybe you’ve lost a spouse, children, siblings, or a close friend this year, and there’s little laughter this season. Every gleam of joy brings along with it a sharp and painful reminder of the one you’ve lost. Or perhaps you’re struggling with difficult health diagnosis, a broken relationship, financial catastrophe, or mental illness. Whatever it is, the holidays are hard for you, and you struggle to gain even a glimmer of cheer.

The truth is that despite the messages around us trying to tell us what Christmas is “supposed” to be and how we’re “supposed” to feel, the reality is that Christmas is none of those things. The expectations we’ve created around this time of year pale in comparison to the perfect truth about why we celebrate it in the first place. We celebrate Christmas because we celebrate the birth of our Savior (Jesus Christ) who is God in human form, word become flesh who lived, suffered, and then died as a sacrifice for our sins…only to rise again and lead us to eternal life (John 3:16).

And so—even as my heart sometimes aches for those I’ve lost this time of year, while all the songs on the radio tell me how things should be—what helps is remembering the real reason for the season. What helps is loving the ones who are around me now, even as I miss the ones who are no longer with me.

Loving the people in my world today is not only a way that I can claim joy in the season, but it’s also a way that I can honor the gift of Jesus Christ and the birth of my Savior. After all, Jesus told His disciples the world will know who they are—His—by their love for one another (John 13:35). Love really is the greatest truth of all and the most important thing to remember.

Wherever you are this holiday season—grieving and heartbroken, happy and content, or a little bit gloomy and cynical—remember this: Love is the one thing that carries on from Christmas to Christmas. The love of Jesus Christ for all of us, and the love we have for each other in His name.

If you’re struggling this year, can I pray for you? Reach out to me privately.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s not the lights or the gifts or the celebrations but the fact that You came into this world, Emmanuel—God with us. You chose to live as a human, then suffer and die as a sacrifice so that we could join You in eternity. What a true gift that is. No matter what my feelings right now, please help me remember this. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “We Are the Reason” by AVALON. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.