Devotionals for the Heart: God wants us to be still and trust Him to guide us

God Wants Us to Be Still and Trust Him
A devotional by Kelly Patterson

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

When I received an email last week asking if I could write a devotional for this month, my first thought was, “I am too busy! I just don’t have time.”

I almost replied to decline the opportunity, but I felt a check in my spirit. Too busy? Most everything I write and talk about is stillness and not allowing “busyness” to distract from slowing down and tuning in to God. How can stillness be what God has drawn me to if I can’t do it? And how did I almost get back to this place where I am running on fumes? I said yes because sitting down to write a message feels like hitting a pause button for me. I needed that. We all need pauses.

God brought me to the ministry of stillness years ago. You see, I am an excellent plate spinner. In honest and humble opinion, I excel at multitasking. Therefore, I was shocked when, about 15 years ago, one after another, plates I had so perfectly balanced began to fall and I began to experience failure in certain aspects of my life. People weren’t cooperating with my plans, and it turns out, they really weren’t appreciating my efforts to control them. And when things weren’t going according to my plans, I got mad at people, and then, at God! I remember thinking, "God, I am doing all the things alone, can you help me out a little?" 

Turns out, He didn’t need all of what I was doing. He may have even tipped a few of those plates. How arrogant I was before the first few plates fell. I was saying, in essence, “God, I’ve got this. I’ll call you when I need You.” But it doesn't work that way.

If God really is sovereign and trustworthy, and it is He who controls and directs, I do not need to live my life in a busy spin. When I am functioning correctly, under full submission to Jesus Christ and getting direction from the Holy Spirit, He leads me to quiet waters every time. The storm still swirls around me, but even as I sit here and focus on who God is, He quiets the swirling in my soul. He gives me rest.

I need to do this every day. Stop being driven by the tyranny of the “to-do” list. Stop stomping around as if anyone’s world is dependent on me. I need to give everything to God, trust Him and learn to rest. I can say no to things, so I have space to say yes to the things God is calling me to. I recommend to everyone who feels too busy to pause: Stop and write a devotional or a letter to God. By doing this, you are simply pausing to tune into God and ask Him what He thinks you should do.

We need to remind ourselves who God is and where He sits in our attention. All goes better when our attention is on Him.

Let’s Pray: God, forgive me for rushing into my day, thinking what I need to get done is more important than time with You. Help me quiet my soul and find rest in You. You are also so faithful to encourage my stillness. May I start each day remembering Your Presence so I can be more aware as I go about my day. 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: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” by Leanna Crawford. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Coming from a Mormon childhood and agnostic belief, Kelly Patterson found Jesus Christ after wrestling with God for many years. 

Kelly has a hunger for the Word and has spent a lifetime following Jesus and going (not always joyfully) where the Holy Spirit leads. It has been a roller coaster, but Jesus has been with her the entire ride. Kelly has a passion for sharing the freedom she found in Jesus with believers and unbelievers alike.

Kelly is a wife, mother of four adult children and has two grandchildren. Kelly still enjoys cultivating intimacy with God, time with family and friends, pickleball and her job at a mental health clinic. Kelly considers life with God an adventure that she loves to share with others.

~*~
Connect with Kelly:
Website: Kellyannpatterson.wordpress.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to surrender your heart and life to God

Jesus Christ Calls Us to be a Living Sacrifice
A devotional by Anne Madison

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”—Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Few words seem more contradictory than these: living and sacrifice. Yet somewhere in the tension of these two words is the heart of Jesus Christ, the reason for life, and the calling for our lives. Fully alive yet fully surrendered. Being a living sacrifice begs the same question asked in Ezekiel 33:10 (NIV), “How then can we live?”

Life Laid Down: Surrender

Surrendering doesn’t bring up thoughts of strength. Rather it brings up thoughts of defeat and captivity; giving up and giving in to an enemy force; losing and abandoning. What if surrendering is a powerful choice to follow after the heart of God? What if surrendering is, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done in this life you’ve given me”? What if surrendering is trusting God with our surrendered state, with our surrendered thoughts, attitudes, and struggles? What if in surrendering we are truly set free?

Jesus Christ is the truest example of the power in a surrendered life. Daily, He rested in His Father’s presence where His strength and purpose were renewed. Jesus lived a life in wholeness of who He was in God. He shared the truth and love of the Father with each word He spoke, each lesson He taught, in each deed He did. His daily, incremental surrendering led Jesus to make the ultimate choice that literally changed the world for eternity. No enemy force took His life; Jesus willingly laid it down, abandoning His will to a greater purpose—to reconcile humanity to our Heavenly Father (John 3:16-17).

Christ’s life didn’t happen by accident. It flowed from a heart fully surrendered and connected to God. He was filled in the presence of the Father. This filling enabled Him to keep surrendering to God even when it cost him His earthly life. A living sacrifice breathes, moves, grows, and keeps choosing God repeatedly in ordinary life. It is an aligning of our desires with God’s purpose. Sacrifice is an intentional offering born out of love. Sacrifice is ultimately an act of love, not loss.

The Beauty of a Surrendered Life

Honestly, sacrifice is … well … a sacrifice. Uncomfortable. Unpleasant. Uneasy. A surrendered life is letting go of being right, serving when tired, giving when empty, forgiving when hurt, choosing patience when it’s hard, and showing kindness when it’s easier to be rude or self-serving. Rest assured, dear one, sacrifice in God’s kingdom is never wasted.

Surrender is about letting go of control. When we surrender our control, God gives us wisdom, clarity, and peace. When we choose obedience, He generates purpose. Every time we lay something down—our will, our plans, our control—God replaces it with something greater: His peace. His purpose. His presence. This is the gift and beauty of a surrendered life—a life lived as a reflection of Him. A life whose choices ripple out farther than the expanse of existence in the few short years of earthly living.

Reflection:

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Sacrifices are daily intentional decisions to give up things that are not serving the purposes of God in our lives. As we continue to lay our lives down something beautiful happens: We begin to reflect His love more clearly to the world around us. Our surrender becomes someone else’s hope. A place to begin, just for today, is asking ourselves what one area of my life am I holding onto tightly? What would it look like to surrender that one thing to God today?

Every day is opportunity to surrender our will and choose God’s good pleasing and perfect will. What would His will for my life look like today? How will I live out my faith today in its ordinary moments? What area of my life is not fully surrendered? What step can I take this week to live more sacrificially for God?

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

We long to live lives that truly honor You and reflect the work You are doing within us. With hearts full of love and gratitude, we offer ourselves completely to You. Teach us to surrender our own desires and instead choose to live a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for redeeming us through Your sacrifice, for transforming us by Your love, and restoring us again and again through Your abundant grace. Guide us each day to live in a way that brings You glory and reveals Your kindness and mercy to those around us. May our lives be daily, intentionally, and purposely surrendered to your purposes and for your glory. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who perfectly showed us what it means to live as a living sacrifice. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Living Sacrifice” by Jeremy Bilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” by Maranatha! Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Victor's Crown” by Darlene Zschech. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Way Maker” by Leeland. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “All to Bring You Glory” by Ashmont Hill. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Anne Madison is a devotional writer whose words gently guide women toward a deeper connection with God through personal reflection, scripture, and everyday experiences. 

Based in Iron River, Wisconsin, Anne is continually inspired by the natural beauty around her and the strong sense of community she calls home.

A dedicated journaler for over 46 years, Anne draws from a rich well of spiritual practice and daily life to craft devotionals that are heartfelt, relatable, and deeply rooted in faith. Her writing speaks to women seeking encouragement, stillness, and spiritual renewal amid the busyness of life.

Anne has a unique gift for noticing God in the ordinary. Whether it's a cup of morning coffee, a walk through the woods, or a quiet conversation with a friend, she uncovers sacred messages that reveal God’s goodness and the blessings hidden in everyday moments.

In addition to her writing, Anne is pursuing her certification as a Life Coach through the Life Mentoring School, further deepening her calling to encourage and uplift others.

She finds joy in simple pleasures—quilting, reading, and spending time with her beloved family and friends.

~*~
Connect with Anne:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessonsinthejourney    
Email: lessonsinthejourney@gmail.com  

Devotionals for the Heart: When you need to adjust your attitude and path

Do You Need an Attitude Adjustment?
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

—Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

I’ve had a variety of teaching assignments in my years as an educator. However, one of the best was teaching Aviation Science at the school district’s Flight Center, which was designated as a field trip for all fifth-grade classes.

Whether you’re the pilot of a private plane or the captain of a major airliner, there are required safety checks before take-off. In addition, the pilot and navigator continually monitor the instrument panel throughout the flight. Each instrument has a specific job and looks for important things such as obstacles in its path, air speed, and altitude. The more time I spent at the Flight Center, the more I realized how safety checks could be applied to our everyday lives.

Do you ever feel as if you’re moving too fast, flying too high, going the wrong direction, or spinning towards a nose-dive? I’ve felt this way from time to time. That’s when I need to remind myself that we have access to the ultimate pilot who can help us avoid disaster. His name is Jesus Christ.

When we allow Jesus to take control of our lives, we can trust Him to know exactly what to do when we’re in danger. Imagine waking up each morning, grabbing a coffee, and spending time with Jesus for a safety check regarding your faith walk. This will make a difference in everything we do, because we’re putting God back into his rightful place as the captain of our lives.

There is one instrument on the flight deck that requires continual monitoring. This instrument shows when the plane is level, banked, climbing, or descending. It’s called the attitude indicator, which provides the pilot with critical information needed for the plane to arrive safely at its destination. It reminds me of a phrase repeated by teachers and parents at one time or another. They would say to the young people, “You need an attitude adjustment!” But isn’t it possible that grown-ups need an attitude adjustment from time to time?

The airplane pilot is responsible for safely getting passengers to their destinations, just as Christ is the director of our lives. As followers of Christ, we might want to consider this question: “Is Jesus the pilot of my life, or am I continually fighting for control?” Why do we tend to negotiate with God in attempt to take control and be the pilot of our own life when we are inexperienced and ill-equipped? Who are we to assume we should be in control? Why do we have such a need for control, knowing it will most likely lead us down the wrong path?

The attitude of our hearts should be level and heading straight toward Jesus. We need our Savior! As Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” 

Before flying into your day, position yourself before God and ask Him to check your attitude indicator. Approach Him with gratitude and humility, and He will make the necessary adjustments. When we put our trust in Him, then our heavenly destination is ensured.

Let’s Pray: Dear Father God, I come before You today, knowing that You are the Creator of the universe. You are aware of our inadequacies, and yet thanks to Jesus, we are flawless in your eyes. Help me to step out of your way, to give you all my heart, soul, and mind. Thank You for your faithfulness to me. I know that You will guide me on the path You have set for me, which ultimately leads to You. It’s in you alone I put my trust. Praise be to God! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “He Will Hold Me Fast” by Shane & Shane. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Honey in the Rock” by Brooke Ligertwood. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a follower of Jesus Christ, educator and writer. She lives with her husband in the Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are relentless and the winters are a little slice of heaven. 

Colleen earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. This degree opened opportunities to write science curriculum, develop district programs, work with Arizona teachers, community leaders, and more. With NASA Grant funding, she was also able to work with teachers all over the country and expand their knowledge of teaching science as a collaborative effort.

Over the last few years God has 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 Him. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, Colleen believes that if you fix your eyes on Jesus then you will see the heart of God.

Colleen’s writing has been published in the following online publications: Living By Design, Her View From Home, Inside Out Worldwide, Inkspirations, and in anthologies like From Ruins to Restoration, Mountains Moved: 45 Devotions of Bold Faith, and The Miracle of Prayer. She is a monthly blogger for Dressing in God’s Love.

~*~
Connect with Colleen:
Website: authorcolleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always pray about everything

Why ‘Pray about Everything’ Means More Than We Think
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”—Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

I’ll be honest—I used to hear that scripture, “pray about everything,” and bristle because it felt like a flippant platitude, a pat saying people who had their lives together might offer. You’re probably familiar with it, because it’s a much beloved and well-known scripture (Philippians 4:6).

As a woman who’s been a prayer warrior for a long time, I know the value of prayer, and I’ve been praying intently for a long time. But I confess that the phrasing, as well as the fact that I’d see it everywhere from T-shirts to coffee cups, used to make the verse feel like a nursery rhyme, something we just say as if it were the easy answer to all of life’s problems. Your spouse died? Pray about it. You’ve got cancer? Pray about it. Money is tight this month? Pray about it. You’ve got a hangnail? Pray about it.

Maybe that’s how you feel sometimes, too. Maybe you’re knee-deep right now in heavy suffering that has broken your heart. Maybe you’ve been fervently praying every day, on your knees to God, and getting what feels like silence, and the doubts have begun to creep in. Maybe you wonder if He even cares. Here’s the real truth: God does care. And prayer really does help. I have learned that this scripture is no nursery rhyme platitude or easy, pat suggestion flippantly uttered when life goes awry.

When the Apostle Paul tells us we’re supposed to pray about everything, he really means it. He means everything. And it’s not for the reason we might think, which is that prayer gets us stuff. The point of prayer is not to treat God like some genie who’s there to grant our wishes because we love Him and because we are His children, that somehow we are “deserving” of his favor. The point of prayer is to serve as a conversation with our Creator, our Heavenly Father, the one who knitted us together in our mother’s womb. Prayer is a lifeline because it keeps us in connection with the Lord.

The truth is that it doesn’t actually matter how He answers the prayer, either. God is God regardless. What matters is that we know God is God, that we know He’s the only one truly worth talking to or who can do anything about our situation. That we know he’s the only one who genuinely understands why it’s so hard and why we need help. That’s why going to Him consistently and constantly—whether that’s for something really minuscule and petty or something life-shattering—is so important. It all goes back to what Jesus Christ taught in John 15, about how He is the vine and we are the branches. In this Scripture, Jesus was talking about how He is the way to eternal life and that by believing in Him, we become God’s children, too. We get salvation and eternal life, and we get to be connected to God the Father through Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

Whatever we can do to fan the flames, to increase the strength of that connection, is important. That means prayer, yes. But also it means spending time in nature, reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible), connecting with other people or animals, and loving our neighbor with all of our heart.

Take heart: “Pray about everything” is no nursery rhyme or flippant response. It is a way for us to actively work on our connection to God, our Heavenly Father, who loves us extravagantly and perfectly, and it’s a way for us to love Him back.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your great love for me and for all your children. Thank You for letting someone like me, a mere human being, be allowed and encouraged to talk with You and go to You with my problems and trust that You do care regardless of how You choose to answer my prayer. Thank You that I can go to you in all things big and small. I love you, God. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Pray” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Prayers I Pray” by Katy Nichole. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Pray On” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Her third novel, Hidden Seeds, releases in May 2026 and is available now for pre-order.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 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.

Devotionals for the Heart: How God taught me to always be thankful

How God taught me to always be thankful
A devotional by Regina Marcazzo-Skarka

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

When I stood on the reception line waiting to greet attendees after my 31-year-old son’s celebration of life, I was grateful for the love I felt from family and friends who traveled from near and far, and for the kind words spoken about my son.

I knew he was a warrior for Jesus Christ and that through his love for Christ and the Godly life he modeled, this world was a better place. But the magnitude of the number of lives that were changed because of his example was mind-blowing.

After two celebrations of life, I learned that my precious boy ministered to so many different people. What was more amazing was how those who learned more about his life at the services felt the desire to change their own lives and seek Christ.

An over 80-year-old relative came up to me crying saying that she wanted to be like my son. A younger relative said it was time to rethink his life and my son’s former classmate came up sobbing and said he wanted to follow Jesus. Those words did not take away the pain of losing him, but they did demonstrate the awesome works of our God.

I chose 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as the anchor text for my devotional today because the verse relates to so many areas of life, even the hardest ones such as losing a treasured child. I could see the value of all three commands during the many months of endured hardship while he was sick.

“Rejoice always” is a command and a reminder of how we are to live at all times— no matter what is going on in our lives. Praying continually does not mean that we should sit bowing in prayer day and night, but it does refer to having an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day—and if you are anything like me, I talk to God many moments throughout the night.

I am thankful for the way God used my son to change others, to point them to Him. I am thankful that God trusted my husband and I as his parents. I strive to carry on my son’s legacy of sharing Christ with others, not with words, but with my life. I am thankful for countless blessings throughout my son’s two bouts with cancer: one when he was 18 and the other at 30. During the illnesses and in the time in between there were so many miracles and so much good living.

Will sadness and longing to see him linger? Will anger and questions asking God “Why?” continue to swirl in my mind? Of course! But one thing I am sure of is that my God is faithful and He works all for the good of those who love him.

Why do I rejoice always? It’s simple: I am a child of God and His word tells me to rejoice. Why do I pray continually? Because I need to converse with God all the time. Why should I be thankful in all circumstances? It’s also a command and it is important to note that it is “in” all circumstances, not “for” all circumstances.

When I recite the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, I realize how difficult and easy it is to say the words “rejoice” and “be thankful in all circumstances.”

In the deep sadness that I continue to feel and the longing to hug my son and tell him how much I love him I am reminded that his ministry did not end the day he took his last breath here on earth. The life he lived for Jesus remains in the minds of those who are still here, spurring them on and reminding them to make every minute count on this earth whether they are healthy or not, going through a dark time or joyfully dancing in the light. I know that is my plan.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for your love and for your perfect plan. Help us to recognize that You are in control of all things and though we may not understand the why, we can surely trust You. Help us to rejoice always, pray continually and to be thankful in all circumstances. Help us to point others to you with our lives. We love you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Even If” by Mercy Me. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Marcazzo-Skarka is a writer, a journalist, and a lover of Jesus Christ, her family, church, mission trips, travel and foreign languages. 

Having traveled to over 25 countries, her exploring the world has only just begun. She has also been part of numerous mission trips both domestic and international. She loves getting to know people, their languages and their culture. A life dream of hers is to speak five languages. So far, she speaks English, French, Italian and some Spanish. Her goal is to improve her Spanish speaking skills and to learn a language with a different alphabet, perhaps Arabic.

Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages from City University of New York, Hunter College; a Master’s Degree in Journalism from New York University; and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language from SUNY Stony Brook. Regina has studied in France. Regina has also studied, lived and worked in Italy.

She taught high school French and Italian for 17 years before retiring from teaching. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist, both freelance and as a staff writer for local Long Island, New York weeklies. She also spent two years as a United Nations employee in the Department of Public Information. She currently writes full-time for a weekly newspaper in St. Lucie County, Florida.

Regina is currently working on proposals for two books that she is writing.

She is blessed with an awesome husband of 34 years and two children, their spouses and three treasured grandchildren.

~*~
Connect with Regina:
Website: https://reginamarcazzoskarka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipeoutworry/
Email: ginamarcazzo@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How God wants us to respond when we're tested

When Your Patience is Tested
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

—Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

Some days I must remind myself that I need the fruit of the Spirit before I even walk into work, especially when I know my patience may be tested by coworkers who try every bit of it.

The old me would have quickly told them where to go. But once I began seriously following God, I realized something had to change. Many days I find myself praying Lord, help me display the fruit of Your Spirit today. Because it is often in the smallest daily frustrations that our spiritual fruit is truly revealed.

The world has a way of testing us repeatedly, tempting us to respond in ways that contradict the fruit God is growing within us. In Galatians, the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These nine virtues together form the evidence of the Holy Spirit working within a believer. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all part of the same spiritual fruit that should be evident in the life of a believer.

Years ago, if someone spoke to me the wrong way, I had plenty of sharp words ready to say. Now I pray that God will hold my tongue and allow His Spirit to guide my words. Without His help, I might still have something unkind to say.

If I am honest, forbearance is the fruit of the Spirit I struggle with the most. I once believed that if someone mistreated me, I should instantly clapback. But Scripture teaches that forbearance means patiently and lovingly enduring the faults of others without retaliation. My words could be cutting, and in trying to bring someone else down, I only ended up lowering myself. God had to teach me that winning an argument is not the same as reflecting the character of Jesus Christ.

But what about the people we must see every day, the ones who drain our time and energy or seem determined to disrupt our peace? Those moments are when the fruit of the Spirit matters most.

Over time, God began to teach me to see people differently. Sometimes the person who talks constantly is not trying to be irritating; they may simply be lonely. The one who complains often may still be learning how to practice gratitude.

Displaying the fruit of the Spirit can look as simple as giving someone five extra minutes to talk when you are ready to rush out the door. It is not about preaching to others or quoting Scripture at them. It is about allowing the Spirit to shape our responses. When we remain steady in Christlike character, others will begin to see that fruit in our lives.

This does not mean allowing people to ignore your boundaries. Healthy boundaries are important. Sometimes displaying the fruit means respectfully saying, “I’m not comfortable discussing that.” Other times it means calmly addressing an offense or examining our own hearts to understand why certain behaviors trigger us so deeply. I have also noticed that the fruit of the Spirit becomes hardest to display when I am tired or overwhelmed. When I take on too much, lose sleep, or try to control everything according to my own plans, my patience grows thin.

That is when I must remind myself to slow down and lean on God instead of my own strength. When the Spirit is at work in us, love replaces irritation and patience replaces frustration. What begins in our hearts becomes visible in our lives, the very fruit Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce on our own; it grows as we remain connected to God and allow His Spirit to shape our hearts day by day. And when the Spirit leads our responses, others don’t just hear our words—they see Christ in the way we live.

Food for thought:
Which part of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most difficult to display in your daily life?

Let's Pray:
Lord, help me to reflect the fruit of Your Spirit in every situation. When I feel impatient, remind me to slow down and respond with love and gentleness. Guard my words, guide my actions, and teach me to see others with compassion. Shape my character so that my life reflects You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Songs of Reflection #1: “I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #2: “Refiner” by Maverick City Music. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #3: “Spirit Lead Me” by Influence Music & Michael Ketterer. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: How Easter points us to the Creator of Life

We Are a Part of the Easter Story
A devotional by Alicia Searl

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NIV)

This beloved verse gets to the heart of our faith, portraying three key points:

Point #1: God loves His creation.

Point #2: God sacrificed His Son to save us from a fallen world.

Point #3: God gives us a choice in this life.

Easter isn’t only a story about a sinless man that lived a perfect life and died on a wooden cross. He (Jesus Christ) wasn’t just a man that loved others and performed miracles—He was the miracle for us! When we dig into the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…all books in the Bible), we discover that this story is the most powerful story of all time. It’s a story wrapped in hope and healing, grace and truth, and where sin meets beautiful redemption.

Jesus painstakingly suffered on that cross because it was all a strategic plan from God. It showed and encompassed His very nature. His righteousness. His wrath and judgement. His ultimate, unfailing, and sacrificial love. Sadly, it also depicted our human nature that is bound by cruelty and worldly transgressions. Satan tried to win. But Easter shines a light in the midst of darkness.

Acts 4:11-12 (CSB) tells us, “This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” According to John 14:6, Jesus Christ is the only way to God. There is no other way to be saved in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus came in human form to save us from this harsh world and our own sinful flesh to flip the script and rewrite the story—our story. We celebrate Easter and honor our Savior because it isn’t just any story; it is a story where we have the opportunity to be a main character. Jesus is inviting us to play a crucial role and continue to share His righteousness, love, and truth with a lost and broken world.

The Easter season is a time when we have the distinct honor of celebrating the Author and Creator of this life. The One who writes our story and uses it to whisper hope, weave in healing, and project truth to everyone He places in our lives. Our purpose this side of heaven is simple: Love God by loving others.

We love others by sharing the powerful, true story of Easter! Christ’s life shows us how to love. His death gives us a pathway to redemption. His resurrection proves that He is not of man, but of God. If Jesus didn’t resurrect on that glorious third day, we would have no hope of an eternal life. We would be bound by our sins. Forgiveness wouldn’t matter. We would never be reunited with loved ones. Our testimony and confessions of faith would be pointless. Yet, Jesus rising from the grave is the pivotal plot twist that allows us to share the story of a man that led a devoted life, humbly walked the long and treacherous road to calvary, endured brutal beatings and was executed on a cross in shame on purpose for all of mankind! The Son of Man defeated death, so we don’t have to (Romans 6:23).

That is the hope we carry. May love and faithfulness never leave us (Proverbs 3:3) as we cling to the greatest story ever told, all while holding our head high knowing that we have the privilege of being a part of it!

Let’s Pray: Oh, beautiful Savior, how can we come before You with gracious hearts and even begin to truly understand the gravity and magnitude of Your love? Your story that weaves unwavering and unconditional love and grants us a pathway to peace and eternity is something we do not want to ever take for granted. Give us a way to share Your story with others and testify about how You have impacted our life. We long to give You glory this Easter, Lord. In Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Maher. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Alicia Searl is a Christian author, writer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about sharing God’s Word to spread hope and healing. 

She is a contributing writer for iBelieve, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and Your Daily Prayer. She has authored two devotionals, several Bible studies, a children’s book and coloring book top comfort grievers.

When she isn't writing her heart on a page, she enjoys sipping an oat milk latte while soaking in a bit of peace on her back porch swing. Otherwise, she is playing house with her rowdy little family of five or handing a hammer to her hubby for their next DIY project.

~*~
Connect with Alicia:
Website: https://www.aliciasearl.com/
Blog: https://www.aliciasearl.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciasearlwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSearlWrites
Email: alicia.searl@gmail.com