Devotionals for the Heart: How to experience joy in the midst of pain

Joy in the Midst of Pain
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.”—James 1:2-3 (NIRV)

Have you ever asked God, “How on earth am I supposed to be joyful when I’m in so much pain?”

I’m sure many of us have asked that question at one time or another. As followers of Jesus Christ, we may sometimes feel conflicted: on the one hand, we want to praise God, but on the other, the pain in our bodies or hearts can seem overwhelming.

Yet, when we read James 1:2–3, we are told to “count it all joy” when we face various trials. I have been reflecting on the latter part of these verses, which explains that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. The purpose of our trials is not to crush us, but to develop character that may not be formed in any other way. As much as we might like to develop character almost instantaneously, God has not designed our journey that way. He knows what it will require for us to grow and become more like Christ. And, lest we forget, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Himself learned obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).

The word learned is significant. If Jesus learned through suffering, then we must also learn through the challenges we face. We can hold on to this truth because Jesus understands the questions we ask. He walked through pain, suffering, disappointment, and rejection. On the cross, He cried out to His Father (God) in Heaven, asking why He had been forsaken by Him. Jesus carried the weight of our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He knows what it is to endure the deepest anguish.

So, we take our cues from His example. Just as Jesus endured suffering and continued faithfully through the crowds that first cheered for Him and later turned against Him, we also can endure everything through God’s strength.

We are invited to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise. As we worship, something remarkable begins to happen: our hearts are drawn into the presence of the Lord. As a worship leader, I can testify that there have been days when I did not feel emotionally engaged in worship. Yet I have learned that those moments can become opportunities to rely more deeply on the strength of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Holy Spirit gives strength when we are weak, hope when we feel helpless, and comfort when courage is lacking. He has proven Himself time and time again to be “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 KJV).

So, my friend, I can truly tell you that we can give thanks for all that God has done, all that He has provided, and all the ways He has carried us when we felt desperate and alone. We may not be able to give thanks for every painful circumstance, but we can give thanks in all things, trusting that God is at work within us.

One day, we will look back and recognize the character that was formed, the lessons we learned, and the joy that comes from knowing we stood in the fire and came out stronger. Yes, God is good. Yes, God is faithful. And yes, the joy of the Lord gives us strength.

As we give Him thanks, may His joy become our strength.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your goodness to us. Thank You for carrying us when we could barely walk. Thank You for your faithful presence in our time of need. Thank You for the joy we can have even when times are hard. We love You and praise You for eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Count it All Joy” by Bebe Winans and Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He Will Carry You” (Live) by Lynda Randle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You Are My All in All” by Maranatha! Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong United. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Beautiful Day” by Jermaine Edwards. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “You Are My Strength” by William Murphy. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology "Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit", as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to be thankful in every season

Gratitude in Every Season
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”—Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

Life brings shifting seasons—joyful harvests, silent winters, and uncertain waiting.

There are seasons when our prayers are answered, doors open, and blessings seem to overflow. Gratitude comes easily when we can see the goodness of God everywhere. But there are other seasons when nothing seems to be growing, prayers remain unanswered, and we are waiting on God to move, heal, restore, provide, or simply show us what comes next.

Those are the seasons when gratitude can become difficult.

If I’m honest, it is much easier to thank God when life looks the way I hoped it would. It’s easy to praise Him for the open door, the answered prayer, the unexpected blessing, and the harvest we can finally hold in our hands. But what happens when nothing blooms?

Habakkuk gives us a beautiful picture of what gratitude looks like when life doesn't go according to plan. The fig tree isn't budding, there are no grapes on the vines, the olive crop has failed, and the fields aren't producing food. Everything around him says there is nothing to celebrate and then comes one powerful word: yet. We need to focus on Habakkuk’s quote: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” It’s important to note that his circumstances had not suddenly changed. The fields were still empty. What changed was where he placed his focus.

That is the kind of gratitude I want to have. Gratitude isn't pretending everything is okay when it isn't. It doesn't mean we cannot be disappointed, tired, hurt, or confused. Thanksgiving in every season is not denial of pain. It is recognizing that our circumstances can change without changing the character of God. The field may be empty, but God is still faithful. The answer may not have come, but God is still listening. The season may be difficult, but God is still present. Sometimes we spend so much time looking for the harvest that we forget God is still present in the field.

Thanksgiving is more than simply responding to what God has done; it is a doorway into His presence. When we thank Him, we shift our focus from our circumstances to His character. Instead of looking only at what is missing, we remember who God is. He is faithful, loving, and merciful. He is our Provider, Comforter, Strength, and Peace. Worship begins with a grateful heart that recognizes God's goodness in every season.

And when gratitude becomes worship, even ordinary moments can become sacred ones. When we begin paying attention, we realize there is evidence of God's goodness all around us. Every breath is grace. Every morning is mercy. Every blessing becomes another reason to praise Him. Even our battles can become offerings of worship, not because we are thankful for everything that has happened, but because we can still thank God in the middle of it.

Sometimes gratitude sounds like, “Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer.” Other times it sounds like, “Lord, I don't understand, but I still trust You.” Sometimes it is a joyful shout, and other times it is a tearful whisper: “Yet I will rejoice.” Maybe that is the invitation for us this November. Instead of only asking, “What am I thankful for?” perhaps we should also ask, “Who has God been to me?” Who was He when the prayer wasn't answered, when you cried, while you waited, and when nothing seemed to be blooming?

When I look back over my own life, I can see that God was present in seasons I once thought were empty. He was sustaining me when I didn't realize I was being sustained, protecting me from things I didn't understand, and strengthening me in places where I thought I was simply surviving. Recognizing that He was there all along gives me another reason to be grateful.

This November, I don't want my gratitude limited to what is on my table or thanksgiving to simply be a list of everything that went right. I want to thank God for what He has given me, but even more, I want to thank Him for who He is. I want to remember that the same God who meets me in seasons of abundance is still with me in seasons of waiting.

Seasons will change. There will be harvests and winters, celebrations and disappointments, beginnings and endings. But God remains. And when nothing seems to be blooming, when I cannot see what He is doing, and when the season doesn't look anything like I expected, I pray my heart will still remember the words of Habakkuk: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Let’s Pray:

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness in every season. Teach me to be grateful not only for what You have done, but simply for who You are. When life is uncertain and I cannot see what You are doing, help me trust Your character and remember that You are still present. Let my gratitude become worship and give me a “yet” kind of faith that rejoices in You even when nothing seems to be blooming.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Praise” by Elevation Worship (feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I’ll Trust You, Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God Restores” by Dynamic Praise. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Not for a Moment” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Seasons Change” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “He Was There All the Time” by Gaither [Live] ft. Sue Dodge. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “Hold On To Me” by Lauren Daigle. 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 to be grateful even when life is hard

Finding gratitude when life is hard
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”—Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Have you ever put a pair of binoculars to your eyes, then twisted that little wheel so you’re able to focus on something tiny in the distance?

Sometimes that’s me when life gets hectic and stressful—like I’m peering through binoculars at something far away, blocking out everything else all around me. I get focused on my own needs, my own responsibilities, my own circle of life. My vision focuses on the minuscule.

At times like these, I start to grow a bit negative. I start to hear complaints and frustrations roll off my lips, and feelings of dismay and overwhelm press in like I’m standing in one of those funhouse rooms where the walls creep toward you and you have no way to escape. It’s tempting in these times to worry, or to put my head down and lock in, but the trouble is that when one time of stress is over, it’s often replaced by another. I’m realizing there’s an antidote. And it’s not simply “don’t worry”—it’s “be grateful.”

Recently, I read a devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministries where a writer was talking about Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV). What caught my attention was the writer’s realization that the operative word in this scripture is “in” everything, not “for.” It’s hard to be grateful for everything, isn’t it? When we’re struggling, most of us don’t feel terribly grateful for the cancer or the financial woes or the grief or the marital discord we are experiencing. But we can be grateful in that experience, even if we cannot be grateful for it.

Being grateful in a circumstance means that, even though we are experiencing hardship, we can still experience joy and hope. We can still appreciate the things in our life that are blessings, whether it’s the trees outside our window or the warm sun on our skin, the fact that we have air in our lungs, that we’ve woken up for one more day of existence on our beautiful earth that God handcrafted so carefully.

We can be grateful in the truth that—for those of us who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and follow Him—this life is not all there is. We who believe in Him and follow Him are able to enjoy eternity in God’s kingdom when this life on earth is over. And no matter what we are going through at the moment, that is a joy and a hope and a truth that cannot be taken away from us. I tried it recently during a hard stretch. I said the words aloud, “This is tough, and I’m tired, but I’m really grateful for the opportunity to do this.” Uttering those words didn’t change my situation, but it changed my perspective. It brought a glimmer of light and joy to a tough day, which lifted my mood and boosted my endurance.

Instead of thinking how hard it is to have to go through what we are going through right now, what if we were to change the narrative and say aloud, “Thank You, God, for the opportunity to do this work, to serve you in this way, to use my body or my mind in this way”? When we utter those words from our lips or in our hearts, suddenly the stress and pressure start to dissipate like smoke in the air. And instead of putting binoculars to our eyes and focusing on overcoming the struggle, we can push those binoculars aside and see so much more. And we can enjoy it, too.

If you are consumed by worry, stress, or pain, I invite you to consider the power of that one word “in”—gratitude in everything, not gratitude for everything. Try to acknowledge the gratitude that you feel in other areas of your life, even as you’re trudging through hardship. This life is a gift despite its challenges. God loves us so very much, and He longs to be in intimate relationship with each one of us. He longs for us to be part of His kingdom. He longs for us to come home to Him. And He walks beside us in our toughest journeys.

The next time life narrows to a pinpoint and the walls of that funhouse room start creeping in, try lowering the binoculars. Take a breath. Look around at the wider view: the people who love you, the small mercies tucked into your ordinary day, the God who has never once left your side.

Then say it, out loud if you can: “This is hard, Lord, but thank You. Thank You for being here in this with me.” You might be surprised how much more you can see.

Will you join me in a prayer?

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank You for loving me and for walking with me. Thank You for all the goodness, mercy, and grace You surround me with. When life is hard, help me remember the blessings I experience even amid the pain. Help me lower my binoculars to see the good all around me. Help me stay rooted in hope, not despair. In the holy and precious name of your son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Your Grace Still Amazes Me” by Phillips Craig and Dean (Cover by Fountainview Academy Orchestra & Singers). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Thankful” by Mary Mary. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Been So Good” by Elevation Worship (feat. Tiffany Hudson). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Jesus Walks with Me” by Be Still Studios. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Speak Life” by TobyMac. 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 and her third novel, Hidden Seeds, is out now and is a top release. 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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When God proves He will take care of you

When God Interrupts Your Worry
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

—1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

I looked at the pristine blue sky from my hotel window and sighed.

The vibrant scenery of my island vacation did not entirely match my mood because as bright as the day was, my mind was clouded with worry. I had just decided to resign from a stable job and try working for myself. Although I had a list of reasons why it was the right time to make the leap, my nervous imagination was already making me second-guess the decision. What if I couldn’t do this? What if it didn’t work out? Was I throwing away my security?

My anxieties ran on a loop in the back of my mind as my husband and I drove along the coastline toward town. “How about cold noodles for lunch?” I suggested to my husband, spotting a tiny restaurant on the corner of the street. We parked the car and swung open the restaurant door, eager to escape the summer humidity. As we sat down at the table, I quickly noticed the restaurant’s background music. They were playing hymns.

“The owners must be Christian,” my husband commented as we both started to hum along to the familiar tune. What was the hymn…? Suddenly, I remembered the lyrics: “God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way. He will take care of you; God will take care of you.”

I chuckled even as my eyes misted over with grateful tears. Out of all the restaurants we could have chosen, we ended up at a Christian eatery with a playlist that interrupted my anxieties. Hymns of God’s faithfulness and care continued to play in the background as we ate our lunch, and I gradually felt my heart lighten. “All you may need He will provide,” the song reminded me. “All strength you need will be supplied.”

Now, a few months later, I am preparing to launch my business. Of course, I can’t predict what the outcome will be. There are still days when my imagination is all too ready to present me with dire scenarios, but I look back at that moment in the restaurant when God interrupted my catastrophizing, and I direct my mind back to His truth.

I may not know whether I will be successful, but I do know that God will look after me somehow. I love how The Message paraphrase of the Bible words a famous passage that points us to the truth of God’s care. It says:

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” (Matthew 6:30-34 MSG).

Although I am prone to worry about the future, God seeks to bring my attention back to the moment. There are still times I am tempted to feel that by giving up employment, I have thrown away my security, but I direct my mind back to where my true security lies—in the God who has said He will never fail or abandon me (Hebrews 13:5).

It is normal for anxieties to arise when we face big life decisions, transitions, and uncertainties. Yet God wants to interrupt the worries circling around our imaginations with reminders of His care and His providence. How might He want to direct your attention toward Him today?

Let’s Pray: God, my Shepherd, I don’t know what lies ahead. I have so many worries and uncertainties that cloud my mind. Remind me today of Your kindness and care for me. Interrupt my fear with Your peace and increase my faith in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “God Will Take Care of You” by the Heritage Singers. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Way Maker” by Leeland ft. Sinach, Mandisa, & Maverick City Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God Cares” by Sounds of Blackness. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

~*~
Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: God is with you through every season of life

Seasons Change
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.”—Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

As I prayed for what to write to you, this scripture immediately came to my spirit.

As I read through the chapter, I thought, “What comfort this word provides to the weary soul.” If you are in a season of waiting on God and it seems like He is taking a long time to arrive, this chapter will remind you of who God is and what He will do if you trust Him.

There’s nothing about you that’s hidden from the Lord. He sees your struggles. He is acquainted with your grief. He knows the desires of your heart and He knows about your distress. The season that you are in can make you feel forgotten, as if God is unconcerned about you, but He isn’t. The pain you are experiencing and the loss you are bearing are a reminder that these are only temporary seasons in your life. Just as there are times of planting, there are also times of sowing. If you trust God through each season and look back on your life, you will see that although the seasons seemed like they would never end, they did.

When you are in a season where you feel God has hidden His face from you, here is where I want you to anchor your spirit, in the words of Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV), “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

When we are reminded of God’s love and the fact that He knows us and understands what we are going through in this season, I believe it helps to give us a clearer view. A view that reminds us that in this life we will have troubles, but to turn our eyes to Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. This view of God will further bring into focus the fact that God is always right there in the hardship, the heartache, and life’s messiness. He is right there and promises that no harm will come to you. I know it’s easier said than done, but if there’s one lesson I have learned, it is that when I choose to read God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and ask for His help in the difficult moments, He sends a message through His Word that always uplifts my heart. But your heart will only receive that message if you are willing to remember two things: who God is and who you are to Him.

My friend, what season are you in? Where do you desire comfort and strength from the Almighty God? Can you find this comfort in His presence and in His Word? Can your faith be extended to believe that this too shall pass, even though the night seems never-ending, there is an end in sight?

I know those aren’t always easy questions to answer. As I sat down to write this to you and this word came to my spirit, I thought to myself, what would happen if I took hold of this word? Think about that for a minute: to be reminded by the Lord not to dwell on the past, the former things, but instead look ahead and see what He is doing.

New springs in the desert represent new seasons, new life. But if our eyes are still focused on what was and is, then we have no scope to see what is ahead of us. There are ways that are being in the wilderness and streams in the desert, but we have to be willing to let go of the old thought and mindset which says, “You are forgotten; God doesn’t see.”

Ask God to help you open your spiritual eyes to see that the seasons are changing, what was will no longer be, and rejoice in that. The hard seasons have an expiration date. The mountaintop experience also gives way to valley experiences. It is all about what the Lord is teaching His children in the different seasons of their lives. The Bible says in Psalm 30:5 (NKJV), “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Today you may feel like your situation is hopeless. I know, I have been there. May I encourage you to invite the Holy Spirit into your situation. Ask Him to give you eyes to perceive that a change is coming. Pray for the grace of God to keep you as you walk through this wilderness experience, and He will. Be reminded that seasons change and morning is coming.

Let’s Pray: Spirit of the Living God, please meet my friends where they are. I pray for strength to walk this journey knowing that they aren’t alone and that You walk alongside them. Help them remember that You are in the most heated fires, and in the tumultuous tides they may experience in this life on Earth. Help them to always remember that You are with them, keeping them so they won’t be burned or drown. Lord, I know how rough the valley is and I also know that sometimes it’s hard to remember that You are there. But I pray that as You sent this word today, may each person who reads receive the portion that you have for them. I pray, Father God, for provision, open doors, uncommon favor, healing, and everything else they need in this season. Lord, may they see You as You provide their every need and answer their prayers. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He’s Always There” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “This Too Shall Pass” by Yolanda Adams. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Seasons Change” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Joy in the Morning” (Worship Version) by Tauren Wells ft. Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colette Christopher is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.
Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons. Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

~*~
Connect with Colette:
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What can happen when you reach for Jesus

He Was Already Looking for You
A devotional by Patti Schultz, Ed.D.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”—Mark 5:25-30 (NKJV)

There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from cycles of hoping and losing, hoping and losing again. Some call it grief. For me, it was infertility, miscarriage, a failed adoption, and due dates with no babies. I call it my decade in the crowd, pressing toward a hem I could not always see.

I gain great strength from the Bible story of the woman who bled for twelve years. Twelve years of visiting doctors, hoping to be cured, spent savings, and hope deferred over and over again. Mark 5:26 (NKJV) says, “She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.” This woman was not a footnote in someone else’s miracle. She is the story.

Then she heard about Jesus Christ (Mark 5:27). Not “saw”, she heard. Someone else’s testimony reached her ears before she ever reached His robe. That is the first quiet witness: a word passed from mouth to mouth until it found the person who needed it. So, she approached Christ from behind, through the crowd, unnoticed by all but God. Pressing forward she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (Mark 5:28). She reaches. She touches. Immediately the fountain of her blood stops flowing, and she feels in her body that she is healed.

But then Jesus stops. He asks who touched Him, not because He does not know, but because He wants more than her healing. He wants to make her known. “And He looked around to see her who had done this thing” (Mark 5:32). When she comes to Jesus, trembling and tells Him the truth, He says, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:34).

Everyone reaches for something: a diagnosis, a marriage, a prodigal. For me, it was recurrent loss. Ten years of trying: pregnancy tests with one line instead of two, a nursery painted and repainted in my mind. We pursued adoption once and watched that door close, and it devastated us. We said goodbye to eleven babies before we ever held them.

I know what it is to be surrounded by people and still feel unnoticed in my grief, to bleed spiritually for years. But like the woman in the crowd, I kept reaching, not because my faith was impressive, but because I had nowhere else to go. And nowhere else to go turned out to be exactly where He was.

We now have four sons on this side of heaven, four resurrection stories woven through with a whole soccer team of losses I carry quietly. I do not tell you this to make the ending easier; it isn’t. Not every reaching ends this way. Some hands are still open, still waiting, and that waiting is not a failure of faith. I tell you because Jesus stopped for this woman. I have learned that He does not wait for a resolved ending. He meets us in the reaching.

The woman’s healing became a testimony the moment Jesus asked. Her private, desperate faith became a story others could stand on. That is what witness does: it takes the hidden, hemorrhaging years and says, “Here is where God was, even when I could not feel it.”

If you are still reaching, still pressing through a crowd toward something you cannot fully see, your reaching is not invisible to Him. Jesus is already looking for you, the way He looked for her. One day, your quiet faith may become someone else’s reason to reach for Him too.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God, You saw her in the crowd before she ever said a word. See me too, in the reaching I have not spoken aloud, in the years I have carried quietly. Give me the courage to keep reaching, without knowing the ending. When my story is ready, let it become someone else’s reason to reach for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “God is in This Story” by Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Hold on to Me” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Wait on You” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “One Touch (Press)” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5:  “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “No One Knows” by Samantha Ebert. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “God Will Work It Out” (feat. Naomi Raine & Israel Houghton) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “It's Always Been You” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Patti Schultz’s inspiring journey weaves a tapestry of compassion, resilience, and divine hope. 

Formerly a public school principal, professor, teacher, and interpreter for the deaf, she now dedicates her life to a heartfelt ministry rooted in her personal experiences.

As a mother to three miracle boys here on Earth and a member of a heavenly soccer team, Patti’s story is one of unwavering faith and profound love. Her decade-long battle with infertility and recurrent loss fuels her deep compassion for grieving mothers, guiding them toward healing through the comforting embrace of Jesus Christ’s garment.

Patti’s gentle wisdom offers a safe haven for women navigating pain, reminding them they are never alone. Through her ministry, she seeks to envelop grieving mothers in divine comfort, encouraging hope, renewal, and the reassurance that God's love is always near, wrapping them in His compassionate hem as they walk the path to healing.

Living in northern Michigan, she cherishes precious moments with family and community, drawing strength from faith and connection.

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Connect with Patti:
Website: pattischultz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.pattischultz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Patti.Schultz
Email: dr.patti.schultz@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God draws near to people who have broken hearts

When the Heart Breaks, God Draws Near
A devotional by Heidi Lewis-Ivey

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

This year has brought a tremendous amount of loss.

I lost my nephew. I lost my aunt. Several members of my church family have passed away too. And in the middle of it all, I almost lost my mother. I experienced one loss after another, close together, until I hardly had time to catch my breath before the next one came. And through all of it, I kept asking God the same questions: “Why? Why so much loss? Why now? Why them?”

Some pain doesn't announce itself. It just sits in your chest and changes how everything feels. You keep functioning. You show up. But something inside is cracked, and you know it. Underneath my why was a question most of us are afraid to ask out loud: “What does God do with a broken heart?”

I used to assume the answer was He will “fix it”, but Scripture tells a different and much more tender story: God doesn't step back from a broken heart. He moves toward it.

Asking Why Isn't a Lack of Faith

For a while I felt guilty for asking God “Why?” my loved ones died. As if the right response to loss was quiet acceptance, and my questions meant something was wrong with my faith. But the Psalms don't read that way. King David, whom the Bible describes in Acts 13:22 as “a man after God's own heart”, asked God the same kind of questions. In Psalm 13:1 (NKJV), David said, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?”

In Psalm 10:1 (NKJV), David said, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?”

Even Jesus Christ, as He was dying on the cross, cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, NKJV). If the Son of God voiced a why in His pain, then mine isn't forbidden. God can handle all our questions. He invited honest cries like these from people we read about in the Bible. And He still invites our honest questions today.

I don't have the answer to why this year has been so heavy. What I've found is that God doesn't leave the question alone in the dark. He meets the one who's asking.

He Comes Close First

Before there is healing, there is presence. David, who knew heartbreak as well as anyone, wrote: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NKJV)

I want you to notice what the verse says and what it doesn't. It doesn't say God is near to those who have it all together, or to those who handled their pain gracefully. It says He is near to the brokenhearted. The breaking is not what pushes Him away. It's what draws Him in.

That matters because a lot of us carry a quiet shame about our pain, as if being hurt means we're failing at faith. Psalm 34:18 says the opposite. The moment your heart breaks is the moment you're closest to the nearness of God. I love this about God because every year on my brother’s birthday I feel my heartbreaking again over him not being here with us. Yet, I experience God’s presence through the ache in my heart and my tears.

He Isn't Bothered by Our Tears

When Lazarus died, Jesus knew exactly what He was about to do. He was minutes away from raising him from the grave. Yet, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35, NKJV)

He wasn't weeping because He lacked power or perspective. He wept because people He loved were hurting. If the Son of God made room for grief when He knew the ending, then I don't have to rush my own. I remember once I was sharing with someone at church how I felt about the loss of my brother. She asked, “Haven’t you gotten over that yet?”

King David put it another way. According to Psalm 56:8 (NKJV), he said, “You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?”

Not one of our tears is wasted or overlooked. God keeps count of our tears. The pain I thought no one saw was seen by Him the whole time.

He Heals, and He Doesn't Hurry Us

Then comes the part we usually want first: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NKJV).

Notice the picture. Binding a wound is slow, careful, close work. It's what you do for someone you're not planning to leave. God doesn't wave a hand and erase the hurt so we can get back to normal. He tends to it. Jesus made this His mission statement when He stood up to read in the synagogue. He said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1, NKJV).

Healing the brokenhearted isn't a side project for Jesus. It's why He came to Earth.

I've learned that God doesn't put a time frame on our healing. Healing is a process. I wanted it to be a moment, something that would arrive after the funeral, after the hospital stay, after enough prayers. But grief doesn't keep to a calendar, and neither does God's mending. Some days feel like progress. Some days feel like I'm right back where I started. Both are part of the process, and neither means He's stopped working.

The Bible says in Philippians 1:6 (NKJV), “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God began the work and He will complete it. I don't have to rush Him. I also don't have to measure myself against anyone else's pace.

He Doesn't Discard What's Broken

One of the hardest things about a broken heart is feeling useless, like damaged goods, like something that's no good to anyone, God included.

But God moves toward a grieving heart before it has found the words to ask Him to draw near. He isn't a Savior who watches pain from a distance. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV), “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

He sympathizes. That means He feels with us, not just for us. When I couldn't make sense of this year, I wasn't bringing my grief to someone who had never known sorrow. I was bringing it to the One who wept at a grave.

The Apostle Paul takes it further. He says the treasure of God is carried in fragile containers on purpose. He wrote this in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NKJV), “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed.”

Hard-pressed, but not crushed. Struck down but not destroyed. This means my brokenness doesn't disqualify me from being used. It's often where His strength shows most. And the comfort He gives doesn't stop with us. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Nothing God carries us through is wasted.

An Invitation, Not a Deadline

I don't think this process has a timeline, and Scripture never gives us one. What it gives us is an invitation. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 (NKJV), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Come as you are, with the weight still on you. Rest isn't earned first. It's offered to the weary and the heavy-laden, which is exactly who we are when our hearts are broken. And there is a morning coming. Not a denial of the night, but a promise on the other side of it because the Bible tells us in Psalm 30:5 (NKJV), “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

And one day the promise from God will become even bigger when we reach the end of human history. The Bible says in Revelation 21:4 (NKJV), “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Where I've Landed

I've stopped asking God to make the hurt disappear on my schedule. What I ask now is simpler: “Stay close and keep tending the wound.” And He does. Not always the way I expect, and not always as fast as I'd like, but He's never once been far from the broken places.

If your heart is breaking today, hear this: You haven't lost God’s attention. You have it fully. He is near, He sees every tear, and He is not finished with you nor me.

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

You see the places in me that are tender and cracked, the hurts I've carried quietly and the ones I haven't had words for. You know how much we've lost this year—my nephew, my aunt, and so many in our church family, and how close I came to losing my mother. I've asked You why more times than I can count, and I'm still asking. I'm not going to pretend I'm okay. I'm bringing You my broken heart exactly as it is.

Thank You that You are near to the brokenhearted, that You keep every tear, and that You don't despise what's broken. Bind up my wounds. Be patient with me where I'm slow to heal. Where I've hardened to protect myself, soften me again, and give me a heart that can trust and feel.

Comfort my family as we grieve and comfort our church family too. I can't fix this on my own, and I'm not asking You to hurry. I'm asking You to stay close. Let Your nearness be enough for today and let Your healing be real.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Sapp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Take Me to the King by Tamela Mann. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Gracefully Broken” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Healer” by Todd Galberth. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Victory Belongs to Jesus” by Todd Dulaney. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Every Single Tear” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Heidi Lewis-Ivey is an affirmed prophet and an internationally acclaimed speaker.

 

She impacts audiences with her authenticity and bold style of delivery. She has had the opportunity to minister in Trinidad, St. Thomas USVI, Manchester and Liverpool (England).

Heidi is an award-winning and bestselling author. She is the author of Can I Rest Awhile? and Black Girl Cry: What Black Women Need to Know to Amplify Their Voices. She is a co-author in Soulful Prayers (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Soulful Affirmations. Heidi is the convener of the Encountering the Courts of God movement and the founder of Visions International, a training ground for five-fold ministry gifts.

She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University. Heidi is the CEO of Nael & Associates Inc and franchise owner of Patrice & Associates recruiting firm. She is a member of the Pentimenti Women Writers Group, a former mentor with Year Up, former board member for Friends of Young Achievers, and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategist.

Heidi is the proud aunt/great aunt of 14 nieces and nephews and two bonus nieces. They are her joy. The older nephews have become her protectors.

Heidi is an NFL football fan. As a child, she taught herself the game. In 2017 she won her NFL.com fantasy football league. Heidi is an avid reader (Audible listener) of romance novels, a lover of purses and handbags, and a tea snob who believes bling is always appropriate.

She lives in Boston, MA.

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Connect with Heidi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamheidi01
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heidi-lewis-ivey