Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is always present in our life journey

The Good and Faithful Shepherd
A devotional by Jennifer Reese

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

—Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)

How often have you found yourself in seasons and circumstances of concern, uncertainty, frustration, or confusion?

If your life’s journey has been anything like mine, I would guess you have also found yourself in such seasons and circumstances far more often than you would like. I can honestly say that as much as I want to know all the details of my life and how things will play out, I equally do not truly want to know because much of the excitement and potential to grow and take risks would be lost.

When looking at Psalm 23, one thing that stands out to me about God’s character is His being present. We see that Jesus Christ is the Shepherd who remains close by and who leads us, His sheep, along the way. Jesus is the Shepherd who always looks after us and provides for our every need. He is the Shepherd who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus can calm our fears. No other person and no other shepherd could ever begin to compare to Him.

A further question arises as we focus on these truths about God’s omnipotence: “Why is it so challenging to believe in the depth of our soul that He is truly the good and faithful shepherd?”

It is so easy for us to know with our minds that the Lord is good, faithful, and always present with us, seeking to always provide the best care for us. However, when we pause and truly reflect on our actions and our lives, the opposite is what is often being communicated and believed.

We sit in seasons of unknowns and battle anxieties about how everything will turn out. In other seasons, we sit in distress and anger because we see the evil one “winning”. We regularly question the purpose of certain circumstances because we cannot grasp their benefit to our lives or how they will work out for our good and God’s glory. Our functional theology can easily show where our souls are still walking in disbelief or uncertainty about our good and perfect Shepherd.

So then, how do we begin to connect the knowledge in our heads to the depths of our heart and soul? The simple answer is the only answer: by God’s grace and help alone. We need our good and faithful Shepherd to constantly remind us of how near He is in all times, of His desire to provide for our every need, and of His goodness and faithfulness to take care of us through every single season and circumstance we walk through.

As we walk day by day, what would it look like to pause and reflect on each of these verses in Psalm 23? Maybe it is taking a couple weeks to read only this Psalm and meditate on it verse by verse, identifying how you have seen the Lord show up in your life and/or current circumstances? Maybe it is taking the next month to use Psalm 23 as a prayer outline to offer up both thanksgiving and your circumstances to the Lord, trusting He is with you and cares about your heart’s concerns? Lastly, maybe it is sitting with the Lord and asking Him to soften your heart to fully believe that He is truly your good and faithful Shepherd and that you lack nothing.

I’m not sure where you find yourself today regarding this truth that the Lord is our Good and Faithful Shepherd and He is present with us always. I pray that you will consider it, reflect on it, and allow it to lead you to our Father.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the One true good and faithful Shepherd, always present with me and always leading me. Thank You for the truth that you are the One I truly need—not answers and not changed circumstances. Please help me rest in your presence and to truly come to believe in the depths of my heart that You are good and your intentions for me are better than I can imagine. Please help me rest my soul in You alone and trust your guidance in all things. May my heart trust Your good and perfect wisdom and care so that I may truly walk in peace and hope every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Shepherd” by City Alight. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Psalm 23” by Kathy Troccoli. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “God is Here” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God Is” (1979) by Rev. James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God so they can experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

On a personal note, Jennifer and her husband recently welcomed their baby boy into the world and couldn’t be happier from enjoying all the newborn snuggles and learning his little personality! She is grateful for this precious gift from the Lord and is excited to begin learning how to faithfully walk in the ministry of motherhood. Jennifer also looks forward to seeing how this gift and new season will further enhance ministry opportunities with women as she continues to minister to them.

~*~
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why waiting seasons are part of God's plan

Waiting: Seasons of Preparation
A devotional by Jennifer Reese

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”—Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

We all know what it’s like to experience waiting seasons.

Whether it’s the season of waiting that comes before you meet your spouse, or the season of waiting as you end one job before starting the next. Maybe it’s the season of waiting for an answer in the midst of hardship, or for the person you have been diligently praying for and ministering to in hopes of them coming to know the Lord.

Seasons of waiting come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Some feel harder than others, some feel redundant or purposeless, and some feel necessary yet are still challenging to walk through. It is interesting how no matter how old we are, how many answered prayers we are living in or what life stage we are in, we always find ourselves waiting on/for something.

No matter what it is that we are waiting for today, waiting is always intentional and purposeful in regard to what the Lord is doing in our lives and in His overall plan. Although we cannot always see what He is doing or fully understand why we had to endure a particular season, we can trust that His intentions are good and purposeful, both for our good and His glory.

How can we endure our seasons of waiting well? The answer is simple yet so hard: We wait for God. We seek Him daily, moment by moment. We fight to stand firm in the truth of His Word (The Holy Bible). We run to Him in prayer. We offer up worship with our hearts for who He is and for the fact He has chosen us, redeemed us, and made us new creations in Jesus Christ alone. We seek the help of the Holy Spirit, thanking Him for giving us the power and strength to endure and remain steadfast, despite temptations to quit, worry, be angry, doubt, etc. We learn to view the waiting period as a season of preparation rather than one of little to no purpose.

Oftentimes it is so easy for us to give into the weariness that comes during seasons of waiting. We grow tired of doing good. We grow weary in our faithfulness to the Lord. We grow impatient for the fruit of the harvest. We grow doubtful that any of it matters. It can be tempting to disregard waiting seasons because of our sinful flesh and the fact that in our society we want instant gratification. This can lead us to think anything that takes longer than a few days to achieve or acquire is worthless, purposeless, and not worth our devotion or energy.

However, this is where we must press into the Lord and His strength. We read in Romans 5:3-5 (ESV), “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Additionally in James 1:2-4 (ESV) we read, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

These seasons of waiting are seasons of preparation for what is to come, whether here on Earth or ultimately in Glory (Heaven). As we seek to keep our faith in God through it all, the Lord is sanctifying our hearts and minds with His truth, that we may be transformed and grow in Christlikeness.

As I reflect on my own seasons of waiting, specifically last year when I was battling various health issues and concerns, it felt like a season that would never end and one that did not serve much purpose at the time. The doctor appointments and tests were overwhelming as everyone just kept coming to the same conclusion, “I don’t know.” As I wrestled to trust the Lord and desired for things to just get better or for answers to be found, I began to recognize this underlying lesson of not only remaining steadfast in hope and faith, but more so the need to slow down in my daily schedule and commitments and begin to find beauty and purpose in the still moments of the day unmarked by productivity and completed to-do lists.

It was a season of growing in the meaning and understanding of the beauty and sufficiency of His grace and glorifying Him more. While I still do not have all the answers that I want, I see now that this season was for His glory which ultimately equates to my good.

As we diligently seek to remain steadfast in whatever season of waiting we are currently enduring, may we remember that the Lord is with us. He is working in us. He is working through us, even despite our weakness. He is for us, and He is with us. He is preparing us for something farther down the road in our lives along with ultimately preparing us for Glory. May we trust Him. May we continue in our faithfulness to Him and our discipline to grow in the knowledge and understanding of His Word.

Wherever you find yourself today, do not quit and do not give up hope. Instead, re-read and meditate on that Scripture, sing that worship song, pray that prayer, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with that friend or coworker, and ultimately just stand in the faith-filled firm confidence that your season of waiting is ultimately a season of preparation. All of this is for your good and for His glory.

Remember: The Lord’s glory is our good.

Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for this season of waiting. Thank You for the truth that this is actually a good season and ultimately a season of preparation. Thank You that though this may be hard and seem purposeless, You are working all things together for my good and Your glory. I thank You for being by my side, strengthening and sustaining me, never leaving nor forsaking me. I thank You for the fact You are for me and not against me. May my heart trust Your good intentions, perfect wisdom, and sufficient provision so that I may truly walk in peace and hope every day. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “His Glory and My Good” by City Alight. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “In the Waiting” by Vicki Yohe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “My Story Your Glory” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

On a personal note, Jennifer recently got married on May 24, 2025. The day was filled with abundant joy and peace, bringing glory to the Lord and wonderful fellowship with their closest friends and family. After many years of praying and waiting for this gift, Jennifer is excited to step into this new season and ministry of being a wife and hopefully, one day soon, a mom.

~*~
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: A Biblical truth to calm your troubled soul

God is Good: Truth that Calms the Troubled Soul
A devotional by Jennifer Reese

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”—Psalm 84:11 (ESV)

Recently, I was expressing some of my concerns and anxieties to a good friend.

I was facing some unknowns and trying to hope for great news at an appointment the following day but was also anxious about what could happen or what might be true. I was torn between desiring to fight for hope and giving in to the feelings of the deep anxiety that was troubling my soul.

As I finished my statement with “I’m excited and hopeful, but anxious and nervous.” This friend simply responded, “Mmm. God is good.” This response caught me off guard not because I do not believe that God is good, but because in my moment of anxiety I did not see how this truth was helpful or responsive to my concern.

As I reflected on those words and shared that reply with my husband, I felt stumped. My husband agreed that it was an unexpected response, but he encouraged me to reflect on the truth of the statement and let it help me to trust the Lord with my concern.

Later that evening during my prayer time with God, I continued questioning, “Why was that their response, Lord? I don’t really understand.” Shortly after, a song came to mind that I began to hum amid my continued reflection, but I could not piece together which song it was. However, after a few minutes, I was able to recall enough of the lyrics to remember its name. The song is titled “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”. The lyrics discuss various truths about who God is—one being that He is good, which is the truth that can calm a troubled soul. 

Further into the song, it causes the listener to ponder how it is Jesus Christ who holds our faith when fears arise, when we face trials, and when the waves of life just overwhelm us. As we reflect on these truths, then hope eternal arises from within us. This hope can never be taken from us. As I listened to this song and read through the lyrics, tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my face. I finally began to understand that the truth spoken to me was the very truth that could in fact calm my troubled soul.

I realized this: In that moment of despair, if all I am thinking about are the endless “What if?” scenarios that are flooding my head then my mind is far away from focusing on the truths of the Lord. I am not even remotely believing in God’s goodness, His faithful character, and His desire to provide good blessings for His children, et cetera. I am only looking to myself and my own resources and circumstances. In that very moment, I needed to be reminded that ultimately no matter the outcome God is good, all the time. Even more so, He is truly my only true and lasting hope in life and death.

No other truth can truly calm our souls. No other reality brings our souls true peace. In moments of anxiety, fear, concern, and uncertainty, our souls are looking for something that is true and sure. The only truth that is for sure, for those of us in Jesus Christ, is this: The Lord is with us, He loves us, He cares for us, we are safe in His care, all that happens is for our good and His glory, and He has a perfect plan to lead us through whatever situation life throws at us. In Christ, we stand safe and secure in the presence of the Lord, and we have nothing to fear. As we look to Christ and cling to His promises and Truth, then His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), will calm our troubled soul and remind us of where our true and only hope comes from: Christ and Christ alone.

As we come to the end of another year, I have no idea what your year has been like. Maybe it has been the best year, the hardest year, a mundane year, etc. Maybe you are battling the tension of anxiety to hope that the coming year will be better than this one, or that you will finally see certain answers to certain prayers. Maybe you are having a hard time believing God is good and are struggling to take any sort of comfort from that Truth. Wherever you are, the Lord knows, the Lord sees, and the Lord cares.

I encourage you as we finish this year and head into a new one, that you would run to the Lord with a heart of hope, believing that God is good. I pray you will examine your heart and see where you are looking for your hope and peace. Is there a situation, a relationship, a job, financial status, etc., that tempts you to believe that if you just had that one thing then you could trust that God is good? Is there something that happened this past year that has caused you to doubt the truth that God is good and has good and perfect plans for your life? Is there something you desire but feel like the Lord is holding out on you? Is there something you are afraid to pray and hope for this coming year? Take some time to journal and explore where your heart and soul truly stand regarding to thoughts and beliefs about the Lord.

At the end of the day, nothing you can possess this side of Heaven will ever be able to satisfy and supply your soul with the hope and peace that it seeks. Only Christ can. May this coming year be one of pursuit in believing this truth with all your mind, soul, and strength. The Lord is so good. We can truly trust Him in, with, and through all things. Believe His goodness, precious care, and tender love for you today.

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank You for being my one and only hope. Thank You that no matter in life and in death, You alone are my only true hope. Thank You that I can experience true hope and peace as I seek to find rest for my restless soul in Your Word and promises. I ask for Your help today and this next year. Oh Lord, teach me how to find peace and hope in believing Your goodness, care, and love for me. Please teach me to cling to the Truth that You are good, despite what I may be facing. May my heart trust Your good intentions, perfect wisdom, and sufficient provision so that I may truly walk in peace and hope every day. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by the Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Peace” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God is Good” by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Lord You Are Good” by Todd Galberth. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

On a personal note, Jennifer recently got married on May 24, 2025. The day was filled with abundant joy and peace, bringing glory to the Lord and wonderful fellowship with their closest friends and family. After many years of praying and waiting for this gift, Jennifer is excited to step into this new season and ministry of being a wife and hopefully, one day soon, a mom.

~*~
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to learn to be content in all circumstances

Learning Contentment
A devotional by Jennifer Reese

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

—Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)

Contentment. A word often used in seasons or areas of life that are going well, and a word that often feels too far to reach and relate to in seasons of hardship or less than ideal situations. In your current season or set of circumstances would you be able to truly say that you are content?

As we read the Apostle Paul’s words in this passage, something that is important to recognize is that he states, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Did you catch that? Paul said he had to learn how to be content in every situation, and that through this learning he discovered he can do all things through Jesus Christ who is his strength.

This truth is encouraging and empowering. It shows the reality that in our human nature, we are not naturally prone to contentment. For example: When we are in hard seasons, we more often beg the Lord to take us out of them, to change the circumstances, and to get quickly to the better days ahead. We want good things. We want easy situations. We want to be in good health and have good relationships with every family member, coworker, and friend. We naturally desire the comforts, joys, and blessings in this life, while running away from and trying to avoid anything less than our ideals.

Paul, even though he was a great apostle and example of faithfulness, faced many highs and lows while on this earth, just like all of us do. Not a single one of us—those who believe in God and those who don’t—are exempt from receiving blessings, gifts, and contentment. Just like none of us are exempt from experiencing hardship, pain, and discontentment. The reality is that sin has placed us in a fallen and broken world, full of deep pain and suffering. However, because of the goodness and graciousness of God, we all experience the beauty of common grace, which are things such as joy, provision, love, et cetera. Each of us often experience the effects of both realities simultaneously: the hardships from the fallen world and the blessings of common grace. But people who believe in Jesus Christ can hold fast to the true hope and assurance that this life is not the end nor will our hardships last forever.

However, it is important to recognize that only in Christ and through Christ can we learn to have true contentment. It is only in Christ and through Christ we can find the strength we need to persevere through every single circumstance we face, good or bad. Seasons come and go, health improves and declines, work brings about promotions and job losses, et cetera. But at the end of the day, our Lord remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We have eternal hope (1 Peter 1:3-6). We have eternal provision (Psalm 23:1). We have eternal contentment and joy (Psalm 16:11). We have eternal life (John 10:28). Eternal, everlasting, forevermore. Completely independent of circumstances and completely dependent on salvation and life in Christ alone. We can stand on this Biblical truth in every circumstance, in seasons of plenty and hunger, in abundance and in need.

We must learn to be content with Christ and Christ alone. Although it will be a lesson we are learning for all of life until we reach glory in Heaven, let us take heart and seek to learn contentment in Christ daily while living on this earth. So, in seasons where hunger, need, and hardship is our reality, may we learn to rejoice in the truth of the Gospel. We have been chosen, forgiven, and saved in Christ. This earth is not our home. When we arrive in Heaven, there will be with no more tears, pain, or death. Christ is our hope and strength to keep pressing on and fighting the good fight of faith. Likewise, in seasons where plenty, abundance, and clear blessings are our reality, may we rejoice and cling to the truth that our strength, hope, and contentment still only come from Christ alone.

Let’s circle back to the original question: In your current season or set of circumstances would you be able to truly say that you are content? If your answer is yes, then praise the Lord! Reflect and write down the various ways in which you are grateful for all He is doing in your life right now. Acknowledge the blessings of salvation (John 3:16) along with the blessings of provision that God has given you.

If your answer to the question is no, then, I still say praise the Lord! True contentment cannot be found in anything other than Christ. It is in His mercy and kindness that He does not allow us to find true contentment in the fleeting and everchanging circumstances and realities we face here on earth. This causes us to learn how to look to Him for true contentment. This shows us our need for Christ. This also teaches us to rejoice in what we do have rather than what we do not. Spend some time reflecting on all the ways the Lord has provided you with an abundance of blessings in Christ, such as the gifts of faith, salvation, freedom from sin, eternal life, peace, hope, and strength. Furthermore, consider where you see Christ’s provision, goodness, and faithfulness in your life. A heart of gratitude is one of the best cures for a heart of despair and discontentment, even when the hard circumstances of our lives are nowhere close to changing or getting better from our perspective.

No matter where you find yourself today, I pray you would be willing to learn to find contentment in Christ alone, which only comes by God’s grace, strength, provision, and Truth. Praise God for all He has done, is doing, and will do in your life, all for your good and His glory!

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank You for being my strength and my faithful sustainer through every season. Thank You for the opportunity to learn contentment in every season, the true contentment that can only come through Christ alone. Thank You that I can experience true hope, peace, joy, and strength as I look to You for help. I ask for Your help today, Oh Lord. Please teach me how to find contentment in knowing You and clinging to Your truth. May my heart trust Your good intentions, perfect wisdom, and sufficient provision so that I may truly learn contentment. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In Christ Alone” by the Keith & Kristyn Getty and CityAlight. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Knowing You, Jesus” by Graham Kendrick. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Same” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “There Will Be A Day” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

On a personal note, Jennifer recently got married on May 24, 2025. The day was filled with abundant joy and peace, bringing glory to the Lord and wonderful fellowship with their closest friends and family. After many years of praying and waiting for this gift, Jennifer is excited to step into this new season and ministry of being a wife and hopefully, one day soon, a mom.

~*~
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to find true treasure that satisfies your soul

The True, Lasting, and Satisfying Treasure
A devotional by Jennifer Reese

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

If someone were to ask you or even just observe your life, thoughts, conversations, worries, angers, and actions, what would be determined as your heart’s treasure?

Oftentimes we live day-to-day in search of our worth, value, and purpose based on what we do, what we have and how others view us. It can be easy to compare ourselves and our lives to those around us. Comparing yourself can result in a number of realities and struggles: discontentment, envy, superiority, inferiority, anxiety, anger, confusion, doubt, and the list goes on and on.

Why is it so easy to find ourselves in a state of comparison and/or desire to be perceived a particular way? I would say this often results from our treasure being in the wrong place and on the wrong thing(s). Nowadays, you can see the highlights of everyone’s life online. Media and technology have become an idol and a way to perceive how others are really doing and how others perceive you are doing. Our American culture highlights all the money, pleasure, success, possessions, status, personal feelings and experiences, etc., as the end all be all. “Do whatever your heart desires” and “Live in a way that makes you happy” are just a couple phrases that distract us from the truth.

The truth is, whatever treasures we are trying to gain and lay up for ourselves here on Earth, will fade away and be destroyed by moths, dust or thieves. So, then the question may be, “What are we to focus on and set our minds on while we are here on earth?” The answer is Jesus Christ. Knowing who God is and making Him known to those around us in this world is where our treasure should be.

Our greatest goal in this life on Earth should be to know the Truth of God’s Word and to seek to grow in Christlikeness, faithfully and diligently. When we cherish God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and focus on knowing who God is—based on His Word rather than our own perspective, thoughts, wants, desires, and feelings—then we will walk in a way that is filled with hope, joy, confidence and gratitude.

Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows, heartache, suffering, pain, and sin. Even when our eyes are fixed on Christ and we truly treasure Him, we can be tempted to lose heart and look to the world for help and hope. We can be tempted to compare our lives to the social media highlights we see online or even to the people we know personally or professionally, then feel on the losing end because of the circumstances we are experiencing. But this is where we must dig our heels in deeper and fight for our heart’s attention to be on the pleasures forevermore that await us in Heaven (Psalm 16). I love this Psalm because it discusses the promise that the Lord will never abandon our soul, no matter what we may face, what we may feel, or what we may experience this side of Heaven. It reminds us that there will be a day when we will experience and feel true satisfaction and perfect contentment, joy, peace, and pleasures forevermore.

So how can you assess where your heart’s treasure is? Here are some questions to help you examine your heart today.

Question #1: What do you think you can’t live without? What do you feel you need to have to be happy or to flourish? What makes you feel discontented?

Question #2: How do you define and weigh success or failure? What must you do to feel like you have “arrived”? Is there anything you are holding onto in this life that won’t be worth anything in the life to come?

Question #3: What do you worry about? What makes you afraid? What do you not want to happen?

At the end of the day, we are each given 24 hours a day and a lifespan of what only God Himself knows and has sovereignly ordained. Are you stewarding your time well and storing up the treasure that matters? Are you seeking to grow to be more like Jesus Christ and trying to walk in His ways? Do others know that you love the Lord because your life (words, desires, attitude, actions) in Christ looks vastly different than what we see among people in the world who don’t know Christ yet?

Today is a new day and a new opportunity to put on the ways of Christ. Seek to turn away from the pursuit of worldly treasure. Ask for God’s help to be satisfied in His plans for your life, His provision for you, and His approval of you. Seek to faithfully steward all He has given you and called you to. By the Holy Spirit’s grace and help, little by little, you will see your heart’s treasure become the only true, lasting, and satisfying treasure.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for being good and faithful. Thank You for the Truth that You are the good, perfect, and sufficient treasure. Thank You that I can experience true hope, peace, and rest as I look to You and set my heart’s affection on Your Truth and promises, treasuring You and knowing You above all else. I ask for Your help today, Oh Lord, that You would teach me how to surrender my desires and expectations unto You. May my heart trust Your good and sufficient provision, and may I have a heart that desires to know You and make Your Truth known to those around me. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "Treasure" by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Christ is Mine Forevermore” by CityAlight. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

On a personal note, Jennifer recently got married on May 24, 2025. The day was filled with abundant joy and peace, bringing glory to the Lord and wonderful fellowship with their closest friends and family. After many years of praying and waiting for this gift, Jennifer is excited to step into this new season and ministry of being a wife and hopefully, one day soon, a mom.

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Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com