Finding Safety in an Unsteady World - Martin Wiles

As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:22 NLT

She had been abused and needed a safe place. No one ever said finding safety in an unsteady world was easy.

Johnnie was in a situation of her own making. For thirteen years, she had endured an abusive marriage—one she entered to escape the harsh atmosphere of her upbringing.

When the opportunity came for Johnnie to move out, she took it. Jim seemed like a good guy when she dated him, but his true identity revealed itself shortly after she said, “I do.” Abusive words, demeaning remarks, bruises. They all became the norm. Johnnie tried to fend them off but had to admit they were taking their toll on her self-esteem.

Eventually, Johnnie decided she’d had enough, but she needed a safe place. She didn’t turn to a home for abused women but rather contacted her parents. By this time, her dad had mellowed. She thought she could endure life with them until she could make other arrangements.

Moses needed a safe place, too. While he was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people were below, partying as if they had no God to whom they were accountable. When God told Moses to leave the mountain and take the people with him, but that he wouldn’t be tagging along, the declaration was more than Moses could stand. God decided to give them another chance, but Moses needed reassurance. So God placed Moses in a crevice and let him glance at his presence as he passed by.

Life is tough and filled with many experiences we’d rather not repeat. Wallowing in self-pity or in the memory of the event only keeps us smelling the toxic nature of what we have experienced. A better course is asking God to put us in his safe place.

When God places us in His safe place, he reassures us of his presence. If separation has taken place, it’s because we left him—not because he left us. He promises never to abandon his children. In God’s safe places, we’re also reminded of who he is and who we’re not. He is the all-powerful Creator, qualified to lead us through any and every circumstance and protect us in the process.

Moses had nothing to fear; nor do we. When life gets tough, ask God to put you in his safe place where you can find grace, reassurance, and peace.

Father, thank you for the safe places you provide when life is more than we can handle.

 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

When Sorrow Feels Overwhelming - Martin Wiles

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38 NLT

When sorrow feels overwhelming, it can be a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt as if I were being swallowed by it.

Days stretched into months. An act of betrayal by another had turned my family inside out and headed it straight for dissolution. Although the situation could have been fixed, it wasn’t, and the shadow of depression soon hung over my head like a thunderous cloud.

Unemployment followed on the heels of everything else that had disintegrated. Months passed as I sent out hundreds of applications to various places, looking for anything that would help me support my family. Finally, a job opened, but the depression hung around. My outward appearance and actions seemed normal, but my insides churned.

Various trips to the emergency room for chest pains alerted my family doctor that something was wrong. “You’re depressed. Take the medication I’m giving you, and stay out of the emergency room,” he said. I followed his advice, and slowly the depression receded.

One translation has Jesus saying, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow.” I suppose he felt that way. He was overwhelmed by what was ahead, but his disciples couldn’t keep their eyes open to comfort him. He felt alone … as if he were fighting a battle by himself. And He was. The disciples could not accompany him to the cross and die for humanity’s sins. Only a perfect person could. He wasn’t sorry he was doing it, but the weight of what was ahead had the power to swallow his soul in sorrow.

Situations that cause grief and intense sorrow aren’t easy to face, but we can face them more healthfully when others support us. Trying to face sorrow alone often leads to depression, whereas having a support system tends to ward off the dark clouds of depression. If Jesus needed companionship in his time of sorrow, we do too.

Of course, our greatest support system is found in our relationship with Jesus. We can’t physically experience him with our senses, but we can feel his presence in our spirits. This spirit-to-Spirit relationship surpasses anything we might experience with our senses.

Don’t try to face times of sorrow alone. Depend on God and godly people to help you through your trying times.

Father, thank you for your presence and the presence of others when I face sorrowful times that want to swallow me. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Building Blocks of Healthy Relationships - Martin Wiles

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians5:21 NLT

“I remember when you used to…”

Anytime I hear my wife say the above, I know she will follow it with something I once did but don’t anymore—things like opening the door for her when she’s getting in the car or entering a store or coming up behind her and putting my arms around her neck while we’re shopping.

My wife has a memory like an elephant and recalls many things I’ve long forgotten. Among them is how our relationship was when we first married. I tell her our relationship has matured. She thinks, Now that you’ve got me, you think you don’t need to do those things anymore. We’re probably both right to a degree, but we must work to maintain healthy relationships.  

Paul gives a list of instructions for husbands and wives. Some women don’t like the submission part, while some husbands take issue with loving their wives enough to die for them. But Paul prefaces the instructions with a command for mutual submission. Doing this requires building blocks.

Mutual love and submission entail intentionality. If I’m not intentional or determined to love my wife as Christ loved the church or to submit to her as I desire her to submit to me, it won’t happen. Anything important requires our undivided attention.

Thoughtful words and actions are essential. My wife loves to hear me tell her I love her, but she wants to see love in action. Holding her hand, opening a car door, giving her a card, kissing her first thing in the morning—all little things that mean a lot.

Honesty is also critical. Dishonesty will wreck any marriage or relationship. I know. I’ve been on the receiving end of dishonesty, and it leads to a dead end. We build trust in small ways over many years, but one wrong move can destroy what it took years to build.

Additionally, faithfulness is a must for healthy relationships. It follows on the heels of honesty. In the marriage ceremony, I promised to be faithful to my one wife until death parts us. No good reason exists to break that promise as long as I’m in the relationship.

Yet, more important than any other block is including God. Relationships that exclude him are headed for failure from the start.

Use the correct building blocks to erect healthy relationships in your life.

Father, give me wisdom to build healthy relationships with those you send into my life. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

What Is the Unforgivable Sin? - Martin Wiles

So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Matthew 12:31 NLT

For Hester Prynne in Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, it was an A; for many others, it is a D. But what is the unforgivable sin?

In a Puritanical time period, Hester Prynne made the mistake of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage and getting pregnant. Town members condemned, ostracized, and forced her to wear a scarlet letter, A, on her breast.

When I was growing up, most of the culture didn’t look favorably upon adultery either, particularly in the Bible Belt. But there was another sin that most looked equally upon with disfavor: divorce. Even most who were not religiously inclined believed that two married people should stay together through thick and thin. Those who didn’t, for whatever reason, were treated almost like Hester Prynne.

In church life, which I knew a lot about, the divorced were looked upon differently. They may have been allowed to join the church—after all, they surely needed Jesus since they were divorced--but they were allowed to do little else. Teaching, preaching, serving as a deacon, and working with children. These were all out of the question. The church was glad to have their money, but wanted little else from them. They had committed what many believed was the unpardonable sin.

Interestingly, divorce is not what Jesus classified as the unpardonable sin. He had strong words for those who attributed his work to Satan—and told them he would not forgive blasphemy (unbelief)--but he never said the same about divorce. In the Old Testament, God said he hated divorce, but he never said it was unforgivable.

Divorce is detrimental. While some choose it, others have it thrust upon them regardless of what they want. Its sad effects meander through families, churches, and nations. But it isn’t the unforgivable sin. The Bible is filled with examples of God using people with all types of issues in their backgrounds—murder included. If God can use murderers like David and Paul, surely He can use someone who has endured divorce.

Telling or implying that someone is unusable because they are divorced is as sinful as the sin they claim the divorced person has committed. God is in the business of restoration.

Don’t allow anything in your past to keep you from being used by God.

Father, help me allow you to use my past instead of letting it imprison me. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Family Reunions - Martin Wiles

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken! Isaiah 25:8 NLT

Family reunions. We have to love them. At one, I walked over, shook my youngest brother’s hand, and said, “Good to see you.”

Almost four years had passed since my family had seen my youngest brother. And not because he had no way to get there, was mad at anyone, or was too busy. Mom had remarried. My middle brother and I were okay with her remarrying, but our younger brother wasn’t.  

One day, I received a text from him, saying he would be in our hometown. He was bringing his two girls, who wanted to see some of the places where he had grown up and visit some of the cemeteries where our relatives were buried. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to visit him, my wife, two of our grands, my other brother, his son, and I headed out.

Although it was only our immediate family, being together was like a family reunion—something our family hadn’t experienced in four years. We ate together, visited old homes where we once lived, stopped by a few cemeteries, and even saw two more cousins along the way. The drive and the day were long, but the experience was worth it.

So what does it take to experience a joyful family reunion? The prophet speaks of a time when things that divide now will not anymore. And of a time when unpleasant experiences will be wiped away forever. Death will be non-existent. No more tears shed over the things that make us shed tears—death, broken relationships, immorality, crime, loss. No more attacks on God’s people.

Heaven isn’t just a pie in the sky dream by those who tire of earth’s complications. It is an actual place inhabited by angels, believers, and a real God who wants everyone to live there. Things that separate us on earth will be wiped away. We will enjoy fellowship with God and each other forever—with no sinful tint to our relationships.

The only catch is effort. I had to drive two hours to see my brother. God requires that we repent of our sins and place our faith in His Son’s sacrifice for our sins. Once we have done that, we can anticipate having the most incredible family reunion ever.

Don’t miss God’s family reunion.

Father, thank You for preparing a place where we can live with You forever. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Series: The Things We Say - Forgive and Forget - Martin Wiles

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15 NLT

If we still remember, we haven’t forgiven. The philosophy behind the phrase, forgive and forget.

After seventeen years—nineteen if you count the dating part--Sarah called it quits. Walked out and left her husband and two kids. She couldn’t explain why she did it, but she did. Maybe it was because she never wanted to be a preacher’s wife in the first place. She had endured for sixteen of their seventeen years together. That seemed more than fair. Now the lifestyle was getting to her. She had wild oats to sow that she’d never had a chance to sow before.

John, her husband, was bitter. He couldn’t believe she would do what she had done. Leave it all—everything they had built together. And leave him with the bills and the kids. He knew what the Bible said about forgiveness—and forgave her. Forgetting was another story. Occasionally, one of his church members would remind him if he didn’t forget he hadn’t forgiven. He wondered how you could consciously forget something.

The Bible, and Jesus particularly, has a lot to say about forgiveness. One thing it doesn’t say is that we have to forget what others have done to us as a part of the forgiveness act. Forgiveness is releasing someone from a debt they owe because of a sin they have committed against me. Period. Forgetting is impossible unless we experience brain damage or contract a brain disease such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

What we can and must do is stop dwelling on the infraction. In our own power, we can’t even accomplish this, but God’s power in us can. John eventually moved beyond what Sarah had done to him and the family. He never forgot it because he couldn’t, but he no longer sought revenge. Neither did he stew over the situation all the time.

We know we’ve forgiven when we don’t dwell on the injury, when we’re not out for revenge, when we can interact with the person who has offended us if we must, and when we don’t get angry when we think about the injustice committed. We’ll never forget others’ wounds against us, but we can forgive and move on.

Stop trying to forget the infractions others have committed against you. Just forgive.

Father, as you have forgiven me, enable me to forgive others who harm me in various ways.

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Noisy World. No one escapes life's hurts, but quiet places help us regain our perspective. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Feeling Forgotten - Martin Wiles

Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Exodus 3:2 NLT

The deed had been done, as ugly as it was, and now I was feeling forgotten.

Marital breakups are never easy. No matter who’s at fault, the breakup can leave each partner feeling forgotten. Mine did. My aloneness was intensified when many of my professional friends suddenly left as well. Perhaps they didn’t know how to respond. Maybe they thought I needed time to gather my thoughts. Some may have been embarrassed to associate with me since our profession looked unfavorably on divorce. Only one or two checked to see how I was doing. 

I suppose Moses felt the same. When he killed an Egyptian who was beating one of his fellow countrymen, I imagine he thought he was doing the right thing. But when the king discovered the murder and placed a death sentence on him, he knew differently. Fleeing to the desert, he met a priest, married his daughter, and spent the next forty years tending sheep. In a split second, Moses went from the palace to the poorhouse and from being surrounded by hundreds of people to living with sheep.

When feeling forgotten, I try to remember that feelings don’t always mimic reality. Moses had a spouse, children, a father-in-law, and neighboring shepherds. I had community and church friends. I felt forgotten because my situation in life had changed, and because a few had chosen to cool our friendship.

But even if others forsake us, God never will. He didn’t leave Moses, and he didn’t leave me when my spouse did. He was as close as he had always been. The feelings of loneliness merely kept me from feeling his presence.

Though my situation made it difficult, I tried to surround myself with spiritual encouragers. People who would remind me of God’s promises, who would call periodically and check on me, and who would hug me and tell me everything would be okay. These people forged friendships that I still cherish today, many years after I felt forgotten.

When you pass through times that make you feel forgotten, remember God is always near.

Father, when I feel forgotten by others, remind me you always walk by my side. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

When Rejection Comes - Martin Wiles

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

He was a washed-up shoe salesman caught up in a town gossiping war.

In the Andy Griffith episode, Those Gossipin’ Men, Aunt Bee and a friend sat in the local drug store, enjoying a cool drink on a hot day. While spreading a little gossip among themselves, they were startled when a stranger came in and tried to sell them a pair of shoes. And surprised because he didn’t try extremely hard. In fact, they labeled him as the tamest shoe salesman they’d ever seen. He offered once, they said no, and he went on about his business. Little did he know a gossiping war between the ladies of the town and the men who hung around at Floyd’s Barber Shop would soon engulf him.

Prior to the salesman’s arrival, Andy had come into the drug store to get sulfur powder. Barney had cut his finger while cleaning his pistol. The cut was small, but several hours later, someone called the sheriff’s office to report that Barney had shot himself in the chest and was dead. When Aunt Bee and her friend hurried in to console Andy, they were surprised to see Barney still standing. That’s when Andy accused them of being the biggest gossipers in town.

The tame traveling shoe salesman gave Aunt Bee and her friend an opportunity to prove to Andy that just as much gossip came out of Floyd’s Barber Shop. So, when Andy and Barney asked who the stranger was, the two women planted a seed of doubt in their “conceited” male minds. They told Andy and Barney who the man claimed to be, but then questioned the man’s honesty. He didn’t seem eager to sell shoes.

Initially, Andy dismissed their suspicions and again accused them of spreading gossip. But then, he himself became suspicious. Before long, he and the other men in town had turned a washed-up shoe salesman into a New York City television producer. Soon, he and the other men in town gathered their sons and daughters, ushered them to the man’s hotel room, and had them audition for the traveling salesman. In the process, they buy numerous pairs of shoes—so much so that the failed salesman set a company record for a day’s sales.

The traveling salesman came to town a rejected mess, but left a success. Eliab knew a little about rejection too—as did all young David’s brothers. As they passed before Samuel—the prophet God had sent to their father’s house to select the next king of Israel—they each felt the sting of rejection. And imagine how much more humiliating the experience when they discovered God had chosen their younger sheep-tending brother.

Rejection in life is inevitable. We’ll be turned down for promotions, teams, dates, marriage proposals, jobs, projects, clubs, community organizations, assignments, book publishing. And we cannot deny that rejection hurts. Acceptance is one of our basic needs, but not every person will accept us. Nor will everything we attempt to do gain acceptance.

The good news is that while others may reject us or things we propose, God never will. God selected David because He knew David was a boy (and would later be a man) after God’s own heart. In that respect, nothing has changed. God accepts every person who wants to love and serve Him. No turning away. No turning down.

Life teaches us—often the hard way—that rejection is a part of our existence. But not as it relates to our walk with God. He always walks by our side. Nothing we do will drive Him away. Nothing we face will be so intense that He can’t walk us through it. And He will love and accept us…no matter what. Now and throughout eternity.

Let God’s acceptance bring you the comfort you need when others reject you or something you’ve done.

Father, I thank You for Your eternal love that never turns away those who come to You.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Moving Beyond Betrayal - Martin Wiles

Then David sent for her (Bathsheba), and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. 2 Samuel 11:4 NLT

“I’ve had an affair.”  

Though statistics reveal that most marriages don’t survive unfaithfulness, it doesn’t have to drive the final nail into the coffin. Moving beyond betrayal and saving a marriage is entirely possible. When unfaithfulness occurs, the betrayed must ask and answer several questions.

Is forgiving the right thing to do?

From God’s perspective, forgiveness is always appropriate. Although it may seem impossible, forgiveness should be immediate. As God forgives us when we commit sins against Him, so we must forgive others. His forgiveness is tied to our forgiveness of others (Matthew 6:14-15).

While we can’t forgive in our own power, we can with God’s. Forgiveness may have to be repeated numerous times. The betrayer might not deserve forgiveness, but forgiving is more for our benefit than for theirs. If the betrayer has confessed, expressed sorrow, asked for forgiveness, and reiterated their love, they have shown the signs of true repentance.

What does God want me to do?

God hates divorce; He wants marriages to last. Sometimes, it’s impossible, but many that fail could be saved. While God permits divorce on the grounds of adultery, He never insists that divorce must take place. That—like unfaithfulness—is a choice. Partners willing to work diligently can experience a stronger marriage on the other side of unfaithfulness.

Can I live with my betrayer without trusting them?

Forgiveness and trust aren’t identical. We can forgive without trusting. Trust is like a credit rating. One unwise decision can affect both. And like a credit rating, trust takes years to fully bloom. The question is whether the betrayer is doing their best to restore trust in the marriage.

Do I have to know all the details?

When betrayal happens, adverb questions are common: how, when, where, how often, to what extent, why, and under what conditions. Knowing more makes it more difficult to forgive and re-establish trust. Settle for the simple fact that they have betrayed.

Can I live with my betrayer without bringing up the incident again?

Re-hashing the incident impedes healing. So does assigning blame. We must parrot God, who doesn’t keep bringing up our sins.

What about my spouse initially led me to love them?

Build up the betrayer through prayer and encouragement. Love them unconditionally. Remember, none of us are beyond sin—betrayal included.

Keeping a marriage intact in the face of betrayal is possible. Let God move you beyond betrayal.

Father, help me to forgive those who betray me even as You forgive me when I betray You through sinful acts. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Proving Our Faith - Martin Wiles

God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing wonderful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. Acts 2:22 NLT

When I began dating my wife, I had to prove I loved her. Although I loved her initially, only saying that wasn’t sufficient. Actions were required—actions that included telling her I loved her and showing her in various ways. We went on dates, I bought her presents, and I showed her affectionate acts. I tried not to get angry with her. If I offended her, I apologized.

She loved me from the beginning, too, but she didn’t completely trust me. Through actions and words that proved my love for her, I also proved she could trust me—a necessary ingredient in any lasting relationship. By the time we married, she trusted and loved me completely. But marriage didn’t stop the need to prove my love. I continue to say and do things that let her know I love her.

As Peter preached to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, he reminded them how God had proven that Jesus was the Messiah of the world. God allowed Him to perform miracles and other wonders that no ordinary human could do. During His short three-year ministry, Jesus continually did things that proved His identity and love for humanity.

While God saves us by his grace and our faith in Him, we must prove our faith to others and ourselves. Such proof doesn’t come through an arrogant attitude and parading around as if we’re better than those who don’t follow Christ. The light we shine shouldn’t say, “I’m better than you.” Such an attitude repels instead of draws.

Good works prove our faith. Because we have the love of Christ in our hearts, we desire to share that with others through various means. There are myriad ways we can show good works. If we ask, God will give us opportunities and the wisdom to respond to them.

Consistency is also crucial when it comes to good works. A spurt of love now and again won’t suffice. God expects us to do godly things for others regularly. He also expects love to be the motivating factor behind those good works, not a guilty conscience or any other undesirable characteristic.

Think of ways you can prove your faith to others.

Father, I ask for opportunities to show others the love You have shown me and your love for them. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

A Different Peace - Martin Wiles

The peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT

I’ve often thought if I could avoid financial crunches, I would experience peace. Having enough to pay the monthly obligations with adequate left over for investments, hobbies, entertainment, and savings. Surely, I’d be at peace. A trouble-free marriage would also bring peace. Both mates get along, never fight, and have a couple of complacent kids to boot. What better picture of tranquility?

Of course, we also look for a peaceful retirement. Not having to work until we die or become unable to work. Social Security not running dry before we can draw out what we’ve invested during our working careers. Hoping it will be sufficient monthly to cover what expenses we’ll still have. Doing what we want when we want with no one to tell us differently. Ah, the life. Peace.

While the above scenarios might bring peaceful circumstances, there’s no guarantee we would grasp serenity. Inner turmoil can still rage where financial solidity, marital stability, and retirement security exist. Jesus proposes peace within such circumstances but also apart from them. The above is the type of peace the world promises. All things must be in place to experience it—no troubles, trials, or stressors. Jesus’ peace is radically different. Some might classify it as odd.

Jesus’ peace has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with relationship and understanding. God created us to have a relationship with Him. When sin severs that connection—which it does for every person born—we are robbed of peace. We search for it in financial security, relationships, substances, and entertainment but never find it. Or if we think we have, we soon discover it’s only temporary. Soon, we’ll want a different toy.

Jesus sends His Spirit to give us what no other play toys or circumstances can: lasting peace. A soothing calmness in the face of danger, adversity, and hostile situations. A peace unlike any the world can offer or understand. A gentle reassurance that all things are in His hands—and we are, too. A peace we can’t understand or even explain, but when we have it, we aren’t troubled or afraid. We know He is in control.

Let God give you this different type of peace.

Father, thank You for giving a peace that pervades regardless of my circumstances. 

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends. 

 

I invite you to try my newest book, Hurt, Hope, and Healing, in eBook or paperback. These 52 devotions will take you from hurt to hope to healing. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.