The Lord is All We Need

When you’re in a season that nobody seems to understand,
it can feel like your closest friends have turned into strangers.

Even your own family seems blinded to your pain.

It’s a lonely place where silence echoes louder than words.
The ache of being unseen cuts very deep.

The psalmist David knew this place well too.
In Psalm 31:12 (NLT), he cried:
“I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.”

Yet just two verses later, he lifted his eyes upward and exclaimed:
“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands.”

Again, in Psalm 142:4 (NLT), he lamented:
“I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.”

And yet one verse later, he lifted his eyes upward once more and declared:
“Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, ‘You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.’”

Wow.

If you’re in a season like this—one that feels like you’re standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming, and no one even turns an ear—remember how David responded to his sorrow. He acknowledged his trust in the Lord, knowing his future was in His hands—and he confessed that the Lord was all he truly desired.

From this, we can draw one clear conclusion: the Lord is all we need.

This doesn’t mean that our pain isn’t real or valid—it absolutely is. But it does mean that in those lonely and hidden places, the Lord often shows up the most. It’s there that He teaches us what it means to lean on Him completely, to find refuge in His presence when we feel invisible.

Picture taken by me near Tracking Station Beach in Vero Beach, FL

The Fight

Sometimes the hardest part of the fight isn’t the battle itself—it’s what we’re up against. It’s what we’re fighting for. WHO we’re fighting for.

Unfortunately, we don’t physically see the spiritual realm—all we see are our struggles: bills stacking up, bank accounts being drained, the conflicts in our relationships, the anxiety that keeps us awake at night, the awful state of this country and this world, and so on. But Scripture reminds us that it’s so much deeper than that.

Paul writes in‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭(NLT)‬‬ that: “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.”

And in Ephesians 6:12 (NLT): “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Our fight isn’t just about making it through another stressful day or finding solutions to every problem. It’s about standing firm in the truth of who God is and what He has already won for us.

When we feel overwhelmed by what we see, we can take comfort in what we can’t see—God’s power at work in the unseen. His Word assures us that He has equipped us with everything we need to face this battlefield we call life. Remember, you’re not fighting in your own strength. Put on the full armor of God and remain steadfast in the One who has already overcome, so that you can overcome too.

Picture taken by me at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL

The Ordinary

Ordinary.

I sort of detest that word.

I’ve never felt like I was built for the ordinary.

The ordinary has always felt wasteful, boring, fleeting.

I see this great big world, and here I am—a little speck of nothing in my ordinary life.

Those thoughts stir up some negative feelings, which always come with conviction from God. So, I turn to His Word for consolation.

It’s there that I’m reminded of the worth in the ordinary, that even the simplest moments can be lifted into worship.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we’re told that no matter what we do—even something as simple as eating or drinking—we are to glorify the Lord. Nothing is too ordinary for His presence.

In Colossians 3:23, we’re told to work willingly at whatever we do as though we are working for the Lord rather than for people. This includes every job, chore, and task. Even in the mundane, we are to seek God and offer Him praise.

Maybe the ordinary isn’t a trap, but a quiet place where God teaches us that He is enough. The world may call it ordinary, but God calls it holy. It’s where He chooses to meet us, transform us, and show us His glory.

Picture taken by me at the “Carnival of Orchids” show and sale at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL

Still Small Voice

When starting a new endeavor or journey—in my case, biblical counseling and a stronger pursuit of writing—it’s normal to wrestle with fear, doubt, and apprehension. It’s scary to put yourself out there and chase dreams. The exposure and vulnerability can feel so overwhelming at times. You open yourself to the judgment of others—friends, family, even strangers—and you wonder where the road will lead and whether you’ll truly succeed.

This brings me to 1 Kings 19:11-12. The message of this story is that God doesn’t always reveal Himself through mighty displays of power, but often through gentle displays of His presence—in the quiet whispers of His voice. For me, that still small voice often speaks words like: Keep going, keep building, don’t give up. You may not always see dramatic changes or big wins, but with prayer and attentiveness, you’ll discover steady growth—and you’ll hear the quiet encouragement of God’s voice cheering you on.

I hope this message will be a source of inspiration for others who may be struggling with the confidence to pursue their own dreams and aspirations. God is near, speaking quietly, and faithfully guiding you forward. Just pay attention.

“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” I Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

Picture taken by me at Jetty Park in Fort Pierce, FL

Foreboding Joy

Do you ever feel that when things are going well, you can’t fully enjoy them because you’re just bracing for something bad to happen and ruin it? And when things aren’t going well, does it seem as if they’ll never get better? It’s as though we rob ourselves of joy by foreboding it.

Why do we do this?

We forebode our own joy because our hearts are deceitful—prone to fear, doubt, and a focus on the temporary rather than the eternal. We lean on our own understanding instead of leaning on God. When we dwell on what might go wrong, we invite worry in. When we fixate on the bad, we blind ourselves to the blessings right in front of us. We block joy.

If we find ourselves foreboding joy, we need to turn to God—the source of everlasting joy, the One who is greater than all. In His presence is fullness of joy.

Picture taken by me at Round Island Park in Vero Beach, FL

Go Deeper

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.’” Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭(NLT‬)

The story behind this verse really makes me pause and reflect.

Jesus was preaching along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when He noticed a couple of empty fishing boats and nets. He stepped into Simon’s boat and asked him to push it out into the water so He could preach from there.

When He had finished preaching, He told Simon to take the boat out to where the sea is deeper and let down his nets again. Simon explained how they had been out all night and hadn’t caught a thing, but despite his hesitation, he obeyed.

The results were miraculous. He caught so many fish that the nets began to tear, and the boat was almost sinking under the weight. Simon was completely awestruck, falling to His knees in praise before Jesus. Jesus then told him from that point on he’d be a fisher of people.

This story carries such a strong message about trusting the Lord. That moment Simon (later named Peter) had with Jesus wasn’t just about fish—it was about trust.

Sometimes the Lord calls us to go deeper—into things that don’t make sense, into situations that feel challenging or uncomfortable. Yet we can trust that whatever He calls us to do will always be for our good. Deeper isn’t always easy, but it’s where miracles happen.

Picture taken by me at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, FL

Humility

What is humility?

This world teaches us to look cool, crave the spotlight, prove ourselves, get ahead, and outshine others—but the Bible teaches us quite the opposite. It calls us to humility. It points us to Jesus—the One who humbled Himself even to the point of death.

Humility is kneeling before the Lord rather than standing tall before the world.

Humility is lifting others higher than we lift ourselves.

Humility is listening more than we speak and putting the needs of others first.

Humility is seeing others through God’s eyes, not through the lens of judgment and comparison.

Humility is laying down our pride and taking up the heart of a servant.

Humility is seeking God’s approval above the approval of the world.

Humility is stepping aside so that God’s presence is seen far more clearly than our own.

Humility is not weakness—it is the strength of God’s power working in us and through us. It is the character of Jesus Christ being formed in us.

“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

Picture taken by me at Northport Village Park in Northport, NY

My Constant

I was sitting in my car, waiting for my daughter to get out of a class, feeling as if I’m just not entirely sure about anything anymore. Sometimes everything seems so fragile, unsteady, and uncertain. It’s like I don’t quite know where I’m going or what I’m doing. It can leave me so uneasy.

But then I pause and think about God. The one thing I know I will always be completely sure about is Jesus Christ. He is the solid rock that never moves—the rock upon which I must stand. When everything else is shaky, His strength is so stable.

People, possessions, and circumstances continuously shift and change, but Jesus will always remain exactly the same—yesterday, today, and forever. That is just the most incredible comfort and unwavering reassurance that keeps me going in this crazy and unpredictable world. He is my constant, now and for all eternity.

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Picture taken by me near Humiston Beach Park in Vero Beach, FL

Cling

Sometimes my writing inspiration comes from just one single word. It’s as if God plants something so simple in my mind and says, “Here—work with that. Write about that.”

Today, that word is cling.

It comes from my constant hunger for, and complete reliance on, Jesus. As I go through my days and my life, I cling to every word, every hope, every promise, and every comfort He provides. It reminds me of a child clinging to their parents for safety—I cling to Jesus in the same way. 

This world gives me plenty of reasons to let go, but Jesus gives me every reason to hang on.

I found Psalm 63:8 (NLT), and it struck me hard: “I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

I cling because I deeply love Him.

I cling because I desperately need Him.

I cling because I wholeheartedly trust Him.

I cling because He is the only constant in a world that never is.

I cling because I know His grasp is even stronger than mine.

Picture taken by me somewhere around Jaycee Beach Park in Vero Beach, FL

Running the Race

Lately, I’ve really been trying to view my life as a race. It helps me stay focused, knowing Who and what I’m running for. It also helps me remember that this life is temporary and I’m only passing through. 

1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us to always run as if we are striving for first place—to run with the discipline and determination to win.

Hebrews 12:1 says that we are to run with endurance. Think of it more like a marathon than a sprint. A sprint is quick and doesn’t require much persistence, but a marathon demands discipline and perseverance all the way until the end.

Hebrews 12:2 goes on to encourage us to keep our eyes on Jesus every step of the way. What better motivation could there be?

In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul declares in his final letter: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” What a perfect farewell.

These scriptures really help to build the backbone of my faith. They remind me to run hard and keep moving, even when I hit bumps and roadblocks along the way. I can never stop—I will never stop. As long as I see Jesus, I will run faithfully until my last breath.

Picture taken by me somewhere by Sebastian Inlet State Park in Sebastian, FL

The Valley

“Yea, 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.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

When trying to envision walking through a valley, here’s what comes to mind:

It’s a very low place, with rugged terrain and barren ground. Color is nearly absent, leaving only dull, lifeless tones in every direction. The air feels heavy and dreary, starved of light. The path is narrow and enclosed, twisting and curving through the shadows. Everything appears parched and desperate, begging for even the slightest touch of relief.

When unfolding the metaphorical layers of this valley, here’s what comes to mind:

It reflects feeling very sad, empty, and lonely, weighed down by heavy burdens. You’re navigating rocky and dark circumstances, feeling trapped and limited in your options. Your journey feels uncertain, and the path ahead seems endless. Yet even in this very scary place, the path still leads forward. Each step brings you closer to a new horizon ahead, and God is always walking with you, right beside you, protecting, comforting, and guiding you toward goodness and renewal.

Picture taken by me at the pier in Vero Beach, FL

Our Eyes Are On You

“For we are powerless against this great multitude which is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬ ‭(AMP)

I once prayed with a woman who kept crying out the words, “I just don’t know what to do” over and over again. It was a powerful moment for us both. The Lord gave me 2 Chronicles 20:12 to share with her. Our time together really stuck with me, as it made me realize how badly I need this verse as well—I think we all do. I feel as if I frequently just don’t know what to do in this crazy life, and this verse directly acknowledges both our weakness and our reliance on God during those times.

In its original context, Jehoshaphat was facing an army and openly admitting his lack of power and strategy to deal with it. In the same way, we often feel unequipped to fight our own battles—I know I do. Jehoshaphat then openly declared his trust in the Lord to help him get through it. When facing a battle of any magnitude, we are to look to the Lord and His immeasurable power. He never asks us to fight in our own strength, but rather He wants us to fix our eyes on Him and His strength. When you don’t know what to do, set your gaze on the One who does. He will always see you through.

Picture taken by me somewhere along Ocean Drive in Vero Beach, FL

Algorithms

I was randomly thinking about how algorithms work on social media. You just keep getting more of what you give your attention to, right? If you start clicking on specific things, more of the same things will continue to show up.

It made me think of our relationship with God—it only deepens as we give more attention to it. The more we invest in Him, the more of Him we begin to see. The more we read and study His Word, the more He speaks to us. The more we pray, the more we recognize His answers. The more we listen and obey, the more fruit we see being produced in our lives.

What are you feeding your soul with? Is it what you want to continuously see showing up in your life?

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

Picture taken by me at Ye Old Davis Farms in Vero Beach, FL

Who Really Matters

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

This is one I feel I need to read and meditate on often lately. It’s far too easy to lose sight of what truly matters, or I should say WHO truly matters, when we’re working and fighting our way through this life. We are called to be strong and immovable in serving the Lord, standing firm in our faith and refusing to allow challenges or temptations to cause us to waver or give up. Our strength, energy, and joy should be rooted in the eternal value of our work, not in what we immediately see before us. Our labor should never be in vain, but always for Him. Nothing done in the name of the Lord, whether great or small, is ever wasted.

Placing too much emphasis on self-gain or social recognition is a spiritually destructive habit. It leads to pride, comparison, and discontentment. Our worth and success must never be measured by human approval or social status, but by God‘s approval and who He says we are. That is where the real reward lies—our eternal reward in Christ.

Picture taken by me at Round Island Beach Park in Vero Beach, FL

The Narrow Gate

Choose the narrow gate.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

The narrow gate means denying yourself and fully surrendering to God. The narrow gate means sacrificing your old ways and bad habits. The narrow gate means facing opposition, ridicule, and separation from this world. The narrow gate means continuously being misunderstood, even by your own friends and family. The narrow gate means dealing with copious amounts of spiritual warfare. The narrow gate means having your faith tested day after day. The narrow gate is challenging and exhausting.

But…

The narrow gate leads to spiritual transformation. The narrow gate leads to true freedom, breaking the power of sin. The narrow gate leads to a life that has real purpose and meaning. The narrow gate leads to genuine peace and joy that’s rooted in Christ. The narrow gate leads to a love that’s so good and so pure it’ll blow your mind. The narrow gate leads to undying strength in all circumstances. The narrow gate leads to great trust and hope in the promises of God. The narrow gate leads to salvation and the amazing gift of eternal life in heaven.

Choose the narrow gate.

Picture taken by me in Northport Village, NY

Drowning

Drowning.

Life can sure feel that way at times.

Like you’re barely keeping your head above the water.

Like you’re losing the strength to swim—to fight.

Like the water is starting to make its way into your lungs and you’re gasping for air.

Like you’re about to give up and you can only hope to float and not sink.

The Bible often uses the imagery of deep water to symbolize these extremely difficult situations.

Psalm 69 is a very profound example. Verses 1-3 (NLT) say: “Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.”

Wow. This really conveys sheer helplessness and desperation to be rescued. Yet as the Psalm goes on, it moves from utter despair to complete confidence in the Lord—from distress to deliverance. I find it so beautifully powerful and comforting to read—how the Bible doesn’t tell us that these feelings are bad or wrong, but instead demonstrates that they are a clear signal to seek the Lord.

Notice how David begins that passage by crying out for God to save him, and ends it by saying that he’s waiting for God to help him. That right there shows how his faith won’t let him give up, even with every painful word that was uttered in between. No matter how deep you are in the water, you’re never too deep for God to reach in and pull you out.

Picture taken by me at Tracking Station Beach in Vero Beach, FL

Broken Cisterns

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭(NKJV)‬‬

Jeremiah 2:13 speaks to forsaking God—the fountain of living waters, and replacing Him with carnal solutions—broken cisterns. It illustrates people turning from God to seek fulfillment elsewhere. It’s like rejecting a fresh spring of water for a broken bucket of water when you’re thirsty. Just like a flowing natural spring is an endless source of refreshment for our bodies, God is an endless source of refreshment for our souls. Turning to worldly things for contentment is like turning to a broken cistern that can’t hold very much for very long—it will surely leave you unsatisfied and thirsting for more. Only God can truly meet our needs and sustain us.

Picture taken by me at DuBois Park in Jupiter, FL

Weakness

I woke up this morning with such a strong urge to write about weakness. I really wanted to share a word of encouragement for anyone who might be feeling weak—mainly because I was wrestling with it myself all weekend. I’ll never be ashamed to admit how weak I feel at times. To me, it only just serves as an ongoing testimony to the goodness of God, because He strengthens me every single time.

So, I opened up the Bible app on my phone, and there it was—the “Verse of the Day” just fit so perfectly. It says: “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭5‬ ‭(NKJV)‬‬

The first half of this verse clearly tells us that we are blessed when we put our trust in the Lord, but the second half takes a little more reflection. In its original context, it speaks of the Israelites making pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship. In a spiritual context, it points to having a heart that longs after the Lord. Our own journey—our pilgrimage—should always be directed toward Him, toward heaven. Our hearts should always be set on the Lord, not the things of this world. It’s only there that we will find true strength in times of weakness.

Picture taken by me somewhere along Ocean Drive in Vero Beach, FL

Forward & Upward

I was studying at the library while I was waiting for my daughters to get out of a class. I would love to share some of my notes because they’re just so good. Psychoanalysis tells us to look inward and backward—to dig in and trace back. But God tells us to look forward and upward—letting the past go and keeping our eyes fixed on Him. In Philippians 3, we are told to press on, forget the past, and reach forward. And in Colossians 3, we are told to set our minds on things above. We should be Christ-seeking rather than psychoanalyzing. We need to look ahead and look to God. Remember—forward & upward, not inward & backward.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ (NKJV)

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭(NKJV)‬‬

Picture taken by me somewhere around Jaycee Beach Park in Vero Beach, FL

Beautiful and Purposeful

It’s funny how I’ll sit down in the morning with a cup of coffee, excited and ready to write, and then suddenly I’m faced with the dreaded writer’s block. It’s like my mind either goes completely blank or is too cluttered for me to focus—usually the latter. Then I’ll do something as small as just stepping outside, and instantly the world around me will spark so many new thoughts and ideas. Even something as simple as seeing a flower or a pretty cloud in the sky will do it for me. It reminds me of how important it is to see beauty in the mundane—and it reminds me that God is so good, even when my circumstances are not. This all brought me to a passage in Ecclesiastes.

It reads like this: “What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Everything can be seen as beautiful when viewed through the lens of God. This statement is not so much talking about the physical beauty of things, but rather it serves as a metaphor for God‘s perfect timing and arrangement of things. It encompasses the idea that everything has a place and a purpose in God‘s design, which is just such a beautiful thing.

Picture taken by me in my yard

God is For You

When it feels like the world is against you, remember that God is still on your side. That is where your strength should come from.

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And Hebrews 13:6 (NLT) tells us that we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

The answers to these two questions are simple—nobody and nothing. This is not to say that people aren’t going to oppose you and hurt you, but rather that God’s sovereignty will surely overrule it all. Keep your eyes on Him and what He desires for you, rather than on the demands of this world.

Picture taken by me at Countryside Citrus in Vero Beach, FL

Spiritual Reality Check

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

I’m in the book of Romans a lot. Not only because it’s a personal favorite of mine, but also because there is a heavy emphasis on it when studying biblical counseling.

The first three words of Romans 6:16 are basically saying, “Hello, wake up!” Or “Isn’t it obvious?” This should get your attention right away. The bottom line of what follows afterwards is that everyone serves something—you’re either serving sin or you’re serving God. It’s one or the other. You can’t serve two masters.

Serving sin means serving any destructive behaviors that separate you from God. Sin is being personified as a master here, and serving this master will only lead to spiritual death. Whereas, serving the Lord will lead to spiritual life.

This verse, in essence, is a spiritual reality check for us. You have to ask yourself these questions: “Who is really in charge of my life?” “Is it the tug of sin or the voice of God?” One leads to nothing, and the other leads to everything.

Picture taken by me in Northport Village, NY

Rejoice

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭4 (NLT)‬‬

Romans 5:3-4 is yet another passage in the Bible that tells us to rejoice in our troubles. It states specific reasons why we should be rejoicing, such as being given the opportunity to strengthen our endurance, our character, and our hope of salvation. Paul is encouraging us to take on a different perspective when we struggle—to understand that our problems always serve a purpose. He isn’t saying that our problems themselves will bring us joy, but rather that the growth experienced during them will bring us joy. They teach us to persevere, they deepen our faith, and they build our confidence in God’s great promises. When you start to shift your viewpoint and really apply these verses to what you’re going through, it’s life-changing.

Picture taken by me at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, FL

Intended For Good

I inadvertently came across this verse recently, but boy did I need to read it and share it with some others. Genesis 50:20 (NLT) – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

I sure can apply this to my counseling work in numerous ways—and I know that we can all easily apply it to our lives in numerous ways as well.

It’s like the lyrics from the song “See a Victory” by Elevation Worship, which say – “You take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good.” God can take even the darkest situations and use them for good. What the enemy means for harm, God will use to bless you and many others.

I promise that when you change your mindset to believe that, your entire life will suddenly just take on a whole new meaning. You’ll start to view your problems differently. Instead of asking yourself why something is happening to you, start asking yourself what the Lord is trying to accomplish in you and around you.

Picture taken by me at Youngs Park in Vero Beach, FL

He Will Give You Rest

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

This is an open invitation for you to come find rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s inviting you into a personal relationship with Him. He’s inviting you to come trade your pain for His peace—to lay it all down at His feet. 

Take notice of how it specifically says “all of you.” This is not an exclusive invitation. It includes all who are weary and burdened—all who are exhausted and weighed down by the struggles of life—all who are ladened with things like sin, guilt, anxiety, depression, grief, and so much more.

Jesus is promising to give you the rest that you so desperately need. This is not the type of rest that you can find anywhere in this world, but rather the kind that only He can provide. It’s a deep, spiritual rest that comes along with trusting in Him.

Picture taken by me on Love St. in Jupiter, FL