Encouragement to Press On ⁽¹⁶⁾

When Relief Does Not Come, Christ's Strength Still Can "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV) You asked God to…

The Edge is So Close! "For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me." — Psalm 38:17 (NIV) There are moments when pain brings you right to the edge. Not in a dramatic way other people can easily see. You may…

The old life is not your final name "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Grief can make you feel trapped inside an older version of yourself. The person…

The Sacrifice of Helping Someone Climb And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." — Hebrews 13:16 Grief can make help feel costly from both sides. The person below may hate needing a hand.

The Hard Road Before the Crown of Life "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." — James 1:12 Some trials feel…

The Urge to Flee When You Cannot Face What Hurts "But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for…

Spurring On Each Other in Fellowship "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" — Hebrews 10:24 Grief can put you at the edge of the room while life continues loudly nearby. Other people may be laughing,…

Even Christ Himself was Overwhelmed With Sorrow "Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'" — Matthew 26:38 Some sorrow is not merely sadness. It presses the body down. It…

He Lights Up Your Next Step in the Dark "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." — Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Grief can make the future feel too large to face. The mind reaches ahead and finds darkness: next week,…

Lean on God, Then Take the Next Step "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:13 (NIV) There are days when the next step feels unreasonable. Not the whole future. Not a grand act of courage. Just getting up,…

No Guilt: Allow Joy of the Lord to Become Your Strength "Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the…

When Your Body Is Weak but Faith Is Still Breathing "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." — 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) What if you are still being renewed, even while…