Tag: Trusting God

Nothing Will Be Wasted

Do you struggle with finding purpose during seasons of waiting?

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit a dear friend in Pennsylvania. I had to schedule the trip around my classes, which meant I was only there for one full day.

As I was waiting at the airport on my way home, I thought, “Wow, I’ve spent almost as much time at the airport and on planes as I have with my friend during this trip! How irritating!”

During the five hour flight back, I started writing in my journal about the events of the past two days. Chuckling, I realized many of the humorous stories occurred during my time at the airport.

Without the flight, I wouldn’t have had the time with my friend, nor would I have a complete story. I might even argue that the airport time was as essential to the trip as the time in Pennsylvania itself.

When we are waiting for something, whether it be a breakthrough, the achievement of a goal, or a simply happier season, the waiting period can feel endless and purposeless. But in reality, all of it is essential to the story of your life.

Without the waiting, you wouldn’t be prepared for what’s ahead. You wouldn’t have grown or changed or discovered the things you were meant to. The waiting is essential to the story because it reveals God’s faithfulness.

And when you look back, aren’t some of the funniest, most humbling moments during the waiting process? God uses those moments to bring us closer to Him as we embrace our humanity.

It can be very irritating to be waiting. But as you wait, take time to rest. Take time to discover and learn. Take time to simply be.

You will never get this time back, so why not make the most of it?

We will always be waiting for something or someone, even after we’ve gotten what we were previously waiting for. That doesn’t mean our whole lives are a waste. It just means we always have something to look forward to.

So today, trust God that He will come through in your life. Trust that this season will not be wasted and take the time to cherish every moment of it.

Throw yourselves into the work of the Master (God), confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

Don’t Brush the Pain Away

Do you feel pressured to make everyone think you’re okay?

I always thought I had to be happy at church. Put on a smile, say everything’s okay, and make people sure that God is working everything out in my life.

Well, God may be working everything out in my life (in fact, I know He is), but that doesn’t always make the day-to-day feel like a breeze.

Recently, I allowed myself to cry at church during a particularly moving sermon. That was the closest I’d felt to God in a long time. In fact, I even wanted that experience again.

And honestly, I think God would take our tears and our grief over fake happiness any day.

Sometimes, Christian culture makes us think that we have to be happy when we are in pain. We’re told that we aren’t trusting God when we allow ourselves to be upset by our pain, to feel those deep emotions.

But when we brush off our pain, we are hurting our relationship with God. We are also discouraging non-Christians by making them falsely believe we are perfect.

When we don’t allow ourselves to be in pain, we miss out on an opportunity to grow closer to God, to trust Him more deeply. We are instead resentful towards God when we believe He wants us to bury our feelings.

But God doesn’t want us to do that. Through Jesus’ own example, it was when He was tried and tempted, bruised and beaten, in the face of impending doom and death, that we witness God’s presence most in Jesus’ life while on earth.

Just think about Jesus at the Mount of Olives. Right before His death (and later resurrection) Jesus called out to God, seeking relief even though He knew what He had to do. Just because Jesus wished for a less painful way and allowed Himself to feel pain, doesn’t mean that there’s anything less in His sacrifice.

You are no less of a believer if you are in pain or grief right now. You may not even know what you are feeling, and that’s okay. God knows and He cares. God will take care of you.

And I assure you, the sooner you take the brave step of being honest about your feelings, the sooner you will find the healing you need.

 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke 22:39-44

Staying Grounded in a Shaky World

Is your mind often consumed by anxious thoughts?

There are days when everything feels up in the air. Your career, your relationships, your faith even. It can feel hopeless, as though you’re stuck in a swirling sea of uncertainty.

The wisest bits of wisdom often come from children, even if they are unaware of what they are truly saying. Last night, I asked a preschool child what she is most afraid of, and her answer resonated most with the adults in the room.

She replied, “I am afraid when there is something new because I don’t know what will happen.”

She hit on the exact mark of why we are so often afraid: Because we don’t know what’s out there.

Another kid added, “I don’t think we’re afraid of the dark itself; we’re afraid of what’s in the dark that could hurt us.”

We are afraid of what could be.

According to Medline Plus, anxiety is characterized by feelings of fear, dread, or uneasiness. That impending doom lurking before us when we forget that God has an even bigger plan for our lives and won’t leave us behind.

But even with God’s help, we know that pain is just a part of life. We will certainly experience it before our time comes. So how can we stay grounded when anxiety consumes our thoughts?

There are a few simple actions I have found helpful when experiencing fear for the future. I’ll call them the three G’s.

Gratitude

Writing down a list of ten things that you are thankful for each day can help remind you that while bad things do happen, so do wonderful things. It can remind you that God has taken care of you and will bring you through this new season too.

Another gratitude related activity that I love is writing down something that you are thankful for related to your senses. For example, this morning I wrote that I’m thankful to feel my dog’s fur, see the beautiful sunshine, and taste fresh baked bread.

Keeping in touch with your surroundings is key. When you feel overwhelmed in a chaotic atmosphere, it can be relieving to start listing out what is close to you and focusing on the little details.

Growth

Keeping a journal of where you are at through different stages of your life is an excellent way to remember how far you’ve come. After a year, or even a shorter time than that, it can be encouraging to reflect on how God has helped you grow. Often, God uses our fear and lack of control over the future to help us trust Him more and more throughout our lives. It’s incredibly beautiful to see.

Grace

Have grace for yourself when feelings of fear rise up within you. You are not a failure for feeling that way.

In the end, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over our fears. Yes, God told us not to fear countless times in the Bible. But God also knows us and the situations He has planned for us. That means God knows that we will ultimately have moments of fear, and that doesn’t make Him love us any less.

Rather, God wants us to use those moments as opportunities to develop an even richer, deeper faith in Him.

They say you can’t be brave without having fear, because if you weren’t afraid of anything, then nothing is a risk for you.

The same goes for faith. If you don’t have any fear, then you have no reason to trust God.

Today, have grace for yourself, even when you feel yourself slipping. Instead of focusing on what you are disappointed about, remember that each day that you follow Jesus, you are becoming more and more like Him.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:14-16

Discerning Voices

Do you ever feel troubled by voices that discourage you?

It’s late at night. You had a decent day before, nothing to worry too much about. But suddenly, it hits you. That one phrase that came out too fast, that one awkward moment, that one cause for slight concern.

And it haunts you for the rest of the night, maybe even trickling into the days that follow.

I thought of the idea for this post around 5 a.m. last night, as I lay awake in bed thinking about when I overshared during a meeting yesterday. At least, I thought I overshared. Nothing really indicated that I did, apart from one slight twinge of fear during the meeting. But the rest of the meeting was encouraging, uplifting, and hopeful.

So why focus on that one moment?

Well…that’s a good question that we all ask ourselves when we feel like we’re spiraling. Should we listen to the voice that tells us we aren’t good enough, or that we’re just an embarrassment? Is that the voice of God?

One of the hardest things about listening to God is knowing what God’s voice even sounds like. There are too many voices in our heads to discern sometimes. Even when we know a voice doesn’t sound like God, the words linger in our minds, affecting our actions and images of ourselves.

So what can we do about this? Live forever in fear of listening to the wrong voice? Allow negative voices to keep us from living to our fullest potential?

I think not!

Instead, we need to be prepared for the next time we hear something. We need to know what God would and wouldn’t say.

Based on what we know to be true of God’s character, here are a few things I think about when trying to decide whether or not the voice I hear is God’s.

God’s Voice Will Always:

  • Affirm God’s love for you, even if He’s helping you grow or learn from a mistake
  • Ask you to trust Him rather than fear
  • Focus on what can be done, rather than something out of your control
  • Remind you that you are God’s creation, precious and sacred in His eyes
  • Make you feel motivated to become who you are meant to be, even if that change is hard
  • Show you that you are not alone

God’s Voice Will Never:

  • Make you feel worthless
  • Deny a biblical principal, especially Jesus’ example or sacrifice
  • Put something before God or His love for you
  • Make you feel ashamed
  • Refuse a second chance for forgiveness or a fresh start
  • Tell you to hurt someone else or do something that God wouldn’t do
  • Affirm something in you that goes against God’s will or ways
  • Make you feel like anything about you cannot be redeemed through God’s grace

I’m sure you could look through your Bible and think of even more examples–in fact, I encourage you to do so! The best way to know what God wants for us is to figure out what the Bible says about God’s character.

I believe that we both can stand up against the lies of the enemy. The lies that want to bring us down can be used by God to strengthen us instead.

You are needed. You are loved. You are more than any mistake, any embarrassing moment, any moment of guilt. God will take who you are at this very moment and transform you into the person you are meant to be. All you need to do is let Him.

Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

John 5:25

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Hope for when you feel your motivations shifting.

When I first published my book, I boldly declared, “If even one person is positively impacted through my writing, then it will all be worth it.”

What a humble notion, if only truly believed. When I first published the book, I received much more support and encouragement than I could’ve imagined. But as time went on and my circle had either read it, bought it, or forgotten about it already, I felt deflated. Yes, I wanted to believe that it would be enough for me if only one life was touched. In fact, I desperately wanted to live by that.

About a month went by and I was finally told the exact story I wanted to hear: A person who read my book and was going through a hard time was encouraged. A person I didn’t even know personally, in fact. And for a while, that was enough for me.

But today, while still incredibly grateful for those who have supported my book and for the ways God has used it to encourage others, I am left asking myself, “Why did I write this book in the first place? Why do I do what I do?”

How often do you go into a situation, perhaps a job or even a relationship, with the noblest of intentions, only to end up disappointed if not given the recognition or praise you had hoped for?

Better yet, how often do you reflect on your intentions before committing to something?

We are reminded in the Bible that intentions don’t determine everything. As the parable of the two sons goes, the son who doesn’t want to do the task but gets it done anyway is the one rewarded (Matthew 21:28-32). It’s not just the intention, but the follow-through.

However, while intentions certainly aren’t everything, but they are something.

The Bible also informs us that God knows our thoughts and the state of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). Therefore, even if everyone thinks we are doing something out of the goodness of our hearts, God will know whether or not that is true. Unfortunately, because of our sinful natures, we are often tempted to not do things for the right reason.

But the best part of intentions and actions going hand-in-hand is that God can use even the things that were not done out of the right motives. He can also help us redeem ourselves and be reminded of godly motives, perhaps ones we started out with, but lost along the way.

So today as I asked myself again, “Why did I write this book?”, I was reminded of a memory.

Young Hannah, sitting all by herself in the lunchroom, wishing someone with the right motives would come talk to me. Over the course of the year, I had already been approached by the pitiers, the ones just wanting a vote (what with the student body elections coming up), and the passers-by. And in the end, I was left alone, feeling worse than before.

In that moment, I knew I could never be one of those people. All I wanted was to genuinely be there for someone else, to help them finally feel seen and not alone anymore.

And now, as I think back to the ways this book sprang up out of surprising circumstances, truly inspired by God and the lonely times He’s brought me through, I am humbly reminded that yes, even one life is worth saving. My “sacrifice”, doing what I love, but perhaps for a smaller audience than I would’ve hoped for, is really a privilege.

Today, ask yourself what your intentions are, no matter what field or stage of life you are in. Don’t feel ashamed if your intentions aren’t what they used to be; we are all given the grace to start fresh again. Be reminded that no matter what you do, God will use it for good.

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16

To the Person Longing to Let Go of Resentment

Are you struggling with bitterness towards a person you used to love?

Dear Seeker of Peace,

Seeing their picture, watching from afar–or perhaps even up-close–and all you can feel is the deep seeded urge to find fault in them. Everything inside you churns with feelings that eat you from the inside–and now it shows.

You long for peace with yourself. They are the ones who hurt you, right? Yet somehow, your resentment feels much worse than what they did. It’s turning you into someone you don’t recognize anymore.

But what you feel isn’t hate–it’s lost love. Perhaps one-side, rejected love. Perhaps lonely, empty, disappointed love. Perhaps love that started off so strong, but fizzled or exploded and lays burnt, like your frayed expectations.

You never wanted to feel this way. Your love started off so beautiful, perhaps even reflective of the love Jesus extends for us to share. But now, it is broken. The only thing you feel is pain.

It’s pain and not hate because deep down inside, you still care very much. Somehow, seeing their name pop up in your notifications still brings a smile to your face. But even your smile feels broken. Used. Betrayed.

It’s okay to hurt.

It’s okay to cry.

It’s even okay to be upset.

But don’t let their mistake or insensitivity destroy who you are and who you are meant to be. It isn’t your fault that they hurt you, but it’s your choice to let it break you.

You are stronger than this. Strength doesn’t come in ignoring feelings; it comes from not letting those feelings control you.

We weren’t made to be bitter. We weren’t made to be vengeful. And we certainly weren’t made to hate–or whatever this is.

But we also weren’t made for seeking love from the wrong people. There is only one person who can satisfy this deep desire and make you whole again: Jesus.

His love will follow you all the days of your life and never leave you nor forsake you.

You will always be precious in His eyes.

Love,

Hannah

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

The End is in Sight

Have you lost your hope for the future?

When you read the title, you might’ve expected this article to be related to the “End Times” or the end of the world. However, I’m no expert on that subject (though who is?) and I’d rather focus on what we don’t have to speculate about.

The truth is, the reason why we long for the end and speculate about Jesus’ second coming is because life on Earth can be really stressful and unnerving. We feel stuck here, unsure where life will take us next.

So the real question is, how can we get unstuck?

Whenever I’m in a tough class, it encourages me to count down the days until the end of the quarter. Why? Because having a specific number of days, no matter how many, reminds me that the end is in sight. I know I won’t be stressed forever.

My answer to how we can get unstuck boils down to one word: Hope.

Hope is laughed at, scorned upon, and belittled in our current society. Yet I believe hope is waiting to be found, a glimmer of light that grows the longer we cling onto it.

Just as classes don’t go past their end date, we won’t suffer through seasons for an unnecessarily long period of time. And ultimately, we won’t be on Earth longer than we have to be either. God knows how many days until we’re with Him, and until then we are meant to make an impact right here, where we are.

When we get burned out, we forget to focus on the present’s generous offerings. Perhaps those offerings are a smile from a stranger or a moment of stillness or laughing with loved ones. Even the small moments of beauty and hope mean something.

If you are feeling stuck, step back and breathe. Remember that you will not be in this situation forever. Trust that no matter what life throws at you, you still have a reason to keep hoping.

Why? Because the God of the universe is in control and He will make all things right in their own time. Most of all, God loves you very much and will use you for great things.

And remember, no matter what, you are loved beyond comprehension ❤

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Peter 1:13

How Can a Good God Allow Pain?

Can pain actually bring deeper healing?

Out of curiosity and genuine concern, a friend of mine took a poll asking her followers why they choose to not believe in God, and the main result came down to this simple question: “How can I believe in God when there is so much pain and evil in the world?”

This is one of the trickiest theological questions of all time, likely due to the fact that while we can discuss pain at the intellectual level, it’s a completely different story when we’re the ones in pain or watching others suffer.

However, I hope to shed light on this subject in case you are on the fence about God these days. Many of my points are inspired by the book, The Problem of Pain, by C.S. Lewis, which I would highly recommend 🙂

The first step in Christianity is declaring that God is good and sovereign over our lives. But when a relationships falls apart, a loved one passes away, or even when a day full of humiliating mishaps occurs, we are left wondering if God even cares.

But C.S. Lewis argues (which I very much agree with) that the reason we have pain is because God cares. God cares enough about finishing what He’s started (us, His precious creations) to allow pain and suffering because He wants what’s best for us.

Think about it this way: When a potter is forming a masterpiece, will he leave it in a motionless, stable block on the table? No, of course not. Then the clay would just be a meaningless clump of wet dirt. The potter will pound out the air pockets, cut it into the right shape, and bake it to perfection.

Assuming clay has feelings, I’m sure the clay doesn’t enjoy the molding experience. But in the end, the clay has a purpose, a beautiful purpose, after going through the transformative process.

We are like the clay and God is like the potter. God doesn’t want us to stay useless. Our pain, our struggles, and ultimately overcoming those hardships creates a stronger, more faithful spirit within us. God doesn’t inflict pain on us, but He allows it in order to help us reach our full potential.

This, in fact, is what makes God loving. Loving someone isn’t condoning all their behavior. It’s about encouraging them to be who they are meant to be, even if that means going through difficulties or changing. It means being present through it all, just as God is for us.

God has done everything within His power (which is infinite) to ensure a wonderful future for us, an eternity with Him. But we must overcome the obstacles on Earth and carry on His legacy first.

The best gift we can have isn’t even Heaven–it’s being in a relationship with God, the most loving, perfect, and faithful being in the universe. Our pain often draws us closer to God, which is what it’s intended to do. By allowing us to experience difficulties, we are given the best gift of all–God’s comforting presence and understanding of our situation.

Now, like I said earlier, this can all be debated on the academic level. But when it’s personal, things feel a whole lot different.

Though pain has a purpose, it doesn’t make it easier to experience. If you are struggling today, you are not alone. You are loved and valued just by being here. You don’t have to explain your feelings or force yourself to feel “happy” about them. Rather, by being honest about how you feel, you can find deeper healing.

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:7-9

You Can’t Save Yourself

Do you feel ready to give up on God and turn to yourself when life gets difficult?

I firmly believe you have immense value, you are loved, and we should do whatever we can to encourage each other. But one thing I will never stand behind is the false belief that we have the power to save ourselves.

Usually, this lie isn’t delivered this bluntly. It’s packaged in phrases like “I am my own hero” and “I am the only one I can rely on” and “The only one who can help me is me“.

When we first get tempted to believe this lie, we may feel refreshed, happier than we’ve ever been. But over time, we become even more drained than before, wondering what went wrong, and having even less self-confidence than before.

How do I know this is true? Because I’ve tried it, my friend, and it doesn’t do any good.

A few years ago, I was in a situation that left me feeling rejected and unimportant. So where did I go with my wounded pride? Social media.

Scrolling through positive self-confidence feeds until all I could repeat were those mantras. I believe repeating positive phrases is important, but not when they cause us to fixate on ourselves and rely on false strength.

At the end of it, I felt invigorated, ready to conquer the world and bash all those people who had hurt me. I’m a better version of me now, I thought. I can do anything!

As time went on, I began harboring more and more resentment towards the people who made me feel less-than. My focus wasn’t on helping myself; it was on seeking revenge.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The best revenge is living a life worth being jealous of?”

No–don’t live a good, fulfilling life that way. Why? Because you can’t live an honest, purposeful life while constantly looking over your shoulder to make sure others are admiring it!

Live a life you are thankful for and proud of so that you can know you’ve made a difference in the world for the greater good…for God’s good.

So what finally got me out of this resentful, self-consumed mindset? Actually spending time with the people who had hurt me.

After one conversation, my feelings fizzled away. I was humbly reminded that I wasn’t the only one going through tough things. That yes, my feelings mattered, but they don’t dictate everyone’s lives and they shouldn’t be the sole ruler of mine.

That night, I felt stripped of any false confidence and strength I possessed before. Instead, I was convicted of the bitter, awful feelings buried in my heart.

Those feelings weren’t pleasant. I’d prefer not to relive them, even though I have been convicted of these things since then. But you know, by the end of it, I felt even better than I had before.

I was finally at the root of my problems. It wasn’t really about trying to improve myself; it was about the hurt and rejection I had experienced that led me to believe I wasn’t worthy in the first place.

But that just isn’t true, for either of us.

After admitting the core of my problems to God, I felt clean. I felt made new. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere in life.

Ultimately, I felt like God was using me again.

The saddest part about believing we can save ourselves is how it influences our relationship with God. God is the only One who can save us. He’s the only One who could’ve created us to begin with! So how can we possibly take credit for the work only our Divine Savior can accomplish?

It’s tempting to believe we are our only saviors when life doesn’t go the way we hope. It’s tempting to turn to positive mantras, colorful reassurances, and all the things that give us a temporary confidence boost.

But God never promises that life will be easy or that our prayers will be answered the way we hoped or within our timetable. God gives us a greater promise: that His will is going to be done, that He is always with us, and that we have nothing to fear.

I’m urging you now, before you become somebody you are not, to release your wounds and deep feelings to God. Allow yourself to feel disappointed or scared or overwhelmed with grief. Once you admit how you feel and that you are only truly strong through God, you will begin to feel better knowing that you are not alone.

Though none of us can save ourselves, you do have the power to help yourself. So help yourself today by resting and being vulnerable with Jesus, as well as those who also love you. I know that you can get through this, one step at a time. Remember, you are worth what it takes to truly heal ❤

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8-10

United in Christ

How do our presumptions about others hinder our witness for Christ?

Let me describe someone for you.

There’s a person here on Earth who has faced many trials, yet also many joys. This person breathes the same air as you, watches the sun come up each morning, and the stars as they dot the night sky. They have been created in the image of God and have a divine purpose.

You probably like this person, right? Or at least feel indifferent about them?

That’s because I haven’t really told you anything about this person. You don’t know what they look like, what their beliefs are, or even where they come from. All you can see is this person’s humanity.

Now, what if I told you a few basics about this person? Perhaps if I told you their age or gender, it would elicit a few new perceptions about them. If I said they are five, you might smile. If I said this person is a man, you might picture someone who has either hurt you or brought you great joy.

With only a few basic characteristics, not even about the person itself, you already have assumptions about who they are.

Let’s dive even further. Say this person has spiky pink hair and several visible tattoos. Or maybe they wear torn, dirty clothes and no shoes. Maybe they have on a crisp business suit and sparkling blue eyes. Your mind is swirling with opinions about person, perhaps even an imaginary backstory.

And I haven’t given you a single detail of their personality or lifestyle or beliefs.

Imagine if I told you this person has the opposite political beliefs as you? Or maybe that they disagree with your faith or have a career you don’t respect?

Chances are, at least one of the qualities I’ve listed above would be a turn-off for you. And I don’t blame you, it’s part of our human nature to judge others.

But does that make it right?

Every single human being, regardless of their appearance, personality, or beliefs, has one thing in common: they are made in the image of God.

Going further, within the body of Christ, we have even more in common. We are united through the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean going forward?

First of all, it means that we don’t have an excuse to judge others, especially other Christians, without knowing the full story. Sure, we can’t help our subconscious thoughts, but we can take those thoughts captive and not allow them to influence our care and concern for others.

What if we saw everyone–regardless of their beliefs, the issues we disagree with them on, or anything that normally defines a person for us–as a fellow human being? What if we thought of everyone the way we did in my first description?

Think back to how you imagined that person. Another person like you with an extraordinary purpose too.

And what if that mindset influences the way you treat the people around you? That can only bring about beauty, I’m sure of it.

That is what it takes to foster intentional, compassionate community, and bring the love of Jesus on Earth. It takes seeing people as real, honest human beings.

I’ll leave you with one final story.

Last year, I asked a friend to pray for someone in my Bible study dealing with a difficult diagnosis. Unknown to either of them, they held the opposite political views as each other. All my friend knew about the person she was praying for was that she had pressing needs, also believed in Jesus, and deserved prayer.

I can’t help but wonder if her prayers wouldn’t have been as earnest and her concern so genuine if she knew of their differences. Would the person in need be any less deserving of prayer?

How often do we allow our disagreements and differences come before our call as followers of Christ? Our call to love everyone–yes, even the haters, the unjust, the ungodly–and present the truth of the gospel to the world. We all have the capability of being that way, even if we don’t want to admit it.

Yet Jesus saw us all as deserving of salvation and more importantly, His love. The least we can do is treat others as deserving too.

And trust me, this new mindset can make all the difference in the world. ❤

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3