The concept of listening to our hearts — trusting our minds, our inclinations, our intuitions — when it comes to decision-making is foolish. Instead of trusting our ways, which are false and misguided, not to be trusted, it is far better to put our hope in the Lord, who is perfect and steers us the right way.

Whether the miracle has to do with healing sickness or infirmity and showcasing god’s power and status as Almighty God matters not; what matters is that the miracle isn’t merely coincidence, but rather a big sign or unlikely occurrence that, when it happens, makes people automatically think of God.

Many of us have received letters from mentors, parents, or others we respect issuing words of praise and offering special advice on how we can live well. Often, we treasure these letters, tucking them into a memory box or inside a frame so we can read their words again and again.

What we might not realize is we also have these words of wisdom from our heavenly Father, preserved for eternity in the pages of the Holy Bible. Not only do we have the gospels and the Old Testament, but we also have 21 epistles filled with God-inspired instructions on how to do life as a Christian.

If you’re among the minority who has finally finished reading the Bible—the prophets, the psalms, the proverbs, all the old stories about kings and kingdoms past, every one of the Gospels, and all the epistles from God’s called disciples—bravo! 

So now what?

There is a song I love that lifts up an interesting concept: God’s ability to give beauty for ashes. I’ve noticed sometimes there is great beauty, wisdom, and even joy to be found in those ashes. The last year or so, I’ve had an intense personal struggle in my household with one of my children. It has impacted everything in our home and caused a great deal of strain from emotional to financial and more.

But I’ve learned a great deal in this difficult time, and so today I offer that to you. From our heart’s capacity to love to an appreciation for the little things, here are six things I’ve learned when life takes a nosedive.

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Because He knows us so completely and intimately, we can trust that when we speak to our Father God, He hears us and cares about what we are going through. He might not answer in the way we wish, but He hears and He always answers.

There are many more hymns we can sing, read, and otherwise reflect on as we approach Easter. These are a good start. Whether you prefer old hymns or new, whether you count these among your favorites or others, we hope you’ll take a look at these above and use them to draw closer to the Lord as you consider the meaning and perfect gift of His sacrifice and salvation.

In the story of Judah and Tamar, God produced much good out of what could have been a great evil. Likewise, he does the same in our lives today and has done the same throughout history, using wrongs to draw people closer to Him where they belong.

They hurt you so badly it’s impacted much of your life, so badly you’re not sure you can ever forget, let alone forgive. Yet in your heart you know you’re supposed to forgive them. How is this possible, and why?

Or maybe it’s you who has done the hurting. You’ve righted the wrong as best you could, moved past it, turned your life around, made peace with God — and yet you can’t seem to forgive yourself.

All these things stand in the way of our ultimate peace and wholeness in the Lord: true reconciliation.

The Bible talks a great deal about forgiveness and its ultimate foundation, reconciliation. But what is reconciliation, what does the Bible say we should do about it, why do we need it, and what does it actually look like in real life?

One of the deepest comforts we have is that God is not only there, watching and handling it all, but that He hears us. The Bible contains so many examples of times God has intervened to help when all seemed lost. Certainly the prophet Daniel’s friends— Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—were beyond terrified when they were thrown into a furnace because they refused to bow to the Babylonian king. But they cried to the Lord, and He saved them (Daniel 3).

One of the neatest things I’ve realized is how many similarities there are between me and my dog, and me and the Lord – and how they often point to important truths.

Jesus offered tremendous grace by showing Himself to Thomas in response to Thomas’s doubts. He knew Thomas wanted evidence, and He confronted this by providing exactly what Thomas sought.

Jesus is both man and God, Word and flesh. And as such, it is no wonder He is both the mighty Lion of Judah and the meek and humble sacrificial lamb slain for the sins of the world.

Discover how incorporating a daily walk can profoundly enhance your spiritual journey, fostering self-discipline and a deeper connection with God. Explore the unexpected ways movement can cultivate solitude, aid in prayer, and even bring joy, transforming your Christian walk in remarkable ways.