Rachel Britton

When the day ends in worry, regret, or painful memories, Isaiah 65 points you to God’s promise of renewal. This devotional reminds you that your Creator is still making all things new, even as you rest tonight.

Sometimes friends and members of our families can be hard to love, or even to like. As Christians, we know that the Bible teaches us to exhibit love for a broad range of people — our neighbors (Matthew 22:39), other believers (John 13:34), and even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Our friends and family are included within those categories. But often, those closest to us are the hardest to love.

Difficult situations, differences in opinion, personality clashes and contrasts in the way we communicate are just some of the things that can lead to conflicting emotions within ourselves. We know we should be kind, patient, respectful, non-judgmental, forgiving and more — all of which are an expression of love. Instead, we find ourselves frustrated, annoyed and angry, resentful, critical, unforgiving.

So, how do we love those of our friends and family who are hard to love? We can begin with prayer.

When your mind won’t rest and worries take over, remembering God’s faithfulness can quiet your heart and lead you back to peace.

The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been met with mixed emotions. Some are excited about the possibilities, while others worry about the loss of jobs and the spread of misinformation. But this is not the first time a technological advancement has challenged us. Let's look back to the 15th century to gain a faithful perspective. 

The world can often feel like it is against us. Whether it comes through personal relationships, challenges at work, or the headlines on the news, trouble seems always close at hand. Jesus told us: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

So how should we respond to hostility, opposition, or hardship? We can learn from the example of Daniel. Taken into captivity by the Babylonians, living in a pagan culture with values unlike his own, one could say the world was against him. Yet from his life, we discover how to pray in the midst of trouble.

We can draw four lessons from Daniel’s story to apply to our own lives.

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Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or just plain lost when it comes to your ministry role? Do you feel like ministry is something reserved just for men? The Bible says that ministry, serving God and others, is for all believers. And women need four things to be able to thrive in their roles.

Overall, we are not attracted to perfection in human beings. Instead, we are drawn to people just like ourselves who have imperfect families and difficult relationships, whose homes are messy. So how are we to understand Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”?

Didn’t Jesus tell us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble”? Didn’t Jesus say that “wars and rumors of wars” were a sign of end times and his return (Matthew 24:6-8)? And yet, the Bible doesn’t leave us with this sense of unrest. It does the opposite. The biblical view is to seek peace. 

To help us understand how to pray, we must first ask what does the Bible teach us about praying for our leaders? Paul in his letter “urges” Timothy to make prayer a priority for those in power. Four different types of prayers are mentioned — petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving — again emphasizing the significance of prayer in all its variety.

Jesus was a regular guest in other people’s homes. Jesus ate with those who were important (Luke 7:36, 11:37, 14:1), those who were his disciples and followers, (Luke 10:38), and those who were considered outcasts in society (Matthew 9:10, Luke 19:1-5).

When we can think of Jesus being a guest in our homes, a popular quote might come to mind. Perhaps it hangs as a plaque in your dining room. It says “Christ…the unseen guest of every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.” Yet, as seen in the Gospels, Jesus was far from silent during the meals he attended. He used these times to minister, teach, and wisely admonish. At some meals, we learn how people reacted to Jesus. Other times we are left not knowing and wondering how they took his words.

As we look at who Jesus ate with, we can consider how we would respond if Jesus were a guest at our table this Thanksgiving. But first, it is helpful to be aware of some of the cultural details associated with meals in Jesus’ day.

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The Hebrew word for courage is hazaq and means “to show oneself strong.” In this sense, courage is a response. To show oneself strong comes in many forms: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

We are to show ourselves strong when feeling discontent and facing life’s challenges – large and small, global and individual. We are to show ourselves strong when afraid and feeling insecure, and when we are alone. These are, of course, only a few situations in which we are to be courageous. Whatever the circumstances, being courageous is responding in obedience to God’s promises of protection.

As Christians, it is our duty to be courageous because God requires this reaction from us. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” However, being courageous is not something we do on our own; it is because God promises to be with us. “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

In contrast, being cowardly is listed alongside the unbelieving, murderers, and liars (Revelation 21:8). Cowardice means to be fearful and to not trust God. It is fitting that when we look to the Bible to find courage, numerous verses tell us over and over again to not be afraid. It is also to be noted that trust and fearlessness are mentioned together: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid” says Isaiah 21:2, and “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” says the Psalmist in Psalm 56:3.

Use these prayers to help you respond with courage, faith and in obedience to God.

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Those who trust in God can rely on His promises. They are for us as individuals and God’s people as a whole. These promises assure us of God’s goodness when we have faith in Him. They are for our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.