When it feels like even the wind is against you – guest post by Dr. Gladys Childs

by Jennifer Slattery on August 14, 2025August 13, 2025

When It Feels Like Even the Wind Is Against You

You’re doing all the right things, but life still feels like a battle. You’re rowing, striving, praying, pressing forward. But the wind is against you. The resistance is real, and it’s relentless. You keep asking, “Why is this so hard if I’m following Jesus?”

Mark 6 tells the story of the disciples caught in a storm. It wasn’t a storm they wandered into by rebellion. Jesus Himself sent them into that boat. They were obeying. And yet the wind howled, the waters churned, and their progress stalled. Here’s what most miss: they were straining with all their strength, and Jesus saw them.

Let that settle in your spirit. He saw them straining and didn’t miss their suffering or effort. Jesus watched from the shore, not with apathy but with intention. He recognized the pain of obedience and the tension they felt from following His command while feeling stagnant. Such obedience, painful and slow, doesn’t go unnoticed by Heaven.

God sometimes waits not out of indifference, but to build something during the delay that wouldn’t be possible in ease. The disciples had witnessed Jesus calm a storm before, but this time He walked into it first.

It was the fourth watch of the night, the final stretch before dawn, when Jesus came. That’s the darkest hour, the moment most people give up. The time when your body is exhausted and your hope starts to flicker. And maybe, you’re in that hour right now.

But that’s when Jesus shows up, not waving a wand and not stopping the wind instantly. He comes walking on the very thing that threatened them. The waves that terrified the disciples became the pavement for His feet. What overwhelms you never overwhelms Him.

And Jesus could have stilled the storm from the shore. One word, one wave of His hand, and the sea would’ve gone silent. But He came closer instead. Because sometimes what your heart needs, more than immediate relief, is Jesus.

Jesus didn’t shout advice from afar; He joined the struggling disciples in their boat, calming the winds in that sacred moment. God doesn’t just focus on fixing our situations; He works to strengthen our faith. He’s not in a hurry to end the storm if it means deepening our connection with Him.

You may be in the fourth watch right now. The darkness is long. The winds haven’t let up. You’re still rowing, and it’s costing you more than anyone knows. Take heart: the One who sees is already on His way. And He’s not waiting for you to figure it out or fix yourself. Jesus comes near in the struggle.

Get to know Gladys Childs

About the Author: As the ‘Truth Doctor,’ Gladys meets people where faith and life collide—offering clarity, hope, and practical wisdom. As a pastor’s wife, author, speaker, former religion professor, and boy mom, I step into the mess where faith feels fragile, and pain runs deep, helping others find unshakable faith and lasting freedom. Learn more at gladyschilds.com. Follow on Instagram or Facebook.

Check out her book, Busting Barriers:

Whispering aches, a cavern craving meaning and purpose within you. There are barriers you can’t seem to move past. But you have the power to overcome them.

It’s time to shatter the barriers holding you back and boldly step into the abundant life God designed for you. “Busting Barriers: Overcome Emptiness & Unleash Fruitful Living” is not just another self-help book; it’s a transformative journey towards a deeper connection with God and a life filled with lasting joy.

This 45-day devotional, the first of a three-part series, is a guide to breaking through psychological barriers that keep us from living out the fruits of the Spirit. With scripture, practical application, self-affirmation statements, reflection, and guided journaling, you’ll be equipped to overcome the obstacles to achieving fruitful living and relationships.

Don’t settle for a life of emptiness and unfullfillment. Embrace self-care, spiritual transformation, and the fullness of God’s blessings. It’s time to start Busting Barriers and unleash fruitful living.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, worship leader and author Myshel Wilkins shares her journey through 8 miscarriages and the spiritual battle that followed. In the midst of grief, anger, and unanswered questions, she faced a defining choice: allow her pain to distort her view of God or anchor herself in what she knew to be true. With vulnerability and clarity, Michelle unpacks how intentionally defining God’s character became the turning point that sustained her faith, protected her heart from despair, and kept the enemy from stealing her calling. Together, we explore how suffering can either pull us away from God or draw us into deeper intimacy with and effectiveness for Him. Scripture referenced: James 1:2–5 Isaiah 61:3 Resource discussed: Arise, Shine, and Conquer: 40 Days of Courage for Women – Listen to God’s Voice and Find Victory by Myshel Wilkins Connect with Myshel Wilkins: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Living Unafraid in the Storms of Life – Guest Post by Grace Fox

by Jennifer Slattery on August 7, 2025August 6, 2025

(Note: This first posted on July 11, 2024.)

Living Unafraid in the Storms of Life

by Grace Fox

The bus on which I was a passenger cruised east through the rugged Rocky Mountains before turning north. We drove through miles of rolling sage-covered hills and acres of evergreens charred by recent forest fires, past lakes and log cabins, and alongside rivers and expansive ranches where cattle grazed.

I’d traveled this road more than fifteen times and always marveled at the scenery’s beauty, but this time I saw something different: ominous black clouds. I’ve seen rain clouds many times in my life, but they never looked like this. These hovered menacingly over the horizon like a big, bad bully daring us to approach. The only way to reach our destination is to drive through the deluge, I thought.

The likeness to our life’s journey astounded me. At some point, we all face those ominous black clouds, and we have no option but to drive through the storm: the loss of a loved one, an unexpected medical diagnosis, financial troubles, infertility, and betrayal, to name a few.

None of us choose that route. We’d all rather take a detour than drive through the onslaught. But here’s the good news: God’s children don’t go through it alone. And we can be confident this is true because of who God is.

God manifested various aspects of His character to mankind through His Hebrew names. Each name is like a facet on a cut diamond, reflecting a specific characteristic that gives us a glimpse of His glory and a better understanding of what He’s like. One of these names is Yahweh Shammah (pronounced “SHAHM-mah”). It’s found in Ezekiel 48:35 and means, “The LORD is there” (NASB).

It’s easy to read the meaning and say a simple, “That’s nice.” But, my friend, these words deserve more than a quick nod. Their truth contains the power we need to face the storm with courage that, no matter what it looks like, God is with us.

For instance, “the LORD” points to the one true God. There is no other like Him. He is the creator of heaven and earth. He alone is holy, mighty in power, and perfect in wisdom. He alone is sovereign over every detail of our lives. This is the one who is with us. It doesn’t get better than that.

The wee word “is” declares God as present tense. Because of who He is, the LORD has no expiration date. He existed from before time began, and He’s still present and relevant for us today just as He’ll be present and relevant for the generations yet to come.

“There” suggests everywhere. Look around—to the north, south, east, west. Look in your closet and under your bed. Stand in a valley and gaze at the hilltops above you. Look out an airplane window at the expanse 36,000 feet beneath you. Where is God? He is there.

“The LORD is there” sounds so simple, but it’s profound. When our life’s journey leads us around a bend where ominous clouds hover, God is already there, so we never need fear going through the storm alone. Of this we can be confident because of who He is—Yahweh Shammah.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

***

I recently interviewed Grace on finding courage through the names of God on the Faith Over Fear podcast. That episode will drop on the 16th. Watch for it! I know Grace’s insights will encourage you and strengthen your faith!

Get to Know Grace Fox:

Grace Fox is the award-winning author of 14 books and a popular Bible teacher at international women’s events. She’s also a member of the “First 5” Bible study writing team (Proverbs 31 Ministries), and a co-host of the “Your Daily Bible Verse” podcast. Her latest book, Names of God: Living Unafraid comes with video access and makes an ideal group study, taking readers into a deeper understanding of seven of God’s Hebrew names.

Grace has been a career missionary for more than 30 years. She and her husband have worked in Nepal, at a year-round Christian camp on an island off Canada’s west coast, and are now co-directors of International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency with 300 staff in more than 25 countries. They currently live fulltime aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Married in 1982, they celebrate three grown kids and 14 grandchildren.

Visit her on her website, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and follow her on her Amazon page.

Grace’s Latest Release, The Names of God: Living Unafraid:

Get refreshed and equipped with seven powerful names of God in this highly engaging and interactive devotional study (with FREE guided video content from the author)! Packed with fresh insights, word studies, cultural context, thought-provoking reflections, and practical action steps, these studies will give you a solid understanding of God’s character so you can find peace and hope amidst life’s toughest moments.

Our world is a scary place. Focusing on the chaos can paralyze us with fear, but instead, we can anchor ourselves in the truth of who God is, and live unafraid. The Living Unafraid devotional study will help you build an unshakeable foundation of trust in God by empowering you with God’s character as revealed through his names in Scripture. Each of the seven chapters in this devotional study book explores:

A powerful name of God (including pronunciation, scripture reference, translation, prayer, and a word study)
FREE accompanying video insights, accessible online (optional)
Key background information, in-depth overviews, and cultural context
Fresh insights, practical action steps, and eye-opening reflections questions
And so much more!

How to Use theNames of God: Living UnafraidBook & Video Study

Buy it HERE.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Finding the Profound in the Mundane – guest post by Nan Corbitt Allen

by Jennifer Slattery on July 31, 2025July 31, 2025

(Note: This first posted on May 18, 2025.)

When was the last time you were looking for one thing and ended up finding something else—maybe something you thought was lost? I know I have.

We were watching a TV show recently on historical world events. One of the topics, called “The Age of Discovery,” was about “The Silk Road,” a trade route overland from the Far East to the West that began maybe as far back as biblical times. Spices were the main goods in high demand in those days. When I heard that, I thought, “Really? Not goods and services that are required for sustenance, but items to entertain our taste buds?” I decided to do some research on this topic.

Once long-distance shipping became popular, the trade routes, like the Silk Road, took to the sea. Apparently whole empires were established and toppled for the love of spices. However, ships that set sail to find and bring back clove, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, and cinnamon, also discovered lands that had not been mapped before. Men like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama found the places we now call home.

What began as a quest for wealth in the spice trade brought monumental discoveries that changed the world. History tells us that the Age of Discovery ended when monarchs and explorers believed that most portions of the globe had been explored. In other words, they thought they had found everything to be found, so they quit looking.

My passion these days is to find profound discoveries in the mundane. I feel as though God has something to say to me, and through me (and I’m not likely to have a burning bush or Damascus Road experience), so I figure it’ll be in the minutiae of life—everyday things that will reveal Him and His message to me.

Jesus said, “…Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’] …will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:31 NIV). Generally He was telling us not to worry about temporal things, but He also said to keep on seeking. To me, that means I should keep exploring and continue my daily search for the Kingdom. He will lead me to new discoveries during those everyday ventures.

It is believed that explorer Sir Francis Drake wrote this prayer in 1577:

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

If we don’t keep seeking, we’ll never find everything that He has for us. And I’ll bet that we’ll find plenty of spice along the way, as well.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Nan Corbitt Allen has written over 100 published dramatic musicals, sketchbooks, and collections in collaboration with Dennis Allen, her husband of 45+ years. A three-time Dove Award winner, Nan’s lyrics and dramas have been performed around the world. Dennis and Nan have sold almost 3 million choral books. Nan and Dennis retired in 2020 from full time teaching at Truett McConnell University. They now live south of Nashville. They have two grown sons and two beautiful grandchildren.

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Nan’s book, Small Potatoes @ the Piggly Wiggly, is a collection of devotionals that reveal the great impact seemingly insignificant, routine experiences can have in our lives. She describes what she learned of God’s providence and wisdom while growing up in the Deep South in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Join the conversation: Are you ready to be “disturbed”?

If this post resonated with you, you might also enjoy my and Carol’s conversation in the Faith Over Fear episode titled: “What’s the Point: Trusting God’s Purpose When Life Feels Routine.“

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Choosing peace when relationships hurt- Guest post by Carol McCracken

by Jennifer Slattery on July 24, 2025July 23, 2025

Choosing Peace When Relationships Hurt

by Carol McCracken

I once had a conversation with a woman wrestling through a painful family conflict. She kept replaying her last interaction with a relative, analyzing every word and wondering what she could say or do to make things right. “If only they would apologize,” she said. “If only they understood how they hurt me.”

We’ve all been there. Conflict stings. And when we’re hurting, we naturally focus on what someone else should do to make it better. But the reality is, we can’t control other people. We can only control ourselves.

Romans 12:18 gives us a simple but challenging instruction: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” That verse quietly acknowledges a truth we sometimes forget—peace isn’t always possible. But it is always possible to do our part.

The friend I mentioned earlier eventually came to that realization. She couldn’t force the other person to change, apologize, or even acknowledge her pain. But she could make different choices. She chose to forgive. She stopped trying to control the outcome and focused on guarding her own heart. She set healthy boundaries and responded with gentleness, even if it wasn’t returned. And something unexpected happened—her peace returned. Not because the situation was resolved, but because she was no longer tied to the outcome.

There’s a strange kind of freedom that comes when we stop spinning our wheels trying to fix what isn’t ours to fix. We don’t have to be cold or indifferent. But we can step out of the emotional tug-of-war and simply say, “God, help me respond in a way that honors You.”

That may look like calmly stating a boundary. It may look like stepping back to pray before responding to a difficult message. It may even mean accepting that reconciliation might not happen this side of heaven—and grieving that reality while still choosing to walk in grace.

Peace doesn’t always depend on how the other person acts. Sometimes, it’s found in the quiet decisions we make to let go of bitterness, to speak with kindness, and to trust God to do what we can’t.

We can’t control whether others understand or respond well. But we can control our words. We can choose wisdom over retaliation. We can pursue peace, even if the road is one-sided.

And in doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ—who, even when rejected, still chose love.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reminder that it is possible for me to choose to live in peace, as much as it depends on me. Help me to accept my part may not completely resolve a matter, and to trust you to continue working in the situation.

(If your working through relational conflict, you might find this Faith Over Fear podcast episode on healthy conflict resolution helpful.)

Get to Know Carol McCracken:

Carol Ogle McCracken has been a Bible teacher for twenty years, serving on church staff and in women’s ministry. She currently serves as the Minister of Discipleship at her home church. She hosts the “Your Daily Bible Verse” podcast, cohosts the “Faith Over Fear” podcast, and provides daily inspiration on Christian Mix 106 web radio. But her greatest passion is to make the Bible come alive for women, connecting scripture to a real relationship with Jesus. Her book Wisdom, Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, is available on Amazon. Find her at http://www.CarolMcCracken.com.

Check Out Her Book, Wisdom: Where to Find it if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had it:

Wisdom is not hidden-but you may need a map to find it. If you think the only wisdom contained in your body is in your wisdom teeth, you aren’t alone. These days everyone has an opinion or answer for everything. But where do we find the right kind of wisdom? Is there a difference between our wisdom and God’s wisdom? And how can we make wise decisions when the world wants an answer yesterday? From Genesis to James, this short book will teach you biblically proven techniques to help you make wise decisions amid the busyness of everyday life. All the scripture is contained in this compact book. Enjoy some thought-provoking questions that are perfect for you to wrestle with on your own, with a friend, or as part of a small group.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Healthy Biblical love for the hurting

by Jennifer Slattery on July 17, 2025July 17, 2025

(Taken and adapted from one of my video devotions shared to Crosswalk Plus Subscribers; used by permission.)

As a recovering co-dependent, learned, in part, from unhealthy faith communities, I’m struck by Jesus’ intentional delay in John 11. Upon learning of a friend name Lazarus’s terminal illness, instead of rushing to heal the man, “he stayed where he was” preaching and teaching for “two more days” (John 11:6, NIV).

He knew how much Lazarus was suffering. He also knew the intense grief the man’s two sisters would experience upon their brother’s death.

Had I been them, I probably would’ve been angry at Jesus for not hustling to my aid. I might have felt like He didn’t care about my or my loved one’s pain. Yet, Scripture tells us in John 11:5 that Jesus loved Marth and her siblings. Other places in the Bible, including the account of His crucifixion, reveal in Him a love more deep and pure than we’ll ever experience from other humans.

But He still allowed His close companions to suffer, even though He had the power to alleviate their pain.

Note: God’s delays never stem from indifference.

When we read the full account, we realize He did this to bring about a greater work—the deepening of their faith in Him and the eternal life He offered.

This reminds me that I can feel intense empathy, and can grieve with the grieving, but that doesn’t mean it’s always helpful to act on those feelings.

Sometimes, my desire to “fix” a person’s situation can make it worse or stunt their growth by alleviating the difficulty God wants to use for their transformation and freedom. When I do that, I’m often motivated by selfishness. I’m uncomfortable with their discomfort and want to bring us all to a place of happiness and peace.

My angst over someone else’s pain doesn’t entitle me to interfere with God’s plan.

But as today’s passage demonstrates, sometimes our wisest and kindest reaction is to simply remain present with someone else in their pain. Our empathy is a holy and right reaction, but not necessarily a call to action.

Here’s an important fact with which I’m learning to wrestle: Codependency often becomes control disguised as care.

Our best response, then, is to seek God’s wisdom and patiently await His instructions, knowing that He, not us, is the Savior. Sometimes, He’ll encourage us to help in tangible ways. Other times, He’ll invite us to simply be—present, gentle, prayerful, and empathetic. While this can feel uncomfortable in the moment, our courage to follow His lead increases when we remember His tender and compassionate heart for each of His children and His perfect knowledge of their deepest needs.

I’d love to hear from you! When have you sensed God asking you to simply remain present, how did you respond, and what was the result? I’d also love to hear the converse—times when the Lord nudged you to physically or financially care for someone in need? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Dismissing the Things of God

by Jennifer Slattery on July 10, 2025July 9, 2025

Quote from Billy Graham with woman gazing toward the horizon.

(Note: This first published on September 23, 2021)

We can always find a reason to discount the things of God. Especially if there’s a call to action attached. We love the miraculous, to know that the God of creation loves, provides, and cares for us, so long as He comes on our terms.

And if not, we can find plenty of reasons to close our ears. We all have this tendency, and when we step out in faith, we’ll probably, on occasion, experience negative or dismissive reactions from others.

When that occurs, we can become offended, feel defeated, or remain focused on Christ.

When God first called me into writing and speaking, my “credentials” were far from impressive. Though I had earned my GED and taken nearly two years of college classes, I was a largely uneducated high school dropout, former homeless girl. My love for Scripture certainly didn’t qualify me as a theologian, nor would the hours I spent doing housework and homeschooling my second-grade daughter appear notable in an event brochure bio.

In fact, I can’t remember how I was introduced the night I delivered my first paid presentation. It was that unimpressive. And while God overwhelmed me with His presence, His Spirit, and perhaps most beautifully of all, His pleasure, once the event concluded, everyone left, I reflected on all that had occurred.

The positive…

The peace I felt once I began to speak.

The awe of knowing knowing, despite my lack of experience and education, Christ had chosen to use me.

The joy of experiencing His Spirit flowing first in me and then through me.

But I thought about the negative as well—the sting of shame I felt after one presumably successful and prestigious man, with a word and look of disdain, discounted everything I had to say.

Leaving me feeling discounted, like a fool who should have stayed home doing dishes.

“Why did that church choose me, Lord? Out of all the people they could have booked? Those with bachelor degrees, decades of ministry experience, and a string of titles behind their names? They probably had plenty others much more qualified in the audience while I spoke.”

God’s inaudible response swept through my soul. “You are their excuse.”

His statement, though undeniably clear, stung and left me confused. Like He’d given me a directive of some sort without any indication as to how to live it out. Scripture speaks of God choosing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Did that mean I was to remain untrained and inexperienced?

And yet, I knew in my soul that wasn’t the case.

Now, over a decade, a college degree, and years of ministry later, I now understand. God’s statement–and that man’s discounting behavior on the night I felt so insufficient–hadn’t been about me at all. God was helping me to see mankind with new eyes, with His vision.

Our eloquence and evidences won’t matter to the one who’s already determined to reject God’s truth.

As Jesus told His disciples, and therefore, us as well, “If the world hates you”––mocks or rejects you or disregards and minimizes what you have to say–– “keep in mind that it hated Me first” (John 15:18).

There were many who saw the miracles He performed. Who were there when He fed thousands from one boy’s lunch. People who had watched Him cast out demons, bring sight to the blind and mobility to the lame. Men and women who were amazed by His teaching, but ultimately, found ways to discredit the deepest and most transformative truth He shared:

That He was God’s Son, the long promised Messiah, who came to bridge the gap between God and man.

In John chapter 7, midway through one of the most joyous and reflective festivals on the Jewish calendar, Jesus stood up and began to teach. Verses 15-17 state, “The people were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having studied?’ Jesus answered, ‘My teaching is not Myown. It comes from Him who sent Me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own” (NIV).

This was a powerful and telling invitation. The questions Christ evoked within His listeners would drive some to investigate further, ultimately leading them to life. But those same questions would cause others to turn away.

As a good number of them did, some vehemently speaking against Him while others chose to remain stuck in their ambiguity. They “began to ask, ‘Isn’t this the Man they are trying to kill? Here He is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to Him. Have the authorities really concluded that He is the Messiah? But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where He is from.”

Here’s what I find sad. The people could’ve easily found answers to all their questions. Their doubts and uncertainty could’ve drawn them to unshakable, life-changing truth, to the One who is truth. Instead, they let what could’ve been an avenue to faith become a barrier between them and Christ.

Largely, out of fear. (v. 13)

Unfortunately, there are times when I act the same. While I’ve accepted God’s big truth regarding salvation, I can stumble on His leading in my day-to-day. When my fears rise up, I’m tempted to discount that nudge from God, that call to obedience, to sacrifice. Allowing myself to be held captive by the unknowns and uncertainty instead of accepting Christ’s invitation to step out in faith.

Lord, help us to see every question, every doubt, and every unknown as an invitation to greater understanding and deeper intimacy with You.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Trusting God With Our Heaviest Burdens

by Jennifer Slattery on July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

(Note: The below post was taken and adapted from one of my former Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episodes. Used by permission.)

Some days feel super heavy, like we’re lugging around a backpack full of bricks. When I land in that place, I’m often tempted to disengage. To numb my emotions watching social media reels or clean comedy. But I’m learning to “unload” my burdens by turning to God, seeking His perspective, resting in His comfort, and anticipating His care. In essence, to trust Him to be the attentive Father described in Psalm 68:19, which states, Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Most Bible scholars believe ancient Israel’s second King, David, wrote this verse and the passage surrounding it when he and the Israelites were bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. This sacred wooden chest, which had remained with the people from when they first became a nation, until the time of Saul, symbolized God’s presence and covenantal relationship with His people.

According to Hebrews 9:4, “This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.”

These items served as continual reminders of God’s faithful care.

A jar of manna, the honey-flavored wafters that God rained from the sky, daily providing for His people’s needs as they wondered through the desert. As God’s children gathered the delicious manna each morning, He was teaching them to rely on and trust in Him. Glancing about the barren landscape, without a village or lush oasis in sight, their eyes might’ve told them they were destined to starve. But they didn’t, and wouldn’t, because God was their Provider.

The ark also contained Aaron’s staff, which demonstrated that Aaron and his leadership were blessed by God. This also showed God was invested in their leader, which meant He was invested in them. Although they’d rebelled against Him again and again, He remained faithfully by their side, guiding them supernaturally through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and through Moses, Aaron, and their sister Miriam as well.

They might not have always liked where God led them, but even in their grumbling, they could always rely on God’s guidance.

Finally, the ark contained the stone tablets God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, when He was first forming the people into a nation. On them, God told His children, recently rescued from a sinful, pagan, and idolatrous land, how to live and love Him and one another well.

Then there was the lid of the ark, called the mercy seat, which played an integral part in helping the people retain a relationship with their holy God. Each year on the day of atonement, the priest entered the most sacred part of the Temple, where the ark was kept, and sprinkled it with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Through this, the people received forgiveness for their sins and retained their covenantal relationship with God.

That was the only way to have their sins absolved.

Considering all this, you can understand why the nation was so distraught when their enemies stole the ark. And their joy once they got it back.

Their Savior, Protector, and Provider was among them once again.

Just as, through Jesus, God’s presence remains with us. Those tablets pointed to the Messiah who alone fulfilled the demands of the covenant. He’s also our bread of life who daily nourishes and strengthens us. And He’s our leader, our good shepherd, who goes before us, comforting us with His rod and His staff. Most importantly, He’s our only means of atonement. The ultimate sacrifice for our sins and the only way we experience forgiveness and a close relationship with God.

A relationship where He invites us to unload our burdens, whatever they are, onto His strong shoulders. Knowing our faithful, covenant keeping God can be trusted to manage well whatever we give Him. He’ll manage our burdens much better than we can, in fact.

If this post resonated with you, you might find my latest Bible Reading Plan on the YouVersion app helpful.

When we are hurting or going through a difficult season, we might feel alone and abandoned. It might feel as if God isn’t listening to our cries for help or that He doesn’t care about our pain. Yet, throughout Scripture God communicates that He is with us, sees us, loves us deeply, empathizes with our pain, and still has good plans for us. He invites us to draw close to Him in times of hardship, receive His comfort, and hold tight to His unchanging truth.

Find it HERE.

Fighting for Your Heart When Suffering Pulls You Toward Despair – Faith Over Fear

Fun way to win great stuff!

by Jennifer Slattery on June 28, 2025June 28, 2025

Hey, friends,

Help me celebrate my next release! Because book releases should always be fun and exciting, I’ve decided to celebrate the Rancher’s Secret Daughter’s Debut into the world of reading with a fun trivia give away! Here’s how YOU could win the below books (and the Love Inspired compilation is a two-for!) along with a $50 Amazon Gift Card! To buy even more books. Or makeup, candy, puppy treats–whatever. 😉 Please read the details below careful as you must follow the directions to get entered into the drawing.

The first person to earn 100 points wins!

Here’s how to earn points!

Send your answers to me through this form.

Find my book baby, the Rancher’s Secret Daughter, out in the wild, snatch a picture, share it on your personal social media feed(s), mention where you saw it and tag me (so I see your post) for 30 points (for each social media platform you share it on, for a maximum of 60 points). **Please note, you can complete this or option two but not both.
Purchase the book from a store of your choice (online or in person) take a picture of yourself reading it, share it on your personal social media feed(s) and tag me (so I see the post(s)) for 30 points (for each social media platform you share it on, for a maximum of 60 points). **Please note, you can complete this or option one but not both. This second option is provided for those whose local stores don’t carry the book.)
Five points for each question you answer correctly (Note: you can find the answers here on my website.):
- Name four unique places in/on which you can find my writing.
- What umbrella organization do I podcast under?
- Name 3 resources I recommend for those wanting to experience increased peace and decreased anxiety and fear.
- What is the name of the woman who often proofreads my blog posts?
- Who is Alice Goddard?
- Where are my Love Inspired novels set? (Hint, they’re all set in the same area.)
- Name two recent Faith Over Fear podcast episodes.
- Why do I believe it’s possible to experience joy in any circumstance?
- What city did Sara/Sarai and her husband depart from when God called them to follow Him to an unknown location?
- What color is Paige Cordell’s hair?

How God heals regret and restores joy

by Jennifer Slattery on June 12, 2025June 14, 2025

(Note: This was taken and adapted from one of my Crosswalk Premium Devotional Videos. Used by permission.)

Do you ever find yourself rehashing past mistakes? Maybe your adult son or daughter has become enslaved to self-destructing behavior, and your mind keeps replaying all your parenting regrets. Or, maybe you’re trying to repair a marriage damaged from years of neglect and your heart aches for the relational intimacy lost.

As someone who’s been on a healing and growth journey for a long, hot minute–out of necessity!–I understand the sting of regret.

When I focus on my mistakes, or all I’ve lost due to the mistakes of others, however, I quickly land in a place of despair. When I instead focus on, and make much of, the love, heart, power, and grace of God, working in and through me, I’m filled with hope and the reminder that He excels at rebuilding the rubble in our lives—as He did with the ancient Israelites some twenty-five hundred years ago.

After seventy years of living in exile, due to their idolatry and wickedness, they had returned to their homeland in Jerusalem, which their enemies had reduced to rubble.

And so, by the miraculous hand of God, they began the task of rebuilding what, in essence, evil nearly destroyed.

Eventually, under leaders named Ezra and Zerubbabel, they rebuilt the Temple. This brings us to the time period recorded in the book Nehemiah, which chronicles when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help the ancient Israelites rebuild the city’s walls.

They complete this massive undertaking in chapter 6 and the people and leaders are redistributed throughout the land—to avoid overcrowding in Jerusalem.

Once everyone was settled, Ezra, Nehemiah and the Levites gathered the people for a celebration and public reading of Scripture.

Hearing God’s word, the people became grieved by all the ways they’d dishonored the Lord, and as today’s passage states, began to weep. To which Nehemiah and the other religious leaders replied:

“This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 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 LORD is your strength.”

In other words, “Now is a time for celebration, not weeping, to praise the Lord for all He’s done to restore His people and their land.”

They encouraged the people to receive and celebrate God’s lavish and abundant grace.

May we learn to do the same. We can’t go back and undo or change the past, but we can rest in the redemption given us in Christ and move forward empowered by His Spirit at work in us.

We can learn to receive, and live deeply anchored in His grace, knowing that His mercies are new every morning, and He is, at every moment, rebuilding, repairing, and restoring what sin and our world’s evil threatened to destroy. In my experience, this is a lifelong process of bringing our hurts, insecurities and regrets to Christ, sitting in His presence and allowing His love to wash over us, and consistently choosing to His truths, such as that we’re His beloved children, to wash over us.