When winter rolls around, soup tends to dominate every list of cold-weather meals. While there’s certainly a place for pumpkin and minestrone, sometimes you want something a little more substantial.

If you’re looking for easy meals that warm the whole family from the inside out, here are five comforting winter dishes that aren’t soup, but are just as cosy.

1. Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

There’s something about a slow-cooked meal that feels like winter.

Tender beef, mushrooms and a creamy sauce served over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta makes this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best part? Most of the work happens while you’re getting on with your day.

Why families love it: Minimal prep and plenty of leftovers.

You’ll Need:

How to Make It:
Place the beef, onion, mushrooms, garlic, stock, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 7–8 hours. Stir through the sour cream before serving. Serve with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.

2. Cottage Pie

A classic for good reason.

Seasoned mince topped with creamy mashed potato and baked until golden is comfort food at its finest. You can even sneak extra vegetables into the filling without anyone noticing.

Why Families Love It: Budget-friendly, filling and freezer-friendly.

You’ll Need:

How to Make It:
Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash with butter and milk. Meanwhile, cook the onion and mince until browned. Add carrots, peas, tomato paste and stock, then simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a baking dish, spread mashed potato on top and bake at 180°C for 25–30 minutes until golden.

3. Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake

This is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

Combine chicken, rice, vegetables and a creamy sauce in one baking dish and let the oven do the rest.

Why Families Love It: One-pan cooking means less washing up.

You’ll Need:

How to Make It:
Combine the chicken, rice, stock, vegetables, cream and garlic powder in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 180°C for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with cheese and bake for a further 15 minutes until golden.

4. Spanish Eggs

Looking for something hearty that’s also quick to make? Spanish Eggs is a one-pan dish where eggs are baked in a rich tomato sauce with capsicum, onion and warming spices.

Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every last bit of sauce.

Why Families Love It: Quick, budget-friendly and all made in one pan.

You’ll Need:

How to Make It:
Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the onion and capsicum until softened, then add the garlic and paprika. Stir through the tomatoes and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Make six small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook until the eggs are set to your liking. Sprinkle with herbs and serve with warm bread.

5. Apple Crumble

Winter warmers aren’t only about dinner.

A simple apple crumble served fresh from the oven with custard or vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to end a cold evening.

Why Families Love It: Simple ingredients, minimal effort and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

You’ll Need:

How to Make It:
Place the apples in a baking dish and toss with the brown sugar and cinnamon. In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar and melted butter to form a crumble topping. Sprinkle over the apples and bake at 180°C for 35–40 minutes until golden.

A Different Kind Of Winter Comfort

Soup may be the traditional winter favourite, but it’s far from the only option. Whether it’s a hearty cottage pie, a creamy chicken bake or a warm apple crumble fresh from the oven, comfort food is really about gathering around the table and sharing a meal together.

Winter has a way of drawing us back to the table. And sometimes, the simplest meals become the moments we remember most.

This article was researched and prepared by Hope 103.2 staff writers, with assistance from AI in its presentation. Final review and fact-checking was undertaken by our Digital Team prior to publication.

Feature image: Canva Pro

In Australia, one in seven women will get breast cancer, and while survival rates beyond five years post-remission have improved, the number of cases has increased and younger women are being diagnosed.

In Conquering Breast Cancer, filmmaker Sue Collins explores the impact of a diagnosis and the scientific breakthroughs that are influencing treatment.

“Breast cancer is a really big topic,” Sue told Hope Media.

“But I knew so little about it.”

Ten years ago, after making films on palliative care and heart disease, Sue took a call from a young mum who said she was at high risk of breast cancer and wanted to use her experiences in a screening program to help other women on a similar journey.

“[A decade ago] there was a real sense of complacency around breast cancer,” Sue said.

“There’s so much fundraising and pink ribbons and everything going on, and this idea that it’s been solved, but it has not been solved.

“Women are still dying from breast cancer, so there’s a lot of work still needing to be done.”

Health educator Iman Zakhary works with patients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to make sure they can effectively access breast cancer services. In 2021, she received her own diagnosis and addresses its complexities in Conquering Breast Cancer.

“It was overwhelming,” Iman said.

“I have been checking my breasts since I was 40, [and I] was encouraging other women really to have their screening, so it was a shock.”

The amount of information patients have to deal with contributes to the overwhelm, and Iman believes women need both personal and medical assistance during this time.

“You really need support at this beginning stage,” Iman said.

“There’s so much information and it was really important that I keep my mind positive.

“Your mind is so overwhelmed and I couldn’t remember anything but it’s very important to go and have a second opinion, third opinion until you feel peace.”

For Iman, linking up with church community and other women who had experienced breast cancer made a significant difference.

Linking up with church community and other women who had experienced breast cancer made a significant difference.

“I am a woman of faith, and that really helped me,” she said.

“My body was very fragile but there were so many things that really helped me to hold on [to hope] and take one step at a time.”

Despite the challenges, both Sue and Iman believe there is reason for optimism. Advances in research, clinical trials and personalised treatments are creating new possibilities for patients.

“There’s so many advances in treatments which are having a huge impact on the outcomes for women,” Sue said.

“In Iman’s experience, doctors were changing the traditional methods of applying treatments so that she got a better outcome.

“There are things like immunotherapies [used to] target individual breast cancers and really design treatment specific to that woman and that’s where clinical trials and things like that become really important.”

Along with investigating the developing science behind breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Conquering Breast Cancer confronts the underacknowledged psychological impacts of the disease and where support can be found.

“The breast cancer community is so strong,” Sue said.

“Women should know that they can reach out to just about any breast cancer network and they will be surrounded by women who will open their arms to them.

“Women should know that they can reach out to just about any breast cancer network and they will be surrounded by women who will open their arms to them,” – filmmaker Sue Collins

“No one needs to feel alone when they’re going through this journey.”

Iman’s message to women is “don’t give up whenever you hear that you have breast cancer”.

“The future looks good.”

Conquering Breast Cancer is in cinemas now.

Our General Manager, Arthur Muhl, wanted to share a personal note with you about what our Hope Rising Appeal is all about and the impact we’re creating together.

June has arrived — with clear skies over Brisbane, a chill in the air, the added blanket on the bed and End of Financial Year fundraising requests.

And the truth is, Rise 96.5 isn’t exempt from that.

In fact, it’s a really important part of our story. Unlike commercial radio stations, we are licensed as a community station which relies heavily on listener support to stay on the air. Simply put, this place only exists because of the faithfulness of people like you and me over many years.

This June, our fundraising target is 1.7 million dollars. It’s crucial… but with your support, it will bring significant, substantive and life-changing hope to people in their moment of need.

Life makes the most sense when Jesus is involved.

Our world has become increasingly complex and messy and, for this reason, the need for hope is greater than ever before.

I was reminded of that recently when I heard Anne-Marie’s story.

She spoke about a time in her life where everything felt overwhelming — her husband battling alcoholism, her child struggling with an eating disorder, and the weight of carrying it all resting heavily on her.

In the middle of that, she found herself listening to Rise 96.5 when a song came on – “You Say” by Lauren Daigle.

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak And you say I am held when I am falling short And when I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours.

In that moment, something shifted. Through what Anne-Marie heard, she was reminded that she wasn’t alone. That there was hope. That she was seen.

I recently spoke with Anne-Marie. It was obvious to me that something positive and profound has taken place in her life. To think that the radio station played a role in that — it’s beyond compare and leaves me speechless.

It reminds me that God is reaching out to us in the middle of our hurt. And one of the ways He does that is through Rise 96.5.

The invitation is this: What can you and I offer that can help change the lives of people like Anne-Marie?

Whatever you decide to give, no matter the amount – know that every dollar given in faith has a return in God’s kingdom. Your gift helps to ensure that His love and the hope that we all need is heard louder and broadcast further than before.

It’s not the size of the gift that matters so much as the heart behind the gift given.

If you have any questions about the June Hope Rising Appeal, please visit our FAQ page or reach out to our office — I would genuinely welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for your faithfulness. And thank you for helping bring hope to Brisbane.

As this year opened with local unrest and worldwide conflict, a growing sense of instability and unpredictability took hold.

To better understand the impact of current events across our communities, researchers at McCrindle have researched our current responses to world events, comparing them with the ways we acted in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, publishing The Impact of Global Events on Australia’s Morale and Behaviour report.

“Taking the pulse of the nation matters because people matter. The best leaders understand people and this study provides the evidence needed to transition from reactive responses to strategic, empathy-based leadership,” the report stated.

From how Australians feel about safety through to their thoughts on electric vehicles, the report provides a window into how the community is responding to current events.

For more than a quarter of Australians the world doesn’t feel safe now

A sense of safety underpins strong communities, yet many Australians feel unsettled: 27% say the world feels unsafe, and concern about global conflict has risen sharply since 2023.

According to the report, “Younger generations are disproportionately affected by negative emotions, feeling more overwhelmed or scared than their older counterparts. This mirrors experiences from the pandemic.”

While most people feel safer close to home, this uncertainty can lead many to withdraw, spend less and stick to what feels familiar.

Building connection across our communities is essential in these volatile times.

Australians are divided on how long the Iran conflict might last

Behaviour is shaped more by perceived risk than present conditions, so expectations about the conflict’s duration reveal how deeply habits may shift.

Over a third of Australians (36%) expect the situation in Iran to stabilise within three months, while 28% anticipate instability lasting a year or longer.

Longer timelines can result in reductions in spending, investing and career moves as people try to manage their own risk.

Anxiety and frustration are higher now than in March 2020

Even though the Iran conflict is happening at a distance, it’s resulting in higher levels of anxiety and frustration than Covid 19 did for the average Australian.

While we might not feel as likely to be impacted by the unrest in Iran, our levels of frustration are higher, with 50% or Australians using the word to describe their current feelings about the conflict.

Younger generations are more likely to be feeling negative emotions

In Australia, Gen Z and Gen Y are feeling the impact even more than the older generations.

…people are changing what they do, reducing non-essential spending and travel and changing behaviour to support their own wellbeing through prayer, managing anxiety and turning off the news.

According to the report, “Younger generations are disproportionately affected by negative emotions, feeling more overwhelmed or scared than their older counterparts. This mirrors experiences from the pandemic.”

The majority of Australians are changing their behaviour as a response

While the conflict is happening on the other side of the world, the impact is being felt by Australian households and businesses every day. As a result, people are changing what they do, reducing non-essential spending and travel and changing behaviour to support their own wellbeing through prayer, managing anxiety and turning off the news.

“These shifts are important because they demonstrate a proactive focus on maintaining personal stability and resilience during times of uncertainty,” explains the report.

Even in these volatile times, the older generations are bringing stability to the country, with 36% of Gen X and 43% of Baby Boomers making no change to their routines.

The impact on cars and their drivers

It’s at the petrol pump that most Australians are feeling the impact of world events, with only 23% reporting no change in their driving habits due to petrol prices.

The pressure of rising fuel prices is also pushing more people to consider moving to electric vehicles either now or in the future, with 31% indicating that they are very open to making the switch and another 37% being somewhat or slightly interested.

What next? Leading through challenge

The truth is that with challenge also comes opportunity. Opportunity to do things differently, to engage communities together and to develop creative solutions to what is in front of us.

In the same way that Jeremiah called the Israelites to be fully committed to seeking the best for the place they were in, we too can choose to be wholehearted in bringing hope and life to our country even in uncertain times.

The report illustrates the opportunity we all face, to respond with hope and step up to lead those around us, in our families, workplaces and especially in the wider community.

In the same way that Jeremiah called the Israelites to be fully committed to seeking the best for the place they were in, we too can choose to be wholehearted in bringing hope and life to our country even in uncertain times.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

It feels like you have been waiting so long that it is dead and buried. But what if it isn’t dead? What if the dream is lying dormant?

Every March in the area we live in, beautiful pink Easter Lilies, also known as Belladonna Lilies, pop up.  They always catch my eye. They bloom for a season, then are gone until the next year. Just because I can’t see their beautiful flowers doesn’t mean they are gone forever. They are just dormant. 

Many plants have a dormant season, including Easter Lilies. The season’s flower dies off, but the bulb remains. In the bulb is everything that the plant needs to grow again, when conditions are right. 

A dormant season isn’t a waste. The bulb is deep in the earth, absorbing the nutrients that it needs. It’s removing waste from the season that’s been and preparing to grow again. Dormancy protects the plant from extreme temperatures and allows root development in preparation for the coming season. 

Our dreams are often like that. I have wanted to write for as long as I can remember. When I was in my teenage years, I used to write children’s books in my head, plan stories, and write poetry as a creative outlet. I wanted to write more publicly, but I never felt like it was the right time. As time went by, I would write journals, blogs, and stories. It was a way of processing, but I never published anything publicly until the last few years. 

When I think about why I didn’t do it before now, it feels like a season of dormancy. God was preparing me. Many things needed some work for it to be the right time, myself included. Ten years ago, I would have wilted at the first sign of criticism. I was too insecure to give my work to others for feedback, so I could improve. My self-image was so poor that I thought no one would care about anything I had to say. I was not ready to write then, and it would have crushed something so precious in my life before it even began. A season of dormancy has allowed for sustainability. 

Sometimes it feels so long since we had the promise from God or felt hope that the dream in our heart could be achievable, that we give up on it. We think it’s dead and buried, and there is no hope for us. Trust that there is a right time for you, and the waiting is enabling you to prepare. In dormancy, we can strengthen our roots, learn to trust God deeply, and work on ourselves. If you are waiting to start working towards a dream, consider that it may not be dead; it’s just dormant. 

Learning to recognise unhelpful thinking patterns is the first step toward healthier thinking.

By recognising these cognitive distortions, we can start challenging and changing them for a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Let’s explore some common unhelpful thinking styles and simple ways to reframe them based on evidence from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

1. Catastrophising

Catastrophising is when we expect the worst possible outcome, even if it’s unlikely. This type of thinking can escalate anxiety and prevent us from thinking clearly.
Example: If you make a mistake at work, you might think, “I’m going to get fired, and my career is over.”
What to Do: Ask yourself, “What’s the actual likelihood of this happening?” By evaluating the evidence, you can put things into perspective and realise that the worst-case scenario is rarely true.

2. All-or-Nothing Thinking

Also known as black-and-white thinking, this distortion means viewing situations in extremes, either everything is perfect, or it’s a disaster.
Example: If you don’t get everything done on your to-do list, you think, “I failed at everything today.”
What to Do: Recognise that most situations are not all good or all bad. Look for the grey areas and acknowledge small successes, even if things didn’t go perfectly.

3. Overgeneralisation

Overgeneralising means taking a single negative event and applying it to all future situations. This type of thinking can cause unnecessary pessimism.
Example: After one bad date, you think, “I’m never going to find a good relationship.”
What to Do: Ask yourself if this is a pattern or just a one-time occurrence. One bad experience doesn’t mean all future ones will be the same.

4. Mind Reading

Mind reading happens when we assume we know what someone else is thinking, usually in a negative way, without any real evidence.
Example: “They didn’t text me back, so they must be mad at me.”
What to Do: Check the facts. Instead of assuming, communicate and ask for clarification. Often, there’s a simple explanation.

5. Personalisation

Personalisation is when we take on too much responsibility for events or assume that things happening around us are a direct reflection of ourselves.
Example: If your colleague is in a bad mood, you think, “It’s because of something I did.”
What to Do: Remember that people’s behaviour often has nothing to do with you. Ask yourself, “What other factors could be at play here?”

6. Discounting the Positive

This happens when we downplay our successes or positive feedback, focusing only on the negatives.
Example: You receive compliments on a project, but dismiss them, thinking, “They’re just being polite.”
What to Do: Practice acknowledging your achievements. When positive things happen, let yourself feel good about them, no matter how small.

7. Emotional Reasoning

Emotional reasoning is when we assume that our emotions reflect reality. If we feel anxious, we believe that something must be wrong, even if there’s no real danger.
Example:“I feel so scared, so this situation must be dangerous.”
What to Do: Remind yourself that emotions aren’t facts. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean it’s true. Try to separate your emotional response from the actual situation.

8. Should Statements

“Should” statements involve setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves or others, leading to feelings of failure or frustration.
Example:“I should always be on top of everything.”
What to Do: Replace “should” with more flexible language, such as “I would like to,” or “It’s okay if I don’t get everything done today.” This allows for self-compassion and a more realistic approach.

9. Magnification and Minimisation

Magnification is when we blow problems out of proportion, while minimisation downplays positives or successes.
Example: You make a small mistake and think, “This is the worst thing ever!” but when you do something well, you think, “It’s not a big deal.”
What to Do: Look at the situation objectively. Ask yourself, “Am I seeing this for what it really is, or am I exaggerating or minimising?” Practising balanced thinking helps create a more accurate picture.

How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Helps

CBT is a proven, evidence-based approach that teaches us to recognise and challenge these unhelpful thinking styles. It works by helping us identify distorted thoughts, question their validity, and replace them with more balanced, realistic thinking. This approach has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress by helping us see situations more clearly and respond in healthier ways.

A Quick Tip for Change

Next time you notice one of these unhelpful thinking patterns, pause and ask yourself, “Is there another way to view this situation?” By exploring alternative perspectives, you can break free from automatic negative thoughts and create space for more balanced, realistic thinking.

With practice, you can reshape how you think, leading to improved mental health, better relationships, and a greater sense of well-being.

After helping launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man and redefining Disney’s live-action remakes with The Jungle Book, Favreau became the creative force who stabilised Star Wars during one of its more turbulent eras.

Following the divisive reception to Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, the galaxy far, far away largely retreated from cinemas and found new life on streaming through shows like The Mandalorian. Now, just under seven years after the last theatrical Star Wars release, The Mandalorian and Grogu finally brings the franchise back to the big screen. The result is an entertaining but safely familiar cinematic continuation of the Disney+ series that retains much of the tone fans love, while raising questions about whether Star Wars will ever evolve beyond nostalgia and comfortable storytelling.

Set after the events of season three of the streaming series, the film follows bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his adopted, Force-sensitive companion Grogu as they navigate the fractured remnants of the Empire. For audiences unfamiliar with the series, Din began his journey as a lone Mandalorian mercenary before becoming the protector and father figure to Grogu (affectionately known by fans as “Baby Yoda”). Across three seasons, the pair battled Imperial warlords, reunited Mandalorian clans, and restored Din’s standing among his people. In this latest adventure, the duo becomes entangled in a dangerous conflict after getting embroiled with the Hutt crime syndicate while trying to track down a wanted Imperial exile. What unfolds is an episodic, planet-hopping space western filled with shootouts, creatures, explosions, and classic Star Wars spectacle.

There is an undeniable joy in simply seeing Star Wars back in cinemas where it belongs. Favreau and longtime collaborator Dave Filoni clearly understand the aesthetic language of the franchise better than almost anyone working today. The film is packed with tactile practical effects, detailed creature work, and seamlessly integrated visual effects that homage the original trilogy’s textured universe. Spaceships feel weighty, swampy planets feel slimy, droids feel mechanical, and the action sequences carry a pulpy energy that recalls why audiences fell in love with George Lucas’s universe in the first place.

?????? 1/2 (3.5 out of 5 stars) – Michael Walsh, Christian Movie Critic

Pedro Pascal’s vocal warmth continues to bring an understated resolve to Din Djarin despite spending most of the film hidden beneath his beskar armour. Yet, as to be expected, the centre of attention belongs to Grogu, whose expressive reactions and childlike curiosity continue to endear audiences without descending into pure gimmickry. Their father-son dynamic remains the heart of the story and gives the film genuine emotional grounding. However, and somewhat frustratingly, for a film titled The Mandalorian and Grogu, you might expect the narrative to expand upon Grogu’s backstory and larger significance—which is arguably the franchise’s most compelling unresolved thread. Instead of pushing the saga forward in bold new directions, the film settles for delivering a self-contained, crowd-pleasing adventure that leaves our leads right back where they started.

The film is packed with tactile practical effects, detailed creature work, and seamlessly integrated visual effects that homage the original trilogy’s textured universe.

The result is a movie that feels almost too safe. Beneath the cinematic sheen lies what is simply a retooled fourth season of the streaming show with a larger budget and theatrical polish. The episodic structure often makes the narrative feel more like individual linked adventures rather than a fully developed cinematic arc. While refreshing in its refusal to overload audiences with exposition, the film simultaneously offers surprisingly little character progression or deeper world-building. Newcomers may feel dropped into the middle of an ongoing story with few guide rails, while longtime fans may be left wanting more substantial advancement for the wider mythology.

Beneath the cinematic sheen lies what is simply a retooled fourth season of the streaming show with a larger budget and theatrical polish

Still, perhaps there is value in that simplicity. At a time when many blockbusters feel bloated, cynical, or overly reliant on franchise complexity to set up sequels, The Mandalorian and Grogu succeeds by remembering that sometimes what works best is an earnest, self-contained story. It may not redefine the franchise, but it delivers an entertaining, well-crafted blockbuster adventure that understands exactly what casual fans want to see on the big screen.

Knowing the Way

One of the most memorable lines associated with The Mandalorian is the repeated phrase: “This is the way.” For the Mandalorians, this line represents identity, purpose, and commitment to a code larger than themselves. Din Djarin follows “the way” even when it costs him comfort, safety, and his reputation.

In a culture constantly searching for meaning, identity, and a place to belong, the Gospel reminds us that the ultimate path home is not found in a creed, a political tribe, or a philosophy, but in a person.

Throughout the Bible, humanity is also presented with a choice of paths. Scripture repeatedly asks whether we will choose to follow our own way or God’s way. Yet, unlike the uncertainty, confusion, and shifting morality often found in the world around us, Jesus makes an astonishingly exclusive and comforting claim about Himself. He does not merely point toward a helpful path; He declares that He is the way itself.

In a culture constantly searching for meaning, identity, and a place to belong, the Gospel reminds us that the ultimate path home is not found in a creed, a political tribe, or a philosophy, but in a person. Jesus invites people not simply to admire Him from afar as someone who lived long ago in a place far, far away, but to follow Him fully and personally in the here and now.

Check it out for yourself today: Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

What emerges is a quieter, steadier approach—one that begins with recognising the patterns that push us too far and choosing a different response.

There are subtle and not-so-subtle ways that I try to push past my limits.

These patterns point to striving to achieve or do more by overcoming my physical or mental limits.

I am reminded soon enough that going beyond my limits can only last for so long. There comes a point that not even another coffee can get the neurons in my brain firing when I am sleep deprived. If I try to push my limits for long enough, eventually my brain short circuits or my body crashes.

I actively fought my limits in a cycle of churn and burn for years in a demanding corporate job at a company with a high-performance culture. It took another cycle of burnout for me to come to the realisation that conquering my limits was unsustainable and required a significant change to break the cycle. For me, that meant stepping off the treadmill of a promising career trajectory at my previous company that I worked at for over a decade to taking on a less demanding job at a much smaller organisation.

It took another cycle of burnout for me to come to the realisation that conquering my limits was unsustainable and required a significant change to break the cycle.

Is there a better way than to constantly battle your limits? Is there an alternative narrative to that of seeing limits as deficiencies that inhibit you from achieving your full potential?

1. Acknowledge your limits

Acknowledge your limits to your capacity, energy and time, and how these fluctuate with different seasons of life.

I have come to terms that my days of boundless energy and high capacity are probably behind me. Gone are the days where I could bounce back quickly after a late night or when my available time is matched by available energy. The increasing number of white hairs on my head remind me that I am physically aging. A recent conversation with friends who are also in their mid-to-late thirties involved debating as to whether we would be classified as middle age. Time seems to slip through my fingers through each passing year.

There is grief in mourning the reduction in our capacity and energy that comes with age. I think back wistfully to my twenties when I had the capacity to be very actively involved in multiple ministries at church, run half marathons, work long hours in a demanding job, travel regularly and still maintain a social life.

What if limitations aren’t weaknesses that we fight but rather something we can graciously accept?

There is grief in mourning the reduction in our capacity and energy that comes with age.

There is a sentence in the Bible I think is really helpful. “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We won’t live forever. Our days are numbered. Our mortality could be the ultimate limitation – or it could be what helps us to live wisely and well in this world.

2. Flip the script and reframe your limits

“Finitude is an unavoidable aspect of our creaturely existence – you’re only human” Kelly M. Kapic

When I experienced a physical injury, it became a crash course in managing and navigating physical limitations. Breaking my ankle was a humbling experience as it meant that I had to rely on others to open doors, drive me around and carry things for me whilst I was crutches for weeks. I needed a physiotherapist to train me to build the strength and mobility to be able to walk properly again. I quickly learned that being physically incapacitated meant living with a level of helplessness with the loss of some independence. However, being dependent on others meant that I experienced the kindness of others who were willing to act as my hands and feet for me.

Our limits are what make us human. Limits are not deficiencies or weaknesses in our design but rather we are wired in a way that means that we need other people. We were made for community and connection with others. And as a follower of Jesus I would also argue that we are made for dependency on God and relationship with him.

Coming to terms with my creaturely human limits for me looks like no longer looking inwards and resenting my limitations. Embracing my God-given limits encourages me to look outwards to connect with others and asking for help in my neediness and looking upwards to Him upon whom my very existence depends on.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14

Reflection Questions

1. What is a mental or physical limit for you in this current season of life?

2. What are ways in which you try to overcome or fight your limits?

3. What would it look like to embrace your limits?

A nationwide Christian Freedom Survey of 10,808 Christians found an overwhelming majority (92%) say it is riskier today than five years ago to identify as Christian in Australia.

Australian Christian Lobby CEO and Index co-author Michelle Pearse said 73 per cent of Christians felt pressured to keep their religious beliefs private at work, online and in public.

“Nearly half (43.9%) of all Australians are Christians and find themselves living in a country where they are self-censoring, where institutions don’t feel protected, and our freedom of religion and speech are being eroded,” Mrs Pearse said.

The 108-page Index report ranks Victoria as the most restrictive State in the country for Christians followed by the ACT, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Northern Territory. Western Australia was the least restrictive.

Human Rights Law Alliance (HRLA) Principal Lawyer and ACFI co-author John Steenhof said a legislative audit found 74 Acts restricting Christian freedoms introduced in the past 25 years. Almost half in the past five years.

“Legislative overreach has tripled in the past five years, and the Index reports more than 40 cases of discrimination and persecution of Christians across Australia,” Mr Steenhof said. “Workplaces are among the most high-risk with education and healthcare the most pressured sectors.”

A majority (92%) of Christians surveyed said hospitals and healthcare workers were restricted or not free to operate according to their beliefs.

The Index makes 42 recommendations including for a Register to document anti-Christian incidents.

Other recommendations include restoring religious hiring exemptions for faith-based schools and institutions across all jurisdictions and ending compelled participation in abortion and voluntary assisted dying for healthcare workers and institutions with conscientious objections.

Mrs Pearse said Christian beliefs underpin our values, our democracy, our way of life and Christians should not be discriminated against, persecuted or made to hide their faith.

The Index is produced by the Australian Christian Lobby, FamilyVoice Australia, the Human Rights Law Alliance, CitizenGo, Canberra Declaration, and the Australian Family Coalition.

For many Australians, sport sits at the centre of everyday life.

For Jim Dahue, Executive Director of 360 Sports Australia, it is also a space where identity, purpose and belief take shape.

Jim shared how the ministry is working with athletes across the country, supporting them not only in performance but in who they are becoming along the way.

A global mission taking shape locally

360 Sports Australia sits within the wider Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an international ministry established in 1954 and now operating in more than 100 countries.

In Australia, the work is still relatively new. The ministry launched just over two years ago with a single full-time staff member and has since grown into a small team of four, working across multiple regions.

“We’re really wanting to disciple Christian athletes so they can be disciple makers in their realm of influence,” Jim said.

That influence can look very different depending on the person, from local community clubs to high-performance sport. The goal is not to separate those spaces, but to connect faith with everyday experience.

Supporting athletes in real environments

A key part of the ministry is mentoring. Athletes meet regularly with a mentor, often one-on-one, to talk through both their sport and their faith.

“We help them grow spiritually,” Jim said, “but also think about what it looks like in their specific sporting environment.”

So far, the ministry has worked with around 35 athletes in performance pathways, including young players identified by professional clubs. The group spans those progressing through junior systems to athletes close to top-level competition, as well as an Olympian and a world champion swimmer.

Mentors bring a mix of experience across sport, coaching and leadership, with a focus on consistent, practical support.

Building momentum across Australia

Growth is also happening through gatherings in different cities. These events bring athletes, coaches and community members together to explore the connection between faith and sport in practical ways.

The first gathering on the Gold Coast brought together more than 30 participants, from recognised athletes to people involved in local churches and clubs.

“It was fantastic,” Jim said. “We’re seeing people really catch a glimpse of the vision that God has for their life.”

Further gatherings are planned in Canberra, Albury, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with an emphasis on building connected communities rather than large one-off events.

Strengthening connections at the local level

Alongside mentoring and events, 360 Sports Australia is developing closer links with churches and local sporting clubs.

A pilot program is equipping people already involved in sport to think intentionally about their influence. In one regional example, around 40 Christians connected to a single club came together for training, exploring how they could support one another within that environment.

“I think historically there has been a bit of a division,” Jim said. “But we actually believe sport is a gift… both to enjoy and as a place to live out faith.”

A growing opportunity

As the ministry expands, its future depends on people choosing to be involved, whether as athletes, mentors or supporters.

“God wants us to glorify him in all aspects of our lives,” Jim said. “Sport is one of those spaces.”

For those connected to the work, the focus remains simple: not stepping away from sport, but bringing something deeper into it.

This article was researched and prepared by Rise 96.5 staff writers, with assistance from AI in its presentation. Final review and fact-checking were undertaken by our Digital Team prior to publication.