Strong & Secure: 100 Devotions for Young Women

Coming April 22, 2025

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post For the girl who feels far from God… appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

Unlock 50% off all of Lynn’s studies, including kids!

If you’ve been wondering about beginning a study with your friends or starting a study with young people you love, ChurchSource has the best price of the season right now!

Have you ever needed confidence in a specific circumstance but it just seemed out of reach? You know the Bible says we have everything we need in Christ. So how do we live in that confidence in the uncertain situations we face? In this study, we look at six Fearless Women in the Bible who faced fear-filled circumstances and found the unshakable confidence to overcome them!

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What do you do when God seems to have vanished? When you have the decision to make, when your stability is shaken, when your sure-fire plan fails—when everything is spinning out of control…. Esther is the perfect partner for seeing our invisible God in uncertainty. She speaks to us when we run into limited control and resources. We find in her a strength we discover as we follow her process of listen, feel, do, and speak. She carved a pathway, not only with faith but with influence, for all women who find themselves walking through uncertainty. 

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Books to Empower the Kids in Your Life Understand God’s Love

Am I loved? Valuable? Smart? The questions can go on for as long as a girl’s imagination and self-image allow. She needs to know God’s love makes her enough.

Girls & women can give in to lies that how they look & how popular they are determine their worth. But as children of God, we can have confidence that we’re loved, secure, whole, & valuable because God’s our heavenly father.

50% OFF – Only $8.50

God calls us to live lives of joy, but sometimes we feel mad, sad, or scared. Managing Your Emojis, a 100-day devotional, teaches kids that God loves them no matter what they’re feeling, and Scripture can empower them to manage their emotions.

Learning to manage our emotions is a critical life skill, yet we’ve often missed equipping kids with these valuable skills before situations intensify into mental health issues. Managing Your Emojis helps kids discover emotional control and happiness from God’s love.

Now 50% OFF – Only $8.50

Plus, you’ll get FREE shipping when you spend at least $35 or more.

Find study guides for my tween and teen books here.

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post Unlock 50% off ALL of Lynn’s Studies (Including Kids!) appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

If you’re joining me here today from my Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotion Just Be with Me: How to Respond to Grief, welcome! I’m glad we’re here together. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, just click here for the devotion.

After I wrote this devotion, I reached out to some of my friends, asking them, What has brought you the most comfort when you’re grieving? If you’d like to read their responses, keep going! If you feel short on time, you can jump to the free resource 10 Ways to Help Someone Who is Grieving by clicking here.

I had no idea when I wrote this devotion or reached out to my friends, that I would have my niece pass away just a few weeks later. One of my friends listed below has had her mother pass away this week. We’ve witnessed just how much we need help when it comes to processing our grief. God was kind to nudge me in this direction; to help us right when we need it most.

Grief comes at us from all directions in all seasons of life. We need comfort when we suffer from disappointment. We need a deeper comfort when someone we dearly love dies. Grief comes suddenly and is a shock and other times we expect it coming. It is a part of living this life God has blessed us with. So how can we best help those we love, and communicate what we need, when we are grieving?

We Each Need Something Different

One thing I have noticed in talking with my friends is that the type of comfort they desire resembles both their love languages and their personality types. I’ve found the same to be true of myself. Some want to be held; others not so much. One friend wants to share all of her story; another desires simple tears and presence alone. My love language is acts of service, so I naturally feel loved when others offer their help.

Let’s look at what they shared:

What We Need When We’re Grieving:

• Presence: Amy shared that when she is hurting, she wants a friend near, making the time and space to be with her. Renee said companionship brings comfort; a walk, lunch, or coffee.

• Act: Counselor Michelle Nietert gives good advice: Instead of asking what can I do to help, choose three acts of service they can choose from. For example, could I take the kids one night this weekend, do a grocery run for you, or take the kids to school so you can stay in your pajamas one morning? If it’s an older person, you might give them choices like coming over for an evening, mowing the lawn, going with them to a doctor’s visit, or visiting with them while they sort through some difficult items.

Alicia agreed on practical help such as bringing dinner. She added: “Just do it, without needing permission or causing the person to have to navigate it. See something and do it. Offer; don’t ask. Simply be direct: “What time can I bring dinner?” This way the person doesn’t have to humble themselves. “I’m at the grocery store, what can I get you?” Bring a cup of coffee. These all speak love.

Grief depletes your energy. Small things like creating a grocery list zaps you. When people step in and do the ordinary things that suddenly feel like too much, it is so helpful.”

• Acknowledge: Suzie encourages us, that no matter how uncomfortable we feel, acknowledge our loss. Love puts others’ comfort before our own. Alicia agreed: “Acknowledge the pain. Words such as: “That is hard. That hurts” are restorative. Naming the pain can help the person feel seen and understood on days that could be especially hard like holidays or “firsts”.”

After my father died (Lynn), I wanted to talk about him. When people didn’t ask, it made me feel like he was forgotten…and so was my ongoing pain. Loretta says: “Show genuine interest and give people the opportunity and freedom to talk about the person or thing they’re grieving instead of avoiding the subject.”

• Purposeful Present: When Suzie’s brother passed away, she received a very intentional gift from her friends. This gift leaned into the grief with her and brought her healing and comfort. This purposeful present said, “I know this person mattered to you and you matter to me.” Loretta expanded on the present idea: “Take time to find out something that is meaningful that others may not take time to research, and gift it to the individual.  This may or may not be something in physical form. It could be a meaningful story or memory.”

• Don’t Identify: For me (Lynn), I don’t find it helpful when others try to identify with me as one who is also hurting by the pain. Sometimes I can feel like someone is trying to “one-up me”. “My story is harder than yours.” I heard this from others too. The one hurting has enough pain to bear. When we are speaking with the one grieving, hearing your story of similar pain in your life or even if the situation caused them pain as well as you, can cause the hurting person to have to bear the pain of the person sharing and their own pain as well. They are the one grieving, not the one in a position to bring comfort.

Amy added something similar: “Don’t make your response about yourself. Be sure you have grieved as you need to so that you can be a person who gives comfort, not a person who needs comfort. Process your grief with someone other than the one who also needs comfort.”

Or, as one of my wise children told me, “You may need counseling yourself.” It was true!

Loretta shared: “Allow someone to share their stories and experience without inserting your own unless you’re asked to.” If you’re like me, I think we think when we tell our stories, we are saying “Me too.” Maybe instead, we should just say, “Me too.” That may be enough.

• Remember: Renee said she loves cards; at the time of loss, in months that follow, a year anniversary of the loss, or a holiday without that loved one. She enjoys texts too. Simple ones that say: Just thinking about you, praying for you. Keep in mind that grief lasts long after others have moved on.

Loretta adds: “Send a card, note, or brief message to acknowledge someone after the dust has settled, the details have been addressed, and others are back into their routines.”

I have noticed that card sending seems to be going by the wayside. From my conversations with my friends, I think we need to hang on to this love giving tradition.

• Physical Touch: A real hug; one that lets the person exhale and cry is what Sheila said she needs. I recently re-read Tuesdays with Morrie. Touch, in even the simplest form, gave Morrie, who was dying of ALS, great comfort.

• No Timeline: Several of my friends shared the need they had to not be rushed. “When people try to fix my grief, it makes me feel like I have to hurry up. Yes, there is a time when you do need to move forward. Let that evolve, and don’t push a person to get there.” shares Julie. It can be hurtful when people make you feel there is an acceptable timeline for grieving.

• Safe Place: We’ve gotten used to people sharing so much on social media. Yet not everything needs to be, or should be, shared there. Alicia says she appreciates a friend who has the type of listening ear where she doesn’t have to “clean it up” before she speaks. It takes a lot of energy to pretend when you’re hurting. Suzie said she needed someone who would listen all the way to the end; not poised with comfort or answers. “Listen until they quit talking. A safe person doesn’t come back with pithy answers, especially tied to faith. Be that safe person; one willing to sit in the tension of grief with them.”

• Bring a Break: My friend Michelle suggests: “Perhaps they need time and space to not talk about the loss. When my sister-in-law was fighting cancer, my friends took me out for an evening. We had fun and did not talk about the difficult season we were in.

I could keep writing much more, but this is enough to take in already! I hope you have found the wisdom of my friends as helpful as I have. This advice has all been hard-earned through their pain and suffering.

We have all either been through grief, are experiencing grief now or a loss is around the corner. Save this post, or even print it out, for when the time comes and you will again need to remember the ways to help someone who is grieving.

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post 10 Ways to Help Someone Who’s Grieving appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

{We have a winner, who I will notify by email today! Thank you so much for stopping by!}

If you are joining me here today from my devotion with Proverbs 31 Ministries, The Way Out of Worry, welcome! If you haven’t had an opportunity to read about the leap of faith Greg and I took last year and a practice to overcome worry, click here.

The big financial decision we faced was Greg’s retirement. After 33 years in the corporate work setting, he believed it was time for a change. And it was!

Finances are just one of many areas where we can be tempted to worry, trying to solve the puzzle with our own wisdom. Another can be in the lives of our children. We want so much for them to know and experience the Lord and the goodness He has for them!

A Way Out of Worry

I shared in today’s devotion a practice to overcome worry of writing my prayers in a journal. I wrote a post several years ago on How to Set Up a Prayer Journal which you can find here.

In my journal today, I write out my prayers in black ink. When Father answers those prayers, I write His answers in red. At times when worry is heavy, whether that is finances, our children, or many of the other concerns we can have, I can look back at all those red-lettered entries. They remind me that Father is for us, He’s got us and we can trust Him!

Today, I’m giving away a bundle to help the winner take God’s way out of worry! This bundle includes a journal and three new books too!:

One winner will receive:

1. A beautiful Ecc. 3:11 Journal to begin writing out your prayers and God’s answers too!

1. Managing Your Emojis, is mine and Michelle Nietert’s book for kids ages 8-12 years old.

1. God, I Feel Scared, Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner’s newest book for children ages 4-8 years

4. Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe, Sharon Jayne’s newest book

Just fill in your name for a chance to win! I’ll post the winner this Sunday and also notify you by email. I can’t wait to see who wins this bundle!

(When you sign up to enter, you’ll be added to my email list and will receive regular emails. We take care of your data in accordance with our privacy policy and you are free to unsubscribe at any time. I won’t fill up your box with tons of emails.  Just share now and then content to keep you building your confidence on Christ!)

His,

Lynn

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post A Practice to Overcome Worry appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

As you look at your journey with Jesus, is there a closeness you crave that you don’t often feel? Are you sometimes bothered by the inconsistent intimacy you see there?

In my day-to-day walk with Jesus, I wonder why sometimes there seems to be a block in my relationship with Him or times when we don’t seem as close. If I slow down and ponder why that might be, I see that seasons of busyness, grieving, choices not to obey His nudges, or even numbness in my heart have all impacted my relationship with Him at times.

While it is normal to have a relationship that is dynamic and looks different from day to day, I don’t want to pull away from Jesus with each new obstacle in my life or have a faith that disintegrates when I need it most.

So I’ve been seeking the Lord through His Word, and I’ve found hope — in the life of the not-so-perfect disciple Peter.

Hope in the Life of Peter

In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples a question: “‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’”  (Matthew 16:15b-16, NIV). Jesus confirmed to Peter that he was right; this revelation was straight from God Himself (Matthew 16:17)! This interaction must have made Peter feel closer than ever to Jesus.

But later, Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death and resurrection, revealing that He would suffer, die, and be raised again on the third day. This time, Peter completely missed the truth. “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’”  (Matthew 16:22, NIV).

In fact, Peter was actually the one who needed rebuking. Jesus said to him, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns”  (Matthew 16:23b, NIV).

I can only imagine how Peter felt after his big mistake.

Even though Jesus was physically present with him, Peter still experienced an up-and-down relationship with his Savior. Though Jesus was constant, Peter was not.

Peter’s perception of Jesus ebbed and flowed — sometimes he had an accurate picture of the Savior and other times he lacked discernment — yet Jesus’ pursuit of Peter never waned.

His Pursuit of Us

This is who Jesus is …

• Jesus is the Good Shepherd who comes after us when we’ve strayed.
• God is the running Father, who comes running toward us on the road.
• The Trinity is like the woman with the lost coin, looking for us until we are found.

Because of His great love for Peter, Jesus kept coming after him.

Because of Jesus’ constancy, their relationship continued to deepen despite the hard and trying times, even surviving Peter’s betrayal of Jesus when He went to the cross (Luke 22:54-62).

As Peter continued walking with Jesus day by day, eventually his faith matured. In the letters he wrote to the early Church (1 and 2 Peter), we see a mature disciple — a man who no longer strayed so often from his Savior.

Being with Us Each & Every Day

Jesus desires intimacy with each of us each day. We can return this pursuit of that intimacy by doing as Psalm 27:8 says: “‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” As God is consistent in His pursuit of us, our return of that pursuit, developing constancy in our lives, brings us to spiritual maturity.

When I am not experiencing the closeness of Jesus that I desire, it sometimes helps to ask myself a few questions:

• Am I treating Bible reading and prayer like boxes I am simply checking each day?
• Am I intentionally listening for God’s voice and responding back to Him?

Asking questions like these can help us as we look for the abundant life Jesus promises and wants for us. In pursuing God as He pursues us, we can live out the words of James 4:8a: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”  (ESV).

A Prayer for Today

Jesus, You are inviting me into a depth of relationship with You that my heart is truly craving. Empower me, Holy Spirit, to set other things aside so I can experience closeness with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Resources for Our Journey

Many of Peter’s responses came out of the strong emotions he felt. My devotional for kids, Managing Your Emojis, teaches kids that God loves them no matter their feelings and that Scripture can empower them to manage their emotions.

Right now, Church Source has Managing Your Emojis on sale for Order a copy for a child in your life here!

In fact, ALL of my books are 50 – 60% off at Church Source! That includes my Bible studies for women (perfect for your fall study!) Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World and Fearless Women of the Bible.

All of my books for children are also 50 – 60% off! My newest book: Managing Your Emojis as well as Loved & Cherished and Brave Beauty.

FOR DEEPER STUDYING TODAY:

Matthew 18:12, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” (NIV).

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (NIV).

God made us with deep emotions. How do you see your emotions coming into play in your relationship with Him? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

© 2023 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

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When I was growing up, I needed a guide, a little help, for the BIG emotions that tried to call the shots in how I felt, what I thought, and who I believed myself to be.

I am so excited to have written Managing Your Emojis with my friend and licensed counselor @michellenietert. Together we’re helping kids know what to do when BIG emotions seem to take over and overwhelm them.

Do you have a child whose wrestling with their feelings? Managing Your Emojis is a great summertime resource to help them gain this critical life skill.

We also want to come alongside you as you grow and learn more about our emotions and how they impact our relationships in our homes!

My co-author and licensed counselor, Michelle Nietert, has written this FREE RESOURCE to help you and your family manage the emotions in your home this summer!

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post How to Manage Emotions in Your Home appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

“He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.’ He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.” Mark 14:34-35 (CSB)

What is this strange feeling in my chest? What is happening?

Over the past few minutes, I’d been talking with Jesus, praying about a tenuous family situation, and giving Him my heartache. My pen and paper were tools helping me unload my fears as well as my pain. Hadn’t I been pouring out all my concerns to the Only one who could truly fix them? Why, then, was my chest tight and hurting a bit? Did this unfamiliar pressure of anxiety in my body mean I was doubting my Father? I truly thought I was trusting Him.

For the first time, I began to understand that when our emotions are overwhelming, we can feel their repercussions in our bodies. Powerful emotions are not bad; in fact, our emotions are God-given. His original design, though, when God created people in His image (Genesis 1:27), was not for us to experience emotions that hurt us.

To make more connections between my Maker and the way He made me, I read the Gospels, searching for the emotions Jesus experienced in His days on earth. There they were: sadness (John 11:35), anger (Matthew 21:12-13), happiness (John 15:11) and so many more.

Though Jesus could never be overwhelmed in His divinity, Scripture when He was overwhelmed in His humanity, Jesus withdrew to spend time with His Father. He found the strength to keep moving toward fulfilling His Father’s assignment even when He was feeling strong emotions.

The Gospel of Mark shares Jesus’ experience as He faced His hardest assignment. Mark 14:33-34 says Jesus “took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake’” (CSB).

JESUS FELT HARD EMOTIONS TOO

There in the garden, on the night of His betrayal, crushed by pain, Jesus “fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him” (Mark 14:35). Jesus fell facedown (Matthew 26:39). His emotional anguish was so strong He collapsed. And Jesus experienced other visible signs of emotional distress: “being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NIV). 

Yet He went on to pray: “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36, CSB). He experienced extreme anguish and trusted His Father at the same time. In spite of profound agony, Jesus kept going, fulfilling His mission to die for us.

WHAT TO DO WHEN WE FEEL POWERFUL FEELINGS

Like Jesus, you and I may experience powerful emotions, energy coursing through our minds, hearts, and bodies, while walking with the Father. Anxiety, sadness, anger, or other emotions are not necessarily indications that we’re not close to the Lord. And trusting God doesn’t always mean that what’s creating the strong feeling in us will go away. Still, we can choose to trust God even if things do not go the way we want, facing what comes with the assurance that God is by our side.

As I began to take long, deep breaths and meditate on His Word, my emotions prompted me to continue inviting the Holy Spirit into my problem by using tools sometimes called “spiritual disciplines” — such as prayer, meditation on God’s Word, lament, and more. We can always ask God to empower us to continue moving toward Jesus, even in the midst of anxiety or hard feelings.

Father, when my heart hurts and I’m in pain, help me remember even this is an invitation to come to You. I trust You’re listening, and I rely on You for the strength I need today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MORE HELP…

Managing Your Emojis, by Lynn Cowell and counselor Michelle Nietert, empowers boys and girls ages 8-12 to understand their big feelings and discover that emotional control and happiness come from God’s presence with them. To preorder a copy for the child in your life, click here.

Fearless Women of the Bible empowers women to find confidence in Christ, especially during faith-shaking circumstances. Order your copy here.

KEEP STUDYING

Psalm 9:9, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (NIV).

Try to think back to a time when you felt anxious or overwhelmed. Where were you? Who was there? What did you think and feel? Take a moment to bring God into that scene. What would He say to you? How would He comfort you? Write any words of comfort God might say. We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2023 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post What Do I Do With These Hard Emotions? appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

Did you know research has found that the number one worry among parents is that their children will struggle with depression or anxiety? When big emotions seem to take over and overwhelm us, what do we do?

My co-author Michelle Nietert and I are releasing a brand new tool on June 6th! Managing Your Emojis: 100 Devotions for Navigating Your Feelings helps kids manage their emotions, turning to God as they struggle.

Help for When Big Emotions Seem to Take Over and Overwhelm Us

God calls us to live lives of joy, but sometimes we feel mad, sad, or scared. Managing Your Emojis, a 100-day devotional for girls and boys teaches kids God loves them no matter what they’re feeling. Scripture can empower them to manage their emotions.

Learning to manage our emotions is a critical life skill. Often we miss equipping kids with these valuable skills before situations intensify into mental health issues. Managing Your Emojis helps kids discover that emotional control and happiness can come from God’s presence with them. Through short, accessible devotions kids will be encouraged to observe, name, and release their emotions. Turning to God for strength, love, and support helps as they begin the fast-moving process of growing up can help!

Would You Help Us Help Kids?

Many of you have been waiting since Loved & Cherished for this book to release. It’s finally here and Michelle Nietert and I would love for you to join our Managing Your Emojis launch team! If you’ve never been a part of one before, it’s not complicated. We just ask you to pre-order a copy of the book and you will be granted access to a copy electronically so that you will be ready to share what you love most about it with your friends, family, church leaders, and on social media as well as be able to write a review that helps us continue to share about this book with more kids and their families. You don’t have to be a parent with a kid in this age group to share this message. Often grandparents and other caregivers can help get these faith-based mental health resources into kids’ hands.

Being part of a launch team also doesn’t take a lot of time, but it is the greatest gift you can give an author.

We are looking forward to virtually meeting our team soon, so click here and join us! We will also have some fun giveaways, and you will get to know others who are passionate about this topic.

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post When Big Emotions Try to Take Over and Overwhelm Us, What Do We Do? appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

Did something happen this year that you just didn’t see coming? (I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!)

I absolutely did! Several in fact, beginning with all three of my children getting married and now living out of state. (Oh, and also my husband retires…today! I am sure this big life change is bringing with it a world of uncertainties I haven’t thought of or prepared for!)

Whenever I write, I am sure to experience the testing of that topic in real-time. In this season it has been looking for God, expecting to see an invisible God in an uncertain world, when those uncertainties threaten to overwhelm me. Since that is happening right now, it’s time to look at the life of Esther again!

It’s Time to Study Esther Together!

Amy Carroll and I are thrilled to invite you to study the life of Esther with us… simple, yet deep. Yes, I put those two words in the same sentence on purpose; we’ll study this rich book, going deep, but keeping the “work” simple.

When Do We Start??

Beginning the week of January 9th, we’ll begin the online study of Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World.

Each week, you’ll study the Bible study content in Esther at your own pace. Then, on Wednesday evenings, we’ll gather for a Zoom meeting where either Amy or I will do a bonus teaching from that week’s passage. We’ll follow it up by discussing it as a community. We’ll keep it simple but rich!

To sign up, enter your email address below.

While the link above is to Amazon, please order the study from your favorite retailer.

We can’t wait to study with you!

See you soon and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

The post Seeing Our Invisible God in An Uncertain World appeared first on Lynn Cowell. Click to view full post or leave a comment.

Comfort and joy have not been what we’ve been experiencing during this Christmas season. And it’s certainly what I didn’t expect when I received a phone call at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

“Can I come over? Something furry just scurried across my floor!”

I had told my friend that if she ever needed anything to call.

So she did.

Did I mention it was 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night? The time when I am already in my jammies, book in hand, in bed?

With no notice, the request was not convenient, which in my life often translates as the Lord’s hand.

For two evenings, Sunshine poured through our home, which has been filled with sorrow for a season. My friend shared her heart for people; the good work she does each day for those who can never pay her. She inspired us with her dreams of helping the homeless. Our gaze was lifted higher by her generous and giving spirit.

If you had asked me if I wanted company this week, I would have given you a definitive “no”. We’ve been sick and are not at full strength. We’ve been wrestling with sadness; struggling to find a smile. And yet, when I said “yes” to another’s need, I found my own need met.

Meeting Other Women Who’ve Said “Yes”

God’s word is filled with women who said “yes” to God.

Sarah said “yes” to going to Canaan with Abraham. (Genesis 12:1-9)

Rebekah said “yes” to leaving her home to marry the stranger Isaac. (Genesis 24:58)

The Daughters of Zelophehad said “yes” to approaching authority about community injustice. (Numbers 27)

Jael said “yes” to hosting the enemy; bringing him down. (Judges 4)

Esther said “yes” to advocating for the voiceless. (Esther)

Mary said “yes” to carrying the Son of God. (Luke 1)

A Commitment Even Without Confidence

All of these fearless women and more said “yes”; obedient to the Lord’s prompting. I’m guessing some of them didn’t feel brave or confident. Instead, they made a commitment to obey their Lord no matter how inconvenient it was.

I can do the same. So can you!

By the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us, we can say “yes” to opportunities to do good works; to serve, love, and give. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (emphasis mine).

Maybe in this space of doing good works, whether we feel like it or not, we’ll be surprised! Maybe in the middle of obeying, we’ll see the invisible hand of God, working in our uncertainties, using the inconvenient and uncomfortable to bring us His comfort and joy this season.

Studying Together Simply

Beginning January 9th, Amy Carroll and I will be leading an online study of our new study, Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World. We’re going to be diving deep. Simply.

Each week we’ll send a link for a Zoom meeting for Wednesday evenings where Amy or I will do a bonus teaching from that week’s passage. Then, we’ll discuss it as a community. We’ll keep it simple but rich!

To sign up, simply enter your email address at the top of this page, and then purchase the study from your favorite bookseller. The links are all there to make it easy, and we hope you’ll join us!

Merry Christmas, Friends! Be on the lookout this weekend and in the week heading up to Christmas, where you will say “yes” to the Lord, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it might be!

As a free gift to subscribers, please click here to download "10 Verses to Build Unshakable Confidence" (PDF).

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