Does finding happiness matter to you? Most people answer “yes!”, because happiness and contentment are fulfilling and life-giving. Finding happiness is a good pursuit, but sometimes the pursuit of happiness takes center stage and matters too much. Learning about happiness in the Bible and finding happiness with God changes your perspective on what ‘being happy’…

As believers and Christ-followers, we recognize God’s command to love others. But we struggle when we are tested through painful, real-life experiences. When handled properly, challenges to love others become glorious opportunities to grow in spiritual maturity and participate in the building of God’s Kingdom. “If all you do is love the lovable, do you…

It was almost the beginning of a fresh new year. For as long as I could remember, I had been praying and asking God to give me a word of the year. It was more than a habit or a ritual; it was a message and a reminder that I was not alone. I loved…

Dealing with failure is hard. We want our story to be dominated by success not failure. When we invest time, money, love, emotions, or other resources, we expect positive results. Success is a great feeling, but in life, no one wins all of the time which is a good thing. Dealing with failure is part…

Releasing our children to the world and becoming empty nesters sounds like a logical, freeing next step…after all, parenting is a hard job! But many of us struggle when our children walk out the door- on their own- for the first time. When my fourth child graduated from high school, I felt sad and sought…

The unkind comment quickly rolled off my tongue. Like a snap reaction, the snarky statement left my mouth intended to hurt the person who just hurt me. Overcome with anger, I could not see how disrespectful and harsh my response had been. Can you relate? Do you struggle with saying whatever you think? Like a…

“Coping” is effectively handling difficulties and disruptions in your life to reduce unpleasant emotions. Strategies to cope with change are beneficial, but most of us aren’t particularly enthusiastic about learning how to cope with change. Some people appreciate and even embrace change, so how to cope with change is more comfortable, but most of us…

Loneliness is feeling empty, alone, and just sad. Not physically alone which at times is healthy, vital, and invigorating but a deep sense of feeling unwanted, forgotten, and invisible. Learning how to deal with loneliness reminds me of riding a Ferris Wheel. One moment you are enjoying the view and suddenly the ride stops and…

Managing emotions can be tricky, exhausting, and a huge distraction. At times managing emotions seems similar to managing a pesky fly swarming around your head. You grow weary of managing emotions and getting them under control, so your feelings begin to accumulate like a layer of dust on your spirit. And then one day you…

When I realized my response to emotional triggers negatively affected my relationships, I felt grief and a desire for change. As I allowed God to guide me in my emotional triggers, I experienced freedom and the courage to speak out. If emotional triggers impact your life, I hope you find encouragement and hope in my…