Words Hurt, Truth Heals

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Proverbs 12:18 — Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Mean girls don’t remember what they said

But it’s funny because, well, I can’t seem to forget.

Most of my childhood was spent either singing or riding horses—sometimes both at the same time—so this felt pretty on brand. When I was thirteen, I broke my hand because the ground gave way underneath my big horse, Crispy. One trip to the doctor, a hot pink cast, and a few weeks later my hand was good as new. Eventually, I forgot all about the pain.

That’s the thing about broken bones. They heal, and life moves on.

I wish words worked the same way.

I wish the things people said when they were careless or cruel could be wrapped up, and forgotten after a little time. But words don’t heal like bones do. They stay. They replay and stick around long after the moment has passed.

If you and I were sitting across from each other over coffee, I’m guessing you wouldn’t have to think long to tell me what words hurt you most. You could probably tell me exactly who said them, where you were standing, and how small they made you feel. Because even if it’s been years, the sting is still familiar.

I’ve had my own run-ins with mean girls. People who spoke without thinking…or worse, people who spoke knowing exactly what they were doing. Either way, their words left bruises you couldn’t see but felt every time you doubted yourself or your worth. Every time, their voices shouted louder than the truth.

Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat this. Proverbs 12:18 says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Some words cut deep. And some words heal deep. There’s no pretending otherwise.

For a long time, I let reckless words name me. I let them cling to my heart like they were permanent. But here’s what I’ve learned: just because words stick doesn’t mean they’re true, and just because something hurts doesn’t mean it gets the final say.

God is the One who names us. He is the One who heals us. He is the One who tells us who we really are. The voices that wounded you don’t get to write your story. They don’t get to define your future, either

Words can pierce like swords—but God’s truth binds wounds. They are what last.

So, here’s the invitation today: stop rehearsing what hurt you and start repeating what heals you. Let God’s words be the loudest ones in your life. Let them replace every label that never belonged to you in the first place.

You are not what they said. You are who God says you are.

Chosen.
Known.
Loved.

And His words are strong enough to heal what theirs never should have touched.

— LeAnna Crawford

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What words from your past still replay in your mind?
  • Who spoke them — and have you allowed those voices to define you?
  • What names or labels has God given you in His Word?
  • Where do you need to replace a painful memory with a healing truth?
  • What kind of words are you speaking over others — cutting or healing?

 

Lyrics:

I try to pray but the words aren’t coming out the way they used to
Did I lose my faith God do I still trust You (mmm)
I try to worship but when I lift my hands it all just feels so empty
Is it the heavy of the world or is it just me (mmm)
Though I’ve sung a thousand times
You’re perfect and You’ll never leave leave my side

Can I be honest
I just wanna know that You still got this
When all I’m holding onto is a promise
God You promised
That You’ll never leave me
When I’m scared of the dark You’re right there with me
Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me
But right now, God all I need
Is to be honest

Oh I’ve heard stories of you showing up when it was least expected
Every time you prove your timing always perfect – and the wait was worth it
Again and again and again – see your power coming through
You bring life to what is dead – no there’s nothing You can’t do
I believe you did it then – so won’t You do it now

Can I be honest
I just wanna know that You still got this
When all I’m holding onto is a promise
God You promised
That You’ll never leave me
When I’m scared of the dark You’re right there with me
Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me
But right now, God all I need
Is to be honest

Is Your breath when I can’t breathe
Your eyes when I can’t see
An anchor as the waves crash all around
Be my heart when I can’t feel
And show me something real
Just one taste of heaven here and now

Can I be honest
Can I be honest
I just wanna know that You still got this
When all I’m holding onto is a promise
God you promised
That you’ll never leave me
When I’m scared of the dark You’re right there with me
Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me
But right now, God all I need
But right now, God all I need

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Hold Tight to What Matters Most

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John 8:31-32 — Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

My daughter Reese is two, which means bath time is basically her happiest place on Earth. She’s in that joyful stage where there are more bath toys than water in the tub.

Lately, she’s been doing something new — something small, but fascinating to me. She has started organizing her foam bath letters.

Now before you say it, yes, my child is brilliant — thank you for noticing.

She lines the letters up carefully along the edge of the tub. Not randomly. By color. And she always starts with red. Sometimes she only does the red ones.

It’s adorable… until it’s time to get out.

When I lift her from the tub, she tries to gather those red letters like treasure. If one slips from her hand, everything falls apart until it’s recovered. If I try to dry her off without them, it’s a full-blown, end-of-the-world meltdown.

Logic doesn’t help. Explanations don’t matter. Because to Reese, in that moment, those red letters are everything.

Meanwhile, I’m standing there with soaked clothes, a screaming toddler, and a fistful of foam vowels.

But it’s made me think.

We don’t let go of what we love, do we? We cling to it.

And those red letters remind me of Jesus. In many Bibles, His words are printed in red. I admire them. I underline them. I quote them. But I don’t always cling to them — not with desperation. Not with the kind of grip Reese has.

Then I remember what Jesus actually says about His words.

In John 8:31–32, Jesus tells those who believed Him: “If you remain faithful to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Notice that freedom doesn’t come from casually reading. It comes from remaining. Continuing. Holding on.

Freedom is tied to staying close to what He says.

That’s what I want.

I want to experience that kind of freedom — the kind that comes from clinging to His words like they’re essential… because they are.

Reese isn’t thinking about theology. She just knows what matters to her. She knows what she loves. She isn’t embarrassed by how tightly she holds on.

Maybe that’s the picture.

Because freedom doesn’t necessarily come from knowing better. It comes from holding tighter. From letting the words of Jesus interrupt our thinking, reshape our reactions, steady our fears.

His words really are the words of life.

And I don’t ever want to let them go.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What words of Jesus have you admired but not fully “remained” in?
  • When pressure rises in your life, do you instinctively cling to His truth — or to something else?
  • What would it look like practically to “remain faithful” to His teachings this week?
  • Is there a specific truth from Scripture you need to hold tighter right now?
  • How might your experience of freedom change if you treated Jesus’ words as essential rather than optional?
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Hooked on the Wrong Things

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1 Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

My coffee’s gone cold by the time Leslie’s text lights up my phone.

Leslie isn’t one to send fluff. When she reaches out, you pay attention. This time she writes, “I prayed for you this morning. I prayed whatever shiny bait the enemy dangles in front of you, that God would clip his line and he’d lose his lure.”

I laugh because it’s so Leslie. So Southern. So exactly what I needed.

Because in my life, fishing makes sense.

I grew up around it — early mornings, dew on the grass, the smell of bait that never quite washes off. I’d watch a bobber like it was the most important thing in the world. And if the fish don’t bite? You don’t blame the fish. You switch the bait.

The enemy fishes the same way — and he’s been doing it a long time. He’s skilled and persistent. If one lure doesn’t work, he just swaps it out for something shinier. Something more distracting. Something designed to pull my eyes off what really matters.

And I’ve chased a few of those shiny things myself. Nothing catastrophic or headline-worthy. Just distractions that sparkle more than they satisfy. Things God never really wanted for me.

That’s the trick. The lure isn’t dangerous because it’s irresistible — it’s dangerous because it wastes time. While I stare at the wrong things, I miss the good stuff God is actually placing right in front of me.

Scripture reminds us of something steady and grounding. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

The temptation isn’t unique. The struggle isn’t proof you’re failing. And the lure isn’t stronger than God.

There is always a way out.

Sometimes the escape looks like walking away.
Sometimes it looks like deleting the app.
Sometimes it looks like not replying.
Sometimes it looks like simply waiting long enough for the shine to wear off.

God is faithful. Not distant. Not distracted. Faithful.

So when something glittery pulls at your attention — something that promises quick relief or easy satisfaction — pause. Ask yourself if it’s nourishment or just noise.

Let the wrong line get clipped.

Turn toward what lasts. Turn toward the steady, nourishing goodness of God that truly satisfies. Let go of every shiny distraction that was never meant for you in the first place.

He is faithful. And He always provides a way through.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “shiny bait” has been competing for your attention lately — something that looks appealing but may not lead where you truly want to go?
  • When you feel tempted or distracted, what does your usual response look like? Do you react quickly, or do you pause long enough to notice the way of escape?
  • How have you seen God provide a way out in the past — even if it wasn’t obvious at first?
  • What practical step could you take today to “clip the line” on something that keeps pulling you away from what matters most?
  • How might trusting God’s faithfulness change the way you face temptation this week?
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Power With a Purpose

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Acts 1:8 — You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere —  in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

You know the character Popeye, right? You know how he gets his strength from spinach?

He doesn’t just look at the spinach. He actually has to consume it. It had to be inside of him for him to be strong — to fight his battles and win them.

Right?

So where am I going with this? Why bring up Popeye today?

Because Jesus made a promise about strength too.

In Acts 1:8, He told His disciples: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere —  in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Notice what that power is for.

It’s not just for surviving.
It’s not just for feeling stronger.
It’s not just for winning personal battles.

It’s power with a purpose.

Just like Popeye found strength from his spinach, we receive strength through the Holy Spirit. But that power isn’t meant to sit still. It’s meant to send you out. It’s meant to make you bold, steady, and faithful wherever your feet are planted.

God is not here for us to admire from a distance. He desires to dwell within us. When you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and surrender your life to Him, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you. And from that place — not your own effort — comes the strength to live differently.

The Spirit empowers you to love when it’s hard.
To stand firm when culture shifts.
To speak truth with grace.
To reflect Jesus at work, at home, in ordinary conversations.

That strength is given so you can step into the world as His witness — right where you live, right where you work, right where you are.

So when you feel outmatched…
When the pressure feels heavy…
When you’re unsure if you’re strong enough…

Remember this: your victory is not won by how well you fight. It is secured by the One who lives in you.

And His name is Jesus.

The Spirit who empowers you isn’t only fighting for you — He is working through you.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life do you feel like you’re relying on your own strength instead of the Holy Spirit’s power?
  • How might God be inviting you to be a witness for Him right where you are right now?
  • What fears keep you from stepping out boldly in faith?
  • Do you view the Holy Spirit primarily as comfort for you, or power for God’s mission through you?
  • What would change this week if you truly believed you have already received His power?
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Full Circle Encouragement

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Proverbs 11:25 — A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Some days, advice comes out of my mouth a whole lot easier than it is to hear it.

Yeah, recently I was encouraging someone. We were having a long conversation over coffee, and I meant every word I said.

“God’s got you. Don’t settle. Don’t rush it. Wait for His best.”

Then I went home, sat down at my computer to get some work done. The internet was slow so I was left staring straight into that spinning blue circle of death.

You know the one. That little wheel that just goes round and round making no progress like it’s got all the time in the world. And wouldn’t you know, that’s exactly what my life felt like in that moment. Waiting on a breakthrough. Waiting on God’s timing. Waiting on something—anything—to move forward.

That’s when the temptation creeps in.

“Maybe I’ll just settle.

“Maybe this is close enough.

“Maybe waiting is overrated.”

Which is funny, considering what I just told my friend.

Then, out of nowhere, my phone buzzed.

A message popped up from another friend, and I had to laugh—out loud—because there it was. Nearly word for word.

“Don’t settle. God’s got you. Hold out for His best.”

And then it hit me: sometimes God brings encouragement full circle. We all get discouraged at times, and the very seeds of encouragement we sow into other’s lives, God uses them to comfort us.

Scripture puts it plain as day. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” And sometimes that generosity isn’t money — it’s encouragement. It’s truth spoken at the right time. It’s hope offered when someone else is tired. And God promises that what we pour out, He pours back in.

The blue circle on my screen was still spinning. The situation hadn’t magically resolved. But something in me had settled—not into compromise, but into trust. I took a deep breath. I remembered what I already knew. God wastes nothing. Not words. Not waiting. Not even the sermons we preach to ourselves and forget five minutes later.

So if today feels like you’re stuck in that waiting place—watching life buffer while everyone else seems to move on—hear this gently. The kindness you’ve shown. The prayers you’ve prayed. The hope you’ve spoken out loud when you didn’t feel it yourself… none of it is lost.

It may come back to you in a text. Or a conversation. Or a quiet reminder right when you need it most.

And when it does, maybe you’ll smile too—realizing you didn’t need a new sermon after all.

You just needed to take your own good advice to heart.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you encouraged someone with words you needed to hear yourself?
  • Where in your life are you tempted to “settle” instead of trusting God’s timing?
  • Proverbs 11:25 promises that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. How have you experienced that truth personally?
  • What seeds of encouragement have you planted recently — and how might God be using them in ways you cannot yet see?
  • If you took your own best advice to heart today, what would change?
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The God Who Never Gets Tired of You

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Ephesians 1:16-17 — I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Do you remember how afternoons felt when you were a kid? They felt endless.

I’d skid into the driveway, ditch my backpack, and grab my bike. Sneakers half-tied. Sun still high. I’d pedal up and down the street, knocking on doors, gathering friends until the gang was assembled. Once we were together, we knew exactly where we were headed.

Mrs. Glenda’s house.

She lived right next door, which makes it feel more like visiting than trespassing. Her front door was always open. We’d knock on the screen door and wait.

“Mrs. Glenda, do you have any candy?” I’d say.

Of course she did. She always did. She’d smile like she had been hoping someone would ask, then reach for a bucket of candy like it was Halloween on a random Tuesday.

With suckers in hand, we’d ride off into the sunset, disappearing into whatever adventures our imaginations cooked up. And there she’d be, standing in the doorway, smiling and waving like she hadn’t just given away candy for the fifth time that week.

I remember being appreciative for the candy, but never really knowing just how special that was. Because the miracle wasn’t the candy—it was the consistency. We kept showing up, and she kept answering. I think about it now, and think “At what point do you become a nuisance.” Did she ever get tired of us kids stopping by?

I don’t think she did.

You don’t run into many people like that. And replaying those afternoons now, and that’s where those memories connect with me spiritually.

We’re told to pray. To ask. To knock. But if we’re honest, we sometimes hesitate. We wonder if God gets tired of us or if our prayers are too repetitive.

We worry we’re wearing God out, but really, He’s inviting us in.

God isn’t rationing His goodness or guarding the door. But I’m learning that His greatest answers to prayer aren’t always quick fixes. The sweetest gift is Him.

That’s why Paul’s prayer in Ephesians lands differently now. He writes: “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”

Paul doesn’t ask for fewer problems or easier circumstances. He asks for deeper knowing. He asks that their hearts would grow in wisdom and insight—not just to receive from God, but to truly know Him.

And notice the rhythm of his prayer. He doesn’t stop thanking. He’s constantly asking. Over and over. He’s not worried about bothering God—confident that God welcomes the asking.

So don’t worry, God isn’t annoyed by repeated prayers. Often, it’s through persistent prayer that He reveals more of Himself to us.

Keep showing up. Keep knocking. Keep riding right up to the door with whatever your carrying that day. Ask boldly for more wisdom and nearness. Ask for more of Him.

The door is already open, and you were never a bother.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Do you ever hesitate to bring the same prayer to God more than once? Why?
  • Are you praying mainly for circumstances to change, or for deeper wisdom and closeness with Him?
  • What would it look like to approach God with childlike confidence instead of quiet reluctance?
  • Where in your life is God inviting you to keep knocking instead of walking away?
  • How might your faith grow if you believed you were never a burden to your Heavenly Father?
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Your Way is Better

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Psalm 84:10 — A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

He’s sitting in a coffee shop with his laptop open, but nothing is getting done.

Forrest Frank stares at a glowing screen while his mind runs ahead of him—unfinished assignments, rising expectations, a low-grade anxiety humming in the background. The music is off now. It isn’t helping. What he can’t ignore is the truth settling in his chest: he’s exhausted from trying to hold everything together.

Forrest grew up around church. Faith was familiar—songs, language, the rhythm of it all—but it never moved from his head to his life. By the time he reached Baylor University, confusion about belief followed him everywhere. College has a way of magnifying old insecurities. Comparison gets louder. Pressure builds. Everyone else looks like they know where they’re going, and Forrest feels stuck, spinning his wheels.

He tries to outrun the unease by staying busy, productive, impressive. But peace never comes. Sitting there with his coffee going cold, he realizes how tired he is of carrying the weight alone. The harder he tries to make life work on his terms, the heavier it feels.

That’s when the thought comes—quiet, inconvenient, easy to dismiss.

Go to church.

It’s a Wednesday night. This isn’t part of his plan. Still, he listens. He closes the laptop, leaves the coffee shop, and walks into a service without expecting anything to change.

People are singing. Hands are raised. Voices are imperfect but sincere. Forrest stands there unsure what he’s even hoping for.

But God meets him there.

The weight on his shoulders begins to lift. The tightness in his chest loosens. It feels like coming up for air after holding your breath too long. For the first time, insecurity doesn’t get the final word. He stops trying to manage everything himself and starts trusting God instead.

After the service, a woman he’s never met approaches him. She tells him she had a dream—one where Forrest is making music that points people back to God.

At the time, it doesn’t make sense. Forrest hasn’t written a single faith-centered song. Still, her words stay with him. That night becomes a turning point.

He keeps making music, but something has shifted. He obsesses over melody and structure, layering sound carefully, studying culture, blending hip-hop, pop, and gospel because he wants the music to be honest—not boxed in, not forced.

Success comes. Platforms grow. Opportunities open. But they’re no longer the goal. Surrender is. Letting God use what he creates becomes the point.

You can hear it in his song Your Way Is Better.

Forrest understood that all the options he chased—the good life, the right image, the next win—were never enough to quiet his soul. Just like the Psalmist who said “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”

Most people have their own coffee shop moment—the place where the noise gets loud enough that surrender becomes an option. What happens next matters. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is listen, take one small, unplanned step toward God, and let Him reshape everything.

Because when you’re overwhelmed by the weight of trying to manage your own life, you discover that one moment in God’s presence is better than a thousand spent chasing everything else.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where are you currently trying to hold everything together on your own?
  • What “thousand elsewhere” are you chasing that still hasn’t brought peace?
  • When was the last time you intentionally stepped into God’s presence without an agenda?
  • Is there a quiet nudge from God you’ve been dismissing because it wasn’t part of your plan?
  • What might change if you truly believed that one day with Him is better than any success without Him?

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
When I’m overwhelmed within
From the weight of all my sin
I need a friend to call my own
I need a house to call my home
When I’m broken down inside
And there’s nowhere else to hide
I need a place where I feel known
Can someone help me?
Then I hear your reply
Bringing teardrops to my eyes
Saying I’m not alone

[Chorus]
Oh Lord, I need you now more than ever
Would you put my heart back together
I searched the world till my hеad hurt
Just to find out your way’s better
Oh-oh, your ways bettеr
Oh-oh, your ways better
Oh, Lord, your ways better
Jesus, your ways better

[Verse 2]
Lord, I am so thankful for the ways that you blessed me
Everything you say making waves like a jetski
You love every part of me, even when I was messy
Now I see the heart in your beauty
So, I can finally sing Jehovah-Jireh provider
Your way always gets me higher
Even on my darkest days, you’re a lighter
My Messiah

[Chorus: Forrest Frank & Choir]
Oh Lord, I need you now more than ever
Would you put my heart back together
I searched the world till my head hurt
Just to find out your way’s better
Oh-oh, your ways better
Oh-oh, your ways better
Oh, Lord, your ways better
Jesus (Mmm)
Lord, I need you now more than ever
Would you put my heart back together
I searched the world till my head hurt
Just to find out your way’s better
Oh-oh, your ways better
Oh-oh, your ways better
Oh, Lord, your ways better
Jesus, your ways better

[Outro]
Ohh-ohh, your ways better
Ohh-ohh, your ways better
Ohh-ohh, your ways better
Jesus, your ways better
It’s better, better, better
It’s better, better, better
It’s better, better, better
It’s better than the rest

LYRICS:

Better Is One Day
Verse 1
How lovely is Your dwelling place
O Lord almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(Than thousands elsewhere)

Verse 2
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place
Your glory dwells
(REPEAT)

Bridge
My heart and flesh cry out
For You the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You to You

Bridge
Better is one day better is one day
Better is one day than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day better is one day
Better is one day than thousands elsewhere

Facedown
Chorus
And I’ll fall facedown
As Your glory shines around
Yes I’ll fall facedown
As Your glory shines around

Bridge
So let Your glory shine around
Let Your glory shine around
King of glory here be found
King of glory

Written by Matt Redman

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Beauty from the Broken Places

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Psalm 145:14 — The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

So, there is this story that I just love. It’s about an old a woman who carried two pots of water every day.

The first pot was solid and smooth, absolutely perfect. The other had a thin crack running down its side, and by the time she reached home, it would only be half full.

One day the cracked pot apologized.

“I am just so sorry for leaking.”

It can’t do what it was made to do. It expects correction. Maybe replacement. But instead, the woman smiles and points behind them.

“Don’t you see?” she exclaimed, “I planted seeds along your side of the path, and every day you watered them. Look at all these flowers.”

The pot then saw what she meant. Along the cracked pot’s side, flowers burst in vibrant colors everywhere, stretching toward the morning light. Life was spilling all over the dirt.

You know, God does the same thing with each and every one of us. He uses our cracks to water the world in ways we can’t even see. We can’t live in defeat when we make mistakes or when we can’t hold everything together.

That’s what Psalm 145:14 promises—that the Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. He doesn’t throw away what feels cracked; He carries it. Not after we fix ourselves. Not once the bent or cracked places in our lives disappear.

He is the One lifting you each and helping you every day along your path, and somehow He is even using the broken parts of your story to bring life to others.

So don’t be ashamed of your scars. Don’t be ashamed of your brokenness. Use how God healed you to share those with people who need the glory of God and who need healing, empowerment, encouragement, and hope.

Keep walking and trusting that even now, life is growing along the path behind you.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life do you feel “cracked” or not enough right now?
  • Could it be possible that God is using that very weakness to bring life to someone else?
  • Are you living in quiet shame over something God has already redeemed?
  • What would it look like to trust that God lifts you even before you feel fully healed?
  • How might your story—especially the broken parts—become encouragement for someone walking behind you?
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Red Bird Redemption

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2 Corinthians 3:17 — Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and I found myself outside soaking up the sun. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The sun was shining brightly, but on the inside, gloomy was an understatement for how I felt.

You see, alcohol had a stronghold on me for nearly twelve years. The good news is our Savior is still in the business of saving, and His love is still reaching.

On that particular day, I found myself sitting outside with my head between my knees when something made me look up. Right in front of me was a red bird. It shocked me because cardinals weren’t common in my neighborhood. But there it was.

The world around me felt dull, but its bright red coloring was so vibrant—impossible to ignore. As a mom, it reminded me of a picture book I used to read my girls that reads, “Red bird, red bird, what do you see?” When I asked myself that question, the only answer I had was this.

It was something alive. The cardinal was something bright and bold and stunning, and it stood out so much against the heaviness I was carrying inside.

My youngest daughter, who was two years old at the time, walked up to me and asked, “Mommy, why are you so sad?” I thought to myself, “How did she know?” In that moment, I broke, and tears began flowing down my face.

After that day, I started noticing red birds everywhere. One on a fence post. Another at my grandma’s house. One more perched just long enough for me to really see it before flying away. At first, I brushed it off. But after a while, it became hard to ignore.

It began to dawn on me that the Holy Spirit was trying to get my attention, gently reminding me of what had already been set in motion that Sunday afternoon.

Looking back, I know the red bird wasn’t a coincidence, and its color wasn’t just a color. Curious, I looked up what red birds symbolize, and I learned that in Christian literature, the cardinal often represents the blood of Jesus, hope, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

That truth settled deep in my soul. It was a reminder of Christ’s blood, poured out for me, covering every failure, every mistake, and every sin. It was as if God was showing me, in a way I could see and understand, that I wasn’t beyond redemption. His blood poured out for me on the cross secured my freedom—He didn’t want a sacrifice. He was the sacrifice. He wanted me to trust Him with all my heart and surrender to His will.

Scripture puts words to what my heart was learning to believe: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Outside of that powerful truth, I don’t know how else to explain it. Freedom didn’t just mean the absence of alcohol—it meant the presence of the Spirit reshaping my life. That Sunday that was the last day alcohol would have a stronghold on my life. What I thought had me bound no longer had the final say.

Now, every time I see a red bird, I remember the moment I looked up and saw proof that God was with me—and that He still is. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, or anything that makes you feel trapped with no way out, you understand the weight of guilt, shame, and regret. But here is the truth: God’s grace is bigger than our past, and His love is stronger than any of our failures. The enemy thought he had me, but Jesus said, “Nope—she’s mine!”

If you are reading this and feel like you are bound, with no way out, maybe today is an invitation to look up. You never know what God might be using to get your attention. You might just find hope—unexpected, unmistakable hope—in a way you least expect it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What in my life feels like a stronghold right now?
  • Have I believed the lie that I am too far gone?
  • Where might God already be trying to get my attention?
  • Do I truly believe that freedom is possible for me?
  • What would it look like to surrender this struggle to the Holy Spirit?
  • When I think about my past, do I see shame—or the covering grace of Jesus?
  • What small reminder has God placed in my life that points me back to hope?
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Worry Isn’t Working Overtime

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Matthew 6:34 — Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

It’s 11:23 pm, the house is finally quiet, the lights are off, my phone is face-down on the nightstand. The day was good. Productive. Even joyful. Which somehow makes what happens next more annoying.

I’m lying there, grateful, tired in the good way, when my brain decides this is the perfect moment to host a meeting about everything sad, unpaid, and unresolved in my life.

It starts small.

Did I remember to pay that bill? Wait—am I behind on that? Did I actually schedule that appointment, or just mean to? Oh. And while we’re at it, what about all the other things?

One harmless question turns into my whole future crashing around me. And what’s crazy is how responsible my anxiety feels. Like if I just think hard enough and worry more, I might get ahead.

But here’s the thing I’m learning: worry is not the same as productivity. It pretends to be helping, but it isn’t. None of my worries are as urgent as they feel, and absolutely none of them are solvable at this time of night.

And right then, I remember words I’ve read a hundred times but suddenly need again:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

Again, tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. Those worries just steal time that wasn’t given to them. And peace, I’m realizing, is actually found by setting boundaries that block anxiety.

So instead of wrestling my thoughts, I start handing them over to God. The bills. The unanswered emails. The unfinished tasks. I just set them down and fall asleep. This isn’t denial—it’s trust in a Father who already knows what we need. Because at just the right time, I know God will take care of me.

And none of that is happening at 11:23 at night.

So if you’re lying awake right now with your mind running laps, let this be your permission slip to stop. Name what’s stealing your rest, then gently place it back in God’s hands.

Because those problems will still be there tomorrow.

And so will the Lord—already waiting to help you face them.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What worries tend to show up when everything gets quiet?
  • Do I confuse anxiety with responsibility?
  • What specific concern do I need to hand back to God tonight?
  • Am I trying to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s strength?
  • What would it look like to trust God with what I cannot control?
  • Where is Jesus inviting me to rest instead of rehearse my fears?
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