Clear Truth in an Upside-Down World

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Matthew 10:39 — If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

My pastor, Greg Clark, recently preached a series called Living Right Side Up in an Upside-Down World.

It really challenged me. He said, “Do you know we’re actually born upside-down? Most babies enter the world headfirst. We spend the rest of our lives trying to get right side up.”

That got me thinking about how upside-down life can feel sometimes.

The world says, “Look out for yourself.” Jesus says, “Serve others.”

The world says, “Get even.” Jesus says, “Forgive.”

The world says, “Chase more stuff.” Jesus says, “Store up treasures in heaven.”

Maybe that’s why living for Christ can feel uncomfortable. We’re swimming against the current. We’re choosing God’s way in a world that often chooses its own.

But I think that’s the point.

The life we naturally reach for isn’t the life we’re ultimately looking for.

Jesus invites us to let go of the life centered on ourselves so we can discover the life only He can give. That’s exactly what He meant when He said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

When we surrender what we can’t keep, we find what we could never lose.

So today, before you follow the crowd, choose to follow Christ. When the world seems upside down, His way is the only way to stay right side up.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where do you see the world’s values competing with Jesus’ teaching in your own life?
  • Is there an area where you’re clinging to your own plans instead of trusting God’s?
  • Why do you think following Jesus sometimes feels like swimming against the current?
  • What does it practically look like to “lose your life” for Christ in your everyday life?
  • What is one decision you can make today that reflects God’s way instead of the world’s?
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The Unfiltered Invitation

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1 Samuel 16:7 — The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Isn’t it funny how polished life can look on social media?

You see it all over Instagram and Facebook. People wearing nice outfits, driving new cars, announcing promotions, and smiling in perfectly filtered photos. Yet underneath all that “put together,” there can be a whole lot of falling apart.

The truth is, not everyone has it all together. Some people just have really good lighting and a great outfit.

But we can’t dress it up, title it up, or cover it up forever. Behind closed doors, God sees what’s really happening. While everyone else is focused on the outside, He’s looking somewhere much deeper.

He’s looking at the heart.

God isn’t impressed by your image; He’s interested in your heart. And honestly, that’s freeing.

He never asked us to fake it until we make it. He didn’t say, “Get your life together and then come to Me.”

He simply says, “Come to Me.”

Messy.

Tired.

Confused.

Without filters.

Friend, the more we pretend, the more we hide. The more we’re honest, the more God is able to heal what only He can see.

So maybe today is a good day to stop managing the image and start opening your heart.

Come to Him just as you are.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Do you ever feel pressure to appear like you have everything together? Where does that pressure come from?
  • What areas of your heart might God be inviting you to be more honest about today?
  • How does knowing that God looks at your heart—not your appearance or performance—change the way you approach Him?
  • Is there anything you’ve been trying to cover up instead of bringing to God?
  • What would it look like to come to Jesus “just as you are” today, without pretending or hiding?
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Protect What God Is Growing

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Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

The Bible tells us to guard our hearts, and lately I’ve realized I apparently need to guard my strawberries too.

Yeah, I planted this little strawberry patch in my backyard, and I live in town, okay? I’ve babied those things and encouraged them like they were family members.

But I walked out there in the morning, and just before they turned that perfect shade of red, some little critter had already come in during the night and eaten the whole thing… or just taken a bite out of it. And I was so frustrated.

Now I’m basically a detective going, “Okay, wait a minute. Was that a squirrel, a bird, a raccoon, or somebody’s freeloading cousin?”

But then it hit me: I’m not upset just because the strawberries are gone. I’m upset because something keeps getting to what’s growing.

Isn’t that true of our hearts too? What grows unguarded rarely grows unharmed.

Just like we protect things that are growing, the seemingly small negative influences can quietly steal our joy. Fear, bitterness, jealousy, and resentment. They don’t usually show up all at once. They sneak in a little at a time and start taking bites out of the good things God is growing in us.

That’s why Scripture tells us to watch over the wellspring of our lives, because everything else flows from there. Guard the source, and you’ll protect the fruit.

So maybe today, before you go looking for what’s wrong around you, just ask what’s been nibbling away at your heart. Then you can deal with it before it steals any more joy.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are some things that have been “taking bites” out of your heart lately—fear, worry, resentment, comparison, or something else?
  • Proverbs 4:23 says to “guard your heart above all else.” What does guarding your heart look like practically in your daily life?
  • Are there any influences, habits, or thoughts you need to remove because they are affecting what God is growing in you?
  • What is one “fruit” you want God to grow in your heart right now—peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness, joy, or something else?
  • How can you invite God to help you protect your heart this week?
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Comfortable Isn’t Always Better

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Psalm 143:8 — Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Ever notice how the older we get, the more we like things just so?

We sit in the same seat.

We follow the same routine.

We order the same thing at the restaurant.

And we don’t really like surprises.

Well… unless it’s a surprise gift or dessert. Those are always welcome.

But then God comes along and says, “Hey, Tammi… let’s go a different way.”

And I’m like, “Lord, I love You, but I’m pretty comfortable right here.”

So I dig in my heels.

Or I start negotiating like I’m at a yard sale.

“God, I’ll follow You… but could we keep it on my schedule? Maybe use my plan? And let me bring my snacks.”

Meanwhile, Jesus is simply saying,

“Trust Me.

I’ve got something better.”

I’ve realized that every morning gives me a choice.

I can wake up clinging to my own plans…

Or I can pray the words of Psalm 143:

“Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.”

That’s a risky prayer.

Because sometimes God leads us somewhere unexpected.

Sometimes He changes our plans, stretches our faith, or asks us to trust Him before we understand where He’s taking us.

But I’ve learned something.

Peace doesn’t come from having the route mapped out.

It comes from knowing the One who’s leading the way.

The tighter I grip, the more anxious I become.

The deeper I trust, the more joy I find.

Because joy isn’t found in controlling the path.

It’s found in walking it with Jesus.

So maybe today…

Loosen your grip a little.

Say “yes” a little quicker.

Ask God to show you where to walk.

And be just spontaneous enough to let Jesus lovingly interrupt your routine.

You may discover His plans are even better than yours.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there an area of your life where you’re holding tightly to your own plans instead of trusting God’s direction?
  • What would it look like to begin your day by praying, “Lord, show me where to walk?”
  • How have you seen God’s unexpected interruptions become blessings in your life?
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Your Best Days Are Ahead

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Acts 2:17 — “In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

Acts 2:17 – “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

You hear people say all the time, “Your best days are ahead of you.”

But honestly, once you’ve hit 60, that can feel a little hard to believe.

Your knees crack louder than a bowl of Rice Krispies, and you can somehow injure yourself just by sleeping wrong.

Sometimes we start believing our usefulness has an expiration date, like God only uses the young, energetic, polished people with good backs and wrinkle-free foreheads.

But the Bible tells a completely different story.

Moses was 80 when God called him to lead His people out of Egypt.

Abraham and Sarah were well into their later years when God fulfilled His promise to them.

At 85, Caleb boldly declared, “Give me my mountain.”

And when Peter describes the work of the Holy Spirit in Acts, he doesn’t just talk about young people having visions.

He says old men will dream dreams.

I love that.

God doesn’t put an expiration date on purpose.

His Spirit is poured out on every generation.

Maybe your best days don’t look like your younger days.

Maybe today you have more wisdom.

More compassion.

More patience.

And a testimony that only years of walking with Jesus could produce.

If you’re still breathing, God is still working.

The years behind you aren’t proof that God is finished.

They’re evidence of His faithfulness and preparation.

So don’t keep the wisdom, encouragement, or experience He’s given you to yourself.

Someone needs the hope you’ve found.

Because no matter your age, God still has a purpose for your life.

And with His Spirit at work in you, He’s not finished writing your story.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever believed the lie that your age limits how God can use you?
  • What wisdom or testimony has God given you that could encourage someone else?
  • How is God inviting you to keep dreaming and serving Him in this season of life?
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Stop Waiting, Start Stepping

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James 2:26 — Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

You know, sometimes I sit around waiting on my breakthrough like it’s going to knock on the door carrying a casserole dish.

But here’s the truth: real change often begins when I trust God enough to take the next step instead of waiting for everything to feel certain.

You see that pattern all throughout Scripture.

God parted the Red Sea, but Moses stretched out his hand.

Jesus called Peter out of the boat, but Peter had to step onto the water.

Time and again, faith responded with obedience.

Because faith was never meant to sit still.

And honestly, that’s where I get stuck sometimes.

I pray.

I believe.

I ask God to move.

But then I wait for certainty before I move.

James reminds us that living faith isn’t just something we believe in our hearts. It’s something that shows up in the way we live.

Faith comes alive when it obeys.

Our responsibility is simply to take the next faithful step and trust God with the results.

So today, don’t just wait.

Pray like it depends on God.

Then take the next step He has placed in front of you.

Send that text.

Make the phone call.

Offer forgiveness.

Sign up to serve.

Encourage a friend.

Whatever God is asking of you, trust Him enough to obey.

Because living faith doesn’t stay seated.

It gets up and walks.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there a step of obedience you’ve been delaying while waiting for certainty?
  • How can your actions this week demonstrate that your faith in Christ is alive?
  • What is one practical way you can trust God enough to take the next faithful step today?
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Road Rage Meets Mercy

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Isaiah 55:6-7 — Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

I have a confession.

True story. I was driving the other day, and somebody nearly ran me off the road. It scared me to death, and then I did something a Christian probably shouldn’t do…

I’m not even going to tell you what it was.

But I know in that moment God was thinking, “Girl, what are you doing?”

I immediately said, “Lord, please forgive me.”

Instead of getting upset, I should have been praying for that driver. There’s probably a reason they were flying down the road like that.

And honestly, I needed to pray for myself too.

Because why is it so easy to lose my patience behind the wheel?

(Especially with an 88.7 The Cross bumper sticker on the back of my car!)

But here’s what I love about God.

He’s never surprised by my humanity.

He isn’t shocked when I fail, and He isn’t waiting for me to clean myself up before I come back to Him.

The moment I turned to Him, He was already ready to meet me with mercy.

Not pushing me away…

Pulling me closer.

That’s exactly what Isaiah reminds us.

God invites us to seek Him, to turn away from the things that pull us from Him, and to return because He forgives generously.

The fastest way forward has never been pretending we didn’t fail.

It’s repentance.

It’s turning around and running back to the Father who never grows tired of showing mercy.

God loves us exactly where we are.

But He loves us too much to leave us there.

So if you’ve had one of those moments today, don’t run from Him.

Turn toward Him.

He’s ready to forgive.

Ready to help you grow.

And ready to keep shaping you into the person He created you to be.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there an area of your life where God is inviting you to turn back to Him instead of hiding from Him?
  • How does knowing that God forgives generously change the way you respond after you’ve sinned?
  • What is one practical step of repentance you can take today as you seek the Lord with your whole heart?
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Secure Even When Scared

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Deuteronomy 31:6 — Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

I recently stepped way out of my comfort zone. I let my 14-year-old nephew talk me into doing a ropes course. You know, the kind with obstacles suspended high in the trees—tightropes, swinging bridges, and shaky ladders that seem much farther off the ground once you’re standing on them.

You’re secured in a harness the entire time, always clipped to a safety cable that’s designed to keep you from falling. But your brain doesn’t care about that. Your brain is convinced you’re about to plummet to your death.

Even my nephew came to one section and said, “I can’t do it.”

I smiled and said, “Yes, you can. You can’t fall. That harness has you safe and secure.”

But there was no convincing his fear.

So I reassured him again. “Just focus on taking one step at a time. Put one foot in front of the other. Don’t listen to the fear.”

Then I reminded him of something even bigger than the obstacle in front of him: he wasn’t up there alone. I’d prayed for him before we ever climbed, and I knew God was with us.

I said, “That harness is holding you. And more importantly, God is with you. Just take the next step.”

And he did.

Watching him take that next step made me think about all the scary and uncertain things we face in life. We stand at the edge of a diagnosis, a difficult decision, a loss, or a new calling, and our minds immediately imagine all the ways we could fall.

But what if we remembered we’re held by Someone stronger than our fear?

Just like that harness never let go of my nephew, God never lets go of us. He says, “Be strong and courageous.” He promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

So whatever is in front of you today, don’t let fear make the decision. Take the next step. Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust the One who’s holding you.

Because you’re not walking alone.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “ropes course” are you facing right now that feels intimidating or uncertain?
  • How does God’s promise to never leave or forsake you change the way you view that situation?
  • What is one courageous next step you can take today, trusting that God is with you?
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Alone Was Never the Answer

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Genesis 2:18 — Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for Him.”

Call me crazy, but one summer I traveled to Europe alone.

Yep. I knew no foreign languages, had very little money, and already knew I would be high maintenance with my weird eating and sleep schedule. Not to mention, I had never traveled to a time zone that was seven or eight hours different from mine.

I got jet lag just flying to Atlanta and back. So I thought, “Well, I’m not subjecting somebody else to that. My crazy would probably make their crazy, crazier.”

Bless it.

But going alone, knowing nothing besides the King’s English, left me in quite a lurch. This was before smartphones could magically translate everything for you. So buying train tickets was hard, ordering food was hard, and even figuring out where I was supposed to be was hard.

I ended up broke, exhausted, and lonely, and my twenty-one day trip turned into a seven day trip.

Looking back, I think part of what made it so hard was simply this: I chose to do it alone. I made it about my schedule, my comfort, and my preferences, and I didn’t want anyone slowing me down. But I’ve learned something since then—life loses a lot of its sweetness when there’s nobody beside you to share it with.

From the beginning, God knew that. He looked at Adam in a world that was otherwise good and said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

Human beings were never meant to carry life in isolation. We were created with room in us for community.

You don’t have to be married to live that out, but you do need people. Maybe that’s family, maybe it’s a church, maybe it’s new friendships, a small group, or even a place to start again.

Because who cares if you see the Eiffel Tower in person if you can’t turn to somebody and say, “Would you look at that?”

Experiences were meant to be shared. And no, scrolling through them later doesn’t quite count.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life are you currently trying to “do it alone” instead of inviting others in?
  • Who has God already placed around you that you might need to reconnect with or lean on more intentionally?
  • What is one simple step you could take this week to build or strengthen community—join something, reach out, or say yes to connection?
  • When was the last time you shared a meaningful moment with someone instead of just experiencing it alone or online?
  • How might your daily life look different if you truly believed that community isn’t optional—but part of God’s design for you?
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Having Fun is Serious Business

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Nehemiah 8:10 — Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

I think we need to get serious about having fun.

Somewhere along the way, adulthood started to feel like a slow stacking of weight. Things like bills, responsibilities, taking care of the kids, then our parents, deadlines, and expectations pulling at us.

Before long, it’s like life has quietly taken the life right out of us. Not all at once. Just little by little, until laughter feels like something we used to do.

Think about it for a second. What did you love to do as a kid? The kind of things you wouldn’t suggest doing now because it feels… a little childlike.

Maybe it’s a waterpark. Go-karts. Putt-putt. What about riding a horse?

Here’s the thing. You still could do those things!

It’s kind of sad that we feel like we have to carve out time on our calendars just to have fun, but the truth is, we were designed to live lives full of joy. We were meant to live with a childlike sense of wonder and joy.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It’s cardio for your core.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It lowers stress, engages your body, and reminds you that joy isn’t frivolous—it’s restorative.

Because joy was never meant to be separate from a faith filled life. It was meant to sustain it.

The strength you need from God won’t always come from pushing harder. It often comes from receiving the joy He gives. I’m not talking about a shallow escape or avoiding responsibility, but I’m talking about a steady, rooted gladness that reminds you God is still good in the middle of real life.

Because the God who calls you to faithfulness also invites you to joy. So maybe this isn’t about adding something extra to your life. Maybe it’s about returning to something you were never meant to lose.

Take the trip to the waterpark. Play a round of putt-putt. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Not because you’re ignoring life’s responsibilities, but because you’re remembering that God is still good.

And when you do, you may discover something surprising: joy isn’t a distraction from the life God has given you. It’s one of the ways He gives you strength to keep living it.

The joy of the Lord really is your strength.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What is something you loved doing as a child that brought you genuine joy?
  • Have responsibilities crowded out healthy joy in your life? What might God be inviting you to rediscover?
  • What is one simple, life-giving thing you can do this week to enjoy God’s goodness and be refreshed by His joy?
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