The Daily Dose

When the Pain Is too Heavy

“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea…” ~ Job 6:2–3

Have you ever experienced a moment when the weight of what you were going through felt unbearable? When even trying to put it into words felt impossible? That’s where we find Job in chapter 6. He’s not lashing out in rebellion, he’s being real. Honest. Transparent. His grief is so heavy that it feels like it could outweigh the sand of the sea.

We often tell others to stay positive, trust God, and speak life and those are good things! But this chapter reminds us that God is bigenough to handle our honesty, even when it’s raw, messy, and painful. Job wasn’t just looking for sympathy, he was searching for someone to truly listen and understand his suffering without judgment.

There’s something powerful about voicing our pain to God. Job shows us that faith isn’t about pretending to be okay when we’re not. It’s about taking our brokenness to the One who knows us best and loves us most. God doesn’t need us to clean up our emotions before coming to Him. He invites us to bring our whole heart, even the hurting parts.

In verse 14, Job says, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend.” This reminds me not just to look for support when I need it, but to offer it to others without jumping to conclusions or trying to fix them.

Here are some practical steps to take when in a place of pain and suffering:

1. Talk honestly with God. Don’t hold back your pain or confusion, He already knows. Take 10 minutes today to pour your heart out to Him in prayer or writing.
2. Find a safe friend. Sometimes, just having someone who listens without judgment is healing. Reach out to a trusted friend or mentor and ask for prayer.
3. Show kindness to someone hurting. Instead of offering advice, just sit with them, listen, or send an encouraging note or scripture.
4. Start a “grief scale” journal. When you’re overwhelmed, rate how heavy your heart feels, then write down a prayer or scripture alongside it to release that weight to God.

If you feel like the weight you’re carrying is too much, you’re not alone and you’re not weak. Like Job, you’re simply human. Even the strongest believers feel crushed at times. But here’s the good news: God does not despise your weakness, He meets you in it. He offers to carry what you can’t.

Today I want to encourage you to give yourself permission to grieve, to feel, and to trust that even when your faith feels thin, God’s faithfulness is still thick around you. He’s not finished. The weight of today will not outweigh the hope of tomorrow.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 6

1 Then Job spoke again:

2 “If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,

3 they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively.

4 For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.

5 Don’t I have a right to complain? Don’t wild donkeys bray when they find no grass,

and oxen bellow when they have no food?

6 Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?

7 My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!

8 “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.

9 I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

10 At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for.

12 Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze?

13 No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.

14 “One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring

16 when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.

17 But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat.

18 The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die.

19 The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.

20 They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.

21 You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.

22 But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?

23 Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people?

24 Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.

25 Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to?

26 Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

27 You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend.

28 Look at me! Would I lie to your face?

29 Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong.

30 Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?

Journal:

• What is weighing most heavily on your heart today?
• Write it down, then write a short prayer asking God to help you carry it.

God Is Working Behind the Scenes

“But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause, who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” ~ Job 5:8–9

Job 5 continues the speech of Eliphaz, Job’s friend, who meant well but missed the mark in understanding Job’s suffering. Still, nestled in his words are some powerful truths, especially this reminder: God does great and marvelous things, beyond our understanding. Even when things don’t make sense, we should always turn to Him first and be encouraged to seek Him and commit our cause to Him.

Let’s face it, when you’re in pain, the last thing you feel like doing is trusting someone you can’t see. But that’s exactly where faith comes in. It’s not about denying the pain, it’s about believing that God is at work even in the middle of it. Eliphaz said, “He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (v. 11). What a promise! Even when we feel crushed or confused, God is not absent. He is working behind the scenes in ways we can’t always see.

Many times in my life I felt like things were completely out of control.  There were times when I thought, “God, where are You?” But now, looking back, I can see how He never left my side. His hand was guiding me, strengthening me, and shaping something deeper in me than I could have imagined.

Job’s life shows us that even the righteous can suffer, but suffering doesn’t mean we’re abandoned or disqualified. In fact, it’s often in our lowest moments that we experience God’s presence the most powerfully.

Below are some steps you can take to make sure that you are seeking God first in your trouble:

1. Seek God daily. Eliphaz says, “I would seek God.” Start your morning with a simple prayer of surrender. Ask God to take over the concerns of your day.
2. Commit your cause. Write down the situation or burden you’re carrying. Then, out loud, give it to God. Say, “God, I give this to You. I trust You’re working on my behalf.”
3. Remember His faithfulness. Keep a journal of answered prayers or past times God came through for you. Let it be a reminder that He’s working now too, even if you can’t yet see it.
4. Encourage someone else. Just as Eliphaz tried to offer wisdom, you can offer support to someone else going through a hard time by simply showing up, listening, and praying with them.

Today I want to encourage you to know that your pain is not pointless. Your suffering has not escaped God’s notice. He is the One who “does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number” (v. 9). Even now, in the middle of whatever you’re facing, He is working for your good. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Seek Him, commit your cause to Him, and trust that even when you can’t trace His hand, you can trust His heart. He is lifting you, sustaining you, and writing a story more beautiful than you could imagine.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 5

1“Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you?

2Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.

3I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster.

4Their children are abandoned far from help; they are crushed in court with no one to defend them.

5The hungry devour their harvest, even when it is guarded by brambles. The thirsty pant after their wealth.

6But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth.

7People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.

8“If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him.

9He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

10He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.

11He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.

12He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed.

13He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted.

14They find it is dark in the daytime, and they grope at noon as if it were night.

15He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.

16And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut.

17“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.

18For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal.

19From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.

20He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war.

21You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes.

22You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you.

23You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you.

24You will know that your home is safe. When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing.

25You will have many children; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!

26You will go to the grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time!

27“We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”

Journal:

• What is one situation in your life right now that feels out of your control?
• How can you practically commit that situation to God today?

When it happens to you

_{Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? ~ Job 4:6}

I have a lot of opportunities through serving and being part of different groups to encourage others who are going through tough times. I’ve experienced many hardships myself, and God has always been faithful. I love sharing testimonies about how He brought me through, especially when it can speak to someone’s situation in a relatable way.

Recently, I found myself in a moment of struggle, a real disappointment. I had taken a step of faith, believing it was something God had placed on my heart, but things didn’t turn out the way I expected. Instead, I ended up feeling discouraged, embarrassed, and humbled. I tried to keep the right attitude, but the truth is, I wrestled with it for days, distracted, disheartened, mentally preoccupied and even hurt.

Shortly afterward, I was in a small group when someone asked, “How do you respond when life takes an unexpected turn?” If they’d asked me two weeks earlier, I would have said confidently, “I trust God through everything.” But after my recent setback, I realized how easy it is to say the right thing when you’re not in the middle of the storm and how difficult it is when you are right in the middle of it.

This situation opened my eyes. Until you go through something personally, you don’t truly know how you’ll respond. That’s why we always show compassion and grace to those around us who are hurting. We don’t always need to explain their pain or fix their faith. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply walk alongside them, praying, encouraging, and reminding them they’re not alone. No judgment. No blame. Just love.

In today’s reading, we see Job’s friend Eliphaz finally break the silence. At first, he sounds supportive, even reminding Job of how he was known for encouraging others and supporting them in weak times. But he quickly shifts to implying that Job’s suffering must be his own fault. That’s often what we are tempted to do. We try to assign blame or make sense of someone else’s pain. But true comfort comes not from fixing or philosophizing, but from compassion and presence.

Here are some practical things you can do to apply this principle in your own life:

1. Examine your own response to setbacks. Are you giving yourself grace, or judging yourself too harshly?
2. Let compassion guide your conversations. When someone else is struggling, resist the urge to explain or correct, just listen and support. 
3. Speak truth over your situation. Even when your emotions falter, let God’s promises be the loudest voice.
4. Stay rooted in reverence. Job 4:6 reminds us that reverence for God brings confidence, and integrity brings hope. Lean into that when your feelings waver.

You can get started today by following the suggestions below:

• Start your day in the Word. Anchor your emotions in God’s truth before challenges come.
• Journal your honest thoughts. Let God into your process, He’s not intimidated by your struggle.
• Reach out. Don’t isolate. Find someone safe to pray with or share your heart.

Today I want to encourage you if you’re walking through something hard, you’re not alone and your struggle doesn’t disqualify your faith. Pain does not equal punishment. God sees your heart and honors your perseverance. Integrity and reverence don’t exempt us from trials, but they do give us the strength to endure them. Trust that what you’re walking through now can deepen your compassion, refine your faith, and prepare you to comfort others with the comfort you’ve received.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 4

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:

2 “Will you be patient and let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out?

3 “In the past you have encouraged many people; You have strengthened those who were weak.

4 Your words have supported those who were falling; You encouraged those with shaky knees.

5 But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you.

6 Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?

7 “Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed?

8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

9 A breath from God destroys them. They vanish in a blast of his anger.

10 The lion roars and the wildcat snarls, but the teeth of strong lions will be broken.

11 The fierce lion will starve for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered.

12 “This truth was given to me in secret, as though whispered in my ear.

13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night, when people are in a deep sleep.

14 Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled.

15 A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end.

16 The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape. There was a form before my eyes. In the silence I heard a voice say,

17 ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’

18 “If God does not trust his own angels and has charged his messengers with foolishness,

19 how much less will he trust people made of clay! They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth.

20 They are alive in the morning but dead by evening, gone forever without a trace.

21 Their tent-cords are pulled and the tent collapses, and they die in ignorance.

Journal:

• What is one recent disappointment or unexpected turn you’ve experienced?
• How did it challenge your confidence or hope?
• Reflect on how God might be using this season to grow your compassion or deepen your faith.

Fear and dread

_{For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. ~ Job 3:25}

This is a sobering thought, can the things we deeply fear and dread actually come upon us? According to Job, it seems they can.

Fear is not just an emotion; it can become a powerful spiritual force. Just as faith draws us toward God’s promises, fear can pull us toward the very things we want to avoid. Job, though righteous and upright, reveals a vulnerable truth: he was deeply afraid that something bad would happen to his children, so much so that he regularly offered sacrifices on their behalf, just in case they had sinned. That level of anxiety shows how consumed he was with dread.

In Job’s case, there were spiritual forces at work that he could not see, but there are some vital things we can take away from his experience. When we constantly focus on what could go wrong, we begin to give more power to fear than to faith. Fear grows where our focus lingers and faith grows when we dwell on our relationship with God remember His promises.

So how do we combat fear and instead walk in faith?

1. Replace fear with truth.
   Identify specific fears and search out Bible verses that speak God’s promises into that area. Speak those promises daily. For example, if you’re afraid of lack, speak Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.”
2. Guard your thoughts.
   When fear-based thoughts come up, don’t entertain them. Capture them (2 Corinthians 10:5) and replace them with words of faith.
3. Speak life, not fear.
   Even if you’re feeling anxious, resist the urge to speak dread over your life. Instead, declare hope and God’s faithfulness. Our words have creative power.
4. Journal and pray.
   Write out your fears, surrender them to God, and ask Him to help you trust Him more deeply in those areas.
5. Surround yourself with truth.
   Listen to worship music, sermons, or podcasts that stir your faith. Fear often grows in isolation, but faith is stirred up in community.

Today I want to encourage you that even though fear is loud,  faith can be louder when you let it. You may feel like Job, overwhelmed by things outside your control, but remember: God did not abandon Job, and He won’t abandon you. He is your peace in the storm and your strength when you feel weak. Just as Job’s story didn’t end in despair, yours won’t either. God is faithful to complete what He started in you and He’s greater than any fear that tries to rise against you.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 3:17-26

17 There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest.

18 There the prisoners rest together; They do not hear the voice of the oppressor.

19 The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master.

20 “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,

21 Who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures;

22 Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in?

24 For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water.

25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.”

Journal Prompt:

• What specific fears or dreads have been taking up space in your thoughts lately?
• Write them down, and next to each one, write a scripture that counters that fear with truth.
• Then, pray and ask God to help you focus on His promises instead of your fears.

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Don’t curse the day

After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. ~ Job 3:1

Have you ever wished you were never born? It’s a dark thought and a deeply human one. There are movies where characters make this exact wish, only to later see how much of a difference their life had made. Sadly, this isn’t just fiction. Many people have felt so overwhelmed by grief, loss, or despair that they wonder if their existence matters at all.

I’ve been there, too. I remember a season when I felt like I had fallen so far from hope that the pain seemed too deep to survive. I thought, “Maybe it would have been better if I had never existed.” That’s not something I’m proud of, and I had never experienced anything like Job did, but it’s real all the same. I know I’m not the only one who had felt this way.

In today’s passage, Job finally breaks his silence after seven days of mourning. His words are raw, unfiltered grief. He wished he had never taken a breath. He doesn’t curse God, but he curses the day of his birth. This is not weak faith; it’s honest anguish. God didn’t punish him for it. Instead, Job’s lament is recorded as part of God’s Word, showing us that even the most faithful people can reach moments of deep despair.

Job’s grief was unimaginable, he lost everything in a single day. His children, his wealth, his livelihood. His world collapsed. No wonder he longed for rest from the pain.

This passage shows us that God is not afraid of our deepest sorrow. He allows room for our cries, our confusion, even our depression. Job lets us know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to grieve honestly and express deep pain before God.

But it doesn’t end there. Though Job cursed the day of his birth, he didn’t curse the One who gave him life. That’s an important distinction. His pain was real, but so was his faith.

Here are some practical ways to navigate through dark seasons like Job’s:

1. Talk to God Honestly
   Don’t hide your feelings. Tell Him everything. He already knows. Your honesty builds intimacy, not distance.
2. Invite Safe People In
   You don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out to a friend, counselor, pastor, or mentor. Let someone walk with you.
3. Write it Out
   Like Job’s words, journaling helps release emotions in a healthy way. It’s not just venting, it’s processing with purpose.
4. Care for Your Body
   Eat. Rest. Move. These simple acts may feel small but are powerful in maintaining strength for your mind and soul.
5. Remember This Isn’t the End
   Job’s story didn’t end in chapter 3. Your story doesn’t end here either. God still had a plan for Job, and He still has one for you, too.
6. Cling to Scripture
   Even if you can’t feel it, the truth of God’s Word anchors your soul. Read it aloud. Keep verses nearby. Let His light in through His truth.

Today I want to encourage you especially if you’re walking through a season that feels like Job chapter 3, full of darkness, questions, and despair. Remember this: you are not alone, and you are not without hope. Job’s story reminds us that even the deepest pain is not the end of our purpose. God is patient with your sorrow and powerful enough to redeem every broken moment. The same God who saw Job through to restoration and renewal is with you right now. He is not distant. He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), He promises to bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Don’t give up. Your life matters far more than you can see today.

Today’s Scripture reading: Job 3:1-16

1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

2 And Job spoke, and said:

3 “May the day perish on which I was born, and the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’

4 May that day be darkness; May God above not seek it, nor the light shine upon it.

5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it.

6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, may it not come into the number of the months.

7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it!

8 May those curse it who curse the day, those who are ready to arouse Leviathan.

9 May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none, and not see the dawning of the day;

10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide sorrow from my eyes.

11 “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?

12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?

13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest

14 With kings and counselors of the earth, who built ruins for themselves,

15 Or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver;

16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like infants who never saw light?

Journal:

• Take a quiet moment and write down your answer to this: “Lord, what pain or grief am I holding onto that I need to bring honestly to You today?
• Help me see even one small way that You are still writing my story.”

He’s not for sale

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 8:18-19

Have you ever tried to “earn” something from God? Maybe it wasn’t money, but perhaps it was your efforts, your good behavior, or your performance. It’s something deeply ingrained in human nature, that is the belief that we can somehow “do” enough, give enough, or be enough to gain access to God’s power or presence. But the truth is: God’s presence is not for sale.

In today’s passage, we meet Simon, once a well-known sorcerer who amazed the people of Samaria with his magical tricks. He had a reputation. People actually called him “the Great Power of God.” But when the gospel was preached and the truth of Jesus was revealed, Simon, along with many others, believed and was baptized. However, old habits die hard.

When Simon saw the apostles lay hands on people and witnessed the Holy Spirit being given, he immediately reverted to his old mindset of thinking spiritual power could be bought, just like his influence used to be. He offered money, thinking he could purchase the ability to pass on the Holy Spirit. But Peter sharply rebuked him, exposing the deeper issue: his heart was not right before God. Simon’s request revealed that he still didn’t understand the meaning of God’s gift and that it is not about control or performance; it’s about surrender and relationship.

God doesn’t want your performance, He wants your heart. His gifts are freely given, but they require a surrendered posture. If you want to be used by God, it starts by being with God. The power comes through intimacy, not transaction.

Here are some practical steps to apply this principle in your daily life:

1. Start each day with humility. Begin with a simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, I yield to You today. Lead me, teach me, and shape me.”
2. Stay rooted in Scripture. Read the Word not just to gain knowledge, but to know His heart. Start with Acts 8 and reflect on the difference between Simon’s motives and the apostles’ hearts.
3. Guard your motives. Before acting on what you feel God is calling you to do, ask: “Is this about me being seen, or about God being glorified?”
4. Invite the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. He desires daily relationship with you.  He wants to guide, comfort, convict, and empower you.

Today I want to encourage you to recognize that you cannot buy God’s favor, and you don’t need to. His Spirit isn’t earned, it’s received. Let go of the pressure to perform and embrace the invitation to draw near. The closer you get to God, the more clearly you will understand that everything you’re searching for is already available to you through your relationship with Jesus. Like Simon, we may come from a past full of pride or performance, but God’s grace invites us into a better way, one that is built on surrender, not self-promotion. So today, don’t try to earn God’s power, walk in it by walking closely with Him.

If you have never had a personal encounter with God through His Spirit, you can do that right now. All you need to do is start talking to Him and invite Him into your life. You can start your conversation with a pray like the one below. But don’t stop there. Now the door is open, and you can begin to talk to Him about every area of your life. He will lead and He will comfort you. You cannot buy the presence of God; you can only humble yourself and invite Him in. It is personal and it is for you. Trust Him as your best friend today and if you truly turn your life over to Him, He will lead you in the perfect path of righteousness.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture: Acts 8:9-25

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,

10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”

11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

 Journal:

• In what areas of my life am I still trying to “earn” something from God?
• What would it look like to fully surrender that area and receive His presence by faith instead of performance?

It’s good for the kingdom

Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4

Have you ever taken a step you believed God was leading you to, like praying for someone, sending a word of encouragement, or showing kindness, only to walk away wondering if it made any difference at all? Maybe you felt prompted by the Holy Spirit, followed through in obedience, and yet nothing seemed to change. In fact, the reaction might have even been lukewarm or disappointing.

Today’s scripture gives us a powerful reminder that impact often comes in ways we don’t immediately see. Acts 8 describes a time of intense persecution for the early church. Saul (later Paul) was dragging believers from their homes and throwing them in prison. From a human perspective, it looked like defeat. Christians were being forced to flee for safety.  It surely didn’t feel like a victorious moment.

But while chaos and suffering appeared to be winning, God was orchestrating something greater. As the believers scattered, they carried the message of Jesus with them. They didn’t stay silent. They shared the gospel wherever they went, and as a result, the good news spread farther and faster than it ever could have if they had stayed in one place. What looked like loss was actually kingdom expansion. What seemed like defeat became divine strategy.

This is a reminder that your obedience matters, even when the results aren’t visible right away. Whether you share a verse, pray with someone, serve quietly, or offer encouragement, your obedience is a seed planted in the soil of someone’s heart. You may not see immediate fruit, but God sees it all. Just like a seed after it is planted is growing while it is hidden in the ground, the Spirit is working beneath the surface.

Here are some ways you can put this principle into action:

• Take consistent steps of faith. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to obey God’s leading. If you feel prompted to act, do it.
• Keep a journal. Write down moments when you sense God prompting you. Even if you don’t see the result, reflect on what you learned through the experience.
• Pray for hidden impact. Ask God to multiply your obedience and reach people in ways beyond what you can imagine.
• Stay encouraged by Scripture. Read passages like Acts 8 to remind yourself that God often works through trials and transitions.

You may never fully know the impact of your obedience this side of heaven, but rest assured, it matters. God’s Kingdom is never stagnant. He is always moving, always working, and always using the small acts of His people to advance eternal purposes.

Today I want to encourage you to keep walking out God’s plan for your life. Don’t be concerned with seeing immediate result. If you do, then great but ideally you want to see the long-term results so that your obedience to His prompt lives on long after you are gone from that day. Believe that God is doing a good work through your acts of kindness and love for others and even when you just wanted to be a nice person, He will make those seeds grow up to a full harvest.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 8:1-8

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Journal:

• What is one step of obedience I took recently that felt small or unseen?
• How might God be using that moment for something bigger than I can see right now?

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Let’s grow together, one day, one verse, one dose at a time.

You Don’t have to have all the Answers

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. ~ Job 2:13

Over two years ago, I went through training at my church to serve on the Lay Ministry Team.  It’s a group of people who care for others during times of need and crisis. One of the biggest takeaways from that training was this simple truth that you don’t have to have all the answers. When someone is hurting, struggling, or grieving, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply be there, to sit quietly, to listen, and to love.

That’s what today’s scripture reminded me of. Yes, later in the book of Job we’ll read that his friends didn’t always get it right when they started talking, but for a moment, let’s recognize what they did do well. When they heard about Job’s suffering, they came. They didn’t just send a message or offer to lift him up in prayer, they showed up in person. They wept with him. They tore their clothes, threw dust on their heads, and sat in silence beside him for seven days and nights. SEVEN WHOLE DAYS AND NIGHTS! I can’t even imagine sitting in torn clothes with ashes on my head and 3 close friends sitting with me for an hour let alone an entire week! But that’s what Job’s friends did. No words. Just presence.

That kind of compassion is rare, and powerful. It’s a model for us today. You don’t have to fix someone’s pain. You don’t need the perfect scripture or just the right words. You just need to be present.

Here are some ways you can be there for your friend in need:

• Be intentional. When someone in your life is hurting, take the time to reach out, not just through words, but through presence.
• Practice the ministry of silence. If you don’t know what to say, that’s okay. Your quiet support can speak louder than words.
• Stay spiritually prepared. Pray and ask God for wisdom and sensitivity in how to support others with grace and gentleness.
• Follow up. After the initial crisis, check in with your friend. Healing takes time, and continued support matters.

Think of someone in your life who is going through a tough time. Write them a note, give them a call, or better yet, go sit with them. Let them know they’re not alone. You don’t have to solve anything. Just show up with love and compassion.

Today I want to encourage you by reminding you that Job’s friends weren’t perfect, but they got one thing right, they showed up and they stayed. We don’t have to be theologians or counselors to comfort others. We just have to be willing. In times of suffering, God uses our presence to bring His peace. So when you don’t have the words, let your love be loud in silence. Trust that your willingness to walk with someone through pain will make a difference.  Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers.Top of Form

Bottom of FormToday’s scripture reading: Job 2:11-13

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.

12 And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven.

13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

Journal Prompt:

• Who in your life needs your quiet presence right now?
• How can you be a source of comfort without needing to say a word?
• Write a prayer asking God to help you be a friend who shows up with compassion and grace.

Get God’s Attention

_{Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” ~ Job 2:3}

Here’s something I hadn’t really noticed before. Even though I’ve read the book of Job before, it never really dawned on me that Satan had more than one encounter with God. It makes sense though, when the first attack didn’t work, Satan went back. Job wasn’t breaking. No matter what was taken from him, his livestock, his livelihood, even his children.  Through it all, Job held on to his integrity and refused to curse God.

In this second meeting, God again points Job out with deep affirmation: ““Look at my man, Job. There is nobody in the world like him.” Despite all the loss and pain, Job still feared God and shunned evil. That kind of faith got God’s attention.

Imagine that. A created person, living through unimaginable grief and confusion, is still so spiritually grounded that the Creator of the universe highlights him in a heavenly conversation.

What a powerful example for us today. We live in a world filled with distractions, compromises, and spiritual apathy. But when we choose to walk with integrity, reverence God, and resist evil, we too can walk in God’s blessing. He sees it. He honors it. He speaks about it.

Here are some things we can do to life this life of faith:

1. Fear (reverence) God daily. Make Him the highest priority in your decisions, time, and lifestyle.
2. Intentionally turn away from evil. Turn away from compromise, even in the small things. Guard your heart and mind.
3. Hold fast to integrity. Be the same person in private as you are in public. Don’t let hardship give you a reason to lower your standards.
4. Stay anchored in the storm. When the enemy presses in, press in harder to God and His promises to see you through. Worship. Read the Word. Pray. Remain unshakable.

Today I want to encourage you to realize you don’t have to be perfect to get God’s attention, but you do need to be faithful. Like Job, your life can stand out in a world that’s turned away from God. The more you fear the Lord, resist temptation, and walk in His ways, the more you display His glory, here in our world. Just like Job, even in suffering, you can remain a light that shines in the dark. A light that heaven notices and celebrates. Don’t be discouraged by the trials around you. Be encouraged that you’re seen, known, and valued by the One who matters most. You’ve already got His attention, now live in a way that keeps it.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 2:1-10

1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”

Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

4 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Journal Prompt:

• What does it mean for you to walk in integrity right now?
• Are there areas where you need to recommit to reverencing God and turning from compromise?
• Write a prayer of commitment today, asking God to help you live a life that honors Him, even when it’s hard.