The Daily Dose

 When Hope Feels Distant

“Where then is my hope? As for my hope, who can see it?” – Job 17:15

There are seasons in life where hope feels out of reach. When the weight of loss, misunderstanding, or suffering presses hard, even the strongest believer can feel abandoned, unheard, and questioning the point of it all.

I remember a time when I experienced a deep personal disappointment. A dream I had prayed over for years collapsed in front of me. I felt alone, even though I was surrounded by people. I kept serving, kept smiling, but inside I was tired. My prayers felt empty, my connection to Got was distant and I wasn’t sure how to keep going. That’s when this scripture spoke to me in a new way, not as the cries of a man who had given up, but as the honest expression of someone who desperately needed God to show up. As I kept calling out to Him, He did.

In Job 17, Job doesn’t mask his pain. He tells God how dark things are. But even in his despair, he doesn’t stop talking to God. He doesn’t walk away, he leans in. Job may not see hope in the moment, but he still directs his cries toward God. He knew the only place he would find peace was from the One Who had been with him through it all. That’s powerful.

Here are some ways you can trust your heavenly Father through difficult times, too:

1. Talk to God honestly. You don’t have to clean up your prayers. Just talk. Tell Him exactly how you feel. He’s not intimidated by your doubts or questions. He draws near to the brokenhearted.
2. Start small with hope. Job couldn’t see it, but hope wasn’t gone, it was just buried under the weight of his grief. Begin by finding one promise in God’s Word to hold onto. Write it down and speak it daily, even if your emotions don’t follow yet.
3. Don’t isolate. Job was misunderstood by his closest friends, but that didn’t stop him from seeking God. Find even one person you can be honest with who you trust to encourage you. A pastor, a mentor, or a friend. Sometimes hope comes back through the kindness of someone who listens.
4. Keep showing up. Stay in the Word, even if it feels dry. Worship, even if it’s with tears in your eyes. Hope has a way of growing in hearts that keep turning to God, even in the silence.

Today I want to encourage you to follow the example of Job by remembering that hope isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s just the next prayer. The next breath. The decision not to quit. God didn’t rebuke Job for his honesty, He met him in it. He will do the same for you. If today feels heavy, you are not alone. Hope is not lost just because you can’t see it clearly. Jesus is still near, still working, still listening. He promises beauty from ashes and light in the darkness. Let Job’s story remind you that even in your lowest moment, you are never beyond the reach of God’s hand or His plan.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 17

1 “My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me.

2 I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me.

3 “You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me.

4 You have closed their minds to understanding, but do not let them triumph.

5 They betray their friends for their own advantage, so let their children faint with hunger.

6 “God has made a mockery of me among the people; they spit in my face.

7 My eyes are swollen with weeping, and I am but a shadow of my former self.

8 The virtuous are horrified when they see me. The innocent rise up against the ungodly.

9 The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.

10 “As for all of you, come back with a better argument, though I still won’t find a wise man among you.

11 My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken.

12 These men say that night is day; they claim that the darkness is light.

13 What if I go to the grave and make my bed in darkness?

14 What if I call the grave my father, and the maggot my mother or my sister?

15 Where then is my hope? Can anyone find it?

16 No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust!”

📓 Journal:

• What area of my life feels hopeless right now?
• What is one way I can open my heart to God today, even if I don’t feel strong?

He’s still the same Lord                      

And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.  Acts 9:32

When I was younger, I remember someone saying that healing and miracles ended with the apostles, that the twelve who walked with Jesus were the only ones who could perform signs and wonders after His ascension. Because I hadn’t yet studied God’s Word for myself, I believed what I heard.

As I grew older, I had faith in God for salvation and provision, but I stopped short of believing Him for anything beyond what seemed possible. When someone became sick or faced a life-threatening illness, I didn’t know how to pray beyond “God’s will be done.” I believed healing was rare, if it happened at all.

But then I heard a testimony of someone I knew who had been miraculously healed from a terminal diagnosis. That moment shook my belief system. Maybe miracles hadn’t stopped. Maybe Jesus still healed. From then on, I began to pray differently. I stopped trying to figure out if someone “deserved” healing or had faith to be healed and started to trust in the power of God’s Word and the force of the name of Jesus.

In Acts 9, we read about Peter telling a paralyzed man, “Jesus the Christ heals you.” He didn’t ask for the man’s credentials. He didn’t pray a long prayer. He simply declared healing in the name of Jesus and immediately, the man stood up.

Notice Peter didn’t take credit. The healing wasn’t about Peter’s status, it was about Jesus. That’s consistent throughout the New Testament. Whether it was Paul, John, Ananias, or anyone else, the miracles always came through the name and power of Jesus, not through personal worthiness or human effort.

Here are some ways that we can practically apply this in our lives today:

1. Speak the Word with Confidence – Begin declaring God’s promises over your life. Scriptures like Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 103:2-3, and Mark 11:23-24 remind us of His healing power.
2. Pray in the Name of Jesus – When you pray, don’t rely on your own ability. Speak His name with authority. Miracles come from Him, not us.
3. Encourage Others Boldly – Just like Peter, you can speak life and healing to others. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions, share your faith and trust that God will do the rest.
4. Recall What He’s Already Done – Build your faith by remembering past victories. If God has come through before, He can do it again.
5. Stay in the Word – Feed your spirit daily with the truth of who Jesus is. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

You don’t have to wait for a church service, a special prayer meeting, or a spiritual leader to release God’s power in your life. You already have access to His name and His promises right now. Jesus hasn’t changed, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Today, I want to encourage you to believe again and ask boldly. Stand on His Word and trust in the name of Jesus. Whether you need healing in your body, restoration in your family, or breakthrough in your circumstances, He is still the same Lord and He’s still working miracles.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 9:32-43

 32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.

34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.

35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

Journal:

• What is one area of your life where you need to see God move in power?
• Write down a promise from God’s Word that speaks to that need and begin declaring it in faith today.

How to see multiplication

_{Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.  Acts 9:31}

I’ve been in plenty of church services where there was passionate talk about revival. People praying for growth, for spiritual energy to rise, and for fresh anointing in the faith walk of every believer. Many churches even host “revival meetings” or “weeks of increase” with the hope that their congregations will grow. While none of this is wrong, in fact, praying for souls to be saved and lives to be changed is a beautiful thing. But there’s no guarantee that extra meetings alone will lead to lasting multiplication of the body of believers.

But today’s passage gives us a clear blueprint. In Acts 9:31, we see four spiritual conditions that led to growth in the early church:

1. They had peace
2. They were edified (encouragaed)
3. They walked in the fear of the Lord
4. They walked in the comfort of the Holy Spirit

These weren’t one-time events or emotional highs. These were daily commitments to live in a way that invited the presence and power of God and the result was multiplication.

Let’s look at how we can live this out in our own lives:

1. Have Peace

Peace isn’t the absence of problems; it’s the presence of God in the middle of them. Colossians 3:15 tells us to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” and Isaiah 26:3 says we’re kept in perfect peace when we stay focused on God. Practically, this means starting your day with God’s Word, choosing gratitude in tough moments, and keeping your mind fixed on His truth, not your fears.

2. Be Edified and Edify Others

To edify is to build up, to strengthen and encourage others. You can start by speaking life into the people around you. Make a point to encourage your coworkers, check in on a friend, or share a Bible verse that’s helped you lately. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up,” and Jude 1:20 says praying in the Spirit builds up your own faith.

3. Walk in the Fear of the Lord

This isn’t about being afraid of God, it’s about honoring Him with reverence and giving Him first place in your life. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When you start your day by submitting your plans to God, making decisions based on His Word, and putting Him above all else, you’re walking in true wisdom.

4. Live in the Comfort of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit isn’t just a helper for the early church, He’s your helper, too. Jesus called Him the Comforter in John 14:16, and He’s still guiding, strengthening, and speaking today. When you face challenges, pause and ask, “Holy Spirit, what do You want me to see or do in this moment?” Submitting your thoughts and emotions to Him opens the door for supernatural peace, comfort, and direction.

Today, I want to encourage you that revival and multiplication don’t start with a special event, they begin with a faithful lifestyle. When you walk in peace, build others up, honor the Lord above all else, and lean into the comfort of the Holy Spirit, you’ll begin to see growth, not only in your own life but in the lives around you. Revival starts in you and when each believer lives this way, the Church will multiply just like the church did when it was started all those years ago.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 9:26-31

26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.

30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

 Journal:

• Which of the four principles from Acts 9:31, peace, edification, fear of the Lord, or comfort of the Holy Spirit, do I need to grow in the most right now?
• What is one step I can take today to live it out in my own life and help multiply the Church?

When prayer feels like pain

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high. ~ Job 16:19

Yesterday we talked about going into your secret place to pray and to meet with God honestly, consistently, and personally. But what do you do when even your prayers feel heavy? When you show up to your quiet place and all you have to offer is pain?

That’s exactly where Job was in chapter 16. He had lost everything, his children, his health, his wealth and now even his friends had turned on him. Instead of offering comfort, they criticized him and questioned his character. Yet, in the middle of all that pain, Job still went to God with all he was going through.

He didn’t hide how he felt. He didn’t pretty up his words. He said, “I have been crushed… My face is red with weeping… Yet my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.” (Job 16:7–19, paraphrased). Job didn’t feel heard or understood by anyone on earth, but he knew God was still listening.

Have you ever been there? You go to pray, but the words don’t come out right. Or they do, but they sound more like complaints than praises. You feel misunderstood, even in prayer. I’ve been there. There were days I sat with tears instead of words, moments when all I could say was, “God, please help me.” And though nothing seemed to change at first, something always did inside me. I was heard. I was held. God was there.  The truth is when you go to God in your pain, you don’t need perfect words for Him to listen. You just need an honest heart.

Here’s how to start:

• Go to your secret place, even if you feel numb or frustrated. You don’t need to “feel spiritual.” You just need to show up.
• Be honest with God. Tell Him how it really is. If you’re tired, say it. If you’re hurting, pour it out. He can handle it.
• Remember who is listening. Job said, “My advocate is on high.” You have someone in heaven, Jesus Himself, who intercedes for you (Romans 8:34).
• End by trusting God to respond, even if you don’t feel anything immediately. Faith isn’t about feelings, it’s about trusting that your Father hears, even in silence.

If all you can do today is groan, then groan. If all you can do is cry, then cry. But don’t stop praying and don’t stop running to God when the pain of life hits. God doesn’t require eloquence or Elizabethan English, He desires closeness. Even Job, in all his sorrow, still found a way to say, “God, You are my witness. You see it all.”

Today, I want to encourage you to bring your pain into your prayer. Don’t run from God in your suffering, run to Him. He sees what others can’t. He understands what others don’t. While friends may misjudge or misunderstand, your Advocate never does. He’s on your side. He’s in your corner and He’s always listening.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 16

1 Then Job spoke again:

2 “I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!

3 Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking?

4 I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.

5 But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.

6 Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.

7 “O God, you have ground me down and devastated my family.

8 As if to prove I have sinned, you’ve reduced me to skin and bones. My gaunt flesh testifies against me.

9 God hates me and angrily tears me apart. He snaps his teeth at me

and pierces me with his eyes.

10 People jeer and laugh at me. They slap my cheek in contempt. A mob gathers against me.

11 God has handed me over to sinners. He has tossed me into the hands of the wicked.

12 “I was living quietly until he shattered me. He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces. Then he set me up as his target,

13 and now his archers surround me. His arrows pierce me without mercy. The ground is wet with my blood.

14 Again and again he smashes against me, charging at me like a warrior.

15 I wear burlap to show my grief. My pride lies in the dust.

16 My eyes are red with weeping; dark shadows circle my eyes.

17 Yet I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure.

18 “O earth, do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf.

19 Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high.

20 My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.

21 I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.

22 For soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.

Journal:

• What pain or frustration have I been holding back from God?
• What do I need to say to Him today that I’ve been afraid or too tired to say?

Write your prayer honestly and let it come from the heart.

When they just  don’t get it

“What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not in us?” ~ Job 15:9

This chapter in Job is one of those chapters that doesn’t feel encouraging at first glance. Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, responded to Job’s cries with criticism and condemnation. Instead of offering comfort, he accused Job of pride, wickedness, and arrogance. He questioned Job’s wisdom, implying that no one righteous would speak the way Job has. It’s painful to read, especially if you’ve ever been misunderstood in your own season of suffering.

I remember a time in my life when I was walking through a tough season. I struggling to make ends meet and desperate to have a change in my circumstances and everything I leaned on for stability. Emotionally, I was drained. Spiritually, I was clinging to the Lord with what little strength I had left. The people around me didn’t see the internal battle. Instead, they assumed I was making wrong choices or had hidden sin. Like Eliphaz, they tried to “fix” me with sharp words rather than support me with prayer and compassion.

It hurt deeply and yet, I can see now how God used that time, not only to strengthen me, but also to help me recognize that people aren’t always equipped to understand your journey. Job’s experience shows us that even the most well-meaning friends can speak from a place of limited understanding, and their words, though loud, don’t always speak truth.

So, what is the answer?  How do you handle things when your friends and family are coming at you with their answers and judgements?  Here are some things you can do the next time you are struggling and people around you want to tell you what you need to do or why the pain is in your life:

1. Guard your heart when you’re criticized.
   Not all feedback is helpful. Before you accept someone’s opinion as truth, hold it up to what you know about God’s character and His voice in your life. Let scripture be your wisdom when people are sharing theirs.
2. Let God be your defense.
   Job didn’t have to prove his righteousness to his friends, he trusted that God saw the full picture. You don’t need to spend energy trying to convince others of your heart. Keep walking in integrity, and God will take care of your reputation in His time.
3. Choose compassion over accusation.
   When others are suffering, resist the urge to correct or analyze. Be present. Pray. Ask how you can help and truly listen.
4. Know that you’re not alone.
   If you’re in a season where your pain is misunderstood, take heart and remember that Job was there too. God never left him, and He won’t leave you either.
5. Stay grounded in truth.
   Eliphaz questioned Job’s understanding, but Job knew his heart. Keep returning to God’s Word and His promises, especially when the opinions of others are loud.

Start preparing to day by following the suggestions below:

• Spend time in quiet with the Lord each day, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Let Him remind you of who you are and who He is.
• Write down words others have spoken that wounded you, and surrender them in prayer. Ask God to silence anything that doesn’t come from Him.
• If you’re walking with someone who’s hurting, ask them how you can support them this week without offering advice, just your presence.
• Use your pain as a reminder to turn it into praise. God has a plan and a purpose that is good and a future of hope.

Today I want to encourage you that even the most faithful can be misunderstood. But God is never confused. He sees the whole story. He knows your motives, your heartache, and your desires to do what’s right, even when the path is painful. Let His voice be the loudest in your life. When others question your heart, let Him be your peace. In the end, Job’s story wasn’t defined by the accusations, it was defined by God’s faithfulness.

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

2 “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag.

3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter. What good are such words?

4 Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him?

5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception.

6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I. Your own lips testify against you.

7 “Were you the first person ever born? Were you born before the hills were made?

8 Were you listening at God’s secret council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?

9 What do you know that we don’t? What do you understand that we do not?

10 On our side are aged, gray-haired men much older than your father!

11 “Is God’s comfort too little for you? Is his gentle word not enough?

12 What has taken away your reason? What has weakened your vision,

13 that you turn against God and say all these evil things?

14 Can any mortal be pure? Can anyone born of a woman be just?

15 Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in his sight.

16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst for wickedness!

17 “If you will listen, I will show you. I will answer you from my own experience.

18 And it is confirmed by the reports of wise men who have heard the same thing from their fathers—

19 from those to whom the land was given long before any foreigners arrived.

20 “The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless.

21 The sound of terror rings in their ears, and even on good days they fear the attack of the destroyer.

22 They dare not go out into the darkness for fear they will be murdered.

23 They wander around, saying, ‘Where can I find bread?’ They know their day of destruction is near.

24 That dark day terrifies them. They live in distress and anguish, like a king preparing for battle.

25 For they shake their fists at God, defying the Almighty.

26 Holding their strong shields, they defiantly charge against him.

27 “These wicked people are heavy and prosperous; their waists bulge with fat.

28 But their cities will be ruined. They will live in abandoned houses that are ready to tumble down.

29 Their riches will not last, and their wealth will not endure. Their possessions will no longer spread across the horizon.

30 “They will not escape the darkness. The burning sun will wither their shoots, and the breath of God will destroy them.

31 Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward.

32 They will be cut down in the prime of life; their branches will never again be green.

33 They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early, like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form.

34 For the godless are barren. Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.

35 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their womb produces deceit.”

Journal:

• Has there been a time when someone misunderstood your pain or wrongly judged your actions?
• How did you respond, and what would you want to do differently now, knowing God sees and defends you?

Holding on when life feels fragile

“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant. ~ Job 14:7-9

Today’s reading is another one of the rawest chapters in the Bible. Job is still pouring out his heart, overwhelmed by the brevity of life and the weight of suffering. He talks about how life is short and full of trouble, like a flower that withers or a shadow that disappears. He’s honest, vulnerable, and aching for answers.

I’ve had seasons where I felt like Job. I remember one particular year when loss seemed constant. A close family member passed away suddenly. A friendship I thought was unbreakable ended without explanation. At work, nothing was going right, and I felt like I was just surviving day to day. I found myself asking the same kinds of questions Job did: “Why even try? What’s the point when everything good fades so quickly?”

But even in Job’s despair, there’s a quiet longing for hope. In verse 7, he says, “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.” Job might have felt hopeless about his situation, but something in him still recognized that renewal was possible. That verse became an anchor for me during that difficult time. If a tree that looks dead can sprout again, maybe I can too.

If you’re in a season where you’re struggling to see purpose or hope, here are some steps you can take:

1. Get honest with God.
   Job didn’t hold back, but he did go to God first.  He didn’t clean up his thoughts before talking to God. Start your prayers with exactly how you feel, even if it’s messy.
2. Look for life in small places.
   Just like Job noticed the tree sprouting again, take notice of any good thing God is doing around you, a kind word from someone, a moment of peace, a new opportunity. These are signs that all is not lost.
3. Write down what you’re hoping for.
   Even if it feels impossible right now, putting your hope into words is a step toward believing it again. Hope grows when it’s spoken or written, even in its weakest form.
4. Give yourself permission to rest.
   Sometimes, what you need most is not answers but space to breathe. Rest is not quitting, it’s trusting God to keep the world spinning while you regain strength.

Today I want to encourage you that it’s okay to question, to grieve, and to feel the full weight of life’s trials. But it also plants a seed of something powerful: God is not finished with you. Even when things feel cut down to the root, you are not beyond hope. Life may be fragile, but the God who created the seasons is also the God who restores. Your story is still unfolding, and even in loss, God can bring renewal.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 14

1 “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!

2 We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.

3 Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me?

4 Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No one!

5 You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.

6 So leave us alone and let us rest! We are like hired hands, so let us finish our work in peace.

7 “Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches.

8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays,

9 at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling.

10 “But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they?

11 As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought,

12 people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up

nor be roused from their sleep.

13 “I wish you would hide me in the grave and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again!

14 Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.

15 You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork.

16 For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins.

17 My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt.

18 “But instead, as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff,

19 as water wears away the stones and floods wash away the soil, so you destroy people’s hope.

20 You always overpower them, and they pass from the scene. You disfigure them in death and send them away.

21 They never know if their children grow up in honor or sink to insignificance.

22 They suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.”

Journal:

• Where in your life do you feel “cut down” right now?
• Write a prayer asking God to show you what He can grow from that place.
• What kind of new life are you hoping to see?

Hold on to Him

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. ~ Job 13:15

Job 13 is one of the most raw and honest chapters in all of Scripture. Job stands before his friends and God, hurting and confused, but not without hope. He has lost nearly everything, his health, wealth, and children, yet he boldly declares, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” That kind of faith is not cheap or shallow. It comes from deep pain, deep wrestling, and a deep commitment to trust God, even when life makes no sense.

I’ve had moments where, in a small way I felt like Job, completely exposed and vulnerable, praying for answers and hearing none, seeking comfort and finding silence. I remember walking through a season when someone I loved was fighting for their life, and I couldn’t understand why God wasn’t stepping in the way I hoped He would. I kept praying, showing up, believing, but it felt like God was quiet. Honestly, I had to make a choice: Would I keep trusting God even when I didn’t understand Him?

During that time, Job’s example taught me something so powerful that I still remember today: you can question and still trust. You can hurt and still hope. You can be honest with God and still hold on to Him. Job didn’t pretend everything was fine, he expressed his confusion and frustration, but at the end of the day, he landed on clinging to God as his only hope and so did I.

When I came to the end and determined that no matter what happens around me, it will not shake my faith in God and I know He is always working on things below the surface.  That is why we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 4 that we do not focus on the outward circumstance because they are always changing. Instead we keep our heart fixed on the unseen, unchanging presence of the Holy Sprit that is constantly at work especially when we cannot see it.

Here are a few practical steps to help you when you cannot see hope in the middle of the storm:

1. Pray honestly. Tell God exactly how you feel. Job didn’t sugarcoat his pain, and neither should we. God can handle your truth.
2. Write it down. Journaling your prayers, questions, and even doubts help bring clarity and release.
3. Rehearse truth. Go back to what you know about God, His faithfulness, His goodness, and His presence, even when you don’t feel it.
4. Stay planted in Scripture. Read the Psalms or other parts of Job. Let God’s Word remind you that you’re not alone.
5. Keep going. Trust isn’t a feeling, it’s a choice. Job said, “I will defend my ways to His face.” He chose to stay in the conversation with God, and so can you.

Today I want to encourage you that you don’t have to have it all figured out to be faithful. Job wasn’t applauded for having the perfect response, he was honored because he never walked away from God, even in his suffering. Let your story be one of courageous trust in the middle of unanswered questions. You may not see the end yet, but you are still in the hands of the One who knows the whole picture. Even when everything around you shakes, your trust in God can be your anchor.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 13

1 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.

2 I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.

3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.

4 As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.

5 If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.

6 Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.

7 “Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?

8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him?

9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?

10 No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.

11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?

12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.

13 “Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.

14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands?

15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.

16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.

17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out.

18 I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent.

19 Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.

20 “O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.

21 Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.

22 Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.

23 Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.

24 Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?

25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw?

26 “You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth.

27 You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints.

28 I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.

Journal:

• What is one area in your life right now where you’re struggling to understand what God is doing?
• Write a prayer of trust, like Job’s, that declares your decision to keep believing, even in the unknown.

He knows what He is doing

_{For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. ~ Job 12:10}

Job 12 is Job’s powerful response to his friends who claimed to know how God works. He essentially says, “Look around you—everything in creation knows who’s in charge.” Despite all the pain and confusion Job was going through, he boldly declared that God still held everything in His hands.

I remember times in my own life when I thought I had things figured out. Usually, it would be times when things didn’t go the way I wanted them to and like many people do, I blamed God and reasoned that there is no way I could know how things work because God could change the rules at any moment.  There were times in my life when everything seemed to fall apart at once, an unexpected detour, strained relationships, and personal disappointment. I was praying, but I wasn’t hearing answers. I was searching for understanding, but all I had was silence.

Then, one day, I sat outside on the roof of the porch of the apartment below mine with no words left to pray. I sat in stillness and took in the world around me. I looked at the trees swaying in the breeze and the birds moving from branch to branch, completely undistracted by the noise of life happening around them. That’s when I realized that creation is telling the real story. Just as Jobe pointed out in today’s reading: “For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.”

That moment didn’t solve everything instantly, but it did settle something deep within me.  I knew I could trust that God still knew what He was doing.

You can trust Him too.  If you are struggling today and wondering how you got here, there are some practical things you can do to apply this truth in your life:

1. Spend intentional time outside. Even if it’s just a few minutes, observe how nature operates and the order of God’s created world. Let it remind you that He is also guiding your life.
2. Take inventory of what you can’t control. Write it down and hand it over to God. Job’s declaration wasn’t about having all the answers, it was about surrender and trusting God when he didn’t have the answers.
3. Speak truth even when others question your journey. Like Job, people might assume you’ve done something wrong when life gets hard. Stay grounded in the truth of who God is, not in the opinions of others.
4. Start each day with this short prayer:
   “God, I may not understand everything today, but I trust that Your hand is at work. Help me to see You in the middle of it.”

Here are some steps you can take to get started right now:

• Plan a quiet moment in your schedule this week, step outside, take a walk, or sit near a window.
• Ask God to help you see what Job saw, that His power is present, even when life doesn’t make sense.
• Begin a habit of noticing God in the ordinary. From the breeze in the trees to the sunrise in the morning, let every part of creation remind you that He is still in control.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that God is not absent in the middle of suffering. He is not unaware, and He hasn’t lost control. All of creation testifies to His power and wisdom. If the birds can trust Him to provide and the earth can yield fruit in season, then we too can rest in knowing that our lives are in capable hands.

When answers feel far away and trials feel unfair, lift your eyes to the One who shaped the world with wisdom and holds it together with His power. He’s not done with your story and He’s shaping it for something beautiful.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 12

1Then Job answered and said:

2“No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!

3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these?

4“I am one mocked by his friends, who called on God, and He answered him, the just and blameless who is ridiculed.

5A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; It is made ready for those whose feet slip.

6The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure—In what God provides by His hand.

7“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you.

9Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this,

10In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?

11Does not the ear test words and the mouth taste its food?

12Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.

13“With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.

14If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.

15If He withholds the waters, they dry up; If He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth.

16With Him are strength and prudence. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

17He leads counselors away plundered, and makes fools of the judges.

18He loosens the bonds of kings, and binds their waist with a belt.

19He leads princes away plundered, and overthrows the mighty.

20He deprives the trusted ones of speech, and takes away the discernment of the elders.

21He pours contempt on princes, and disarms the mighty.

22He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light.

23He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them.

24He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless wilderness.

25They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man.

Journal:

• Where in my life do I need to trust that God’s hand is still at work?
• What is one area I’ve been trying to control that I need to place back in His hands today?
• Write a prayer of surrender and ask God to help you see Him more clearly in everyday moments.

People want to hear

Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”  Acts 9:21

You have a testimony. You have a story that matters. It may not feel dramatic or miraculous to you, but it is powerful because it’s yours. Even if your journey to salvation didn’t involved a life-altering moment like Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus, your story holds the evidence of God’s grace and the power of His love at work in your life. The truth is that people are hungry to hear it.

Others may not know the peace of mind you now carry or the joy that keeps you steady. They might not understand what it means to be truly free, but when you speak about how Jesus changed your life, something begins to stir. The Holy Spirit takes the seeds of your words and begins to work in the hearts of those who hear.

In Acts 9:20–25, Saul, soon to be known as Paul, immediately began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. Just days before, he was persecuting believers, and now he was proclaiming the very message he had tried to silence. People were shocked and confused. Some doubted, and others believed. But the impact of his bold testimony spread quickly. His transformation sparked conversations and opened hearts.

You can do the same. Maybe your story doesn’t involve a dramatic turnaround, but if you’ve had a personal encounter with Jesus, if He’s rescued, healed, or walked with you through hard seasons, you have a message the world needs to hear. People don’t just want to know about a God from ancient times; they want to know what He’s doing today and your life is living proof.

Here are some ways you can begin sharing your story:

• Start small. Share with one person, a friend, coworker, or neighbor, something God has done in your life recently. Keep it simple and heartfelt.
• Write it down. Jot down your salvation story or a moment when God came through for you. This will help you clearly communicate it when the opportunity comes.
• Pray for open doors. Ask God to show you who needs to hear your story and to give you the courage to speak when the time comes.
• Let your life speak. Your kindness, joy, and peace speak volumes. When people notice something different about you, they’ll be more open to hearing what makes you different.
• Keep praying. Once you share your story, continue to pray for those who heard it. God is always working, even when you can’t see it.

Today I want to encourage you to not underestimate what God can do through your testimony. Just like Saul’s story changed minds and opened hearts, your story can plant seeds that grow into life-changing encounters with the Lord Jesus. You may not see results right away, but every story told in faith carries eternal weight. Speak boldly and love deeply. Be willing to share what Jesus has done in your life. People want to hear. As you share and pray, trust that God is using your words to bring hope, healing, and salvation to those around you.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 9:20-25

20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.

24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Journal:

• What is one specific way Jesus has impacted your life?
• Write out a short version of your testimony and ask God to show you someone who needs to hear it this week.

You are a disciple

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  Acts 9:10

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be one of Jesus’ apostles in today’s world? How cool would it be to witness miracles, hear God’s voice, and be used in powerful ways like Peter, John, and the others? Maybe you’ve never considered it because you think those extraordinary works were only for those who physically walked with Jesus. But today, I want you to consider something else: the Holy Spirit is still at work and He wants to work through you.

In today’s passage, we meet a man named Ananias. He wasn’t one of the twelve apostles. He wasn’t a church leader or one of the deacons mentioned in Acts 6. Ananias was simply described as “a certain disciple.” He was a follower of Jesus, just like many of us are today.

Yet, God chose him a man of faith, for a remarkable task. The Spirit gave Ananias specific instructions, even the exact street address where he would find Saul (later Paul), who had just encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was temporarily blinded. God asked Ananias to go pray for the man who had been known for persecuting believers.

Understandably, Ananias had concerns. He had heard what Saul had done and questioned whether this was really safe. But instead of walking away, he talked with the Lord about it. God assured him that Saul had been chosen for a special mission and that his life was about to take a new direction. With that reassurance, Ananias took a step of faith based on what God told him and he went, laid hands on Saul, and watched as God restored his sight and transformed his life.

What’s powerful is that Ananias didn’t perform a miracle on his own. He simply obeyed God step by step. He trusted the Spirit’s guidance, and God did the rest.

That’s the same kind of life God invites us into today. You don’t need a title or platform. You don’t need to be a preacher, a prophet, or an evangelist. If you are a disciple, someone who follows Jesus, you are available to be part of what God is doing in the world today.

If you do not know how or haven’t followed His direction in a while, here are some points to help get you back on track:

• Start by doing getting into God’s Word and obey what He has already said. The foundation of being a disciple is obedience to His written Word. Start with what’s clear: receive salvation through Jesus, be water baptized, gather regularly with other believers, and grow in grace and truth. When you follow His Word, you position your heart to hear more clearly when He directs you personally.

• Stay connected to God in prayer. Create space to hear from Him. Set aside personal quiet time with Him each day and listen to anything that comes up from your heart.  Until you are sure of His leading, ask Him to make things plain and clear to you.
• Don’t ignore promptings or impressions on your heart, ask God who’s life you can be a part of impacting today.
• When you sense direction, don’t worry about having the full picture. Take the first step and trust God to guide the next.
• Be willing to act even when you feel uncertain. God will meet you with grace, wisdom, and clarity as you go.

You might be surprised by how God leads you. Like Ananias, your obedience could be the turning point in someone else’s story and yours.

Today I want to encourage you that you are not “just” a believer. You are a disciple. You are someone God sees, knows, and calls by name. When He speaks, He speaks to people just like me and just like you, ordinary men and women who are willing to say, “Here I am, Lord.” You don’t have to understand it all or be the most qualified. You just need to be available. If God worked through Ananias to launch the ministry of the Apostle Paul, imagine what He can do through your life when you simply listen and obey.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 9:10-19

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” and he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.  

12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

 Journal:

• What is something God may be asking you to do that feels out of your comfort zone?
• Write a prayer asking Him for clarity, courage, and the next step.

Then, write “Here I am, Lord” at the top of the page as a reminder that He can use you today.