I’ve long since mastered walking and talking, but now I’m learning to do other things. And sometimes it feels really uncomfortable and looks really awkward. Sometimes, I feel frustrated by how far out of reach some of my dreams and goals seem. I feel like a toddler, knowing I’m meant to run but not yet able to advance beyond a few wobbly steps...⠀
Read MoreGod often speaks to us in a “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12 NKJV), and His small voice sometimes asks us to do small things—things that are so small, we’re tempted to disregard them…
Read MoreThis week, I’m excited to be sharing a guest post from my dear friend Kay Gleaves, who has some encouragement for you to keep believing even when things look bleak.
Kay is a fellow devotion writer on the Joyful Life team, an expert encourager, and an all around amazing woman of God. I know you will be inspired and uplifted by this powerful devotion—I certainly have been!
We each have callings and assignments, and God invites us to participate in various projects or ministries with Him. Our initial response may be excitement: “Yes, I’ll partner with you God!” But once we start the process, we may begin to think it’s more than we can handle…
Read MoreAs your plans are put on hold, you might feel like your destiny is derailed. But it's not. God promises to work ALL things for our good. And nothing, not even a pandemic, can stop His purpose from coming to pass in your life…⠀
Read MoreLast year was the year of delayed dreams and disappointed hopes.
We suffered sadness and setbacks, and as we move into 2021, I think we're all hoping for better days ahead. Yet, as eager as we are to leave the struggles of 2020 behind, it's easy to feel the discouragement of past months creeping back in—especially in light of current events…
Read MoreAre you willing?”
I felt God ask me this question recently. Over the last few weeks, it’s continued to echo in my heart, and as I’ve reflected on the Christmas story, I’m in awe more than ever of Mary, a woman who was willing…
Read MoreEach new day is an opportunity to walk in our God-given purpose. We have a chance to make a difference. How we spend our mornings matters because our mornings set the stage for the remainder of the day…
Read MoreMaybe you’re in the same place I was twelve years ago: Feeling the call to something more, but afraid of what it might mean, terrified of what might be required of you.
And maybe you need to hear what I needed to hear: There’s something unique set in you.
You might be trying to deny it, or ignore it, but it’s there, and it matters…
I also want to remind you how much you matter to God.
Ephesians 1:11 tells us that “because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God's sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago" (TLB)…
As adults, we don’t usually give ourselves so freely. Whether we’re artists, or teachers, or singers, or bakers, we often feel that our offerings are not worthy if they are not perfect. We stress and ruminate over perceived mistakes. But, just like a loving parent or caregiver, God isn’t concerned with perfection…
Read MoreAs Christians, I think we sometimes feel that to please God we must always be busy doing something. We know God wants us to comfort the hurting, share the gospel, and give to those in need. But we forget that He also calls us to rest…
Read MoreA few days ago, I decided to browse through some of my old journals. I picked up an orange Moleksine notebook, which contained entries from 2018.
Inside, I found this prayer:
“God, what I would really love and could really use to grow as a writer…is to be a regular contributor to a great Christian website, like (in)courage or iBelieve or Joyful Living [Joyful Life.] Please let a door open like this for me.”…
…We too have a Good Shepherd—Jesus who is diligently tending to the needs of His flock. Despite this beautiful reality, too often I take it upon myself to meet my needs. I feel like it’s up to me to provide for myself and solve my own problems. I feel that I must take care of myself…
Read MoreRecently, I wrote this in an Instagram post:
“We tend to keep our expectations low, because we’re not convinced of God’s promise to do ‘infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes’ (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).”
In response, a reader asked, “Ephesians says God is 'able' to do infinitely more, but does that count as a promise that He will?”…
Do you want to become the leader in your home, church, or community that God created you to be?
With his book I Am David, Pastor Jimmy Evans has created a great source to help you do that.
Drawing examples from the life of King David—of one of the greatest leaders of all time—he teaches ten lessons for growing in greatness and becoming all God created us to be, even in the midst of formidable challenges…
Read MorePaying attention to our hearts matters. But how do we do it, exactly? As promised in my previous post, this week I’m sharing four practical steps you can take to connect to and attend to your heart…
Read MoreWhen I graduated from high school, I had high hopes—and a lot to learn about how to let God guide me into His plans for me. As I reflect on how my path has meandered over the last 17 years from high school graduate to professional counselor-turned-writer, I’ve been wondering: What advice would I give the 2003 version of myself?
Read MoreIn the journey of living a purposeful life, I think many people feel that finding their call is the hard part. Once they know what they’re called to, they think the rest will be easy.
But that’s not necessarily the case.
I believe it is not discovering but rather accepting our callings that is often the hard part…
Whenever you listen to the birds, ramble through a forest, or marvel at the mountains, perhaps, like me, you can ‘hear’ the songs of praise and adoration for our good Father. You may find it easy to see how nature displays God’s glory.
But what about when you look at yourself? Are you filled with the same wonder and awe? Our culture’s constant provocation to personal discontent and our tendency toward self-criticism can make it hard to recognize, but you too are part of the symphony of creation declaring God’s majesty…
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Hi! I'm Carina, and I'm here to help you connect with God and discover and share your unique gifts.
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