Our culture often distrusts emotions—we tend to look down on people who are “emotional” or who base decisions on how they feel. Being guided by logic is touted as the more responsible and realistic way to move through life.
But, as we seek to grow closer to God and move forward in our purpose, what if our emotions are just as important as our minds?
Read MoreThe last couple of months have been crazy busy, and in my desire to get all the things done that I’ve needed to get done (and soak up as much summer sun as I can while I’m at it) I’ve found myself neglecting the practices that make me feel most refreshed and rested (like reading and quiet time at home), as well as some of the projects God has called me to do…
Has God given you a mission but you're not sure how you'll accomplish certain aspects of what He's calling you to do?
Today, I'm sharing a devotion I wrote for The Joyful Life that I hope will encourage you as you pursue all God has in store for you—no matter how impossible it seems…
Read MoreRather than impulses to be resisted, our dreams and desires are often signals God uses to lead us into His purpose and callings for our lives. However, while our desires often do point us in the right direction, not everything we want is necessarily God's will. So how can we tell if a desire is truly from Him?
To help answer that question, today I'm sharing an article I wrote for The Joyful Life Magazine. In it, I reveal five questions I’ve found helpful to ask when I’m trying to determine whether what I want lines up with what God wants…
There’s a gardening proverb that goes like this: “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, the third year they leap!”
This little adage is a reminder that you won't see much outward growth in the first year after a perennial (a plant that lives for multiple years) is planted…
Have you ever felt that you were so busy you couldn’t take a break? I found myself in that place not long ago.
I’d started a new project—something I felt God had prompted me to do—but as the project progressed, it seemed to consume more and more of my time. When I discovered feelings of resentment creeping in regarding my work, I knew something needed to change…
I used to be suspicious of my desires. I was devoted to God and determined to do what was right, and I worried that what I wanted would distract me from God’s plan or that my desires might be self-indulgent or impractical.
But through studying the Bible, I've come to understand that rather than impulses to be resisted, our dreams and desires are often signals God uses to lead us into His purpose and callings for our lives…
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.”…
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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