Learning to Trust Again
Posted on February 3, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
Trust is rarely built in a single moment. More often, it grows through repeated choices. These are the small, steady decisions to lean on God. Our instincts might tell us to rely on ourselves. Many of us carry the scars of disappointment, unanswered questions, or seasons when God felt silent. Those experiences can make trust feel risky. Yet Scripture invites us to trust God with all our heart, not just the parts that feel safe.
Trust begins with honesty. God isn’t asking you to pretend you’re strong; He’s asking you to bring Him the places where you feel weak. He isn’t asking you to ignore your questions; He’s asking you to trust Him with them. When we stop leaning on our own understanding, we create space for God. He guides us in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Today, take one step toward trusting God again. It may be a prayer whispered through uncertainty. It might be a decision to release control. It could also be a simple acknowledgment that you need His help. Trust grows one surrender at a time.
PRAYER:
Father, teach me to trust You with my whole heart. Help me release the need to understand everything and instead rest in Your wisdom and goodness. Strengthen my faith today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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When Life Feels Like a Slow Unfolding
Posted on February 2, 2026 Leave a Comment
Some seasons of life don’t arrive with fireworks or dramatic turning points. Instead, they come quietly—like a slow sunrise that takes its time warming the horizon. These are the seasons when nothing feels particularly exciting, yet nothing is terribly wrong either. You’re moving forward, but the pace feels unhurried, almost subtle. And if you’re not careful, you might mistake this slow unfolding for stagnation.
But growth doesn’t always announce itself. More often, it happens beneath the surface, in the hidden places where God shapes character, deepens trust, and strengthens resilience. We celebrate the big breakthroughs, but the small, steady work God does in the background is just as sacred.
There’s a quiet beauty in these in‑between moments. They teach us patience. They remind us that life isn’t meant to be lived in constant acceleration. They invite us to pay attention. We should notice the conversations that linger. We should also recognize the small victories that go unnoticed. The gentle nudges guide us forward. These moments are where God often whispers the things we’re too busy to hear in louder seasons.
The slow unfolding also gives us space to breathe. When life isn’t demanding urgency, we have the opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and rediscover what matters. We can notice the things we’ve overlooked. These include the comfort of routine, the gift of ordinary days, and the steady presence of God in the mundane. These are not wasted stretches of time; they are invitations to grow roots.
And maybe that’s the point. Before God brings new fruit, He often strengthens the root system. Before He opens new doors, He prepares the heart that will walk through them. Before He entrusts us with more, He shapes us to carry it well. The slow seasons are not delays—they are preparation.
If you find yourself in one of those quiet stretches right now, take heart. You are not stuck. You are being shaped. You are being steadied. You are being readied for what’s next, even if you can’t see it yet. Trust the process. Trust the timing. Trust the God who works just as powerfully in the stillness as He does in the storm.
Life doesn’t always move fast, but it always moves with purpose. And sometimes the most meaningful growth happens when the pace slows down enough for us to notice it.
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Strength for the Ordinary Days
Posted on February 2, 2026 Leave a Comment
“The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.”
Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)
There’s something beautiful about the ordinary days. These are the ones that don’t feel dramatic or memorable. They are filled with routines and responsibilities. It is the quiet work of simply showing up. These are the days when faith is often lived most authentically. Not in the spotlight, not in the crisis, but in the steady rhythm of trusting God moment by moment.
Psalm 28:7 reminds us that God is not only our strength in emergencies; He is our strength in the everyday. He shields us from discouragement, from weariness, from the subtle pressures that try to drain our joy. When our hearts trust Him—even in the small things—we start to notice His help. We might have overlooked these ways before. A timely word from a friend. A moment of unexpected peace. A task that felt overwhelming suddenly becoming manageable. These are not coincidences; they are reminders that God is near.
Trust grows in the soil of repetition. Each time we choose to lean on God instead of our own understanding, we strengthen the foundation of our faith. And as that foundation grows, so does our confidence that God is present in every detail of our lives.
Today, let this verse be an invitation to slow down and recognize God’s quiet faithfulness. He is your strength when you feel stretched thin. He is your shield when anxiety tries to creep in. And He is your helper in every task, every conversation, every decision. You don’t walk through any part of your day alone.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for being my strength in every moment—both the challenging ones and the ordinary ones. Teach me to trust You with the details of my day. Help me to recognize Your help in the small, quiet ways You provide it. Guard my heart from discouragement and fill me with steady confidence in Your presence. Help me walk today with gratitude, peace, and renewed strength. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Sharing the Weight of One Another’s Wounds
Posted on January 30, 2026 Leave a Comment
“But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.”
2 Corinthians 2:5 (NKJV)
Paul’s words here reveal something profound about the nature of Christian community. When one person sins, stumbles, or causes pain, the impact is never isolated. It ripples outward, touching the hearts of those connected to them. Paul isn’t minimizing the offense—he’s highlighting the shared burden of grief within the body of Christ.
This verse reminds us that we are spiritually intertwined. We rejoice together, we suffer together, and we grieve together. When someone falls, it affects the whole community because love binds us to one another. Paul’s tone is pastoral, not punitive. He isn’t pointing fingers; he’s acknowledging the reality of shared sorrow while preparing the church for the next step—restoration.
The beauty of this passage is that it doesn’t end with grief. Paul goes on to urge forgiveness, comfort, and reaffirmed love. The goal is never to shame but to heal. The church is called to be a place where wounds are acknowledged, burdens are shared, and grace is extended generously.
This verse challenges us to consider how we respond when someone’s actions bring pain. Do we distance ourselves, gossip, or judge? Or do we lean in with compassion, remembering that we too have needed grace? True community doesn’t ignore sin, but neither does it abandon the sinner. It walks the difficult road of truth and love, holding both with humility.
If someone in your life has caused grief, ask God to help you see them through His eyes. And if you have caused grief, remember that God’s desire is not condemnation but restoration. Healing happens when we allow grace to flow in both directions.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for placing me in a community where we can share both joy and sorrow. Give me a heart that responds to others with compassion, wisdom, and grace. When I am hurt, help me seek healing rather than bitterness. When I cause hurt, give me humility to repent and make things right. Teach me to walk in the kind of love that restores and strengthens Your people. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Surviving January: Tips to Beat the Winter Doldrums
Posted on January 29, 2026 Leave a Comment
Every year it happens. We step into January with a burst of optimism. We set fresh goals and feel renewed energy. Maybe there are even a few leftover Christmas cookies to sweeten the transition. But then winter settles in for its long, stubborn stay, and suddenly the sparkle fades. The cold feels colder. The days feel shorter. And the calendar seems to insist that spring is still a distant rumor. If you’re already tired of winter, you’re in good company.
There’s something uniquely draining about this stretch of the season. December winter is charming—twinkling lights, festive gatherings, warm drinks, and cozy sweaters. But January winter? That’s a different creature entirely. The decorations are packed away. The holiday glow has dimmed. We’re left with a month that feels like a gray pause button. The cold isn’t cute anymore; it’s just cold. The early sunsets aren’t atmospheric; they’re inconvenient. And scraping frost off the windshield has lost every ounce of novelty.
Part of the fatigue comes from the monotony. Winter has a way of making every day look the same. The sky stays the same shade of overcast. The trees stay bare. The wind stays sharp. Even the wardrobe becomes repetitive—layers on layers, day after day. It’s no wonder so many people start craving color, warmth, and the simple joy of stepping outside without bracing themselves.
But winter weariness isn’t just about the weather. It’s about longing for movement, for change, for signs of life. We’re wired for seasons, for rhythms, for progress. And when nature seems stuck in neutral, we feel it. We want to see the first green shoots. We want to hear birdsong again. We want to feel the sun linger just a little longer in the sky. We want to open windows, not just crank up the heater.
Still, even in this slog of a season, there’s something to be said for the quiet winter forces on us. It slows us down. It nudges us inward. It gives us permission to rest, think, and reset. And maybe that’s why it feels so long—because rest, real rest, is unfamiliar territory for many of us. Winter insists on it.
So if you’re tired of winter already, don’t feel guilty. You’re not alone in counting the days until spring. But while we wait, maybe we can find small comforts. Enjoy a warm mug in cold hands. Read a good book under a soft blanket. Relish a moment of stillness that summer never quite allows. Winter won’t last forever. It never does. The first warm breeze will finally arrive. It will feel all the sweeter. This is because of the long, chilly stretch we’ve endured.
Until then, hang in there. Spring is coming—even if it’s taking the scenic route.
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Embrace Correction: A Path to Personal Growth
Posted on January 29, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Now let no man contend, or rebuke another . . .”
Hosea 4:4a (NKJV)
Hosea 4:4 paints a sobering picture: The people had become very resistant to correction. Even God’s prophets struggled to reach them. Their hearts were closed, their ears were dull, and their pride made them unteachable.
In the workplace, this same dynamic can quietly take root. Most of us don’t openly reject correction. However, we can become defensive, dismissive, or quietly resistant when feedback comes our way. We may justify ourselves, blame circumstances, or point to someone else’s shortcomings. Hosea reminds us that when we stop listening, we stop growing. When growth stops, our work suffers. Our relationships and witness suffer as well.
A teachable spirit is one of the most powerful gifts we can bring to our workplace. It reflects humility, maturity, and a desire to honor God in everything we do. When we welcome correction—even when it stings—we show that our identity is not rooted in perfection. Instead, it is based on God’s ongoing work within us.
Imagine the impact on your team if you became known as a person who listens deeply. You would be someone who receives feedback graciously. You would respond with wisdom rather than defensiveness. That kind of posture builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and opens doors for influence.
Today, let Hosea’s warning become an invitation: keep your heart soft, your spirit humble, and your ears open. God shapes us through the voices around us, even the uncomfortable ones.
PRAYER:
Father, give me a teachable heart today. Help me welcome correction with humility and wisdom. Guard me from defensiveness, pride, or blame. Use the feedback I receive from coworkers, leaders, or circumstances. Let it shape me into someone who reflects Your character in my work. Keep my spirit open, my attitude gracious, and my heart aligned with You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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The Danger of Living Without Understanding
Posted on January 28, 2026 Leave a Comment
“This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings.”
Psalm 49:13 (NKJV)
This verse is a sobering reminder that life is more than wealth, status, or human achievement. Verse 13 captures the heart of the psalmist’s warning. When people place their confidence in themselves—whether in their riches, influence, or cleverness—they walk a path that ultimately leads nowhere. And those who admire or imitate them end up sharing the same fate.
The psalmist isn’t condemning success or hard work. Instead, he is exposing the emptiness of a life built on self‑reliance. When people trust in themselves, they become blind to eternal realities. They measure life by temporary gains, forgetting that none of it can follow them beyond the grave. Their words may sound impressive. Their lifestyles may seem enviable. Their confidence may appear unshakable. Without God, all of it is an illusion.
The verse also highlights a second danger: following the wrong voices. We live in a world full of influencers, experts, and personalities who promise fulfillment through self‑empowerment, self‑promotion, or self- gratification. But Scripture reminds us that wisdom does not come from the loudest voices—it comes from the Lord. When we admire or imitate those who trust only in themselves, we risk drifting into the same spiritual emptiness.
Psalm 49 calls us to a different way of living—a life anchored in God’s wisdom, not human pride. True understanding begins when we recognize our dependence on Him. He is the One who gives purpose, direction, and eternal security. When our trust is in God rather than ourselves, we walk a path that leads to life, not futility.
Today, take a moment to examine where your confidence rests. Are you leaning on your own strength, or are you trusting in the One who holds eternity? Are the voices shaping your life drawing you closer to God, or pulling you toward self‑reliance? Let this verse gently redirect your heart toward the wisdom that lasts.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for reminding me that true understanding comes from You alone. Guard my heart from trusting in myself or being influenced by voices that lead me away from Your truth. Teach me to walk in humility, wisdom, and dependence on You. Help me place my confidence in Your guidance and not in my own strength. Lead me in the way that brings life and honors You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Facing the Fire: Lessons from Daniel 3
Posted on January 27, 2026 Leave a Comment
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors,“Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3:24-25 (NKJV)
In our professional lives, we often talk about “putting out fires.” We face the heat of tight deadlines. We meet the friction of workplace conflict. We endure the scorching pressure of performance reviews. But in Daniel 3, we see three young men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who didn’t just deal with a figurative fire. They were thrown into a literal furnace for their integrity.
These verses capture the moment the atmosphere changed. There are three profound shifts that happen in this passage that apply directly to your workday:
1. From Bound to Unbound The king’s guards tied the three men up before throwing them in. However, the fire didn’t consume the men; it only consumed the ropes that bound them. Sometimes, the “heat” of a difficult season at work helps God burn away our dependencies on people-pleasing. It removes our ego or the need for constant security. The trial makes us freer than we were in the comfort zone.
2. From Three to Four The most powerful realization is about the fourth man. He didn’t appear after they got out of the fire. He was waiting inside it. You may feel isolated, thinking you are walking through a project or a toxic culture alone. However, the “Fourth Man“—the presence of Christ—is walking alongside you in the cubicle. He is also there in the boardroom or the warehouse.
3. From Harm to Witness The fire was meant to destroy them. Yet, they emerged without even the smell of smoke. When we maintain our integrity under pressure, our “unburned” spirit becomes a testimony. People notice when you remain calm while others panic, or when you are kind while others are cynical. Your presence in the “fire” becomes a witness to the One walking with you.
Application for Today
Identify Your “Ropes”: What is currently making you feel bound at work? Is it fear of failure or a specific relationship? Ask God to let the heat of this season burn those ropes away.
Acknowledge the Guest: Before you start your next meeting or task, take a breath and acknowledge the “Fourth Man.” You are not navigating this workload solo.
Check Your Temperature: Are you letting the fire get into you, or are you simply walking through it? Trust that the grace of God is a shield that keeps the heat from changing who you are.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that You never leave me to face the heat alone. When the pressures of my job feel like a furnace, help me to see You walking beside me. Burn away the fears and insecurities that bind me. Let me emerge from this day with a spirit that is unbound and unharmed. May my conduct in the fire point others toward Your peace and protection. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
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Finding God in Work’s Whirlwind
Posted on January 26, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.”
Ezekiel 1:4 (NKJV)
In the opening chapter of Ezekiel, the prophet finds himself among the exiles by the Kebar River. It is a place of displacement and hard labor. It also carries a bit of professional despair. It is here, in the midst of a mundane and difficult assignment, that the heavens open.
At first glance, this “whirlwind” and “great cloud” seem like a recipe for a bad day at the office. It signifies chaos, pressure, and the overwhelming nature of a task too big to handle. We just had a terrific winter storm in the middle of the country this past weekend. But look closer at the center: “like the color of amber.”
Most of us show up to work and see the “cloud.” We see the looming deadlines, the turbulent atmosphere of office politics, or the flashing lightning of urgent emails. It’s easy to get lost in the storm. We often forget that God is seated right in the center of the intensity.
In the ancient Hebrew, the “color of amber” (or hashmal) suggests a brilliance that is impossible to ignore. It signifies a divine presence that thrives even in the heat. In our professional lives, the “fire” isn’t always something to be avoided. It is often the very place where God’s glory is most refined.
When you feel the heat of a project, ask yourself: Is this a storm to run from? When you feel the pressure of a difficult conversation, consider: Is this a cloud I need to look into? God doesn’t just meet us in the quiet of a Sunday morning. He is the “brightness all around it. It radiates out of its midst” in the middle of a chaotic Tuesday afternoon. When we change our perspective, we start to notice the “color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.” in our tasks. Our work transforms. It changes from a chore into a theater of His presence. Our excellence becomes a reflection of that divine brilliance.
Application for Today
- Acknowledge the Storm: Don’t ignore the stress. Recognize the “windstorm” for what it is, but don’t let it be the only thing you see.
- Seek the Center: In every meeting or task, identify one way to reflect God’s character. Demonstrate this through integrity, patience, or a “brilliant” bit of creativity.
- Be the Light: If your workplace feels like a dark cloud, remember the fire of the Holy Spirit is within you. Let this fire guide your actions. Use it to bring light to the darkness around you. This fire is meant to illuminate the environment. It is not just there to keep you warm.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for meeting me at the beginning of my work week. When the storms of deadlines and the clouds of uncertainty roll in, help me to look deeper. Let me see Your presence right in the center of my tasks. Refine my efforts today so that my work isn’t just a paycheck, but a reflection of Your brilliance. Grant me the vision of Ezekiel to see Your glory even in the midst of my daily grind. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
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Overcoming Workplace Fear with Faith
Posted on January 23, 2026 Leave a Comment
“But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Matthew 8:26 (NKJV)
Picture a team in the middle of a major project deadline. Suddenly, unexpected challenges arise—systems crash, resources run short, and stress levels soar. Fear begins to take over, and confidence fades. In moments like these, we often forget who is in control. The disciples faced a similar situation in Matthew 8:26 when a storm threatened their lives. Jesus reminded them—and us—that faith, not fear, should guide our response.
Workplace storms come in many forms: tight deadlines, financial pressures, conflicts with colleagues, or uncertainty about the future. These challenges can stir anxiety and make us feel like we’re sinking. But Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” Fear often blinds us to the truth that God is here and powerful, even in the chaos.
Faith in the workplace means trusting God’s sovereignty when circumstances seem out of control. It’s choosing calm over panic, prayer over worry, and integrity over compromise. When we invite Jesus into our storm, He brings peace. This peace doesn’t always come from removing the problem quickly. Instead, it comes from calming our hearts and guiding our steps.
Today, ask yourself: Am I letting fear dictate my decisions at work, or am I leaning on faith? Remember, the same Jesus who calmed the sea can calm your workplace challenges. He is with you in every meeting, every deadline, and every decision.
What is one workplace challenge that has been causing you fear? How can you trust God with it today?
When stress rises this week, pause and pray before reacting. Speak words of faith—remind yourself that God is in control—and then move ahead with confidence.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being our peace in the midst of workplace storms. Help us to trust You when challenges arise and to respond with faith instead of fear. Calm our hearts, guide our decisions, and let our actions reflect Your presence. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Bob Lankford 