Hope On The Road Less Traveled
Suffering. How can one small word hold so much complexity? It can elicit: fear, dread, anxiety, bitterness, anger, and panic. It can also stir up: courage, strength, growth, humility, and faith. Suffering is so painfully complex that we struggle to find answers to it, yet it demands answers nonetheless. Which is why, I believe, we… Continue reading Don’t Downplay the Pain of Suffering
Last December, emotions were at an all-time high. Our family had endured a long and painful season with one of our children and, deep down, I hoped (and expected) that Christmas would offer a much-needed dose of joy. It turns out, God’s plans and my expectations were sailing in opposite directions. To my great disappointment,… Continue reading Unrealistic Expectations: A Thief of Joy During the Christmas Season
I can’t live like this anymore!” I cried through sobs. “I just want to be free from the torment of my mind!” I sat on my bed and tried to make sense of what was going on inside. I was tired of the chronic pain, the frequent bouts of illness, and the weariness of dealing… Continue reading Trapped in My Own Mind – Three Lies Depression Whispers
It's been a week. And depending on your perspective, it's either been a really good one or a really hard one. Few fall in-between. But no matter where you fall on the spectrum of the election results, if you’re a Christian, there should be a noticeable difference. Why? Because regardless of what your perspective is… Continue reading A Call to Christian Unity in a Divided Country
To say it’s been a fight for faith is an understatement. Not because this has been the most painful season of my life, but because of the longevity, depth, and layers of hardship that have worn me to a pulp. I’ve had seasons when my agony has driven me to worship as Job did: “The… Continue reading When Our Foundation Falters
This is a personal one for me. One I don’t share much of, but I know many are quietly suffering in this way, so here it goes - As I’ve shared before (including in my essay response to some unhelpful comments recently made about mental illness and parenting), most of my 17 years of motherhood… Continue reading Mental Illness, Parenthood, and a God of the Impossible.
I cried out in desperation - "Lord, where are you? Why do you seem silent to our pleas when we are so desperate for your help?" The enemy taunted in response, "Your faith must not be strong enough. You must not be learning the lesson he wants you to learn. He won't answer your pleas… Continue reading His Faithfulness Outweighs Our Faithlessness
The stars shine brightest against the blackened sky. Oak trees gain their stability and strength by enduring fierce storms. Pearls are found hidden within the depths of the sea. Diamonds are formed under intense pressure and heat under the earth’s crust. In God’s world, beauty is often found in the most unexpected places. And our… Continue reading Beauty is Found in the Most Unexpected Places
"May your compassion come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need" (Psalm 79:8). It's a prayer that I've been praying with every frail ounce of my being lately. As the waves of tribulation seem to relentlessly beat upon me and my family, it's a prayer that, I admit, has been increasingly bombarded… Continue reading Fighting for Faith When Doubts Abound
I write this article with an aching heart for countless families who have been affected by mental illness - including the dozens who have reached out to my husband and I in desperate search for help, hope, and community. And since hearing the comments made by John MacArthur on a recent panel, discussing his view… Continue reading A Response to John MacArthur’s comments on Mental Illness From a Family it Has Misjudged
Set Apart 