A Prospering Soul – Part 1

Posted on April 8, 2026 by daaorg1214

Part 1- A Prospering Soul is A Yielded Soul

In 3 John 1:2 (NKJV), the Apostle John prays for Gaius, saying, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” This is God’s Will for every person. He wants us to prosper in everything we set our hands to do. Contrary to what many have wrongly believed and taught, God doesn’t cause people to become sick and afflicted. This is one of the reasons that Jesus’s ministry is so impactful to us. He was moved with compassion to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. He performed these wonderful miracles because it was God’s Will for him to do so. Paul’s prayer for Gaius beautifully reflects the Father’s Will for our total wholeness, where our body, soul, and spirit are all aligned with His divine purpose.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT) helps us grasp this more fully. Paul writes: “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” In this verse, our Heavenly Father emphasizes the wholeness of humanity, describing the three parts that make up a person: spirit, soul, and body. Paul mentions these parts separately, and we can’t allow the truth of this to slip by us. He’s signaling that each part must be considered individually, but also in harmony with one another. This is necessary for us to understand and experience true wholeness in the way the Father desires. Paul has made it clear that individually, we each play a huge role in achieving this harmony and balance, because the soul and the body are governed by our free-will.

The Impact of Free-Will Choice

The soul is the part of us that we have control over, and within the soul lies our emotions, our feelings center, our thoughts (the mind), and another crucial component—the human will. It’s important to remember that God will never overstep the gift of free-will that He’s given us. Romans 11:29 (NLT) affirms this: “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” God’s gifts and call are irrevocable. This means He will never take back His call or overstep the gift of free-will He’s provided to every living person.

Essentially, we do what we want to do. There are rules that govern our daily lives, and more importantly, God has generously provided His laws to govern the way we should live as His children. Yet, in just about every aspect of life on earth, we find very creative ways of breaking these laws and requirements, and our Heavenly Father does not prevent us from doing so. Just as He allowed Eve to make the choice to sin when she was deceived by satan, and He allowed Adam to make the choice to sin when he was deceived by Eve, God will allow us to make our own free-will choices and decisions, even when they lead us to sin. We choose whether we will love and obey God or not. He doesn’t force us to live by the Holy Spirit, and He will allow us to go to hell if that’s our choice. Our Heavenly Father is committed to His Word, and therefore; He will not violate our free-will choices.

Before we are born again, we walk by the flesh and engage in works of the flesh. After we give our lives to Christ, in Galatians 5:16, we are instructed make a complete turnaround and “walk by the Spirit.” This is a powerful commandment intended to transform how we live. It is also, at its core, a choice that includes incredible privilege and responsibility. It’s an ongoing, day by day, moment by moment decision to allow God’s presence to shape how we think, feel, speak, and act. It is the way to consistently live victoriously and abundantly. Our Heavenly Father commands us to live this way and helps us through the Holy Spirit that indwells us, but He does not force us to do so.

We must not make the mistake of thinking the indwelling Holy Spirit will take control of our souls and make us yield to God. We must make the free-will choice to yield to Him ourselves. The Holy Spirit will not control our souls unless we surrender them, and most of us do this bit by bit—not in one fell swoop, but little by little.

Our emotions, thoughts, and will must be surrendered to His guidance. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In this passage, our Heavenly Father is lovingly imploring us to do what is best for our souls and surrender our entire existence to Him. Again, He does not force, but gently guides.

Say ‘Yes’ to God

It’s no secret that many of us struggle with releasing certain habits, addictions, obsessions, and phobias to the Lord Jesus Christ. He invites us to leave them at his feet, and never pick them up again, and it is our choice to do so. Everything in life, from the smallest to the greatest detail is spiritual, and sometimes there’s a ‘no’ in our souls that keeps us separated from the victory the Holy Spirit is leading us to.

There are hidden places within our souls that we often avoid confronting. These are areas where we hold back from fully surrendering to God’s Will. To experience true transformation, we must come to a place where we can say “yes” to God even in those deep, unyielded parts of ourselves. Our will must be fully surrendered to God’s Will. This means willingly allowing the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring transformation and alignment with the Will of the Father. This is a soul that is yielded to the Holy Spirit, and when it is, we can truly experience the power and peace that comes from walking in the Spirit. It’s the key to a prospering soul—one that is continually surrendered to God’s transforming work. Pray, invite, and let the Spirit be at work in you.■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“A Prospering Soul Series: Part 1- A Prospering Soul is A Yielded Soul” written for DomesticAbuseAwareness.Org ©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

The Journey from Anxiety to Trusting God

Posted on April 1, 2026 by daaorg1214

Rezi is 43 now, and something peculiar has been happening to her since she was old enough to remember it. During the wee hours of the morning, just before she’s fully conscious, a rush of ideas flashes through her mind. It’s as if her subconscious takes over, flooding her thoughts with flashes of inspiration, new projects, and creative breakthroughs. Sometimes they are so vivid that she can almost see them in full detail. As a child, she became a collector of beautiful and odd things, certain she’d need them as she tried to bring her visions to life.

Over the years, Rezi has tried many things to capture the dreams and visions she receives. Naturally creative, those who know her have been dazzled by her ingenuity and artistic flair. Yet, after her thirties, her enthusiasm began to wane. Like many of us, life has been no joke for her. Her oldest brother, who she loved deeply, was tragically killed in a car accident, and the grief from that loss has cast a long shadow over her life. Her parents were devastated by the loss of their son. They’ve never fully recovered, and the weight of their ongoing ailments has only deepened Rezi’s own sense of helplessness.

In the years that followed, Rezi found herself sinking deeper into anxiety. The idea of losing another loved one, particularly her son or husband, often keeps her up at all hours of the night. She fears she might not ever feel the peace she once knew, worry seems to hang over her like a dark cloud, one that she can’t seem to shake.

The dreams that were once a source of inspiration and wonder, now feel like distant memories. The creative fire that once burned so brightly has become smothered by the weight of her fears and responsibilities. She feels defeated but keeps it hidden from her family. “Let go and let God.” Those are the words she hears reverberating in her head, but in her heart, she doesn’t think she’ll be able to do it. The trust she once had in His peace and guidance seems so far out of reach now.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT), the Apostle Paul said: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” Paul was speaking about spiritual maturity. It’s the progression that occurs as we grow in understanding and faith. It’s how our understanding and perspective changes as we grow spiritually. Just as we mature physically and emotionally, our relationship with God calls for spiritual maturity. We move beyond the limited thinking of our younger years and embrace a deeper trust in God’s plan for our lives.

Responsibilities change us in ways we don’t fully comprehend. Life teaches us that we can’t think and reason childishly if we want to keep pace. Our problem is that we abandon those parts of us that keep us humbly seeking God. They keep us from depending on Him with unwavering faith in His love and power.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:3-4 (NLT): “3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” He calls us to embrace humility and trust in our Heavenly Father in the way a little child humbly trusts their parents. We are to approach God with this same simplicity, openness, and dependence that children naturally have. This level of humility is a conscious choice that you and I must make. It’s in us, and we must choose to allow it to rule our hearts and minds rather than allowing fear and doubt to become a lifestyle.

We can become so disconnected from a sense of wonder and enthusiasm about God and His willingness to bless us that we somehow trust worry over joy and fear over hope. The truth is that only we can make the decision to reverse this for ourselves. We must consciously choose to let God’s love win in our hearts and then choose to walk in that victory every moment of each day. As Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” By choosing to place our worries in God’s hands, we can embrace the peace that surpasses all understanding and allow it to guide us toward joy and hope.

Romans 8:37 (NLT) tells us: “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Philippians 4:13 declares that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Putting away childish things means putting away anything that interferes with us being fully persuaded in our privilege and responsibility to trust God with all that we are. We cannot allow ourselves to become slaves to fear and doubt; that is not a mark of the spiritually mature.

Our need to control cannot exceed our requirement to honor God through our faith in Him. True spiritual maturity is found when we move beyond the fears and limitations that once held us back. It’s when we make the choice to trust that God is in control, and He is faithful to care for us. So, we must always remember that His plans for us are greater than anything we can plan for ourselves. We can rest in His safety and walk in peace as we trust His love, His wisdom, and His protection. ■

When It’s Time to Make A Shift

Posted on March 25, 2026 by daaorg1214

Dissatisfaction is that feeling of frustration or unhappiness that hits when our expectations, desires, or needs aren’t being met. It can show up in different areas of our lives—whether it’s personal experiences, work, or relationships. When it comes to the manifestation of blessings we’ve been waiting to receive, emotionally, this is where many of us are right now. We might be stuck in this space between where we thought we’d be and where we actually are. And in this space, it’s easy to get discouraged or even question ourselves, but we shouldn’t let that deter us. Instead, we should remind ourselves that dissatisfaction can be a great motivator. It can push us to reevaluate what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. It can help us make room for the blessings we’re after, even if they show up in ways or at times we didn’t expect.

Stepping away from fear

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” In the context of our every day lives, there are two kinds of fear, the natural kind that fuels responses that keep us from getting close to danger, and the unnatural kind that holds us back and keeps us separated from the blessings of God. The natural kind of fear is a helpful, protective instinct that keeps us safe and aware in potentially harmful situations. Unnatural fear is unhealthy and unproductive to every aspect of our existences. We need to step away from it mentally and emotionally because it keeps us from stepping out in faith. Therefore, it keeps us from embracing the fullness of blessings that God has in store for our lives.

Unnatural fear comes from doubt, insecurity, and a lack of trust in God. This is the kind of fear that 2 Timothy 1:7 is addressing. It doesn’t come from our Heavenly Father, and to overcome it, we must be totally honest with ourselves about this. We need to recognize when fear is taking root in our hearts, because it will prevent us from stepping out in faith and fully trusting God’s promises. Often, this fear is rooted in past experiences, negative self-talk, or the fear of failure. But when we acknowledge it, we can begin to confront it with the truth of God’s Word, which reminds us that He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

God is going to come through

When a blessing is taking longer to materialize than what we expected, we might become afraid that God isn’t going to come through for us. We may start to doubt whether our prayers are being heard or wonder if we’re doing something wrong. This fear can creep in when we don’t see immediate results, but a delay can also be an invitation for us to grow in trust. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) reminds us, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” A delay can be an indicator that a shift in our attitude, deeds, and higher level of faith are necessary. During seasons of waiting, God’s strength empowers us to rise above challenges, recalibrate, and lay hold of His promise.

The truth is that God has already come through for us. He isn’t in heaven waiting to bless us; He has already blessed us through Christ. Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) tells us, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Through our union with our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, God has already given us everything we need to live abundantly. To lay hold of these treasures, our minds and hearts must be fully persuaded in God’s provision. In every situation, no matter the circumstances, God always comes through on His promises.

It’s a done deal

We must remind ourselves that God set His Will in motion long before any of us can fathom. His Will is perfect. He doesn’t make up things as we go along. It’s already a done deal. Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) tells us, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.” Echoing this extraordinary truth is Isaiah 14:27 (NLT), which tells us, “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—who can change His plans? When His hand is raised, who can stop Him?” God has already made up His mind about you, and He’s called you to be His very own. How you would be blessed, who you will bless, and exactly who will be a blessing to you was decided long ago. All that is left for you to do is to trust in His Will and seek it with your whole heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) tells us, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” God’s Will for us involves a heart of joy, prayer, and gratitude in every situation. When this isn’t your motivation, it’s necessary to shift from your agenda to God’s agenda, recognizing that no matter what it is you desire, His Will for you is a done deal. It’s not subject to whims. It’s not ambiguous or fluid. His Will and plan for you was determined long before you were born.

Your great pleasure is to seek Him relentlessly to know His Will for your life, so that you can begin to pursue it with vigor. It’s not about the blessing we hope to receive, it’s about trusting that God’s Will for us is all that we need, and it will yield the very best outcome for our lives. When we align ourselves with His Will, every step we take is guided by His wisdom and love. The process of surrendering our desires to His perfect plan transforms us. It will deepen our faith and lead us into the abundant life He has already prepared for all who honor and trust Him through Christ. ■

When Your Plans Don’t Work Out

Posted on March 18, 2026 by daaorg1214

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT) tells us, “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” This verse is so plain and straightforward, and most of us have heard it many times. While we know that the Will of God will always prevail in exactly the way that God has planned, feelings of dissatisfaction may cause us to wonder if we really understand this truth. When we’ve carried certain dreams in our hearts for years, and they still seem out of reach, those feelings of regret and frustration can be overwhelming. It’s especially tough when we get to a point in life where it feels like time is running out, and we wonder if we’ve missed our chance. You’ve spent years trying to put the pieces of life’s puzzle together, but somewhere along the way, it just seems like some of those pieces went missing.

Being frustrated with how our lives have turned out is not uncommon, especially as the years pass. I remembered those feelings when I heard Doris share her feelings about an unfulfilled dream. She just celebrated her 50^th birthday and described herself as a woman with a heart full of love. For as long as she can remember, Doris envisioned herself with a family of her own and has dreamed of a husband to share life’s ups and downs. She desperately wanted children to raise, and a home full of love, but somehow, it hasn’t worked out that way. Instead, she finds herself single, with no children, and wondering where things went wrong.

Her life has been full of love and purpose, even if it didn’t unfold in the way she had always imagined. Doris has poured her heart into her nieces and nephews, showering them with affection and support. She’s been there for every milestone, every challenge, and every victory. They count on her and know that she’s always ready to lend a hand and share her wisdom. But even with all this love surrounding her, there’s a quiet, nagging emptiness that she can’t seem to shake. At the end of the day, when the laughter dies down and the house grows still, she’s left wondering if it’s too late for her dreams. She shared—almost reluctantly—that sometimes she wonders if God has forgotten about her, or if maybe her faith just isn’t strong enough.

If you’re like Doris, you’ve probably had a moment where it feels like life just didn’t do you right, and it hurts. It hurts our feelings to have dreams and expectations that don’t turn out how we planned. Maybe you’ve been single longer than you expected, or your career didn’t take off in the way you hoped. Perhaps your health hasn’t improved even though you’re doing everything you know to do. Or, could it be that you’ve missed out on something you deeply desired. You look around and think, Lord, are You still with me? Did I miss something?

You must remember that when it comes to God’s love for you, there are no limitations. He hasn’t forgotten about you. His plans for us are always bigger, better, and far beyond what we could ever dream up on our own. You might not see it now, but He’s working in ways you can’t fully comprehend. As His Word tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT): “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” His plans for you are beyond anything you could ever imagine. You can trust this with your whole heart.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) reminds us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” There isn’t anything about us that God doesn’t know. Long before we entered our mother’s womb, He knew the exact moment of our births and what we’d be doing this very moment. He knows our next breath, thought, and deed. We can be assured that our Heavenly Father isn’t sitting back, watching us from a distance. He’s with us every moment, and He has woven our story with His purpose and love, even when it doesn’t seem that way to us.

When life doesn’t go according to our plan, disappointment is a real thing. In fact, it’s part of the human experience. If you think about it, even our precious Lord and Savior had moments of sorrow and anguish. He wasn’t exempt from feelings of frustration or hurt. So, it’s okay to feel like things didn’t work out the way you wanted them to, and God doesn’t abandon us when we feel this way. Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” You can be comforted in the truth that God sees your pain, and He is close to the brokenhearted.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) is a verse we hear often, but not nearly often enough. Our Heavenly Father told His people living in Old Testament times: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” He is the same God today that He was then, and He does not change. So, when your plans don’t work out, remember that God’s plans are still in motion. His version of good might look different from yours, but trust that it’s infinitely better.

Doris’s story isn’t over. Neither is yours. There are things you may not see right now—purposeful delays, unexpected detours, and quiet moments where God is shaping your heart to receive His best. The love we pour into others, our devotion to God, and our efforts to live rightly before Him are not in vain. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) encourages us: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” God will reward our faithfulness. So, hold on to your faith, knowing that there’s still so much ahead. Stay hopeful and watch how God will move powerfully in your life, bringing blessings that exceed your expectations. ■

Background of a beautiful Wheat field and blue sky with the words of Matthew 9:38 in the foreground.

Becoming the Blessing You Were Meant to Be

Posted on March 10, 2026 by daaorg1214

Each of us was created for a specific purpose, designed by God to be a blessing in this world. This isn’t a random thing; it was part of God’s plan from the very beginning. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” You were made with intention, and before you even took your first breath, God knew exactly what you were meant to do. This is your divine calling. It’s not just about the things you will accomplish—it’s about becoming the person you were always meant to be, one who reflects God’s love and blessing to those He has ordained to cross your path.

Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) deepens our understanding of this purpose by showing us that we were chosen to become like Christ: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” This transformation into Christ’s likeness is the heart of our calling. It’s not just about what we do—it’s about who we become. Our purpose is not to live for ourselves but to reflect Christ’s love, compassion, and generosity to those around us. It’s through this transformation that we fulfill the unique role God has for us, bringing His Kingdom to earth through our lives.

The path to the abundance of God’s blessings begins with fulfilling this purpose. Everything God does is in perfect order, and when we align our lives with His Will, we open ourselves to the full range of blessings He has prepared for us. As 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT) affirms, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.” There is a divine order to our lives, and part of our responsibility as God’s children is to live in accordance with His plan. We may not have all the details right away, and that’s why we’re commanded in His Word to seek Him and His righteousness first. God reveals more about our purpose and the path of success that He’s laid before us as we walk with Him step by step. As we seek Him with all our hearts, He promises that He will reward us. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Blessings flow continuously as we diligently seek to know God’s Will through His Word.

Along this journey, there are people who are part of your divine calling, people you are destined to influence and bless. Your life is meant to touch others. Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT) encourages us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” You were not placed in this world simply to receive—God has positioned you to be a source of blessing, a light to those around you. The acts of kindness, encouragement, and love you offer to others will come back to you in ways you can’t imagine. Our Heavenly Father sets us up to be an overflowing and never-ceasing fountain of giving and receiving His love in multiple ways. Being a blessing causes us to step into and maintain this flow.

When we become born again, something powerful happens: the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. This is a life-changing truth. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives inside of us, empowering us to do good and to be a blessing. Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) tells us, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” All the spiritual blessings we need are already ours—every ounce of power, love, wisdom, and grace is available to us through the Holy Spirit. But this power is not meant to stay bundled up within. No. It’s meant to flow out. We are to take these blessings and use them to bless others. The more we give of ourselves, the more we grow, the more we experience God’s abundance. As we pour into others, God pours into us.

This is how we create a landing strip for God’s blessings to land in our lives. Think of it as an open space that welcomes the fullness of His favor. Just like a runway where a plane can safely land, our lives become a place where God’s blessings can freely flow. This is what happens when we live according to His Will. When we’re generous with our time, love, and resources, we make room for God to do great things in us and through us, by positioning ourselves in alignment with what He has purposed us to do and who He has purposed us to be.

Blessings will chase us down. As we step into the purpose God has set before us, His provision and favor follow. This is not a promise of a perfect, problem-free life, but it is the assurance that when we live according to God’s Will, His blessings will find us, pursue us, and overtake us. The more we focus on being a blessing to others, the more we find ourselves overwhelmed by God’s goodness. It’s the kind of blessing that we can’t contain, that spills over into every area of our lives.

You were meant to be a blessing. Not just to receive, but to give—to pour out what God has poured into you. This is the divine purpose that you were created for. The more you step into it, the more you will see God’s blessings manifest in your life. Become the blessing you were always meant to be. Your life will not only be changed, but the lives of others will be impacted for God’s Kingdom, and this will bring Him great pleasure. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Beautiful in quiet reflection in the background, words of John 4:24 written across.

Positioned, Not Pressured: A Teachable Heart in a Shifting Season

Posted on January 28, 2026 by daaorg1214

Learning to Let God Shape What We Carry

There are things we carry quietly in our hearts that weigh more than we realize. Old disappointments. Private fears. Beliefs we formed in survival mode and never revisited. Over time, they become familiar, and familiarity can look like truth if we’re not careful. Many of us don’t resist God outright; we resist change. Not because we don’t love Him, but because we’ve learned how to live with what hurts, and letting it go feels risky. Yet the very things we clutch for security often keep us from the freedom God is offering.

Scripture gives us more than encouragement; it gives us instruction through real lives. The New Testament is filled with people who loved Jesus deeply and still struggled to fully understand what He was doing in them. Their stories weren’t preserved to shame us, but to teach us. God shows us the pattern again and again: growth comes through surrender, and blessing follows a heart that remains open and teachable. That truth is especially important in seasons like this one, where pressure is real and faith is being refined.

A Faith That Grows Through Restoration

Peter is one of the clearest examples of this tension. He was bold, passionate, outspoken, and deeply devoted to Jesus. He left everything to follow Him and believed he would never fall away. Yet when pressure came, fear spoke louder than conviction. Peter denied Jesus three times, not because he didn’t love Him, but because his faith hadn’t yet matured to withstand the weight of the moment. Still, Jesus wasn’t surprised. He didn’t revoke Peter’s calling or discard him for failing under stress. He already knew Peter’s heart was still becoming teachable.

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter gently, inviting him back into relationship rather than shaming him for failure. In John 21:15–17 (NLT), Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”—not to condemn him for his denial, but to heal him. Peter had to face the place where fear had overridden faith, and he had to let truth replace shame. That restoration became the doorway to transformation. The same man who once denied Christ stood up boldly in Acts and preached with authority. His growth didn’t come from avoiding failure; it came from allowing God to address it honestly.

Growth Requires a Teachable Heart

That’s where many of us find ourselves now. We’ve walked with God a long time. We’ve prayed, served, believed, and endured. But some of us are tired, guarded, and set in patterns that once protected us but now restrict us. We default to “this is just how I am” instead of asking God who we are becoming. That posture may feel safe, but it isn’t sustainable. God is always moving us forward, and resistance to growth eventually creates strain in the soul.

God is deeply invested in our spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) tells us, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” Growth requires humility and hunger. It requires the willingness to be taught, corrected, and reshaped rather than insisting on staying the same. Scripture reinforces this posture in James 1:21 (NLT): “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

Positioned for What God Is Ready to Release

Many women sense that this season carries something new, something weighty, something full of promise. That awareness isn’t meant to pressure us or make us anxious. It’s an invitation to readiness. God’s blessings flow most freely where hearts remain soft, honest, and aligned with Him. He doesn’t force transformation; He responds to surrender. And He is far more committed to our wholeness than we are.

So pray often. Slow down enough to listen. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and show you anything that no longer belongs in this season. When He reveals it, don’t shrink back. Trust that surrender is not loss; it is alignment. Repentance doesn’t close doors; it opens the right ones. And when we remain teachable before God, we find ourselves positioned—not pressured—for everything He has already prepared. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Positioned, Not Pressured: A Teachable Heart in a Shifting Season”, written for DomesticAbuseAwareness.Org ©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Never Pray to Go Backwards

Posted on January 21, 2026 by daaorg1214

There are moments in the life of a believer when moving forward feels harder than staying where we are. Not because God has stopped moving, but because the unknown can feel more uncomfortable than our familiar stomping ground. Sometimes we confuse familiarity with safety and comfort with blessing. We look back on earlier seasons, remembering how God moved then, how provision seemed easier, how favor felt more visible, and we quietly wonder if those were our “best days.” But a God who is eternal does not peak in the past. He is the God of the impossible, and His nature is always forward-moving.

When God delivered the children of Israel from slavery, you would expect gratitude to be their first response. Instead, fear and discomfort made them long for what was familiar, even though it had once oppressed them. Exodus 14:11 (NLT) captures this moment clearly: “and they said to Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?’” Freedom required trust, and trust felt risky. Deliverance had moved them forward physically, but their hearts were still looking backward.

That same pull shows up in believers today. Before we fully step into God’s promises, the enemy often tempts us to romanticize former seasons, especially times when we felt blessed, favored, or secure. Regression feels safer than faith because the past is familiar. But the enemy understands something we sometimes forget: spiritual growth brings glory to God. He wants us stalled, longing for what God already delivered us from, because moving forward requires believing that our latter days will be greater than our former ones. Everything God has ahead of us is worth releasing what He already broke off of us.

Faith does not pray to go back. Faith sounds like, “Father, I don’t understand what’s happening, but I trust You.” Genesis 19:26 (NLT) gives a sobering warning: “But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.” Looking back wasn’t just curiosity, it was attachment. The message is clear: Don’t cling to what God has called you to leave behind. There are some things from the past that we cannot carry into a new season. You can’t drive forward while staring in the rearview mirror. Memories may come with us, but dependence, identity, and expectation must move ahead with God.

This is why the apostle Paul speaks with so much clarity. Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT) tells us, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Paul understood that moving forward with God requires focus and intention. You can’t keep reaching for what God has ahead while holding tightly to what He’s already brought you through. Pressing forward means letting go of the need to replay old victories, old failures, or even old seasons where things felt easier or more blessed. God doesn’t ask us to live off yesterday’s grace. He invites us into fresh faith, deeper trust, and new territory. When God nudges you forward, don’t hesitate or keep looking back. Move with Him fully, trusting that what’s ahead will reveal His goodness in ways the past never could. ■

Healing Doesn’t Always Look Like You Thought

Posted on January 14, 2026 by daaorg1214

We often pray for healing expecting something neat—something quick, quiet, and painless. We might imagine the pain vanishing overnight and the broken places snapping back together like they never fell apart. But God’s healing rarely follows the script we write. It runs deeper. And sometimes, it brings to the surface things we didn’t even realize we buried.

The process starts when we stop hiding. And that’s a big one. Let’s face it, it’s a lot easier to assume that God is delaying the breakthrough—blessing—restoration—rather than facing that our fears are blocking us from receiving the treasure internally. And make no mistake, internally is where it hits first. All that business about creating a landscape for the blessing to land? That’s real. That’s truth. And we have to be really clear about this.

We can’t heal from what we refuse to acknowledge. It takes courage to sit before God and say, “This still hurts,” or “I thought I was over that, but I’m not.” David got honest with God, and that’s where his healing began. He said in Psalm 32:5 (NLT), “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt… And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Restoration begins when we stop pretending and start allowing God into the places we’d rather ignore.

The hardest part is unlearning the timelines we gave ourselves. We tell ourselves things like, “I should be past this by now,” or “I can’t still be crying over that.” But God is not bound to our deadlines. His timing is perfect, even when it feels slow. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) reminds us, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Your healing is not on pause. It’s just unfolding on heaven’s schedule. And even if you don’t see change on the surface, God is still moving in the hidden places.

Real healing touches the soul before it ever reaches the surface. God isn’t only concerned about what happened to you—He’s also healing what happened inside of you. That’s why the healing process can feel so unfamiliar. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about becoming who He designed you to be. Psalm 147:3 (NLT) tells us, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” That’s a promise you can rest in, even when things feel heavy. Even when you don’t feel strong.

And let’s be honest—God’s process can stretch us. We’re often blind to the things we need to see. We think we can continue year after year being the person we’ve always been—handling life the way we’ve always handled it. Recognizing we have to show up differently is no joke. Not only do we have to acknowledge the fear that’s been hiding out in our secret places, we have to confront it.

Our first inclination is to say “Fear? I don’t have it.” The reality is that fear has many forms, and all pain and darkness emanate from it. It’s the thing that doesn’t allow us to have real and lasting peace. It can masquerade as confidence while it burrows deeper into our core. Sometimes it sounds like control. Other times it hides behind a busy life or a smile that’s been rehearsed too well. But underneath the performance is a heart that’s bracing itself—waiting for the next blow, unsure if it can handle another disappointment.

God didn’t call us to live like that. In fact, 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) tells us plainly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” That means fear doesn’t come from Him. And if it didn’t come from Him, we shouldn’t keep accepting it like it belongs in our story. It doesn’t. And when we see it for what it is, we stop resisting and start repenting—praying—being monumentally grateful that we were once blind but now we see.

It can feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar. But just because it feels strange doesn’t mean it’s not sacred. In fact, the very things you think are detours might be part of the path God is using to set you free. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” He’s doing something new in you—even if it’s quiet, even if it’s slow, even if it’s not what you expected.

So give yourself grace. Stop demanding perfection from yourself while you’re in the middle of being transformed. You’re not weak because you’re still healing—you’re brave because you’re still laying bare before Him. God isn’t asking you to have it all together. He’s asking you to trust Him with the pieces. That’s why Paul could write in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT), “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’” So let His power hold you up when your own strength runs out.

No, healing doesn’t always look like you thought it would. But that doesn’t make it any less holy. Sometimes, the most powerful breakthroughs happen when you feel the weakest. And sometimes, the most beautiful restoration is born out of what felt like the hardest parts of the journey. So keep walking. Keep surrendering. Let God finish what He started in you. Because on the other side of this, you’ll look back and see—He wasn’t just healing you. He was transforming you into who He created you to be in Christ—stronger, full of grace, and free. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

From Shattered to Surrendered

Posted on January 7, 2026 by daaorg1214

How God Rebuilds What Life Broke

Sometimes life breaks you, and it’s not in a graceful, soft-tears kind of way—but in the real, gut-wrenching way. It leaves you picking up pieces you don’t even recognize anymore. You sit in the ruins of what was, whispering prayers you’re not even sure you believe. But even in the middle of all that pain, God is not far off. He’s not waiting for you to pull it together—He’s close. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” That’s not just a comforting thought—it’s a promise. He draws near to us when our hearts are breaking. He steps into the ache, not around it. He doesn’t need your strength to start His healing. He just needs your honesty.

But before the healing comes, there’s usually a fight. We don’t always talk about the wrestling, but it’s real. Wrestling with grief, loss, and unanswered prayers is no joke. When you combine that with the fear that maybe this time things won’t turn around, a deep sadness can set in like a huge stone sinking in your chest.

And sometimes we even wrestle with God—not in rebellion, but in desperation. Jacob did it too. And in that holy struggle, Genesis 32:26 (NLT) tells us he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” That’s what surrender starts to sound like. It’s not passive or polished—its persistent, raw, and real. You can bring your questions, your confusion, your frustration to God. He can handle it. And often, it’s in that tension—when you feel as though you might break into a thousand pieces—that transformation begins.

Letting Go So God Can Build

Eventually, the fight gives way to surrender. Not the kind that feels like giving up—but the kind that feels like finally breathing. Like letting your shoulders drop. Like whispering, “God, I don’t know what’s next, but I trust that You do.” That kind of surrender isn’t weak—it’s wise. It’s what happens when your will finally bows to His love. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This isn’t only the cares you’ve already figured out. It’s not just the ones that look “neat enough” for prayer. God wants us to bring all cares to Him, recognizing that there’s nothing He can’t handle.

Surrender sounds like, “I can’t carry this anymore.” But the truth is—we were never supposed to. That’s the holy shift we need to make in mind and heart. It’s going from trying to grip so tightly to control—to letting God take the lead. We go from pushing and striving to finally resting in the hands that shaped us.

We must trust—with everything in us—that our Heavenly Father doesn’t leave surrendered things broken. He rebuilds. He restores. He renews. Not always the way we imagined, but always with purpose. Joel 2:25 says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts.” That’s not just restoration—it’s redemption. God specializes in what feels impossible. He rebuilds what life tried to tear apart. But His rebuilding isn’t rushed. It’s sacred. Brick by brick. Moment by moment. Whether it happens in the quiet or through community, His work is always done in love. And the beautiful thing about letting Him rebuild is that He doesn’t just restore what was—He creates something better than you ever knew to ask for. ■

When Life Happens

Posted on December 31, 2025 by daaorg1214

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) tells us: “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” This verse informs us that God is very much aware that discipline isn’t fun; it can be uncomfortable and even painful. However, the reality is that discipline is a necessary and unavoidable part of the Christian life. During the process, we might be tempted to have a pity party or believe that others have it better and that the grass is greener on the other side. Thinking this way might offer temporary relief, but it will not change the fact that discipline opens the door wide to growth in Christ. It’s crucial that we view it this way.

God’s discipline might lead us to fall back into old habits and questions like, “What did I do to make God angry with me?” We might revert to attitudes that suggest God is punishing us, but this is not the truth. Regarding God’s unconditional love for us, 1 John 4:18 (NLT) says, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” God’s love drives out fear, and if we are still afraid, it is due to our worries about punishment. By loving and honoring our Heavenly Father, we can move beyond these fears and trust in His perfect love.

Although we might have witnessed or endured domestic violence and abuse from childhood well into adulthood, that is not a space we should call home. Domestic violence and abuse is not God’s discipline, make no mistake about that. Living in fear is never where God wants us to be. Instead, He wants us to live continually in His love, protection, and care. He doesn’t inflict pain on us. He is a loving Father who disciplines His kids because He cares about us and wants us to lead fulfilling lives. Psalm 103:8-12 (NLT) beautifully expresses this: “8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

1 John 1:5 (NLT) declares, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” God doesn’t cause our troubles and tribulations, but through them, He opens our eyes. We may have been walking around with blinders, unable to see the goodness of His faithfulness and promises, or to be guided along the path of our purpose in Christ. We must recognize that through our brokenness and pain, He illuminates the victory that faith in Him will ultimately win for us.

Life happens—we make mistakes, and sometimes things go terribly wrong. Facing these situations is never easy, but it’s often in these challenging moments that God’s light shines the brightest. They offer us a clearer view of the times where we didn’t trust Him as wholeheartedly as we should have. It’s important to understand that domestic violence, abuse, and fear are not signs of divine discipline; they’re just harsh realities that don’t reflect God’s love and Will for us. Our true home is with our Heavenly Father, and when life happens to throw obstacles our way, we can move through them by trusting His sovereignty, grace, and power.

In Isaiah 43:19 (NLT), He said, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Even in the toughest situations, God is at work, creating new paths and refreshing our dry places with His promise of restoration and hope. When we’re in the midst of life’s struggles, it’s easy to feel lost or abandoned. But this verse assures us that God is not only aware of our situation, but He is also creating new possibilities where we see none. Let’s trust Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. He’s greater than any challenge we face, and if we stay close to Him, He’ll guide us through the wilderness into our eternal home of peace, love, and joy. So, hold firm to this promise, knowing that God’s transformative power is working even in our darkest moments to bring forth a future filled with His abundant grace and blessings. ■

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