Whatever your setback may be, remember this: setbacks do not surprise God. He often uses the very things we would remove from our lives to shape us into the people He has called us to become.

God often gives us opportunities—quiet, ordinary moments that become “one of those days” where our words or actions make a real difference in someone else’s life, even when we may never fully see the impact. This isn’t meant to be a sentimental or overly warm reflection but something grounded and honest that we can all relate to. When we look to God’s Word, we’re reminded that meaningful impact is often found in simple obedience and everyday faithfulness.

In our lives, we often face circumstances and situations that we cannot fix on our own. On those occasions, we must put our confidence and trust in the Lord. He will always help us, or tell us to stand back and watch him work.

We often face situations that seem insurmountable, with no way out or resolution. It may even feel like we’re going under for the last time. We may think our fate is sealed and that we have no hope. Common sense, logic, reason, and rational thought tell us to give up and accept our fate. Just toughen up and take it like a man. That’s the exact opposite of what we should do.

Every year, we rush into December with lists, plans, oven timers, decorations, and an unspoken pressure to make everything just right. In the flurry, we can forget why we’re celebrating and Who this celebration is truly for. For many of us, the season turns into a cycle of overeating, overspending, overdoing, and then oversleeping in a sugar coma—especially for those of us who know better but can’t resist the candy dish. Next year, half the gifts will be forgotten, the decora

As cocky as I was, on the exact day I turned 18 ½, I underwent a kidney transplant that would not only save my life, but in many ways, dictate how I lived it. I was a scared, confused kid who had, nine months earlier, been forced to grow up instantly and way too fast. October 6th is the 42nd anniversary of the second-greatest event in my life: that surgery. The first was when the Lord saved my soul on October 2nd, 1973.