What If?

Radio Show Host: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What if today when I spend time with God instead of focusing on all of my concerns, I decided to focus only on Him? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Sometimes I feel like I hold a magnifying glass over my concerns and they get bigger and bigger, but what if I took the magnifying glass off my worries and struggles, and instead I completely focused on God's love, God's power, God's provision, God's strength and God's goodness. Imagine what life would be like if God became bigger than anything else. Instead of focusing on what I may think is wrong with me, I'd be consumed by all that is right with Him.

The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith. So today, let’s do it. Let’s stop thinking about us and start thinking more about HIM! I’ll bet our outlook will be completely transformed and our problems will shrink in comparison. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org and sign up for our free email devotions.

Related Resources:

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An Emotional Affair

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

A few years ago I watched a friend get tangled up in an emotional affair with another man. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She hadn’t planned on being pulled into this place. She loved her family but this strong attachment seemed unavoidable.

Some think this is a safe way to enjoy the lure of being attracted to someone other than your spouse without crossing any lines. But God boldly and plainly tells us to flee from all temptation. The time to prevent an affair is before it ever starts.

The way to overcome a temptation like this is to admit to it and ask for help. My friend did the wisest thing she could have done in telling me about her situation. It helped her to see that she needed to shut it down and have someone else hold her accountable. It also made me aware of the dangers in any kind of unhealthy connection with another man. For more encouragement, log on to Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Capture Her Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

To Complete or Compete

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Have you ever wondered why you’re the way you are, or why you do things the way you do? Hi I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries. From the time I was in Jr. High, I didn't really like who I was. I compared myself to girls around me and tried to figure out who people liked most, so I could be like them. It was exhausting!

Comparison is our worst enemy because it leaves us confused and discontent. My friend Genia summed it well one day while we were talking about comparison. She said, “When I compare myself with someone else, I can never measure up because I’m comparing my insides with their outsides.”

Comparison becomes a competition but no one wins! God never intended for women to compete with each other; He wants us to complete each other. We need to encourage each other’s strengths and be who God created us to be. For more encouragement on completing, not competing as women log on to Proverbs31.org and click on Everyday Life.

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Women Judging Women

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

How different would our lives be if we women didn’t have to fear the harsh criticisms of other women? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Women judging other women must absolutely break God’s heart. Yet unfortunately, we do it all the time.

Jesus made it very clear that He didn’t come into this world to condemn the worst of sinners. He leveled His harshest criticisms against those who dared to cast judgment against others. Voicing criticisms against others will coat the eyes of our soul so that we become blinded to our own faults. And that is exactly where we don’t want our heart to be.

When I’m tempted to be critical of someone else, I‘m going to try to hold my thoughts and my tongue. I always want to be motivated by love. So instead of judging, I will pray for that person and look to see how God will work. For more encouragement log on to Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

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Food For Thought

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Losing weight physically requires good planning and the same is true when it comes to losing the weight of doubt and defeat. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries and PE K-love.

When we’re trying to eat right, it’s important to plan healthy snacks between meals. In the same way, we need to plan for healthy spiritual snacks from the Bible. Here are a few that I call my “Food for Thought:

• When I Say: My life is too hard.
God Says: I want to help you

• When I Say: I can’t do this!
God Says: Rely on My strength and you can do all I’ve asked you to do.

• When I Say: I’m too afraid.
God Says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.

Having these on hand gives me easy access to truth so I can keep losing the weight of self-doubt! For a free list of promises from the Bible to replace our defeating doubts with God’s empowering perspective, contact me on Renee’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

The Principal's Office

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Recently one of my kids got called to the principal’s office. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. This happened on the same day I was asked to speak at a national parenting conference. Go figure!

In my head, I was able to see the situation for what it was. My child is in the process of being shaped. She’s a sweet girl who made a not so sweet choice. However, in my heart I felt like a failure as a parent.

I talked to God about these feelings and asked Him to help me see this situation the way He wants me to see it. Not the way others see it. Not the way my heart is tempted to see it. And once again He reassured me that I am not a bad parent and my daughter’s not a bad kid. We are on a journey together. He is shaping her character and He has chosen me to help her. For more encouragement log on to Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources
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Pursing God's Dream for Me

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Have you ever taken time to think about what God’s dreams are for your life? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries and PE K-love.

What would you do if you had no fears or insecurities? Maybe you’re thinking…I don’t know and I don’t have time to find out. It’s easy to completely neglect our dreams and desires to meet the needs of everyone around us and call it self-sacrifice. It sounds godly, but in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God’s dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed. It’s not self-seeking but God-seeking to intentionally get to know and become the woman God created us to be.

A woman who is confident in Christ is comfortable saying “no” to some things so she can say “yes” to living the life God wants her to live  And she’s intentional about pursuing the spiritual purpose God has for her. To find out how to live with a Confident Heart, visit Proverbs31.org and click on Renee’s blog.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Longing To Be Heard

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Holly Good

Last week a friend called and asked me to please come to her house right away. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. I had several things on my to-do list that day, but I chose to stop and take time to go help my friend.

On my way there I felt a little nervous because I had no idea what she was struggling with. I prayed and asked God for wisdom with my words, actions, and reactions.

When I finally arrived, we sat together and talked. Well, she talked and I listened. She talked about her recent issues and how she was coping. She talked about her feelings and how they were effecting the situation she was in. And she talked about the resolution to her problem.

On my way back home I couldn’t help but smile. All that my friend needed was a listening ear. She didn’t need my advice or a ready solution to her problem. She was simply longing to be heard.

For more encouragement visit Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

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Slow Food

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

My friend Tracie told her family they were going out for dinner, and her son asked if they were getting fast food or slow food. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

A dinner outing the week before had resulted in a three-hour wait, which obviously had an impact on her son’s patience. When Tracie told me this story, we talked about whether we consider the Bible to be fast food or slow food for our hearts.

You know, God’s words in the Bible are nourishment for our minds, hearts and souls, just like food is nourishment for our body. But, we have a choice to either rush through our daily time with God, or slow down and truly enjoy it; to really drink in the nourishment that we need to follow Jesus.

God’s placed a hunger in our hearts that only He can fill. And, by spending time with Him, we can satisfy our longing for His presence. To learn more about spending quality time with God, visit Proverbs 31.org.

Unanswered Emails

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Do you ever get stressed about all of your unanswered emails? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Yesterday I received a reprimand that stung my heart. Someone was very upset that I had not replied to her email.

As I read this comment, I thought about the day I’d had yesterday. It consisted of two visits to the grocery store, several phone calls, helping kids with homework, and five loads of laundry.

These choices may mean that some emails sit unanswered. Have you ever felt swallowed up by outside demands such as e-mails? Well, I’m right there with you. Our intentions are good but our time is limited.

So, I’ve had to let go of answering every e-mail. But I’ve made peace with not being able to be all things to all people so I can be a mom to some really important people. For more encouragement visit Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Lysa’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources
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I Don’t Like My Husband Today

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What am I supposed to do on those days when I just don’t like my husband? Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Do you ever have days when you just aren’t clicking with your spouse? Maybe it was an argument over money or the kids or something you asked him to do but he forgot. Whatever the case, what do you do when you’ve lost that loving feeling? God would say love him anyway - but not in a begrudging way.

In the Bible, Jesus said, “Whatever you do unto the least of them you do it unto me.” In other words, when we give and love even when our husbands don’t act deserving, we touch the heart of God. Take your spouse out of the equation and love him as if it were Jesus standing there. Easy? No. Marriage transforming? Absolutely!

For more marriage encouragement, sign up for our Free Encouragement for Today email newsletter at proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Wise Words

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ll never forget the day my husband told me that we’d lost most of our savings in a bad investment. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

There were many different ways my reaction could have gone in the minutes that followed. But I’m so thankful the Lord had been preparing my heart for this very moment. And instead of reacting immediately with what would have been a disastrous response, I paused.

Because of God’s spirit working in me I was able to wrap my arms around my husband and offer life giving words into his weary heart. I said to him, “I love you Art. I loved you yesterday when we had everything and I love you today when we have nothing.”

Oh I know this can be hard – trust me I do! But I also know when we immerse ourselves in getting to know God, we can have reactions that honor Him and breathe life into relationships. For more encouragement visit Lysa’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

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Fitting In

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

“Mom you just don’t understand!” Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Those words made me feel a hundred years old! I remember saying them to my mom, but never thought I’d hear them from my own sons.

As teenage boys, the pressure to fit in is sometimes more than they can handle. And I get it. I want my sons to feel accepted by their peers but I also know their need for approval can never be completely filled by their friends. When one of them wanted a new video game that was rated M for mature, I reminded them that having healthy boundaries on what they see is not negotiable. I also told them I understand the need to fit in, but getting acceptance from people is a never-ending search. I’ve discovered the hard way the only approval we can count on is God’s  It’s not based on who we are or what we can do, but on who He is and what He did for us through Jesus.

For more encouragement, visit proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Chosen

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Each of us has the desire to be wanted, loved, and chosen. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. I learned this concept at an early age during gym class. It was so stressful when the two team captains chose their teammates. I hated that feeling of everyone else getting picked while I was passed over round after round.

I‘ve learned over the years that the answer to our deepest desires is not the seemingly perfect life. Not being chosen first for the team. Not having the most romantic spouse or the most well behaved kids. Not the bigger house. Not the better job.

The answer to our deepest desires is making the choice to recognize that God is close. Whether we’re out for dinner, on the playground with our kids, or sitting alone in our den – God is there. Loving. Assuring. Teaching. And Choosing to spend time with us. For more encouragement visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

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What Have You Done for Yourself Today?

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What’ve you done for yourself today? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries and PE Klove.… and I want you to be honest. Have you done anything today -- just for you? I’m not talking about an hour long massage – although that would be good! Instead, have you taken even a moment to do something you want to do?

You know…women are stretched in every way possible. And, with all we do for others it’s easy to put ourselves on the back burner. But that’s also how we get burned out. I think we need to get intentional and do a little something for ourselves each day . Maybe it’s a bubble bath, painting our toenails, reading a chapter of the novel that’s been on our nightstand for weeks, watching our favorite movie. Or maybe it’s extra time reading our Bible and listening to music.

When we take 20, 30, or even just five minutes for ourselves, we’re more equipped and able to give all the other minutes away. For more encouragement as a woman, visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Verbalizing Thankfulness

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I was feeling tired and very grumpy recently, and I had no idea why. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Several weeks ago I had one of those raw, edgy attitudes with lots of negative thoughts running through my mind.

On days like this I make an extra effort to sit down with my Bible and ask God to please interrupt my yucky feelings with His truth. As I was searching, one thought kept coming across my mind. Be thankful!

So I started listing things I was thankful for. The more I verbalized what I was thankful for, the less cloudy my heart felt. I couldn’t explain my feelings and I didn’t understand my feelings. But, I found that verbalizing my thankfulness was the very thing that kept me from wallowing in the pit.

So, let’s be thankful that God makes a way for us to live our lives based on truth rather than our unpredictable feelings. For more encouragement visit Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources
Visit Lysa’s Blog

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A Man’s Greatest Fear

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

What is your husband’s greatest fear? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Research shows that a mom’s greatest fear is that something will happen to one of her children. I know this fear and at times it has overwhelmed me! But you know what? For years I had no idea what my husband’s greatest fear was.

Did you know most husbands fear they won’t be able to provide for their family financially? It’s just as scary as our fears for our children. So what do we do with this vulnerable place in our husband’s heart? We can pray for them. In the Bible, Psalm 34 says “I sought the Lord and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears.”

Let’s pray that our husbands will seek God’s help to provide for our families and not shoulder this responsibility alone. And for a list of ways to pray for your husband, visit Proverbs31 Ministries at Proverbs31.org, and click on Renee’s blog.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Longing to Be Loved

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

As a little girl I longed for my daddy to pick me up, swing me around and tell me he loved me.
Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. When my daddy didn’t fill my childhood desires, I found myself seeking all kinds of remedies in my early adult years.

I was in search of something or someone who would make me feel loved or significant. And it didn’t take me long to find that the more I tried to fill up my empty places, the more frustrated and lonely I felt.

I had to learn that no person, possession, profession, or position ever fills an empty heart. It’s an emptiness that only God can fill.

So even though my earthly daddy didn’t encourage me and love me as I’d hoped, I have come to know the love of my heavenly Father. And anything we try to use as a substitute for Him will never make us feel complete. For more encouragement log on to Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources:
Visit Lysa’s Blog

Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst

How Do You Measure Up?

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t measure up? I do!

Hi I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs31 Ministries.

Sometimes I think if I was as capable, smart or godly as people I admire, then I’d be secure. But the truth is, even people who seem to “have it all” still struggle with feelings of insecurity.

The Bible describes a woman who had everything, yet it wasn’t enough. Eve had the perfect Father, a husband who only had eyes for her, no wardrobe problems, and no bad hair days (surely there wasn’t humidity in Eden).

God established Eve’s worth as His child. And He gave her every woman’s desire: intimacy, beauty, security and significance. Yet, the enemy conjured up feelings of insecurity by making Eve think she was not all she could be—or should be.

Ya know, Eve didn’t have to go along with it, and neither do we. Let’s talk about it. Visit Proverbs31.org and click on Renee’s blog.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Family Dinners

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I know family dinners are good. But, with a house full of teenagers, dinner can get lost in the shuffle of life. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Three of our 5 kids are now driving, all of them have jobs, and of course they have busy social lives.

All the busyness makes sit down meals seem impossible. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for my family. I heard a sermon by Dr. Tony Evans recently that made a huge impact on my heart and my calendar. He said, “Great kids are raised around the dinner table.”

I decided that I needed to start scheduling a couple of imperfect family meals a week. I say imperfect because we may not all be there. And what we eat may not be homemade. But, those of that gather, will experience the family conversations I so desire for my family. For more ideas, visit Lysa’s blog at Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources:

Visit Lysa’s Blog

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, by Lysa TerKeurst

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Do Not Throw Away Your Confidence

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t measure up? I do!
Hi I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs31 Ministries.

Sometimes I think if I was as capable, smart or godly as people I admire, then I’d be secure. But the truth is, even people who seem to “have it all” still struggle with feelings of insecurity.

The Bible describes a woman who had everything, yet it wasn’t enough. Eve had the perfect Father, a husband who only had eyes for her, no wardrobe problems, and no bad hair days (surely there wasn’t humidity in Eden).

God established Eve’s worth as His child. And He gave her every woman’s desire: intimacy, beauty, security and significance. Yet, the enemy conjured up feelings of insecurity by making Eve think she was not all she could be—or should be.

Ya know, Eve didn’t have to go along with it, and neither do we. Let’s talk about it. Visit Proverbs31.org and click on Renee’s blog.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Staying on Track

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

When friends ask how I’ve managed to eat healthy for the past few years, I say it’s one good choice after another! Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

It’s not easy, I have to think ahead about the realities of the food choices I make every day.

If I were struggling with my finances, I would need to think about the price before I decide to buy something. The same is true with my food choices. I can’t eat, eat, eat and just pretend the calories won’t add up. I need to remember that I have the power to make sure the next thing I put in my mouth is healthy.

We were meant to consume food. Food was never meant to consume us. And, we can ask God to help us make the right food choices, to know when enough is enough, and to listen to that still, small voice inside that says, “stop.”

With God’s help we can make one wise choice after the other! For more ideas, visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:
Made to Crave, by Lysa TerKeurst

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Lysa's Blog here.

Critical Words

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Sometimes words can cut deep into our hearts! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries and PE Klove.

We’ve all been wounded by negative comments from people in our past or even people in our present. Sometimes it’s a parent who criticizes us, or a friend who rejected us. When we let their harsh words sink into our hearts and stay, it can cause us to believe we’re not worth anything!

That kind of insecurity can make us settle for unhealthy relationships and also keep us from following God’s plan for our lives.

Are there negative words people have said to you - or about you - that have crippled your hope in God’s ability to do great things through you? I know I struggle with this at times. Maybe we should both put a stop to it and ask God to send people to help us know and believe what He says about us – instead of all the critical words we’ve listened to for so long.

If you need some encouragement today, click on Renee’s blog at proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31