Valley Of Grief

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ve been bombarded recently with the stark reality of people's fears coming to pass. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I have a friend dying of brain cancer. I have another friend who is nearing retirement and has been swindled out of his entire life savings. I’ve read three blogs recently that have told the tragic story of losing children. My heart breaks over these losses. Maybe you’re in a season of loss right now. I can remember going through loss and being SO angry.

Over time I’ve learned that God Himself comes to us personally when we’re afraid or grieving. Even when we can't process what life throws at us, we can know that God stays with us in our grief. He never leaves no matter how messy our grief gets. Somehow just knowing that helps me.

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at Proverbs31.org.

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

What Happens When Walk In Faith, by Lysa Terkeurst

Making Adjustments

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Our family’s getting ready for a huge life change and I’m so excited but…also a little overwhelmed! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

As we get ready to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia I have to admit there are times when I have doubts about how things will work out. My schedule’s already really FULL with taking care of my family, working, and other commitments.

Adopting a baby means one more person who’ll need my time and attention. Of course I can’t wait to give it to her! But I have wondered what my life will look like once she’s here.

Do you ever feel like that? Has God brought new commitments into your life that require major adjustments to your schedule? I’m right there with you. I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen. But, I’m so glad that I do know that God is real and waiting for me to ask for His help!

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs 31.org.

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Free devotion, Running by Faith, by Tracie Miles

Trust Was The Word Of The Day

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Last week I was up most of the night with a very sick child. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My daughter Ashley was supposed to be competing in a State Gymnastics Meet the next day. I know in the grand scheme of life, skipping the Meet pales in comparison to many more serious matters. But, to her this was a really big deal. One that she had worked SO hard to prepare for. And now her body was too weak to attend.

So trust was the word of the day. But sometimes trust is HARD. Especially when it means taking a completely different route than what we were expecting.

Are you going through some tough times right now? Are you full of questions but short on answers? Maybe we’re just supposed to say, “God I don’t like this and I don’t understand but still I trust You and that’s enough.” For more encouragement visit Proverbs 31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

What Could I Be Missing?

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I wonder if I ever miss out on something God wants to give me because I’m not in a place to receive it. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Recently I was trying to connect with my son’s teacher to give her a wedding gift before she moved away. No matter how hard we tried, something would go wrong and we’d miss each other. Finally, we decided to meet at her apartment on the day she was moving.

Well, when I got there, she was gone. I didn’t have her phone number with me, so I couldn’t call her. After waiting a while, I went home and found a message on our voicemail saying she’d gone to lunch and stayed longer than she’d planned.
It’s not that she didn’t want the gift - it’s just that she wasn’t in a place to receive it.

You know, I’m sure there are some gifts God wants to give me. Sometimes I just have to make sure my heart is in a place to receive them.

For more, visit Proverbs31.org.


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I Flirt With My Husband

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I love to flirt with my husband. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Yes, I love to flirt with my man but that hasn’t always been the case. I wasted years being grumpy over what I wished was different about my marriage. Then one day I realized the more I focus on the negative the more negative I would wallow in. I decided to start intentionally looking for good- and that’s when I started flirting with my man again.

Recently Art and I were out to dinner with our 3 teenaged daughters.

I was telling my girls how I thought their Dad was so cute. Our 16 year old gagged and while the 15 and 12 year olds giggled.

And then Brooke boldly stated she was very thankful Art and I had gotten married. “Or I wouldn’t be here”, she proclaimed. “And that would be a complete tragedy.”

I love that girl. And did I mention I love flirting with her Dad? For more, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Capture His Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst

Capture Her Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst

Parenting On My IKnees

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I woke up at 2:15 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My mind was tossing and turning with concerns and prayers for my son who's going through a hard time. It's all part of being the mom of a teenager. I’d prayed for him before he went to bed, asking God to be real to my son. I’d asked God to protect his heart and mind and to help us navigate this new parenting phase as our son becomes the man God created him to be. I fell asleep praying and woke up praying.

I know I can't talk my child out of how he's feeling. I can't give him a promise from the Bible and expect it to make him happy. I can't deny or figure out what he's going through. The best thing I can do is pray, and love him. And pray some more. I have a feeling I'm gonna be parenting on my knees a lot these next few years.

For more parenting encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Eating Too Much

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

A lot of times our biggest struggle with food is that we simply eat too much of it.

Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Usually when we find ourselves overeating on a repeated basis, something else is at work. Many refer to it as a form of emotional emptiness.

I can remember times when spiritual and emotional emptiness left me vulnerable. Much of this emptiness stemmed back to coming home from school and being told, “Your daddy's gone.” Many life-struggles since then have left me feeling vulnerable and empty.

And when I couldn't figure out how to fill what my heart was lacking, food became a comfort.

I finally realized that overeating was adding to my hurt - not soothing the pain.
One by one I’ve gone to those memories and said, “Yes, this is a circumstance of my life, but it doesn’t define who I am.” And overeating only reaches my stomach but can’t ever fill my soul. For more visit Proverbs31.org.

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Made to Crave, by Lysa TerKeurst

A Friend's Permission

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I got an email from a good friend this week, strongly encouraging me to take some time off from work to finish a project I’ve been trying to get to for months! Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Lysa knew I’d had a very stressful month. I'd been traveling a lot and just couldn’t keep up with life and family and work. She was concerned because she knew I was frustrated by the fact that I’d had to keep postponing this project.

It seemed like one unexpected need after the other just kept coming up. She also knew it would be hard for me to take time off work to do something I really “wanted” to do instead of something I “needed” to do.Ya know, sometimes we need a friend who’ll give us permission to do something for ourselves.

As soon as I read Lysa’s email I knew it was what I needed to do. It was permission from a friend and direction from God to take a break and do something I enjoy.

For more thoughts on friendship visit Proverbs31.org.

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But I Don't Feel Gentle

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I can perform random acts of gentleness. But, gentleness doesn’t ooze from the core of who I am. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Can you relate to this?

This is especially true if I get stressed OR if I get sleepy. Something from the Bible that’s been really tugging at my heart lately is this: “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

Yes, I want to be a gentle woman- even when things bump into my happy and make me feel anything but gentle.

I am capable of being gentle, I just have to intentionally practice it. And I can do this by practicing the another word from the same place in the Bible: Rejoice. The more my heart’s parked in a place of thanksgiving and rejoicing the less room I have for grumpiness.

And the more I rejoice, the more I keep things in perspective, and the more gentle I become. Share your thoughts when you visit Lysa’s blog at Proverbs 31.org.

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

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

She Smiles

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

When you think about all you have going on this week, do you have anything planned that makes you smile? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

The other day I was reading about the Proverbs 31 woman. Among all her great qualities, one thing I love is that that Bible says she “smiled at the days ahead.”

It made me wonder how I can make sure I have something to smile about in the midst of my busy week. It’s so easy to let my days get filled with tasks and my heart gets buried in busyness. I have to schedule time to stop all my running around and do something fun, sometime I can look forward to like shopping with friends, playing games with my kids, or going on a date with my husband.

So what do you enjoy doing that you haven’t done in a while? Is there something fun you can plan in the next few days that you will look forward to – something that will make you smile at the days ahead?

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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The War Against My Soul

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

For years, I refused to think of my eating struggles as anything more than just a physical issue. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. I didn’t pray about it. And I certainly didn’t ask God for help. I just mentally beat myself up over my lack of self-control.

My ever increasing waist line and poor food choices were wreaking havoc on my body and honestly also my soul. Being ruled by anything other than God isn’t healthy spiritually, mentally or physically.

For years I was overweight physically but underweight spiritually. Tying those two things together has finally allowed me to see why so many of my diet attempts failed - I needed to dig past the surface to the real heart and soul of my issues.

Yes, I want to get healthy. But my real goal isn’t a number on the scale- it’s peace.

For more on this, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line and click on Lysa’s blog at proverbs31.org.

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Made to Crave, by Lysa TerKeurst

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

From Doubt To Dependence

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Do you ever doubt yourself with thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not smart enough?” Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I recently surveyed over 1200 women about their self-doubts. Ninety percent said they often think things like, “I can’t do that.” ”I’m not good enough,” or “I’m not gifted enough.”

I’ve definitely felt that way and I used to beg God to take away all my doubts but, so far, He hasn’t.

Over time I’ve realized that instead of taking them away God uses my self-doubts to help me depend more on Him. When doubt fills my thoughts, I start to feel stuck. The only thing that helps me get unstuck is when I turn to God for help. It helps me to be honest with Him about how I’m feeling. Then I look for verses in the Bible that give me confidence.

Struggling with doubt can lead us to depend on God to help us stop listening to self-critical thoughts and start listening to His thoughts instead.

For more encouragement, click on Renee’s Blog at Proverbs31.org.

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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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Weak Places

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Some days I wonder if I’ll ever get it all together. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Weak places. We all have them. Places that make us feel incapable and inadequate.

My weak places frustrate me. What’s your weak place? A money situation? A marriage issue? A temper that flares? An insecurity that stings? A family dysfunction? An ongoing issue with food?

Can I breathe a little life into your weakness today? We don’t have to have all the answers. It’s okay to be so tired of our weak places that we run out of words to pray.

Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment today, without trying to figure things out. We aren’t weak. We’re dependent. Dependent on the only One powerful enough to help us- God.

Our circumstances may not be sufficient. Our finances may not be sufficient. Our confidence may not be sufficient. But God is and always will be. For more, click on Lysa’s blog when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line at Proverbs31.org.

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

Saying Yes, Saying No

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

How do we decide what to say yes to and what to say no to? Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I’m convinced that one of the main reasons our lives get out of balance is because we have a hard time saying no. It just comes natural for us to be multi-taskers and people-pleasers. I don’t think I know any woman who doesn’t want to be there for everyone she knows whether at work, or church or friends. And I’m right there with her. I don’t wanna disappoint anybody. And for some reason I feel like I have to be it all and do it all.

But the truth is – I can’t. So, I’m learning to say no to a lot of requests for my time. That way I’ll have the energy and emotion I need to give to those closest to me. I know I’ll disappoint someone but I won’t be as likely to disappoint those I love most - which includes God and my family.

For more ideas on balancing life visit Proverbs 31.org.

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Self Control

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever been in a discussion when suddenly your blood pressure skyrockets and the worst version of you begs to come out? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

It’s hard when someone else does things out of our control, yanking our emotions into a bad place. But I can decide whether or not to give them the power to control these emotions.

When I react by yelling or making a snappy comeback, I basically transfer my power to that other person. When I’m void of power, I’m void of self-control.

Now, when I say “my power,” I really mean God’s power working in me. When I react according to God’s truths, I feel that power. When I react in a way that’s contrary to His truths, I’m powerless.

When God’s truth seeps into my mind, my heart accomplishes good things that help me display self-control. Read more when you click on Lysa’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

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Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst


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

More Than A Story

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Sometimes I wonder if my kids think the Bible is just another storybook. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I had to smile and thank God one afternoon when He showed me that wasn’t the case. You see my son Joshua, who was eight at the time, told me he was writing a book. It was about a little boy who got stung by a jellyfish and was afraid to go back in the ocean. Josh said that night the boy read about David in the Bible and asked God to give him courage, and the next day he went swimming.

Joshua’s fourteen now and I pray all the time that God will keep showing him the Bible offers hope for everything we face. Just like the boy in his book, I pray my son will go to God and read His Words for courage when life stings. I pray he’ll know that the Bible isn’t just a collection of stories, but a collection of God’s promises and principles to guide us through life.

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Embrace The Process

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

If I always expect my kids to make me feel good or look good, I’m setting all of us up to fail! Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My children were never meant to carry the weight of a mama’s need for validation. I’ve got 5 amazing kids. And while I’ve done everything in my power to raise them well, there aren’t any guarantees.

We can raise terrific kids. And we can also raise kids that chase the wrong things their whole lives.

So, what’s a parent to do? Embrace the process. Learn from the process. Let God speak to us during the process. And see the process of raising kids as an ongoing opportunity to invest beyond ourselves.

God will use every step of this process for our good, but it won’t always make us feel or look good. However, it’s our only opportunity to reach into the generations to come and make a difference.

Find out more when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line and click on Lysa’s blog at proverbs31.org.

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Made to Crave, by Lysa TerKeurst

Just Enough Light

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

When I’m going through something really hard, I want God to show me how it’s all going to work out! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I realize that me seeing how God’s gonna take care of things ahead of time requires very little faith, but that’s just how I feel sometimes. Like recently we’ve sensed God leading our family to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. We’re so excited but I’ve also been concerned about all the changes this will bring. I haven’t had a baby in a really long time!

The other day I was telling my husband about my worries and how I want God to show me how all the pieces are gonna fall together. JJ reminded me that sometimes God gives us just enough light for the step we’re on. When we take that step, He gives us light for the next step, and then the next.

Is God asking you to take a step of faith? I know it can be hard. If you’d like some encouragement, click on Renee’s blog at Proverbs31.org.


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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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A Little Goes A Long Way

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I love to start my day with a 30-minute jog. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Some mornings, I don’t have 30 minutes to spare so I don’t go running. I figure if I can’t jog for 30 minutes, I might as well not go at all. Well, yesterday I didn’t run and by 3 o’clock I had a headache and felt terrible. I only had 15 minutes left before my kids got home from school, but I knew the exercise would make me feel better. So I went running even though I only had a little bit of time.

Afterwards, I felt great! That little bit went a long way.

Ya know, the same thing happens when it comes to reading my Bible. Some mornings I only have a little bit of time so I decide to wait until later. But, by the afternoon I can really feel the difference in my attitude and emotions.

Now I realize that no matter how little time I have, I need to use it! Because a little goes a long way!

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs 31.org.

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The Formula

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ve learned I can’t build my identity as a parent on the fragile choices of my kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When I was a young mom, I was desperate for a formula I could plug my family into that would yield great kids.

I spent the first 5 years of motherhood convinced I was messing my kids up beyond repair. I now have kids ranging in ages from 23 to 12 and I’ve finally learned there is no perfect parenting formula.

We weren’t made to follow formulas. We were made to follow Jesus.
This is true with every aspect of our lives. We were made to follow Jesus’ lead in our marriages, our jobs, our churches, our friendships, our everything.

I’ve learned to humbly acknowledge how much I don’t know about life and readily admit how much I need Jesus. In every way.

For more parenting ideas, click on Lysa’s blog when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line at proverbs31.org.

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Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst

Conflict Resolution

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Just yesterday I was knee deep in some conflicts that made me want to rip my hair out by the roots. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Many of us want to avoid conflict with all our might. Conflict is messy, emotional, and exhausting.

The rational part of my brain sees situations one way but the emotional part of my heart sees them differently. We can get all caught up in the emotion and make things a much bigger deal than necessary or we can ask Jesus for a better perspective.
I’ve learned that feelings should be indicators not dictators. They can indicate there are some emotions to process but not dictate how we act or react in a situation.

Thinking this way helps me cut through the emotion and focus on a solution.
No tangled feelings. No big issue. Just a good solution without the added stress of escalated emotions.

For more, click on Lysa’s blog when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at Proverbs31.org.

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Capture His Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst

Capture Her Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst

How Can I Do It All?

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

If you ever figure out how to get everything done…Please tell me your secret! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Sometimes my life is more than I can manage. It’s usually because I’ve overcommitted or expected too much of myself and I’ll start feeling like I can’t keep up with everyone or everything!

Do you ever feel like that?

Recently I decided to slow down and apply something I’ve read in the Bible about acknowledging God in all my ways. Each week I try to take time to sit with my calendar and ask God to help me plan my days. I need Him to show me His priorities and help me figure out what’s realistic for me to get done.

Now when I write out my schedule, I also leave room for any unexpected plans God might have for me. And if I can’t do everything I planned for one week, then the next week I plan less and ask God to help me again.

For more ideas on balancing life, visit Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31