Category: Christianity

What I left behind in 2025

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I saw a quote last month that struck a cord with me. It said, “December is the month when you decide what to leave behind going into the new year.” I have never been one to consistently make New Year’s resolutions because I usually fail or give up a couple months into the year. However, I decided to set goals as an individual, as a wife, and as a family. I do not know why, but the word goals seem more attainable than resolutions, at least that is what I am telling myself. A few goals for 2026 are:

  • Read at least six books this year
  • Daily devotions and prayer with my husband
  • Plan a family night once a month

I have several more goals but lets move on from that and get to what was difficult. What did I decide to leave behind? I had to take time to think about this. I wrestled with letting go of past hurts, poor habits, and control. I have spent so many years chained to these things that I allowed them to mold me into someone I no longer recognized. Choosing to leave them in 2025 has created more space to let Jesus into my life.

First, I let go of bitterness towards ended friendships and opened up room for forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 says,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Second, I left behind poor habits such as, laziness and an unhealthy lifestyle. Both of which go hand in hand. I accepted the fact that laziness is a sin. “Boredom, procrastination and abandoned projects are obvious signs of laziness…Undisciplined sleep habits, and pride that keeps us from considering constructive criticism, can be signs of a lazy life.”1 There are several Scriptures on idleness found throughout the Bible:

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. ~Proverbs 19:15

Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks. ~Ecclesiastes 10:18

I love my naps, and to a degree I think naps are healthy, but second sleeps (3+ hours) makes me unproductive and is a reason to avoid responsibilities. I should also reveal my poor eating habits caused by laziness. I love a good meal, especially one that is prepared for me…like at a restaurant or fast food place. While these are fine every once in awhile, making it a routine not only harms my health, but also feeds (no pun intended) into the realization that I am too lazy to cook and I lack self-control. There are two verses that I am choosing to memorize when faced with the temptation of idleness. The first comes from Colossians 3:23,

Whatever you do , work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Anything I do, whether it is household responsibilities or working outside the home is to be done for the Lord. This changes my mindset and can maybe even create a sense of joy in my work. Next, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Why am I feeding my body things that are affecting my health? Why am I not strengthening my body and taking care of it when my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? These are revelations I have made when pondering what to not bring into 2026.

Finally, and this is the most difficult, letting go of control. I cannot control people in my life. I cannot force someone to change or make better choices, I can hope to model the behavior, but it is God’s job to change someones heart. I cannot control people’s opinions of me and my choices. Frankly, their personal opinions are none of my business. The only opinion and approval that matters in my life is the Lords.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10

That is a brief summary of what I refuse to bring into this new year. That was my former way of living, and I want to fill that space with godly living, full of productivity, trust in the Lord, and surrounded by those I love deeply. I will keep moving forward.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ~Ephesians 4:22-24

Living by grace,

Misty

1Bucher, Meg. Why Laziness Is a Sin and 5 Ways We Can Flee from It. http://www.biblestudytools.com



Finding Encouragement in Suffering: 1 Peter

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Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ~ 1 Peter 4:12-14

All you have to do is watch the news or scroll through social media to see the amount of suffering in the lives of our friends and family as well as the world. Suffering is something all of us experience in our lives and it usually leads to the question, “Why is this happening?”. As Christians, what do we do about our sufferings, and how do we find encouragement within them? Lets take a look at 1 Peter.

The author of 1 Peter is widely believed to have been Peter himself. It is believed to have been written around AD 65, around the time emperor Nero began his persecutions of Christians.1 One of the focuses of Peter’s letter is on suffering and its many forms, such as: for being a Christian, being married to a non-believer, working for an unjust or discriminatory master (boss), anti-Christian movements towards the Christian community, and sicknesses, financial hardships, spiritual warfare…the list goes on and on.2 As you read and study 1 Peter, you will find what we should focus on in our times of suffering and the encouragement that lies within it.

Today, is really no different than it was in AD 65. We are facing the same trials and hardships of those from ancient times. Those at the top of my personal list include spiritual warfare, financial hardships, and navigating differences in belief systems and worldviews. Most of these have just been in the last six months and some are still continuing today. I have questioned why certain trials occur, I have sought God through prayer and petition, and I have also turned from God and given up on things changing (this is my normal cycle when going through difficulties).

In John MacArthur’s commentary on 1 Peter, he gives an outline for what a Christian should do and remember during their suffering:

  • Suffering Christians should remember their great salvation
  • Suffering Christians should remember their example before men
  • Suffering Christians should remember their Lord will return3

We can find hope in 1 Peter 1:6-9:

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

We can find encouragement in 1 Peter 3:8-9, 13-18a:

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing...Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats, do not be frightened.." But in your hearts Revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Finally, I referenced a Scripture at the beginning of this post. It is here that we find encouragement, but also the action we should continue to do. We see this action in 1 Peter 4:19:

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (emphasis mine).

So, how do we find encouragement in our sufferings? We continue doing good, commit ourselves to the Lord, and find our hope and encouragement in our salvation. I know this can be a difficult task when face to face with the difficulties of life. I know it sometimes feels easier to give up. Just remember that Jesus also suffered greatly, for you and me, by dying for our sins and granting us the gift of salvation so that we may spend eternity with our Creator, and that is the biggest encouragement of all.

Living by grace,

Misty

Resources: 1 Rydelnik, Michael, and Michal G. Vanlaningham, eds. The Moody Bible Commentary. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014. Pg 1957. 2 Samra, Jim. James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude (Teach the Text Commentary Series). Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016. Pgs 102-103. 3 MacArthur, John. 1 Peter MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004. Pgs 16-17.

A New Journey

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I am on a new journey in my life. I am now a student…again. It has been twenty-three years since I have been in school, so I have had to re-learn how to study. It has been a challenge, but a rewarding one.

Returning to school has been on my mind for quite some time, years actually. It was probably around 2015 when I started to feel the nudge. What I did not expect was to feel the nudge from the Holy Spirit. I knew it was Him because it was insistent and was stronger when I was in the Word. Honestly, it was kind of annoying because I thought it was crazy and unattainable. I was also afraid to return. I did not want to fail.

I ignored the urge to return to school for years, but I had started to develop a desire to go and had a deep sense of knowing why He wanted me to return. I had went to a few women’s conferences and was feeling convicted that I was meant for more. I developed a sincere desire for women’s ministry. I had been in a study group with some girlfriends and felt the pull to write in a different way. It was in that moment that I had the revelation that I needed to write devotionals for women. I wanted to help women know that they are not alone in their struggles, and despite their past, they are unconditionally loved and treasured by God.

So, seven years later, I finally gave in to the Holy Spirit, who is relentless by the way, and enrolled in school. I was stressed about the process, but I was not fearful any longer. I knew I was doing the right thing, and I knew exactly what I needed to major in. I signed up for an Associates degree in Biblical Studies. I yearned for a deeper and richer understanding of the Word of God. I needed to know more, I was thirsty for more, and I was excited to learn more.

I am asked what I want to do once I finish school. The answer is, I do not know. Well, that is not necessarily true. I know what I want to do, and that is write. I want to use what I have learned to become an author of women’s devotionals and help minister to women. However, ultimately it is up to God. I finally listened to him and look where I am now. He has helped and guided me throughout this whole journey and I know he will continue to do so. It would be foolish of me to stop listening to Him or doubting His incredible work in me now.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; do not try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (Msg)

Living by grace,

Misty