A Peaceful Pace

Why Approval-Seeking Is So Exhausting

Sarah Cole — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:04:46 GMT

Chasing validation is quietly becoming an epidemic.

Social media conditions us to think everyone else has arrived. And if we only try harder, we will too.

Living this way can be so automatic we never question it. Until the identity our faith was built on slowly crumbles beneath the weight of comparison.

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”—Proverbs 29:25, NIV.

Solomon reminds us that chasing man’s approval traps us in a never-ending cycle of shame-based performance.

I believe it grieves God’s heart every time we allow the fear of man to ensnare us. Because here's the truth: we will never outperform our sense of unworthiness—until we realize His opinion is the only one that matters.

A Significance You Cannot Earn

Friend, you don't have to be someone you are not. Because when God created you, He made no mistakes.

He gave you a unique purpose only you can fulfill.

That makes you significant.

He sees the pain that triggers you. The masks you hide behind. The insecurities that fuel comparison.

And He loves you anyway.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”—Psalm 139:14, NIV.

You are so precious to Him that He engraved you on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

That makes you unforgettable.

No one will ever love you like Jesus. When His approval is enough, you will trade a room full of applause just to hear Him whisper, “Well done.”

Because life is short. And we are not here to live our best life now. But to live for an audience of One.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”—Proverbs 9:10, NIV.

Rest Stop:

How has social media made you feel insignificant?

What lies have you told yourself about your worth?

How can you base your identity on what God's Word says about you?

Are You Spiritually Malnourished?

Sarah Cole — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:46:08 GMT

Nobody wakes up one day choosing to starve themselves spiritually.

Losing our appetite for God slips in quietly, underneath the noise and chaos of life.

A skipped quiet time here. A missed Bible study there, and eventually our spiritual hunger pangs are too loud to ignore:

The prayers that used to anchor you feel dry.

Your emotions, once grounded in truth, are raw and unfiltered.

Or old habits you used to master have mastered you once more.

You Are What You Eat

Deep inside of us is a hunger only Jesus can satisfy.

But we live in a world that sells us junk food dressed up to look satisfying.

Netflix. Google. Facebook. Instagram.

Most of us would never starve ourselves physically. Yet we don’t think twice about what we are feeding ourselves spiritually.

I used to wonder why I came unglued so easily. Why I lost perspective.

I prayed. I read my Bible. I loved Jesus.

But the stress and pressures of life drowned out His voice, and my heart grew indifferent to Him.

I was malnourished and did not know it.

The Only Bread That Satisfies

For Jews in ancient Israel, bread was more than a staple. It was a metaphor Jesus used to illustrate to the disciples that their greatest need was not just physical.

It was spiritual:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” —Matthew 4:4, NIV.

The same is true for us.

Each day, there is a spiritual feast available to us free of charge.

But to partake of it, we must accept the invitation to sit at Jesus’ feet so He can pour His peace, strength, wisdom and joy into us.

Friend, there is nothing more satisfying than Jesus’ presence.

And when you taste and see that He is good, your cravings for this world will eventually fade.

And you will never go hungry again.

^{35 “}Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”—John 6:35, NIV.

Rest Stop:

What have you been feeding yourself spiritually?

Has it satisfied you, or left you hungry?

How will you be still this week so Jesus can pour Himself into you?

The Only Anchor That Weathers Every Storm

Sarah Cole — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:52:31 GMT

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…”—Hebrews 6:19. NIV.

There is a time in every believer’s life when a storm unleashes so much devastation that it's hard to even breathe.

A friend calls with bad news.

The divorce you never wanted becomes final.

Or a diagnosis puts your future in jeopardy.

My first instinct when life falls apart is to panic. Be strong. Exhaust all my options—and myself—before finally crying out to Jesus to save me.

Most people drown—not because they can’t swim. Because they panic.

Their nervous system sends a surge of adrenaline into the bloodstream, making it harder to tread water or hold onto a flotation device.

Storm-Proof Faith

On the Sea of Galilee, 20-foot storm surges were common. The disciples were experienced fishermen. But when the waves crashed over their boat, and they saw that Jesus was asleep, they were terrified.

But here’s what we often miss: Jesus not only saw the storm coming. He sent them into it anyway.

Jesus didn’t need a nap.

He needed their faith to be anchored in Him:

^“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”—Mark 4:35-41, NIV.

Sometimes Jesus Calms You Before He Calms the Storm

Jesus never promised us a lifetime of smooth sailing.

He promised that when we are anchored to Him—we will never sail alone.

Friend, I want you to know that whatever you’re facing, Jesus not only sees your storm.

He sees you.

He has calmed every storm on record. And He promises that when waves of doubt and fear close in, He will calm you.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do”—James 1:6-7. NIV.

I want to leave you with one of my favorite hymns, “It is Well With My Soul.” Let its words penetrate your heart:

1. When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

4. O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.

What Happens When You Pray Persistently

Sarah Cole — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:03:18 GMT

“Pray without ceasing.” —1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV.

There are seasons when God seems absent. His timing feels cruel, and our prayers hit the ceiling.

In these moments, it’s easy to assume God doesn’t care—that our needs don’t matter.

So, we stop praying altogether.

I was in a season like that several months ago. My dog Frank’s allergies made him miserable. Our vet tried everything she could, but nothing worked. Day in and day out, I cried out to God. Overwhelmed and exhausted, I was ready to put him up for adoption.

Miraculously, Frank started improving. At his next visit, his doctor smiled and said, “Frank is lucky you never gave up on him.”

Constant in Prayer

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus taught a parable to illustrate how important it is for us to pray persistently when nothing is moving:

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.He said: “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time, he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”—Luke 18:1-5, NIV.

Notice the phrase“for some time, he refused.” The widow’s patience was probably wearing thin. Still, day after day, she refused to give up.

When God says no, it doesn’t mean He didn’t hear you.

When nothing is happening, He is working behind the scenes, preparing you for the moment your breakthrough finally comes.

We’ve all seen how persistent children can be when they want something. Their constant demands can wear their parents out.

The Heart of the Father

Friend, God never tires of hearing you pray. He wants to give you good gifts. But sometimes He’s more interested in your relationship with Him than in giving you what you want, whenever you want it:

^”Ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.”—Matthew 7:7-8, AMP.

If God hasn’t changed your circumstances, maybe He is using them to change you. He is building something inside of you that can withstand any storm. Conquer every obstacle, and trust Him no matter what life brings.

I believe that is worth waiting for, don’t you?

Rest Stop:

How do you respond when God tells you to wait? Do you pray persistently? Why or why not?

Write an honest prayer telling God how you feel. He already knows. You can trust Him.

Your Label is Lying

Sarah Cole — Tue, 26 May 2026 22:25:36 GMT

^“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.”—Romans 12:2. NIV.

Strongholds don’t come out of nowhere.

They take years to develop—buried deep underneath layers of hurt, betrayal, and rejection.

Left unchallenged, they steal your identity—the truth your enemy, Satan—never wants you to receive.

I’m most vulnerable to deception—not when I feel seen. But when texts and calls stop. I used to label the silence as rejection.

Until God showed me He put me in a wilderness season—not to punish me.

But to isolate me.

And allure me into deeper communion with Him.

What We Name Something Matters

Maybe you’re in a season where everything is uncertain. God feels distant. Doors you expected to open by now have closed.

And hope feels out of reach.

Maybe you’ve told yourself it’s too late. You’re invisible. Or even worthless.

If we listen to lies like these long enough, we don’t give them a second thought.

That is why Paul doesn’t tell us to accept every thought. But examine it. See how it aligns with truth. Demolish it:

^“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” —2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV.

Friend, you are who Jesus says you are, no matter what.

And as you renew your mind with the truth, Satan’s lies will no longer stick.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”—John 16:13, NIV.

Rest Stop:

What label are you wearing? Is it lying to you? Why or why not?
Ask Jesus to show you the truth about yourself.
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Stillness Isn't Lazy. It's A Lifeline.

Sarah Cole — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:24:06 GMT

As someone who struggles with ADHD, sitting still is not my strong suit.

Before I pour my first cup of coffee, distractions start multiplying.

If I don't take time to focus on Jesus, my quiet time is another box I check off my to-do list.

Maybe holding everything together has exhausted you. But you’re afraid that if you stop now, everything will fall apart.

The world tells us that if we lose momentum, we will fall behind.

But striving is a burden God never asked us to carry.

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10, NASB.

When we take time to be still before the Lord, He restores our souls. He quiets the noise in our hearts. And He positions us to receive what our frantic efforts alone cannot produce:

“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:4-5, NIV

If you’ve been carrying too much for too long, your heart needs to hear this:

You don’t have to carry every burden, solve every problem, or control every outcome.

Jesus already is. And His amazing grace is an invitation for you to release what you're tired of carrying.

Grace says, “When I can’t, God still can.”

Just for today, give yourself permission to stop what you’re doing and let Jesus speak to you.

I can't promise you it will be easy. But it will be worth it.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” —2 Cor 12:9, NIV.

Rest Stop:

Schedule time when you won’t be distracted and go before the Lord.

Quiet the noise in your heart and wait for Him to speak.

What is He saying to you?

What is He asking you to release?

How does it feel to let Him carry your burdens?

Why Chasing the World Gets You Nowhere

Sarah Cole — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:17:11 GMT

When I get to heaven, one of the questions I want to ask God is why dogs chase their tails.

It’s silly how much energy they waste going nowhere.

I wonder if this is how God sees us when we chase something He knows won’t satisfy us.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.—Proverbs 4:23, NIV.

God designed a space in your heart that only He can fill.

A sanctuary where His peace can comfort you. His power can strengthen you, and His presence can restore you.

But if your heart is divided, it can’t fully receive from Him.

“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”—Colossians 3:1-3, NIV.

Every moment, there’s an invisible battle being waged for our affection.

If Jesus isn’t our first love, we will settle for what looks promising on the surface— but in the end, is dust and ashes:

Beauty.

Accolades.

Possessions.

Weight loss.

Success.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting these things.

But it’s only a matter of time before the shine wears off. The pounds return. Looks fade, and followers leave.

That’s why Jesus told us to invest in eternity.

“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:19-21, NIV.

When our ultimate joy and satisfaction are in God, He aligns our desires with His and satisfies them with good things.

Take delight in the Lord,
And he will give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:4, NIV.

Right now, your heart is chasing something you know won’t satisfy you.

Still, you long for it.

You spend hours investing in it.

And if you’re honest with yourself, it's wearing you out.

I used to think spending hours at the gym would alleviate my insecurity. Until God showed me that at my age, I was wasting precious energy on something temporary.

Friend, all God wants is your heart.

Whatever you’re holding onto, lay it down. Seek His face, and He will fill the emptiness inside of you and give you rest.

I want to leave you with this quote:

“For you have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”—St. Augustine.

Rest Stop:

Ask God to show you what’s in your heart. What have you been chasing? Has it fulfilled you? Why or why not?
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When You're Tired of Hiding From God

Sarah Cole — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:49:09 GMT

As an introvert, I hate making small talk.

Like a cell phone with too many apps open—it drains me.

That’s why I love heart-to-heart talks. When someone accepts me the way I am, I feel less alone in the world.

Maybe you’ve felt that way, too.

We all crave a connection. A place where we feel safe enough to take off our masks. But trust requires vulnerability. And vulnerability means risk.

When trust is broken, we naturally build walls around our hearts. But walls don’t protect us. They keep us from receiving the love we so desperately crave.

When Prayer Stops Being a Performance

David was called a man after God’s own heart. Not because his life was perfect. Because He trusted God.

A fugitive of King Saul, David hid in a cave. But he didn’t hide from God:

^“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”—Psalm 142:1-2, NIV.

David’s prayers were not polished. They were raw and unfiltered. And that kind of honesty can’t be manufactured. It comes from knowing God and feeling safe in His presence:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly, He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God^.He is my mighty rock, my refuge.Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”—Psalm 62:5-8, NIV.

Maybe you’ve struggled to be honest with God—not out of fear. Out of shame that sounds something like this:

“I’ve been a Christian for years. I should be over this by now.”

“God must be disappointed with me for feeling this way.”

“I should be more grateful. More joyful. More mature.”

And the list goes on and on.

Friend, your life is a journey, not a destination. You won’t arrive at perfection until you arrive at Heaven’s gates.

What Happens When We Let Down Our Guard

Something beautiful happens when we stop hiding from God. We start to feel seen, known, and fully loved—perhaps for the very first time.

In our darkest moments, God doesn’t find fault with us.

He helps us find rest.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said something that frees me every time I read it:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30, NIV.

Notice, Jesus didn’t say come when you’ve stopped struggling. Or when you’ve stopped failing.

He said come when you are weary.

Weary of pretending.

Weary of striving.

Weary of performing.

And here’s the best part: however messy your life looks today, it doesn’t surprise God.

He isn’t waiting until you clean up your act to spend time with you. He’s waiting for you to come as you are.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Rest Stop:

How have your prayers felt more like a performance than a relationship?
What holds you back from trusting God? Share at least one struggle you’re having with Him today.

When Offense is Too Hard to Overlook

Sarah Cole — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:40:28 GMT

It's been two years since my best friend turned her back on me. Every time I see her reminds me how difficult a process forgiveness can be.

Have you ever felt this way?

Some of our deepest hurts come through no fault of our own. Others are self-inflicted.

An innocent glance triggers our insecurity.

Or a comment that feels more personal than it is.

Before we know it, we’ve built a case on assumptions and half-truths.

The Solution Jesus Offers

Jesus never promised us a life free from hurt. He promised to help us overcome it so that bitterness doesn’t take root and consume us:

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no ^[^a^]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ²It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should ^[^b^]offend one of these little ones. ³Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins ^[^c^]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns ^[^d^]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”— Luke 17:1-4 NKJV.

Like a dental instrument hitting an exposed nerve, offenses trigger wounds we’d rather nobody touches.

Even God.

When someone hurts me, my first instinct is to protect myself by overreacting or overthinking.

Instead of asking Jesus to heal me, I let it consume me.

Maybe you’ve felt that way, too.

If overlooking an offense were easy, all of us would do it.

Taking offense is like holding a magnifying glass to others while refusing to look at ourselves.

While it feels justified, it rarely tells the whole story—only our version of it.

Letting God Be the Judge

James reminds us that we can’t control what others do to us. But we can choose how we respond:

“My brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”—James 1:19, NIV.

Friend, God never called you to be both judge and jury. Instead of rushing to judgment, take your case before Him and let Him settle it.

The truth is, when life hurts, it's easier to wallow in self-pity than swallow your pride. But something beautiful happens every time you release forgiveness.

Like a butterfly escaping a dark cocoon, it sets you free.

Rest Stop:

If you’re struggling to forgive someone, consider writing a letter to them. Ask God to help you release the hurt so you can walk in freedom.
It’s difficult to give grace when you haven’t received it. Ask God to help you grasp how much He’s forgiven you. You may be surprised how easily it is to forgive someone the next time they hurt you.

When Your Plans Fall Through

Sarah Cole — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:05:30 GMT

What happens when life doesn't go your way?

Do you get discouraged? Or do you trust God is sovereign over every detail of your life—both good and bad?

I recently flew to Florida to relax on the beach and recharge my batteries.

I was used to traveling alone—and liked it that way.

After listening to a crying baby the entire flight, I couldn’t wait to leave the airport. But when the Enterprise employee ran my card, it was declined.

I was devastated.

But here’s what I learned: God allowed me to be disappointed—not to be cruel. But so I could spend time with my friend who was staying nearby.

God knew if I had a car, I probably would’ve isolated myself.

“There is a way that appears to be right,
But in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12, NIV.

Why Planning Can Be an Idol

The book of James reminds us that planning isn’t evil. Boasting about it is:

^“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”—James 4:13-16, NIV.

This passage teaches us three things about God’s sovereignty:

Only God holds the future.
Our plans are finite. His are perfect.
It’s wise to surrender our plans to Him.

Friend, God really knows what's best for you.

He sees every plan you’ll ever make. And He loves you enough to interrupt them.

The Illusion of Control

Solomon, the author of Proverbs, was the wisest man alive. But despite all his wisdom, his destiny was in God’s hands:

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”—Proverbs 19:21, NIV.

If you’re tired of carrying life alone, don’t lose hope.

God isn’t asking you to solve every problem or manage every outcome. He’s asking you to trust Him.

No matter how it looks, your life isn’t random.

Your future isn't fragile.

And His plans for you won’t miss you.

Love,

Sarah

Your Pit Doesn't Have To Be Your Prison

Sarah Cole — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:45:57 GMT

Life's darkest moments rarely announce themselves.

A life-threatening diagnosis. A deep betrayal. A loss that leaves you breathless.

In these moments, we start to question God’s goodness—and wonder why He allows us to suffer.

But here’s what we often miss: pain may feel like punishment. But it is often the very thing God uses to develop us.

You’re Not Alone

Godly men and women throughout the Bible faced trials that tested their faith.

If anyone knew life was unfair, it was Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers. Sold to Potiphar. Falsely accused and sent to prison.

But that didn’t stop God from using him.

²¹But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him His faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. ²²Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.”—Genesis 39:21-22, NLT.

The God of the Unexpected

That was just the beginning. In a dramatic plot twist, Pharaoh eventually appointed him second in command over all of Egypt:

³⁹Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. ⁴⁰You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” ⁴¹Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.”—Genesis 41:39-41, NLT.

Your Story isn’t Over Either

As you read this, maybe you feel imprisoned by circumstances beyond your control. You’ve prayed. You’ve trusted God.

And still, your breakthrough is out of reach.

I know what it’s like to lose hope.

Several years ago, I recovered from one concussion—then got another. Every September, for three years.

I didn’t see it at the time. But what felt like darkness to me was God's design. And today, I’m migraine-free and leading a women's ministry.

So, don't lose hope. God isn’t finished writing your story. One day, God will do the unexpected. And then you’ll realize every chapter had a purpose.

-Sarah

Rest Stop:

Ask God how He’s using your suffering to develop you and teach you more about Himself.
Choose a promise in Scripture that breathes hope into your situation.
Ask Him to use you to help someone else who is struggling.

Be Careful Who You Listen To

Sarah Cole — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:51:18 GMT

For years, I thought being a Christian meant always being ‘on call.’

That self-care was selfish. And rest was something I had to earn.

On the outside, I looked spiritual. But inside, I was hanging by a thread. My patience wore thin. And I overreacted to the slightest frustration.

God warned me repeatedly to slow down. But the voices I heard were so convincing, I didn't question them.

If this sounds familiar, here's the truth: If what you're hearing makes you anxious, fearful, or disturbed—it's not from God.

Your enemy, Satan, is a master deceiver. His half-truths—while attractive on the surface—always lead you astray.

In John’s gospel, Jesus used sheep to illustrate what can happen when we don't listen to His voice.

For sheep in ancient Israel, recognizing their shepherd’s voice was a matter of life and death :

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” —John 10:27-28, NIV.

Whether or not we follow Jesus means the difference between peace and pressure. Clarity and confusion. And faith and fear.

That's why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts. Or distraction replaces devotion. We settle for junk food instead of feasting on truth. And forfeit our peace for the latest headlines.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” —Proverbs 4:23, NIV.

So today, sit at your Shepherd’s feet. Hear His voice. And His peace will comfort you. His joy will strengthen you. And His truth will set you free.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
³he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,^[^a^]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”—Psalm 23:1-4, NIV.

Love,

Sarah

The Wilderness Isn't The End of Your Story

Sarah Cole — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 17:41:52 GMT

God’s people were out of hope.

In exile for 70 years in Babylon, they lost their land, their temple, and their sense of identity.

They felt forgotten, punished, and abandoned.

It wasn’t that God was absent. It’s that their suffering blinded them to His faithfulness.

He was the same God who parted the Red Sea. Defeated their enemies. Gave them water from a rock, and manna out of nowhere. He led them by a pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night.

God hadn’t changed.

He redeemed them before. And He promised to redeem them again.

Merriam-Webster’s definition of redeem is:

“to buy back, free from captivity by payment of ransom, release from blame or debt.”

Notice God didn’t rescue them instantly. He said, “When you pass through the waters, not IF.

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name. You are Mine. ”When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” —Isaiah 43:1-2, NIV.

God never promised you life would be a cake walk, either.

He will put you in situations where your only option is to trust Him, hold onto His promises, and let Him fight for you.

If you’re in a wilderness season, He watches over you with the same passionate intensity as His chosen people.

He makes a way when there seems to be no way.

Maybe you trust His promises. You’ve seen Him move. But you are still in Babylon, held captive to fear, doubt, and unbelief.

When you pray, and nothing changes, remember that God has resources you aren’t aware of.

His power isn’t limited by your circumstances.

If heartache and disappointment have robbed you of hope, God is still moving. Even when you can’t see it, and when you least expect it.

God may not change your situation overnight. He will guide you step by step.

In our age of instant gratification, we often expect God to give us a map when He only gives us enough light for our feet.

Friend, if hope feels hard to hold onto, God never stops holding you.

Your story isn’t over. The past doesn’t define you.

Because God is your redeemer, the same promise He made to the Israelites, He makes to you and me:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”—Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV.

So don’t lose hope. God hasn’t left you behind.

He’s paving the way to your promised land.

Love,

Sarah

Taking God At His Word When the Odds Are Against You

Sarah Cole — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:40:39 GMT

When God promised me a husband in my late fifties, at first I couldn’t contain my excitement.

With the odds against me, I refused to consider online dating, so I knew it would take a miracle for Him to bring us together.

But two years later, I still don’t have a date, and I often wonder if I’ve heard from God at all. Yet, I refuse to give up hope because He’s fulfilled every promise He’s made to me so far.

Maybe right now you’re disappointed with God’s timing, too. If your breakthrough is a long time coming, Mary’s story is a powerful reminder that God not only sees you—He will do the impossible in your life when you least expect it.

If you’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity, remember that Isaiah’s prophecy came 700 years before the angel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus:

^“14Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[^c^] a sign: The virgin^[^d^] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[^e^] will call him Immanuel.^[^f^]”
—Isaiah 7:14, NIV.

When the angel broke the news to Mary, after her initial shock wore off, Mary believed him—not because the promise made sense—but because she trusted the God who made it.

³⁴“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[^a^] the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷For no word from God will ever fail.”
³⁸“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”—Luke 1:34-38, NIV.

When God’s timing feels cruel, holding onto His promise can feel impossible. But just because we can’t see Him working doesn’t mean He’s absent.

If you’re in a waiting season, God hasn’t overlooked you. You’re not behind, you're appointed. And He will do the impossible—not a moment too early, or a second too late.

Sarah

Making Room For Jesus This Christmas

Sarah Cole — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:51:48 GMT

With less than two weeks left until Christmas, the pressure to check everything off our lists feels so overwhelming that many of us can’t wait until it's over.

But when the holiday hustle distracts us from its true meaning, spiritual amnesia sets in, and we forget to worship Jesus.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Two thousand years ago, in the lowly town of Bethlehem, Jesus entered a world lost and without hope. But He wasn’t just a baby. He was the holy God who took on flesh and came among us.

That's why Christmas isn’t just another day on the calendar—but a holy invitation to make room for Jesus—as we prepare our hearts for His arrival. A time to step away from the holiday rat race and reflect on the wonder of His birth:

²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[^f^] because he will save his people from their sins.”
²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[^g^] (which means “God with us”).—Matthew 1:20-23, NIV.

What if instead of mindlessly wrapping gifts, we pray over the person receiving them? And instead of our lists being in the driver’s seat, what if we make room for Jesus in our cooking, baking, and holiday gatherings?

The reason we celebrate Christmas isn’t just to bake cookies or hang tinsel. It’s that Jesus, the long-awaited Savior, came into this world so we would never walk alone.

So, as we celebrate His birth, may our hearts be filled with awe at His great love. And may we rejoice that someday this earth will be a distant memory when He takes us home to be with Him forever.

Merry Christmas, friend.

Sarah

Do You Feel Like You Never Measure Up? It's Time to Get a New Yardstick.

Sarah Cole — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:58:50 GMT

My mother was a perfectionist. No matter how hard I tried, I could never measure up. Years later, I can’t rest until everything around me is just right. But the more I strive for perfection, the more I end up defeated.

Maybe the pressure you put on yourself is wearing you out, too.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Perfection is a moving target. And hitting it is about as easy as juggling china while climbing the Empire State Building.

In a perfect world, our homes would always be immaculate. We wouldn’t have bad hair days. And our selfies would make us look 10 years younger. It would be like Heaven on Earth.

But life isn't a menu we order from. People disappoint us. Loss devastates us. And failure is a constant reminder that perfection will always be out of reach.

Satan knows our weaknesses, and he uses fear and guilt to drive us to exhaustion. But Jesus came—not to perfect us—but to redeem us. To lift the burden that the Law never will:

³For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[^a^] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.^[^b^] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”—Romans 8:3-4, NIV.

Jesus didn’t wait to die for us until we were at our best—but when we were at our worst. And when He stretched out His arms and said, “It is finished,” He not only erased our shame and guilt. He gave us brand new identities.

That’s why perfection isn’t something we earn; it’s something we rest in:

⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”—2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV.

Friend, Jesus lived the perfect life, so you don’t have to. He sees you at your worst and loves you anyway. So don’t wait until life is perfect to enjoy it.

Sarah

Why Reliving the Past Keeps You Stuck

Sarah Cole — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:49:46 GMT

For years, the pain of rejection stole my identity.

It convinced me I was worthless. Unlovable. But when God healed me, it no longer had a hold on me. I started seeing myself through His eyes.

When wounds cut deep, it’s easier not to deal with them. But we don’t overcome the past by burying it.

Forgiveness isn’t about denying what happened. It’s about moving past it—so we don’t miss out on what’s right in front of us.

In Genesis 19, God was about to punish the people of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. He warned Lot and his family to flee and not look back. But as they escaped, his wife wouldn't let go and became a pillar of salt:

²³By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. ²⁴Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of the heavens. ²⁵Thus, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. ²⁶But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”—Genesis 19:23-26, NIV.

Lot’s story reminds us that holding onto yesterday is costly. Instead of healing, we stay wounded. Instead of forgiving, we stay bitter. And instead of stepping into what could be, we remain trapped in what was.

Here’s the good news: because Jesus holds our future—every painful memory, every hurtful word spoken over us—won’t have the final say.

Because Jesus’ mercies are new every morning, each sunrise is like a divine do-over—an invitation to step into the new opportunities He has for us today.

I think the Apostle Paul summed it up beautifully:

^“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:13-14, NIV.

Friend, yesterday is gone. There’s so much beauty in front of you. Don’t waste another precious moment in the rearview mirror.

Trusting God When Life Feels Uncertain

Sarah Cole — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:30:27 GMT

Remember the last time you stumbled in the dark because you forgot your flashlight? We learn the greatest lessons, not in broad daylight—but when it’s pitch black.

But an ordinary flashlight won’t do when life feels painfully uncertain, when pain and heartache devastate us.

When the flu forced me to rest last month, it didn’t make a dent in my recovery. I saw my doctor, and she recommended I see a hematologist as a precaution. The moment I realized his office was at the cancer center, I immediately feared the worst.

Maybe you know all too well how fear can paralyze you.

Faith in the Dark

It’s easy to trust God when we can see where we’re going. But faith isn’t built when life is sturdy. It’s refined when it falls apart.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark to punish us. He’s testing us to see if we will put our trust in the outcome—or in Him.

It's easy to take our eyes off God and try to figure everything out ourselves. But trusting God isn’t optional. It’s non-negotiable.

When fear consumed him, King Solomon knew it was his faith—not a crystal ball—that gave him clarity:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”—Proverbs 3:5-6

Trials don’t give us a heads-up or an expiration date. That’s why the safest place we can run to isn’t inside our heads. But into the arms of our heavenly Father, who is sovereign over every detail.

When we have only enough light for the next step, we don’t have to fear. Our security doesn’t come from seeing the future. But by trusting it’s already been written:

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end, they will look in triumph on their foes.”—Psalm 112.6-8, NIV.

Feeling Distant From God? Put Down Your Phone and Pick Up Your Bible

Sarah Cole — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:29:03 GMT

Last summer, I was kayaking at a women’s retreat when my cell phone fell into the lake. My heart sank with it because everything I needed was now underwater.

Phones are so addictive that living without them feels like a matter of life and death. But there’s a hidden danger to our devices we often ignore—the more time we spend on them, the more disconnected from God we become.

Silicon Valley has sold us a bill of goods—that for every problem, there’s an app that will solve it. But the Bible tells us our biggest problem isn’t low productivity or self-esteem; It’s sin.

At our core, we’re created for intimacy with God. But apart from Jesus, sin alienates us from Him. Our phones may be lifesavers, but they can’t fill the emptiness in our hearts. Only Jesus can.

The more time we spend in God’s presence, the more this world loses its grip on us. King David understood how critical this was to his spiritual health. He thirsted for God because he knew nothing else in the world could satisfy him:

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You. In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus, I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.”—Psalm 63:1-5, NKJV.

In a world of information overload, keeping our eyes on Jesus can feel like a losing battle. But the Bible makes it clear—it’s a battle He’s already won:

^“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”—2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV.

Every time we pick up our Bibles, we declare that only Jesus can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. There isn’t an app on the market that can do that.