Premarital sex wasn't just something I had experienced; it seemed to define me. For a long time, I believed purity was lost forever.
When we come to God He gives us a whole new identity as his children. We have access to all his resources. Yet, so often, we continue to see ourselves as we once were.
Guilt. I feel its sting in the aftermath of the stupid choices I make. It can feel like God is a thousand miles away, but nothing could be further from the truth.
It's not a sin to be hip: but what if Jesus called you to kill the cool?
The same God who created the stars and turns the colors of the leaves in Fall, created you. You are His masterpiece and He loves you. God created you to have a relationship with Him.
When I was showering or half-asleep, my mind would drift over and press repeat on my playlist of hurts and regrets.
"I’m a Christian living with depression, and the only way I have found to keep myself alive and hopeful is to look for those divine brushstrokes through what sometimes feel like infinite smears of black."
Listen to how incredible you are. Let the words sink in until the lies that harm you begin to melt away.
You are awesome! You are full of more amazing qualities, traits, and virtues than you could imagine, given to you by the Lord who loves you.
When a woman knows who she is, why she is, and what she’s supposed to do, she may be dressed in thrift store specials and be absolutely gorgeous.
If we put conditions on the love we give ourselves, how then can we love others unconditionally?
So many of us base our self-worth on our looks, accomplishments, or the unrealistic standards we set for ourselves. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The truth is: we are still sinners and will always battle with sin in our lives because we are inwardly bent towards it. That's why God says we need to confess our sins and rely on his promise to cleanse us and transform us.
I found myself suffering from panic attacks and severe anxiety. But what I learned about God proved to be much more powerful than the darkness that was gripping me.
Rejection comes in many forms. We’ve all felt it. The closer the relationship, the deeper the pain. How do we find healing when the hurt is unbearable?
I knew Jesus understood my suffering, as his suffering was displayed for all to see. Unlike mine, which was borne in darkness and hidden from the world.
Does being loving and Christ-like mean you should give someone the power to hurt you? Absolutely not. That's why we need firm boundaries in a messed up world.
Are you tired of living in a fog of hopelessness? Read what Dr. Lynette Hoy suggests to a fifteen-year-old in the depths of depression.
Simply looking at the consequences (or fearing them) isn’t enough. We need to trust the Holy Spirit’s provision. We need to understand how God enables us to win this battle.
Could it be time to resign your post as caretaker of the world and instead become carefree like a child?
Sex is a taboo subject in many homes. But why not talk openly about this amazing gift of God? Christians can have the best sex on Earth.
Ok, here it goes. This is what I realized this morning: no man has ever pursued me. Does that mean that no man has ever truly known me or loved me, even the man I call my husband?
Beating yourself up for something God has already forgiven does not make you more holy. It just makes you miserable.
All of life is a spiritual learning experience. God is there for people who are suffering. People can really experience God's help and presence in the valley of depression.
The fear of committing the unforgivable sin can sometimes haunt Christians, usually because we are unclear about what exactly it is.
I thought I had it all figured out: cosmetic surgery is vain and Christians just shouldn't do it. But after stopping to think and pray about it, I was able to get to the heart of the matter.
In October of 2007, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I haven't looked at myself the same way since then.
When we realize just how forgiven we really are, it begins to change us from the inside out. It's so feeing!
When you believe that you are valuable in God’s sight — you will start acting like it.
After 20 years of marriage my husband left me for a much younger woman. For many weeks I prayed fervently for just one thing — the courage to take my life.
As God’s beloved child, your identity isn't found in what you do, what role you play, or even your outward appearance.
When the professional advice isn't enough and you've had your fill of well-meaning comments from those who haven't experienced infertility.
Most of us have a dream buried beneath the rubble of life. Maybe it's time to take it out and dust it off.
Merry imperfect Christmas! If there is anyone who needs permission to not be perfect, and to not have a perfect Christmas, it is a stepmother. Give yourself a chance to breathe. You need it.
“I can quit anytime I want.” Have you ever heard someone say those words? For many people, the problem is not so much “quitting” an addictive habit as it is staying the course. Here's what works for me one day at a time.
If you suffer from low self-esteem, you are not alone. Many, many do. This article may help you build it back up.
#MeToo. From our social media feeds to the Oscars, these movements have recently taken center stage. Here's why they have their limits.
Everyone has "cravings" — desires and needs that must be fulfilled. It seems that no matter how much we have or experience, we always want more.
Sometimes you know deep down God has something amazing he wants to do in your life — but it still seems elusive.
Regardless of what you’ve done or what has been done to you, God wants to be a part of your life.
In his discussion of the craving for intimacy, Erwin McManus talks about love, the most dangerous human condition.
Why is it so important to make sense of life? Take some time today to explore our God-given craving to find meaning.