We are not meant to find our peace or fulfillment in this broken world. The hurt we experience here is temporary, no matter how deep it feels.
Everywhere we look today, it feels like the world is unraveling. People lash out in anger, friendships are torn apart, and love seems to grow colder by the day. It’s heartbreaking to witness how easily kindness is forgotten and how often relationships are sacrificed over pride, selfishness, or misunderstanding.
For those who are on the receiving end of pain, betrayal, rejection, or cruelty, it’s natural to feel the urge to fight back, to retaliate, to defend your heart. But God’s Word calls us to something higher. Hebrews 13:14 (NLT) reminds us, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” This truth gives us the strength to respond differently.
We are not meant to find our peace or fulfillment in this broken world. The hurt we experience here is temporary, no matter how deep it feels. Our citizenship is not of this earth; Philippians 3:20 (NLT) declares, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
When we remember that heaven is our true home, we gain perspective. The pain others inflict doesn’t define us; it refines us. Every trial becomes an opportunity to draw closer to Christ, to model His grace, and to reflect His light in the darkness.
So, when you feel like the world is falling apart around you, take heart. God sees your tears. He knows your hurt. And He promises that one day, all wrongs will be made right. Until then, walk in peace, love without fear, and keep your eyes fixed on the home that awaits you, where there will be no more sorrow, no more betrayal, and no more pain.
Heaven is our final destination. Let’s live each day with that hope in our hearts.
Related Song: This World Is Falling Apart
For anyone who has been hurt by the players in this world, remember, this world may be harsh, but we have heaven to look forward to. Please click to hear the song and video inspired by Hebrews 13:14 and Philippians 3:20.
Listening opens doors. It builds bridges. It communicates respect, and when people feel respected, they are more willing to listen in return.
Scripture Reading “My dear 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)
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” —Proverbs 18:13 (NIV)
Reflection
Not long ago, I lost a friend because she struggled with the principle of being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. She asked for my opinion on a particular subject, but when my response didn’t align with hers, she quickly interrupted, grew angry, belittled me, and ended the friendship altogether. Her words cut deeply, and the loss stung my heart.
Yet, in God’s mercy, He surrounded me with true friends who offered comfort and encouragement. Through their presence and through His Word, I was reminded that listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
Had my friend paused long enough to truly hear me, she might have discovered that we actually shared many common beliefs. Instead, her refusal to listen shut the door to understanding and peace.
James 1:19 reminds us that listening is not a passive act; it’s an intentional act of love. When I listen to others, I try to imagine myself in their shoes rather than rushing to form my response. This shift keeps my heart humble and patient. At times, I even pause and count to ten before speaking, so that my words are thoughtful rather than reactive.
I’ve also learned that when I feel anger rising in a conversation, it often springs from pride or selfishness. God gently teaches me to quiet those impulses and listen fully. Many times, when I allow someone to finish their thought, I discover that we’re not as far apart as I first imagined.
Listening opens doors. It builds bridges. It communicates respect, and when people feel respected, they are more willing to listen in return. Being quick to listen and slow to speak reflects Christ’s heart, a heart of patience, compassion, and love. When we live by this principle, our relationships flourish, and God’s blessings flow.
Application
Practice active listening this week. When someone speaks, resist the urge to interrupt or formulate your reply too quickly. Instead, focus on their words and emotions. Try counting to ten before responding, and ask God to help you hear with both your ears and your heart.
Reflection Question
When was the last time I listened with patience and understanding rather than rushing to respond? How might my relationships change if I practiced being quick to listen and slow to speak?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to listen with Your heart. Help me to slow down, set aside pride, and truly hear the people around me. May my listening reflect Your love and open the way for deeper understanding and peace. Amen.
In today’s world, kindness seems to be losing its place. But Scripture reminds us that love is patient and kind, and judgment belongs only to God.
Scripture Reading Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Matthew 7:1-2
Reflection In today’s world, kindness seems to be losing its place. Too often, people choose dismissal over understanding, judgment over compassion, and even celebration over someone else’s downfall. But Scripture reminds us that love is patient and kind, and judgment belongs only to God.
My mother once gave me advice that has stayed with me all my life. She said, “If you truly want to live a righteous life, act as if someone were following you with a camera, ready to post your every action on a billboard.” That simple wisdom made me think carefully about my words and actions, considering how they affect others.
I strive to approach life with authenticity and compassion. Whether in business or personal relationships, I seek a win-win outcome and do my best to see things from the other person’s perspective. This doesn’t mean I tolerate harmful behavior, but it does mean I try to see people as human beings worthy of love, just as God sees us.
I am far from perfect, and I thank God for His mercy. When I repent, He forgives and wipes the slate clean. No one on earth is perfect, and no one has the right to belittle or condemn others for their differences. Only God is the Judge. Our role is to love.
Application The world will always tempt us to react with judgment, anger, or indifference, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. When faced with conflict or differences, pause and consider how your words and actions will reflect God’s love. Choose patience over impatience, compassion over criticism, and understanding over judgment.
When you are tempted to dismiss someone because of their choices, beliefs, or behaviors, remember God sees them, too, and He calls you to love as He loves.
Reflection Question Am I quicker to judge or to love? How can I show patience, kindness, and understanding in my next interaction with someone who challenges me?
Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me that love is patient, kind, and free of judgment. Forgive me for the times I have judged others instead of showing Your love. Help me to see people as You see them, with compassion, grace, and truth. Teach me to live with authenticity, choosing words and actions that honor You. May my life reflect Your love so that others are drawn closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Choose love over judgment, because only God sees the whole story.”
My mother was one of the kindest, gentlest souls you could ever meet. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, unless, of course, it landed in her space. Then all bets were off. “Boundaries!” she’d declare with righteous fury. “That fly invaded my boundaries!” And with that, she’d launch into a full-on swatting frenzy until the poor bug got the message: You don’t belong here.
These days, we refer to it as “staying in your lane.” But whether you’re talking about bugs or people, the principle is the same: We all need healthy boundaries.
I’ve never been a fan of confrontation. In fact, I avoid it like the plague. But I do appreciate it when people respect both my emotional and physical space.
To be clear, I’m not talking about pushing people away during times of grief or support. When my mom passed, I welcomed every hug and tearful word from friends and family. That kind of closeness is beautiful and healing.
What I’m talking about now are the uninvited intrusions, the ones where people overstep, press too hard, or get too close without invitation. You know the type. They mean well (sometimes), but they show up emotionally or physically where they don’t belong.
So, how do we let people know they’ve crossed a line without sounding rude, standoffish, or confrontational?
Here are three gracious but firm ways to say “Get out of my space” without flipping the table or pulling out the flyswatter.
1. “I appreciate your input, but I need a little space to think through this on my own.”
This phrase works like a charm when someone is crowding you with opinions or “help” you didn’t ask for. It sets a respectful boundary while acknowledging their (often unsolicited) good intentions.
Translation: Please step back and let me breathe.
2. “I’m taking some time for myself right now; can we connect a bit later?”
Perfect for when someone keeps texting, calling, or showing up unannounced. It lets them know you’re not available without shutting the door completely.
Translation: This is me time. Kindly wait your turn.
3. “I’m not comfortable with that.”
Short, sweet, and powerful. You don’t need to explain. You don’t need to justify. Just stand in your truth and let it be known that something has crossed a line.
Translation: That’s a boundary, friend. Step back.
Mom Would Be Proud
My mom taught me that boundaries are not about rejection; they’re about protection. Just like she didn’t hate that fly (well, not personally), she didn’t want it buzzing in her ear or walking across her sandwich.
The same goes for people. We can love them, care about them, and still need space from them sometimes.
What Do You Say?
Do you have a gentle but firm way to tell people to scoot? Have you ever struggled with setting personal boundaries? I’d love to hear your tips, stories, or wisdom that have been passed down from your own family.
There are some people who leave a mark on your heart that time cannot erase. For me, that person was my mother.
While she’s no longer with us, the wisdom she passed on continues to guide me, and it has the power to guide others as well. Her lessons weren’t grand lectures or complicated philosophies. They were simple, deeply rooted truths that touched every part of life.
Here are the three life lessons my mom taught me, lessons built on love, forgiveness, and grace.
Lesson 1: Love Without Limits
My mother was the very definition of love in motion.
When you looked at her, you saw love. When you talked with her, you heard love. And when she said, “I love you,” it wasn’t just words; it was a feeling that wrapped around you like music for the soul.
She believed that love should be unconditional and freely given.
“Love is love,” she’d say. “If you’re not loving with your whole heart, without expecting anything in return, then you’re not really loving.”
She took her cue from Scripture and lived these words daily:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34–35 (NIV)
Her life was a living example of Jesus’ most excellent command.
Lesson 2: Forgive as an Act of Love
To my mother, forgiveness wasn’t a sign of weakness; it was a strength born from love.
She often told me:
“When you love, you forgive. And when you forgive, you love.”
Forgiveness was woven into everything she did. She understood that no one is perfect, and that to love people genuinely, you have to be willing to let go of their wrongs.
She reminded me of this truth often:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” — Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)
Her grace was quiet but powerful. And because of her, I strive to walk in forgiveness every day.
Lesson 3: Judge Less, Love More
“Don’t waste time judging others,” Mom would say.
“Focus on your own walk. You’re not perfect either.”
She taught me to be self-reflective rather than critical. And whenever I felt justified in calling someone out, she would gently nudge me back to humility with her favorite reminder:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” — Matthew 7:1 (NIV)
And then, she’d follow it with:
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:5 (NIV)
Mom always emphasized personal accountability over finger-pointing.
“Unless you’re perfect,” she’d say, “You have no business throwing stones.”
“…Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” — John 8:7 (NIV)
Her words shaped my heart and the way I treat others.
A Legacy of Love That Lives On
I miss my mother more than words can say. But I am so grateful for the legacy she left behind.
Her lessons were never forced; they were lived. And they continue to inspire me to love more deeply, forgive more quickly, and judge less.
If there’s one thing my mother would want you to remember, it’s this:
Everything, absolutely everything, comes back to love.
What life lessons did your mother or mentor teach you?
Share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear your stories.
If this message touched you, please feel free to share it with someone who needs a little light today.
Grace yourself with the love of God and he will fight your battles for you.
Recently, I had the opportunity to practice forgiveness.
Friends, typically, forgiveness is not a difficult thing for me to do. Honestly, I see forgiveness as a way to get on with my life and let the other person get on with their life.
Let me share a recent moment when I was able to practice forgiveness by allowing God to work in my life, to fight a battle on my behalf. Also, let me first say that I will share this story in a way that protects the person who is not here to defend herself. Giving to that endeavor, I will only share a small portion of the total event.
In a recent encounter with a new woman in my sphere, this woman characterized me to be someone I am definitely not. We were discussing a business matter, and because she disagreed with the information I supplied, she called me a liar! She said a few other things not worth mentioning, and, as if I were a leper, she requested that I stay as far away from her as possible. I told her I was hurt by what she was saying, but it didn’t matter to her. Of course, after that I complied with her wish to stay far away from her. To protect myself from further abuse, I blocked her number from my phone and blocked her from my social media sites. I did not really care to hear from or be around someone with that kind of demeanor. I am reminded of the time Jesus was persecuted. In Luke 23:34 (NIV), we read,
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34 (NIV)
People can be so heartless. Evil abounds, but the Lord says He will fight our battles. And, I had to remember quickly that the Lord rescues His people from evil attacks. 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV) reminds me of that.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)
Evidence of the Lord’s word in 2 Timothy 4:28 came in the form of a gentleman who, knowing nothing about what was going on between the woman and me, was circumstantially placed in front of the woman. I see this gentleman as someone who was put in place to allow the woman to know that I was not lying after all. And, without provocation, and in a very organic conversation, the gentleman said to the woman, almost word-for-word, everything I had previously said to her. The gentleman’s words were validation that I was telling the truth. I learned of the gentleman’s involvement because the Lord made sure someone else was on the scene to witness and report back to me what had happened. The witness told me that after the gentleman said all that he said, the woman appeared to be in shock and at a loss for words. We don’t know what was on the woman’s mind, but the witness said it was as if she had received an epiphany of some sort.
Still, I have received no apology from the woman. Still, I must forgive the woman and pray that her life is filled with love and grace. Hanging on to what Jesus said, she knows not what she is doing.
Grace Yourself
By “Grace Yourself,” I mean align yourself with the Lord’s power. Adorn yourself with His Grace. His mighty angels are set aside for your protection. Yes, evil abounds, but we must remember that we do not have to fight our battles. When we let the Lord fight our battles, the battle is won.
Our only obligation is to stay faithful to the Lord. His lessons help us to remain calm in adversity as we rest in His love and care.
In the act of reverence and perseverance, my Lord asked me to forgive and move on beyond this event. As difficult as it was to forgive, as a faithful child of God, I had no other choice but to forgive the woman of her hurtful words. Whether she apologizes or not is immaterial.
We go through trials every day. And, there are times people put us into trials that we had no time to prepare for. I am here to say, let it go!
Friends, when someone does or says something to hurt you, I’m not going to lie. It hurts! I’ll tell you the truth right now. I was devastated when that woman said those hurtful words to me. No one had ever been that cruel to me in my whole life. I had a difficult time letting it go. But I am fortunate to have the most incredible friends in my life. When I found it difficult to let things go, my friends stepped in to remind me of God’s love and God’s ways. I am grateful for the friends I have on earth who know me and love me enough to steer me in the right direction at all times. I look forward to being with you all in God’s Kingdom.
Graced in the love of the Lord, I now feel refreshed and ready to enjoy life the way the Lord intends me to enjoy 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.
In spite of the fact that the greatest person in history died on Good Friday, this is a day that many people celebrate.
Why? On this day, a most precious man took up a cross and carried it on His back to the place where He would die for our sins. In the days when living sacrifices (unblemished and pure) had to be offered to atone for our sins, a man, Jesus Christ (being the only living human who was sinless and pure) was chosen and lovingly agreed to suffer to death so that the sins of sinners could be forgiven.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:15
After his death on Good Friday, Jesus rose to life on Easter Sunday. This is good news for us because after that day, we were no longer required to offer a living sacrifice to be forgiven of our sins. No, my friends, on that day, whenever we want to be forgiven, we only need to look to Jesus, our Savior, to forgive us.
Jesus has always been the way to our Father’s house.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
Today’s Video is About a Story of Love
Jesus loved us so much that he gave His life for us. He suffered. He died on that cross so that we may be forgiven of our sins and have salvation and be worthy of entering into the Kingdom of God.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
He laid down His life for us.
Video Credits
Title: Mighty Cross Copyrights: Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Open Hands Music, So Essential Tunes
As we come to the end of the year, many of us are taking a look at the things we have accomplished, relationships past and present, the good times, the bad times, the highs, and the lows. And, while reflecting, we bring out what I like to call our life calculators, determining in one moment how successful we have been all year. We are needlessly hard on ourselves, judging ourselves for no reason.
Honestly, sometimes, no matter what we do, life just happens! Some of it will be good and some of it will be challenging. Sometimes we will come out ahead and sometimes we will fall behind. In the end, with the Lord’s help we endure.
Whatever is happening in our life, no matter how we are feeling at any moment, when we need a pick-me-up, we need to call upon the Lord. He will be there for us. There is no greater feeling than the love that comes from our Father. And, when we feel lonely, when we feel unloved, and when we call upon the Lord, He will meet us wherever we are, wrapping His majestic arms around us, showing us His mighty and never ending love.
This year, as you contemplate how much you matter in this world; remember you are loved to no end.
With the Lord, there is always hope for a future filled with love.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
Song: How Much Released: 2009 Video Performance by: Mandisa
Life is filled with trials, tribulations, and a whole lot of stuff that can bring us down and as scripture shows, we cannot live a fulfilling life without friends.
God asks us to have good friends who can help guide us through this life on earth.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
This year, I have had the great fortune of re-discovering a friend who I have known since high school. We have rekindled a friendship flame that the Lord started some 49 years ago. Guided by the Lord, we lift each other up in prayer and we love each other in the spiritual manner in which the Lord blesses among friends.
Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.
Proverbs 27:9-11 The Passion Translation (TPT)
I encourage you to keep close contact with your friends and also to make a re-connection with an old friend. When you engage in developing a lifelong friendship, you will be amazingly rewarded by the kind of love that sustains your life and builds your hope for the future.
Faithful friends are the gifts of love that last a lifetime.
How many times have you gone to a wedding and either the wedding administrator or the wedding couple read a passage from Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians? It is probably because weddings are a biblical sacrament about love and publicly professing our love for our intended mate and 1 Corinthians 13 is the chapter in the Bible about love.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
When couples adhere to the guidance of the elements found in 1 Corinthians, they shall have a love that lasts forever.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
The Lord asks us to have faith in all things and having faith gives us hope that when our heart’s desire lines up with the Lord’s desire for us, then we shall have, without a doubt, all things great and wonderful. But, no matter whether we have faith and hope, when we have love, we have the greatest gift on earth.
Married couples obtain a kind of love that secures a partnership which is ordained by God. This kind of relationship is protected by the sanctity of our Lord most high. It should never be sacrificed or broken by man.
Eros Love
Eros love is the kind of love that makes our heart flitter whenever we think about someone or stand next to someone we are attracted to. Some people call this chemistry… butterflies in the stomach. Eros love is the kind of love that keeps us in pursuit of our desired partner. This is the dating phase of the relationship. It doesn’t last forever, but it is a valuable type of love because it helps us to be committed to furthering a relationship along until we can get to the next phase of the relationship which is agape love.
In the Bible, the book of “Song of Songs,” written by King Solomon of Israel, is a book filled with love dialog and poems written about the strong attraction between a simple Jewish maiden (the Shulammite woman) and her lover, Solomon, the king. In this book, they talk about their strong desire, longings, and feelings for each other. It is a very romantic book and what is fascinating about this book is that, as intense as it is, throughout the book, the longings and desires of the lovers maintain the true and proper perspective of a God-approved relationship.
Agape Love
Agape love is a self-sacrificing type of love. It is all about respect, serving, forgiving and putting others before ourselves.
If you are fortunate enough to fall into agape love… you have been given the greatest gift of all… to be able to love someone just because you choose to love them and to be loved simply because you exist.
Jesus loves us simply because we exist. We don’t have to do anything but believe in Him and believe that He suffered the ultimate price of death for us.
Jesus showed His love for us by the ultimate sacrifice He made on our behalf.
Imagine being stripped of your clothes and forced to walk through town, being ridiculed; imagine wearing a crown of thorns; imagine being poked and prodded along the road to the place where your enemies would hoist you up and hammer nails into your hands and feet, attaching you to a cross and pushing a sword into your side so that you would bleed out and die.
It’s all unimaginable to me. Just getting a paper cut on my finger is enough to send me wailing. But, Jesus endured much more than a paper cut. He endured excruciating pain and torture simply because He loved us. And, all we are asked to do in return is to love and believe in Him.
When Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for our sins, He knew it would mean paying the ultimate price of death for us. He knew it would mean the end of His life and it didn’t matter to Him. He did it for us because He loved us so much.
My friends, when we place someone else’s needs before our own, when we sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of others, this is Agape love.
Living to Love
Agape love is the unselfish love of one person for another. It is a brotherly love that corresponds to the love that God has for mankind.
In order to engage in Agape love, we must let go of emotions and live to love.
Forgive.
We must learn to forgive.
First, understand that people are people and people are not perfect, consequently, people are bound to make mistakes.
Even people who profess to love us are capable of saying or doing something that we find offensive. When that happens, first, we must forgive them and then if we feel it is necessary, find out why they did or said what they did. Then, even if we are not satisfied with their answer, forgive them anyway. Why? Because if we are living a Christian-based lifestyle, we know that this is what Jesus does for us.
Jesus forgives us. Thousands of years ago Jesus paid a price for our sins, and that price was death. And still today, He forgives us without questions or asking us to jump through hoops to receive His forgiveness. Forgiveness is ours to receive just for the desire to be forgiven.
In living a Christian-based life, forgiving, even when we do not feel it is justified, is the first and foremost God-demanding act of love we must master.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:34
Live to love. Live to forgive. Live to receive the blessings of the Lord simply because He loves you unconditionally.
Voice of Hope by Marlene 