What If God Says No? I’m Waiting, God! – Week Four

What If God Says No? I’m Waiting, God! – Week Four

by | Oct 26, 2026 | Hope, I'm Waiting, God!, Trust, Waiting

It’s the final week of our “I’m Waiting God” series! Today, we’re tackling the question that we don’t like to think about. However, I hope this devotion inspires you and gives you hope that God's love for you and His promises are bigger than the answer to your prayers.
 
Here’s our tough question: What if we finally receive the answer to our prayer, but God's answer is different from what we’ve prayed?
 
My family is living this right now.
 
If you read my note at the end of last Monday’s devotion, I asked for prayers for my Aunt Mary Jo. At the time, I had no idea that I would be holding my aunt’s hand as she left her earthly body before the end of the day. Just after 10pm, my seventy-year old aunt drew her last breath on earth and joined Jesus in eternity. 
 
Mary Jo spent more than half of her life praying for God to heal her body. In her late 20s, Mary Jo experienced a sudden onset of lupus, an autoimmune disorder where her immune system attacks healthy tissues. The initial attack was devastating and took Mary a long time to get back on her feet. But she did!  
 
In her late 30s, Mary went back to school to earn a business degree, and we celebrated when she graduated. This felt like a triumph for Mary Jo because she felt like her lupus diagnosis sidelined her while her friends were getting married and having children. Earning her degree felt like one way to reclaim some of her lost dreams. (In high school, Mary Jo was offered a full music scholarship to Ohio State, but she stayed home to care for my grandmother, who’d struggled with chronic illness after a difficult divorce.)
 
In her early 40s, Mary began having difficulty with her breathing. Test results revealed that she had developed pulmonary hypertension, where the lung arteries develop high blood pressure, and the blood doesn’t flow easily. As a result, the right side of the heart strains and can lead to heart failure. She required supplemental oxygen support and complicated medicines. One day, Mary went in for a medical procedure and woke up with a catheter attached to her chest to deliver life-sustaining medicine every day. 
 
Mary came to visit me shortly after, and she was despondent. She didn’t understand why God allowed her to develop two terrible medical conditions. She’d done her best to live for Jesus, and she felt like God had forgotten her. Mary didn't abandon her faith, but she was confused and angry for a season. It felt like her body was broken. She battled medical anxiety that felt like Damocles’ sword hanging over her head.
 
My aunt grew up in the church, but told me that it wasn't until her 30s that she understood what it meant to live for Jesus. She abandoned flimsy religious rules for real faith and a commitment to live for Jesus, even when she felt afraid. Mary never went back on her commitment to Christ even though she lamented her pain, loss of health, and multiple near-death experiences over the past thirty years.
 
Mary and I talked about her frustration with well-meaning people at church or even on the street who would see her oxygen tanks and proclaim that God was going to heal her body. She never stopped believing that God could heal her body with a single word. At the same time, she felt disappointment and anger at people who would attempt to prophecy without asking about her specific situation or how her illnesses deepened her faith. 
 
She knew that many Christians were uncomfortable with her lack of healing, but Mary wasn’t uncomfortable at all. She may have struggled with being sick, but Mary Jo believed God was good regardless of whether He healed her. She longed for others to see that as well. In fact, here is Mary Jo’s last Facebook post, just 23 hours before her passing.
Even though we lived a few hours apart, I did Mary Jo and my Aunt Renee’s hair every six weeks for about twenty years. They would drive over, and I prepared a special lunch. Additionally, I’d talk with Mary each week, sometimes at work or when we were driving. Mary Jo was only sixteen years older than me, so in my adult years, Mary was more like a sister than an aunt. She showed up in my life and my kids’ lives with her medicine and oxygen tanks. Mary had an incredible voice and she continued to sing, even on oxygen. She sang the national anthem at two different Cleveland Indians games, even on oxygen! 
 
I decided to share about Mary's life because sometimes, God does answer our prayers differently than we'd hope. Where does this leave us? How do we live?
In my I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delay Bible study on waiting room seasons, I share how we can live our life story for God’s glory no matter what happens. Mary Jo’s life was a beautiful example of this.
 
I watched Mary Jo live out her faith even when she felt like life wasn’t fair. Over the past year, Mary lost most of her mobility as her pulmonary hypertension weakened her lungs and heart. While she wasn’t able to attend church in the final months of her life, Mary Jo still welcomed women into her home for Bible study. For years, Mary posted verses from YouVersion to her Facebook as a small way to encourage others toward Jesus. Here is the last YouVersion verses Mary Jo shared the day before she passed away. 
Mary Jo never received the physical healing that she prayed for, but she used her life story for God’s glory. When I think about Mary’s life and the unanswered prayers, I see a woman who lived out her faith because she trusted God‘s promises, rather than following God just for what he could do for her.
 
My prayer is that we will all choose to live for God's glory, no matter how our prayers are answered. We all face prayers that are answered differently than we'd hope, but we can trust that God. If this is tough for you, here's a link back to the first week in this series. Let's hold onto the hope that God's faithfulness is bigger than the answer to our prayers. This doesn't minimize the importance of our prayers, rather we want to reframe and enlarge our perspective of God. 
 
Even as our family grieves Mary’s passing, we do not grieve without hope. We can smile through our tears and heartache because a week ago today, Mary received her healing. While we’re not there to see it, we can only imagine how amazing it must be! Mary is with Jesus and that is the best answer to any prayer that we could ever pray.
 
Thank you for letting me share this tribute to my Aunt Mary's life. If you'd like to read about our final day with Aunt Mary, here's the link to my Facebook post. Your prayers for our family our appreciated. Thank you.
“Choose This, Not That” List to Wait Well
I shard this list in last week's Happy Monday (read here), but I'm sharing it again because many of you appreciated it! Some of the tools below are linked to more resources.
 
When You're Scared of the Future, Meditate on God's Promises 
When You're Worrying, Listen to Worship Music (click here)
 
If You're Need Emotional Support, Seeking Professional Counseling
If You're Struggling with Trying to Control, Choose Surrender (click here)
 
When You're Feeling Grumpy, Say Three Gratitudes A Day
If You've Ignored Yourself, Choose Intentional Self-Care (click here)
 
If You've Been Panicking, Take the 21-Days of Prayer Challenge (click here)
 
When You're Consumed with Self, Find Ways to Serve Others
 
If You're Sad Over a Lost Dream, Take Time to Grieve (click here)
 
When You're Isolating, Join a Women's Bible Study
 
When You're Striving, Practice Sabbath (click here)

Read the Entire Series: I'm Waiting, God!

Week One: Hope for Your Hard Waiting Room Questions

Week Two: When You're Angry Because You're Waiting…

Week Three: Tips to Help You Wait Well! 

Letting Go of Emotional Hoarding with Laurie Davies

Letting Go of Emotional Hoarding with Laurie Davies

by | Oct 19, 2026 | Bold Brave & Beautiful Podcast

Have you ever cleaned out a closet and been shocked by how much stuff you'd been holding onto — stuff you didn't even realize was taking up space? Turns out, we do the same thing with our emotions. We stack up worry, resentment, guilt, and old wounds until our hearts feel just as cluttered as that closet — and we don't even realize how stuck it's keeping us.

Today’s conversation is with my guest and friend, Laurie Davies. She’s the author of Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck. Laurie tells us about the emotions that often stay stuck inside of us - including shocking data about the average number of grudges that a person holds. Whoa!

Laurie helps us to see how holding onto fear, anger, and resentment might be symptoms of our attempts to protect ourselves or control the things that we’re afraid of. With humor, honesty, and deep biblical wisdom, Laurie helps us figure out what's really clogging our hearts — and how to finally clear it out and live free in Christ. I can't wait for you to meet my friend Laurie and get into this conversation today.

 

Resources From This Episode:

Emotional Hoarding by Laurie Davies

Laurie Davies’ online home

Connect with Laurie on Instagram

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

LAURIE DAVIES is a former journalist and women’s ministry director. Laurie knows the burdens that weigh women down. As an author, speaker, and lay counselor, she encourages women to trade their “emotional hoards” for freedom. Laurie lives in Mesa, Arizona, with her husband of 30 years, Greg. Their adult son, Morgan, lives nearby.

 

Share The Episode:

Know a woman who needs this reminder that God's love is steady even when life isn't? Share this episode with her!

Bold, Brave & Beautiful releases new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Find all the episodes in the podcast archive at BarbRoose.com/podcast

 

About Your Host:

Barb Roose is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author who helps overwhelmed women stop carrying the things God never asked them to carry so those women can experience God’s peace, freedom, and purpose. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and retreats, including Aspire Women’s Events, ECPA Leadership Summit, Proverbs 31 COMPEL and She Speaks Conference. Barb is the author of seven Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle, and five books, including Stronger Than Stress. She hosts the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast and writes her weekly Happy Monday devotional. Barb is the proud mom of three adult kids. She lives in northwest Ohio and prefers to eat dessert first.

Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer

Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose

As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?

If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.

Even if you're a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There's a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!

Click Here
Tips to Help You Wait Well! – I’m Waiting, God! – Week Three

Tips to Help You Wait Well! – I’m Waiting, God! – Week Three

by | Oct 19, 2026 | Hope, I'm Waiting, God!, Trust, Waiting

Whenever I think about waiting room seasons, this meme makes me laugh. Have you seen this one before?

It's funny because it's true, right? It never seems like God is working fast enough - and some of fear that God has forgotten us. The result is a lot of worry, anxiety, frustration and doubt instead of experiencing the peace and blessing that God wants for us.
 
Today's Devotional Focus: How do we wait with peace and purpose while we're in a waiting season? 
 
I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes story of how my career as an author began during my longest, hardest waiting season. I didn't start out waiting well. At all. But, over my decade long waiting room journey, God gave me lots of opportunities to learn patience and to trust His timing, which resulted in a precious unshakeable peace in my life. This is what I want for each one of you!
 
Let's get into it!
 
WAITING WELL PRINCIPLE #1: IF YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THEN IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Back in 2012, my then-spouse attended recovery meetings to help with his alcohol addiction.  Even though I prayed and asked God to heal my spouse, I was not patient with the process. I  spent hours each day obsessing about how to get him sober. I imagined all the things that would go wrong if God didn’t fix things. My anxiety was through the roof.
 
Then, a God-moment happened. One day, my father-in-law called to ask how things were going. I told him about the recovery meetings and how I really wanted my spouse to stop drinking so our lives could get back on track. But I didn’t have control over that. I think my impatience was coming through. My father-in-law replied: “You need to find something to do while he’s going to AA. Otherwise, you’ll get in the way and mess up what he’s trying to do in recovery.”
 
I believe that God used my father-in-law to help me see that, even though I was praying, everything in me wanted to push and meddle in a situation that was beyond my control. Turns out God used my waiting-room season to deal with me on that.
 
WAITING WELL PRINCIPLE #2: IN YOUR WAITING ROOM SEASON, GOD IS STILL WORKING ON YOU!
At first, I was offended that my father-in-law suggested that I’d interfere. He wasn’t wrong. But I was still offended. I wasn’t the one with a problem…or was I? No, I didn’t have an alcohol addiction, but my spouse’s struggle revealed my anxiety, my control-loving behaviors, my fear of letting go and trusting God.
 
God used a dormant dream to begin a new work in my heart.
 
Years before alcohol addiction entered my life, I’d written a novel. I put it in a drawer and went on with my life. After my father-in-law's call, I felt a little whisper to give writing a book another try. This time, a non-fiction book idea came to mind because I’d been speaking more to women’s groups at my church.
 
On January 1, 2013, I sat down to write my first book proposal.  I was scared and intimidated. I also felt something else… excitement.  I hadn’t been excited in a long time. I finally had something to focus on other than alcohol addiction. But God was also doing something in me that was deeper and even better than my book proposal.
 
I had to do a lot of Bible study to research my book concept. As I spent hours studying Scripture, God’s Word penetrated my heart and mind. Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is sharper than a two-edged sword, cutting through the hard places of our hearts and minds. That’s exactly what happened! Not only did I have something to work on that took me away from obsessing about when my spouse would sober up, but God’s Word attacked my anxious thoughts and took captive my fears for the future (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). While my waiting hadn’t changed, I was more peaceful. I could also see that God hasn’t forgotten about me.
 
WAITING WELL PRINCIPLE #3:  HONESTY + WORSHIP + SELF CARE = WAITING WELL
Even as God worked in my heart, I still had to learn to navigate the ups and downs of our family crisis. I’d wake up praying for God to do a miracle. I’d sit down for an amazing Bible study. Then, I’d spend the rest of the day living the reality of our circumstances.
 
During those years, I realized that I had to hold hope and heartache at the same time. That’s never easy. But if I wanted to wait well, I had to be vigilant about taking care of my heart, mind, and body.
 
At the end of today’s devotion,  there’s a practical list of ideas that help you be honest, worship, and engage in self-care.
 
THE FINAL PART OF MY STORY
Months after finishing my book proposal in spring 2013,  a series of God-moments led me to the July 2013 Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference for aspiring speakers and authors.  I had no idea what I was doing, but I felt like the Apostle Peter, stepping out of the boat to meet Jesus on the water. It was a scary step of faith, but I had peace because God had done so much work in my life during our crisis.
 
If you remember the beginning of this devotion, I was obsessed with figuring out how to get my husband sober. However, God intervened through my father-in-law’s call and a whole new faith journey opened up for me. As a bonus, God began opening a new future for me as well.
 
I pitched my book at the conference and received a contract for it in October 2013. Here’s the day that I signed my contract. Yes, it was about twenty hairstyles ago - ha!
If you know the end of my waiting room journey, my spouse left our marriage and our family. Yet, while this wasn’t the ending I wanted, God used all of those years to replace my anxiety with peace, learn how to let go of control, and trust His timing. While I grieved many losses, I experienced so many blessings.  
 
REFLECTION: HOW WILL YOU WAIT WELL?
As you look at the three waiting well principles, which one resonates with you? Is there one that you think God is nudging you to remember or to embrace?
What is missing from your waiting well journey? Is it intentional honesty, more worship, or increasing self-care?  (Remember, check the box below for ideas!)
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Leave a comment and type “waiting well” if this is something you want to focus on this week. Check out the “Choose This, Not That” List below. Is there one that you want to focus on? Let me know? I’d love to hear about it.
“Choose This, Not That” List to Wait Well
When you don't understand what God is doing, you can still choose how you care for your heart while you wait. Some of the tools below are linked to more resources.
When You're Scared of the Future, Meditate on God's Promises
When You're Worrying, Listen to Worship Music (click here)
If You Need Emotional Support, Seeking Professional Counseling
If You're Struggling with Trying to Control, Choose Surrender (click here)
When You're Feeling Grumpy, Say Three Gratitudes A Day
If You've Ignored Yourself, Choose Intentional Self-Care (click here)
If You've Been Panicking, Take the 21-Days of Prayer Challenge (click here)
When You're Consumed with Self, Find Ways to Serve Others
If You're Sad Over a Lost Dream, Take Time to Grieve (click here)
When You're Isolating, Join a Women's Bible Study
When You're Striving, Practice Sabbath (click here)

Read the Entire Series: I'm Waiting, God!

Week One: Hope for Your Hard Waiting Room Questions

Week Two: When You're Angry Because You're Waiting…

When You’re Angry Because You’re Waiting… I’m Waiting, God! – Week Two

When You’re Angry Because You’re Waiting… I’m Waiting, God! – Week Two

by | Oct 12, 2026 | Hope, I'm Waiting, God!, Trust, Waiting

Here's a spicy question to kick off today's devotion: Can anything good come from being angry with God? The answer is YES!
 
Often, we mistake our anger or someone’s anger at God for a lapse in faith or a lack of faith. I’d argue that taking our big feelings, even our anger at God, is an indicator that we’re fighting for faith, even when it looks messy.
 
Today, we’re visiting a familiar story of a woman who came to God with her anger because an important prayer hadn’t been answered. She didn’t hold back, and when she took her anger to God, it was a pivotal moment that allowed her to trade bitter for better.
 
HAVE YOU FELT ALONE OR MISUNDERSTOOD IN YOUR WAITING SEASON?
An Old Testament woman named Hannah is one of my Bible heroes. She had the guts to be openly angry with God, and her honest prayers were part of her healing. Her story is recorded in 1 Samuel 1-2. (Spoiler alert: Hannah receives the answer to her prayer, but God was at work doing something bigger than answering her prayer.)
 
For years, Hannah prayed for a child. Making matters worse, she was bullied by the other wife in her husband’s household named Peninnah. Hannah’s husband was named Elkanah, and even he did not truly see his wife’s pain. Hannah was so miserable that the childless woman couldn’t eat, likely a sign of depression or grief.
 
Perhaps you can relate to Hannah. When we’re longing for the person or thing that’s missing, the emotional pain feels just as real as physical pain, like a broken bone. There’s a proverb that says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” meaning that when we don’t receive what we want, it can feel like heartbreak in our bodies (Proverbs 13:12 NLT).
 
HOW DID HANNAH HANDLE HER PAIN?
What I admire about Hannah is how she handled her despair. In 1 Samuel 1, their family took the annual trip to the temple. This is what Hannah did next:
Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.  -1 Samuel 1:9-10 NLT
 
What do you think Hannah cried as she prayed? Can you picture what “deep anguish, crying bitterly” would look like? Using the word bitterly means anger, even fury. When I picture this in my mind, I imagine Hannah saying things that we might say to God:
 
God, You know how much I wanted this…
Why are you doing this to me???
This isn’t fair, God!
I’m so angry that You haven’t/never fixed this.
 
There’s a phrase for this type of anger toward God: we call it lament. It’s where we take our anger to God rather pretending that it doesn't hurt or turning our backs on God. I like Josh Larsen’s description of lament, which sounds a lot like surrender: “Lament isn't giving up, it's giving over. When we lift up our sorrow and our pain, we turn it over to the only one who can meet it: our God.”
 
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM HANNAH?
 
  1. Even when she probably didn’t feel like it, Hannah chose to keep moving toward God.
  2. Hannah cried out the anguish of her soul before God rather than turning her back on God.
 
I don’t want to overstep the text, but I imagine that Hannah didn’t feel like going to the tabernacle to pray. Was she going through the motions? Maybe. But I think going through the motions made a huge difference on that day.  Sometimes, our anger causes us to turn away from God or church because He hasn’t answered our prayers or we don’t feel cared for during our waiting seasons. Yet if we bury our disappointment without bringing it to God, lies will creep in, and we will begin to believe that God doesn’t care. (Does that hit home? If so, check out last week's Happy Monday here.)
 
In hard waiting seasons, keep going through the motions. You want to know why? When we keep showing up, even if we’re only going through the motions, waiting seasons strip away our good Christian masks and attempts to control. We eventually reach the place where it’s just us and God - nothing else. This is where our blessing is found!
 
Let me say this: Some of us are so focused on looking like a good Christian that we miss out on being real honest with God. All those disappointments you’re hiding behind a Sunday smile are keeping you from experiencing true joy and peace. God can’t heal you if you’re intent on holding onto your image or you’re too worried about what other people think. Can I get an amen?
 
HONESTY PAVES THE ROAD TO HEALING
The second half of Hannah’s prayer focuses on God’s power, which shifted her perspective on her situation. In fact, after Hannah prays, we read that she leaves God’s presence and can eat again, something she hadn’t been able to do earlier.
 
Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. -1 Samuel 1:18 NLT
 
Hannah’s circumstances hadn’t changed, but she chose God’s presence, and that experience changed her.
 
As we reflect on Hannah’s story, here’s how we can sum it up:
 
Taking your pain to God makes you better, but letting your anger build a wall between you and God makes you bitter.
 
PRACTICAL EXERCISE - Time to Be Honest With God
You can journal or pray this aloud, and you’ll conclude with a paraphrase of Lamentations 3: 21-23.
 
God, You know how much I wanted _____________________.
Why are You doing this to me? I didn’t deserve ______________.
This isn’t fair, God because __________________________.
I’m so angry that You haven’t/never  ________________.
 
My heart is broken. Like Hannah, I’ve waited so long. But, I trust You, God. I’m hurt, but I will not turn my back on You.
 
I still dare to hope when I remember this: Your faithful love never ends, God. Your mercies never cease. Thank you for being faithful, so faithful. I’m grateful that Your mercy begins each day again. Help me hold onto you through the ache and pain. Amen.
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Which part of today's devotion encouraged you? You're welcome to copy-n-paste a line or paragraph and send it to me. If you've been struggling with anger or disappointment, I'd love to know how I can pray for you this week. Leave a comment and let me know.

Read the Entire Series: I'm Waiting, God!

Week One: Hope for Your Hard Waiting Room Questions

Week Three: Tips to Help You Wait Well! 

Hope for Your Hard Waiting Room Questions – I’m Waiting, God! – Week One

Hope for Your Hard Waiting Room Questions – I’m Waiting, God! – Week One

by | Oct 5, 2026 | Hope, I'm Waiting, God!, Trust, Waiting

It’s the first week of our NEW series, I’m Waiting, God! Welcome to our new Happy Monday, friends - we’re glad that you’re here. For the next four weeks, we’re tackling one of our toughest faith challenges: How do we trust God and hold onto hope when we’re waiting for an answer to our prayers?  Today’s Happy Monday gives voice to the hard questions that we ask when God seems silent. I also share the foundation needed if you want to wait well on God.
 
HARD QUESTIONS HOVERING IN OUR WAITING ROOMS
Spiritually, waiting is the gap between when we pray and when we see or sense God’s answer to our prayers. Our level of patience in a waiting room - meaning our mindset or attitude -  determines how peaceful or painful our waiting room season will be. It’s common for uncomfortable, even desperate questions to surface in our minds. Sometimes we don’t want to admit we’re asking these questions, but they can scream in our consciousness. Questions like:
 
God knows how much this means to me, so why is He taking so long?
 
I know that God can honor this deep desire of my heart, but will He?
 
Why did God answer her prayer before mine?
 
What if God’s will is different than mine? Will I be okay if God says “No”?  
 
I’ve been waiting for so long. Has God closed the door or said no?  
 
If these questions have crept into your mind, you aren’t alone. There’s a slogan, “Sometimes, we need to say the quiet parts out loud.” Often, we keep those hard questions secret because we don’t want others to think that we’re questioning God or that we have weak faith. But it’s okay for us to ask hard questions and to tell God how hard waiting is.
 
REMEMBERING THE GOD THAT WE’RE WAITING FOR
When God seems silent, especially for a long time, we may begin to speculate about why God hasn’t answered our prayers. Or we decide we need to take our faith more seriously. So, we double down on praying more, reading the Bible, or attending church. We worry that God won’t answer unless we show Him that we’re serious about Him.
 
While increasing our time in God’s presence or soaking ourselves in God’s Word definitely can bless us in our waiting seasons, God isn’t waiting for you to prove that you’re a better Christian before He answers your prayers. Honestly, how many times has God blessed you even though you weren’t faithful or you struggled to believe? We cannot control how or when God answers our prayers. When we feel like we need to convince God to answer our prayers, that actually makes us feel like God isn’t for us - that He doesn’t care about our prayers.
 
Like many of you, I’m waiting on God to answer some big prayers - for prodigal loved ones and for a deep desire in my heart. I’ve been in my waiting room season for years, and honestly, I could be there for many more.  On the days when my heart is extra heavy with the task of waiting, I begin to walk myself through shifting my focus from what I’m waiting for to Who I’m waiting with. When I focus on waiting with God, I see Him before I see my situation.
  1. CLING TO GOD’S CHARACTER, NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Sometimes, we’re so afraid or desperate that we forget the heart of God. We fall into the habit of praying “Fix it, God” or “Hurry up, God.” We lose sight of God’s character and the fact that God wants the very best for you and me. Here’s one of those reminders of the God that sits with us in our waiting room.
 
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.  
-Psalms 86:15 NLT
 
Look at the underlined words. Which one of those words or phrases feels farthest away from you? Which one comforts you?  For me, faithfulness is the word that comforts me. I have journals filled with the records of God’s constant dependability. Even when things haven’t turned out as I’d hoped, He has been faithful. (I've included a breakdown of each word in Psalm 86:15 in the pink box at the end of this devotion.)
 
2. TELL YOUR FEARS ABOUT GOD
Recently, I released a Bible study on prayer, titled Matthew: Pray Like This, about centering God in our prayers rather than our problems. One of the things I like to say is this: Sometimes we need to spend more time telling God our problems instead of endlessly telling God about them.
 
"Talking your problems about God" means that you speak God's truth to your fears. For example, you can tell your fears, “Listen, you try to tell me lies, but God has been faithful and He won't fail me.”  
 
3. BELIEVE THAT GOD WANTS HIS BEST FOR YOU
Do you believe that? It’s okay if you don’t right now. My only ask is that you stick with me during this series, even if your heart is closed off to Him right now. I know you might be afraid that God won’t answer in time or that His answer might be different from yours. He knows your deep fears. At the same time, when we remember God’s character from Psalm 86:15, then we can see that God sees you, He is with you, and even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, God wants what is best for you and those that you love.
 
COMING NEXT WEEK! Next week, we’ll talk about our struggles with God’s timing and how His timeline is almost always way slower than we’d like.
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: If you need a reminder of God's heart and character, leave a comment with a “🩷."  If you'd like to share more, tell me which aspect of God’s character in Psalms 86:15 means a lot to you today.

Read the Entire Series: I'm Waiting, God!

Week Two: When You're Angry Because You're Waiting…

Week Three: Tips to Help You Wait Well! 

Week Four: What If God Says No? 

Restoring Your Soul After Spiritual Trauma with Colleen Ramser 

Restoring Your Soul After Spiritual Trauma with Colleen Ramser 

by | Oct 5, 2026 | Bold Brave & Beautiful Podcast

00:00:00

What if the place where you expected to find God became the place where you were hurt? For some women, spiritual wounds can affect much more than their relationship with a church. Spiritual trauma and wounding can affect your ability to pray, how you engage with the Bible, your willingness to be in community, and even your ability to trust God. The stakes are high!

In this NEW Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast episode, I’m honored to speak with Colleen Ramser, author of The Shattered Soul: Restoring Wholeness and Rebuilding Your Faith After Spiritual Trauma. She’s an EMDR-certified licensed professional counselor and trauma specialist who works at the intersection of trauma and faith. Most of all, Colleen brings both professional expertise and personal experience as a survivor of trauma to this important conversation.

We talk honestly about spiritual abuse and the ways these experiences can shape how we see ourselves, other people, and God. Colleen also shares what healing can look like when we refuse to minimize what happened but also don’t want our wounds to have the final word. If you’ve experienced spiritual hurt or if you love someone who has.

This powerful conversation offers compassion, honesty, and hope. My prayer is that this episode reminds you that being wounded by people does not mean you have to walk away from God.

 

Resources From This Episode:

The Shattered Soul

Colleen's Website

Colleen’s Facebook Page

Here, Not There Podcast Hosted by Colleen Ramser

 

About Today’s Guest:

Colleen Ramser, MA, is an EMDR-certified licensed professional counselor (LPC), speaker, and writer who meets Christ followers at the intersection of trauma and faith. She is a sought-after trauma specialist—particularly on issues of spiritual abuse, domestic abuse, and complex trauma—and she has spent years journeying with souls in the church and within the scope of her clinical practice. Colleen also frequently speaks to pastors, ministry leaders, organizations, and other mental health professionals who desire to help survivors individually and to address systemic harm. She has appeared on podcasts such as The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill and The Slow Work. As a survivor of trauma, Colleen is a compassionate witness on the journey, bringing not only her clinical expertise but also a deep knowing of dark nights and the breath of new mercies. Colleen lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband and two kids and enjoys being swallowed up by God's beautiful landscapes and catching a good pun.

 

Share The Episode:

Know a woman who needs this reminder that God's love is steady even when life isn't? Share this episode with her!

Bold, Brave & Beautiful releases new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Find all the episodes in the podcast archive at BarbRoose.com/podcast

 

About Your Host:

Barb Roose is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author who helps overwhelmed women stop carrying the things God never asked them to carry so those women can experience God’s peace, freedom, and purpose. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and retreats, including Aspire Women’s Events, ECPA Leadership Summit, Proverbs 31 COMPEL and She Speaks Conference. Barb is the author of seven Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle, and five books, including Stronger Than Stress. She hosts the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast and writes her weekly Happy Monday devotional. Barb is the proud mom of three adult kids. She lives in northwest Ohio and prefers to eat dessert first.

Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer

Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose

As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?

If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.

Even if you're a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There's a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!

Click Here
How NOT to Eat Our Feelings – Week Four

How NOT to Eat Our Feelings – Week Four

by | Sep 21, 2026 | I'm So Over It, Self-Care

It’s the final week of our Taking Care of You series! So many of you have written to share how you’re recommitting to self-care.
 
Let’s jump into the final week. Today’s topic is a big one -  Emotional Eating! What is emotional eating? There's lots of technical ways to define it, but I like this one: “Emotional eating is when your stomach gets invited to a problem it has absolutely nothing to do with.”
Anytime we discuss food, it can be complicated. We need food to survive. We can also use food to show love and build connection with others. At the same time, for many of us, food has become a stronghold or stumbling block.
 
In light of all of that, we need to talk about emotional eating as part of our taking care of ourselves. For some, this will be a difficult, yet necessary devotion, and I am praying for you! As you read, ask God to help you be open to His leading and ask Him to lead you to freedom from emotional eating.
 
THE COST OF EMOTIONAL EATING
The best example of the cost of emotional eating in Scripture is the story of Esau and Jacob, twin brothers with a strained relationship. In Genesis 25, Esau arrives home after hunting. Notice his state of mind:
 
One day, Esau arrived back at their family home and he was tired and hungry. His younger brother, Jacob, was cooking, and grumpy Esau declared: “ Esau said to Jacob, 'I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!”
 
Was Esau actually starving? Likely not. Earlier in the chapter we’re told that Esau was a skilled hunter. He could have shot, killed, and cooked something while he was out hunting. Even if he had bad luck hunting, he wasn’t starving because his father, Isaac, was a wealthy man.
 
Nonetheless, he barks at his younger brother, Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "deceiver," to give him food. Looks like Jacob has been waiting for a moment to live up to his name. Notice what he asks for and pay attention to Esau’s response:
 
But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.
 
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.
 
I suspect that Jacob had been waiting to trick Esau. But it should have been this easy. Esau should have given Jacob side-eye at such an outrageous request.  A bowl of stew in exchange for a double portion of an inheritance and leadership of their family? There’s no comparison! Since Isaac was wealthy, Esau’s birthright was very valuable.
 
Yet, Esau didn’t care. He was hungry in that moment. Even though Esau had so much to gain, his desire to fill his stomach cost him that future blessing. Many of us can relate. Emotional eating is costly to our future if we’re not paying attention. I don’t think that I’m saying anything that you don’t already know.
 
Too often, we minimize emotional eating. We assume it’s not harming anyone until our scale or our doctor raises a concern. But God takes it seriously. Later in Hebrews 12:16, Esau was called godless and immoral for disregarding his inheritance and influence for a bowl of stew.
 
It seems so harsh that the New Testament writer would be so harsh.
More than just calories and weight gain, emotional eating offers a temporary shortcut to relief, but robs us of long-term healing and blessing that only God can provide.
 
WHAT ARE WE LOSING OUT FOR OUR BOWL OF STEW?
Once upon a time, I had a passionate relationship with Snickers bars. I loved them so much because they always made me feel better whenever I was overwhelmed, lonely, or sad. I could always count on that sugary chocolate bar to soothe my nerves.
 
Even though I’ve never had a weight problem, years ago, God made it clear that I was substituting food for comfort instead of turning to Him for help, redirection, correction, or peace.
 
When we use emotional eating as a rescue for our emotions, we’re just like Esau, trading out spiritual blessing for a temporary soothing.
 
Sitting down with a bowl of salty chips instead of seeking God’s peace.
 
Preparing your favorite comfort meal instead of seeking the Comforter (God’s Spirit) to minister to your heart.
 
Pouring that regular nightly glass of wine instead of winding down with God’s Word and finding help for your anxiety.
 
Again, there’s nothing wrong with chips, good food, or even the occasional glass of wine (if you don’t drink, this doesn’t apply to you). However, if you’re feeling a prompting or nudging from God about a certain food or beverage, then read this verse and ask this question:
 
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
 
QUESTION: Are there any specific food(s) you’ve been eating that make it hard for you to live out this verse?
 
LET’S GET PRACTICAL
As someone with a history of emotional eating, I sense God inviting me to not keep desserts in my home during our family’s addiction crisis and for many years after. I was vulnerable during those years and as my my dear friend, Jill Savage, says, “Why sign up to give yourself a headache?” 
 
I didn't skip dessert during those years. but, if I made a dessert, I'd send the rest home with people. On rare occasions, I'd throw the rest away if there was no one around to take it. (I know that is extreme, but I preferred the consequence of wasting food rather than the consequences overeating.)
 
Making that decision wasn’t easy, but it brought me peace - and it removed temptation so that I would turn to God instead of turning to sweets when I was stressed or sad. I'm not saying that this is what you need to do, but I wanted to share my experience.
 
I want to share some practical next steps with you, but keep this in mind: God’s power is more effective than your willpower. So if you feel God’s prompting you to make a change, His power will help you change! These aren’t in any particular order:
  1. Switch to online grocery shopping. Select your groceries online to reduce impulse buys. Of course, it's possible to still overbuy online, but selecting your food outside of the store can be a helpful if you tend to add things to your cart while strolling in the store.
  2. Discern your “just in case they come over” foods. Look in your pantry and notice how many foods you buy “just in case.” Yes, we like to be prepared if people come over, but often, those “just in case” foods are also foods we’re happy to eat without company, right? You can keep “just in case” foods, but consider buy the the ones that don't tempt you.
  3. Give Up ONE Stumbling Block. What food(s) are your emotional kryptonite? If one or more foods came to mind as you read, would you pick one and give it up today? Be warned, your body will fight back, and you’ll want to give in. But surrender is your path to peace. Consider keeping my short Surrendered Prayer on repeat: God, I can’t. But You Can. I will let You. Amen. (For stubborn emotional eating, seeking professional help may be wise.-
  4. Don’t Tackle Emotional Eating Alone! If you know that big changes are needed, check out my friends at First Place 4 Health (click here). This is a long-time Christian organization that focuses on honoring God with our bodies.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If today's devotion resonated with you, let me know! Just comment with the word “Food” and I'll know that you feel God's prompting on this topic. Of course, you'll welcome to let me know more - and if you're going to try one of the next steps. I'd love to hear from you!

Read the Entire Series: Taking Care of You

Week One:  Morning Enemy #1

Week Two: God, I'd Rather Be Sleeping!

Week Three:  Don't Skip This One…

Holding Onto Your Identity in Christ When Life is Hard with Amy Bragg Carey and Anna Marie Carey

Holding Onto Your Identity in Christ When Life is Hard with Amy Bragg Carey and Anna Marie Carey

by | Sep 21, 2026 | Bold Brave & Beautiful Podcast

00:00:00

What happens when you know God loves you, but your circumstances make it hard to believe that He cares?

In this episode of Bold, Brave & Beautiful, I’m joined by mother-daughter authors Amy Bragg Carey and Anna Marie Carey, authors of Claimed by God: Thirty Declarations of Your Identity in Christ.

You know how much I care about saying the hard things with hope! That’s exactly how Amy and Anna came to our conversation. I was impressed and appreciative of their willingness to be vulnerable about their own struggles with self-doubt, identity, and difficult seasons. They didn't offer simple answers or pretend that declaring God's truth makes life's hard circumstances disappear. Instead, they shared honestly about what they've learned: God's love is true and steady even when our circumstances are anything but.

Amy and Anna Marie talk about what it looks like to anchor our identity in Christ when we're struggling to believe what God says about us, why our words matter, and how declaring Scripture can help reshape our perspective—even before our circumstances change.

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "If God really loves me, why does my life feel like this?" I think you'll find comfort in their courage and honesty.

 

Resources From This Episode

Connect with Amy and Anna Marie via email: president@friendsuniversity.edu.
Claimed by God on Amazon

 

About Today’s Guests:

Amy Bragg Carey (EdD, Azusa Pacific) is the president of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. She serves on the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities board and the International Friends Missions board. Amy lives in Kansas with her husband, Bryan.

Anna Marie Carey (BS, University of Northwestern, St. Paul) is a songwriter, copywriter, and video producer. She is also the worship director at The Gathering Community Church in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Anna lives in the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

 

Share the Episode

Know a woman who needs this reminder that God's love is steady even when life isn't? Share this episode with her!

Bold, Brave & Beautiful releases new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Find all the episodes in the podcast archive at BarbRoose.com/podcast.

 

About Your Host

Barb Roose is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author who helps overwhelmed women stop carrying the things God never asked them to carry so those women can experience God’s peace, freedom, and purpose. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and retreats, including Aspire Women’s Events, ECPA Leadership Summit, Proverbs 31 COMPEL and She Speaks Conference. Barb is the author of seven Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle, and five books, including Stronger Than Stress. She hosts the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast and writes her weekly Happy Monday devotional. Barb is the proud mom of three adult kids. She lives in northwest Ohio and prefers to eat dessert first.

Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer

Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose

As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?

If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.

Even if you're a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There's a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!

Click Here
Don’t Skip This One… – Taking Care of You – Week Three

Don’t Skip This One… – Taking Care of You – Week Three

by | Sep 14, 2026 | Self-Care, Taking Care of You

Let's jump in! Today's topic: Exercise
 
Has a healthcare professional suggested that you exercise to build or rebuild your strength? Is your scale confirming that you need to sit less and move more?  
 
Today's topic is exercise! There are lots of reasons why Christian women struggle with exercise. Which ones resonate with you?
  1. We're so busy taking care of everyone and everything, so it seems like there’s no time to workout or we’re too tired.                                                       
  2. Perhaps you were raised to believe that exercise was “worldly” and good Christian women didn’t need to be caught up in what the world is doing.                                                                                                                                          
  3. Have you been discouraged by the unrealistic expectations for women's bodies to look a certain way, so you gave up on exercise altogether?                                                                                                                           
  4. For many of us, all the sweating and exertion is uncomfortable, so we skip it.
I know many of you dread this conversation, so I'm writing today with compassion, candor, and practical help. I want more for you - and God does, too! Here’s the big idea that I want to convey in today’s Happy Monday devotion: Moving our body for is for our good and prepares us to be used for God's glory.
 
While we don't read about pilates or pickleball in the New Testament, various authors use athletic imagery on many occasions:
 
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. -Hebrews 12:2 NLT
 
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. -Philippians 3:14 NLT
 
In ancient times, athletes trained for races and events. As the scriptural authors wrote about these contests and used words like endurance and perseverance, those words paint a picture of someone who must be prepared or else they won't make it to the end. While there's spiritual application, there's a physical layer as well. Some of the endurance we need to do the work that God has called for us to do requires that bodies be able to withstand the physical toll. Unfortunately, some of us are on the sidelines because our bodies need to get stronger first. 
 
THE PROBLEM BEHIND THE PROBLEM
Here’s what I think: We've been turned off by how the culture has worshipped tiny waists, tight abs, and youth - and rightly so. However, in our full-force rejection of anything related to body image, we’ve neglected God’s common sense wisdom for why exercise is important. We've forgotten that: 
  • Moving our bodies improves blood flow, which improves healthy digestion and better sleep. Some of us are a nightly walk away from better sleep!
  • God created our bodies to release feel-good hormones when we exercise, which naturally lift our mood. This can help with anxiety.
  • There’s research suggesting that the bilateral motion involved with walking can help repair trauma in our brain and body.
WHY I WALK…
I began walking for stress relief over fifteen years ago while living with an alcohol-addicted spouse.  Most of my walks began with angry or anxious tears streaming down my face. However, an hour later, that movement regulated my body. I'd listen to worship music to refocus my mind. I felt the endorphins that came from moving my body, so I felt uplifted and less hopeless. God also used walking not only to help me keep my mouth shut so I wouldn’t say things I’d regret. I kept walking for the next few years during that stressful situation until I discerned God’s leading to make needed changes.
 
Now, at 54 years old, I remain committed to moving my body each day. I tend to walk after work to help drain the stress of the day from my bodies and to take deep breathes to refill my body with oxygen. This helps me sleep well, too! I also use hand weights and calisthenics, like jumping jacks and squats to keep my muscles and joints strong. All of these movements work together to strengthen my body so that I have the energy and stamina to travel, speak, and serve all of you. 
DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR BODY
Even if you feel like it’s too late or you’re hopeless out of shape, don’t give up on your body! If you're not dead, then God's not done with using you to make a difference! 
 
I love dreaming of seeing all of us with our heads high, shoulders back, and voices strong yelling, Here am I God, send me! May today's devotion be a reminder that God still has adventure and purpose waiting for you, so never stop praying for ways for Him to use you and then get prepared!
 
Also, our physical selves will return to dust when we die, but God doesn’t give up on our bodies. He will resurrect our imperfect bodies, just as He resurrected Jesus’ broken body. Even though Jesus’ body was beaten and scarred, God redeemed it, even though God left the scars. This shows us that our bodies tell the story of our faith just like our mouths speak our faith, too.
 
WHERE TO START?
Do you need to start or restart moving your body? Today's a good day to start:
  1. Start slow - Of course, check with your healthcare provider if you haven't moved in awhile. Please do not try to work out for an hour to start. Start small and slow, like a walk or 1lb pound weights! Check out Grow with Jo on YouTube for simple exercises.                                                                      
  2. Walk with friend(s) - A good place to start is mimicking what Jesus did: He walked with friends. You have many options! You can walk with a friend or call each other and talk while you walk in your respective places. There are also walking discipleship groups where women choose a verse or Bible story to discuss while walking for 30 minutes.                                                                                  
  3. Step Tracker - Most of us overestimate how much we're walking each day. Accountability is important, so I suggest using step trackers. My step tracker is my watch (because it tracks sleep, too!), but if you don’t want to buy a watch, here’s a simple, low-cost step tracker you can clip to your shirt or pocket to make sure you're actually moving your body.                                                                  
  4. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing! We all have different capacities. I'm giving you permission to give yourself what you need and not worry about what others will say.
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Did you sense any helpful a-ha moments or sense God prompting you? What next steps were confirmed as you read or are there any changes that you need to make? Comment and tell me more!

Read the Entire Series: Taking Care of You

Week One:  Morning Enemy #1

Week Two: God, I'd Rather Be Sleeping!

Week Four: How NOT to Eat Our Feelings

Delighting in God & Good Vanilla with Stephanie Rousselle

Delighting in God & Good Vanilla with Stephanie Rousselle

by | Sep 7, 2026 | Bold Brave & Beautiful Podcast

Why do some believers seem so alive with joy in Jesus, while you feel... meh? Or worse, a little cynical? Verses like Psalm 34:8 tell us to "delight in the Lord," but does that actually work in real life?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend Stephanie Rousselle. She’s a powerful Bible teacher, host of the Gospel Spice podcast, and author of the new book Awaken Delight: Satisfying Your Soul's Longing for God. Stephanie shares her powerful story of coming to faith as a former atheist raised in a hedonist culture in France, and how that journey led her to a life motto of "God's glory, our delight!"

Together, me and Stephanie unpack what Psalm 34:8 really means, why delight isn't about getting what you want from God, and how delight can be sensory, tangible, even "luscious"  perspective that can fire up your faith. So, if your faith has gone flat or you're longing to feel alive in Jesus again, this conversation will help you reclaim it.

 

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Link to Awaken Delight 

Stephanie’s Gospel Spice website

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram

 

ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Stephanie Rousselle is a Bible teacher, speaker, host of the Gospel Spice podcast, and founder of Gospel Spice Ministries. Born and raised in France, Stephanie is a former atheist whose life motto is now "God's glory, our delight!" Having resided in four different countries during her lifetime, she now lives with her family in Pennsylvania.

 

About Your Host:

Barb Roose is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author who helps overwhelmed women stop carrying the things God never asked them to carry so those women can experience God’s peace, freedom, and purpose. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and retreats, including Aspire Women’s Events, ECPA Leadership Summit, Proverbs 31 COMPEL and She Speaks Conference. Barb is the author of seven Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle, and five books, including Stronger Than Stress. She hosts the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast and writes her weekly Happy Monday devotional. Barb is the proud mom of three adult kids. She lives in northwest Ohio and prefers to eat dessert first.

Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer

Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose

As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?

Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?

If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.

Even if you're a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There's a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!

Click Here
God, I’d Rather Be Sleeping! – Taking Care of You – Week Two

God, I’d Rather Be Sleeping! – Taking Care of You – Week Two

by | Sep 7, 2026 | Self-Care, Taking Care of You

It’s week 2 of our new series, Taking Care of You! Last week, many of you appreciated my two clothing principles and the reminder to shine Jesus-bright when we're out and about. Did you miss last week’s Happy Monday? Check the end of this letter for the link to last week’s devotion.
 
I’m excited about today’s topic: SLEEP.
 
In the Bible, there are over one hundred references to sleep and over six hundred references to rest! In one of my favorite stories on sleep, Jesus was asleep on a boat in the middle of a storm while his disciples panicked. I don’t know about you, but my goal is to have the kind of faith that allows me to sleep like Jesus during life's “storms". Can I get an amen?
 
Often, our sleep is the first thing to go when the storms of life pop up, or there's a lot going on. We stay up to finish housework or to tie up loose ends from our jobs. Many of us stay up because we promised someone at the church that we would write a newsletter or prepare for a Bible study the next day. Sometimes, we just let time get away from us. Have you ever said, “Let me watch a little YouTube real quick before bed"?  All the sudden it's 1:28am and you've watched twenty-six videos of watching baby goats in pajamas instead of going to sleep.
 
Of course, when you finally lay down and close your eyes, your mind sends out an announcement: Not so fast, honey. It’s time for you to think about everything that you were too busy to think about all day.  Let’s gooooo!
 
When we’re carrying more than God planned for us, our sleep suffers. Here’s a powerful insight from Psalm 127 about this:
 
It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest (sleep) to his loved ones. -Psalm 127:2 NLT
 
Did you notice the last line?
 
God grants sleep to his loved ones…
 
When you lay down at night, God’s desire is for you to sleep like you don't have a care in the world because you know that God is taking care of you.
 
When you give your problems to God during the day, when you lay down your head at night, you won't lie awake overthinking or obsessing about what’s unfinished, unsettled, or messed up. Even if you do have worries, you know that you can pray my favorite surrender prayer from my Stronger Than Stress book and Bible study: God, I can’t. You can. I will let You. Amen.
Ask yourself this: For all the things keeping you from sleep, can you fix or change anything in the middle of the night? The answer is usually no.
 
If not, what do you need to start surrendering at night so that you can go to sleep? 
 
TWO ENCOURAGING VERSES:
Here are two verses that I discuss in my Stronger Than Stress book in the “Taking Care of You” chapter on page 139 - and if you’re struggling with sleep, then screenshot these verses and read them tonight before bed:
 
You can go to bed without fear;
   you will lie down and sleep soundly. -Proverbs 3:24 NLT
 
He will not let you stumble;
   the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
   never slumbers or sleeps. -Psalm 121:3-4 NLT
 
Both of these verses remind us of God’s character and His care for us. Sleep is a grace.  In a world of sin and hardship, God created our bodies to need a daily shutdown period to restore us while He sustains and maintains the world around us. Lucky for us, God doesn’t need sleep, and He's always at work! God knows that we don’t need to be aware of everything happening in the world 24/7 - that weight is too much for us. So, let’s not rob ourselves of experiencing the grace of sleep by lying awake obsessing about the problems that God is already working on.
 
LET’S GET PRACTICAL! FOUR WAYS TO HELP YOU IMPROVE SLEEP:
 
1. Put Your Devices to Bed Before You Go to Bed
If your sleep has been struggling, perhaps a good starting point is putting your devices to bed before you go to bed. There's all kinds of research telling us that the screen light before bed disrupt our natural melatonin production, which is needed for sleep. For years, I've plugged my cell phone into my office and it's been so helpful for better sleep! (I use this alarm clock instead of my phone.)
 
2. Write It Down and Release It to God
For decades, I’ve kept a journal. I write and reflect on my day before bed. Journaling helps empty all the swirling things in our minds onto paper and that helps us problem-solve and can reduce our anxiety. If you haven't journaled or you aren't sure what to write, here are some prompts to help you:
  • God, today I am grateful for (list 3-5 things).
  • God, I am anxious about (tell God what's going on).
  • God, I need to surrender (tell God what you need to let go of).
  • God, I choose to remember (God's love, His provision, He is always with you)
3. Give “It” to God
In my Stronger Than Stress book, I mention creating a “God Box” where you grab a box and a stack of notecards. Before bed, write down whatever is on your mind, and at the bottom of each card, you can write: “God, I can't. But You can. I will let You. Amen" surrender prayer.  
 
4.  Worship Your Night Worries Away!
If you’re an over-thinker, a worrier, or someone who obsesses over problems, I suggest listening to worship music before bed to keep you mind from spinning. Worship songs about God’s love, faithfulness, and power fill your mind and fight back against your anxieties. I have a great Spotify playlist that you can access here!
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  What do you need to surrender so you can stop worrying and go to sleep? If you need to try one of my four suggestions, comment with “Sleep.”  Good sleepers, tell me what helps you let go of your worries and go to sleep?

Read the Entire Series: Taking Care of You

Week One:  Morning Enemy #1

Week Three:  Don't Skip This One…

Week Four: How NOT to Eat Our Feelings

Morning Enemy #1 – Taking Care of You – Week One

Morning Enemy #1 – Taking Care of You – Week One

by | Aug 31, 2026 | Self-Care, Taking Care of You

Welcome to our new series, Taking Care of You.” If you’re wondering why we’re spending the next few week focusing on caring for ourselves, check out last week’s Happy Monday.
 
As we begin this series, I’d like to pray for you and everyone in our Happy Monday community:
OUR FIRST TOPIC: CLOTHES
As we jump into this topic, make sure to catch my two favorite clothing closet principles at the end of today's devotion!
 
Did you know that the words garment, clothing, and cloak appear over 250 times in the Bible? Most of us have never thought about that. Even more, we don’t think about how what we wear may impact to how we live out our faith.
 
Even as the Bible tells the story of Jesus and God’s plan for humanity, notice how God uses clothing as a symbol of significance or as a spiritual connection: 
  • God made animal skins for Adam and Eve after they sinned.
  • God was also the first fashion designer! He provided Moses with specific instructions on the fabrics and embellishments of the priests’ holy garments.
  • One of my favorite Biblical references to clothes was Queen Esther wearing her queenly finery to stand before King Xerxes and save her people.
In each of these instances, clothes were connected to one’s purpose or a spiritual symbol of a grace, influence, or power (like the armor of God).  This doesn’t mean that we need to become “religious” about our clothes or begin policing what others are wearing. No! Our clothes don’t need to become performative. The religious leaders in Jesus’ time used their clothes to reinforce the idea that they were better than others. That kind of show doesn’t glorify God.
 
WHY DOES THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT CLOTHES MATTER?
I think we underestimate how much our clothes impact not only our mood and how engaged - or disconnected we are to others. As Christian women, it's important for us to notice when we look in the mirror and frown or we turn away feeling badly about ourselves. When we know we look bad, chance are we'll feel bad. 
 
Yet, we don't live in a vacuum. Check out Jesus’ words about our purpose in the world as His followers. 
 
Check this out:
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stnd, where it gives light to everyone in the house. - Matthew 5:14-15 NLT
 
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” -2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT
 
God’s big picture purpose for us: To tell the world about Jesus! To tell the world about Jesus, we have to be ready and watching for those opportunities.
 
Over two decades ago, I had a huge a-ha moment about how our clothes can impact our purpose:
 
When we’re feeling self-conscious about what we’re wearing because we feel frumpy or uncomfortable, we’re less likely to be outgoing, curious, or engaging with people around us. That same self-consciousness can become a basket that covers opportunities for us to shine Jesus-bright to the people around us.
 
Look, I know that you love Jesus! But, if you're not leaving home because you don't like what you look like or you keep to yourself off at work or church because you're comparing yourself to the other women, then what God-sent opportunities could you be missing? 
 
No matter who you are, God wants to put people in your path so that you can  smile a Jesus-smile of hope in this dark world. But, if you're wearing those jeans that you know don't fit and you're wiggling around, you may miss that person. Perhaps, you toss on whatever you can find and you rush out of the house hoping that you don't run into someone you know. However, what if God wants you to run into certain people so that you can pray for them? It would be terrible for you to see people can then try to avoid them. Look, I've done just that. I've skulked around the grocery store in an embarrassing outfit and prayed not to run into anyone, so no judgement here! At the same time, let's not let that happen again! We always want to be ready for God to use us!
 
LET ME SHARE MY TWO CLOTHING PRINCIPLES!
Let's talk practical application - but first let me say this: It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as your clothes are not a distraction from your heart and mind looking for possible divine appointments from God.
 
Here are two principles from my popular “Taking Care of You” message that may help:
  1. If it doesn’t fit, get rid of it.
  2. Stop wearing clothes that make you sad.
Right now, some of you are laughing because you know that I’m right! What you have on right now could fit exactly what I’m talking about. Can I offer you some advice: TAKE THOSE CLOTHES BACK OFF! Dear friend, stop wearing clothes that make you sad! If something doesn't fit, stop wearing it. Period.
 
Perhaps today's devotion is prompting you to clean out your closet.  Is it time to let go of the clothes from your past, clothes you’re never going to wear, or clothes you’re keeping because someone gave them to you? Apply my two principles above and run after the freedom that God may be trying to give you from feeling blah or frumpy each day!
 
Some of you may be wondering if there’s a line that’s too far in caring about how we look. That’s a good question. As one who loves cute clothes and fashion, I believe as long as we’re living out our highest purpose - telling people about Jesus - then we have freedom to enjoy cute shoes and fun clothes without guilt or shame.
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Who needed today’s devotion? If you did, hit reply and write “clothes” to me. If one or both of those principles were helpful, copy and paste the one that you needed to hear today!

Read the Entire Series: Taking Care of You

Week Two: God, I'd Rather Be Sleeping!

Week Three:  Don't Skip This One…

Week Four: How NOT to Eat Our Feelings

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