Category: Uncategorized

By: Wendy Morris

Lately, I’ve really been convicted about my phone.

Not because having a phone or being on social media is necessarily bad, but because I’ve realized just how much of my time and attention I’ve been giving to it.

There have been so many times when I’ve picked up my phone without even thinking about it. Nothing important to check. No real reason to be on it. It had simply become a habit.

And if I’m being completely truthful with myself, at times I have allowed it to become an idol in my life.

That realization has made me ask myself a difficult question:

What could I be doing with all of the time I spend scrolling?

I could be praying.
Reading my Bible.
Writing.
Working toward something God has placed on my heart.
Spending time with people I love.
Being productive.
Resting.
Or simply being present in the life God has already given me.

Recently, I’ve intentionally started limiting my time on my phone, and I can already tell a difference.

And I’m realizing that maybe I don’t need to know everything about everybody every single day.

We Were Never Meant to Know This Much About Everyone

Social media has given us constant access to other people’s lives.

We know where people are eating, where they’re vacationing, what they bought, who they’re dating, what their house looks like, what their children are doing and what milestone they just reached.

But most of the time, we’re not actually seeing their lives.

We’re seeing their highlights.

And highlights can make someone else’s life look like rainbows and sunshine while we’re sitting in the middle of our own ordinary day.

That’s where comparison can creep in.

Before we know it, the enemy can begin whispering:

You’re behind.

Everyone else has what you want.

You’re missing something.

Maybe your life should look different by now.

And suddenly we’re questioning blessings we were perfectly content with before we picked up the phone.

I’ve learned that protecting my peace sometimes means protecting what I allow myself to continually consume.

Not everything I can know needs to be known.

Social Media Has Also Changed the Way We Connect

Something else has really disappointed me lately—the messages people are willing to send privately.

People who are married.

People who are in relationships.

People who say they’re separated.

People whose relationship is supposedly “complicated.”

People who clearly haven’t healed from previous relationships but are already searching for someone else to fill whatever they’re trying to escape.

And somehow we’ve created a culture where things become acceptable because they’re happening privately.

No one has to know.

But God knows.

Private doesn’t mean right.

And someone else’s willingness to compromise their standards doesn’t mean I have to compromise mine.

I will never be so lonely that I stop respecting myself or other people.

Loneliness can make almost-right things look right if we’re not careful.

Attention can feel like affection.

Words can feel like intention.

Chemistry can feel like character.

And someone telling you everything you want to hear can feel wonderful—until they’re required to actually become the person they’ve been presenting themselves to be.

That’s usually where the truth shows up.

Words Are Easy. Character Costs Something.

We live in a world where access to another person requires almost no effort.

A follow.

A like.

A heart.

A message.

A few flattering words.

But genuine pursuit requires something completely different.

It requires time, consistency, honesty, effort, vulnerability and follow-through.

Very few people seem willing to invest those things anymore.

It’s easy to tell someone what they want to hear.

It’s much harder to consistently show them who you are.

And I’m no longer impressed by words that aren’t supported by actions.

Character is what you do when nobody is watching.

Integrity is who you are when you could probably get away with doing something differently.

And God’s standard doesn’t change simply because society’s standards do.

I’m Not Looking

I’m not looking for “my person” on social media.

I’m not looking for him on a dating app.

Actually, I’m not looking for anyone.

That’s not me saying everyone else has to make the same decision. It’s simply a personal conviction I’ve come to for my own life.

I don’t feel the need to chase, search or manufacture something just because I desire companionship.

There’s a difference between wanting someone in your life and needing someone to fill something missing inside of you.

I can desire love without becoming desperate for it.

I can desire companionship without lowering my standards.

I can experience loneliness without allowing loneliness to make my decisions.

And I can trust that what God has for me will not require me to abandon the convictions He has developed within me.

Maybe This Conviction Isn’t Really About My Phone

The more I’ve thought about all of this, the more I’ve realized that maybe God isn’t simply convicting me about screen time.

Maybe He’s teaching me to become more intentional about what gets access to me.

What gets my attention?

What gets my time?

What gets my thoughts?

What gets my emotional energy?

And who gets access to my heart?

Not every notification deserves my immediate attention.

Not every message deserves a response.

Not every person who shows interest deserves access.

Not everything happening in someone else’s life needs my attention.

And not every quiet moment needs to be filled with scrolling.

Sometimes we become so accustomed to noise that silence feels uncomfortable.

But maybe silence is exactly where God has been trying to meet us.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

I’m learning to put the phone down.

To stop consuming everyone else’s life and become more present in my own.

To protect my peace.

To guard my heart.

To keep my standards.

To stop confusing attention with intention.

And most importantly, to make sure nothing—even something as ordinary as my phone—is receiving more of me than God is.

Because ultimately, this isn’t just about screen time.

It’s about stewardship.

God has given me a life to live, people to love, a purpose to walk in and a limited amount of time to do it.

I don’t want to look back and realize I spent too much of that life watching everyone else live theirs.

Reflection Questions

• What gets the majority of my attention each day?
• Do I reach for my phone out of purpose—or simply out of habit?
• Has social media ever caused me to feel dissatisfied with a life I was previously grateful for?
• Am I allowing attention from other people to make me compromise standards I know God has placed on my heart?
• What could change in my life if I intentionally gave God some of the time I’ve been giving my phone?
• Is there anything in my life that has quietly become more important than it should be?

Closing Prayer

Lord, help me be intentional with the time and attention You have given me. Show me anything that has taken a place in my life that belongs to You. Guard my heart from comparison, distraction and compromise. Give me wisdom about what—and who—I allow access to my life. Help me remain faithful to my convictions, even when the world tells me they aren’t necessary. Teach me to be present, content and obedient in the life You have given me.

Amen.

—Wendy

Scripture Focus:
“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…”
— Philippians 3:13–14

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Introduction

So many people are going through things we have no clue about. Truthfully, it has always been that way. But the older I get—and the closer I grow in my relationship with Jesus—the more clearly I see it.

Maybe it’s because of the life I’ve lived and the experiences that have shaped me. Or maybe it’s simply wisdom that comes with time. Either way, my perspective has changed.

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Reflection Over Dwelling

I don’t look back on my past to dwell on it. I look back to reflect.

I reflect on how far I’ve come…
How much I’ve grown…
Where I still need growth…
And the wisdom I now carry because of everything I’ve been through.

Self-reflection has become a regular part of my life. Growth doesn’t stop—and neither should we.

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God Showed Up Every Time

I’m not perfect—and I don’t claim to be. But I do know this:

When my world was falling apart…
When I felt like I couldn’t go on…
God always showed up.

He made a way.
He gave me strength.
He calmed my heart and my mind.
He provided everything I needed—even when I had no idea how it would happen.

He placed people in my life at just the right moments—sometimes for them to help me, and sometimes for me to help them.

And more often than not, when I chose to serve others out of love, Jesus used those moments to teach me something about myself—lessons that were invaluable.

He never fails us.

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Faith Requires Movement

But faith requires something from us too.

We have to take steps forward—even when we’re scared.

God doesn’t leave us.
We are the ones who drift away.

And the beautiful part?
He always welcomes us back with open arms.

If we live in fear, we are unknowingly questioning God’s ability to make a way. That isn’t faith—that’s trying to take control ourselves.

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It Won’t Always Happen Your Way

Is it easy? Absolutely not.
Is it worth it? More than you will ever know.

I’ve taken many steps while still feeling afraid. But I chose to trust God anyway—and I’ve never been disappointed.

That doesn’t mean everything happens overnight.
It doesn’t mean it happens the way we want.
And it definitely doesn’t mean it happens in our timing.

Those were hard lessons for me.

But when you quiet yourself, listen to that still, small voice, and truly seek His understanding, He begins to teach you things that change how you see life.

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The Power of Unanswered Prayers

I’ve learned to be thankful for unanswered prayers.

I remind myself of them often—because they bring everything back into perspective.

Sometimes what we thought we needed…
Was never what God had planned for us.

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The Waiting Season

Right now, I’m in a waiting season.

And while that isn’t always easy, I trust that God is working—even when I can’t see it.

I have a lot of love to give and a big heart. I believe God is preparing that love for someone who will truly appreciate it and reciprocate it.

I believe He is preparing someone for me.

Life isn’t meant to be lived alone.
And God doesn’t fail.

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Trusting What’s Ahead

So I trust that what He has for me is still ahead.

And when it comes… I’ll know. Without a doubt.

Over the years, God has given me patience—because I tried doing life my way for a long time, and I was never truly fulfilled.

Now I understand:

God sees faithfulness.
And He doesn’t overlook it.

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Conclusion

So I’ll keep chasing after Him.
I’ll keep trusting Him—with everything in me.

Because He has never failed me yet…
And He never will.

—Wendy

Faith is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, you lose it. And no one can do the work for you.

I go to the gym with a trainer, and her presence motivates me. She encourages me, pushes me, believes I can do more than I think I can. But no matter how great my trainer is, she can’t lift the weights for me. I still have to do the work.

Faith works the same way.

Friends and community can motivate your faith. They can pray for you, encourage you, even believe for you when your faith feels weak. Scripture tells us, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”(1 Thessalonians 5:11). But encouragement doesn’t replace responsibility. “Each of us will give account of ourselves to God”(Romans 14:12).

Our walk with Jesus is personal. Just like strength in the gym requires effort, faith requires action. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead”(James 2:17). We have to show up, trust God, and take steps of obedience—especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. Scripture reminds us to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling”(Philippians 2:12). That doesn’t mean earning grace—it means actively choosing trust, surrender, and obedience in our daily lives.

Others can walk beside us, cheer us on, and support us—but they can’t do the work for us. Faith is personal. Our trust in Jesus is built one choice at a time.

—Wendy

Do you ever struggle with doing the “right thing”? I find myself at a crossroads, constantly trying to do the right thing. It’s a journey filled with challenges, moments of self-doubt, and occasional embarrassment. Yet, it’s also a path of immense growth and self discovery.

The Journey of Conviction

In those moments of conviction, when we realize our missteps, we are invited to reflect and grow. It’s not just about feeling guilt; it’s about embracing the opportunity to become better, stronger, and more aligned with our values.

As we navigate this journey, we are guided by timeless wisdom. Micah 6:8 reminds us:

“ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

This scripture underscores the importance of justice, mercy, and humility in our pursuits.

Ultimately, the journey of doing the right thing is about progress, not perfection. It’s about forgiving ourselves, learning from our experiences, and moving forward with an open heart.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Search my heart and reveal anything that is not of You.

Convict me where I need to change, and give me the courage to respond in obedience.

Let Your correction lead me closer to You, not away from You.

Create in me a clean heart and guide my steps in truth. -AMEN

—Wendy

There’s a quiet struggle that happens when we want God’s direction but still hold tightly to our own understanding. We pray for clarity, yet hesitate when the answer requires change. We ask for healing, but cling to what feels familiar—even when it’s the very thing that hurt us. This is the space of being double-minded.

Scripture reminds us, “A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways” (James 1:8). Not because God is withholding, but because a divided heart can’t fully rest. When our trust is split between faith and fear, obedience and comfort, we feel the tension in our spirit.

I’ve had to admit that I’ve been my own worst enemy in this—wanting God’s direction while resisting the surrender it requires. Caught between faith and fear, clarity and comfort, I delayed healing by holding on longer than I should have.

Single-minded faith doesn’t mean we never question—it means we choose where we place our trust. It’s deciding to anchor ourselves in God’s truth even when emotions pull us in different directions. Healing begins when we stop living torn between what we know God is asking and what we’re afraid to release.

Peace comes when we surrender the tug-of-war and let God lead fully—not halfway, not conditionally, but wholeheartedly.

Reflection Question

Where in my life am I asking God to lead while still holding on to control?

Prayer

God, reveal the places where my heart is divided. Give me the courage to release what I’ve been gripping and the faith to trust You fully. Align my heart with Your will and lead me in steady, unwavering faith. Amen.

–Wendy

As a new year approaches there’s often a quiet invitation to pause and reflect—on where we’ve been, what we’ve carried, and who we are becoming. The start of a new year isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about gaining clarity. It’s about stepping into a fresh season with a renewed perspective of who you are, what you want your life to look like, and allowing God to lead you forward.

But before we can fully embrace what’s ahead, we often have to loosen our grip on what’s behind us.

Isaiah 43:18

“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.”

The Weight of “What Ifs”

The “what ifs” of life can be heavy. What if the relationship had worked? What if I had stayed? What if I had left sooner?

These questions can quietly keep us stuck—replaying moments we can’t change and outcomes we’ll never fully understand. While reflection can be healthy, living in the past can prevent us from stepping into the future God is preparing us for.

At some point, the “what ifs” stop being questions and start becoming chains.

Learning to Let Go of What We Can’t Control

Letting go doesn’t mean dismissing the pain or pretending the past didn’t matter. It means recognizing that some things are no longer ours to carry. We aren’t meant to have control over every outcome, every relationship, or every chapter that ends.

There’s freedom in surrender—freedom that comes when we say, “God I trust you even when I dont understand.”

A New Year, A New Perspective

Going into a new year with goals isn’t just about what you want to accomplish—it’s about who you want to become. It’s choosing to move with intention, wisdom, and faith. It’s allowing God to shape your path instead of clinging to what feels familiar.

New season requires new vision. And sometimes, new vision requires releasing the old one.

Philippians 3:13-14

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

Whatever you may be struggling with, when you consciously seek God’s guidance, He will bless you with more than money can buy: peace in the midst of storms, comfort in times of pain, joy in moments of sorrow, and direction through life’s trials. He will light your path and lead the way.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

—Wendy

Healing is often something we pray for, hope for, and wait on—but over the last ten years has reminded me that we also participate in it. We play a part in our own healing, and that role requires intention, courage, and honesty. Healing doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t come simply with the passing of time. Time may soften the edges of pain, but it is what we choose to do within that time that shapes true restoration.

God is our healer, but He often invites us into the process rather than removing us from it. There is a partnership between divine grace and personal responsibility. Prayer matters deeply—but so do the steps we take when God reveals what needs to change. Healing begins when we stop avoiding the pain and start acknowledging it.

Playing a part in our healing means showing up for ourselves even when it’s uncomfortable. It means naming what hurt us instead of minimizing it. It means recognizing patterns that no longer serve us and having the courage to choose differently. Healing asks us to stop waiting for apologies we may never receive and to stop placing our peace in the hands of people who may not know how to protect it.

There is humility in admitting our need for God, and there is obedience in responding to what He asks of us. Sometimes healing looks like prayer and surrender. Other times it looks like boundaries, rest, or walking away. Sometimes it looks like forgiveness, and other times it looks like allowing ourselves to grieve what was lost. Each step matters. Each choice carries weight.

We play a part in our own healing when we choose not to remain stuck, when we allow God to renew our minds and soften our hearts, and when we trust that tending to our wounds is not a lack of faith but an expression of it. Healing is not instant, and it is rarely linear—but when we partner with God and take responsibility for our growth, restoration becomes not only possible, but purposeful.

—Wendy