Grow in Grace

Tag: #faith

  • Stepping Out in Faith: Leaving What Was, Trusting What’s Ahead

    Stepping Out in Faith: Leaving What Was, Trusting What’s Ahead

    As I look around my house while packing to move, I’m surrounded by so many precious memories from the last five years. I didn’t think I would get emotional—but here I am, tears streaming down my face.

    Not because I’m sad… but because I can’t quite put into words what I’m feeling.

    There are so many mixed emotions.

    This isn’t my first time moving—in fact, I’ve moved more times than I can count. But this place… this place is different. It holds so much meaning. It’s the home where my last two children lived with me. It’s what my grandbabies know as “my house.” It’s where I finally found peace in my life with the Lord.

    And that kind of peace changes everything.

    I am excited about the next chapter of my life. I don’t know what it will bring—but that’s the beauty of it. I’m choosing to let God write the rest of my story. Because, honestly, when I try to write it myself, it always seems to fall apart one way or another.

    God has never left me—not once. But He has allowed me to make my own choices. And through those choices, I’ve learned many lessons… often the hard way.

    But even in the pain, there was purpose.

    Because every time I found myself broken, it brought me to my knees before Jesus. And in those moments, I was reminded exactly where my help comes from.

    “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:1–2

    I truly believe God has something better for me than anything I could ever imagine. So this time, I’m choosing to wait on Him—because I don’t think my heart can handle breaking again.

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

    Right now, I’m stepping out in complete faith.

    I haven’t even sold my house yet—but I’m moving anyway. I’m moving closer to my family, my work, my friends, and my church.

    “For we live by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

    I’ve been attending this church for about six months now. Some coworkers invited me, and I’m so grateful they did. I go alone every Sunday—and honestly, I’ve only missed a couple of Sunday nights and Wednesday nights.

    What I’ve found there is something special.

    I’ve met incredible people who check on me, who notice when something feels off, and who genuinely care. They will never fully know how much that means to me.

    More than that, I’ve been in God’s Word every single day—studying, learning, and growing. And when I tell you it has brought me clarity and discernment, I truly mean it.

    It’s like when I don’t know what to do, there’s this quiet voice inside me guiding me.

    I call those “God winks.”

    The Holy Spirit.

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

    But we have to be willing to hear it. We have to prepare our hearts daily—not just when life gets hard.

    Think about it—would you want your children to only talk to you when they needed something or were in trouble?

    God doesn’t want that kind of relationship with us either.

    “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…” — James 4:8

    Being a “good person” isn’t the goal.

    Faithfulness is.

    To me, being faithful means stepping out of my comfort zone and following where the Holy Spirit leads—even when it doesn’t make sense.

    Last Sunday, during praise and worship, I felt that nudge. Before I even realized what I was doing, I was walking to the altar.

    I was alone. I only knew a few people there. And if it had been up to me, I probably wouldn’t have done it out of fear.

    But it wasn’t just me.

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

    And that moment reminded me of something powerful—

    We can block our own blessings by living in fear.

    We stay in what’s familiar. We choose comfort. We avoid risk because we don’t want to get hurt again. But in doing that, we try to control our own lives instead of trusting God completely.

    I’ve lived that way.

    For years.

    But when I finally recognized it, everything began to change.

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

    I’m still a work in progress. There are days I can almost hear the Holy Spirit whisper, “Stop trying to control it.”

    And I’m learning to listen.

    “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” — Psalm 37:7

    I’m so thankful for how far I’ve come in my walk with the Lord. But even more than that—I’m excited about where I’m going.

    I’m ready.

    “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” — Philippians 3:13–14

    Closing Prayer

    Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for every season—both the ones I understand and the ones I don’t. Thank You for the memories held within these walls and for the peace You gave me here. As I step into a new chapter, I trust that You are already there, preparing the way before me.

    Lord, help me to fully surrender my plans, my fears, and my need for control. Teach me to walk by faith and not by sight, even when the path feels uncertain. When I am tempted to go back to what is comfortable, remind me of the growth that comes from trusting You completely.

    Strengthen my heart so it no longer fears what could go wrong, but instead rests in the truth of who You are. When I feel weak, be my strength. When I feel unsure, be my clarity. And when I feel alone, remind me that You have never left my side.

    Holy Spirit, continue to guide me. Help me to hear Your voice clearly and to obey without hesitation. Keep my heart aligned with Your will, and let my life reflect Your love in everything I do.

    Father, I place my future in Your hands. I trust that Your plans are greater than anything I could imagine. Lead me, grow me, and use me for Your purpose.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen

    Sometimes faith looks like letting go of what we love…and trusting God with what comes next. 

    —Wendy 

  • Finding Personal Alignment: A Journey of Faith and Purpose

    Finding Personal Alignment: A Journey of Faith and Purpose

    Introduction

    What does personal alignment mean to you?

    For me, it has always been about being on the right path—doing what I am meant to do—even when I wasn’t entirely sure what that looked like. Deep down, I’ve always sensed there was more to life… a purpose waiting to be discovered.

    But here’s a question worth asking:
    Does everyone find their true purpose, or only those who actively seek it? And if we don’t seek it—do we end up settling for whatever life hands us?

    What Is Personal Alignment?

    Personal alignment is the state where our thoughts, emotions, actions, and values are in harmony.

    From a biblical perspective, alignment goes even deeper. It means conforming our thoughts, actions, and will to God’s—shifting from our own desires to His divine purpose. It’s not a one-time decision, but an ongoing transformation.

    Romans 12:2 reminds us:

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

    Alignment begins in the mind. When our thinking changes, our direction changes.

    The Process of Alignment

    Let’s be honest—alignment isn’t easy.

    If it were, everyone would be walking in peace and purpose.

    Instead, the journey often comes with:

    • Loss
    • Heartache
    • Discipline
    • Letting go
    • Consistency

    It requires intentional choices.

    We begin by:

    • Identifying our values
    • Practicing self-reflection
    • Setting healthy boundaries
    • Taking aligned, intentional action

    And sometimes, the hardest truth to accept is this:
    we can be our own biggest obstacle.

    A Choice We Must Make

    Alignment is not automatic—it’s a decision.

    Joshua 24:15 says:

    “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

    Every day, we choose:

    • God’s way or our way
    • Trust or control
    • Faith or fear

    Letting Go of Control

    I’ll be honest—I’ve spent a lot of time trying to control every aspect of my life.

    Control felt like safety.
    Like protection from fear, anxiety, and pain.

    But the truth is:
    Life will always include moments of uncertainty.

    The energy we spend trying to prevent discomfort could instead be used to seek God—where peace, clarity, and direction are already available.

    This is something I’m still working on.

    Building a Daily Connection with God

    What if we started our day differently?

    Instead of reaching for our phones or turning on the TV…
    we reached for God first.

    • Sitting in His presence
    • Reading His Word
    • Talking to Him in prayer

    Building a habit takes time—anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. It requires discipline, but also grace.

    Miss a day? Start again tomorrow.

    Eventually, it becomes something you don’t want to live without.

    Staying Connected to the Source

    We often search everywhere for answers, not realizing we already have access to the greatest source of guidance:
    God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

    John 15:5 reminds us:

    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

    When we stay connected to Him:

    • We gain clarity
    • We produce fruit
    • We walk in purpose

    Without Him, we struggle to find direction.

    Conclusion: The Invitation to Align

    Personal alignment is a journey—not a destination.

    It’s choosing daily to:

    • Renew your mind
    • Surrender control
    • Seek God first
    • Walk in obedience

    It won’t always be easy—but it will always be worth it.

    So today, consider this your invitation:

    Step into alignment.
    Seek His guidance.
    Trust His plan.

    Because the life He has for you is greater than anything you could create on your own.

    —Wendy

  • Unequally yoked: When Love Isn’t Aligned With Purpose

    Unequally yoked: When Love Isn’t Aligned With Purpose

    “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” —Corinthians 6:14

    There are connections in life that feel right emotionally…but don’t align spiritually.

    You can laugh together, talk for hours, and even feel a deep bond—yet something inside you feels off.

    Not because the person is bad. Not because you don’t care. But because you are not walking in the same direction. And that’s what this scripture speaks to.

    🔍What Does “Unequally Yoked” Mean?

    A yoke connects two animals so they can move together.

    If one is stronger, faster, or headed on a different direction, the journey becomes strained.

    In the same way, when you are joined closely with someone who doesn’t share your faith or values:

    • You’ll eventually pull against each other
    • One will feel held back
    • The other may be pressured to change

    What starts as connection can slowly turn into confusion, compromise, or exhaustion.

    ⚖️The Deeper Contrast

    This verse gives two powerful comparisons:

    • Righteousness vs. lawlessness
    • Light vs. darkness

    It’s not just about differences—it’s about opposite foundations.

    When your life is centered on God and theirs is not, your decisions, priorities, and convictions will not match.

    And over time, that gap becomes possible to ignore.

    ❤️It’s Not About Rejection

    This verse is often misunderstood.

    God is not telling you to:

    • Judge people
    • Avoid people
    • Think you’re better than others

    He’s teaching you discernment:

    You can:

    • Love people
    • Be kind to people
    • Support people

    Without being deeply tied to them on a war it effects your walk with Him.

    🧠The Hard Truth

    Sometimes we try to make it work because:

    • We see potential
    • We feel attached
    • We don’t want to let go

    But alignment is not built on potential, it’s built on shared direction.

    You cannot carry a relationship where:

    • You’re chasing God
    • And they’re not

    Eventually, you’ll have to choose:

    👉Compromise your walk

    or

    👉Release what isn’t aligned

    🕊️A Personal Reflection

    There are moments when God gently reveals:

    “This isn’t it.”

    And it doesn’t always come with chaos or conflict—sometimes it comes with quiet conviction.

    That feeling in your spirit?

    That hesitation you can’t explain?

    That’s not confusion.

    Thats discernment.

    🙏Reflection Questions

    • Are my relationships aligned with my faith and values?
    • Am I trying to force something God is asking me to release?
    • Is this connection bringing me closer to God…..or pulling me away?

    💬Encouragement

    Letting go of someone you care about is never easy.

    But being unequally yoked will cost you more than separation ever will.

    God doesn’t remove people to hurt you—

    He does it to protect your purpose.

    What he has for you will be

    • Aligned
    • Peaceful
    • Rooted in Him

    You won’t have to force it.

    🙏Closing Prayer

    Lord,

    Thank You for Your wisdom and truth.

    Help me to have discernment in my relationships.

    Give me the strength to walk away from anything that is not aligned with You, even when it’s hard.

    Guard my heart, my purpose, and my walk with You.

    Teach me to trust that what You remove, You will replace with something greater and aligned with Your will.

    In Jesus’ name,

    Amen.

    –Wendy

  • Peace Isn’t Control

    There was a time when I thought I had peace—but what I really had was control.

    I felt calm as long as everything was going right

    As long as people acted the way I expected.

    As long as doors stayed open.

    As long as plans didn’t shift.

    But the moment something changed, my “peace” disappeared.

    And that’s when I realized something:

    If my peace depends on everything in my life going right, then it isn’t peace—it’s control.

    Control says, “ I’m okay as long as nothing moves.”

    Peace says, “Even if everything moves, I am still anchored.”

    Control needs outcomes to cooperate.

    Peace trusts God even when they don’t.

    The kind of peace God offers us is not circumstantial. It doesn’t rise and fall with relationships, finances, health reports, or unanswered prayers. It’s rooted in Him.

    Philippians 4:7 says. “ And the peace of God surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

    Notice it says surpasses understanding.

    That means it doesn’t always make sense.

    It won’t always match your situation.

    You can be grieving and still have peace.

    You can be uncertain and still have peace.

    You can be waiting and still have peace.

    Because real peace is not the absence of problems—it’s the presence of trust.

    Sometimes we call it “peace,” but what we really mean is, “Everything is going my way.” And when it stops going my way, anxiety rushes in because control has slipped through our fingers.

    But surrender feels different.

    Surrender says:

    “God I don’t need to manage every outcome. I trust you with what I can’t see.”

    And this is where peace lives.

    It lives in letting go.

    It lives in releasing the need to orchestrate every detail.

    It lives in believing that even when things fall apart, God is not out of control.

    True peace doesn’t require a perfect life.

    It requires a surrendered heart.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. In what areas of my life have I mistaken control for peace?
    2. When something doesn’t go according to plan, how do you usually respond—with trust or with anxiety?
    3. What situation am I currently trying to manage instead of surrendering to God?
    4. Do I believe God is good even when the outcomes don’t look the way I hoped?
    5. What would it look like to fully release control and trust Him today?

    Closing Prayer:

    Father God,

    I confess that sometimes what I call peace is really just control. I feel calm when everything is going my way, but unsettled when it isn’t. Forgive me for trying to manage what was never mine to carry.

    Teach me what real peace looks like.

    Help me trust You when plans change, when doors close, and when outcomes don’t match my expectations. Remind me that You are steady, even when my life feels uncertain.

    I release the need to control every detail.

    I release the fear of the unknown.

    I release the pressure to hold everything together.

    Guard my heart and mind with Your peace — the kind that doesn’t make sense, the kind that doesn’t depend on circumstances, the kind that only comes from You.

    Anchor me in trust.

    Anchor me in surrender.

    Anchor me in You.

    In Jesus’ name,

    Amen

    —Wendy

  • When God’s Delays Become Divine

    When God’s Delays Become Divine

    There was a season in my life when I felt deeply stuck—like every door was closed, every opportunity delayed. I kept wondering, why is God holding me back? I saw others moving forward, while I stood still.

    But as time passed, I began to see something different. What felt like a delay was actually preparation. God was shaping me. He was protecting me from relationships and paths that weren’t right for me. He was teaching me patience, trust, and surrender.

    Looking back, I realize God’s delays weren’t denials; they were divine detours, guiding me toward something better. I can see now that none of those relationships were equally yoked. I had heard that phrase my whole life, but it took heartbreak to understand it deeply. Now, I know I can never settle for less.

    I will not settle—no matter how tempting, no matter how perfect it may seem on the surface. I will not settle for anything less than being equally yoked—where both of us pursue God, where there is true reciprocation, and where our faith leads us. I know it’s hard these days—especially with social media, where people aren’t always real, and it’s easy to get caught up in illusions. But I will stay grounded, seeking authenticity and God’s truth.

    As Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” So, I trust that God is weaving my story, and when the right person comes, we’ll stand strong—three strands, with God at the center.

    -Wendy

  • Embracing the Present: Letting Go of the “When” and Living Now

    Embracing the Present: Letting Go of the “When” and Living Now

    There was a time in my life when I lived in survival mode—constantly making sure everything was done, but never really pausing to live in the moment. I thought, “If everything gets better—when this happens, when that happens—then I’ll be happy.”But those days, especially with my children when they were young, slipped through my fingers. Once I realized that, I knew something had to change. I had to let go of waiting for the perfect moment. Instead, I began to live fully in the present—savoring small moments, practicing gratitude, and trusting God in each step.

    As Paul says in Philippians 4:11-12, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” That verse reminds me that peace doesn’t come from perfect circumstances—but from trusting God, right where I am.

    God does give us free will, and that’s a powerful gift. But it means we have a choice —we can keep waiting or step forward now, even if uncertain. Change is scary, and growth is painful, but God can transform us in an instant. He’s healing me—my heart, my mind, even my nervous system from survival mode. So now, I stay open, present, and ready to walk wherever He leads me.

    I no longer live in the “what ifs.” Instead, I live fully in the now, trusting God with each step. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

    I hope, through sharing this, you’ll be encouraged too—to leave behind the uncertainty and live fully today, trusting God for tomorrow.

    —Wendy