Most people want to grow spiritually, but few want to go through what actually causes growth. James 1:2–4 tells us that trials are opportunities for joy — not because they feel good, but because they produce something in us: endurance. And when endurance has its work, we become spiritually mature, steady, and complete. Growth doesn’t happen on the mountaintop; it happens in the valley, in the grind, in the pressure. And the hard truth is — you don’t get stronger by escaping pressure; you get stronger by staying in it and trusting God through it.

1 Peter 1:6–7 reminds us that trials reveal the genuineness of our faith. They don’t come to destroy us but to refine us. You might be in a season right now where you’re praying, “Lord, take this away,” but maybe God’s saying, “Let it grow.” The very thing you’re asking Him to remove might be the exact thing He’s using to develop you. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Don’t pray for a lighter load; pray for a stronger back.” Sometimes God doesn’t remove the weight — He strengthens your spirit to carry it.

So don’t waste your trial. Let it grow something in you. God is more interested in your character than your comfort, in who you’re becoming rather than what you’re achieving. Stay planted. Stay faithful. The grind may be uncomfortable, but it’s producing something valuable. Keep going — God is growing you in ways you can’t yet see.

Just a thought, 

PSS

From the very beginning, before God created the heavens and the earth, wisdom was there. Proverbs 8:22–31 paints a beautiful picture of wisdom not just as a concept, but as a companion to God — present, active, and rejoicing in creation. This tells us something powerful: God didn’t create the world randomly or emotionally; He created it with wisdom. That means everything He designed — from the universe to your life — was crafted with purpose, order, and meaning.

When we walk in wisdom, we’re not just being smart or cautious — we’re aligning ourselves with the very foundation of creation. Wisdom isn’t optional for the believer; it’s essential. If God used it to build the world, shouldn’t we use it to build our lives, our homes, our relationships, and our decisions? Wisdom is not just for the old or the educated; it’s for anyone who fears the Lord and humbles themself to seek His way over their own.

So today, before you speak, react, or make that next big decision — ask yourself: “Am I walking in God’s wisdom, or just doing what feels good or sounds popular?” One leads to life, the other to regret. Choose wisdom — it was there from the beginning for a reason.

Just a thought, 

PSS

God doesn’t just tell us what He loves — He also tells us what He hates. And if we’re going to walk in wisdom, we can’t just love what God loves — we must also learn to hate what threatens it. Proverbs 6:16-19 gives us a clear list of seven things the Lord detests. These aren’t just random sins — they’re the root systems that destroy lives, families, churches, and entire cultures. Pride, lies, injustice, evil motives, impulsive sin, slander, and division — God hates these things because they unravel everything He wants to bless.

Our culture doesn’t just tolerate the things God hates — it celebrates them. Pride is called self-confidence. Lies are rebranded as personal truth. Division is sold as honesty. But we cannot afford to agree with the world when it disagrees with God. Romans 12:9 tells us, “Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” If we love what God loves, we will hate what hurts the people He loves. That includes rooting out compromise in our own lives, not just criticizing the world around us. Wisdom doesn’t flirt with sin — it flees from it.

So let me ask you — have you made peace with something God hates? Maybe pride, gossip, bitterness, or even silence in the face of sin? God’s not waiting to crush you — He’s inviting you to repent and align your heart with His again. His grace is real. His truth still stands. And His smile is worth more than culture’s applause.

Just a thought,

PSS

We often say we trust God, but real trust doesn’t show up in the easy moments — it shows up when it costs us something. It shows up in our wallets when we give Him our first and best, not our leftovers. It shows up in our hearts when we allow His correction to shape us rather than resisting it. Proverbs 3 makes it clear: trust isn’t just about what we say — it’s about what we do when it gets uncomfortable.

When we give first, we’re saying, “God, I trust You to provide, not my paycheck.” And when we welcome correction, we’re saying, “God, I believe You love me enough to grow me.” Both moments stretch us — but they also build a deeper, stronger relationship with the Lord. Trust is the foundation of that relationship, and it’s revealed most clearly in how we respond to God when things get real.

So ask yourself: “Do I trust God enough to give Him my first? Do I trust Him enough to receive His correction?” Because trust isn’t proven by what you say — it’s proven by how you respond when it gets real.

Just a thought,

PSS

There comes a moment in all of our lives when we have to answer the same question the disciples faced: Where else could we go? When everything else falls short — religion, success, relationships, distractions — there stands Jesus, the Risen King, holding the words of eternal life. He doesn’t just give comfort; He conquers. He doesn’t just offer help; He is life.

On Easter, we don’t worship a memory — we celebrate a victory. The tomb is empty. Death is defeated. And the Lord of Hosts is alive forevermore. That’s not just good news — it’s the best news. So if you’ve wandered, come back. If you’re tired, trust Him. And if you’re wondering if He’s enough — look to the empty tomb. It’s all the proof you’ll ever need.

Just a thought,

PSS