Every Christian has experienced times when trials seem overwhelming. We naturally wonder: Where is God? Is God letting us down? Does He care? If God is good, then why is He allowing evil to triumph?

Need a reason to smile? Pay careful attention to the joys of your everyday life and be transformed by your loving, gracious, wonderful, perfectly outrageous God.

In times of great stress we need a solid foundation to fall back upon. It is in those moments of panic and fear our training kicks in and we realize even though we feel lost and alone, it's not truth. God is with us.

This year, it’s this careful balance of guilt and relief I’m pondering. I’m contemplating the injustice of being saved from my sin without deserving it in the slightest.

Are you weathering a storm? Is Jesus calling you to come closer to Him through it? Don’t let fear pull you under. Fix your eyes on Him. Feel His presence. Experience the joy of walking on waves with Him.

Look beyond the tough stuff by remembering that God is working in and through all things—everything. He has a higher good in mind than just our temporal good.

Love is the greatest thing in the world because it is the ultimate motivation. Scripture reveals this truth in John 3:16.