As I looked at the clock, the minutes ticked away. Is the clock going faster, I wondered? I glanced at my to-do list and instantly became overwhelmed. How can I complete all of this and still take care of my family? Sarah works full-time, has a beautifully decorated and clean home, volunteers, and runs her kids to sports. How can she do all that when all I do is homeschool, work part-time, and volunteer? What is wrong with me?

Have your thoughts ever gone down this slippery slope? We begin comparing ourselves to others when we don’t have the full story. Their lives may not be all they seem. Facebook and Instagram can make everyone seem so ‘perfect’ as if everyone has it all together, but behind the scenes, it is a different story. Comparison is never a good game to play. Although sometimes we do need to look in the mirror and wonder why we are struggling. God has given us each 24 hours in a day, but why do some people seem to accomplish more than others?

Paul writes about how we should use our time in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Paul encourages us to be careful with the choices we make and to be wise as we make the best use of our time. He ends by saying the reason we should do so is because the days are evil. Can an actual day be evil? No. Paul is referring to the evil we encounter every day. Just waking up and looking at content on our phones can expose us to evil. This is why we need to be careful in our choices.

Who in the Bible seemed to use his time the most wisely? Jesus. He was only in ministry for 3 ½ years, yet look at how much He accomplished. Yes, He was perfect, which is something we are not, but we can still learn a lot from how He used His time.

Mark 1:35 “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”

Mark 6:46 “And after He had taken leave of them, He went up on the mountain to pray.”

Jesus prioritized prayer and spending time with His Father. This is something we can do every day as well. We can get up a little earlier, watch a little less TV, or spend less time on our phones. We each have activities in our day that we can adjust to prioritize time with God. To obtain the wisdom we desperately need for good time management, we must seek and spend time with the one who can provide it. When our soul is under-fed we are no good to anyone on our schedule, including ourselves.

If we are truly honest with ourselves, most of our time is wasted doomscrolling on our phones. Perhaps you could set a timer to avoid spending too much time on it. Turn off any non-essential notifications to avoid distractions. Choose specific times to get on social media that you have scheduled within your day.

As you review your over-busy schedule and attempt to complete your to-do list, ask God for wisdom and discernment as you consider the following questions.

• Is this a good use of my time?
• Is there something better I could be doing?
• What is the best thing I could do with this time?  

Heavenly Father, I thank you for another day. Please help me make the most of it by glorifying you with how I use it. Show me anything that I need to let go of or change that keeps me from fulfilling the plan you have for the day. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

Do you struggle with time management? What techniques have you found helpful? Which of the above techniques do you think you could implement today?

Waiting. Waiting is hard. In today’s world, we expect everything to be available now. All the information we could ever want is at our fingertips. Gone are the days of driving to a library and doing research. If we want a new shirt, book, or even food, it is all available with the push of a few buttons without leaving our comfy sofa or PJs. While all of this convenience has many benefits, it also has disadvantages. We struggle with patience and self-control. We have become conditioned to expect everything now. However, life doesn’t work that way; many situations require waiting.

In my life, my family has gone through some long waiting periods. Years ago, we surrendered to the Lord’s call to serve Him in ministry. We couldn’t just jump in and begin; it required an education. We relocated our family to attend Bible College, which lasted six years, in a state ten hours away from our family and home church. While there, it felt like forever. We wanted to serve God on the mission field, our children were growing up right before our eyes, and the clock was ticking away. Our time there ended when we sent our oldest child off to college.

Could we begin ministry after that? No. We needed to attend training through our mission organization and raise financial funds so that we could serve God in missions. That took five more years. Before finally leaving for Japan, we sent another child off to college. We had hoped to serve as a family of six, but we are now down to a family of four.

  Did we struggle with frustration? Yes. Did we ever consider giving up during those eleven years? Yes. Those ‘waiting’ times were not wasted. God used them to help us persevere, grow in our relationship with Him, and learn to rely on Him for all of our needs. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26

God says He is good to those who wait for Him and seek Him. We saw that in our own lives. If we had tried to take shortcuts or give up, we would not have experienced His goodness in the same way. While it was not easy, it was necessary. He was preparing us for what was to come. If we had not had these periods of waiting, God could not have shaped and molded us to be used for His plan and glory.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

While none of us wants to go through trials and hardships, they are necessary for our growth, just as waiting is. If we didn’t go through them, we would stay the same. Through being tested by fire, we are refined like gold, removing all our impurities. As Christians, we are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). This refining is part of that process.

I don’t know about you, but as hard as the process is, I don’t want to stay the same; I want to be supernaturally changed for God’s glory and purpose.

There were some wasted years, but when we surrendered the time to God, we finally realized there was much to learn in the waiting.

What about you? Are you in a waiting period? What is God teaching you? Don’t waste this time.

“God, you want me to do what?” I have asked God this question multiple times in my life. A few years ago, He made it very clear that He wanted me to write a book to help women struggling with their brokenness and past, as I had. The conversation went something like this: “Who will want to read anything I write? I may like to write, but that doesn’t mean I am any good at it. How will I have time to do that?” I had many excuses. God listened and waited patiently, which totaled about five years for my obedience. I have trouble waiting ten minutes for my kids to be obedient. God is not like us; He is full of grace and mercy for His children.

Have you ever had a dream? Or maybe God asks you to do something. Did you accomplish it? We all like to dream, but some of us don’t want to put in the work to achieve our dreams. We would rather they drop in our laps and escape doing the hard work that is needed.

If we want lives that glorify God in obedience, it doesn’t happen overnight. Just as the work it takes to sculpt our bodies to resemble the model in the post we just scrolled by, it takes time and effort. We have to be disciplined. Oh, there’s that dirty word many of us don’t like. Anything worth doing will require time and effort to accomplish. To cultivate a strong relationship with God, we must be disciplined in opening our Bibles each day and spending time with our heavenly Father in prayer. It just doesn’t happen because we attend church once a week; it requires intentionality.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, Paul uses the analogy of running a physical race to compare it to our spiritual walk with the Lord. He mentions that an athlete must exercise self-control and discipline to achieve the prize. We can’t expect to win a race if we sit on the couch. We also can’t expect to have strong faith during tough times if we never read our Bibles, pray, attend church, or serve God in the good times.

The reason I was finally able to submit to God in obedience and begin writing for Him was because of the relationship I had cultivated with Him over the years through discipline. It didn’t happen instantly. My faith and trust in God eradicated the fear and doubts that Satan tried to plant. Has it been easy? No. Satan has actually been on the rampage, attacking my family as I have stepped out in obedience. I have sat and stared at a blank screen to write, but no thoughts come, or the words flow, yet I am constantly distracted. Have I given up? No. My obedience requires discipline. I’m not even sure if God will publish this book, but I know He wants me to write it. So, I will continue to say yes and move forward with each step. There may be setbacks, but I will continue forward.

What about you? Are you prepared to do the work it takes for your life to glorify God and, by doing so, be a good representation of Him to those around you? It takes discipline. This is something you will never regret investing your time in if you do. What can you do today to begin? Start small if you need to. Something is better than nothing. Celebrate each achievement and don’t dwell on setbacks; instead, learn from them. Don’t procrastinate. Start today.

What is God asking you to do? What is holding you back?

Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Honestly, I’d love to meet the person who came up with that line in a back alley and give them a piece of my mind. Okay, that sounds a little intense—and no, I’m not talking about actual violence. If you know me, you know I’d be pointing them to multiple Scriptures about how our words are meant to be loving, encouraging, and used to build others up.

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:6 (NIV).

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV).

Our words have power. They can build others up or tear them down. They can, like a fire, corrupt the whole body if we allow them. As believers, we have a responsibility to use our words to encourage others and point them to Christ, not push them away or scar them.

If only the people in my life had chosen to follow what God said about our words when I was younger. Instead, their careless and cutting words left deep marks. The hurtful words shaped me into a little girl who was insecure, shy, and hesitant to trust. Maybe you’ve felt that too. Perhaps someone’s gossip, harsh criticism, or cruel words have echoed in your heart far longer than they should have. Words can do that. If we start to believe them, they can change how we see ourselves and even how we live, if we start to believe them.

But here’s the good news: words don’t have to define who you are! When we know who we are in Christ, we can allow God to define us. You are loved, chosen, forgiven, and created for a purpose only you can fulfill.

• You are loved by Christ. (John 3:16, Galatians 2:20)
• You are forgiven. (1 John 1:9, Colossians 2:13)
• You are redeemed.  (Isaiah 45:1-3 Galatians 3:13-14, 4:5 Ephesians 1:7)
• You were chosen for a purpose.  (1 Peter 2:9 Colossians
• You are a new person. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• You are made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:27)

The next time someone’s words wound you, remember the truth about what God says about you.

We’ve all believed words that wounded us. What’s one thing someone said about you that God had to rewrite?

For many of us, the first thing we inevitably do when we wake up is look at our phones. We start doom-scrolling and see all the smiling faces and happy families who seem to have it all together. Or so it seems. They go on fabulous vacations and have awesome homes and possessions, and then suddenly, the life and possessions you were content with five minutes ago are no longer good enough. You immediately feel as if something is wrong with your life. Your joy is there one minute and gone the next.

           But we never truly know what’s going on in someone else’s life. For that reason, we have to be very careful not to compare ourselves to others. Everyone has struggles. Everyone has secrets. No one is perfect. If we were all perfect, Jesus would not have had to come down from His throne to suffer, die, and save us. But He did. Why? Because we are all far from flawless. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

            This isn’t just a modern-day problem, either. Paul went through many struggles as he served the Lord. He was beaten, stoned, and imprisoned. He had to balance ministry and work, and at other times, his Christian brothers and sisters financially supported him. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote about how God provided for him and how he rejoiced even though the church of Philippi had wanted to help but had no opportunity to do so. He wasn’t upset about this. Instead, Paul learned to be content:

           “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

            What was Paul’s secret to contentment in every circumstance? Paul believed that when he relied on Christ, He would strengthen him. We need to not look to ourselves or others for contentment, but to Christ. Nothing on this earth can give us complete contentment.

            You may be thinking, “Yeah, but how do I do that, Amy?” Sit down, pray, and ask the Lord to reveal to you what you’re discontent about or what is weighing you down. Then grab a notebook or your note app on your favorite device and start writing down everything that pops into your head. Next, one by one, pray over them and ask God to disclose to you what you need to do about them. Do you need to delete an app or schedule screen time to prevent excessive use on your device? Maybe distance yourself from that friend? Whatever it is you need to do, follow through so that you can move forward in healing.

            In our world of instant gratification, it can be very easy to rush this process. Don’t. Spend a few weeks praying. Then, after you have written them all down, pray over them and ask God to help you surrender them to Him. If you wrote them on paper, consider burning them one by one in a fire pit, praying and releasing each one to the Lord. Try your best to let go of them. Sometimes, performing a physical act can be very helpful in the healing process. If you continue to struggle with a few things, don’t worry; that just means you are human. Stop, pray, and surrender them to God again.

            Right now, make a conscious decision to stop comparing yourself to others. Whether it is your circumstances, home, career, family, or your healing progression, stop. Focus on what you can be thankful for.

We all wrestle with discontentment sometimes. What’s a truth or verse that helps you refocus your heart?

The root of bitterness and anger threatened to overtake me. As I pulled one up from the roots, it seemed three more replaced it. They spread throughout my life, hurting those I love. It was driving me mad. How could I stop it?

The Lord convicted me that I needed to give the gift that is sometimes silent. It is a gift more for the giver than for the recipient and transforms the one who gives. The gift is forgiveness. The person who receives it doesn’t always even know that it was given. They may have been living their lives not even knowing that it needed to be received. But the giver knew. Everyone around them knew.  You see, when we don’t forgive that person from childhood, that family member, abuser, co-worker, or spouse, it only hurts us.

There are two reasons it is so important to forgive. First, Jesus commands us to forgive. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15.  I don’t know about you, but I want God’s forgiveness; I need God’s forgiveness. 

What does this verse say we need to do in order to be forgiven? We must forgive others. Jesus gives us no option here. He didn’t say, If you feel like it today, or If they apologize. He says, “If you forgive others their trespasses” with no conditions attached. Plain and simple, if we want forgiveness for our sins, we must forgive those who have hurt us. I know this is hard, but God never asks us to do anything He doesn’t already know we are capable of doing. When we forgive others, we are also setting ourselves free from the bondage we create for ourselves. Whatever someone has done to you, God can help you to forgive. I know there is no way I could have forgiven those who have hurt me in my past without His help. You are not alone on this journey.

Did you ever think of unforgiveness as a sin? Anything that we do that is against God’s laws or standards is a sin. If God tells you not to do something and you do it, that thing is a sin. If God tells you to do something and you don’t, then that is a sin.  So, when God tells you to forgive, and you don’t, you are sinning. When we sin, it is like cancer in our lives. It spreads and affects everything. There are many misconceptions about sin that we can convince ourselves of. There is no such thing as a ‘little sin’. It is a lie that we believe our sin of unforgiveness does not hurt others.

 As I said, it is like cancer when we don’t forgive others. How does unforgiveness change our lives? We can become angry and bitter. Why? Because we feel the person who wronged us isn’t getting what they deserve. We think they are getting away with it scot-free.  This frustrates us and eats us up inside. Meanwhile, they have moved on and are living their lives as if nothing happened. As we allow these feelings to build up inside of us, they need to escape. They need somewhere to go. Like a volcano, we finally explode, and who do we explode on? Those whom we love the most are completely innocent. They are victims of circumstances. They have no idea why we are angry with them and yelling. They don’t know why we are bitter. They don’t know why they have to walk on eggshells when they are around us, for fear that they will say or do something that will set us off. This is the second reason we need to forgive. While we do not intend to or want to hurt our loved ones, the sad truth is that when we don’t forgive, that is exactly what we do.

You may feel it is impossible, but with God’s help, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). Surrender this struggle to God today and ask Him to help you extend forgiveness. He is faithful and will help you. There is no way I could have ever done this in my own strength, as I have had to forgive others in my life again and again. From abusers to family members to my rapist. God helped me, and He can help you.

Don’t spend another day in bondage to your unforgiveness. Each day we do is another day Satan has victory in our lives. I do not know about you, but I have given him too many days. No more! I want to live each day filled with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, rather than being consumed by anger and bitterness. How about you? Share how the Lord helped you forgive that person in your life to encourage others. If you are still struggling, let us know so we can pray for you.

At the age of seven, on the blacktop at recess—surrounded by loud kids playing jump rope, basketball, and jacks—the feeling of loneliness was strong. It was just another day of being left out. I hadn’t been picked for a team or a game. Again. So I sat alone, believing no one liked me, no one cared, and maybe no one ever would. That became my identity

Fast forward a few years. I remember clearly, as a teenager, walking down the crowded high school halls, catching the glares and whispers of other students. They pointed. Rumors were spreading about me. It didn’t matter that they weren’t true. Others believed them. And eventually, so did I. I was a slut. No one would ever want me. That became my identity.

As I got older, the belief that everyone saw me through the lens of those lies, even when they didn’t, shaped everything: how I saw myself, how I thought others saw me. I wanted to be accepted. I wanted to be liked. So I made choices—poor ones—that, sadly, seemed to confirm those lies. I was worthless. I was no good. And that, too, became my identity.

I remember clearly the day my son left for college. I still had three children at home, but I felt as if I was having an identity crisis. I had given up having a career to stay home so that I could homeschool and raise my children. Now that the first had left, I felt as if a piece of me had left, and it revealed a deeper problem. Day after day, I struggled to get out of bed and complete my daily routine. I could not understand what was wrong with me. I still had three children to take care of; it was not like I had nothing to do or was alone. I thought I was losing my mind.

Then one day, the Lord unveiled my problem. I had placed my identity in being a mom. What gave me worth and made me feel complete was all wrapped up in taking care of my children. Once the realization that this season was being taken away from me, I no longer knew who I was. I was having a crisis.

What is your identity?  Is it based on your title at your company? Is it what you have done in the past? Or is it based on being a mom and a wife? 

When we base our identity on our jobs, our relationships, past mistakes, or even our hobbies, we run into trouble. Why? First of all, we have to base them on the truth. As you read, you’ll see that some of the things I based my identity on were lies. The second problem is that our identity is sometimes based on the temporal. They are based on things that are here today and gone tomorrow. You could lose your job, your kids grow up, or you could lose a loved one. We need to base our identity on something that will last and never fade away. You may say, “Amy, everything fades.” You would be correct. Everything that is on this earth fades away. I am speaking of something that is not of this earth.

 What is your identity in Christ? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

We Are a New Person

When we become Christians, we are no longer the person we were before.  We are a new person in Christ.  We are not slaves to our old sins or struggles that kept us in bondage. Let that really sink in. You are a new creation. Whatever you did in the past, whatever might have happened to you in your past, no longer defines you. For example, because of my past sin, I had aligned my identity with that, and I believed I was a slut, worthless, and useless. I also felt like a victim because of what had been done to me. This became my identity, but it wasn’t the truth.

Because of this deceitful thought process, my actions were a result of what and who I believed I was. I had no confidence or belief that I could do anything good or worthy of the Lord. I felt I was of no help or worth to anyone. I lived in defeat. Each day, I woke up thinking I was too useless to succeed at anything I tried. My thoughts were filled with lies, such as no one will ever give me a chance. I will never amount to anything. Who could ever love me? I am a loser. And on and on the deceitful spiraling thoughts went.

I allowed myself to go to a dark place, where it shouldn’t have been. It is hard to get back from that place, but not impossible. Nothing is ever impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

When I believed and trusted that I was a new person in Christ, rather than the person I was, I could become the person God created me to be. The lies I had believed kept me from that.

What lies do you believe that you have conformed your identity to? We need to leave the past behind us and start anew with God’s help.

As I drove down the road running errands, my thoughts suddenly turned against me. Memories and lies from my past taunted me like a horror movie on repeat, with me as the unwilling star. I had already confessed my sins. I believed God forgave me, just as 1 John 1:9 promises. So why did my past still feel like it had power over me?

Maybe you’ve felt the same. The enemy whispers lies, trying to keep us chained to shame so we won’t walk in the freedom Christ has already secured. Living like that feels like prison. You know you’re not whole. Depression, anxiety, and comparison creep in, and joy feels far out of reach. You may even become an expert at disguising the ache inside, so no one knows how broken you really feel.

But there is hope, sweet friend. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV) Through Christ, we are forgiven, redeemed, and given a brand-new identity. You are no longer who you once were. God has declared you new.

Still, the battle often begins in our minds. When old lies surface, we are called to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ, just as 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us. That means replacing lies with truth, not just knowing what Scripture says, but believing it enough to live by it.

God says you are redeemed from your sins. Through the cross, Christ took the punishment you and I deserved and set us free from sin’s curse, as Galatians 3:13–14 explains. He also says you are chosen. You were created intentionally, for Him and His glory, as Colossians 1:15–16 affirms. He designed you with purpose, to proclaim His goodness so others may find hope too, as 1 Peter 2:9 declares. And you are deeply loved. John 3:16 and Galatians 2:20 remind us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. As unthinkable as that is, God’s love goes even further. Jesus, perfect and sinless, took the penalty you and I rightfully owed. That is the mystery and wonder of the gospel.

You are also justified. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Because of our sin, we deserve death and separation from God, yet through faith in Christ, we are declared righteous. Romans 3:21–26 and Romans 5:1 assure us that Jesus’ sacrifice brings peace with God. Romans 5:9 promises that we are saved from wrath, and Romans 8:1 boldly declares that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because of His grace, we no longer carry the penalty for sin but instead live with the promise of eternal life.

When you remember these truths, the enemy loses his grip. He cannot define you. Your past cannot imprison you. God has already declared who you are in Him, and His Word has the final say.

Stop looking over your shoulder at who you were, but instead look forward, stay in the present, and embrace the person God has created you to be.  Lift your eyes to Jesus, stay present with Him today, and embrace the woman God has created you to be.

 Sin. That three-letter word that has haunted humankind since Adam and Eve surrendered to temptation in the garden. It is our past sin that creeps in and turns our dreams into nightmares at night. It disturbs our thoughts as we drive, play with our kids, or take a shower. Our past sin replays in our minds like a flashback in a movie that we cannot pause or erase.

Why can’t we move forward? What keeps us stuck reliving it? Let us look and see what God says about sin and get to the bottom of it.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Sin cannot enter heaven. In order to enter, we must be pardoned for all of our wrongdoing. When we do things, why do we need forgiveness? Our sin separates us from God. God is perfect and righteous, so those who lie, commit sexual sin, steal, or put other things before God are in sin.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Corinthians 6:9a

 If we are truly sorry for our sins, that means we have asked for forgiveness and are trying not to sin anymore; another word for this is repentance. God will forgive us. He is a faithful Father and just judge. He will cleanse us from all our wrongdoings. We can trust Him to keep His word.

Unlike people in our lives, God will not bring it back up and hold it against us. Once we have asked Him for forgiveness, it is finished.

Many religions believe that you can earn your way into heaven. Their faith is based on works; if you do enough good works to outweigh the bad, you will be allowed in.

Christianity is different. Let us examine what God says about our works.

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” Isaiah 64:6

When Isaiah compares our righteous deeds to a polluted garment, he is actually referring to menstrual rags. Yes, you read correctly, our blood-soaked tampons or pads. Remember, in Biblical times, they had to use cloth garments. Keep that image in your mind. All the good works we do to be good enough and earn our salvation are like those monthly blood-soaked tampons and pads.

For years, I served as much as I could and tried to atone for my sins through my good works. All it did was leave me burnt out, weary, and wanting. I never felt good enough or worthy of God’s forgiveness. No matter what I was told or what I read, I felt as if I had to ‘do’ something. Then I read Ephesians 2:8-9.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Grace is God’s unmerited favor, which cannot be earned, and we do not deserve.

Through our faith in God, we are saved. It’s that easy. Why do we complicate it?

If we did have to earn it, can you imagine the arrogance of Christians? Sin would abound as we boasted about how much more we deserved our salvation over others. We serve and do good works because we love God and want to glorify Him, not because our Salvation is dependent upon it.

Friend, if you are struggling with your sin, ask God to forgive you today. Don’t hold on to it any longer. He is a patient Father waiting for you.

If you are burning yourself out striving to earn your way to heaven, stop. Ask God to forgive you and trust in His grace. Jesus’ sacrifice was enough.

What do you wish someone had told your younger self so you might not have struggled with your sin or doing ‘good work’ to earn your way into heaven?