InstaEncouragements Blog

3 Things the Bible Doesn’t Say About Quiet Time

9/30/2022

From my earliest memories of growing up in the church, I remember that having a personal quiet time was strongly emphasized. Because of this and my desire to be a “good Christian,” I believed a daily quiet time was at the top of my checklist of how to please the Lord. However, more often than not I found myself failing in this area. Truth be told, I still do at times.

There are definitely seasons where I am committed and consistent in personal Bible study. And then, some subtle shift or change takes place, and months later I wake to wonder where my desire and resolve have gone.

I don’t believe I am alone in this. We all go through periods like this. It’s no wonder that so many believers are left feeling like failures in this area. Of course, we ought to take time to reflect on our priorities and possible idols when we find ourselves in such patterns.

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The Myth of Control

8/26/2022

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My daughter Emersyn is finishing her swim lessons for the summer. It’s been rewarding to see her progress as both her skill and #confidence have grown. As I’ve had a front-row seat to her #frustrations and #successes throughout this process, it’s reinforced to me a part of her personality that I can relate to. In one of her early #lessons, her #teacher remarked to me that our greatest hurdle in helping Emersyn become a better swimmer would be #encouraging her to give up the illusion of #control.

My daughter Emersyn is currently finishing up her swimming lessons for the summer. It’s been very rewarding to see her progress as both her skill and confidence have grown. As I’ve had a front-row seat to her frustrations and successes throughout this process, it’s reinforced to me a part of her personality that I can relate to.

In one of her early lessons, her teacher remarked to me that our greatest hurdle in helping Emersyn become a better swimmer would be encouraging her to give up the illusion of control.

As her mom, I’ve seen this struggle manifest itself in many ways — her reluctance to go down the slide at the playground, hesitation in her interactions with our new puppy, unwillingness to jump from a higher step or platform unless I am holding her hand.

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4 Ways to Love Someone Who is Grieving

7/29/2022

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Loss. Sorrow. Grief. Whether they happen to us directly or to those we love, they are frequent and regular parts of our existence in a sin-cursed world. In the last month alone, my husband and I have experienced a family member who has suffered a miscarriage, the sudden death of a beloved and faithful fellow church member, and a dear college friend of mine who abruptly lost his job and means to support his family.

Although we cannot escape grief in this life, as believers we have the blessed consolation of experiencing it very differently from those who live without God. We still grieve, but we do so with hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Even in the midst of deep pain, we have hope that God makes no mistakes, that He always keeps His promises, that He loves us and walks with us, and that one day all will be made right. He is our hope and the hope with which we can comfort others.

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Community: Why We Need Each Other

6/24/2022

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My #college years were some of the most formative in my life. The #community that I discovered there was a first for me. The #fellowship and #friendships I encountered in those years changed and grew me in all areas of my life, especially in my #Christian walk. After #graduation, I found myself desperately trying to recreate the type of #relationships and sense of #belonging I felt during college. I became #restless and #frustrated that I could not replicate this experience in the “real world.”

My college years were some of the most influential and formative in my life. I was challenged, stretched, and developed in ways that I have never experienced before.

Additionally, the community that I discovered there was a first for me. The fellowship and friendships I encountered in those years changed and grew me in all areas of my life, especially in my Christian walk.

After graduation, I found myself desperately trying to recreate the type of relationships and sense of belonging I felt during college.

Initially, I became restless and frustrated that I could not replicate this experience in the “real world.” But as the years passed I came to understand not only what a true Biblical community is but how to cultivate it.

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2 Ways God Reveals Our Sin Through Parenting

5/27/2022

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I'm a firm believer that God always gives believers His best. We are never missing out or overlooked because He never withholds good from us. Whatever season of life God brings is His best for us. Whether young or old, single or married, childless or parents, God is teaching us, growing us, and sanctifying us with His very best. In every season of life I see how He is increasing my faith and expose my heart to grow and change me. Each season builds on the last. #parenting #children #mom #family

I am a firm believer that God always gives every believer His best. We can always be assured that we are never missing out or overlooked because God never withholds good from us.

Whatever the stage and season of life God brings to us, it is His best for us. Whether young or old, single or married, childless or parents, God is teaching us, growing us, and sanctifying us with His very best.

In every season of my life so far, I can clearly see how He has used each one to increase my faith and expose my heart in order to grow me and change me.

Additionally, each season has built upon the other. Just when I think I may have discovered it all or figured it out, God shows me how much I have yet to learn.

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4 Things to Remember When Life Feels Ordinary

4/29/2022

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"Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Theodore Roosevelt’s words are undoubtedly truer now than when he first wrote them over 100 years ago. For so long, man could only compare himself and his life with those he could observe in his relatively small sphere of life. But now we have access to view and compare ourselves with the lives, accomplishments, and experiences of millions across the globe with a touch or swipe of a finger. Our ability to create discontentment and restlessness within ourselves has grown exponentially with the advent of newer technologies. And even though we know that what we see presented to us on social media platforms is often crafted and curated in such a way that it lacks true reality, we can still find ourselves feeling disappointed and somewhat underwhelmed by our present circumstances, which invariably do not measure up to those we see around us.

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4 Gospel-Centered Music Resources For Little Hearts & Minds

4/1/2022

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Of the many #gifts #God has given us, music is one of my favorites. Music has great power. It #encourages and uplifts. It brings quiet and #calm. It can #celebrate our greatest #joys and console us in our deepest #grief. Studies have shown music improves our #health. But of all the things #music can do, I find myself in awe of one in particular. Music has great power to help us #learn and #remember. Here are our family’s favorite #resources for #Gospel-centered music for #children. #momhack

Of the many gifts that God has given to His creation, music is one of my favorites. Music has great power. It can encourage and uplift. It can bring quiet and calm. It can be used to celebrate our greatest joys as well as console us in our deepest griefs. There have even been studies that show that music can improve our health. But of all the things that music can do, I find myself in awe of one in particular. Music has great power to help us learn and remember.

When I worked in a Montessori classroom with three to six-year-olds, I was amazed not only at the amount of information these young minds could retain but also at how quickly they could commit it to memory, and all because it was set to music. These little ones could easily recall the seven continents, the days of the week, the months of the year, all fifty states (in alphabetical order), and more!

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