In a 2010 interview, Eunice Sandborn, age 114, said she had a happy life. She didn’t have any complaints. She believed complaining was a choice, and in her 114 years, there were times she had to choose not to complain. Eunice was content as she celebrated her birthday making her the oldest living person in the world.
The Search for Contentment
It seems Eunice had found contentment. We all search for it. Some look for it in a big home, there are those who look for it in how many cars they own, and still others search for contentment in a bank account balance. Being content is a desire we all share, and Scripture encourages us to find our contentment in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:6 says, “Don’t love money. Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Finding Contentment
Life has seasons of plenty and seasons of need. The writer of Hebrews reminds us the Lord is with us in both seasons. We may even find the most contentment in the leanest of seasons.
The words of Hebrews 13:6 point to the complete reliability of God and his promises. God’s people can count on him no matter what comes.
Remember, wherever you are in life today, the Lord is saying to you, “I will never fail you. I will not abandon you.”
He rarely receives the attention given to believers such as Peter and Paul, yet Barnabas had much influence on the early church. He truly lived up to his name, which means “son of encouragement,” and left a legacy worthy of modeling.
Amid his generosity and faithfulness, we see that Barnabas believed in people. When others were skeptical of Paul, Barnabas welcomed him (Acts 9:26-27). When John Mark experienced failure, Barnabas gave him another opportunity (Acts 15:36-39). Again and again, Barnabas chose encouragement over criticism.
I think we can agree the world has plenty of critics. What it desperately needs are encouragers. People who lift others up, and see potential where others see failure. People who offer hope when discouragement threatens to take over. The world is in need of encouragers, and every Christian has the opportunity to be like Barnabas.
We have the opportunity to offer encouragement. It may be:
A kind word.
A supporting prayer.
A note of encouragement.
These simple actions can change the course of someone’s day and perhaps even their life.
Friends, channel your inner Barnabas. Ask God to help you become an encourager. Your encouragement may be a simple act, but have an impact greater than you will ever know.
His son was in trouble, and the father’s world was rocked almost to its core. Mark tells us an evil spirit had seized the boy and would often cause him to have convulsions. This would often cause the boy to fall into fire or water. The dad had faith, but his faith had been pulled to its very end. He couldn’t see a way out of this circumstance. Filled with desperation, he cried out to Jesus.
As they were explaining the situation to Jesus, the people said, “The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us if you can.’ ‘What do you mean if I can,’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes,” records Mark 9:22-23.
Then verse 24 states, “The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief!”
No Relief
His son was enduring a horrific problem, and this dad’s world was shaking violently as he was amid a monstrous trial. We know he requested the disciples help, and we can assume he sought help elsewhere. Nothing was working though. No matter where he turned it seemed there was no end to this father’s crisis. Day after day, night after night, seizure after seizure the boy’s condition continued, and it seemed there was no relief from the crisis. Can you relate?
Our world is rocked by a trial. As our world trembles, we search for solid footing, but we can’t find it. The longer we seek a solution, the more discouraged we become. We believe the Lord has a plan, but our eyes are blurred by the current season so we can’t see how to get through it. In these moments, Scripture suggests we follow the example of the father. We seek wisdom from the Lord to help us.
James 1:5-8 encourages, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
The Way Out
While we may not see it today, we can have confidence the Lord will lead us out of our crisis. The way out may not be immediate. It may involve several steps, but the Lord will get us there. We know he will because he has helped so many before us.
Remember how he helped the people of Israel. They were headed out of their trial in Egypt. They needed to cross the Red Sea, so God made the wind blow. They needed water, so the Lord made it pour out of a rock. The people needed to eat, so God made manna fall from Heaven. There were several steps in ending the trial, but the Lord showed Israel the way.
Jesus stopped the father’s world from shaking. Jesus released the grip of the evil spirit. In 9:25-27, Mark records, “He said, ‘I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again.’ Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion, and left him. The boy appeared to be dead…. But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.” The trouble was over. The boy was free and the father’s crisis ended because of Jesus.
If your world is shaking today and you do not see how the Lord is going to get you through this crisis, remember he will. He has helped people get through, and he will help you. Echo the words of the father, “I do believe, but help me Lord because I don’t see it right now.”
Pip: Get Encouraged lives up to its name this week — Chris Miller has been busy covering the kind of territory most of us navigate quietly: doubt, invisibility, setbacks, and the stubborn ordinary Tuesday.
Mara: Right — the posts move through questions we bring to God, what it means to feel unseen, and how to find footing when plans fall apart or a new start feels daunting. Let's begin with what it looks like to bring our doubts to the right place.
Growth and a Teachable Heart
Pip: The question here is whether doubt disqualifies us — or whether what we do with our questions is what actually matters.
Mara: The Thomas story makes the case directly. Jesus doesn't turn him away; he shows up and says, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
Pip: So the posture is: bring the hard question to the right person, not away from him. Thomas's doubt became a doorway, not a dead end.
Mara: "A Teachable Heart" extends that same logic beyond doubt into daily growth. It quotes Proverbs: "Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser." The obstacle to growth, the post argues, is believing we have nothing left to learn.
Pip: Doubt and teachability turn out to be the same coin — both require admitting we don't have the full picture yet.
Mara: On to what happens when that picture includes feeling completely invisible.
Overlooked but Seen
Pip: This segment sits with a specific ache — working hard, caring faithfully, and receiving exactly zero acknowledgment for it.
Mara: "You Are Noticed" addresses that directly. Jesus says, "Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." The post lists who this covers: the caregiver, the behind-the-scenes volunteer, the worker doing honest daily tasks.
Pip: There's something quietly countercultural about that. The whole post is essentially arguing that the unwitnessed act is not the wasted act.
Mara: And the companion piece — the podcast episode on feeling overlooked — extends the same encouragement in audio form for anyone who'd rather listen than read. The throughline is the same: faithfulness in secret still registers with God.
Pip: From being seen to figuring out where to go when the ground shifts — that's the next stretch.
Change, Setbacks, and New Starts
Pip: This is the biggest territory in the episode — what to do when the plan collapses, the start line resets, or an ordinary day feels like it's going nowhere.
Mara: "Ordinary Days Have Extraordinary Opportunities" opens with a verse from Zechariah: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin." David tending sheep, the disciples at their nets, a boy with a lunch — the examples are all people who didn't know they were mid-story.
Pip: So the ordinary Tuesday isn't a waiting room. It's already the thing.
Mara: "When the Plan Changes" picks up the harder version of that — when the ordinary day becomes a derailed one. It quotes Proverbs 19:21: "You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail." Ruth leaving her homeland, Paul's rerouted journeys — redirection reframed as protection or preparation.
Pip: And then there's "The Courage to Begin Again," which is for the person who isn't just rerouted but fully starting over — job gone, relationship ended, dream dissolved.
Mara: It leans on Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." The point isn't that the path is clear — it's that the company is reliable.
Pip: "Look Beyond Today's Pain to Tomorrow" carries that further — holding pain and hope in the same frame, the cross as the model for how suffering isn't the final sentence.
Mara: Psalm 118:6 anchors it: "The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear." The post's argument is that present pain doesn't get the last word, even when we can't see what comes next.
Pip: Doubt, invisibility, setbacks — turns out the thread running through all of it is the same question: is anyone paying attention?
Mara: And the consistent answer across all of it is yes — whether it's Thomas getting a direct response, or the unseen caregiver, or the person restarting from scratch.
“I don’t know what to say” has been my thought many times. A loved one or close friend is hurting, and I can’t manufacture words to ease the pain. Can you relate?
When people are hurting, we often feel pressure to find the perfect words. We want to say something that will remove the pain or answer every question, but often, that isn’t possible. Our words fail, but there is still a way we can help. We can show up. This can be one of the greatest gifts we offer.
“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep,” encourages Romans 12:15.
There’s power in our presence. It alone speaks volumes, so we don’t have to have the perfect words. Our presence says…
“I’m here.”
“I care for you.”
“I’m going to walk with you through this.”
We see Jesus live this idea out through his ministry. Before saying anything, Jesus often showed up and had compassion on the person.
Friends, don’t underestimate the power of your presence.
A hospital visit.
A phone call.
A handwritten note.
A conversation over coffee.
These simple actions may seem small, but they communicate an important message:
“You are not alone.”
Many people are carrying burdens others cannot see. Your willingness to simply show up may become one of the greatest encouragements they receive, so don’t underestimate the power of presence.
Sometimes, the greatest way we can express our love is by showing up.
One of the greatest obstacles to growth is the belief that we have nothing left to learn. Think about how much things change at work. The tools we use, the methods we follow, and the technology available to us are constantly evolving. We have to keep learning if we want to keep up, so we keep learning. What if we approached life in the same way?
The Bible encourages us to continually learn.
“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more” (Proverbs 9:9).
Work is just one of the places we have to learn. Life is always offering a lesson, and one of the greatest qualities we can possess is a teachable spirit.
God often uses experiences, Scripture, circumstances, and other people to teach us valuable lessons. The question is whether we are willing to listen and learn.
A teachable person remains open to correction. They understand they do not have all the answers. They welcome opportunities to grow. This attitude is essential in the Christian life.
It seems the Lord continually works to refine our character and strengthen our faith. These lessons can be encouraging, but they can also be tiring. The challenge for us is to keep learning.
Friends, we should ask God for a teachable heart. The Lord can do amazing work through someone who is willing to learn.
You work hard every day, but it seems everyone else receives the recognition and praise.
You’re constantly on the move to care for your home and family, but you don’t even receive a grunt of thanks from your spouse.
You give it your all, but it seems no one notices. It can be discouraging, and if this is you, the Bible offers encouragement.
Jesus says, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (Matthew 6:4). These few words offer much encouragement.
Our culture celebrates visibility. We’re encouraged to seek attention, yet much of the Christian life takes place where few people are watching. It can be…
A quiet prayer.
An unseen act of kindness.
A faithful commitment that no one else recognizes.
These moments matter, and Jesus teaches that our Heavenly Father sees what is done in secret. Nothing goes unnoticed.
Dwell on this for a second. This is really encouraging!
If you are…
The person caring for a loved one. The Lord notices your compassion, love, and dedication.
The volunteer serving behind the scenes. The Lord sees your commitment and dedication even when others don’t.
The worker performing daily tasks with integrity. The Lord applauds your honesty and hard work.
The Christian quietly living out their faith. The Lord recognizes your daily faithfulness.
If you feel overlooked today, remember that your faithfulness is never wasted. The God who sees in secret values every act of obedience done for his glory.
You’re not alone. Many people have questions, and the Lord welcomes our questions. Jesus shows us this truth in his response to Thomas.
Thomas struggled to believe because he wanted certainty. He wanted evidence. When he learned of Christ’s resurrection, Thomas said, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (John 20:25).
Instead of rejecting Thomas, Jesus met him where he was.
“Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:26-27).
Christ graciously provided what Thomas needed and strengthened his faith.
Many believers experience seasons of questions and uncertainty. We wonder why God allowed a certain situation. We struggle to understand his timing. We wrestle with difficult circumstances. As we do, Jesus meets us just as he did Thomas.
Questions do not automatically indicate weak faith. What matters is what we do with them. Thomas brought his doubts to the right person, and we should as well.
God invites us to seek Him honestly and sincerely. Scripture says, “Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8). The Lord desires for us to come as we are, which includes bringing our questions. The more we draw near to him, the more we discover that he is trustworthy.
If you have questions today, don’t run from God. Rather, run to him. The Savior who welcomed Thomas still welcomes searching hearts today.
I’m a planner. I like to know what is happening and when. I do my best to have the day planned, but sometimes, the best made plans are interrupted. A well-planned day becomes chaotic, and I have to remind myself of a truth found in Scripture.
I believe many others can relate. We set goals, establish timelines, and imagine how life will unfold, yet sometimes, all the plans fall apart. When they do, we can stand on this truth: “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21).
Sometimes, God moves us in a different direction. Doors close, opportunities disappear, and what we thought was perfectly planned changes. These changes can feel disappointing; however, God’s redirection is often his protection or preparation. Ruth likely never imagined leaving her homeland would lead her into God’s greater purpose. Paul’s missionary journeys included numerous changes and unexpected turns. God uses every detour for good. Romans 8:28 reminds us the Lord works all things for the good of those who love him.
When plans change, we may be tempted to panic. Instead, we can choose to trust.
God sees roads we cannot see, and he knows exactly where he wants to lead us.
Friends, a changed direction does not mean God has abandoned his purpose for your life. It may simply mean he is guiding you toward something better.
Are you waiting for the next big moment? It seems many people spend their lives waiting for something remarkable to happen. They look forward to special opportunities, major accomplishments, or life-changing moments, and while there is great joy in these moments, most of life is lived in ordinary days. Anticipating these events can be exciting, but the Bible encourages us not to overlook the power of the ordinary day.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” (Zechariah 4:10).
Most of life is lived in ordinary moments. We wake up, go to work, complete responsibilities, spend time with family, and carry out routines that may appear insignificant. Yet, God often accomplishes his greatest purposes through ordinary days. Just look at some examples from Scripture.
David was tending sheep when God was preparing him for leadership.
The disciples were engaged in everyday work when Jesus called them to follow him.
A small boy offered a simple lunch that Jesus used to feed thousands.
God delights in using ordinary people, ordinary circumstances, and ordinary days for extraordinary purposes. We should never assume that a day is unimportant simply because it seems routine.
A conversation may encourage someone who is struggling.
A prayer may impact a situation more than you realize.
A small act of obedience may open the door to something much greater.
Today may seem ordinary, but when placed in God’s hands, ordinary days can become opportunities for eternal impact.
Friends, don’t overlook the ordinary. Ask the Lord to help you recognize the opportunities placed before you today.
