We all long for lasting peace and stability, whether we’re healing from painful memories, grieving a recent loss, or simply trying to find a quiet path forward in a chaotic world.
So today on the 4:13, author Anh Lin vulnerably shares how she rebuilt her life following the instability and trauma of her early years. With Christ as her new foundation, she assembled a framework for her life anchored in biblical truth—the beginnings of her “forever home.”
It’s time to discover the beautiful truth of how God thinks about you. God doesn’t just tolerate you; He loves you fiercely, and His thoughts toward you are full of grace and mercy.
Understanding this truth changes everything, my friend!
So today, author Lisa Bevere shines a spotlight on God’s audacious love for you. And when you get a glimpse of His love, it will give you a boost of confidence grounded in your identity and your relationship with Him.
In 2006, I was a guest on the Dr. Phil Show. Oh my gosh, girl! It was a fantastic experience full of surprises and expectations. I expected to have a pre-interview with a producer. I expected to have a totally interesting and slightly intimidating experience on set. I expected to have my make-up professionally done there in the studio. I expected cameras, questions and lots of nerves! I didn’t expect to talk to Dr. Phil personally offstage though. And if I did get to meet him, I expected him to be hurried and professional but not as engaging in private as he was on TV.
Well, most of my expectations were correct. I pre-interviewed with a producer. There were cameras, professional make-up (thank you, Lord), lots of questions and even more nerves! But, what I expected from Dr. Phil personally was not what I got! I expected him to be hurried. And, even though he was in a hurry, he wasn’t rushed. He was warm and casual. I expected him to be more guarded or distant in person than he seems to be on TV. Nope, he was so engaging and genuinely personally interested in me. I was totally thrown off – he was not who I expected him to be.
“I needed God to rescue me. I couldn’t rescue myself.” -Hannah J.
Hannah was stuck.
What started as a choice had become a chain. Fear enslaved her.
Dear Jennifer,
I am leading your Missing Pieces Bible study at my church. We need some clarification on the conclusion of Day 1 of Week 1.
One lady on the first night shared that one of the questions she has of God is, “Why do I suffer with all this pain? I’m not old enough to hurt so bad.”
The next night we read that you wrote, “We often assume God’s apparent inactivity in our situation is evidence of His neglect [so far, so good, but . . .] when it really may be His way of showing compassion to protect you, provide for you, or preserve you.”
Help us understand how your quote relates to that lady’s question. Thanks a bunch. We had 23 show up for our first session. Praise His holy name!
Michelle
