Uncategorized

Change Can Be Beautiful: Trusting God in Every Season

The Kedge Anchor
Watch video on YouTib

Change isn’t always easy. Sometimes the seasons of life bring changes we never expected, and we struggle to understand what God is doing.

But nature reminds us that change can be beautiful.

Think about the leaves in autumn. They change colors, let go, and make room for a new season. What looks like an ending is also part of a greater cycle.

Life can bring seasons when we must let go, step into the unknown, or trust God without understanding what comes next.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a season for everything and a time for every purpose under heaven.

We may not always understand the season we’re in, but we can trust the One who sees the whole picture.

What season are you walking through today? Perhaps this is a reminder to pause, breathe, and trust God with the changes ahead.

“Change can be beautiful.

encouragement, healing, hope, Trust God

The Potter and the Clay Pt 3: Hope Beyond the Broken Pieces

The Kedge Anchor
©2026 The Kedge Anchor (AI assisted)

Welcome back.

Last week, we’ve seen how a broken pot can be restored and used again, sometimes by returning to their original purpose and this week we’ll see how sometimes God can transform us for an entirely different one.

In part 2, the pot broke to the point that it could no longer be repaired and used as it once was, to hold water for flowers. One piece had shattered into tiny fragments that could not be put back together.

But that didn’t stop the potter from restoring it.

Instead of trying to replace the missing piece, the potter left that space open, creating a hole large enough for light to shine through when a candle was placed inside. The light not only transformed the pot, but also helped illuminate the dark, cluttered corners of the house that the potter had been working to clean out.

A few days later, the potter decided to make another pot. This one would be shorter and wider, designed to hold some of his tools. After completing the entire process of kneading, sculpting, forming, and firing, the potter placed it on his worktable and began using it for its intended purpose.

Until one day, it was accidentally knocked over.

The pot fell hard from high above the floor and shattered into countless pieces. It was beyond repair. The pieces could never be put back together to make the pot it once was.

But the potter was resourceful. He didn’t want to throw the broken pieces away. He loved finding ways to restore and repurpose his work.

So he took those shattered pieces and ground them down until they became smooth, fine, silky sand.

The potter had an old wooden tray tucked away in the corner of the house, the very corner he had recently cleaned out. He brought it out and filled it with the newly ground pottery.

Then he went into his garden and chose five smooth stones to place in the sand, creating a small rock garden. He gathered a few twigs, smoothed them down, and made a tiny rake.

Now, from something that had been completely shattered, the potter had created something peaceful—a place to slow down, reflect, and calm his mind on stressful days.

The first pot taught us that the potter knew what he was creating, even when the pot itself didn’t know. It had to be pressed, molded, shaped, and literally go through the fire before the potter’s purpose could be fulfilled.

The second pot was broken, but its restoration gave it a new purpose, to shine light through the very place where something was missing.

The third was shattered beyond repair. It could never become the same pot again. Instead, it was transformed into something entirely different, a place of peace and calm.

Can you relate to the brokenness of these pots?

Do you see yourself in one of them?

Maybe you’ve experienced a time when you were so broken that you wondered if you could ever function the way you once did.

Maybe God restored you and brought you back to a place where you could once again do what you were created to do.

Or maybe your brokenness left marks that could not simply be put back together. Maybe God took those broken places and gave them a new purpose, using them to shine His light into someone else’s darkness.

And maybe you feel like the third pot. So shattered that you wonder if there could possibly be anything left for God to use.

But there is.

God can work through our brokenness. He can restore. He can transform. And He can take the pieces we thought were useless and create something we never imagined.

Romans 8:28 reminds us:

“God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.”

The brokenness hurts.

The transformation can hurt, too, as God molds us, reshapes us, and teaches us to trust Him with the pieces.

But remember this: we were created by Him and for Him.

Our brokenness does not change that.

God can use the restored places in our lives. He can use the holes. He can use the scars. He can even use the pieces we thought were too broken to matter.

Sometimes He restores us so we can return to what we were created to do.

Sometimes He gives us a completely new purpose.

And sometimes He takes the broken pieces and creates something that brings peace, not only to us, but to someone else who is walking through their own brokenness.

So invite God into your brokenness.

Give Him the pieces you cannot fix.

Allow Him to restore you. Allow Him to transform you. And trust the Potter with the process.

Because He is not finished with you.

He is our HOPE.

encouragement, healing, hope

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: The Potter and the Clay — Part 2

The Kedge Anchor

What Do We Do When Life Doesn’t Turn Out How We Expected?

©The Kedge Anchor 2026

Last week, we followed a lump of clay through the hands of a potter.

We watched as the clay was pounded and kneaded, shaped and formed on the wheel, placed on the shelf to dry, and eventually fired in the kiln.

When the potter took the finished piece from the kiln, it was ready for its intended purpose.

But the potter wasn’t finished creating.

He decided he wanted another pot.

This one would be bigger and taller, able to accommodate the flowers bursting from his garden. He wanted it to complement the first pot while adding more contrast to the room with a different shape and color.

The potter began working on the second pot.

He pounded and kneaded the clay, removing the air pockets. Then he placed it on the wheel and began to shape it.

His hands worked the clay, adding pressure and water as he formed it. He opened the center, pulled the clay upward, carefully formed the walls, shaped the lip and smoothed the edges.

When he was satisfied with the shape, he lifted the pot from the wheel and placed it on the shelf waiting for it to dry.

Days passed.

When the pot was completely dry, the potter placed it in the kiln for firing.

After the firing was complete, he waited for the kiln to cool before carefully removing the pot.

It was beautiful.

It was exactly what he had envisioned.

He filled it with flowers from his garden and placed it in the room beside the first pot.

But one day, the second pot was accidentally fell over.

It fell hard.

And it broke.

The potter gathered the pieces.

He carefully examined what was left and began putting the pieces back together. Some pieces fit perfectly. Others required more work, a little sanding here and there to smooth some rough edges. He arranged the pieces so that a hole was right in the center.

The cracks from where the pot had broken created beautiful lines. The potter painted those cracks with gold paint and added some leaves, creating a vine that wound its way around the pot. The broken pieces had become part of its beauty.

When he was finished, the pot wasn’t exactly the same as it had been before.

There were places where the broken pieces had changed its appearance. But the potter didn’t see it as ruined.

The candle’s light shone through the places where the pot had been broken and repaired.

The pot had a new purpose.

And perhaps that’s something worth remembering.

Stay tuned for Part 3. There’s more to this story.

encouragement, hope, Stress, Trust God, Uncategorized

The Potter — Part 1 – When God Is Shaping Your Life: The Potter and the Clay

The Kedge Anchor
© 2026 The Kedge Anchor

Understanding the Process When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Expected

When God created us, He had a purpose in mind.

I think about an artist creating a piece of art. An artist is usually inspired by something, and before the first brushstroke or pencil line is made, there is often a plan—a design and a purpose.

Sometimes the purpose is simply to add beauty. Sometimes it’s functional: a bowl to hold something, a cup from which to drink, a vessel to hold flowers, or a lamp to carry light.

God uses the imagery of a potter and clay to describe our relationship with Him:

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
— Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

God formed us in His image:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’”
— Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

And Scripture tells us that God has plans for us:

“For I know the plans I have for you…”
— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Think about a potter sitting down at the wheel with a lump of clay.

Straight out of the package, the clay doesn’t have much aesthetic form. It’s soft and pliable, and because it is soft, the potter can shape and mold it.

But before the potter begins, there is already a plan, a design, and a purpose in mind.

The clay is placed on the wheel and the process begins.

It is slapped down onto the wheel and pounded. It is kneaded, much like bread dough, to get the air out. The potter works the clay for a few minutes, and as the clay is kneaded, it becomes warm and softer.

Then the clay is placed back on the wheel.

The wheel begins to turn.

The potter wraps his hands around the lump of clay and begins to give it form.

Sometimes the clay begins to dry from the friction of the potter’s hands. So the potter wets his hands and adds water to the clay, continuing to shape and form it.

Then comes the pressure.

The potter applies pressure from the top, opening up the center and hollowing out the inside. Pressure from certain points on the outside creates grooves and curves, giving the piece its shape and character.

The potter forms the lip and smooths the edges. He gives the piece one final spin, checking it and looking it over.

The wheel stops.

The potter takes a piece of string, slides it underneath the newly formed pot, and lifts it from the wheel.

The pot is taken to a shelf with other pieces to dry.

And now…nothing seems to be happening.

The clay has already been through a lot—pounding, kneading, spinning, pressure from all sides, pressure from the top, being hollowed out and shaped.

Now it simply rests.

Days pass.

Other pieces come and go, but this one remains on the shelf, waiting until the potter is ready.

Then the potter takes it down.

It is dry.

It is ready for the kiln.

The temperature inside a kiln can reach more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pot may remain there for hours. The firing process is intense, but when it is complete and everything has cooled, the potter takes the piece out and prepares it for its intended use.

And I can’t help but think about how it is with us.

How many times have we felt like that lump of clay?

Pounded.

Pressed.

Shaped.

Emptied.

Stretched.

Waiting.

Maybe you’ve been in a season where it feels like God is doing something in your life, but you don’t understand what He’s doing.

Maybe you’ve experienced pressure from every direction.

Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been emptied out.

Or maybe you’re in that place where nothing seems to be happening at all.

You’re just waiting.

But the clay doesn’t know what the potter is making.

The potter does.

God sees what we cannot see.

And maybe that’s where Romans 8:28 begins to take on a little more meaning:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

Not everything that happens to us looks or feels good.

But God can work through all things.

The clay has no idea what it will become.

It only knows what it’s experiencing right now.

And sometimes, I think we’re the same way.

So pause for a moment and think about your own brokenness.

Where has it brought you?

How have you healed?

Maybe you haven’t healed yet.

Maybe you’re still in the process.

There is hope.

And there is more to this story—because there is more to our brokenness than we may realize.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

encouragement, hope, Stress, Trust God

Navigating Life’s Storms with God’s Word

The Kedge Anchor

Lighthouse #2

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Ponce Inlet Florida

I have a confession… I shared these posts in the wrong order. 🤦🏻‍♀️

But maybe that’s fitting because we are all still learning and growing. Sometimes even our little mistakes can remind us to slow down, give ourselves grace, and remember that God is still working, even in the imperfect moments.

When was the last time a situation came into your life that you weren’t expecting? Maybe you saw it coming and didn’t know how to stop it. Maybe it was completely out of your control, and there was nothing you could do to change the outcome.

Have you been there?

I know I have.

When storms come into our lives, our first instinct is often to look at the waves instead of looking for the light. We focus on what is happening around us instead of turning toward the One who is steady and faithful.

Part of the story how The Kedge Anchor got its name. Look for the short story on my social media pages,FB and IG

We see this with Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he was able to do what seemed impossible. But when he noticed the wind and the waves around him, fear began to take over.

How often do we do the same thing?

We focus on the circumstances around us, the things we cannot control, and all the “what ifs” that fill our minds.

But Jesus is still there, calling us to keep our eyes on Him and to anchor ourselves in Him.

God never asked us to navigate life’s storms alone. He has given us His Word, a light to guide us when we cannot see the way ahead.

God tells us not to worry and to trust Him. And yet, in our humanness, we still worry.

I know I have caught myself getting caught up in a situation, worrying and fretting about things I cannot control. But when I finally stop, take a breath, and turn my attention back to God, that is when I can hear His still, small voice calling me back to Him.

Matthew 6:25 reminds us:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…”

And in Matthew 6:34, Jesus reminds us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own concerns.

God’s Word contains what we need to walk through the storms this life brings our way.

 Psalms 136 remind us of God’s faithful love endures forever. 

Proverbs reminds us:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

And the Gospel reminds us of God’s unconditional love for us through Jesus – John 3:16.

I love the promise found in Matthew 28:20:

“teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (AMP). Perpetually. On every occasion. To the end of the age!!!  I love that!!!

Because when a storm hits, our faithful Father should be the first One we turn to.

So today, where are your eyes focused? Are you looking at the waves, or are you looking toward the Light?

encouragement, hope, Trust God

Finding God’s Faithfulness in Creation

The Kedge Anchor

Finding reminders of God’s faithfulness in the world around us

This is Teemu. She was barely a year old in this photo. She’s 28 now.

Have you ever wondered if God sees you? Have you felt like your prayers seem to go unanswered, your circumstances don’t make sense, and you wonder if God is paying attention? You’re not alone. Many of us have been there. I know I have. And that doesn’t mean we don’t have faith. Questions and struggles do not mean a lack faith. But we don’t have to remain trapped in doubt.

Creation reminds us that God is faithful. The birds do not wake up each morning wondering if God will provide. The squirrels in our yards do not worry about where their next meal will come from. They simply do what God created them to do, and He cares for them. Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (NIV).

Now, does that mean we will never have worries? Of course not. Job had plenty of worries. He lost his family, his health, and everything he had. He questioned, he grieved, and he struggled to understand what God was doing. But even in the middle of all that pain, Job came back to the truth that God was still in control. God is sovereign.

Job knew what it felt like to question God’s plan. He experienced deep loss and pain, yet even in his questions, he looked at creation and recognized God’s wisdom and power. He said, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8. or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.” (Job 12:7-8 NIV).

When we see the birds, the animals, the changing seasons, and all the things He has created, we are reminded that God is faithful. The same God who watches over the smallest creatures also watches over you.

My cuddle bug

Sometimes we want God to explain everything before we trust Him. We want to know the why, the when, and the how. But trust doesn’t work that way. Trust means believing that even when we don’t understand what God is doing, He understands our humanity. He knows our struggles, our questions, and our limitations. But God is still good, He is still present, and He is still in control. He most likely is using the very situation, the very season to draw you closer to Him.

God created the earth, the animals, and us, and He called it all good. He gave us the responsibility to care for His creation. The same God who cares for the birds, the fish, and all of creation cares for us too. He loves us. We are His creation.

So the next time you hear the birds singing or see the squirrels running around, maybe take a moment to remember: the Creator who cares for them is the same Creator who cares for you.

anxiety, encouragement, hope, Stress

Finding Hope in Life’s Storms: Your Guiding Light

The Kedge Anchor

Exploring the lighthouses God provides to help us navigate difficult seasons.

As I’ve been reflecting on the storms we all face at different times in our lives. I was reminded of something I wrote a couple of years ago about the lighthouses God provides along our journey.

Life’s storms can leave us feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of our next step. But even in the darkest moments, God is faithful to provide reminders of His presence, His guidance, and His love.

Imagine you are out at sea on a stormy night..

The sky is dark. There are no stars shining above to guide you. Waves are crashing around you, tossing you back and forth, and there is no land in sight. For a moment, everything feels hopeless.

Then, in the distance, you see a light.

A lighthouse.

A steady beam shining through the darkness, guiding you toward shore and safety. You let out a sigh of relief. You feel encouraged. You realize, “I’m going to be okay.”

When you finally reach the shore, the fear begins to fade. The storm may still be raging, but you know you can make it through.

Have you ever felt like you were in that storm?

I know I have.

Some storms of discouragement have been brief squalls that passed quickly. Others have lingered, leaving me feeling tossed and battered by my own thoughts or by circumstances happening around me.

During those seasons, I need something to help me. Sometimes I need someone to help me.

Whether the storm is passing quickly or seems to have settled in for a while, we all need encouragement during difficult seasons.

So I want to ask you:

Who or what do you turn to when you are navigating stormy waters? What helps you find your way when there seems to be no light, no stars, and no clear direction? Who or what are your lighthouses?

I want to make it clear: I am not a counselor, and this blog is not a substitute for professional mental health care. However, our mental, emotional, and spiritual health matter. This is simply a place of encouragement where I share things that have helped me during difficult seasons.

If you feel you need to speak with a professional counselor, I encourage you to seek one who can provide the support you need.

Over the next few posts, we’ll explore some “lighthouses” that can help us find encouragement, wisdom, and hope during life’s storms.

Lighthouse #1: Trusted Friends and Family

God created us for community.

There are times when we need to reach out to others and allow them to walk alongside us. Having a support system is not a sign of weakness; it is part of how God designed us.

For many years, there has been a stigma around mental health struggles and seeking help. Thankfully, that stigma is beginning to fade. More people are recognizing that reaching out for counseling or support during difficult seasons is not a failure — sometimes it is a wise and courageous step.

It is okay to feel sad. It is okay to feel angry, anxious, or discouraged. God created us with emotions, and He understands what we experience.

He is not surprised by our struggles. He is not angry when we feel overwhelmed. He invites us to pour out our hearts to Him.

Jesus understands our emotions because He experienced them Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, Jesus experienced deep sorrow and anguish (Matthew 26:36-46). He understands you because He created you.

More importantly, He loves you and wants to help you.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” — John 3:16

Sometimes people try to encourage us by saying, “You just need more faith.”

But faith is not about never struggling. Jesus only asks for faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Even in moments of doubt, He meets us where we are.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” — Matthew 9:23-24

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

At some point, we all face discouragement, anxiety, or seasons where we feel overwhelmed. Feeling this way does not mean you are weak or that you lack faith.

But we do need to be mindful of where those thoughts lead us. We have an enemy who wants us to doubt God’s goodness and believe we are alone. That began with the deception of Eve in Genesis 3.

You are not weak because you need encouragement.

Sometimes we simply need a lighthouse.

Sometimes we need someone to remind us that we are not alone.

Who is part of your support system? Who can you reach out to when the storm gets rough?

And if you find yourself without that support, consider finding a local Bible-believing church where you can build relationships, serve, and become part of a community.

And if you know someone who may be feeling lonely or discouraged, reach out. A simple message, prayer, or conversation may be the light they need in the middle of their storm.

In the posts to come, we’ll continue exploring the lighthouses God provides to help us navigate the stormy seas of life.

This post was inspired by “Wisdom for Mental Health” from YouVersion.

Uncategorized

STEAM: Finding Encouragement When You Feel Like You’re Losing Steam

The Kedge Anchor

A while back, while lying in bed trying to fall back asleep, I started to pray. But before my thoughts fully turned into words, another thought entered my mind:

“I’m losing steam.”

 I was growing weary of a situation. Doubt starts to creep in. I know in my heart that the tide will turn, but sometimes when you’re in the middle of the storm, it’s hard to see the shoreline.

Have you ever been there?

You know God is faithful. You know His promises are true. But the waiting is hard. The uncertainty is exhausting. The battle feels longer than you expected.

And then I wondered:

What would I tell someone else who was feeling this way? How do I find encouragement when I feel like I’m standing alone?

For me, the answer begins with remembering.

Remembering the times God has carried me. Remembering the prayers He has answered. Remembering the moments when I didn’t see a way forward, but He was already making one.

Because the truth is, God has always been faithful.

I started thinking about the things that lift my spirit: singing hymns, listening to worship music, practicing gratitude, and counting my blessings. Scripture tells us to meditate on things that are good and lovely – Philippians 4:8. When we intentionally focus on what God has done, it changes our perspective.

Then another thought came to mind:

What if encouragement isn’t just something I need to receive, but something I need to give?

Encouraging someone else costs nothing. A kind word, a note, a phone call, a prayer, or simply letting someone know they are remembered can brighten a weary heart.

And as I thought about all of this, a word began to form:

STEAM. I feel like I’m losing steam.

Maybe this was the Holy Spirit reminding me how to keep moving forward when I feel like I’m running low.

S — Sing

The Bible tells us to sing—even in the middle of trials.

In Acts 16 Paul and Silas sang praises while they were imprisoned. Their circumstances had not changed, but their focus had.

Psalm 5:11 reminds us:

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”

When we take refuge in God, we are reminded that our circumstances do not have the final word.

Colossians 3:16 tells us:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” – NKJV

And one of my favorite verses is that God sings over us!

Zephaniah 3:17 says:

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

How amazing is that?

The God of the universe sings over His children.

Maybe I really do need to sing more.

T — Thankful

Gratitude has a way of redirecting our hearts.

Psalm 107:1 says:

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

And 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Notice it says in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances.

God does not ask us to pretend that difficult things are easy. He invites us to find Him in the middle of them.

Ephesians 5:20 encourages us to:

“Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Thankfulness shifts our eyes from what we lack to the One who provides.

E — Encourage

One of the quickest ways to lift our own spirits is to encourage someone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says:

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Think of someone who might need encouragement today.

Send a text.

Write a note.

Make a phone call.

Send a card.

Ask someone, “How can I pray for you?”

You never know what someone else is carrying. A small act of kindness may be exactly what they needed.

Sometimes God uses us to remind someone else that they are not forgotten.

A — Available

Are we available for God to use us?

Sometimes when we feel discouraged, we spend so much time focusing on our own struggles that we miss the opportunities God places right in front of us.

Serving others gets our eyes off ourselves and back onto God.

If you’re not sure where to start, your church is a great place to begin. There are always ways to serve—helping with an event, organizing, making calls, greeting people, preparing materials, or simply filling a need.

But serving doesn’t stop inside the church walls.

Maybe it’s helping a neighbor.

Making a meal for someone who is sick.

Volunteering in your community.

Offering your time and gifts where they are needed.

1 Peter 4:10 says:

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

God has given each of us something to offer.

M — Mad at the Enemy

Now this one may sound strange.

But sometimes we need to get mad. A good healthy, righteous anger.

Not at people.

Not in a way that leads us to sin. Be anger and sin not – Ephesians 4:26

But we can get angry at the enemy’s attempts to steal our joy, distract us from God’s truth, and make us doubt what we know about God.

Jesus Himself showed righteous anger when He cleared the temple in Matthew 21:12.

The enemy wants us focused on fear, frustration, and defeat.

But we can fight back.

Mark 9:24 captures a prayer many of us can relate to:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Ephesians 4:27 tells us:

“Do not give the devil a foothold.”

Don’t give him space in your thoughts that belongs to God.

When doubt creeps in, return to Scripture.

When fear rises, return to prayer.

When discouragement comes, remember God’s faithfulness.

So when you feel like you’re losing steam, remember STEAM:

S — Sing
T — Thank
E — Encourage
A — Available to serve
M — Make the enemy mad by refusing to give up your joy

The storm may still be raging.

The waiting may still be hard.

But God is still faithful.

He is right there—loving you, strengthening you, and singing over you.

Keep your eyes on Him.

He is your anchor.

hope, Trust God

Be Careful Where You Put Your But.

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Andreea Andrei on Pexels.com

Have you ever heard someone give you a compliment and then add the word “but”?

“You did a great job, but…”

“I appreciate what you did, but…”

Suddenly, everything before the “but” seems to disappear. One little word has the power to shift our focus from what was good to what was lacking.

I never expected a simple word to teach me something about my faith. But as I started paying attention to how we use the word “but,” I realized it can reveal more than just our communication style—it can reveal where we place our trust.

Because sometimes we do the same thing with God.

“I trust You, but…”

“I know You are faithful, but…”

“I believe You will provide, but…”

Our “but” can become the place where fear, doubt, or the need to control creeps in.

The word itself isn’t the problem. It’s what comes after it. There is a big difference between “God, but…” and “But God…”

One keeps our focus on the obstacle. The other reminds us that God is greater than the obstacle.

Didn’t set out for this post to become a lesson in communication but there is something to be learned here spiritually as well. I was talking with someone a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly the topic was about planning. The person I was speaking with was concerned that not enough planning had been done for something. So I suggested, just trust God it will all work out. The reply was, “Trust God but…” that’s where I had to interrupt. Trust God but. Oooo, that’s dangerous. It sounded like God wasn’t big enough. We have a big God who sees the big picture. We have a God that goes before us and paves a way for us. We can plan six ways to Sunday, we can make all the plans we want BUT GOD, directs our steps. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16: 9.

Check out this article.

See how this can be applied spiritually? Man can plan BUT the Lord directs. The “but God” negates whatever we plan. That’s not to say we shouldn’t, we should plan, BUT GOD will directs our steps and provide. And if for some reason if we have done all we think we can do to plan for something, we as humans can forget, we aren’t perfect. God will provide whatever it is we may have overlooked, He will make it work. Because, Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

So be careful where you put your “but.” Whether you are giving praise or trusting God for something, stop and think, is going to be “God but…” or “But God…?”

Gratitude, healing, Trust God

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: A Journey to Contentment

The Kedge Anchor

Sometimes disappointment doesn’t come because something went wrong; it comes because life didn’t turn out the way we imagined. We make plans, imagine our future, and settle into what feels comfortable, only to find ourselves in circumstances we never expected. We wonder how we can find peace when the place, season, or situation we are in doesn’t look anything like what we hoped for.

Recently, I read an article by Karen DelTatto in an email from iBelieve.com that reminded me of my own struggle. Through her own experience of moving into a home and neighborhood that wasn’t what she originally envisioned, she discovered that God’s blessings were not limited to the place she thought she wanted to be. Her story caused me to reflect on my own journey and the places God has planted me along the way.

My husband and I have moved several times throughout our marriage, but Virginia was never a place we imagined calling home. After spending more than 30 years in Florida, leaving was a much bigger adjustment than I expected. It wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate what we had there. I knew how blessed we were. I treasured the warmth, the ocean, the familiar places, the memories we had built, and the life God had given us. That was part of what made the transition so difficult. I wasn’t leaving something I disliked; I was leaving a place that had become home.

I tried to make Virginia feel like home, but there were many moments when I wondered, “Will this ever feel like home?”

But God.

God began to show me blessings I wasn’t always looking for. He provided a wonderful church family and placed people around me who have encouraged me, served alongside me, and reminded me that home is not just a location. He blessed us with great neighbors, and He provided a job for my husband where he is valued and encouraged.

I still miss Florida. I still miss the ocean, the warmth, and the familiarity of a place where we had built so many memories. If I am being honest, I can’t say I love Virginia the way I loved Florida. But God is teaching me that contentment does not mean we love every circumstance we are in. Contentment means trusting that God is present in every circumstance.

As I reflected on Karen’s story, I was reminded that sometimes the place we don’t choose is the very place where God is working. She discovered blessings in the neighborhood she didn’t originally want, and I am learning to recognize blessings in the place God has brought us.

This also made me think about Paul. His circumstances were far beyond anything I have experienced. Prison was not where Paul planned to be, yet from that place he wrote words that continue to challenge us today:

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” — Philippians 4:11

Paul didn’t find contentment because his circumstances were easy. He found contentment because he knew God was with him.

I am still learning contentment. I still miss Florida, but I am learning that my peace cannot be anchored in a location. My peace is anchored in Christ.

What about you? Have you ever found yourself in a place or season you didn’t choose, but God showed you blessings you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear what He taught you. Leave a comment below.