Recent Posts

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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on March 24, 2026, 05:45:14 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/10/29/but-im-scared-to-get-hurt-again?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9-ZwaMcou_-pX9lvSS36HmHA1wAUGBhkacNi-MyfPvVl_dxx4bzd5DBtU7uNguL_QPtUQ6dKMFWONGpHwy7h_4H1HBOQ&_hsmi=329330531&utm_content=329330531&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

But I’m Scared To Get Hurt Again
October 29, 2024
by Lysa TerKeurst, President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

When life gets hard, we may feel justified if our hearts also get hard and the lens through which we see the world becomes tainted by past hurts.  When this happens, we may stop believing the best can still happen in our circumstances. We may stop believing the best about people and resist trusting them again. We may carry the wrong that one person did to us into other relationships and become overly guarded and overly suspicious that history will repeat itself.  Because we’re scared to get hurt again, we may easily start assuming other people will hurt us, assigning them wrong intentions they don’t have. But, friend, if we were sitting together over coffee today, I would reach for your hand and encourage you with this: When life gets hard, let your heart stay soft. Let your thoughts stay true.  Don’t fill in the gaps with worst-case scenarios. Don’t assume what others are thinking. You can listen to your discernment: If something feels off or untrue, ask questions, verify answers, and realize sometimes people aren’t honest. But at the same time, remember many people are honest, true and real.  The world is full of good-hearted people. People who want the best for you. People who cling to the Truth of God’s Word and encourage you with the wisdom-filled words from it.  The Bible is also clear that we need the support of biblical community, like Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I’ve found that when trust has been broken in a relationship, trust issues can only be worked on in the context of relationship. That doesn’t mean we must return to a hurtful relationship to work on trust. (If returning is possible, then that’s great. However, sometimes that may not be possible or safe.) But what it does mean is we can’t isolate ourselves and work on repairing trust alone.  There are still good people in the world. Not perfect people. But people worth trusting, who live the gospel message in the most real and beautiful ways. Find those people. Do life with those people. Embrace the gift of those people.  And if you’re looking for those people, I’d personally love to invite you to join me and Circle 31 Book Club in reading my new book, I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, starting in just a few days on November 1. Together, we’ll gather as a community of women who are nowhere near perfect but desire to build relationships and safe connections (and have fun, of course!). For now, pray with me and find out more details about Circle 31 Book Club below.
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on March 22, 2026, 08:53:52 PM »
 :happybday: Becks87
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Amanda_George on March 22, 2026, 08:43:13 AM »
Becks87 is celebrating today!   :anim_32:
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on March 21, 2026, 08:14:39 PM »
Belated Happy birthday, Weburndaylight and Michibelle!
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Pagan/Heathen / Ostara 2026
« Last post by Amanda_George on March 20, 2026, 05:59:32 PM »
It's getting very close to sunset, so it's time to wish all the Pagans out there who celebrate it a Blessed Ostara and I hope you all stay safe and well as you celebrate.
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Amanda_George on March 20, 2026, 05:49:57 AM »
Happy birthday, Weburndaylight and also Michibelle!   :bdaycake2:
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on March 19, 2026, 06:41:44 PM »
Happy Birthday roadrunner and desposy
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Amanda_George on March 19, 2026, 07:08:47 AM »
I hope  roadrunner and also desposy enjoy their special day today!   :anim_65:
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The Lounge / Re: Members birthdays
« Last post by Pip on March 15, 2026, 06:30:16 PM »
 :bday1: rorycald216
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Christian / Re: Devotions
« Last post by Pip on March 15, 2026, 06:28:55 PM »
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/10/17/the-one-who-helps-us-when-were-afraid?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9z00zLiMa-WvYowDRwNQ77kpUNKfWEdO9UTrJBqfm3D1YWv56mj8buL5MezagiR293xHMhvzIjKWMTJqrh8lj89OySNg&_hsmi=326544350&utm_content=326544350&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

The One Who Helps Us When We’re Afraid
October 17, 2024
by Lysa TerKeurst, President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

Doesn’t it feel like sometimes you can’t think straight when you’re afraid?

Imagine being Joseph when he found out Mary was pregnant. He knew the child wasn’t his. His mind must have fired off all kinds of assumptions and dreadful scenarios that could have caused this situation.  His response?

He made plans to divorce Mary in secret (Matthew 1:19). Joseph fell asleep with his decision weighing heavily on him then God sent an angel to intervene.  “.... An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'” (Matthew 1:20).

God had an assignment for Joseph and Mary: to bring forth the child and name Him Jesus (Matthew 1:21). And the enemy’s tactic to mess up that plan could have included shame, anger, division, confusion ...  But the angel of the Lord saw what was really keeping Joseph from staying in alignment with God’s plan: fear.  Make no mistake the enemy wanted Joseph to be afraid. The enemy wants us to be afraid too. Not the healthy kind of fear that keeps us safe and alert but the horrible kind of fear that whispers worst-case scenarios absent of hope and full of defeat. The kind of fear that keeps us tossing and turning all night because of situations we can’t control, people we can’t change and outcomes that feel uncertain. Fear says, Entertain my entanglements. Linger in my lies. Drink deeply from my darkness. While we’re distracted with fear, the enemy pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. Dismantles our dreams. And blinds us to the beauty of the Lord’s great plans.  On the surface, God's assignments for you may not seem like Joseph’s at all. But they’re incredibly similar. As a child of God, you, like Mary and Joseph, are to bring forth Jesus. Not in a physical sense but you are to bring forth and proclaim the name of Jesus in everything you say and do, even when you’re afraid.  Proclaiming the name of Jesus brings power, protection and perspective that crushes fear. It is the name above every other name (Philippians 2:9). Joseph might have gone to bed afraid, but in his dream he heard the name of Jesus for the first time, and he woke up empowered to obey God’s plan.  Wow. The name of Jesus released Joseph from chains of fear. And I believe God wants us to experience the same right now.

    Is a relationship with unresolved conflict troubling you? Call on the name of Jesus.

    Is a financial situation paralyzing you with anxiety? Call on the name of Jesus.

    Is there a frustration you’re still thinking about from earlier today? Call on the name of Jesus.

    Is there a parenting conversation you’re dreading? Call on the name of Jesus.

    Is there a medical diagnosis you didn’t see coming? Call on the name of Jesus.

    Is there a friend who asked you to pray for them, but you have no idea what to say? Call on the name of Jesus.

Calling on Jesus can be our first response instead of what we do when nothing else seems to be working. It may look like surrendering our “why” questions and choosing instead to ask, Will You help me see You, Lord?

Even in this?

He is the One who can illuminate the dark places for us. He alone brings us peace in the midst of our unanswered questions. He is Immanuel, God with us. To whisper His name is to call on the power found only in His presence.  Oh, friend, some of the most impactful prayers I’ve ever prayed are ones where I simply say the name of Jesus over and over again. Today, call upon His perfect name. You can know with confidence that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NIV).
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