Are you weary today? Are you tired? Me too, friend. Me too.⁠ ⁠ But here is why you need to keep going, in whatever place you find yourself in today:⁠ ⁠ 1. We are not alone. Jesus has gone before us and he is on his throne (Heb. 12:1–2).⁠ ⁠ 2. That which is unseen is even more real than that which we see! (2 Cor. 4:16–18).⁠ ⁠ 3. Our suffering makes us more like our God (1 Pet. 2:20–21).⁠ ⁠ 4. The Spirit shows us how to walk with integrity and kindness in hard times (1 Thess. 5:14–24).⁠ ⁠ Three things that help me when I just can’t seem to find the joy:⁠ ➡️ Turning off the news⁠ ➡️ Turning on the worship music⁠ ➡️ Taking a walk and talking to a friend or family member on the phone⁠ ⁠ You’re not alone, friend. -@jessicanmathisen⁠ ⁠ 💌 Send this to a friend who needs to be reminded that we are never alone! #wellwateredwomen

"I once went on a mission trip to earn God’s favor. As God often does, he used that experience as a turning point in my struggle with legalism. While on that trip, a friend of mine shared that we didn’t have to obey God or perform good works in order to build up a 'spiritual resume' to impress him. I was shocked to hear her say that, not because I didn’t think she was right, but because I definitely came on that trip to try to earn favor with God!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Having grown up in the church, legalism has been one of my biggest struggles. The first time I heard the hymn 'He Will Hold Me Fast,' I was moved to tears. The lyrics were so rich with biblical truth, and they spoke directly to the struggle I had battled for years. By God’s grace, my fears that I will lose my salvation are false and are proven unfounded in Scripture." - @alyssa_cottrell ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Today, Alyssa Cottrell shares how the hymn "He Will Hold Me Fast" helps her rest in the assurance of salvation when lies that we must earn our keep with God or despair over feeling far from him plague her heart. Read more at the link in profile. #wellwateredwomen #wwwarticles

“Living on mission does not mean that you will always be doing something that feels exciting and fun, but it means that you will be doing what must be done for God’s glory—to know him more, to be a faithful steward with what he has entrusted you with. We must remember that God desires our hearts, not just the things that we can do for him." -@gretchensaffles #wellwateredwomen #thewwwbook #Jesusplusnothing #rootedinTRUTH

"I was a middle school rebel. I remember hitting rock bottom and yelling, 'God, why do you exist? If you didn’t, I could do whatever I wanted without feeling bad about it.' I wanted to do whatever I wanted without consequences or guilt. I wanted to be my own god, and recognizing God’s kingship and authority didn’t allow me to live the way I wanted. ⁠ ⁠ But through my rebellion, God didn’t leave me. On the contrary, he continued to call me. After God had convicted me of my sin and led me to repentance, I couldn’t understand how I could come before God with all I had said and done. I continued to walk in the shame of my past and believed that because of my sin, I was disqualified from serving God in a manner worthy of his name.⁠ ⁠ But the Word of God tells us differently. The Word of God tells us that at the cross, Jesus paid it all!" -@ferniecosgrove⁠ ⁠ Today, staff writer Fernie reminds us that because of Jesus's death on the cross, we no longer have to walk in shame because our sins have been paid for, covered, and washed away. If you are wrestling with guilt and shame, read today's Hymn Series article "Jesus Paid It All" for a reminder that as new creations, we can now live in the freedom that only Jesus gives. Link in stories. #wellwateredwomen #wwwarticles #Jesuspaiditall

Delays can be unexpected joy stealers. But what if trials and delayed hope were really avenues for God to show us his glory? In Psalm 70, David felt as if God was late in his salvation. Twice he pleads “make haste” to God to deliver him. It’s a short Psalm, but one that speaks powerfully to our own situations when we feel like God is late. ⁠ ⁠ God is never late—he is right on time, all the time. David’s pleas for help turn into praises: “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’” (Ps 70:4).⁠⠀⁠ ⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠ David had a choice to make during his waiting period—to "whine or to worship," as Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth once described. He could either praise God or be consumed by worry. By God's grace, he looked back up to the Lord, recognized how small he was, and praised God for how great he is.⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠ ⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠ We have a choice each day to either praise God when delays come, plans change, or fear abounds. We can whine about our small problems, or we can worship our great God. We can trust him for his perfect timing, or we can tell him all our hardships that he already knows. This week, let's choose to trust God no matter what comes our way. Let's embrace his grace and join David in saying, “God is great!” even when the timing looks different than we expected. -@gretchensaffles #wellwateredwomen #worshipoverworry #coffeecupgospel

Summer can be the hardest season for consistent Bible study. It's full of disruptions—vacations, unplanned hangouts, upset weekly and daily schedules, and late nights. The looser routine fights against carefully established spiritual disciplines.⁠ ⁠ As we embrace the alluring freedom of summer, we may neglect the true freedom of relationship with God.⁠ ⁠ Although spiritual disciplines may shift and adapt for different seasons, we can't ignore them altogether and expect to not experience the suffocating effects of sin as we no longer feed our relationship with our holy God. Let us not use spiritual freedom as an excuse for spiritual forgetfulness. ⁠ ⁠ So on this summer Sunday, consider: how can I commit to keeping the Word before World this summer? What practical ways can I adapt my regular spiritual disciplines to a season of less routine? - @maggie__combs⁠ ⁠ Share your ideas for putting the #WORDbeforeworld this summer in the comments! #wellwateredwomen #youbecomewhatyoubehold

In a complex and chaotic world, my soul craves the simplicity of Christ. It is easy for our feet to get tangled up in worries and wants instead of what matters most—sitting at his feet, learning from him, and following him. Simplicity is letting go of all that distracts our hearts from following Jesus and throwing aside the weights that keep us from running the race marked out before us (Heb. 12:1–2). It is having our eyes glued to the cross and our hands free to serve Christ and worship him. ⁠⠀⁠ ⁠⠀⁠ Jesus lovingly instructed us in the way of simplicity in Matthew 6:25–34 by reminding us not to worry (literally, to take no thought of) about our lives, but instead to seek first his kingdom and righteousness. He takes our burdens off our shoulders and places them onto his and gives us the most beautiful task—to seek his kingdom. ⁠⠀⁠ ⁠ Today, my heart is letting go of all the things that take up residence in my soul where only Christ should be—the desire for approval, the pride that trips me up, and the worry that steals my joy. And I'm taking up my cross to follow him, whole-heartedly. ⁠ ⁠ Father, we ask you for undivided hearts that hunger and thirst for you alone (Ps. 86:11; Ps. 63:1). Free us from all that entangles our hands and hearts so we can serve you and seek your kingdom above all else. In Jesus' name, Amen. -@gretchensaffles #wellwateredwomen #rootedinTRUTH #Jesusplusnothing

“My voice cracked as I struggled to get the words out while watching a piece of my heart lowered into the ground. Shovel by shovel, I clung to the words of the hymn like a lifeboat.⁠⁠  ⁠⁠ The truth of this hymn was a priceless gift to me on a wretched day. When I didn’t have the words to say, the lyrics of “Amazing Grace” lent me the words I desperately needed but couldn’t form on my own. While I’ve known the precious gift of grace for much of my life, I never understood just how amazing it truly is until it kept me standing, kept me singing, and kept me worshipping Jesus when I thought grief would surely crush me.” -@taycage⁠⁠  ⁠⁠ In today's Hymn Series article, Taylor shares how the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” carried her through the grief of losing her daughter and how wrestling with, and ultimately resting in, the promise of God’s goodness in that season brought her comfort and hope. Link to full article in stories. #wellwateredwomen #wwwarticles #graceupongrace

Struggling to make a decision? Unsure how to follow God's will? Save this Reel for the next time you need to make an important decision, and grab a copy of our newest study, Grace-Fueled Womanhood, for more on how the fear of the Lord impacts your decision-making. #wellwateredwomen #gracefueledwomanhood #flourishinginFAITH #lampandlight

“Sometimes it feels like change is the only constant in our lives. Anytime I sing the hymn 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness,' I can’t help but cry, overwhelmed by the unchanging character of God.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ When you’re in the midst of heartache and anxiety that feels unrelenting, it can be hard to open the Bible and read the promises of God. But to sing those same promises over yourself? Sometimes that feels less heavy and more doable.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ When we lift our voice in praise to him, we remind our souls of the truth that we need to hear. We begin to fix our eyes on what is good and true instead of focusing on being afraid of what may or may not come to pass.” -@jessicanmathisen⁠⁠  ⁠⁠ Today’s article is part of our new Hymn Series. Rooted in praise to the Lord, hymns have a way of helping us slow down to really reflect on and appreciate truths about God and the gospel as we sing the lyrics and meditate on their meaning. Read today’s article, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Jessica, to see how remembering God’s faithfulness can bring peace to your heart amidst any circumstance. Link in stories. #wellwateredwomen #wwwarticles #greatisthyfaithfulness

Are you stuck in a rut? Do you feel disconnected and distant from the Lord, even when you show up to read your Bible? Are your friendships a little stagnant and your responsibilities a little wearisome? We've all been through those seasons where things feel dry and difficult. I'm there now.⁠ ⁠ Even when I open my Bible or sit down to have a conversation with a friend, my heart just isn't in it. I want to feel stirred and challenged, but I feel weary and heavy. Here's what the Lord reminded me recently: it is his Spirit in me that brings life, joy, and hope on weary days. It isn't up to me to fix everything that feels broken. But I am invited to join in the work of the kingdom through prayer, community, and reliance on the Lord!⁠ ⁠ "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16 reminds us that the power of prayer and the purpose of community both drive us back to the powerful work of the Spirit within us. We aren't left to do this life alone. When we bear one another's burdens and confess our struggles, the Lord hears our prayers. He uses the community around us to hold up our arms as his Spirit revives and strengthens (see Ex. 17:12–14; Eph. 3:16–20). ⁠ ⁠ So if you're weary today, friend, rest in the power of the Lord within you. Talk to a friend. Pray to the Father. And believe that he gives us grace upon grace to sustain us in the driest of seasons. –@rachaelcmilner #wellwateredwomen #graceupongrace

Some days I feel like I'm racing the clock, and the clock is winning. The minutes go by faster than my mind can grasp and my feet can keep up with. As much as I try to race the clock to get all my to-dos done, I am realizing that the clock wasn't meant to discourage me but to remind me I am not in control. I am limited, but I serve a God who isn't. He is outside of time and the Creator of the clock that keeps our hours in order.⁠ ⁠ He isn't ever rushed or late and isn't ever worried that we won't get done what we need to. He wants us to look to the minute hand and know it points to him. So this week, I am raising my hands in worship instead of defeat to the One who holds time in his hands and is mindful of our moments. The clock is his, and so is this day. ⁠ ⁠ Lord, help us get done what you want us to this week, to surrender what should be left undone, and to worship with every moment you give us. Amen. -@gretchensaffles #wellwateredwomen #flourishinginFAITH #graceupongrace