Author: Southside Church

  • Faith in the Who, Not the Why

    Faith in the Who, Not the Why

    The truth is, we may never know the “why” behind our suffering this side of eternity. God’s ways are not our ways. But what we can know, with absolute certainty, is the “who.”

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

    — Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

    In seasons of crisis, loss, or deep unfairness, the question that echoes in the chambers of our hearts is often a single, agonizing word: “Why?” We see others being blessed, prayers being answered, and miracles unfolding, while we remain in our own prison of pain, feeling overlooked and forgotten. It is in these moments that the foundation of our faith is truly tested. Is our belief in God based on what He does for us, or on who He is?

    Jesus encountered this very challenge. He told the people, “You people will never believe unless you see signs and wonders” (John 4:48 NIVR). He was calling them, and us, to a deeper faith—a faith that entrusts our entire lives to Him, not just one that is validated by a steady stream of blessings and miraculous interventions. The enemy loves a sign-based faith because when life inevitably takes a wrong turn, our perception of God shatters, and we risk abandoning the very One who is our salvation.

    Consider John the Baptist. He was the forerunner, the one who declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He faithfully rebuked evil, standing for righteousness, and for his trouble, he was thrown into prison by Herod. From his cell, he heard reports of the Messiah performing miracles for others—the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised. Yet, John remained locked away. The lack of a sign for his own situation led him to send his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come?Or should wel ook for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NIVR).

    Perhaps you can relate to John. You feel trapped, and your prayers for release seem to go unanswered. You’re wrestling with the question, “Jesus, are you really who you say you are for me?”

    The truth is, we may never know the “why” behind our suffering this side of eternity. God’s ways are not our ways. But what we can know, with absolute certainty, is the “who.”

    • No matter what happens, He loves you.
    • No matter how unfair it seems, He is merciful and gracious.
    • No matter how untimely the loss, He is your good shepherd.
    • No matter how unexpected the outcome, He will never leave you or forsake you.

    When we can anchor our faith in the unchanging character of God, the “why” loses its power over us. John the Baptist’s struggle wasn’t truly about his belief in who Jesus was; it was a wrestle with his unmet expectations of what Jesus should do. He, like many Jews of his time, likely expected a political King who would overthrow Roman oppressors, not a humble servant.

    How much of our own wrestling with God is born from unmet expectations? “God, I thought you would heal me.” “I thought you would provide that job.” “I thought you would save this relationship.” Faith trusts, but expectation assumes. As the apostle James warns, we should not say we wi l do this or that, but rather, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15 NIV). This is a posture of trust, not assumption.

    Jesus’ response to John was profound. He pointed to the signs He was performing, affirming His identity. But then He added a crucial word of encouragement: “Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me” (Luke 7:23 NIVR). Jesus was saying, “John, there is a blessing for you if you can trust who I am even when you don’t understand what I am doing (or not doing) in your personal situation.”

    The story of John the Baptist ends, from a human perspective, in tragedy. He is beheaded on a whim to satisfy a drunken promise at a party. There was no miraculous escape. Yet, Jesus Himself said of John, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11 ESV). John’s greatness was not defined by the length of his ministry or a triumphant end, but by his steadfast faith while wrestling in the dark. His suffering became his witness.

    Your greatest testimony may not be a story of miraculous escape, but one of unwavering faith in the midst of the fire. It’s about finding peace in the prison cell, not just freedom from it. When you let go of your expectations and cling to the “Who,” you will experience, as Paul wrote, “God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7 NLT). Your faith in who God is, even without answers to “why,” becomes a powerful story seen by others, a testimony of greatness that echoes from your life into eternity.

    Reflect

    1. In what area of your life are you currently asking “Why?” How can you shift your focus from the “why” of your circumstances to the “who” of God’s character this week?
    2. Think about a time when an unmet expectation of God caused you to worry or doubt. How does the distinction between “faith trusts” and “expectation assumes” change your perspective on that situation?
    3. John the Baptist felt overlooked in his prison cell while others received miracles. Can you identify with this feeling? How does Jesus’ statement, “Blessedisanyonewhodoesnotgiveuptheirfaithbecauseofme” (Luke 7:23), speak to you in that feeling?
    4. The devotional states, “Your faith in God through suffering is a form of witness.” Who might be watching your response to your current challenges? What message is your faith sending?
    5. If you were to honestly write the final chapter of your current story of suffering, what would it say? How can you, like John, trust that even a tragic ending in human eyes can be a testimony of greatness in God’s eyes?

    Closing Prayer

    Father God,

    Thank you that your love for me is not dependent on my circumstances. Forgive me for the times I have based my faith on signs and wonders, and for the times my unmet expectations have led to doubt and anxiety. Today, I choose to let go of my need to understand “why.” Instead, I choose to trust in “Who” You are: my loving Father, my good Shepherd, my merciful and gracious God who will never leave me. Even in this prison of pain, help me find Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May my faith, even while wrestling, be a powerful testimony to Your greatness.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • God Based Belief

    God Based Belief

    When we don’t know the why, we must anchor ourselves in the Who. The circumstances may be confusing, but the character of God is constant.

    In our conversations about faith, we often use the term “believer.” We might hear someone say, “He’s going through a tough time, but he’s a believer.” We understand the sentiment, but it’s worth pausing to ask a deeper question: what exactly do we believe in?

    There’s a world of difference between stating a fact and declaring trust. To say, “I believe Siya Kolisi is the captain of the Springboks,” is to acknowledge a piece of information. But to look a friend in the eye and say, “I believe in you,” is to place your confidence, trust, and reliance on them. Our faith in Jesus is meant to be the latter. It’s not just an acknowledgment of facts; it is a deep, personal commitment. After all, as the scripture reminds us, even the demons believe—and shudder. What, then, separates our belief?

    Scripture Focus: John 2 & 3

    In the Gospel of John, we see a fascinating contrast. In Jerusalem for the Passover feast, Jesus performs many miracles. The response is immediate:

    Many people saw the signs he was doing. And they believed in his name. But Jesus did not fully trust them. He knew what people are like. He didn’t need anyone to tell him what people are like. He already knew why people do what they do.

    (John 2:23-25, NIRV)

    These people were “believers,” but their belief was shallow, built upon the shifting sands of signs and wonders. It was a transactional faith: “Show us a miracle, and we will believe.” Jesus recognized this, which is why He “did not fully trust them.” Their belief was in what He could do, not in who He was. He would later address this directly, saying, “You people will never believe unless you see signs and wonders” (John 4:48, NIRV).

    In stark contrast, Jesus engages in a deep, nighttime conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus in the very next chapter. He speaks not of signs, but of a spiritual rebirth. He explains that entry into God’s kingdom requires being “born with water and the Holy Spirit” (John 3:5). Jesus then distills this profound mystery into one of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture:

    God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

    (John 3:16, NIRV)

    Notice, Jesus uses the same word—believe. But the foundation is entirely different. The belief Jesus desires isn’t based on what we can see, but on who God has revealed Himself to be through His Son. The Greek word for believe here is Pisteuō (pronounced Pis-tew-o), which implies so much more than mental assent. It means to trust, to rely on, to place your entire confidence and personal commitment in someone. Furthermore, in the original Greek of John 3:16, “believes” is a present active participle, signifying a continuous, ongoing action. It’s not a one-time decision but a moment-by-moment lifestyle of trusting your life to Jesus.

    From ‘Why?’ to ‘Who’

    The enemy of our souls wants our faith to remain sign-based. Why? Because if our belief is dependent on circumstances, then a difficult diagnosis, an unexpected loss, or an unanswered prayer has the power to define our view of God. When things don’t go our way, a sign-based faith leads us to abandon the very One who can save us.

    We see this tested even in the lives of spiritual giants. John the Baptist, languishing in prison, sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3, NIRV). The signs—or lack thereof—were causing him to doubt. After the crucifixion, the disciples on the road to Emmaus lamented, “But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to set Israel free” (Luke 24:21, NIVR). Their hopes were pinned on what Jesus would do, and when He didn’t meet their expectations, their faith faltered.

    How often do we find ourselves in the same place? Facing a crisis, we cry out, “Why, God?” And often, the heavens are silent on the “why.”

    This is where true faith, the Pisteuō of John 3:16, takes root. When we don’t know the why, we must anchor ourselves in the Who. The circumstances may be confusing, but the character of God is constant.

    • When I don’t understand why this is happening, I know Who God is: He loves me.
    • When the situation seems unfair, I know Who God is: He is merciful and gracious.
    • When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I know Who God is: He is my good shepherd who walks with me.
    • When the outcome is not what I prayed for, I know Who God is: He will never leave me nor forsake me.

    When my faith is in the Who, the unanswered why loses its power over me.

    Taking Communion Today

    As we prepare our hearts for communion, let’s remember what it represents. This simple act of eating bread and drinking from the cup is a powerful declaration. It is our response to the foundation of our faith: the body of Jesus broken for us and His blood shed for us. It is a faith based not on the signs we see, but on the ultimate sign He gave—the cross and the empty tomb.

    Today, let’s bring the situations where we are wrestling with “why” to the table. Let’s lay down our need for signs and wonders and, instead, place our trust—our ongoing, active, wholehearted Pisteuō—in the One who holds all things together.

    Reflect:

    1. Think about your own faith journey. Are there areas where your belief is more like the crowd in John 2 (based on what God does for you) rather than the “born again” trust Jesus describes in John 3 (based on who He is)?
    2. The devotional contrasts believing a fact (Siya Kolisi is captain) with believing in a person. How can you actively practice “believing in” Jesus this week, beyond just acknowledging facts about Him?
    3. Recall a time when a specific circumstance or unanswered prayer caused you to doubt God’s goodness, much like John the Baptist or the disciples on the Emmaus road. How did you navigate that doubt?
    4. When you face a difficult “Why?” question, which attribute of God (Who He is—loving, merciful, good shepherd, ever-present) do you find it most difficult to hold onto? Why do you think that is?
    5. The people in Jesus’ hometown couldn’t receive miracles because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). How might a posture of trusting in who God is, first and foremost, open your heart to see His work in your life in new ways?

    Closing Prayer

    Father God,

    Thank You for revealing Yourself to us, not just in mighty works, but in the person of Your Son, Jesus. Forgive us for the times our faith has been shallow, demanding signs and answers before we are willing to trust. Help us to shift our belief from being based on the “why” of our circumstances to the unchanging “Who” of Your character.

    When we are confused, remind us that You are wise. When we feel abandoned, remind us that You are near. When we are hurting, remind us that You are our good shepherd. Today, as we reflect on the communion table, we declare our trust, our reliance, and our full confidence in You. Strengthen our faith, Lord, that it may be a continuous, living trust in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.

    In the precious name of Jesus,

    Watch the sermon on YouTube

  • Payment or Present

    Payment or Present

    Your relationship with God is not a contract you must painstakingly fulfill, but a covenant He graciously initiates.

    The saying, “You get what you pay for,” resonates deeply with us, often feeling like an undeniable truth. It’s woven into the fabric of our society, shaping our expectations of fairness and merit. We strive for a world where effort equals reward, where good actions yield good outcomes, and where anything less feels inherently unjust. This perspective, born from our earthly experiences, often spills over into our spiritual lives, leading us to believe that our relationship with God is a transaction—a contract where we perform certain deeds in exchange for His favor.

    The story of Ashton and the R50 smart watch from Temu illustrates this human tendency. The allure of a seemingly incredible deal, only to be met with disappointment, leads to the resigned sigh, “You get what you pay for.” This sentiment, while practical in the marketplace, becomes a significant stumbling block when applied to our walk with God. We wonder if we have to earn God’s love, if our good deeds create a debt He must repay with blessings and eternal life. We may even feel frustrated when our efforts don’t seem to yield the expected results, questioning God’s fairness when He doesn’t hold up “His end of the bargain.”

    The Rich Young Ruler: A Quest for Payment

    In Matthew 19:16-22, we encounter a rich young man who embodies this very question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” His inquiry reveals a contractual mindset, a belief that eternal life is a commodity to be purchased through good works. Jesus, in His wisdom, challenges this notion by listing the commandments, seemingly setting a price for entry into the kingdom. The young man, confident in his outward adherence to the law, proudly declares, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”

    His response highlights a fundamental misunderstanding, a common human error. He believed he had fulfilled his part of the contract, that he had “paid” enough. Yet, Jesus’ ultimate instruction to sell all his possessions and follow Him exposed the true obstacle: his reliance on his own efforts and wealth, rather than on God’s grace. The young man’s sorrowful departure reveals the painful truth—he wasn’t willing to release his grip on what he believed he had earned.

    The disciples, too, struggled with this transactional thinking. Peter, ever the spokesman, voices their implicit contract: “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (Matthew 19:27). Their question, while understandable from a human perspective, underscores the deeply ingrained belief that there must be an equivalent return for their sacrifices.

    The Vineyard Parable: A Gift, Not a Wage

    Jesus then reframes the entire discussion with the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). This powerful story shatters the illusion of a merit-based relationship with God. The vineyard owner hires workers at different times of the day, yet at the end, pays them all the same wage—a denarius. The workers who bore the burden of the day and the scorching heat are furious, feeling cheated by the owner’s “unfair” generosity to those who worked for only an hour.

    This parable powerfully illustrates that God’s kingdom operates on a different economy—one of grace, not merit. The owner, representing God, asserts his right to be generous with what is his. He declares, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Matthew 20:15).

    Our natural instinct screams, “More work equals more pay!” But in God’s kingdom, our “wage”—what we are truly owed—is not eternal life through our good deeds, but spiritual death due to our sin. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and Romans 6:23 unequivocally states, “For the wages of sin is death.” Even our most righteous deeds, as Isaiah 64:6 vividly describes, are “like a polluted garment”—unclean and insufficient to earn God’s favor.

    The Gospel: A Present, Not a Payment

    The good news, the Gospel, is that God does not offer us a payment based on our works, but a present based on His boundless grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 beautifully articulates this truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

    Your relationship with God is not a contract you must painstakingly fulfill, but a covenant He graciously initiates. A contract says, “If you do this, I’ll do this.” A covenant says, “I will.” God’s covenant with us, established through Jesus, is a promise to forgive our sins and restore our relationship with Him.

    This means you don’t have to work to earn God’s approval; in fact, you cannot earn it. God loves you right now, just as you are, as much as He ever has and as much as He ever will. Nothing you do or don’t do can make Him love you more or less. He is not a distant, unapproving father waiting for you to perform; He is a loving Father who runs towards you, full of mercy and compassion. As Romans 9:15 reminds us, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

    Living from God’s Approval, Not For It

    The challenge then becomes, how do we stop “trying so hard” to earn something that has already been freely given? It’s a journey of actively dismantling the contractual mindset and embracing the covenantal truth. We are called to shift from working for God’s approval to working from God’s approval.

    This shift takes time and intentionality. It means recognizing the areas in your life where you still believe you need to “perform” for God’s love or favor. Perhaps it’s in a struggle with sin, where you feel you need a “holy week” before you can approach Him again. Or maybe it’s in your service, where you feel God owes you something for your efforts.

    The invitation is to identify these areas, acknowledge the underlying belief that you need to earn His love, and then intentionally offer those feelings back to God. Ask Him to help you truly grasp His unconditional acceptance and approval because of Jesus. Pray for the faith to believe that today, right now, you are loved and accepted.

    God has extended the ultimate gift: an eternal relationship with Him, not as a payment for your works, but as a present of His grace. Will you accept it?

    Reflect:

    1. Reflecting on “You Get What You Pay For”: In what areas of your life (relationships, work, personal goals) do you most strongly feel the pull of the “you get what you pay for” mentality? How does this mindset influence your expectations and actions?
    2. Examining Your Relationship with God: Can you identify any instances or ongoing patterns where you find yourself “working for God’s approval” rather than “working from God’s approval”? What specific thoughts or feelings arise when you consider this distinction?
    3. Understanding God’s Grace: The parable of the vineyard owner highlights God’s sovereignty and generosity. How does the idea that God chooses to be merciful and compassionate, regardless of our perceived “worth” or “work,” challenge your inherent sense of fairness?
    4. Accepting the Present: The devotional emphasizes that our relationship with God is a present, not a payment. What does it truly mean for you to “accept this present”? What might be preventing you from fully embracing this truth?
    5. Shifting Your Perspective: The devotional encourages us to identify areas where we are working for God’s approval and offer them back to Him. What is one specific area in your life right now where you can intentionally practice this shift, trusting in God’s already-given acceptance?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we come before You acknowledging our human tendency to strive, to earn, and to believe that Your favor is something we must pay for. Forgive us for often approaching You with a contract in hand, rather than with open hearts ready to receive Your boundless grace. Help us, Lord, to truly grasp the profound truth that our relationship with You is a glorious present, freely given through Jesus. Unpack in our hearts the meaning of Your covenant, a promise of forgiveness and restoration that requires only our acceptance. Holy Spirit, reveal the areas in our lives where we are still working for Your approval, and empower us to instead work from the deep well of Your already-given love and acceptance. May we rest in the knowledge that nothing we do can make You love us more, and nothing we’ve done can make You love us less. Thank You for Your incredible generosity, for choosing to have mercy on us, and for the gift of eternal life through Christ. Amen.

  • Hearing God In the Storm

    Hearing God In the Storm

    In times of challenge, hearing God’s voice is crucial. Without His guidance, we are truly lost, left to fend for ourselves against overwhelming odds. God doesn’t want us to face our storms alone. He desires connection, both with Him and with others who can support and encourage us.

    Life, much like the sea, is full of unpredictable currents and often, fierce storms. We all encounter these tempests—be they internal battles of the heart and mind, or external struggles with relationships, finances, or work. The Bible, a timeless guide, frequently uses the imagery of storms to depict these very challenges. Think of the disciples panicking in the boat while Jesus slept (Matthew 8:23-27), or Jonah’s defiant voyage leading to a tumultuous storm and a startling encounter with a great fish (Jonah 1). These narratives remind us that storms are an inevitable part of our human experience.

    Navigating the Tempest

    When we’re caught in a storm, our natural instinct often kicks in: control. Psychologist Carl Jung theorized that this need for control is a survival mechanism, stemming from our desire for predictability and safety. We frantically try to steer our own ship, forgetting that God, the master navigator, is the one who truly knows the way. The story of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14) powerfully illustrates this. Faced with an advancing army and an impassable sea, the Israelites panicked. But Moses, guided by God, declared, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14 NIV). And in that stillness, God parted the waters, delivering His people and vanquishing their enemies. Just as He fought for them, He will fight for us. He will take control of the boat and steer us to safety.

    The Treacherous Waters of Doubt

    Another common obstacle that prevents us from hearing God’s voice in the storm is doubt. When the waves of struggle relentlessly crash against us, it’s easy to cry out, “God, are you really there? Are you going to help me?” This questioning can sink into hopelessness, making us feel unseen and unheard by God. We might even stop reaching out altogether, especially if past disappointments have shaken our faith.

    Peter’s experience on the stormy Sea of Galilee offers a profound lesson in this (Matthew 14:22-31). When Jesus called him to walk on water, Peter stepped out in faith. But as soon as he focused on the howling wind and the turbulent waves, his faith faltered, and he began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out, catching him, and asked, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” This story reminds us that even when the storm rages, our focus should remain on Jesus, not on the chaos around us. Trusting Him means trusting Him in the midst of the storm, not just when the waters are calm.

    Avoiding Isolation in the Storm

    In our vulnerability, we often tend to isolate ourselves. Perhaps it’s a fear of others seeing our weaknesses, or a lingering wound from past betrayals. We build walls, retreating inwards, and blocking connection not only with others but also with God. The Bible warns against this isolation in Proverbs 18:1 (ESV): “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” In times of challenge, hearing God’s voice is crucial. Without His guidance, we are truly lost, left to fend for ourselves against overwhelming odds. God doesn’t want us to face our storms alone. He desires connection, both with Him and with others who can support and encourage us.

    How Do We Hear God’s Voice?

    The big question remains: How do we recognize God’s voice amidst the noise of the storm? Christian author Ginger Harrington, in her book Holy in the Moment, offers valuable insight:

    1. Understand God’s Character through His Word: God’s voice will always align with His written Word, which portrays Him as love, grace, and truth. His voice reassures, loves, and empowers, never leaving us feeling worthless or questioning our value.
    2. Understand His Voice Through the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher, connecting us intimately with God, helping us discern His will and understand His voice.
    3. Use Discernment: Be vigilant. Our own thoughts, or the voices of the world, can easily be mistaken for God’s. Learn to test and discern what truly aligns with God’s truth.

    The Call to Surrender

    When the chaos of a storm threatens to overwhelm us, God calls us to let go and surrender. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) famously tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This “being still” isn’t about physical inaction but about the posture of our hearts. As Sweet to the Soul Ministries explains, it’s about stopping our striving and allowing God to be God, trusting His will even in unsettling times. It’s an urgent reminder of His sovereignty, even when we are wrestling with our circumstances. This surrender means rebuilding our relationship with Him, drawing closer instead of drifting away.

    Author Edward C. Thomas offers four practical ways to cultivate this relationship and hear God more clearly:

    1. Spend more time in His Word: The Bible is the foundation for hearing God. Familiarity with scripture makes discerning His voice easier.
    2. Pray and listen: Prayer is a two-way conversation. Make time not only to speak but also to sit in silence and listen for His response.
    3. Seek godly counsel: God often speaks through wise, Spirit-filled believers. Surround yourself with those who encourage and challenge your faith.
    4. Pay attention to circumstances: God can use life events to guide us, but these must always align with His Word.

    Every challenge is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another. The journey of hearing God’s voice is often a long and ongoing battle. But we are never abandoned in the midst of turmoil. God loves us so deeply that He will never leave or betray us in our storms. He is constantly speaking, reaching out to us for our own good.

    As Romans 8:31 (NLT) proclaims, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

    Reflective Questions

    1. What “storms” are you currently facing in your life (internal or external)? How have you been attempting to “steer the boat” in your own strength, rather than allowing God to navigate?
    2. In what specific areas do you tend to doubt God’s presence or His ability to help you in your current struggles? How can Peter’s story encourage you to refocus on Jesus rather than the turbulent circumstances?
    3. Have you found yourself isolating yourself during difficult times? What fears or past hurts might be contributing to this isolation, and how can you begin to invite God and trusted others back into your journey?
    4. When you hear the phrase “Be still, and know that I am God,” what does “being still” mean for your heart and mind in your current situation? How can you actively surrender control to God?
    5. Reflecting on the four ways to cultivate your relationship with God (His Word, prayer, godly counsel, circumstances), which one resonates most with you right now, and what practical step can you take this week to deepen your connection with Him?

    Closing Prayer

    Heavenly Father, we come before You acknowledging the storms that rage in our lives. We confess our tendencies to grasp for control, to succumb to doubt, and to isolate ourselves when we need You most. Forgive us for trying to navigate these turbulent waters alone. Just as You fought for the Israelites and rescued Peter, we ask You to fight for us now. Help us to release our grip on the steering wheel of our lives and surrender fully to Your perfect navigation. Open our ears and hearts to hear Your voice above the howling winds of our challenges. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit, through Your Word, and through the wise counsel of others. Remind us, in every moment, that You are for us, and with You, we can overcome anything. May we know, deeply and truly, that You are God, and in Your presence, we find peace and deliverance. Amen.