By Josie Siler

One simple test changed everything. My specialist walked in the room, sat in the big black chair with wheels, and slid toward me. When she put her hand on my knee I knew I was in trouble.
 
My doctor has turned into one of my dearest friends; she’s like a sister. Our appointments are filled with laughter and joy, even when treatments are rough. The serious look on her face told me something was wrong before she spoke those horrifying words.
 
“Josie, you have a parasite, and it’s a nasty one.”
 
Oh gross! Not a parasite, anything but a parasite!
 
“Okay…” I tentatively replied.
 
After much discussion and a few more tests we figured that I acquired a microscopic parasite from a camel I rode through the Sahara Dessert about 10 years ago. It lodged itself in my carotid artery in my neck and had been growing bigger every day. Somehow we ticked it off enough at my appointment that it broke loose and worked its way into my colon where it was eating on raw flesh.
 
I fought the battle of my life as we tried to kill this flesh eating parasitic monstrosity. My doctor wouldn’t let me go home until it was dead and out of me. My three day appointment turned into over two weeks as we did everything we could to kill it. We thought we had it once, but with three hearts it didn’t stay dead.

I was supposed to be violently ill, too ill to even walk. Yet God was good. He spared me from so much. Yes, there was pain and suffering, but it should have been so much worse. In fact, in some ways I felt better than I had in months. Many of you were praying for me and for that I can’t thank you enough.
 
Finally the beast (we named him Earl) died and came out of me. I’m now at home recovering from the trauma I’ve been through and starting to feel better. 

Through this whole ordeal a piece of God’s Word impacted me in a powerful way. In John 17:25-26 (NLT) Jesus is praying, “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
 
“Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
 
Just like Earl the parasite was in me, so is Jesus. He’s IN ME. This is a hard concept to grasp, but it’s an incredible reality. God is in Jesus and Jesus is in us, so we’re never alone. The God of all creation lives inside of us.
 
If He lives inside of us, He knows exactly what we are feeling and how we are feeling. How can He help but feel our pain and our heartaches? Jesus is no stranger to suffering, He knows grief. Isaiah 53:3-5 tells us:

Jesus knows. Oh how He knows! You have a friend in Him. You have a Savior. We suffer because we live in a fallen and sinful world. But Jesus suffered so that we could be saved, made whole, and healed. He is here to heal our hearts, our souls, and one day – here or in heaven – our bodies.

If we didn’t kill Earl the parasite he would have gone on making my life miserable. For me to have any chance of living a healthy life here on earth, Earl had to die. For us to have eternal life, Jesus had to die. It was the only way. It was God’s perfect plan. Someone had to take the penalty for our sins. It should have been us, but we were spared and Jesus suffered in our place.
 
He died a horrible death so that we can live. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. He conquered the grave and He lives! Because He lives, we can live abundant lives, even in the midst of suffering. Even now Jesus is interceding with God on our behalf.
 
Do you believe? A relationship with God is as easy as believing in Him and what He has done for us. If you believe, you can take great comfort and joy knowing that Jesus lives in you and understands you as no one else possibly could. Thank you, Jesus!

By Josie Siler

We all gasped when we saw the house, or what was left of it. The roof had caved in and only pieces of walls were still standing, broken off and jutting toward the sky. Trees were growing up and through the house and out the broken windows.
 
We continued driving through the field and came to the old chicken coop. You could tell that it had once been a good-sized coop, but it too had collapsed and was being overtaken by the growth of the forest.
 
Finally the old barn came into view. It was obvious someone had found what they thought was an abandoned barn and helped themselves to as much barn-wood as they wanted. The funny thing about abandoned buildings is someone still owns them and they are probably not forgotten.
 
It was a challenge getting through the briers, vines, and other forest overgrowth, but we made it into the barn. It was so beautiful.
 
Yes, it was terribly broken, but there was great beauty there as well.
 
Photographing the broken barn and house that day was a reminder of our humanity. It was a reminder of you, my Broken but Priceless Ministries’ family. As our founder Erin says, “Even though our bodies may be broken, we are priceless in God’s eyes.”
 
The buildings were broken, but they were still a priceless treasure.
 
I was there with my friend Maggie. Her Aunt Mag had owned that land and those buildings many years ago. Maggie now owns the land and the broken buildings. They may be abandoned, but they are not forgotten. They are still loved and beauty can still be found there. They still serve a purpose – if only to give shelter to the squirrels and the raccoons.
 
I don’t know how much longer the buildings will stand, but I do know that even in their brokenness they are beautiful. Nature has overtaken the area and as the trees grow and they deteriorate they are becoming one. 

Our bodies are just like those broken buildings. As Ecclesiastes 3:20 (ESV) says, “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” Yes, one day our bodies will die and turn back into dust, but our souls will live on.
 
My body is broken, so broken. I get frustrated, angry even. But then I remember, I’m not my body, I just have a body. And even though my body may be broken, I am priceless in God’s eyes. And so are you.
 
You may feel like an old, torn-apart barn or a caved-in house, but you my friend, are far more than that. If you have a relationship with God, you’re a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. You’re royalty!
 
We love and serve a God who loved us so much that He gave His beloved Son to save us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16-17).”
 
Jesus’ flesh was broken and His blood was spilled out in order to save us. Dear friend, you’re not alone. Jesus knows pain. He knows brokenness. He knows what it feels like to be ripped apart by the evils of this world, yet He overcame all of that when He rose from the dead.

We were never promised an easy life. If Jesus experienced brokenness, even a broken body, can’t we expect the same? That could be a depressing thought, but there is hope!
 
John 16:33 assures us, “I [Jesus] have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
 
It’s true that we will experience tribulation, misfortune, trials, suffering, pain, distress, misery, and hardship. But that’s not all; in Jesus we find peace. We find hope. We find comfort. We find joy.
 
Take your brokenness to Jesus today. Lay it at His feet; tell Him how you feel and why you hurt. Then listen. Read His Word, the Bible. Allow His comfort and love to fill your heart with hope. He’s waiting for you with open arms. 

By Josie Siler

My camera settings were adjusted. The camera itself was set up on a tripod and pointing into the night sky. I had a fantastic view and great company, not to mention chocolate. I was prepared!
 
I’d been watching the weather for days and every forecast said the Midwest was going to have a fantastic view of the unique celestial event. One night: supermoon, lunar eclipse, blood moon. It was going to be epic!
 
I’ve never seen the moon as large as it was a couple of Sundays ago. As it rose over the Wisconsin hills and cornfields I was in awe. I settled onto my friend Maggie’s deck, the one with the incredible view, and got ready to capture this rare event.
 
And then the clouds began to roll in. They were traveling quickly, which could have been good or bad. If there were just a few clouds, they would pass over the moon before all the action started. If they moved in quickly and there were a lot of them they would ruin the night.
 
I ignored the exclamations I heard behind me (sorry guys) and got ready. You see, I knew something they didn’t know. When clouds travel in front of a bright moon something beautiful happens.
 
I worked hard to capture the perfect photograph while praying that the clouds would pass quickly. 

Giddy with success I was relieved when the clouds passed and the sky cleared.
 
Many times in life clouds will come along and try to ruin everything. Life is going well and things look bright. Then we notice a cloud or two, followed by others. It’s easy to get frustrated or angry when something ruins our plans or upsets our dreams. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. However, I’m learning to look for the beauty. It’s all around us – even in the darkness; we just need to remember to look for it.
 
Take the photograph above. I could choose to be angry that a big cloud is coving the bright supermoon or I can choose to marvel at the beauty of the surrounding clouds that have been transformed into something special. I can choose to see the clouds as a gift from God.
 
I choose to thank God. I choose to remember than no matter what happens in life, God is good. God knows, God cares, and God will bring beauty in the midst of the darkness.
 
We serve a great God, a mighty God, a powerful God. We serve a God that can cause the brightest moon to go dark, turn red, and reappear in all of its glory. We serve a God that can use the darkness to illuminate the clouds and turn them into rainbows. It’s amazing. He’s amazing!
 
Only God can turn a bad situation into a special gift. Just look at the gift of redemption. Only God could turn the death of His only Son into the redemption of all mankind. Jesus, and the redemption that comes through Him, is the most special gift to those who choose to accept it.
 
Will you accept God’s gifts and remember with me? Remember the power of God trust Him to create something beautiful in the midst the darkness. 

By Josie Siler

Driving to work this week I noticed something fascinating out of the corner of my eye. I was driving along a two lane highway and had almost reached the edge of town. There were a couple of cars coming in my direction, so I couldn’t give this strange sight my full attention.

Trying to be a good and safe driver, I took a couple of quick peeks while trying to keep my attention mostly on the road in front of me.

“That’s so strange!” I laughed. “What are you all doing up there?” I asked. The birds couldn’t hear me, or answer back for that matter, but I asked them anyway.

Now where I come from the sight of many birds on a telephone or electric line isn’t a strange site. However, what I saw was odd. There were what looked like a hundred or so little birds sitting on the line and clumped all over the top of the pole.

I laughed out loud and wondered what they were all doing there and how could they possibly all fit sitting like that. I was baffled and wanted nothing more than to stop and take a photo. There were cars behind me and I was already an hour late for work, so I kept on driving.

By the time I headed home a couple of hours later I had forgotten all about the crazy birds. That is, until something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

Oh yeah! The birds! How can they still be sitting like that?

The road was a little more open this time so I was able to get a better look. I don’t know if it was the better look or a different perspective, but what I saw was not birds.

What I had mistaken for a hundred or more little birds was in fact a vine covered in lots of tiny leaves, wrapped around the pole and out onto the wire.

I again laughed at myself and swore I must have finally lost it, whatever “it” was.

This story may be silly, but it’s a reminder that things aren’t always as they seem. I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:12. In The Message it reads:

It’s easy to assume we know what’s going on in the world, and even in our own lives. We see things happening and we make logical conclusions about what we see. The problem is we don’t always see very clearly. Sometimes we get it wrong. Sometimes the conclusions we come to aren’t correct. I find this encouraging. I don’t like to be wrong, but when being wrong means that God has something planned that’s better than I could ever imagine, I’m okay being wrong!

Our eyesight is fuzzy. We don’t always see things as God sees them. Often we don’t see the whole picture. When we just see a part of the picture it can cause us to jump to the wrong conclusions. Take chronic illness as an example. What we typically see are the things we’ve lost because of illness, the pain we’re in, the suffering we have to go through, and the dreams that have been shattered. When we look at those things it’s easy to conclude that God doesn’t love us, that the world would be a better place if we weren’t in it, that our friends and family would be better off without us, or that we must have done something terrible wrong to deserve the punishment of illness.

Friends, these conclusions are wrong – so wrong. The truth is found in a different perspective, God’s perspective. One day it will all make sense and we’ll see the good that came from being chronically ill. As God’s Word says, “We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as he knows us!”

Sometimes we get a glimpse here on earth of the good things that have come from being ill. In my own life I can see (and be thankful for) the closer relationship I have with God, new friendships, new dreams, and this ministry. These are all things that have happened because I have a chronic illness.

So what can we do now, here on earth, with our limited vision? God’s Word gives us some great advice. The next verse, 1 Corinthians 13:13 (MSG), reads: 

I love that! It’s so simple, yet impossible without God’s help. Are you ready to trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, and love extravagantly? If so, ask God to help you and let’s get this steady, unswerving, and extravagant party started! 

By Josie Siler

His knuckles turned white as they tightened on the wheel; his eyes narrowed into a concentrated gaze while the corners of his mouth twisted up in a confident smirk. Determination was written all over his face. This was serious business.

“Go!”

Right on cue, Hudson began to pedal with all his might. He held the wheel straight and his aim was true.

“Go Hudson! You can do it!” The cheers of his excited family and encouraging onlookers turned his confident smirk into a determined smile. But he wasn’t distracted. He stayed the course, and as his load got heavier he pedaled even harder. He gave it his all until he couldn’t pedal any more.

It was enough. Hudson was victorious! He didn’t just place; he got first place in the Discover Downsville Day Pedal Tractor Pull.

Hudson is my cousin’s son and he’s only four-years old. I could learn a lot from this kid, and the other children who competed this weekend. They were so determined. I can’t even begin to tell you how cute all of those little determined faces were; cute enough to melt a snowman’s heart!

Since the weekend, the pedal tractor pull hasn’t left my mind. I’ve been thinking of it off and on ever since and the Holy Spirit has been using it to stir my heart, to remind me how important it is to live life with everything we’ve got, to stay on track.

It’s been a difficult summer for me physically. I’ve felt sick – a lot. I struggle for strength and energy to live each day and frankly, I have been giving up and giving in too often. I’ve been like the kids who would veer to the left or the right when pedaling, giving up the distance they could have gone if they had gone in a straight line.

When you’re sick, it’s hard to try to live life well when you feel so terrible. We all have days when our body won’t cooperate and making it to the couch to have a movie marathon is considered a victory. However, when those days turn into weeks and months, what do we do?

It’s easy to feel defeated. It’s easy to give up and give in. It’s easy to stop setting the alarm and stop trying to get up and get things accomplished. It’s easy to expect tomorrow to be just as bad as today. I know; I’ve been there. I am there!

But friends, this attitude is wrong. I’m telling you and I’m telling myself, we were made for so much more. I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. The Message translation reads:

We have to try. Every day we have to try. We can’t give up and we can’t give in. Paul compares living the Christian life to a race. Not everyone who begins the race will win. Not everyone who begins to live the Christian life will keep running toward God. We won’t all make it.

For some, life will become too hard and we’ll give up, turning away from God. For others, no matter what life throws at us, no matter what obstacles we need to overcome, we’ll keep running the race set before us – and we’ll win! I want you to be in the second group.

I want you to win because winning means spending an eternity with God in Heaven. Winning means that all the trials we’ve overcome in life will be nothing but a memory as we live in eternal victory.

So let’s run hard for the finish line. Let’s give it everything we’ve got. Let’s not allow ourselves to give up or give in. Let’s keep setting our alarms to get up for work or church or whatever we have planned for the day. It’s okay if we have to go back to bed, but don’t give up trying. Let’s go to bed each night with the hope that tomorrow will be better than today.

Let’s try, every day. Let’s check our attitudes and our expectations and live with hope and determination. Let’s enjoy the ride and find things to celebrate along the way.

Let’s ask God to help us get up when we fall so we can continue running the race. I don’t care if I have to drag myself across the finish line by my fingernails; I’m determined to make it and I want you next to me in the winner’s circle!

What do you say; are you ready to finish this race? It’s a serious business, but if you’re determined, go ahead and break out your confident smirk because with God’s help, we’ve got this race in the bag! 

By Josie Siler

I couldn’t wait to get my feet in the water and scrunch my toes in the sand. As a Wisconsin girl, I don’t get a lot of beach time. It was May, and according to the locals, the ocean was too cold to swim in.

I pointed out a couple playing in the water about a hundred yards down the beach. My friend was sure they weren’t locals and that they were as crazy as me! After walking over a mile down the beach and back, I stopped harassing her and told her she could stay on the edge of the water while I went in.

I splashed in the waves and my giggles increased with the depth of water. As I went deeper, the strength of the waves increased. I turned my body and leaned into the waves to keep from falling over. Besides the waves coming at me, now from my right, I could feel a current flowing straight at me. This was a surprise!

Growing up around lakes with little to no current and rivers where currents flow the same direction as the water, this was something new. Waves were coming at me from one side, while the hidden current pushed at me from another. I was in about waist deep and decided that was far enough.

I’m a little stubborn, and even though the current was messing with my head, I still wanted to go under. I knew I couldn’t go out any deeper; the current was strong enough to take me somewhere I didn’t want to go. The easy solution, or so I thought, was to crouch down a little closer to shore and quickly dip my head under.

The waves seemed to be coming in groups, with a little pause between them. With knees bent and a big smile on my face, I timed my crouch for one of the breaks. When it came I crouched down quickly, only to be knocked to my bum by the current.

While I was down there I took a big breath, held my nose closed with my fingers, and dipped my head under water, only too late remembering that I was wearing sunglasses. I caught them as I sat up, feet tucked awkwardly underneath me. I tried to stand, but a wave knocked me over.

So continued the pattern of waves knocking me to my left and the current knocking me back onto my bum…over and over again. I was in shallow enough water that I was safe, but I couldn’t get back up!

I was the only one in the water and I could imagine how ridiculous I looked. I couldn’t stop laughing at myself; the pasty white girl from Wisconsin, totally out of her element, falling over in the ocean, and laughing her head off while a mass of locals looked on. Finally the waves let up enough for me to get to my feet and I headed to the sandy beach and my friend’s laughter.

As I remember my ocean debacle, I see some spiritual truths buried in the water. In life, we’re going to get knocked down – by things we can see, and things we can’t see. There are going to be trials that come at us that we see coming, like the waves. We may not be able to keep them from hitting us, but we can get ready and brace ourselves against their onslaught.

The currents, however, are another story. Those are life’s surprise attacks; things like a sudden illness, the death of a loved one, or the unexpected loss of a job. It’s harder to prepare for these things because we never know when they will hit us.

What do we do? Do we check out of life? Stay out of the ocean and keep to the safety of the sandy beach? Sometimes. After I returned from my trip I began to hear about shark attacks. The number of attacks this summer has been staggering and I would not go in the ocean right now, no matter how warm the water is!

It’s okay to step back from life once in a while, taking time to heal or rest. However, we can’t stay there. Life is made for living and God has placed you on this planet for a reason. He has a plan for you. If life has knocked you down, He can help you get back up!

We do this by spending time with God and reading His Word. A firm foundation in Christ will allow us to not be destroyed when the attacks come.

Sometimes it is really hard to get back up. You might look ridiculous. You might fall on your bum; if you do, there’s only one thing to do: try again. The great news is we aren’t alone. We’re told in Psalm 145:14 (ESV) that, “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” Friends, this is great news!

God sees when life knocks you down and He’s right there to help you get back on your feet. As Toby Mac sings, “it’s never too late to get back up again!”

By Josie Siler

The view from the mountaintop was breathtaking. I tried to soak in as much as possible, my eyes darting here and there, trying to burn into my mind each and every beautiful view and the shape of each new friend’s smile.

If my ears could twitch they would have, trying to catch every sound, every piece of wisdom and encouragement offered.

The taste of fresh mountain strawberries lingered in my mouth as I wondered where others kept finding the delicious looking blueberries. Alas, some mysteries are never meant to be solved.

My steps felt secure, firm upon the top of the mountain. There was a twinge of fear in my gut, but it was a fear mixed with hand trembling excitement and pure bliss.

The view from the top is rewarding. I worked hard to get here and I wasn’t disappointed.

My mountaintop was the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference – a place rumored to be full of God’s presence, a place where His divine power is always at work.

The rumors were true. I tasted and I saw the goodness of the Lord in this place.

The words of Psalm 23:1-3 (The Message) filled my soul with affirmation and truth. My heart cried out with the Psalmist, “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”

My passion for writing was flamed, new dreams were birthed, and bold prayers were answered. I caught my breath and knew God was sending me in the right direction. Whatever way I looked the view from the top was spectacular.

“Once you leave the mountaintop there’s only way to go, into the valley.” The words spoken by conference director Alton Gansky sank deep into my heart as I fidgeted with the pen in my hand. I knew how true those words were and my heart sunk as I tried to imagine what my valley would look like.

As the conference came to an end I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and prepared to say goodbye to my new writing family and the dear friends I had made. I flew back to Wisconsin tired, excited, and a bit wary.

It wouldn’t take long for my steps to lead me down the mountain and into the valley. God had given me a miraculous two weeks. My health was good enough to not only climb the figurative mountain at the writer’s conference, but to explore a couple of real mountains and play in the ocean as well.

When I got home I started a new medication that is helping my body get healthier, but the process is torture. Welcome to my valley, affectionately called Productive Misery.

When your body is in the fight of its life, it needs time to rest; so I sleep and I rest and I sleep some more. I dream of writing and fresh ideas flow through my mind. I wake up and take notes on my phone only to fall asleep as soon as they’re sent to my inbox.

When your body is fighting something that can kill it, you can’t help but feel like death warmed over. Miserably, I knew I was deep into my valley.

Psalm 23:4 encourages, “Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.”

Friends, I don’t have to fear the valley and neither do you. We’re not alone there. God walks right alongside of us, guiding us and helping us when we stumble.

On one of our adventures before the writer’s conference Erin and I went searching for waterfalls. They were beautiful, but on the hike back up to the car my body started to freak out. I got ice cold and clammy. I couldn’t see straight, I was dizzy, and started to shake. I had to lay aside my pride and ask Erin to help me. She walked over to me and I put my arm through hers. She led me back up the path, allowing me to depend on her. Erin got me to safety and her nurse’s training helped me recover and avoid a hospital visit.

Erin wasn’t the only one walking alongside me that day. God was there, and He’s walking in your valley too. Call on His name and ask Him to rescue you and help you feel secure. He will be delighted to answer that prayer!

When you’ve made it to the top of the mountain, you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. But when you’re in the valley looking up at the mountain you realize how small you are and how big, mighty, and powerful God is.

Don’t try to pass through the valley too quickly. Take time to look around and appreciate what God is doing there. Marvel at His grandeur and lean on Him as you walk the path together.

Wherever you find yourself today, know that God is Lord over all and is working for your good. Praise Him from the mountaintop and praise Him from the valley, for His love is steadfast and endures forever. 

By Josie Siler

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. This may be the biggest lie told to and by children. I don’t know where we picked up that phrase, but it is 100% false. Words often hurt much worse than sticks and stones. A cut or a bruise will heal fairly quickly, but a stab to the heart by an unkind word…that sticks around much longer.

At one point or another we have all been hurt by the words of a healthy person. Those words may have been spoken in anger or with malice, but often the words that hurt the most come from loved ones who don’t quite get it. When this happens, it is much too easy to lash out with a sharp reply. As expected, our return of hurtful words does nothing to improve the situation or make us feel better. So what do we do?

Psalm 34 has some answers. This Psalm is David’s song of celebration after God delivers him from a dangerous situation. It is also a Psalm instructing us how to live a life that honors God, even in the midst of suffering. As we continue our journey, taking a closer look at Psalm 34, we’re going to study the words of this madman that we know to be a very sane David, King of Israel.

Two weeks ago we talked about a madman’s fear and how God can give us good things, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Today we are going to talk about a madman’s desire. Psalm 34:11-14 (ESV) reads:

Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

We have already learned how the fear of the Lord can bring blessings and deliver us from the fear of man or circumstances. When we learn how to fear God – when we understand His power, His love, and His awesomeness – our actions begin to change. Verses 11-14 show us that if we desire to see good here on this earth, we have an active role to play.  There are six things that David suggested:

Do you see what an active role we each have to play? These six things may seem easy to do, but they are some of the most difficult things you will do in life, especially if you are facing a person who just said something hurtful to you. 

The first thing to do when someone says something unkind to you is keep your mouth shut! I’m sure I’m not the only one whose mother told her, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” It may seem childish, but it’s really pretty good advice! Hold in that tongue and keep your lips sealed. It’s the first step to living a good life.

The second thing to do is turn away from evil. Sure, this could mean walking away, but it could also mean turning away from the evil in your own heart that wants to lash back with an unkind answer. Instead, keep your mouth shut until you can take step number three.

Do good. If someone says something unkind to you, say something nice to them. It may just shock the fight right out of them! This is especially good to do when the person who said something unkind to you isn’t aware that their words were unkind. You can do good by being kind to them and taking step number four.

Seek peace. Kindly explain to the person why their words hurt you. If the person cares about you, they will want to know so that they can change their behavior in the future. If the person doesn’t care, or continues to say hurtful things to you, then go on to step six.

Pursue peace. Peace doesn’t come easily. It’s something to be worked at, strived for. It’s important to note that not every situation is going to be able to be resolved peacefully. If the other person doesn’t want to live peacefully with you, that is on them. Do your best to pursue peace by doing good to them. God only holds you accountable for your own actions.

I can hear you saying it, “But what if the other person doesn’t deserve peace?” Here’s my question for you… Do you deserve peace? In God’s eyes, we have all failed miserably. As we worship God fully and understand His love for us, our lives and our actions will begin to reflect His – and He is a God of mercy, love, and understanding.

I know this will be hard, but with God’s help, you can do it! Go forth peacemakers, and live today well!

By Josie Siler

Ebola. This one small word has struck fear in the hearts of men, women, and children around the world. This outbreak has taken many lives – too many. It’s tragic. It’s frightening, not just for the people of western Africa, but around the world. Ebola has jumped continents. It has reached as far as the United States. Americans are used to watching outbreaks like this from a safe distance. An unfamiliar disease and the ease of travel have caused fear to spread.

I am on staff at my church. A couple of weeks ago we had a discussion about the Ebola outbreak. What would we do if someone in our community became sick with this deadly disease? Would the pastors visit them? Would we disband the greeting time during church services, or cancel them completely? I sat there listening to the conversation between my coworkers before I finally spoke. “You know, these are the things that people with chronic illnesses have to deal with every day.”

I went on to explain that every flu season, every time a friend or family member gets sick, every time a virus spreads through our town, we ask ourselves these same questions. Will I hide in the bathroom during greeting time this week? Will I skip church? Should I visit my sick grandparent in the hospital? Can I risk going to the grocery store this week? I need toilet paper, but what if the person in front of me in line sneezes on me?

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not making light of the Ebola outbreak in any way. It is a terrible thing, and I am praying that it will come to an end yesterday. What I am saying is that every day people with chronic illnesses have to make the choices that are new to others. Friends, we are well-equipped to help others trust God and learn how to live with the possibility of catching something that could kill us. Our faith has been put into practice.

Think about the things you have learned over the years. You’ve become good at using hand sanitizer, washing your hands, politely declining shaking someone’s hand, and not touching the railing of the escalator in the mall. You have learned how to adapt so that you can live a full life without isolating yourself in fear. You have also learned that there are times when taking extra precautions are necessary. There have been a few winters where I had to wear a surgical mask every time I left the house. My immune system was so compromised that it was the only way I could live life well. But I lived. I put that mask on, smiled with my eyes when people stared at me, and refused to live in fear.  

I am reminded of the story of Esther. Esther was a young Jewish girl who, through the unlikeliest of circumstances, became queen. One day Haman, one of the king’s men, devised a plot against the Jewish people. He convinced the king to destroy all of the Jews. The king, not knowing Esther was Jewish, agreed. When the decree was sent out, informing all the people when the Jews would be destroyed, Esther was devastated. Her uncle Mordecai, the man who had raised her, sent her a message - words that have become a challenge to men and women throughout the ages. We find these words in Esther 4:13-14 (ESV).

Friends, this is your time. God has shown you how to embrace life, how to live an abundant life. Every day you live with the possibility of catching a sickness that could kill you, yet you don’t live in fear. You have learned how to take the proper precautions and still live life joyfully. Could God have taught you that for such a time as this? If there is anyone who can help others to not live in fear right now, it’s us – the chronically ill. You are not a victim; you’re an overcomer. You have become the expert, and now is the time to pass along the peace and the joy you have found in Christ Jesus.

Oh I know it’s not really that easy for us. There are times when we’re afraid as well. But we have lots of practice when it comes to taking our fears to God. We can help others do the same. It all comes down to the sovereignty of God. I trust God. I willingly place my life in His hands. I echo the words of Esther, “…if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16).”

If we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we don’t have to fear death. We can look forward to eternity with our God. Do you know Him? If so, share Him with others so that they can find peace, overcome fear, and look forward to eternity with the God of all creation. 

By Katy Kauffman

I walked about twenty yards into the Grand Canyon with my family. The silt on the trail quickly reminded us that we weren’t natural hikers. So although we didn’t journey far, I can tell you that I have been in the Grand Canyon. Our view from the trail included the typical desert decorations—rocks, dirt, underbrush, and more dirt. But if you’ve had the privilege of gazing at the canyon from the outlooks around the rim, and taken in more of its grandeur from that vantage point (or seen the pictures), you know that the canyon is anything but typical. Beautiful doesn’t do it justice. Just as God paints sunsets in the sky every evening, it looked like He was painting the colors on the canyon walls with the sun’s setting. The angle of the sun changed the colors of the canyon. It was exquisite, breathtaking, a handiwork of God. Like our lives.

We may think of our lives as ordinary or stricken with pain or grief, but if we could see them from God’s perspective, beautiful may not do them justice. God sees it all—the joy and the suffering, the dreams and missed chances, the mistakes and forgiveness. He sees how our lives have been carved by the trials and tests we have faced, much like the Grand Canyon was carved by the great flood of old. When we look at our daily routine, we may only see the ordinary or the struggles, but God sees all that’s possible if we look to Him, depend on Him for help, and follow Him. He sees the beauty along with the broken.

If we could see our lives from God’s outlook, what would we see? We would see the hope, healing, and victory that’s possible – His good purposes woven into our lives. And not just for us, but for others too. 

What beautiful things is God working out of our brokenness and suffering? 

A changed perspective comes from taking in the Word of God, which shows us the truths, promises, and love of God. So don’t give up hope. God is working beauty out of our brokenness, hope out of our shattered dreams, and peace out of our turmoil. Allow God to paint the colors of love, strength, and victory onto your soul, and stand in awe of what He can do on your behalf. Stay close to Him, see your life from His outlook, and watch Him complete His handiwork.

© Copyright 2014 by Katy Kauffman

Katy Kauffman is the designer of Broken but Priceless: The Magazine. She is the author of 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory which shares how to win the spiritual battles of life and ministry. Her heart’s desire is to help people find the strength, hope, and love in God that will see them through life’s struggles and battles. Katy is a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word.

You can check out Katy’s devotions and Bible study posts on her blog, Life with God, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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