Proverbs 31 Ministries

Even Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, embraced rest. And just as our Savior welcomed rest, we need it to recharge and reinforce our well-being, enabling us to show up as the best versions of ourselves in service to God and others.

In Mark 6, Jesus sent His disciples out on a ministry assignment. After completing this assignment, preaching, healing people and spreading the gospel, the disciples returned home emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted.

Jesus, the ultimate source of rest, said: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

Jesus’ request was not just casual but was a command to prioritize spiritual replenishment and soul care, leaving no room for excuses. He tells you and me to do the same in our assignments as wives, mothers, friends and more within our spheres of influence.

We often coast through our days and try to sustain ourselves with tasks that were never meant to fulfill us — then wonder why we aren't experiencing abundant life. Sometimes our souls’ emptiness indicates our need to spend quiet time in the presence of Jesus, our true Sustainer. His presence is the place where grace flows and life’s pressures lighten.

Resting in Jesus enhances our day. We can start small, like waking up 30 minutes earlier for prayer or taking a 15-minute walk outdoors to appreciate His creation. The outcome is the same: He restores the joy and peace we thought were lost.

Jesus loves to fill our emptiness with His presence.

-Jackie Smith-Bell

Is there anything that can be removed from your busy schedule to give you a few minutes of quiet time and rest with Him?

God has given us the counsel of the whole Bible to guide, bless and teach us — but it is also helpful to know some key verses for encouragement and prayer in hard moments. Here are some examples:

•When you feel alone, you can turn to Deuteronomy 31:6.
•When you feel fearful, you can turn to Isaiah 41:10.
•When you are seeking peace, you can turn to Isaiah 26:3.
•When you are heartbroken, you can turn to Psalm 34:17-19.

God offers the safety and support you need to navigate whatever situation you’re facing.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].” Not only do we have steps we can follow, but God redirects our attention away from the pain of our problems and toward Him as our Protector and Provider. God orders and establishes our steps and guards us as we go.

My friend, isn’t it wonderful to know that in times of stress, struggle or stumbling, the Lord still holds and sustains you? God is right there with you every step of the way as your ever-present Guide, helping you navigate both everyday and emergency situations.

Call out His Word, follow the path He’s established for you, and trust Him with each new step. Your safety and deliverance are found in Him.

-Tracie Braylock

What scriptures do you need to call out to help you with a situation you are currently experiencing?

Lord, we lift up the woman who feels hidden and believes her best days are behind her, tonight. You know her heart and every thought that is weighing on her mind tonight. We ask that your comforting presence give her relief and remind her that the plan you have for her life is still at work, even in the moments when she doesn’t feel like it.

Lord, Your Word tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Help her to hold onto this promise and trust that Your plans for her are filled with purpose and joy, even if she can’t see it right now.

When she feels invisible and forgotten, remind her of Psalm 139:1-2, which says, “You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.” May she feel Your gaze upon her, knowing that she is never hidden from You, and that You see and value her more than she could ever understand.

Renew her spirit and fill her heart with the assurance that You are making all things new. You have the power to renew every part of her life. Her story is still unfolding, with new chapters of hope and joy ahead.

Guide her steps, strengthen her faith, and fill her with Your peace. Let her find comfort in the knowledge that Your love never fails and Your promises are true. We trust that her best days are yet to come, and we place her future in Your loving hands. Amen

If you’re in need of more encouragement and truth for the seasons of life where you feel unseen and question if God’s plan for your life is still at work, we’d love for you to join us for our next Circle 31 Bookclub pick, “Anonymous” by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole. You can purchase your copy here: https://hubs.la/Q02M5Nsx0

Often we are expected to move on too quickly — but in our grief, we are actually more available to experience comfort and kindness. Even more, we are available to experience God’s presence.

In my own past grief, the previous two sentences would not have made me feel better … at least not immediately. knowing God could comfort me in my pain was not the problem; I knew He could change my situation, yet He’d chosen not to. This honestly made me question if He was the loving God I thought He was.

But God can handle our honesty.

Have you read any of David’s psalms? Just look at this verse: “My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak” (Psalm 31:10).

David often started his prayers with honest emotion, then eventually turned his thoughts back to what is true about God. When he was experiencing heartbreak or drowning in fear, he wrote about those experiences — then reminded himself of God’s comfort and kindness. He recalled what God had already done in his life and clung to hope that God would rescue him again.

We see this in Psalm 31 if we skip down a few verses: “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you” (Psalm 31:19, NIV).

We can be honest about the pain of disappointment and hopeful that God can change it.
But we struggle to hold this tension. Hoping seems scary when we've felt constantly disappointed. When we’ve experienced repeated losses and letdowns, believing there is good ahead seems impossible. We forget God moves outside our framework of understanding.

Friend, if you’re struggling with disappointment today, can I invite you to bring it to God like David did? Start by being honest. Let it all out, and tell Him how you feel. But don’t stop there. Declare out loud who He is and what He has done in your life.

-Meghan Ryan Asbury

What does the Bible say is true of God’s character, even if you are struggling to believe it?

When the people we love break our trust, it can feel like our trust in God is shattered too.

You might find yourself asking,

"Why would He allow this to happen?”

“Why am I the only one suffering while they show no remorse?”

“I thought God was a loving God. I don’t feel very loved right now.”

Sweet friend, if these questions are flooding your mind, please know we understand, and we are so sorry for the pain you've endured. It’s not fair. But here’s a reminder you can hold onto today:You are not alone. God hasn’t left you. He hasn’t picked sides or turned His back on you. Though we may not always understand His ways, we can trust that He is good, and His love for you is unchanging.

If you’re struggling with the aftermath of someone else’s actions, Lysa TerKeurst has created a free resource just for you…

With “When the Person Who Hurt You Got Away With It: 3 Days to Moving Forward” you’ll be gently guided through:

•Devotions and prayers to help you process the pain and release bitterness.

•Understanding how God’s justice prevails, allowing you to release the heavy burden of seeking fairness on your own.

•Identifying and addressing any doubts you might have about God, helping you to trust His unwavering truth.

Together, we’ll create a space to acknowledge our hurt, wrestle with the hard questions, and discover the healing perspective we need.

Get your copy of this free resource here: Hi friend! Here's the link to Lysa TerKeurst's free resource, "When the Person Who Hurt You Got Away With It"! https://proverbs31.org/read/resource-library/resources/2024/06/12/when-the-person-who-hurt-you-got-away-with-it?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=p31-post&utm_campaign=IWTTY-PR

We are often quick to speak and slow to listen. Yet to practice hospitality in the way that Jesus and the early Church did, we must resolve to truly hear others. When people are heard, people are healed.

Jesus’ way of hospitality has far more to do with the heart of the host than the presentation of a charcuterie board or proper plating and table settings. Christian hospitality means caring not only about the gospel Truth but also the tone with which it is shared.

This can be traced back to what Jesus said at the Last Supper i: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). The love of God, expressed through the hospitable hearts and homes of Christians, has always been the strength of the Church. We live out what it means to be wholly human by practicing faithful presence with others through Christian hospitality.

Ultimately, we will feel an emotional and relational cost of loving others. Practicing the way of Jesus and extending true hospitality to a weary world means that we’re willing to roll up our sleeves and become present to the people, stories and needs around us. Love is costly — as costly as it gets. It takes time to really get to know someone. More than that, the emotional cost of presence is high because when someone knows they truly belong, they can open up and share their real stories, pains, griefs and losses.

Yes, this hospitality will cost us more than groceries; it will cost some tears as well. Such is the nature of the healing Kingdom of God.

Is it worth the cost? Always — it’s the gospel lived out. May we be reminded of 1 John 4:19, letting it drive us to godly hospitality: “We love because he first loved us” (NIV).

-

What would it look like to budget for the practice of hospitality — not only practically but also relationally?

New Testament writers shared a common framework for encouraging their readers to persevere. More often than not, their encouragement in Scripture begins with this word: “Therefore.” We find “therefore” repeated throughout the letters to the Church as the writers reminded believers that persevering is possible.

One of my favorite “therefores” is at the beginning of Hebrews 12:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus …” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV).

This particular “therefore” comes after a list of believers credited with undeniable, unshakable faith in Hebrews 11 — they are the “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to remember the faith of these past believers and, more importantly, to remember the God they put their faith in.

And then Hebrews 12:1-2 gives practical instructions — the way we should respond in light of God’s Truth:

•Throw off entangling sin. Sin clouds our ability to see God for who He truly is and distracts us from the tasks He’s given us to do.

•Run with perseverance. The Holy Spirit empowers our perseverance, but that doesn’t mean it won’t require conscious effort on our part.

•Fix our eyes on Jesus. He’s our perfect example!

Friend, because Jesus is better than anything we could secure, we can live on purpose as we follow Him in all that He has for us. We can start where we are, with what we have, and persevere. What we believe about God — who He is and what He is like — compels us simply to take the next right step. And when we do, we start living hope-filled lives right now, even while our eyes are on all that is not yet.

-Ruth chou simons

Which of the three action steps will you focus on today?

Life has a way of knocking us down. We get things thrown our way that we didn’t imagine or plan for, and we are left fighting and figuring out the next steps we never imagined we’d walk.

A relationship ending…
A painful diagnosis…
A sudden loss…
A battle with mental health…

We understand how it feels to be in the throws of hard times. And in that time, we can start to forget who we are, and more importantly, who God says we are.

Friend, if you need the reminder, here it is:

You are cherished.
You are treasured.
You are chosen.
You are favored.

This is who you are! The hard things you’ve walked through do not define you. Let’s declare this over ourselves and not forget it!

Leave an “Amen” below if you are choosing to remember this today!

Feeling stuck and wondering when it will finally be your turn is a heavy burden to carry.

Maybe you're single, yearning for the right person to enter your life.

Maybe you're desperately longing to start a family but it hasn't happened yet.

Maybe you're simply waiting for your circumstances to change.

Wherever you find yourself, it's natural to question where God is in all of this and why He's keeping you waiting.

Dear friend, we've been there too. We understand the weight of the wait, and how it can feel like an endless cycle. Yet the Bible reminds us in Philippians 1:6 that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion.

Even when the days drag on and the nights seem endless, God's timing is perfect. He's right there beside you, every step of the way, teaching and guiding you in your waiting.

And here's the beautiful truth: God wants to bless you even in the waiting. He's using this season to shape you and prepare you for what's to come.

If you're in a waiting season and need this encouragement today, leave a “🫶🏻" in the comments!

Have you ever felt invisible?

Maybe you’ve been underestimated or overlooked at work ...

Maybe you feel the things you do and the people you serve in the mundane moments go unnoticed and underappreciated ...

Maybe you question if anyone really sees your effort at all ...

When we find ourselves in hidden seasons, it can be tempting to get frustrated and give up. Especially when we feel as if we've been placed on a back burner and we begin to wonder if all those dreams that had been in our hearts were just wishes. We begin to wonder if the things we thought God had created us to do, perhaps that was just some sort of dream.

But, friend, you’re not alone. The hiddenness you're experiencing will not be wasted. Even if it is not visible, God is still growing you!

If you find yourself feeling unseen, uncelebrated or unappreciated and wonder if God is moving in your hiddenness, the latest conversation on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast with Dr. Alicia Britt Chole is for you! You can listen to this episode here: https://hubs.la/Q02Lvn0m0

When weariness sets in, let’s look in, look out and look up!

1. Look in and ask: What do I feel?

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35, ESV). These two words from Scripture carry deep meaning. Arriving at the scene where His friend Lazarus had died days before, Jesus was deeply moved by grief. He knew how the story would end (spoiler alert: He raised Lazarus back to life), and yet He still felt. If it was important for Jesus to acknowledge His feelings, surely it’s important for us too.

2. Look out and ask: What am I focusing on?

It can be hard to understand why, in His sovereignty, God allows people to act in ways opposite to His heart. While I don’t claim to know the answer, I do know the promise of Romans 8:28 that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT). Everything. Even this, whatever it may be. So instead of focusing on the problem, we can choose to focus on the potential of what God will do through it.

3. Look up and ask: What should I do about it?

In Isaiah 6:8, we read, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” Is this our attitude? You see, we can fret over all that’s wrong … or allow our feelings and newfound perspective to drive us straight to God, asking what we can do to help make it right. This won’t solve all the world’s problems, but partnering with God allows that heaviness in our souls to shift to a sense of empowerment.

We can reflect God’s Kingdom here on earth and make our corner of the world a better place, one step of faith at a time. And as we each do our part, collectively, we can change the world.

-

How have you seen God actively at work on your behalf at this very moment.

Life. Is. Hard. (Can I get an “amen” from the choir?) And it feels like it’s getting harder every day. All it takes is a quick look around to understand this world is messed up.

Click below to read today's devotion.

3 Questions To Ask When Weariness Sets In “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

When we experience loss or change in our lives, we ache with a kind of homesickness, a longing for things to return to how they once were.

Longing for things to be familiar and comfortable again...

Longing to feel like ourselves again…

Longing to connect with God again…

Oh friend, we understand. The good news is that Scripture is filled with people who understand what it feels like to be a little misplaced. By reading their stories we can know with settled assurance that God is with us, even if He seems harder to find. And not only is He present today, but He’s working on our behalf until we reach our eternal home one day. Because even when we feel like we're wandering, we don't have to wonder where God is.

If you find yourself wandering, we’d love to invite you to join us for our next study, “Where Do I Belong? Finding Our True Home Through the Study of Exile in the Bible,” a six-week study, beginning September 9 in the free First 5 mobile app!

Together we’ll explore 20 different books of the Bible, spanning over thousands of years of history and see that no matter how far away God may seem right now, He is always there.

Get your study guide here today: https://hubs.la/Q02L9djm0

Here are a few truths I’ve been learning to hang on to in my heart when I'm struggling to forgive:

1. Forgiveness is more satisfying than revenge.

You may think revenge will make you feel better in the short term, but in the long term, it will always cost you more emotionally and spiritually than you’d ever want to pay.

Forgiveness doesn’t let the other person off the hook. It places them in God’s hands (see Romans 12:19-21).

2. Our God is not a do-nothing God.

Just like we see in Joseph’s story in the Bible, there is never a single moment when God is doing nothing in our lives. Joseph's story ends, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20, NIV). This brings such hope to a girl like me whose heart longs for justice.

3. The purpose of forgiveness is not always reconciliation.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean trust is immediately restored or hard relational dynamics are instantly fixed. The point of forgiveness is to keep your heart swept clean, cooperating with God’s command to forgive and keeping yourself in a position to receive God’s forgiveness.

Oh, friend, your heartbreak is so real. And your desire to undo what has been done is so very understandable. Forgiveness requires deep dependence on the Lord, and trusting God is a hard step to take, especially when you’re hurt. But I’m also convinced it’s the only step that leads to anything good. So if His Word instructs us to forgive, I believe we can trust His leading in that.

Today, let’s take a step toward forgiveness … together.

-Lysa TerKeurst

What if you spent some time praying or even journaling about the pain you’ve experienced?

Forgiveness is such a double-edged word. It’s amazing to be forgiven but can feel so very complicated to forgive.

Click below to read today's devotion.

When Unchangeable Feels Unforgivable “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Sometimes our emotions can threaten to keep us from prioritizing time with God.

We understand it can be hard to bring your full self into God’s presence when ...

Shame and regret make you feel unworthy of God’s forgiveness.

Heartbreak and loss make you feel hesitant to trust God again.

Comparison and insecurities make you question why God made you the way He did.

But, friend, these feelings could be the very invitation you need to spend more time with Him.

When we least want to spend time with God is when we need to the most.

Scripture reminds us that blessed are the ones who delight in God’s Word and meditate on it day and night. They are like trees planted by streams, bearing fruit and always filled with leaves. Those people will prosper (Psalm 1:1-3)!

God is not asking for perfection from you. He just wants to spend time with you.

Leave a ♥️ if you are encouraged by this reminder today!

Friend, in case you need a reminder…

You are wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
You are deeply loved. (Psalm 103:11)
You have a unique purpose. (Ephesians 2:10)

When I think about heaven …

I worry less about what people think of me.

I dwell on the hope of a day when tears won’t be necessary and death will be no more.

I seek to love others rather than only seeking love for myself.

When I think about heaven, I think more of what God values: kindness over comparison, celebration over envy, reconciliation over being right, eternal treasure over material toys, listening over needing to be heard, and love over self-consciousness.

When I think about heaven, I start to understand what James says about “not lacking anything” (James 1:4, NIV). It’s all going to be there.

-Megan Fate Marshman

How have you seen God use seasons of trials to grow you more into His likeness?

My wonderful late husband was born on Father’s Day.
So every year, right around Father’s Day, it’s Randy’s birthday. This confluence of celebrations isn’t going to get easier for me and my boys, but it is the way it is.

Click below to read today's devotion.

Consider It Pure Joy? “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds …” James 1:2 (NIV)

Do you ever turn the final page of your book and think:

“That was so powerful. But I have no idea what to do next.”

We’re right there with you, friend! You want to be challenged to think and live differently after finishing a book. You want to have real conversations about hard things and come out transformed on the other side.

If that sounds like you, then the Circle 31 Book Club is for you!

Through Circle 31, you will:

•Explore books that challenge your thinking, deepen your faith, and lead you to take action based on what you learn.

•Engage with a community of women who will help you resist the temptation to be complacent in your walk with the Lord, and make real progress on the challenges you are facing.

•Tackle hard issues bravely but not take life too seriously along the way. (We have fun in book club!)

We just announced our September pick, “Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years and Yours” by Alicia Britt Chole and we can’t wait for read it together! If you’re feeling unseen or undervalued, you won’t want to miss it. Join here today: https://hubs.la/Q02KPPQV0

When your soul is exhausted by the pain you carry, Jesus has the rest you need.

Standing on the cracked sidewalk in front of the dilapidated 1940s home I had just purchased, I could feel the weight of the project settling in. Yet I could see its potential. I had a vision of what I knew this little house could become. So as my heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I whispered a prayer: God, guide me through this journey.

In that moment, I recalled how God shapes and molds us, seeing the potential He has placed within us, stripping away the old to make way for the new. I thought of all the ways I’ve seen Him do this for me.

Isaiah 43:18-19c kept echoing in my mind: “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”

Over the next few weeks and months, my friend and I rolled up our sleeves and got to work:

demolishing walls, ripping up floors, and gutting the bathrooms and kitchen. With each step, transformation was taking place. Slowly, the house began to change.

It was hard work, but I found joy in the process, each task echoing the journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

And the day finally came when … there stood the house in all her cuteness. What was once broken and neglected, with an uncertain future, was now a testament to hard work, vision and faith. Transformed from the inside out. A new beginning.

If your heart longs for a fresh start, a new beginning, you don't have to let fear and doubt paralyze you. Invite God to begin His transformation process in you, and then invest in yourself and your new future, rolling up your sleeves and getting to work however He calls you.

No matter what you’ve experienced or where you are right now, God sees your potential. He is the Visionary who will give you a brand-new beginning.

-Tracie Miles, Author

How might you feel if you adopted the mindset of embracing your season of new beginnings rather than wishing for the things that once were?

Standing on the cracked sidewalk in front of the dilapidated 1940s home I had just purchased, I could feel the weight of the project settling in.

Click below to read today's devotion.

Are You Ready To Embrace Your New Beginning? “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I’ve been following Christ for more than 50 years. As a Christian singer, I found sharing my faith from the stage was always easy because I could recite my testimony like a script.

But speaking up for Christ in everyday encounters was often a struggle. When it came to telling someone about Jesus, my words never seemed to come out right. So I chose to say little or nothing at all.

When my 50th year of walking with the Lord approached, I confessed to God that I wanted to change. I took a big leap of faith by praying, God, will You give me more opportunities to share my faith with others? If You’ll open the door and give me the words, I’ll obey Your command to shine my light and share my faith.

Soon after, while standing in the grocery store checkout line, I greeted the clerk, asking how she was doing. She told me she was fine, but her grandmother was fighting cancer. My heart went out to her. I didn’t want to say I’d pray for her grandmother and then forget later, so I offered to pray right there.

For one holy moment, the young lady and I asked God to heal her grandmother. Based on her response, I think we both sensed deeply that God heard our prayer.

I was leaving the store when a kind stranger approached me, saying, “I saw you praying for the grocery clerk. My husband is not walking with the Lord. Would you pray for him?” It was a humble privilege to pray for a sister in the Lord, asking that her husband might become a believer in Christ.
As I walked to my car to load up my groceries, another young lady approached me and asked me to pray for her family. What a joy to be a light for Jesus at the grocery store — not only for those who needed prayer but also for those who may have observed our grocery store prayer meeting!

Jesus desires that we tell others about Him. He also wants us to show Him to others. We don’t need a pulpit or a platform. With kindness, love and compassion, we can all participate in spreading the gospel.

-Babbie Mason Radio

What is one action step you can take to demonstrate Jesus’ compassion today?

Keep your heart open to the possibilities and abundance that await you. God is faithful to keep you and His promises.

Sometimes in the busyness of life, we can find ourselves struggling to make time to spend with God. Our prayers dwindle, and even though we long to rest in His presence, we end up priortizing our unending to-do list and become spiritually dehydrated.

In scripture, Jesus used the metaphor of water as an invitation to seek Him and be spiritually filled:
“… If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).

This passage boldly proclaims two key truths that direct us toward abundant life:

1. Christ alone is our satisfaction.

Jesus Himself is Living Water (John 4:14). We can approach Him with confidence because He promises to supply our every need both now and for eternity (Philippians 4:19).

2. When we believe in Jesus, our hearts flow with life.

The moment we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within us (Romans 8:9). Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit is our present help as we await our heavenly home (John 14:16). Because of His nearness, we walk with peace today while holding on to the promise of eternal life to come.
Jesus grants us full access to His presence and His living water! Still, like I learned at the hospital, true transformation requires access plus action.

We can carry around our Bibles every day and remain unchanged. However, if we study Scripture and persist in prayer, by faith, we encounter the One who is worthy of our worship. He calms us with His perfect peace. He refreshes us with His rest. He embraces us with His steadfast love. He replenishes our languishing souls (Jeremiah 31:25), and as we wait on Him, we will never faint or grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).

No matter the challenges you face today, friend, come to Jesus. He will satisfy your deepest needs.

-Michelle Martino, Compel Pro Writers Training writer

How can you prioritize a relationship with Jesus and see Him as your source today?