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The first chapters of Genesis are the bedrock of the Jewish and Christian traditions. In these inaugural pages of the canon, the creation of the world, the fall of the human creature, the promise of redemption and the beginning of salvation history are found. Interwoven in the text are memorable stories of the ancient biblical patriarchs and matriarchs.
Throughout the history of commentary, interpreters have lavished attention on the rich passages recounting the six days of creation, the tragic fall of God’s creature–from the expulsion of the first parents to Cain’s fratricide and the catastrophe of the Flood–as well as the allegorical sign of hope in the ark of Noah. Commentators in the Reformation continued this venerable tradition of detailed focus on these primordial stories, finding themselves and their era deeply connected to the tragedies and promises, the genealogies and marvels of God’s providential election and governance. Above all, Reformation-era interpreters found anchor for their teaching, preaching and hope in the promise of Christ running through these first chapters, from creation to the calling of Abraham.
While following the precedent of patristic and medieval commentators on Scripture, as well as Rabbinic midrash, the Reformers provide insightful and startling fresh readings of familiar passages, inviting readers to see the ancient text with new eyes. This volume collects the comments of not only the monumental thinkers like Luther, Calvin and Melancthon, but also many important figures of the time who are lesser-known today. Here we find rich fare from Johannes Brenz, Wolfgang Capito, Hans Denck, Wolfgang Musculus, Johannes Oecolampadius and Peter Martyr Vermigli.
Readers will encounter comments from a wide array of perspectives, from the magisterial Reformers to radical Protestants like Balthasar Hubmaier, Menno Simons, Pilgram Marpeck and Dirk Philips, as well as some Catholic thinkers, such as Desiderius Erasmus and Cardinal Cajetan. Important contributions from female voices, like Katharina Schütz Zell and Anna Maria van Schurman are included also. The wealth of Reformation interpretation is brought together here for study and reflection, much appearing in English for the first time.
The Reformation Commentary on Scripture Series
The Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) provides a crucial link between the contemporary church and the great cloud of witnesses that is the historical church. The biblical insights and rhetorical power of the tradition of the Reformation are here made available as a powerful tool for the church of the twenty-first century. Like never before, believers can feel they are a part of a genuine tradition of renewal as they faithfully approach the Scriptures.
In each RCS volume you will find the biblical text in English, from the English Standard Version (ESV), alongside the insights of the leaders of the Reformation. Hear from landmark figures such as Luther and Calvin, as well as lesser-known commentators such as Peter Martyr Vermigli, Johannes Oecolampadius, Martin Bucer, Johannes Brenz, Caspar Cruciger, Giovanni Diodati, and Kaspar Olevianus. The series introduces you to the great diversity that constituted the Reformation, with commentary from Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist and even reform-minded Catholic thinkers, who all shared a commitment to the faithful exposition of Scripture.
Each volume is designed to facilitate a rich research experience for preachers and teachers, and contains a unique introduction written by the volume editor, providing a reliable guide to the history of the period, the unique reception of the canon of Scripture and an orientation to the thinkers featured in the volume. Many of these texts are being published in English for the first time, and volumes also contain biographies of figures from the Reformation era, adding an essential reference for students of church history.

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) collects Protestant Reformation reflections on the entirety of the Bible, chapter by chapter, introducing readers to the depth and richness of exegetical ferment that defined the Reformation.

In each RCS volume you will find the biblical text in English, from the English Standard Version (ESV), alongside the insights of the leaders of the Reformation. Hear from landmark figures such as Luther and Calvin, as well as lesser-known commentators such as Peter Martyr Vermigli, Johannes Oecolampadius, Martin Bucer, Johannes Brenz, Caspar Cruciger, Giovanni Diodati, and Kaspar Olevianus. The series introduces you to the great diversity that constituted the Reformation, with commentary from Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist and even reform-minded Catholic thinkers, who all shared a commitment to the faithful exposition of Scripture. By drawing from an array of Reformation resources—including commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessions—this series will equip scholars to better understand the depth and breadth of Reformation Commentary.

Each volume is designed to facilitate a rich research experience for preachers and teachers, and contains a unique introduction written by the volume editor, providing a reliable guide to the history of the period, the unique reception of the canon of Scripture and an orientation to the thinkers featured in the volume. Many of these texts are being published in English for the first time, and volumes also contain biographies of figures from the Reformation era, adding an essential reference for students of church history.

Reviews
“The Reformation Commentary on Scripture is a major publishing event—for those with historical interest in the founding convictions of Protestantism, but even more for those who care about understanding the Bible. As with IVP Academic’s earlier Ancient Christian Commentary, this effort brings flesh and blood to ‘the communion of saints’ by letting believers of our day look over the shoulders of giants from the past. By connecting the past with the present, and by doing so with the Bible at the center, the editors of this series perform a great service for the church. The series deserves the widest possible support.” — Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

“Since Gerhard Ebeling’s pioneering work on Luther’s exegesis seventy years ago, the history of biblical interpretation has occupied many Reformation scholars and become a vital part of study of the period. The Reformation Commentary on Scripture provides fresh materials for students of Reformation-era biblical interpretation and for twenty-first-century preachers to mine the rich stores of insights from leading Reformers of the sixteenth century into both the text of Scripture itself and its application in sixteenth-century contexts. This series will strengthen our understanding of the period of the Reformation and enable us to apply its insights to our own days and its challenges to the church.” — Robert Kolb, professor emeritus, Concordia Theological Seminary

“Discerning the true significance of movements in theology requires acquaintance with their biblical exegesis. This is supremely so with the Reformation, which was essentially a biblical revival. The Reformation Commentary on Scripture will fill a yawning gap, just as the Ancient Christian Commentary did before it, and the first volume gets the series off to a fine start, whetting the appetite for more. Most heartily do I welcome and commend this long overdue project.” — J. I. Packer, Retired Board of Governors Professor of Theology, Regent College

“Monumental and magisterial, the Reformation Commentary on Scripture, edited by Timothy George, is a remarkably bold and visionary undertaking. Bringing together a wealth of resources, these volumes will provide historians, theologians, biblical scholars, pastors and students with a fresh look at the exegetical insights of those who shaped and influenced the sixteenth-century Reformation. With this marvelous publication, InterVarsity Press has reached yet another plateau of excellence. We pray that this superb series will be used of God to strengthen both church and academy.” — David S. Dockery, president, Union University

“Why was this not done before? The publication of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture should be greeted with enthusiasm by every believing Christian–but especially by those who will preach and teach the Word of God. This commentary series brings the very best of the Reformation heritage to the task of exegesis and exposition, and each volume in this series represents a veritable feast that takes us back to the sixteenth century to enrich the preaching and teaching of God’s Word in our own time.” — R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“I am delighted to see the Reformation Commentary on Scripture. The editors of this series have done us all a service by gleaning from these rich fields of biblical reflection. May God use this new life for these old words to give him glory and to build his church.” — Mark Dever, senior pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, and president of 9Marks.org Ministries

“Like the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, the Reformation Commentary on Scripture does a masterful job of offering excellent selections from well-known and not-so-well-known exegetes. The editor’s introductory survey is, by itself, worth the price of the book. It is easy to forget that there were more hands, hearts and minds involved in the Reformation than Luther and Calvin. Furthermore, encounters even with these figures are often limited to familiar quotes on familiar topics. However, the Reformation Commentary helps us to recognize the breadth and depth of exegetical interests and skill that fueled and continue to fuel faithful meditation on God’s Word. I heartily recommend this series as a tremendous resource not only for ministry but for personal edification.” — Michael S. Horton, J. G. Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California

Timothy George is the founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and serves as an executive editor at Christianity Today. He is a member of the Southern Baptist-Roman Catholic Conversation Team and has participated in the Evangelicals and Catholics Together initiative. He is the series editor for the Reformation Commentary on Scripture.

Scott M. Manetsch (PhD, University of Arizona) is professor of church history at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the associate general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture and the author of Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609.

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) provides a crucial link between the contemporary church and the historical church. The biblical insights of the Reformed tradition are made available as a powerful tool. Like never before, believers join a genuine tradition of renewal as they faithfully approach the Scriptures.

What is the RCS Series?

Hear from landmark figures such as Luther and Calvin, as well as lesser-known commentators such as:

Peter Martyr Vermigli
Johannes Oecolampadius
Martin Bucer
Johannes Brenz
Caspar Cruciger
Giovanni Diodati
and Kaspar Olevianus
The series introduces you to the great diversity that constituted the Reformation. It comes with commentary from Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist and even reform-minded Catholic thinkers. And all shared a commitment to the faithful exposition of Scripture.

Many of these texts are being published in English for the first time! Additionally, volumes contain biographies of figures from the Reformation era, adding an essential reference for students of church history.

Several features have been incorporated into the design of this commentary and we wanted to show you just a few.

Pericopes of Scripture

The scriptural text is split into pericopes, usually several verses in length. Each of these pericopes has a heading, which appears at the beginning of the pericope. For example, the first pericope in the commentary on Galatians is “1:1-5 Greetings and Blessings.”

Overviews

Following each pericope of text is an overview of the Reformation authors’ comments on that pericope. The format of this overview varies among the volumes of this series, depending on the requirements of the specific book of Scripture.

Topical Headings

An abundance of varied Reformation-era comment is available for each pericope. For this reason we have broken the pericopes into two levels. First is the verse with its topical heading. The reformers’ comments are then focused on aspects of each verse. Additionally, there are topical headings summarizing the essence of the individual comment by evoking a key phrase, metaphor or idea. This feature provides a bridge by which modern readers can enter into the heart of the Reformation-era comment.

Identifying the Reformation-Era Texts

Following the topical heading, the name of the Reformation commentator is provided. An English translation (where needed) of the reformer’s comment is then shared. This is immediately followed by the title of the original work rendered in English. Tap on the name to read a brief biographical sketch of the Reformation commentator.

The Footnotes

Readers who wish to pursue a deeper investigation of the Reformation works cited in this commentary will find the footnotes especially valuable. Tapping on footnotes will open a small screen. All footnotes and additional references are accessible here.

Resource Guide

Use the Reformation Commentary on Scripture in the Resource Guide! All you need to do it open your favorite Bible translation. Then, open the Study Center and make sure you are in the Resource Guide tab. As you read, we will show you applicable content from your resources.

The app also keeps up with the scripture passage you’re reading in the main window with sync scrolling. As you read in the main window, any resource open in the Study Center will scroll with you. You know what this means? No. More. Page turning.

Linked References

One of the greatest frustrations in the hard copy world is trying to keep up with verse references. Whenever the text references a verse, it sparks an internal disagreement. “Will this reference be worth looking up? Of course it will be! Do it! … Do I have to, though”

But in the app, we hyperlink the Scripture references within the commentary text. All you have to do is tap the scripture reference to read it instantly.

Copy/Paste into Notes

Commentaries are full of great content. It can be so helpful to find a great quote, summarizes what we were thinking, but couldn’t put into words. However, in the world of hard-copy commentaries, you’ll need to write or type out the quote for safe-keeping. With the app, all you have to do is highlight the text you want, copy it and paste it into your notes. This feature saves people a ton of time!

Save 84%

Start studying with the discounted Reformation Commentary on Scripture Series (15 Vol

Louise’s Story – Finding Gratitude After Loss

Finding gratitude both during and after a loss has been a game-changer for me. In fact, it made such an impact that I continue to practice gratitude every single day using the wonderful Gratitude app.
After losing both parents, I realized that finding gratitude following any traumatic event does not mean I needed to face each day full of positivity and ignore the grief and emotions associated with loss.
It was about working with the feelings I had and even being grateful for those. Grief is a natural process.
Practicing gratitude during grief helped me to find a place where I could reconnect with the joys of life after loss and explore the possibilities that were open to me for rebuilding my life.
I became interested in the scientifically proven benefits of practicing gratitude, and the impact on resilience during difficult times. I often reflect on the three things I’m grateful for after loss:
#1. Grateful that I lost myself: Yes, this felt messy and uncomfortable at the time. After losing my parents, I had no idea who I was anymore or what I wanted from life. But you know what, it turns out that being lost, was a sure sign that I was well on the way to finding a different version of myself.
#2. Grateful that I lost my job: Losing my career of 13 years – the thing I thought I always wanted – helped me to realize it wasn’t really what made me happy. So losing my job after all that other loss nudged me into re-discovering my life and starting to live with purpose.
#3. Grateful I said goodbye to the things/people that didn’t serve me: Acknowledging this meant I could let go of anything that was weighing me down (including my own thoughts) or holding me back. It is because of this, I have been able to grow into a better version of myself. The version I was meant to be, not what others wanted me to be.
After discovering the Gratitude app by accident (in an app store search), I found a way that felt simple and easy to lean into gratitude on a daily basis. I loved the simplicity, accessibility, and ease of the app.
It’s lovely to see how the app is evolving as I continue to take a few moments each day to focus on all that I have – rather than complain about all the things I think I deserve or wish I had.
This remains an important part of my well-being and even though grief never completely goes away, gratitude is a reminder for myself and my clients that there is life after loss.
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Hey, it’s the team of Gratitude! We’re driven to nurture the well-being of people around the world and are grateful to see you here. Connect with us at blog@gratefulness.me 🙂

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70+ Happy Tuesday Quotes for Motivation & Joy

A very happy Tuesday to you!

Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday is the second day of the week, and for many people, it marks the halfway point to the weekend.
Whether you’re looking for a little mid-week pick-me-up or simply want to start your day off on a positive note, reading happy Tuesday quotes can be a great way to boost your mood and get into a good frame of mind.
In this post, we will explore a selection of happy Tuesday quotes that will put a smile on your face and help you make the most of your day.
Tuesday Quotes
“Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. That’s cleaning day.”
― Jim Miller
“Monday always passes and there will always be a Tuesday with a beautiful blue sky with few clouds.”
― Unknown

“Did someone order a bright and sunny day? Well…here it is. Happy Tuesday!”
― Anthony T. Hincks
“It’s TUESDAY! And since it’s CHOOSEDAY: choose to smile, choose to be happy, choose to love, choose to bless, choose to be a blessing, choose to be humble, choose to be patient,  choose to be kind… And above all Choose God to guide your life. HAPPY TUESDAY!”
― Unknown
“Happy Tuesday! You got to admit, at least it sounds better than happy Monday.” ― Unknown
“Tuesdays are a chance for a new beginning and a new perspective, so make them count.”
― Unknown
“On this Tuesday, remember that an attitude is contagious so remember to have a good one.”
― Unknown
“We never know what a week from next Tuesday is going to hold. It may be an ordinary day filled with quite regular activities and demands. Most of the time that is exactly what a week from next Tuesday will hold.”
― Matthew Rich

“Tuesday is the most sensible day of the week.”
― Emily P. Freeman
“How would your Tuesday be different if you conducted yourself with complete love and consideration?”
― Byron Pulsifer
“Tuesday is a good day, you survived Monday. And tomorrow is Wednesday, halfway through your work week!”
― Kate Summers
“Tuesdays are really just Mondays dressed in their Sunday best.”
― Unknown
“Always keep a bottle of wine in the fridge for special occasions. You know, like a Tuesday.”
― Unknown
“Good morning Tuesday! Please enter and pour out that shower of blessings into our lives, renew our spirits, our strength, our faith, and our hope.”
― Unknown
“No matter what your Tuesday is, don’t worry because Friday is on its way.”
― Anonymous
“Start your day with these words: today is going to be a good Tuesday! And this morning is going to be an awesome one.”
― Anonymous
“Don’t just dream it be it, because anything is possible. Happy Tuesday.”
― Anonymous

“Hold onto positive things that elevate your spirit and be with positive people. Happy Tuesday.”
― Tracey Edmonds
“Today is not just Tuesday, it is Transformation Tuesday. That means that success does not just come to you, you have to go out and get it. So what are you waiting for?”
― Anonymous
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”
― James Allen
“I challenge you to let every day be a Friday. Give yourself permission to be happy every day.”
― Joel Osteen
“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”
― Karen Kaiser Clark
“Let your courage inspire the world around you.”
― Steve Maraboli
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
― Paulo Coelho
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
― Thomas A. Edison
Tuesday Morning Quotes
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
― Marilyn Monroe
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
― Maya Angelou
“Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, stop caring about what others think.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”
― Allen Ginsberg
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”
― Coco Chanel
“Don’t compromise yourself – you’re all you have.”
― John Grisham
“To shine your brightest light is to be who you truly are.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
― Lao Tzu
“I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.”
― Juansen Dizon
“Each day is a miracle that intoxicates me. I want more. I greet every morning like a new pleasure. And yet I am keenly aware of all life’s artifices. Getting dressed, wearing make-up, laughing, having fun-isn’t all that just playing a role? Am I not more profound, carrying the burden of those twenty years when I ‘wasn’t alive’, than all those who rushed around in vain during that time?”
― Malika Oufkir
Tuesday Motivation Quotes
“He believed in himself, believed in his quixotic ambition, letting the failures of the previous day disappear as each new day dawned. Yesterday was not today. The past did not predict the future if he could learn from his mistakes.”
― Daniel Wallace
“There is no tomorrow and there was no yesterday; if you truly want to accomplish your goals you must engulf yourself in today.”
― Noel DeJesus
“Never mind those failures till yesterday. Each new day is a sequel of a wonderful life; gifted with hopes to succeed.”
― Aniruddha Sastikar
“Love is being able to view a situation without adding duality to it.”
― Alaric Hutchinson

“Happiness in your heart is directly proportional to the quality of thoughts in your mind.”
― Asma Naqi
“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
― Jim Rohn
“Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”
― Theodore Isaac Rubin
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
― Buddha
“Some days are just bad days, that’s all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day. That’s just the way it is!”
― Dita Von Teese
“At any moment, you have a choice that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
“True self-acceptance shows up at that moment when you realize that peace cannot co-exist with war. The moment you choose to stop being your own enemy and to love yourself instead.”
― Rebecca Ray
“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“Accept who you are; and revel in it.”
― Mitch Albom
“The eyes of others our prisons; their thoughts our cages.”
― Virginia Woolf
“When someone tells me “no,” it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them.”
― Karen E. Quinones Miller
Tuesday Blessings Quotes
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
― J.K. Rowling
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus
“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.”
― Sarah Dessen
“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”
― Ann Landers
“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”
― Sabaa Tahir
“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”
― Sabaa Tahir
Tuesday Thankful Quotes
‘To get happier, try gratitude, giving back, savoring, encouraging your optimism, and celebrating progress.’
― Jonathan Harnum
“Be thankful for everything that happens in your life; it’s all an experience.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“Sometimes the little things in life mean the most.”
― Ellen Hopkins
“It is always better to look at the bright side of life.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita
“The two words that will change your life are “thank you”. Like a candle that can light a thousand more without shortening its own life, appreciation is a gift that, when given, can set the whole world aglow.”
― Stacey Lee
“Display, a life full of gratitude, and remember to give thanks each day.”
― Danielle Duckery

“Spending time in nature feeling connected with the world often elicits gratitude.”
― Diana Butler Bass
“I turned my attention to gratitude and discovered that the more I cultivated a sense of appreciation for all that I had, the happier and less fearful I was.”
― M. J. Ryan
“‘Count your blessings’ is such a common expression that it has become a catchphrase. Yet it contains powerful truth and meaning: Be grateful for what you have – and for what you don’t have.”
― Robert W. Bly
“We should not measure success by bank accounts filled with money, but rather by moments filled with joy and gratitude. Pursuing your passion vigorously and relentlessly will bring you those moments.”
― Dennis Houchin
“The practice of gratitude empowers, heals, inspires, and fosters heartfelt well–being.”
― Angeles Arrien
Continue Reading: Hump Day Blues? 50+ Wednesday Quotes to Get You Through
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Aarushi Tewari
The writer and affirmations speaker at Gratitude, Aarushi believes that one of the most effective ways of feeling inner peace is by being grateful and having a loving self-relationship.

15-day New Year Challenge

Starting January 1

🌻
Begin the new year with a positive outlook
💖
Start fresh every day with a new prompt
📝
Examples to help you get ideas
⏰
Reminders to keep you on track

Start FREE Challenge
Related reads

QUOTES
6 MIN READ
60+ Summer Quotes for The Sunny Season
Bask under the warmth of this beautiful season.

QUOTES
6 MIN READ
60+ Spring Quotes to Welcome The Season of Blossoms
Rejoice in the beauty and lively feeling of spring.

QUOTES
6 MIN READ
40+ Keep Going Quotes to Help You Through Tough Times
Give yourself the support and hope you need.

Take the FREE New Year Challenge

15-day daily guided journaling

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Maybe Later
GRATITUDE

Purpose in Pain

Sometimes it can be hard to see how God could possibly use the pain of our past for good. Yet, over and over in the Bible, we see examples of God taking the darkest, most difficult situations in people’s lives and using them for His glory. 

Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Joseph whose brothers were so full of jealousy and hatred for him that they sold him into slavery. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the lies of his master’s wife landed him in jail. Like many of us, he faced overwhelming feelings of betrayal, rejection, and abandonment—but God was at work. Eventually, because of his seemingly hopeless circumstances, Joseph became Pharaoh’s second in command with the power to save his family and all of Egypt from famine and death. Looking back, Joseph is able to acknowledge that God had never left him but was quietly coordinating a miracle all along. 

Like Joseph, we all experience pain and heartache. Some of us even suffer unspeakable tragedy or inexcusable abuse. However, stories like this give us hope that, with God, we can find purpose in our pain. 

Many times, our hurts give us the opportunity to positively impact this world in a way that no one else can. I’ve heard it said that only those who’ve lost a parent can really understand what that loss feels like. It’s true. The loss of my dad still hurts today, but I can see now that it gives me the ability to speak into others’ lives and comfort them on a level that few others can. In my experience, our pain can actually lead us toward our purpose.

Maybe because of your past, you’re uniquely qualified to give someone hope for their marriage, or maybe the challenges you’re facing with your teen can help other families recognize the warning signs of self harm. Maybe because of your struggles, you can help someone through infertility, addiction, or a cancer diagnosis. Whatever your story is, there’s beauty and power in choosing to be vulnerable enough to share your testimony with others. 

If you’re currently living through a hard season, you may not be able to think about what God has for you in the future. That’s ok. At this moment, you don’t have to know how God will use your pain. Just know that He will. Let that give you hope to carry you through.

God, thank you for promising me that you won’t let all the hard things I’ve gone through in my life be for nothing. Thank you for promising to work ALL things for my good. Jesus, I give you all the dark, ugly, and imperfect pieces of my past and trust that you’ll turn them into something beautiful. Bring me healing and show me how to use my past for your purposes. Fill me with hope and confidence in you. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.