Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Trusting God, When You Don't Like Your Story 41 Comments

Moving Beyond Failure

I shared over at Proverbs 31 Ministries yesterday, and thought you might be encouraged by these words too. It’s for every woman who has ever failed…and that includes me. Let’s talk about it.

Sometimes, walking or running away from my failure is easier than facing it.

I’ve walked away from a struggling friendship rather than working through the rough patch to keep it strong.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Living Free, Living Fully, When You Don't Like Your Story 14 Comments

Going With The Flow Is Often Flawed

Have you ever heard someone say, “Just go with the flow?” Let me tell you a story about why that’s not always a good idea.

I met my husband at a Bible Study in college and quickly learned that he was a very frugal, industrious, and resourceful young man. On our first date, he came to pick me up in his ten-year-old Volkswagen Beetle that he had purchased for $725.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Trusting God, When You Don't Like Your Story 20 Comments

Can I Trust God?

Have you ever wondered if you could trust God with your story? With your circumstances? With your struggles? With your dreams? Let me share why I had trouble trusting God as a new Christians…

I hopped up on the counter at the soda fountain and placed my five-year-old feet on the spinning stool in front of me. Dad sipped on a Coke and talked to the lady behind the counter with the red-and-white-striped apron tied around her waist.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesLiving Fully, Relationships, Trusting God, When You Don't Like Your Story 27 Comments

God Puts to Use What He’s Put Us Through (and What We’ve Put Ourselves Through)

Chris, one of my friends, was in a seminary class when someone raised his hand and asked the professor: What is your best advice on how to be a good pastor?”

“Empathy,” the professor replied. “Have empathy.”

Then Chris raised his hand. “How do you get empathy?

With a trace of sad knowing in his eyes,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesDealing with Your Past, Identity in Christ, Trusting God, When You Don't Like Your Story 26 Comments

Moving Beyond Disappointment and Grief

Grief is a funny thing. I can’t think of many who haven’t experienced grief in some form or another. So let’s talk about it today.

Grief is a natural response to a loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, or the loss of a dream. Grief is a complex weaving of emotions that accompany the loss of what was or sometimes the emptiness of what wasn’t.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Identity in Christ, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, When You Don't Like Your Story 43 Comments

The Other Side of Why

2020 and beyond has been filled with the question “why”? So let’s go there today. I’m sharing over a Proverbs 31 Ministries today and I thought this might encourage you today too.

Many years ago, my son, Steven, and I sat on the floor in his room playing a card game. This summer was proving to be the best ever.  Read more…