Great post! And I've truly experienced the fruit of being surrounded by other strong believers.

I never knew what an amazing plant bamboo is! Once I read about it from your post, I couldn't agree anymore of what a great analogy it is for how God works in us.

I believe that God will reward you more than you can imagine for letting that situation go! And I believe that He'll reveal to you the fruits of obeying Him. But in the moment, I totally would have reacted the same way you did! XD As always, great post!

Wow, that guy deserves a gold medal for his persistence! I'm not sure if he's a believer or not but he certainly displayed Christ-like qualities that we can all learn from.

Amen, Amen and AMEN! What a great post. I certainly needed to read that and feel encouraged about how when I idolize something and take matters into my own hands that nothing good comes out of it—even when what I'm desiring isn't necessarily a bad thing! Thanks for the encouraging word!

Again, another interesting experience while you were traveling... One of the best bosses I ever had always asked us how we could be the solution to a problem. It's so easy to point out what's wrong, but she told us that if we're going to point issues out then we need to be prepared to offer an effective solution. While reading your post I'm reminded that staying silent when you see a problem is in many ways just as bad as pointing out a problem without a solution. As always, great post!

I agree! Something small but God ordained can have such a profound impact. I think that speaks to how great God is and that he can use something that may seem insignificant to us for His glory! We serve an AMAZING God!

Maggie, excellent point about how we often try to do things—that might not be bad per se—when all we really need to do is turn to God for direction, answers and pretty much everything. And He'll ALWAYS provide. Just as long as we're persistent and have faith! Also, you tend to have interesting experiences while driving. It makes me reconsider having you join our TBD road trips...

I didnt' know most vets were Christians! That's awesome. Yet again, I'm AMAZED to see how God provides. Especially when things don't seem to make sense externally. Thanks again for another great post!

As always, excellent post! I especially like how you mentioned that there's a difference between being confident and prideful. For many years, I always thought that saying anything with remote confidence made me arrogant and prideful. But I learned through another believer that having confidence in Christ is actually a great thing. Especially, having confidence in the abilities that God has given you. Of course, finding that fine line is a constant struggle. Lastly, your post about doing so many interviews and not getting jobs reminded me so much of my journey when first becoming a working professional. #TheStruggleisReal! :)

Wow! Thanks for sharing that story. Interestingly, I was with some folks earlier today and someone mentioned how she was so thankful to God that He orchestrates all things. This post is yet another perfect example of that. And remembering that God is in control of all things is something that I always forget. Even after hearing amazing stories like the one you shared in your post. Thanks, yet again—I think this is the third time I've said this in the past few days—for the encouragement! :)

It's interesting to think about love as an "active experience." I never thought of it that way. But it makes sense. Especially if you think about how Christ loves us. Great post! Thanks, Mags!

AMEN! Mags, thanks for such an honest post. It was real. What I especially found encouraging about this entry was to see how God has worked in an area that is 1. a sensitive topic to discuss 2. a continuation from something you shared about nearly a year ago. I think that no matter what anybody struggles with, they can all find this post encouraging and applicable. Thanks again for sharing and for yet again, another thought-provoking post!

At first, I thought your post was going to be about how it's important for Christians to eat healthily. But after learning that you were using "fake food" as an analogy for counterfeit Christians, I thought was an excellent analogy! And for me, it was certainly convicting. It made me think about my BRB years, as well as my recent walk with the Lord, and I asked myself, if I am a true representative of Christ in all areas of my life. Another thought provoking post! :)

First, as always, great post! We were talking about writing strong leads in my writing class and the lead you used certainly pulls the reader. The anecdote about Steve was great—he sounds like a great friend! Second, thank you for sharing such a vulnerable topic. I've always found you to be a great friend, and I'm sure if you ask yourself now, "who would call you in a bind?" There are a number of people that would put you on their short list. :) In addition, I think that it's great that you asked God to help you become a better friend. What a selfless prayer and I know that God will answer. And it's also a prayer that we should all pray too!

#HulksforChrist =)

"The world defines who we are by what we do, but the Word defines who we are by our identity in Christ. You are NOT your results." As always, great post! And I wanted to take a second to write about the specific statement that I pasted above. I think in the good ole U-S-A, we're extremely results oriented (myself included) and it's immensely difficult for us as believers to divorce this mentality. Interestingly, I was reading something for class and the author was talking about his experience as an instructor and how he was frustrated with the fact that his students were results oriented. He explained how this mentality was detrimental to the development of his students. Coincidentally, I learned that the author is also a believer and so when I was reading your post I thought of him--looks like great minds think alike! :)

Thanks for the real, raw and honest post. It was encouraging to read!

Amen and amen! First, I never finished watching Finding Nemo, and so after reading this post, I definitely want to watch it soon! Second, it's so interesting to hear what you were going through, as I have been going through something similar myself. While reading your post, I thought about how I recently got a break though, and naturally, I was happy and I was jumping for joy and praising God. However, I thought about what Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." And therefore, I began to evaluate my own heart and I realized how even if I didn't get this break through, that I need to always be content, because I'm not entitled to anything. But with that said, one thing that I also realized when reflecting on the verse you shared, Psalms 37:4. The reason why I felt so stagnant was because I kept praying the wrong prayer. I kept praying, "God please let this opportunity work out." Rather than, "God, if this is in your will then let it be done, and it if it's not, then please close the door." So every time a door was closed, I was like, "why God, why?!?!" I realized that when I truly prayed that prayer and surrendered, that my heart began to be better aligned with God's heart and therefore, just like is Psalms 37:4, He will give you the desires of your heart. Thanks for another great post, Mags! :)

As someone who has failed time and time again, I cannot agree enough about how God uses our failures for our good and through our failures and eventual success we can ultimately glorify Him. Of course, in our moments of failure it's hard to see this, especially as I am a person who struggles immensely with pride. In addition, while reading this post I reminded myself that I not only need to go to God in prayer but also wait to hear from Him. The reference between the Israelites and Benjamin was a fitting example. Thanks for sharing, Mags! God bless!