More Than
Surviving

Day 1

Seen

I was always the new kid.

Not just “I changed schools once or twice” new. By the time I graduated, I had attended nine completely different schools. Different school systems. Different towns. Different states. That was life in a military family.

The running joke in our house was: “We’ll probably only live here about two years.”

And honestly… it felt true. I never even painted my bedroom until after I was married.

When my dad left the Navy and we moved back to Alabama, I was homeschooled for 5th grade because we moved three different times during that transition year alone. In 6th grade I attended two different schools from Smith Station Intermediate School in South Alabama to West End Elementary.

So growing up, I never really had long-term friendships. This was before cell phones and social media too. Staying connected meant calling somebody’s house phone or writing letters. I didn’t really do either.

So when I started at Sardis High School in 7th grade, I already knew the feeling of walking into a place where nobody knew your name.

I knew what it felt like to sit quietly and wonder where you fit in. I never really belonged to one group. I loved football and basketball, so I joined those. But even there, I never felt deeply connected. I was around people, but still lonely.

Then something changed. At the end of 7th grade, the three friends I had made decided to join the band the next year. Honestly, one of the biggest reasons we joined was because we heard the band went to Disney. That sounded amazing. But somewhere along the way, band became more than a trip. Band became family.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere. People actually noticed me.

Emily Stone — who was a few grades older than us — kind of adopted our little group. We called her “Band Mom.” And Josh White — a giant of a guy we called “5-0” — went from picking on us to becoming like a protective older brother who would shut down anybody messing with us.

I went from feeling invisible to feeling seen. For the first time, I felt like I mattered to people.

But then…I quit. I’ll tell you that story later.

What I want you to understand right now is this: I know what it feels like to be lonely. I know what it feels like to walk through school wondering if anybody notices you. I know what it feels like to smile and joke around just so nobody realizes you’re hurting.

And deep down, I constantly thought: “In a few years, I’ll probably move again and nobody will even miss me.”

The truth is I never really felt seen. I blamed my situation. I accepted loneliness as normal. I thought being forgotten was just part of who I was. But I had no idea what was actually true.

Psalm 139 changes everything. David writes about a God who knows every detail about us. Not just the public version everybody else sees — the real us. The anxious thoughts. The fears. The hidden hurt. The questions we never say out loud. God sees all of it.

Not only that — He stays. David says there is nowhere we can go where God is not present. Then there’s Hagar in Genesis 16. Most people don’t preach about Hagar much. She was a servant. Rejected. Used. Cast out. Alone in the wilderness. And yet in one of the lowest moments of her life, God met her there. Afterward, Hagar gave God a name:

“The God who sees me.”

Think about that. Out of all the names she could have used, that's the one she chose.

Because when nobody else noticed her God did. When everybody else overlooked her God didn’t.

And maybe that’s exactly what you need to hear today. You are not invisible to God.

He sees every fear. Every lonely moment. Every insecurity. Every fake smile. Every battle happening inside your head.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

Jesus is not distant. He is not ignoring you. He is not waiting for you to “get your life together” before He cares. He already sees you completely and still wants a relationship with you.

Matthew 10:29–31 says that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father knowing. Then Jesus says you are worth far more than many sparrows.

Think about that. The God who created galaxies knows your thoughts, your fears, your struggles, and your name.

The hardest battles we face are often not around us. They happen inside our own minds. The lie says: “No one notices me.” “I don’t matter.” “I’m alone.” “I’ll never belong.”

But God speaks a different truth. You are seen. You are known. You are wanted. And you are deeply loved.

Reflection Questions

Have you ever felt invisible, left out, or like nobody truly understood what you were going through? What did that feel like?

Which truth stands out to you most today: that God sees you, knows you, or stays with you? Why?

Prayer Focus

God, I pray right now for the person reading this.

You know the thoughts they never say out loud. You know the hurt they try to hide behind jokes and smiles. You know every lonely moment, every fear, every insecurity, and every time they have felt forgotten or invisible.

Lord, help them truly understand that You see them.

Not the fake version they show everybody else… the real them.

Remind them tonight that they are not abandoned, unwanted, or overlooked. Speak louder than the lies in their mind. Replace fear with peace, loneliness with Your presence, and insecurity with confidence in who You created them to be.

God, let them feel Your closeness in a real and personal way. Help them know that You have never stopped pursuing them, never stopped loving them, and never stopped being near.

And when they feel alone, remind them that the God who created the universe still sees them individually and deeply.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Read Psalm 139:1–12 slowly tonight before bed. As you read, picture God being present in every moment David describes. Underline or write down one verse that reminds you that you are not alone.

TOMORROW — DAY 2: HEARD

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the band director who became one of the biggest influences in my life, how sarcasm and humor hid what was really happening inside me, and how the voices we listen to can shape who we become.

Day 2

Heard

By 8th grade, band had become my world.

Not because I was talented.

Honestly, I wasn’t.

I worked hard, but natural talent definitely wasn’t my gift.

But band class became the part of the day I looked forward to more than anything else.

And a huge reason for that was our band director, Mr. William Johnson.

Mr. J wasn’t just a teacher to me.

He became one of the biggest influences in my life.

For a kid who spent years moving around, struggling to fit in, and feeling invisible, having an adult consistently invest in me mattered more than I realized at the time.

He encouraged me. Pushed me. Corrected me. Believed in me.

And trust me… sometimes the correction part happened a lot.

Because somewhere around that time, I also “found my mouth.”

I had become sarcastic. Smart-mouthed. Always joking. Always trying to get a laugh.

Back then I thought sarcasm made me sound intelligent.

Truthfully, a lot of times sarcasm is just insecurity wearing a mask.

And Mr. J saw through it.

Now for some of you reading this, this next part is going to sound ancient…

But yes, back then schools still paddled students.

And yes… Mr. J had to paddle me more than once.

Honestly, I probably deserved every one of them.

Looking back now, I realize something important:

Mr. J cared enough to correct me.

That matters.

A lot of people will watch you destroy yourself and never say a word.

But people who truly care about you will speak truth even when it’s uncomfortable.

Mr. J taught me more about character than music.

He taught me discipline. Respect. Commitment. Humility.

But most importantly…

he taught me the power of words.

Because there is something powerful about hearing somebody believe in you before you believe in yourself.

There is something powerful about being heard.

Not just listened to.

Heard.

There’s a difference.

A lot of people hear the noise you make, but very few hear what is actually happening inside your heart.

Looking back now, I realize I used humor and sarcasm to hide a lot.

If I could make people laugh, they usually wouldn’t notice my insecurity.

If I joked first, nobody could hurt me first.

Maybe you understand that feeling.

Sometimes the loudest people are actually hurting the most. Sometimes the funniest people are fighting silent battles. Sometimes sarcasm is just pain wearing armor.

But people like Mr. J had a way of seeing past all of that.

He saw potential in me when I mostly saw confusion.

And honestly, that changed something inside me.

Proverbs 18:21 says:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Words matter more than we realize.

Some words stick with us for years.

Maybe somebody once told you: “You’ll never be good enough.” “You’re annoying.” “You’re weird.” “You’re too much.” “You’ll never change.”

And even if nobody else remembers saying it… you do.

Because words shape the way we see ourselves.

But here’s the amazing thing about God:

His voice speaks louder than every lie.

While the world labels people by failure, appearance, popularity, or mistakes, God speaks identity.

The enemy says: “You’re forgotten.”

God says: “I have called you by name.”

The enemy says: “You don’t belong.”

God says: “You are Mine.”

The enemy says: “You’ll never change.”

God says: “I am making you new.”

John 10 says that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and His sheep know His voice.

That means one of the most important things you will ever learn is how to recognize which voices are leading your life.

Because every day there are voices competing for your attention.

Social media. Friends. Fear. Culture. Comparison. Your own thoughts.

And some of the loudest voices are the ones inside your own head.

But Jesus still speaks.

Not with shame. Not with condemnation. Not with hatred.

He speaks truth.

He speaks life.

He speaks purpose.

And sometimes God will even use people around you — teachers, pastors, parents, friends, mentors — to speak truth into your life at the exact moment you are believing lies about yourself.

Looking back now, I realize God used Mr. Johnson for more than teaching music.

God used him to help pull me out of hiding.

And maybe God is trying to do the same thing in your life right now.

Reflection Questions

What voices have shaped the way you see yourself the most — friends, family, social media, fear, past experiences, or God’s truth?

Has there ever been a person in your life who encouraged you, corrected you, or believed in you when you needed it most? How did it impact you?

Prayer Focus

God, I pray for the person reading this right now.

There are so many voices fighting for their attention every single day, and some of those voices have wounded them deeply. Some words spoken over them became lies they started believing about themselves.

But Lord, Your voice speaks louder.

Help them recognize the difference between the voice of fear and the voice of truth. Remind them that they are not defined by insults, failures, embarrassment, insecurity, or comparison. They are defined by You.

Place godly voices in their life — people who encourage them, challenge them, correct them in love, and point them toward You.

And Father, help them learn to hear Your voice clearly through Your Word, prayer, and the people You place around them.

Let them hear hope again. Let them hear purpose again. Let them hear truth again.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Take a few minutes today and think about the voices you listen to the most.

What music, social media, friendships, or thoughts are constantly shaping your mind?

Then read John 10:1–18 and look at how Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. Write down one verse that reminds you of His love and leadership in your life.

TOMORROW — DAY 3: STUCK

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the decision that caused me to walk away from the very place where I finally felt like I belonged… and how drifting usually starts long before we realize how far we’ve gone.

Day 3

Stuck

The day I quit band felt exciting at first.

I was supposed to be at band camp that summer.

Instead, nobody knew where I was.

Back during the spring of 8th grade, I had decided to try out for football. I had already played junior varsity in 7th grade, and heading into 9th grade, I had been promised a shot at varsity.

I was athletic enough, so I went for it.

I made second-string tight end, and the coaches told me that if I improved, I could possibly be starting by the first game.

So now I had a decision to make.

Band… or football.

And honestly?

I made the wrong choice.

I left band without even giving notice.

My parents returned my trombone, and in my mind, I was about to become a football star.

Except…

I never really became one.

Summer training started, and it quickly became miserable.

The workouts didn’t bother me. I could handle hard work.

What crushed me was the feeling I thought I had escaped.

I felt invisible again.

Unseen. Unheard. Replaceable.

Nobody really cared whether I was there or not.

And suddenly I realized something:

I had walked away from the one place where I truly belonged.

Right before school started, I begged my parents to let me rejoin band.

But first, we had to meet with Mr. J.

A few days before school began, I sat there pleading my case. I knew I had messed up.

And my decision had consequences.

I no longer had an instrument. I couldn’t march. And honestly, I had a lot to prove.

Mr. J finally agreed to let me come back, but there were conditions.

I was allowed to borrow a school trombone, but I would not perform during marching season.

Instead, I had to show up anyway.

Every class. Every after-school practice. Every competition.

I was expected to serve the band even when I wasn’t standing in the spotlight with them.

During practices, I made sure everyone had water.

At competitions, I helped carry equipment, uniforms, and instruments — especially while traveling.

Basically, I became the equipment manager, water boy, and grunt worker all rolled into one.

And honestly?

It humbled me fast.

Because I couldn’t keep acting like the arrogant, sarcastic kid anymore.

I had to learn something I desperately needed:

Humility.

There were moments I felt embarrassed.

Watching everybody else perform while I stood on the sidelines hurt.

Knowing I missed out because of my own choices hurt even more.

And yes… they still went to Disney without me.

That one stung.

But somewhere during that season, something inside me started changing.

Instead of wasting time feeling sorry for myself, Mr. J started teaching me how to lead.

Not through popularity. Not through talent. Not through attention.

Through serving.

When I felt worthless because of my mistakes, he showed me that failure did not have to define me.

Once marching season ended, I was finally allowed to fully rejoin the band.

I came back sitting 3rd chair.

But I was back.

And something I’ll never forget is this:

Nobody mocked me.

Nobody humiliated me.

My band family was disappointed in my decision, sure — but they welcomed me back with open arms.

That season taught me something powerful:

Bad decisions can leave us feeling stuck.

Stuck in regret. Stuck in embarrassment. Stuck thinking we ruined everything.

But God is incredibly good at restoring people who are willing to humble themselves and come back.

One of the enemy’s biggest lies is: “You messed up too badly.” “There’s no coming back from this.” “You missed your chance.”

But the Gospel tells a different story.

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him. The prodigal son walked away from his father, yet he was welcomed home. John Mark quit during ministry, yet God still used him later in powerful ways.

Failure is not the end of your story.

Sometimes God uses our worst decisions to build the character we needed all along.

James 4:6 says:

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

That verse used to bother me when I was younger.

Because honestly, pride does not always look loud.

Sometimes pride hides behind insecurity. Sometimes it hides behind sarcasm. Sometimes it hides behind trying to prove yourself to everybody else.

That was me.

I wanted people to notice me. I wanted to matter. I wanted to feel important.

So when football offered me a chance to finally be “somebody,” I chased it.

But I chased the wrong thing.

And when it all fell apart, I felt stuck in my own bad decision.

Maybe you know that feeling.

Maybe you’ve made choices you regret. Maybe you walked away from something good. Maybe you hurt people. Maybe you drifted from God. Maybe you started becoming someone you never thought you would become.

And now you feel trapped by your own mistakes.

But here’s what I learned during that season:

Being humbled is not the same thing as being rejected.

Mr. J did not let me back in because my choices didn’t matter.

They did matter.

There were consequences.

I missed out on marching season. I missed the Disney trip. I had to earn trust again.

But the consequences were not the end of the story.

Grace still made a way back.

That is exactly how God works with us.

Hebrews 12 says God disciplines the people He loves.

Not because He hates us. Not because He wants to shame us. But because He is trying to shape us into who we were created to become.

Sometimes God allows uncomfortable seasons because character is being built in us.

And honestly?

Some of the greatest growth in my life happened when I stopped trying to be noticed and started learning how to serve.

Jesus said in Mark 10:43–45:

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.”

That completely flips the world’s thinking upside down.

The world says: “Fight to be first.” “Build your image.” “Make people notice you.”

Jesus says: “Serve.” “Be humble.” “Lift others up.”

And the crazy thing is this:

The season where I felt the most embarrassed eventually became one of the seasons God used the most to shape my character.

Because sometimes the very thing we think ruined us… is the thing God uses to grow us.

Reflection Questions

Have you ever made a decision that looked exciting at first but later left you feeling empty, embarrassed, or stuck? What did you learn from it?

Is there an area in your life right now where pride, insecurity, or the desire to fit in is influencing your decisions more than God’s direction?

Prayer Focus

God, I pray for the person reading this right now.

You know the mistakes they regret. You know the choices they wish they could undo. You know the embarrassment, shame, and fear they carry when they think about the things they’ve messed up.

But thank You that failure is not the end of the story.

Lord, help them understand that Your grace is bigger than their mistakes. Teach them humility without crushing their spirit. Show them that discipline and correction are not rejection, but proof that You love them enough to shape them.

And Father, if they feel stuck right now — stuck in sin, regret, insecurity, anger, addiction, fear, or bad decisions — remind them that You still make a way back.

Help them stop running from You and start trusting You again.

Build character in them. Build humility in them. Build leadership in them.

And teach them that true greatness is not found in being noticed, but in learning how to serve others like Jesus did.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Read Luke 15:11–24, the story of the prodigal son.

As you read, pay attention to the father’s response when his son returned home. Write down one thing that stands out to you about God’s grace, forgiveness, or restoration.

Then ask yourself honestly: “Is there an area of my life where I need to stop running and come back to God?”

TOMORROW — DAY 4: CREATED

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the summer God completely changed the direction of my life, how everything I thought defined me was suddenly stripped away, and how I discovered my identity had to be built on something deeper than people, plans, or where I belonged.

Day 4

Created

During my 10th grade year, I finally got to march with the band.

And honestly? It was incredible.

Every Friday night football game. Every competition. Every bus ride. Every late-night practice.

For the first time in my life, I felt stable.

I even started dreaming bigger.

I thought about becoming drum major someday.

That February, something else happened too.

I met my future wife, Anastasia.

She went to Boaz High School and was a senior while I was a sophomore, though we were much closer in age than that sounds.

At the time, I had no idea how important she would become in my life.

Then summer came.

And once again… everything changed.

I went to youth camp that summer, and God got ahold of my heart in a way I had never experienced before.

For the first time in my life, I clearly felt God calling me into ministry.

Not just to attend church. Not just to believe in Him. But to preach the Gospel.

And honestly?

That calling terrified me.

Because if you knew me back then, “future preacher” would not have been at the top of your list.

I was a big introvert. I was still the sarcastic kid. Still insecure. Still figuring life out.

But somehow, deep down, I knew.

God had created me for something more than just surviving life.

And strangely enough, during that same season, I also knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would marry Anastasia one day.

Which sounds crazy considering we had barely started dating.

But just so you know… I was right.

We got married three years later.

At the time I’m writing this devotional, we’ve now been married for 20 years.

But when I came home from youth camp excited to tell my parents everything God had done in my life, they had news for me too.

We were moving again.

Honestly, by that point, my family had moved so many times we had the process mastered.

We could practically pack up our entire lives and move within a week.

And this time? That’s about how much time I had left.

Suddenly everything felt ripped away again.

The band. My friends. My future plans. The girl I had just fallen for. The life I thought I was finally building.

Gone.

I remember thinking:

“Why does this keep happening?”

I even needed to tell Mr. J goodbye, but he was out of town. I wouldn’t see him again until I tracked him down later at a band competition months afterward.

Everything I had started building my identity around suddenly disappeared.

But this time something was different.

For the first time in my life, my identity was no longer completely tied to where I lived, what group I belonged to, or whether people noticed me.

Because now I had Christ.

And what I didn’t realize at the time was this:

God was preparing me for my future.

The move hurt. The distance hurt. The uncertainty hurt.

But God was building things in me that comfort never could.

That long-distance relationship with Anastasia taught us commitment, communication, and perseverance. What felt impossible at the time actually became part of the foundation for our future marriage.

And the calling God placed on my life gave me something moving could no longer take away:

Purpose.

For years, I had asked questions like: “Where do I belong?” “Do I matter?” “Will anyone notice me?”

But now a bigger question stood in front of me:

“What was I created for?”

And the truth is, that question changes everything.

Ephesians 2:10 says:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Think about that for a moment.

You are not an accident. You are not random. You are not meaningless.

The word “workmanship” in that verse carries the idea of a masterpiece — something intentionally crafted by a creator.

That means God did not create you by mistake.

Your personality. Your gifts. Your story. Even the painful parts of your journey.

God can use all of it.

For years, I based my worth on things that constantly changed:

• where I lived
• whether people accepted me
• whether I succeeded
• what others thought about me

And honestly, that kind of identity never lasts.

Because eventually: people disappoint you, dreams change, plans fall apart, and seasons shift.

If your identity is built on temporary things, your confidence will constantly collapse.

That’s why so many people live exhausted.

They spend their entire lives trying to prove their value.

Trying to be attractive enough. Popular enough. Talented enough. Funny enough. Successful enough.

But your worth was never meant to come from performance.

It comes from the God who created you.

Psalm 139 says you were “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

That means God intentionally designed you with purpose.

Even the things you dislike about yourself may become part of the way God uses you one day.

Looking back now, I realize all the moving, loneliness, insecurity, and instability I hated growing up helped me understand people who feel overlooked.

God was shaping compassion in me before I ever became a pastor.

The painful seasons were not pointless.

And maybe that’s true for you too.

Maybe the struggle you hate right now is developing strength, character, wisdom, or compassion that will one day help somebody else survive their own battle.

1 Peter 2:9 says you are chosen.

Not tolerated. Not barely accepted. Chosen.

That means your life has value long before you accomplish anything impressive.

Because your identity is not found in what you achieve.

It is found in whose you are.

Reflection Questions

What do you currently base your worth on the most: appearance, popularity, talent, relationships, success, or something else?

Is there a part of your story or personality that you’ve viewed as weakness, but God may actually want to use for a greater purpose?

Prayer Focus

God, I pray for the person reading this right now.

So many students are carrying insecurity, comparison, and fear deep inside. They constantly feel pressure to prove themselves, impress people, or become someone else just to feel accepted.

But Lord, thank You that You created them intentionally.

Help them stop measuring their worth by social media, popularity, appearance, relationships, grades, talent, or the opinions of other people.

Teach them to see themselves the way You see them.

Remind them that they are chosen, loved, valuable, and created with purpose.

And Father, for the student who feels lost right now, speak direction into their life. Show them that You already have a purpose for them even if they cannot fully see it yet.

Give them courage to stop comparing themselves to everybody else and confidence to become the person You created them to be.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Read Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139:13–14 again slowly.

Write down three qualities, gifts, or experiences that make you uniquely who you are. Then ask yourself:

“How could God use these things for His purpose?”

TOMORROW — DAY 5

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about why isolation is dangerous, why God created us for community, and how the right people around you can completely change the direction of your life.

Day 5

Together

For most of my life, I had experienced a lot of starting over.

New schools. New towns. New people. New routines.

So by the time I graduated high school, I thought adulthood would finally feel different.

I thought life would feel exciting. Freedom. Independence. A fresh start.

Honestly?

It felt overwhelming.

I had moved again — this time to Cleveland, Tennessee — to attend Lee University.

My fiancée, Anastasia, had transferred schools to be there too.

Everything was changing.

New city. New school. New responsibilities. Marriage on the horizon. A calling into ministry. And the pressure of trying to become an adult overnight.

I remember the Sunday before classes started, a distant cousin invited us to church.

And this place was huge.

At least compared to anything I had ever known.

The youth building was actually down the road from the main sanctuary, and they livestreamed the service into the youth room.

In 2005, that blew my mind.

But that day, the livestream failed.

So the youth pastor stepped up and preached an impromptu message.

And honestly?

God used that moment to confront me.

Because here’s something I haven’t told you yet.

Even though I had already accepted God’s call to ministry… Even though I had already been preaching for a couple of years…

I enrolled at a university famous for training ministers…

as a business major.

Why?

Fear.

Practicality.

Doubt.

Maybe I believed God could use other people…

but I wasn’t sure about me.

But that youth pastor’s message challenged me so deeply that the very next day, I changed my major to ministry.

I thought that settled things.

It didn’t.

Because life got complicated fast.

I got a part-time job at Home Depot while going to school and preparing to get married.

I worked hard.

Apparently hard enough that management noticed.

Right before our wedding, I was offered a full-time position.

At 19 years old, that felt like a huge opportunity.

I wanted stability. I wanted to provide. I wanted to do the responsible thing.

So I said yes.

And little by little, life started crushing me.

Because the new schedule meant mornings at work. Classes during the day. Back to work in the evenings.

And because of school scheduling…

I had to work every Sunday.

Think about that.

I was a ministry student… who couldn’t go to church.

At first, I convinced myself it was temporary.

That I could manage it.

That I was strong enough.

But I wasn’t.

Shortly after getting married, I had surgery.

We had no health insurance.

Bills started piling up.

Marriage was new. School was demanding. Work was exhausting.

And what I felt more than anything else was this:

I was spiritually isolated.

That’s a dangerous place to be.

Because isolation rarely destroys you all at once.

It happens slowly.

Your attitude changes. Your perspective changes. Your joy fades. Your patience shrinks. Your faith gets quieter.

And because nobody is close enough to notice…

you keep pretending you’re okay.

That was me.

Eventually, I realized something had to change.

I walked into my boss’s office and told him:

“I can’t do this anymore.”

That was hard.

Because stepping away felt humiliating.

I went from an important full-time position…

to pushing shopping carts.

Split shifts. Morning work. School. Evening work.

And honestly?

My pride hated it.

But that “step backward” created space for the thing I desperately needed.

Church.

Anastasia and I started searching for a church home.

And eventually, we found a small church nearby.

Not flashy. Not massive. Not impressive.

Just real.

The pastor invited us out one night.

Dairy Queen.

Hot fudge sundaes.

And over ice cream, he shared his heart for ministry.

He knew I was studying for ministry.

He wanted to mentor me.

And suddenly…

we weren’t alone anymore.

We had people praying for us. People checking on us. People encouraging us. People who genuinely cared.

Church stopped being a service.

It became family.

Eventually, I became the youth pastor there.

And here’s the funny part:

My youth group started with one student.

The pastor’s son.

That was it.

One teenager.

But some of my favorite moments weren’t even youth nights.

They were Tuesday lunches with senior adults.

Five retired ministers.

Coffee so strong it could wake the dead.

And wisdom I desperately needed.

They poured into me. Corrected me. Encouraged me. Loved us.

Some of my best Saturdays were spent riding around town with the pastor and his family hitting yard sales.

Just doing life together.

And even now, years later, we still call him Pastor.

Because community leaves a mark.

Galatians 6:2 says:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says:

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us not to neglect gathering together.

Why?

Because God never designed you to carry life alone.

Social media gives us the illusion of connection.

But being followed isn’t the same as being known.

You can have notifications blowing up and still feel deeply alone.

You can be surrounded by people and still feel isolated.

Real healing begins when somebody knows the real you.

Not the filtered version. Not the funny version. Not the “I’m good” version.

The real you.

And yes, that kind of vulnerability is scary.

But isolation is far more dangerous.

Because healing often begins when we stop hiding.

But there’s something important I need you to understand.

As amazing as community is…

people are still people.

They will disappoint you. They will misunderstand you. They cannot carry what only God can carry.

Community is essential.

But it is not ultimate.

Because even the best people in your life cannot be your deepest hope.

Only Jesus can.

Reflection Questions

Who do you turn to when life gets heavy?

Are people around you seeing the real you—or just the version you let them see?

Prayer Focus

God, I pray for the person reading this right now.

Some feel deeply lonely even while surrounded by people.

Some have become experts at hiding.

Some are afraid that if people saw the real struggles inside, they would walk away.

Lord, give them courage.

Help them stop isolating themselves.

Bring trustworthy, godly people into their life who will encourage them, pray for them, challenge them, and love them honestly.

Heal the places where loneliness has taken root.

And help them understand that asking for help is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Reach out to one person this week.

Not a streak. Not a meme. Not a surface-level conversation.

A real one.

Text a trusted friend. Talk to a youth leader. Ask someone to pray with you.

Healing often begins when honesty starts.

TOMORROW — DAY 6

Tomorrow, we’ll end with the most important truth of all:

People matter.

Community matters.

But Jesus is the only One who will never fail you.

Day 6

Found

If there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s this:

People are a gift.

Community matters.

The church matters.

But even the best people in your life cannot be your ultimate foundation.

Only Jesus can.

Over the years, my wife and I have walked through some incredible seasons.

We’ve also walked through some hard ones.

Ministry opportunities. Financial stress. Unexpected challenges. Disappointments. Health struggles. Prayers that took longer to answer than we wanted.

One of the biggest struggles we faced was infertility.

That season hurt deeply.

When you dream about building a family and it doesn’t happen the way you expected, it creates questions.

Fear. Doubt. Frustration.

And while people around us loved us, encouraged us, and prayed for us…

there are some burdens that no human being can fully carry for you.

That’s where Jesus becomes more than theology.

He becomes your anchor.

One thing I’ve learned is that being a Christian does not mean life suddenly becomes easy.

Sometimes people make faith sound like if you love Jesus enough, life will go smoothly.

That’s just not true.

Jesus actually said the opposite.

In John 16:33, Jesus said:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Notice what He didn’t say.

He didn’t say: “You might have problems.”

He said: “You will.”

Trouble is part of living in a broken world.

But peace is found in Him.

And honestly?

One of my biggest personal struggles has been trying to fix things myself.

I like solving problems.

Maybe you do too.

But sometimes life reminds you how limited you really are.

Recently I was working on a vehicle problem and managed to make things worse instead of better.

And if I’m being honest, that describes more than just car repairs.

There have been times in life where I tried to control situations, fix problems, carry burdens, and handle everything on my own…

and all I did was make the mess bigger.

Maybe you know that feeling.

Trying harder. Thinking harder. Worrying more. Controlling everything.

And still feeling overwhelmed.

Jesus never asked us to carry life without Him.

In John 14:16–18, Jesus said:

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth... I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

Think about that.

Not abandoned. Not alone. Not forgotten.

God gave us His Spirit.

The Comforter. The Helper. The One who walks with us.

That changes everything.

Because Christianity is not about trying harder.

It’s about surrendering deeper.

I used to quote Philippians 4:13 like this:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

But that verse is not about becoming unstoppable.

It’s about learning contentment and endurance in every season because Christ gives strength.

Paul says in Philippians 4:12–13:

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

That means:

You can survive heartbreak through Christ. You can endure uncertainty through Christ. You can face anxiety through Christ. You can keep going when life feels heavy through Christ.

Not because you are strong.

Because He is.

Ephesians 2 reminds us why this matters.

Ephesians 2:4–5 says:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

Jesus didn’t wait until you got your life together.

He came for you while you were broken.

While you were lost.

While you were unable to save yourself.

That’s the Gospel.

And maybe that’s the biggest truth this entire devotional has been building toward:

You are seen. You are heard. You are not stuck. You were created with purpose. You were made for community.

But above all…

You need Jesus.

Not religion. Not church attendance alone. Not good behavior. Not motivational speeches.

Jesus.

Because at the end of the day, people can support you…

but only Christ can save you.

Reflection Questions

What burdens have you been trying to carry on your own instead of surrendering to Jesus?

Is your hope built more on circumstances, people, or Christ?

Prayer Focus

Jesus, I pray for the person reading this right now.

Some of them are exhausted from trying to carry everything alone.

Some are trying to fix themselves. Some are trying to control situations they cannot control. Some are smiling on the outside while quietly falling apart inside.

But Lord, thank You that You never asked us to do life without You.

Thank You for the cross. Thank You for mercy. Thank You for grace. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and strengthen us.

For the person who feels overwhelmed, be their peace.

For the person who feels broken, be their healer.

For the person who feels lost, be their direction.

And for the one who has never truly surrendered their life to You, draw them close right now.

Help them stop trusting in themselves and start trusting fully in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Step

Read John 14, John 16:33, and Philippians 4:12–13 this week.

Then ask yourself one honest question:

“Have I truly surrendered my life to Jesus, or am I still trying to do this on my own?”

FINAL THOUGHT

If you’ve walked through all six days with me, here’s what I want you to remember:

Your story is not over.

God sees you. God knows you. God has purpose for you. God gave you people to walk beside you.

But most importantly—

Jesus is enough.

DAY 0

A Closing Word

A Final Note from Pastor Blake

If you’ve made it this far, first of all—thank you.

Seriously.

You just walked through some very personal parts of my story.

Some of those memories make me laugh. Some still humble me. And some remind me just how faithful God has been through every season.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this devotional, it’s this:

God sees you.

Not the version of you everybody else sees.

The real you.

The insecure you. The hurting you. The confused you. The version of you that wonders if you matter. The version that feels stuck. The version that smiles on the outside while carrying battles nobody knows about.

God sees all of it.

And He loves you deeply.

I wrote this devotional because I know what it feels like to be lonely. To feel invisible. To make bad decisions. To wonder if you really belong. To question your purpose. To try carrying life on your own.

But I also know what it feels like to discover that Jesus changes everything.

My prayer is that this devotional wasn’t just something you read…

but something God used to speak directly to your heart.

And if you’re still figuring things out?

That’s okay.

You do not have to have everything together.

None of us do.

That’s why we need Jesus. That’s why we need community. That’s why we need each other.

If you ever need someone to pray with you, talk with you, answer questions, or simply listen…

please reach out.

Seriously.

You are not bothering us. You are not too broken. You are not too far gone.

We would love to walk with you.

— Pastor Blake Hughes