Is it possible you don't pray because you think God doesn't love you? The certainty of Gods love for you, makes the mystery of prayer hopeful. The uncertainty of Gods love for you, makes the mystery of prayer hurtful.

As we approach the end of the year, there are no shortage of reasons to feel disheartened and discouraged. Why can we choose hope in such a difficult season? Jeff Bethke reminds us of our place in God's story and points to five truths we can cling to that empower us to take heart, regardless of the season and especially in this one.

There is a joy that can replace our sorrow and wipe away our pain. Forever. We take hold of such joy as we see Jesus for who he is, and serve others as he does.

In the midst of troubling circumstances, we can take heart because we have been given a Guide who has gone before us and will lead us in the truth.

When people are experiencing real pain, “Don’t worry, be happy” is not helpful. God doesn’t ask us to ignore our hardships. He joins us in the midst of them.

For Christians facing opposition while on mission with Jesus, there is some very good news in this passage -- Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to show people in the world the things they need to repent of. Pro tip: never stop asking the Spirit to do the same for you.

In John 16 Jesus is all the more intentional to equip his disciples for his absence, and for the opposition they will face. He foretells the hardship to come, but makes it clear he will be with them every step of the way. He says the same to us today -- no matter how dark things get.

In a culture that treats busyness like a badge of honor, committing a day every week to intentional rest looks somewhere between irrational and insane. But when we remember Jesus has already done the work that matters most, our rest becomes worshipful, joyful, and the very thing we need.

In a culture of indulgence, excess and self-reliance, fasting might be the most counter-cultural thing we can do. It’s time to make room.

Silence and solitude is essential to a thriving spiritual life. Our culture places such little value on this practice that it can be one of the harder ones to make space for. However, when we obediently place ourselves before God we are able to experience the forming power of becoming like Christ.