READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 16:33; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

Fall is a season of change. You may notice the leaves changing from crisp green to brilliant red to crunchy brown. You might observe café menu boards switching from fruit smoothies to pumpkin spice lattes. But the biggest mark of change is often the start of the school year.

Every first day of school, I remember walking into the building with a strong grip on my backpack straps and my heart pounding like a banging gong. I didn’t want to feel nervous, but there were so many things to worry about. What if I didn’t have the same lunch hour as my friends and I ended up alone? What if my teachers weren’t understanding and my grades suffered? What if I had to go out of my comfort zone with presentations or group projects?

The Bible tells us over and over again not to worry. And honestly, as someone who has struggled with anxiety, that can be difficult to hear. Doesn’t God know how many things there are to worry about? And change, which inevitably means facing unknowns, is the definition of anxiety-inducing.

When I find myself spiraling into anxiety, I have learned to take deep breaths and remember Jesus. He’s with me, and He knows what I’m going through. He faced more than I’ll ever have to face, and while He often knew what was ahead, that didn’t make it any easier for Him. Jesus still had to experience the betrayal of friends, times of loneliness, and ultimately death on a cross. But then He rose again and made everything right.

You may already know you have a notoriously strict teacher or zero classes with friends. Come to Jesus with your burdensome worries and rest in His gift of peace. Even though you will experience challenges this year, Jesus will never leave you to go through them alone. • Hannah Chung

• What kinds of changes are you anticipating in the near future? As we experience change, it can help to remember that one thing will always stay the same: Jesus and His love for us.

• How are you feeling about the start of a new school year? Whether you are excited, anxious, overwhelmed, or all of the above, consider sharing your feelings with Jesus. Spending time with Him is the best way to prepare for a new season of life.

• When we’re facing changes or unknowns, how could it give us confidence to remember that Jesus already overcame death to offer us eternal life with Him, that He is more powerful than any changes we will face, and that He is with us no matter what?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 23:32-34; EPHESIANS 4:26; PHILIPPIANS 1:6

Anger flowed through me as I pinned my friend against a tree, her feet dangling two inches above the ground. My older brother, a football player, could barely pull me off Cathy. I don’t remember what I was angry about, but I do remember how anger controlled me.

I read the Bible and prayed daily, and I loved Jesus, but anger was a part of me as well. I’m not talking about righteous anger, the kind Jesus demonstrated when He drove the money changers away from the temple (John 2:14-17). No, I mean the kind of anger described in James 1:20: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

Two years after I pinned Cathy against that tree, God started pursuing me about my anger. Finally I asked myself, “Why are you so angry?” I truly didn’t know. Later, God made it clear to me that my anger came from harboring unforgiveness in my heart. As I lay face-down before God, tears streaming down my face, I turned the whole sordid mess over to my Lord.

That wasn’t the end of my struggle with anger, but it was the beginning of the end. I would give my hurt over to the Lord, and then I would take it back. I did this again and again. But, the quicker I would give it back to the Lord, the easier it became to leave it all at His feet. As He slowly taught me to let go of my unforgiveness, I felt anger lose its grip on me.

If anyone has the right to harbor unforgiveness, it’s our heavenly Father. After all, we were responsible for nailing His perfect Son to a cross. Yet God extends mercy and grace to us without measure. In fact, it was through Jesus’s death and resurrection that God made the way for our sins to be forgiven. So, as Christians, we have no right to cling to unforgiveness. Instead we can come to Jesus with all our anger and trust Him to do His work in us. • Bonnie Haveman

• Can you think of a time you felt overwhelmed by anger? What was that like?

• Anger is not a sin in itself, but sometimes we give in to temptation more easily when we’re angry (Ephesians 4:26). If you struggle to control your anger, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about it, such as a pastor, parent, counselor, or youth leader?

• Can you think of a time you were angry and didn’t know why? Consider asking God to show you what is (or was) making you angry. You can bring Him any hurts, confess any sins that come to mind, rest in His sure forgiveness, and ask Him to guide you in how to move forward (1 John 1:9).

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT) 

READ: ECCLESIASTES 7:10; JOHN 10:10; ROMANS 8:28-39; EPHESIANS 2:7-10

It was my junior year of high school, and I was miserable. The I-don’t-want-to-be-here leave-me-alone kind of miserable. I was supposed to be back at school with my friends in Kenya, where my parents were missionaries. Then the difficult decision was made not to return. I was devastated. So, I shut down. Like a robot, I would get up and go to school every day. At night, I would pour out my heart in letters to my friends in Africa where life was going on without me.

One day at school I was in the girls’ bathroom having a good cry when my classmate Sheryl walked in. Noticing my puffy eyes, she asked if I was okay, and I blurted out everything. Sheryl listened like I was the most important person in the world and what I had to say mattered.

Sheryl and her family had also lived in Africa but had to leave because of unsafe conditions. Looking me in the eyes, she spoke truth over me: Africa was in the past for both of us. She encouraged me to live in the right here and now. At first, I didn’t want to hear it. But then the truth sank in. Without even realizing it, my tattered soul had been giving in to the enemy, Satan, who only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came so that we would have life to the full! And deep down in my heart, I knew that to be true.

After that, I began to let my guard down and made some great friends. My junior and senior years were full of volleyball games, Thursday night Bible studies, play auditions, opportunities to sing, and so much more. I don’t think I would have ever even tried if Sheryl hadn’t nudged me to let go of the past and live life fully, without holding back. • Kelly Hope Parke

• Have you been through a major life change recently? Even seemingly minor changes, like moving from one grade to the next, can be challenging. And letting go of the way things used to be can be painful and difficult. The good news is, Jesus is with you through the whole process, offering His strength and comfort. He won’t let you go through this change alone. He is with you through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Consider spending some time in prayer, asking Jesus to help you grieve what’s behind you and embrace what’s in front of you, thanking Him for the good things that were and the good things that are yet to come.

[Jesus said,] “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-27; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7; 5:17

My first day in Psychology 101, the instructor said, “There is no such thing as normal.” That really took me by surprise, but I was glad to hear it because I had never considered myself normal. I saw myself as a high strung, mixed-up teenager who grew into a high-strung, mixed-up adult. Go figure.

But the truth is, God created me to be the person I am. He made each of us uniquely, and that’s a good thing. I’m not saying God wants us to wallow in our individual struggles and sin patterns—He doesn’t want me running around haphazardly, snapping at people, and wading through a river of worries and doubts. Instead, it’s like we’re diamonds in the rough, and God wants to shape us. Even though sin twists the talents and personalities God has given us, He still loves us, and He sees us as infinitely valuable. That’s why Jesus came to save and restore us through His death and resurrection. When we put our trust in Jesus, we become new creations, and His Spirit begins to transform every part of our personalities.

Obsessive planning and compulsive hard work can be transformed into a God-honoring and solid work ethic, adding to any project or team. An active imagination that’s prone to worry can be guided by God to come up with awesome ideas to creatively minister to others and uplift them. And even though being impulsive can lead us into trouble, impulsivity can be remade into the courage needed to try something new in our walk with Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes, “God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” I’ve always loved that verse because I don’t think God can find a more foolish person than me. Yet He works through imperfect people—people who are devoted to Him yet mess up every day—to do great things in His kingdom.

My psychology teacher was right: there is no such thing as normal. I suppose life would be boring if there were. God created each of us uniquely in His image, and He calls us to serve one another through our differences. And even though we’ll all struggle with sin until Jesus returns, we can have hope knowing the Holy Spirit is always working in us. • Sharon Rene

• How could it be helpful to remember there is no such thing as a “normal” human being?

• What is one thing you like about the way God made you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-27; 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20; 1 PETER 2:9

As I brushed my teeth, I examined the reflection of my nametag in the bathroom mirror. By now, the words were so familiar I could even read them backwards: “CHILD OF GOD.” I smiled as my other names echoed through my head: “Image-bearer.” “Chosen People.” “Ambassador.” “Temple of the Holy Spirit.” They each flashed onto my nametag briefly as I spat out my toothpaste before gathering my backpack and walking outside.

Today will be different, I told myself. Today, I will be kind. Today, I won’t sin. Today, I will remember that I am a Child of God. I kept this promise really well…at first. I made it all the way to the school bus. Then Mason called my shoes “ratty” and went on and on about how my parents couldn’t buy me new Jordans because they were poor.

I cringed as new nametags appeared elsewhere on my jacket, identifying me as “Ratty” and “Poor.” Burning with anger, I spat back, “At least my family cares about me! Your parents just buy you stuff to make you shut up!” A nametag with “Unloved” appeared on his sleeve as his fist collided with my nose. By the time the fight ended, we each had a few bruises, a week’s worth of detention, and several more unflattering nametags.

After school, I slumped onto my bed, exhausted. Why, Lord? Why can’t I control myself? Why am I such an awful sinner? I sighed as “Sinner” arrived on my chest. I just need to be better. I just need to try harder. I just need… Silence filled my head.

“You need Me,” Jesus’s voice answered.

One by one, the nametags I had accumulated throughout the day disappeared. With each one that left, a weight lifted off of my heart. Finally, nothing was left but my one, true nametag: “CHILD OF GOD.” • Taylor Eising

• Can you think of a time you felt like the characters in this allegorical story? According to today’s verses, who does Jesus say you are? What do you think it means to find our identity in Him? (If you want to dig deeper, read Ephesians 2.)

• When we sin, it’s easy to get frustrated with ourselves and resolve to try harder. But the truth is, no matter how hard we try, we’ll struggle with sin until Jesus returns. Thankfully, God loves us with an unending love. He calls us to bring our sin to Him, confess it, rest in His forgiveness, and let Him remind us of who we are in Jesus. Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about any sins that come to mind, and any nametags you’ve picked up that aren’t your true identity.

But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name. John 1:12 (CSB) 

READ: PROVERBS 3:5-6; MATTHEW 6:25-33; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-20

Have you ever been so busy that you felt like you didn’t have time for God? I know I have. From school to work to extracurriculars, not to mention family and friends, sometimes it seems like my to-do list is ten miles long. In busy times, I’m easily tempted to believe I don’t have the time or energy to read my Bible, memorize Scripture, or pray and seek God’s will.

Recently I went through a season like that. I was feeling overwhelmed with difficult classes, a job opportunity, family stress, and more. I convinced myself that if I made God a priority, all the “real life” stuff wouldn’t get done.

Then one day, while I was thinking about everything I had to do—and secretly feeling a bit guilty for not putting God first—a Bible verse popped into my head. It was 2 Peter 1:3, which says, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Instantly, I felt both convicted and comforted as I realized I had gotten things totally backwards. God already has everything I need, and it’s available to me because I know Him through Jesus. By neglecting my relationship with God, I was actually making my own life harder, trying to do things on my own without first seeking His peace, strength, and guidance.

It turns out, while things like college and career decisions are important, God is a lot more interested in my spiritual growth. Not only does God want to save me through Jesus, He wants to continue helping me learn to love and obey Him. Putting Him first may not make all my dreams come true, but it does something much better. It helps me grow in my relationship with the God of the universe, and that’s where I find everything I need for life. • Faith Lewis

• What kinds of dreams and plans do you have for your life? It’s good to work hard and think about what we want, but Jesus calls us to hold our dreams with open hands. And as we press into relationship with Him, He shapes our desires and gives us rest (Psalm 127:1-2; Matthew 11:28-30).

• Has there ever been a season when you had so much to do that you found it difficult to make time for God? We all go through times like this, but God is eager to help us and provide joy, direction, strength, and much more. How could you spend intentional time with God—in His Word, in prayer, and with His people—this week?

His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (CSB) 

READ: ROMANS 5:6-11; 8:1, 38-39; 1 JOHN 4:15

Recently I started taking voice lessons. When I first met my voice teacher, we talked for a long time, and she told me about how she studied contemporary Christian music in college. She also told me that when she was my age, she felt that God was calling her to sing for people on death row. She said that sometimes people wouldn’t receive it well, but other times it would really have an effect on them.

It’s interesting to think about, because anyone who’s ever lived has sinned. And in God’s eyes, every sin is deserving of death—whether it’s something major, like killing someone, or something seemingly minor, like telling a fib. We have all broken God’s perfect law. And in doing so, it’s kind of like we were all on spiritual death row. We all need forgiveness equally.

But then Jesus came, and He took the punishment for our sin. Jesus is God the Son, and even though He never sinned, He suffered the death that we deserved. And then, He rose again, declaring that everyone who puts their trust in Him is forgiven and forever freed from death row.

Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He offers us the gift of salvation. And it’s not just for the seemingly “righteous” or “good people.” It’s for the lost and hopeless sinner. And the truth is, that’s all of us. We are all desperately in need of Jesus. And this gift of salvation is for anyone who puts their trust in Jesus.

No matter who you are, or what you’ve done—even if right now you are literally on death row for committing a horrible crime—God still loves you, and it’s not His desire that anyone should perish, but that all should come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and have eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). • Elizabeth Blanton

• Do you ever feel that you’re too far gone for God’s grace? How does it feel to know that God loves you so much that He would send His only Son to die for you? If you want to know more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page.

• Do you ever look at others and think they’re too far gone for God’s grace? According to today’s Scripture, how does God see all of us?

• If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28; Luke 5:27-32; John 3:16-17; Romans 3:23-24; 1 Timothy 2:4; James 2:10-11; 2 Peter 3:9.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 18:21-35; COLOSSIANS 3:12-14

"How many times should I forgive?” I asked.

“My friend has hurt me far too many times.

Would seven times forgiving be enough,

so pain would disappear and peace be mine?”

But then I heard Him say, “No, not enough.”

And then He named a number far too high—

I could not fathom how that could be done

until I looked into His gentle eyes.

He seemed to know that I might need it too,

forgiveness from another in my path,

someone who I might hurt along the way;

and I would seek forgiveness, not His wrath.

How many times? Now in my heart I know;

from Him, a never-ending surplus will flow.

This love will follow everywhere I go… • Sharon Roberts

• It can be hard to forgive someone who has hurt us. But Jesus doesn’t call us to do it alone. If we’ve put our trust in Him, we can know that He is with us always. And, through His Holy Spirit, He gives us the grace, healing, and love we need to forgive those who wrong us. Remember, God has forgiven all our sins—past, present, and future—through Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. When we look to the cross, it helps us see that we are on equal ground with the person who has hurt us. We need Jesus and His forgiveness just as much as they do. Consider spending some time in prayer, thanking God for His forgiveness and asking Him to help you see the person who wronged you as He sees them.

• In some cases of deep hurt, forgiveness might include setting up loving boundaries to prevent further sin and harm. If you’re wondering if you might need to set some boundaries, who are trusted adults you can talk to about it, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, and counselors?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 145:18-19; EPHESIANS 5:18; 1 JOHN 5:14

5/30/25

God, please help my family. I don’t like it when my stepmom, Anna, drinks. I want to love her, but it’s hard when she’s drinking. She turns into a completely different person. I’ve avoided coming to my dad’s house because her drinking is pulling our family apart. Please help.

6/15/25

Today was Father’s Day. While I’m grateful for my dad and Anna, it was uncomfortable for me to come and visit. I get nervous when she drinks around me. I know that, at a certain point into her drinking, I can’t talk to her at all. At least I can talk to You, Jesus. Can You help my family find a solution?

7/1/25

Today we had an intervention for my stepmom’s drinking. I organized it. My dad, sisters, and I all shared how her drinking has affected us. While it was a painful experience to go through, I’m glad we did it. I think it has brought us closer together. We even learned that Anna wants to go back to school to get her MBA! That is so awesome! I’m proud of the progress our family is making.

7/10/25

Anna and my dad began attending an alcholism recovery group together. They both stopped drinking. Thank You, Lord, for helping Anna overcome her addiction.

8/25/25

So I found out the news when I came home from school today. In fact, no one had to tell me. I spotted a red wine stain on the floor, and then went upstairs to find Anna—drinking. I thought You were going to help our family out, Lord. Now she’s spiraling into this addiction again—I can’t take it! Why are You putting my family through this? What are we supposed to do? Please help us, Jesus, please. • Amber Metz

• Today’s devotion is based on a true story. Have you ever tried to help a loved one with an addiction? Are you struggling with an addiction yourself? Who can you talk with about these tough issues—such as a pastor, parent, teacher, counselor or someone else you trust? *

• It can be difficult to know how to show the love of Christ to a loved one who is struggling with an addiction. God calls us to show tenderhearted compassion to those who are hurting, which may include setting up healthy boundaries in some situations. And even when we aren’t sure what it looks like to love someone well, God provides an abundance of wisdom and guidance through His Word (the Bible), His Holy Spirit, and His people (the church), and He empowers us to do whatever He calls us to do. What questions do you have about loving someone who has an addiction?

• Jesus is always there. He knows your hurts, so you can talk with Him about anything (Psalm 56:8; Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 4:14-16). What things from your life can you cry out to God about today?

• There is hope for every broken situation because Jesus has already defeated sin, death, and the devil through His own death and resurrection. Yet oftentimes the road to recovery is not straightforward. Thankfully, Jesus has promised to walk with us every step of the way. His love and forgiveness do not waver. And if we’ve put our trust in Him, we can look forward to the day He will return and make all things new—then terrible things like addiction will be gone forever. If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page.

* If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. 

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 2:11; 5:8; JAMES 3:13-18

At age eight, I collected bottle caps with no idea of what I’d do with them. I kept those colorful items in our backyard where my brother, who I’ll call “Randall,” and I played. After a while, I forgot about them. Then one day, I joined Randall and our mom in the kitchen and spotted something on the table. It was a small wooden board with lots of colorful bottle caps nailed onto it in a clever arrangement. “Randall made that for me,” Mama explained. I questioned Randall about the caps and realized he’d used the ones I’d saved. I indignantly announced that Randall had taken what was mine. I acted injured and innocent even after Randall apologized and promised he didn’t know I was holding onto them.

But the truth was, I wasn’t so disappointed that Randall had used the bottle caps. I was, however, so jealous of his interesting idea and the way he’d made a present for Mama. I didn’t want the bottle caps back—I wanted to be the kid who produced something that, to me, looked like artwork. Because of my jealousy, I didn’t want to accept Randall’s apology or play with him. I didn’t want to think of another present I could create for Mama. I just wanted to stay mad.

Jesus understands human emotions and temptations, including jealousy. While there is such a thing as godly jealousy (2 Corinthians 11:1-4), God’s Word cautions us about sinful jealousy, which steals our peace and brings disorder. It keeps us from experiencing God’s best—in our own hearts, in relationship with others, and in our fellowship with Him. My envy of Randall caused me to overlook the truth that Mama loved me just as much as my brother, even though I hadn’t presented her with a gift. It’s the same with God—He does not show favoritism, and He does not love us any more, or any less, based on what we do. Even when we fall into jealousy, He still loves us. And, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus for forgiveness and new life, He helps us turn away from jealousy and rest in His love. • Allison Wilson Lee

• What is an area of your life where you feel insecure? Do you find yourself getting jealous of people who seem to succeed in something you struggle with? Consider taking some time to be honest with God about your feelings. You can bring Him your hurts and fears, confess any sins that come to mind, and rest in His sure forgiveness and infinite love.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 34:14; Romans 13:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:19-26.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)