By Linda Tancs
A study of college students in England some years ago found that those who prayed daily had lower levels of depression and anxiety as well as higher self-esteem. That shouldn’t be surprising. After all, God is the Great Physician (Exodus 15:26). So pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It’s not just for your spiritual health but also for your physical, mental and emotional health.
By Linda Tancs
The idiom “talking to the wall” implies a futile attempt at conversation with another person. Maybe the other person is either not paying attention, is ignoring you or is unwilling to understand or agree with you. Not all walls represent futility, of course. Consider Jerusalem’s Western Wall, where the faithful have lifted up prayers since ancient times. That’s one conversation that will not go unheeded. Not all walls are created equal. Consider the source.
By Linda Tancs
Would you put something together without reading the instructions first? Chances are, if you have, then you might’ve ended up with a mess or at least missed a few things. The same is true of life. God wants you to read His directions, the Bible, to lead you. It’s your one sure guide in an unsure world. Don’t try to “wing it.” You’ll likely end up with a mess.
By Linda Tancs
Researchers say that time is an illusion. Maybe that’s so, but it doesn’t stop us from obsessing over it anyway. We vow to make time, find time, save time. No matter what we do, we still lose it. Finding the time to do anything is a challenge, and that includes Bible study. A popular evangelist once said that we shouldn’t let a hurried lifestyle disturb our relationship of abiding in Him. So what is a hurried person to do? The answer is to make an effort, set a goal. Try reading a chapter of Proverbs and five psalms each day for a month. Or maybe read the five major prophets or the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. Or meditate on the life of Christ in the gospels, even for a few minutes every day or before bedtime. Try investigating scriptural teaching on a subject that is important to you, like finances or parenting. Just start somewhere.
By Linda Tancs
The term “girl power” gained popularity in the 1990s thanks to pop groups like The Spice Girls. It encourages women and girls to believe in themselves, pursue their goals and support each other. Although it’s become trendy in modern culture, it’s as ancient as the Old Testament. Consider the case of Zelophehad, who died without sons, and according to the prevailing custom, his daughters were not entitled to inherit his land. The five sisters petitioned Moses, arguing that their father’s name should not be forgotten and that they should be entitled to an inheritance. Unsure how to proceed, Moses approached the Lord, who ruled in the daughters’ favor (Numbers 27:1-11). God is a God of justice, after all. But how courageous of the girls to come forward and challenge societal norms. Their faith in God is a testament to them, establishing a limited right of inheritance for Israelite women and influencing future legal interpretations. Is there a girl in your life in need of encouragement? How can you best empower her?
By Linda Tancs
No doubt you’ve seen an advertisement or two for a high-level leader. Maybe a new CEO or university president. When the search is on, the required qualifications can be dizzying. It isn’t often enough to have the right skills or education. The successful candidate must usually also be creative, a problem solver, a mediator, creative, adaptable, and so on. It reminds me of God’s detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary intended to house His presence among the Israelites (See Exodus 25-31 and 35-40). Imagine a search committee seeking out just the right person for that job! Thankfully, God handled the search, choosing Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-5). He’s just as capable of handling a modern-day search as well. Keep God first place in the selection process.
By Linda Tancs
As the expression goes, things are not always as they appear. A viral TikTok video illustrated that principle, showing a woman’s panic when she picked up a beautiful shell on the beach only to discover that it could’ve housed a highly venomous cone snail inside it. The Bible illustrates this principle in Jesus’s rebuke of the Pharisees’ outward behavior compared with their inner nature (Matthew 23:25-26). Using a cup as a metaphor, He criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on cleaning the outside of cups and platters while neglecting the inside, which was full of greed and wickedness. Transform the danger within.
By Linda Tancs
A popular Bible verse is “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). It’s generally taken to mean that no one is alone; we act upon each other. Just as two pieces of iron can sharpen each other when rubbed together, individuals can improve each other through interaction and mutual support. Think about your relationships: family, friends, colleagues, competitors. How can you challenge and learn from each other?
By Linda Tancs
Footprints in the Sand is a popular poem about walking with God. Symbolized by footprints in the sand, the poem highlights the idea that during difficult times, when only one set of footprints is visible, it’s because God is carrying the person, not abandoning them. It evokes Psalm 55. In verse 22, we’re reminded to cast our cares. One theologian remarked that when we cast our cares, He lifts us up, burdens and all. Just like one set of footprints in the sand. Think about that the next time you see prints on a sandy beach.
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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.
By Linda Tancs
The sycamore tree is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the New Testament, the most well-known passage involving sycamore trees describes Zacchaeus, a short tax collector, who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus pass through Jericho (Luke 19:1-4). Particularly in that context, the story symbolizes a rising up beyond one’s circumstances toward something greater. In life, though, the sycamore might evoke the feeling of “sick of more.”
What are your “sycamores?” Sick of more: strife, depression, anxiety, loneliness? Rise above it. Seek higher ground, like Zacchaeus.
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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.
goforwardinfaith.com 