Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

We live in a world that’s constantly shifting beneath our feet. Jobs disappear. Relationships break. Dreams unravel. The news and recent flood reminds us daily how fragile and uncertain life can be. Maybe you’ve felt it—like the ground beneath your plans gave way, and suddenly you’re standing in a place you never expected. Grief, disappointment, and unexpected detours can leave us disoriented, wondering if we’ll ever get back to where we started—or if we even should.

But what if “back” isn’t the goal?

What if God is inviting you to let go—not because you failed, but because He’s leading you into something greater?

Naomi’s story in the book of Ruth feels strangely familiar in moments like these. She left her home in Bethlehem during a famine with her husband and sons, looking for provision. But what began as a hopeful journey turned tragic. Her husband died. Then both her sons. She was left with heartbreak, uncertainty, and no clear future. And yet, in that place of grief, Naomi made a bold decision—to return home.

She urged her daughters-in-law to stay behind and rebuild. Orpah kissed her and left. Ruth clung to her. And Naomi? She kissed Orpah goodbye—not in anger, not in despair, but with grace and trust. That kiss was more than a farewell—it was a release. A sacred surrender of what was, to make space for what could be.

Letting go isn’t weakness—it’s worship.

Naomi’s release cleared the path for Ruth’s loyalty, Boaz’s redemption, and a legacy that led all the way to Jesus. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David—the shepherd boy turned king. And through the royal line of David came the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. God didn’t just restore Naomi’s life—He redefined it. Her grief gave way to generational glory. And the same God who redeemed her story is writing yours.

You don’t move forward by clinging tighter. You move forward by opening your hands.

We see this again in the life of the prophet Samuel. After mentoring King Saul and watching him fail, Samuel was heartbroken. But God said to him, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him?” (1 Samuel 16:1). In other words—it’s time to move on. Samuel’s obedience led to the anointing of David, Israel’s greatest king. If he had remained stuck in disappointment, he might have missed his greatest assignment.

You may be in a similar place—mourning what was, clinging to what used to be, stuck in the confusion of closed doors. But friend, God doesn’t close doors to hurt us. He closes them to redirect us. That ending you didn’t understand may very well be the beginning of something sacred.

What do you need to kiss goodbye today?

Maybe it’s a failed relationship.
A missed opportunity.
A dream that didn’t come to pass.
An identity shaped by shame, not by grace.

Even Abraham had to walk away from everything familiar—his homeland, his family, his comfort zone—to walk into the promise of God (Genesis 12:1-4). He didn’t have a map. He had a call. He didn’t know where—only Who. And that was enough.

I’m still on the path to becoming an Army chaplain, and that journey has not been without its challenges. There have been unexpected delays, closed doors, and moments where the waiting felt heavy and uncertain. At times, I wondered if the dream was slipping away. But in those difficult moments, my wife reminded me that what feels like a setback may actually be a divine setup. Her encouragement helped me shift my perspective and trust that God’s timing is perfect. I may not have arrived yet, but I’m learning that the delays are not denials—they’re part of God’s preparation. He’s not just guiding my steps; He’s shaping my heart for the calling ahead.

God doesn’t just change your path—He improves it.

So today, say goodbye to the fear of what’s next.
Say goodbye to the lie that you’ve missed your moment.
Say goodbye to needing everyone’s approval to walk in God’s will.
Say goodbye to self-pity, shame, comparison, and regret.

And don’t just let go of things around you—let go of false beliefs about you.
You are not too far gone.
You are not defined by your past.
You are not disqualified from purpose.

You are chosen (Colossians 3:12).
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
You are created in Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Victory starts in your thoughts. What you believe shapes what you become.

Yes, some people may not understand why you’re moving on. That’s okay. Obedience to God doesn’t require explanation. Keep your eyes forward. Stay faithful. Let the past go—not because it didn’t matter, but because it no longer defines you.

Paul’s words speak boldly into our moment:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…” (Philippians 3:13–14).

Press on, even if your knees shake.
Press on, even if you don’t know what’s next.
Press on, because God’s not finished with your story.

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Prayer:

Father God,
You know the weight I carry—memories I haven’t let go of, dreams that didn’t unfold the way I expected, and the pain of unanswered questions. But today, I surrender them to You. I release what I’ve been clinging to and open my hands to receive what You’re preparing for me. Give me the strength to say goodbye to what’s behind and the faith to walk boldly into what’s ahead.
Help me to trust Your timing, Your way, and Your heart—even when the path doesn’t make sense. Heal the places in me that are still grieving, and remind me that nothing is wasted in Your hands.
Thank You for being the God who restores, the God who redeems, and the God who writes better stories than I ever could. I believe that greater things are still to come. And I choose today—not just to move on, but to move forward—with hope, faith, and courage.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.