Debbie W. Wilson

Refreshing Faith

Why Suffering for Christ Is a Privilege

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“It’s a pri-vi-lege. It really is,” my daughter drawls when our male standard poodle swishes his derrière in front of you to be scratched. Those who’ve met Max know she’s right. It is an honor to be picked to pet his long back.

Did you know the Bible calls suffering for Christ a privilege?

When I joined Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) out of college one questionnaire asked if I was familiar with spiritual warfare. I wasn’t. But I am now.

Every time I write a book or prepare to speak at a conference or retreat I experience battles on many fronts. I find myself wondering if it’s worth it. I’ve joked that if I have to live my message I think I’ll write and speak on gardens in Europe.

That’s why this verse in Philippians stopped me.Continue Reading

How to Rest From Worry

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I can worry with my eyes closed. In fact, I’ve done some of my best fretting in my sleep. Even when I’m alert, worry drones on beneath the surface looking for an opening to pop through.

My worries appear reasonable. Physical facts support them. But—and this is a big “but”—they leave out the character and nature of God.

When I experienced some health issues that included fatigue and brain fog, assorted fears taunted me. The realization that aging could make me frail and vulnerable frightened me. I realized that when I feel strong I know that with God I can handle life. But when my ump to push though evaporates, my confidence fizzles.

I reexamined my premise: with God I can handle anything. I had to ask myself if I believed God could cover everything when I couldn’t help. Continue Reading

How to Experience the Kindness of God—When Life Stinks

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Do you trust God’s kindness?

Do you believe He’ll to be good to you? Today? In that situation where you desperately need Him?

The Bible proclaims God’s kindness. It also tells stories of people, like Naomi, who allowed their circumstances to blind them to His tenderness.

Naomi believed God was kind—to other people. She told her daughters-in-law, “May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me” (Ruth 1:8 NIV).

But Naomi thought God’s kindness for her had run out. Weren’t the graves of her husband and two sons proof?Continue Reading

How to Prepare Your Mind for Battle

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Kelly Balarie’s new book Battle Ready is packed with fresh ideas to transform your life and train your mind. I’m delighted to be able to introduce you to her and her new book.

How to Renew Your Mind In Truth

By: Kelly Balarie

Don’t doubt the power of your mind. This football-sized mass has the power to create and recreate everything in your life. This is why Jesus tells us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

If we renew our mind, it is like getting a re-do on life. Rather than continuing with old patterns, ways of doing things or habits, we get an upgrade.

You know, when my boy was a baby: he spent nearly every waking hour of every night screaming crying.

My mind now, occasionally hears that baby voice of his crying late at night. He’s 6.
 This traumatic time was emblazoned in my mind. The trauma is still there. The memory is still there. The fear is still there.

Another example of this is my finger. When I was a kid I had to feel for a little bump on my right hand finger (where I sucked my thumb) to know the difference between right and left. I still when, deciphering right between left, mentally think about feeling for that bump. My mind was trained in this.Continue Reading

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