DATE POSTED
Thursday, July 30, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

1 Corinthians 13:6 ~ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~ In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

For those who can identify with me, our growing-up years may have felt like some of the most challenging times of our lives. It wasn’t because we went hungry, had abusive parents, or lacked love, but because our parents seemed so strict on us—or at least, that’s how we felt at the time! While our friends gathered outside to play, we were often stuck indoors doing chores or helping our parents work hard to make ends meet. To our younger selves, it felt like plain misery!

It wasn’t until we reached adulthood and became parents ourselves that we looked back with gratitude. We realized we were being lovingly guided into responsible, successful lives by parents who faced immense pressure to protect us from the wrong influences. That early guidance taught us an invaluable lesson: to look at the bigger picture and focus on the good rather than the temporary hardships.

Before Christ, however, many of us carried that lingering sense of childhood burden into adulthood. Reaching independence, we promised ourselves we would never be governed or restricted like that again. We acted like birds released from a cage, doing our utmost to chase every freedom adulthood had to offer. “Self” became number one, and the world was ours to conquer. Overlooking others seemed like a small price to pay for personal freedom—even if it meant ignoring their feelings, needs, or struggles. We had little time or interest in supporting others, let alone celebrating their accomplishments.

But praise God, along the way, something changed. We began noticing people in our circle who lived entirely differently. They weren’t living selfishly; in fact, they were often the first to cheer for the happiness and success of others. It was a strange and fascinating phenomenon to us. What made them operate this way?

In time, the answer became clear: they had experienced something far greater than anything we had known. They had found, accepted, and trusted Jesus as Lord of their lives. He transformed them from the inside out. Witnessing that genuine transformation caused me to listen more closely to the gentle voice of God as He drew me to Himself in early 1976.

After Christ, everything changed. Jesus taught me what genuine love looks like because He first loved me. He showed me that true joy is not rooted in favorable circumstances but in a growing relationship with Him. As His love fills our hearts, we learn to rejoice in His truth, to celebrate His work in the lives of others, and to give thanks in every circumstance. This is the kind of rejoicing that pleases God because it flows from confidence in His faithfulness rather than confidence in our circumstances.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us, this is a joy rooted in gratitude—a joy that pleases God because it flows from knowing Him personally. Through Christ, we can rejoice not just when things go smoothly, but in every circumstance, knowing He is always present to love, guide, and protect every step we take on our journey home.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges in life is finding peace and a reason to rejoice when circumstances go against our desires. Yet, because God is sovereign and works all things together for our good, true faith empowers us to trust Him—even through the painful loss of a loved one, the heartbreak of a wayward child, or the heaviest trials of life.

We can rest assured that God is fully aware of our heartache. He keeps our minds anchored on the central truth of our salvation: Jesus endured the cross for us so that, despite the heartbreaks of this world, we have a glorious eternity ahead with Him. Why fret over the things outside our control when we know who holds our hand each day? Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who loves us unconditionally and guides us toward our heavenly home—where we will worship at His feet forever!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy that can only be found through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my circumstances to steal my joy or keep me from rejoicing in the blessings of others. Help me to trust You in every season of life and to give thanks, knowing that You are always faithful. Fill my heart with Your love so that I may rejoice in Your truth and reflect the joy of Christ to those around me. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus until the day I see Him face to face. In His precious name I pray, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!