Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 + 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Series Theme: Abiding: Planted and Thriving in Busy Seasons

Do you have an unresolved issue that never seems to go away, no matter how much you pray, plan, or push through? Today we’re reflecting on Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” from 2 Corinthians, where God tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Have you ever wondered if God will ever remove your “thorn”or why He hasn’t yet? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us carry a persistent ache, a chronic struggle, or an old wound that quietly colors our days. It can feel humbling, scary, and deeply personal to name it out loud.

If you’ve wrestled with ongoing sadness, chronic conditions, or the kind of mental and emotional weight that feels ever-present, and you long to experience God’s nearness in it, this episode is for you.

This isn’t about gritting your teeth through pain. It’s about learning holy dependence that softens our hearts, guides our choices, and shapes us into Christ’s likeness right where we feel weakest. When God’s resurrection life meets your weakness, God’s power shines through, so you can be the friend, neighbor, colleague, parent or person you’re meant to be.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Your thorn may not disappear, but God’s grace can meet you inside it. His power is made perfect in your weakness.
• Humility isn’t God demanding your pain; it’s God forming your heart for dependence, wisdom, and softer interactions with others.
• Some thorns sensitized you to notice the lonely and extend mercy; God can turn your ache into warmth for others.
• Gratitude in hardship reframes your day and an inspirational example is provided.
• If God can revive a humble seed after thousands of years, He can reawaken what feels dormant in you, too.

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 — Opening + Grounding
• 1:23 — Morning Prayer
• 2:13 — Today’s Bible Reading (2 Corinthians 12: 6-10 & 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
• 5:09 — Why it’s hard to open up about our struggles - and what makes it feel safer.
• 7:30 — How past traumas can shape sensitivity, mercy, and personal ministry
• 9:01 — The unexpected strength of humility and holy dependence
• 11:04 — How to notice God’s goodness in the unlikeliest moments
• 12:44 — What you can do right now to redirect your mind with Philippians 4:8
• 14:27 — How God can reawaken what feels dormant in you
• 15:52 — Today’s Journaling: Inviting God into our weakness + today’s top tasks
• 19:59 — Closing Prayer: Reawakened by God, and ready for the day.

RESOURCES + LINKS:

• Get the Matching Journal: Follow along with the free matching Abiding Quiet Time Journal.
• Stay in the Word Daily with My Free 365-Day Bible Reading Plan Printables.

DEPRESSION RESOURCES

If you’re struggling with depression, persistent sadness, or thoughts of self-harm, please seek support right away. This podcast is for spiritual encouragement and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or crisis care.

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 (or your local emergency number).

Free and confidential support in the U.S.:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor (24/7)
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for mental health and substance use treatment referrals (24/7)

If you’re outside the U.S., please contact your local emergency number or visit findahelpline.com to locate free, confidential support in your country. You are not alone, and help is available.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 42
Series Theme: Abiding: Planted and Thriving in Busy Seasons

Have you ever felt like you’re clinging to hope by a thread? Like the weight of despair is pulling you under, even when you know God is near?

Can you relate to those moments when your soul feels dry, even in the midst of abundance? When you’re longing for connection, peace, and purpose?

We’ve all had times when we felt the tension between despair and hope, wondering if God is still with us. You’re not alone in this.

If you’ve ever experienced spiritual dryness, struggled to find purpose in hard seasons, or longed for a deeper connection with God, this episode is for you.

Together we'll learn about how it's not just about surviving those tough seasons but also about discovering how God will use them to build something greater in your life. Plus, I’m sharing a personal dream that revealed God’s peace and trustworthiness in a way I’ll never forget.

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 - Welcome + Opening Prayer
• 2:29 - Passage Overview + Relevance
• 3:48 - Today’s Bible Reading - Psalm 42
• 6:01 - Reflections Begin: The tension between despair and hope
• 8:09 - When “deep calls to deep” - finding God in the depths of our struggles
• 9:35 - The power of prayer to quench spiritual dryness
• 10:37 - How purposeful activity anchors us in seasons of despair
• 12:25 - From ocean to shore: a dream of trust and rest in God’s loving presence
• 14:24 - How God uses our despair to build something greater
• 15:02 - Daily Journaling & Task Planning (plus naming emotions & finding hope)
• 19:13 - Closing Prayer & Special Encouragement for the Day

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Sometimes we feel tension between despair and hope. During these times, abiding with God can plant hope in our hearts to carry us through as God commands his loving-kindness to support us in these seasons.
• God meets us in the depths of our struggles, calling us to trust Him even when life feels overwhelming.
• Purposeful activity can be a lifeline in hard seasons and how David’s memory of worshiping with others anchored him. We can also seek our own special memory to recall during tough times.
• Trusting God brings peace. I share a personal dream of being held in an ocean of love, a moment that reminded me of His complete trustworthiness.
• God may have used what David learned and experienced as part of his story, particularly how later he was inspired to write the plans for the temple.

RESOURCES + LINKS

• Get the Journal – Read scripture + plan your day in one sacred space — just $9.99Free 365-Day
• 365-Day Bible Reading Plan – Stay rooted all year with our downloadable plan
• Leave a Review + Send a Screenshot to Receive the Matching Planner Free

If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with a friend who needs to hear this.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Kings 19:3–12
Series Theme: Abiding: Planted and Thriving in Busy Seasons

Welcome to Day 11 of the Abiding series on the Wake Up Loved podcast. Today’s quiet time is for anyone feeling the weight of exhaustion, burnout, or the pressure to keep going when you feel like giving up. We’re diving into 1 Kings 19, exploring the story of Elijah, a prophet who faced despair, burnout, and the need for restoration.

This episode is a reminder that God meets us in our exhaustion, providing exactly what we need: rest, nourishment, and clarity. Through Elijah’s story, we’ll uncover how to embrace God’s gentle whisper amidst the noise of life and learn how to take the next faithful step, even when we feel depleted.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find peace in the chaos or strength in the stillness, this episode is for you.

• 0:00 - Opening + Grounding (Deep Breathing)
• 1:07 - Opening Prayer
• 1:32 - Why This Passage Matters
• 2:37 - Today's Bible Reading - 1 Kings 19:3-12
• 4:55 - God’s Prescription for Exhaustion: Rest + Nourishment
• 6:10 - My Burnout Story: When Enough Was Enough
• 8:00 - Comfort + Courage When Fear of Failure Strikes
• 12:46 - Your Daily Journaling: Hearing God’s Whisper Today
• 14:48 - Your Daily Planning: Top 3 Priorities + Focus Your Day
• 16:29 - Closing Prayer: Embracing God’s Enough + Strength for Today

• God meets us in our exhaustion: Just as He cared for Elijah, God provides rest, nourishment, and encouragement when we feel burned out.
• You are not alone: Even in moments of despair, God reminds us that He is with us and has a purpose for us.
• Take the first step: Trust that as you move forward in faith, God will provide the energy and motivation you need.

• Get the Journal – Read scripture + plan your day in one sacred space — just $9.99
• Free 365-Day Bible Plan – Stay rooted all year with our downloadable plan
• Leave a Review + Send a Screenshot to Receive the Matching Planner FREE (value $55)