The truth blazed like sunlight in the shadows of Barracks 28. The real sin I had been committing was not that of inching toward the center of a platoon because I was cold. The real sin lay in thinking that any power to help and transform came from me. Of course it was not my wholeness, but Christ's that made the difference.

Always when I say that I am not able, I get the same answer from the Lord. He says, "I know you can't. I have known it already a long time. I am glad now you know it for yourself for now you can let Me do it." "All right, Lord, You do it," I said. And surely the Lord did.

Sometimes what we think will make us happy is the opposite of what God wants for us.

Our fears matter. Because ultimately, our fears show how we're relying on our own efforts and not trusting in our Savior. The truth is we—you and I and everyone—are always inadequate. We're never enough. We're always weak.

If God has done what you think he should do, trust him. If God doesn't do what you think he should do, trust him. If you pray and believe God for a miracle and he does it, trust him. If your worst nightmare comes true, believe he is sovereign. Believe he is good.

There's nothing cool about turning against God. There's nothing fun or cute or right about compromising who God wanted you to be.

Rather than worrying about work, schedules, and deadlines, I felt at peace with God. He was in control. The world at large would not crumble because I turned off my iPhone. This is how it's supposed to be. For the first time in who knows how long, I felt like myself. Fully alive. Fully present. And fully aware of God's goodness.

The way we respond to challenges determines the stories we'll tell one day. Your decision to trust God in life's storms may be one of the best ongoing choices you ever make.

He's for you and wants to help you be the person He created you to be.

The right choice was the more difficult one. Way more difficult. But as Jesus followers, we know it's best to choose hard over easy when hard is right.

Your best decision is the next one that will help you be the person God created you to be.

You win when you quit trying.