Uncompromised

Words That Give Life Have you ever spoken something in passing and immediately wished you could take it back? Maybe it wasn’t meant to hurt, yet somehow your words landed heavier than you realized. Even those of us who love Jesus can unintentionally speak in ways that dim hope instead of lifting it. The truth is, our words have incredible power. They can wound deeply or bring life, encouragement, and healing. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21) This isn’t what a life shaped by grace looks like. Those who have been saved by grace are also being molded and guided by grace. After all, we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Words carry weight. Criticism without love can deepen wounds. Complaining quietly can bury hope. Harsh comments can feel like a sentence being handed down. Often, people are already hurting, doing everything they can just to stand back up. Then comes a word, spoken without care, that ...

Poking the Wound: When God Heals What Lies Beneath If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me talk about “poking the wound.” Years ago, because of my autoimmune disease, I developed a wound on my left leg. It was tiny, just the size of a penny, but it would not heal. Because of immunosuppressants, my body stayed dormant, unresponsive to the injury. My husband took me to a wound doctor, and they taught us how to clean and care for it, but it wasn’t enough. My body wasn’t reacting. Then the doctor explained something I’ll never forget: the wound had to be poked. Unless it was stirred, my body would not recognize it as something that needed healing. So day after day, we poked it. At times it looked worse before it looked better, but it was the only way to stimulate the body’s God-designed response to heal. Eventually, it closed completely. That picture has become such a spiritual truth for me. Because as believers, we can live faithfully, attending church, studyin...