I’m still shocked when people move funny. Still taking offense at behavior You already showed me was coming. Still acting surprised when patterns repeat. And if I’m honest? It’s not that I didn’t see it. It’s that I hoped it would change. Sometimes God warns us … not to make us paranoid but to prepare our posture. And instead of adjusting… we stay open where we should’ve guarded. We stay soft where we should’ve been wise. We stay available where we should’ve stepped back. Then we get offended. But maybe the real issue isn’t them. Maybe it’s that we ignored discernment. Being a Christian doesn’t mean being naïve. Loving people doesn’t mean being blind. Grace doesn’t cancel wisdom. Sometimes the offense hits harder because deep down we knew. Let’s talk. Have you ever: • Been hurt by someone God already showed you about? • Ignored discernment because you didn’t want to seem “judgmental”? • Taken offense at something you were already warned about? No shame. Just maturity.

Do people take advantage of you? I’m asking because I see this happen a LOT... especially with Christians.We’re taught to love, forgive, be patient, be kind… and somewhere along the way, kindness gets mistaken for weakness. So we: - keep saying yes when we want to say no - stay quiet to “keep the peace” - overextend ourselves because it feels more “Christian” - allow behavior we know isn’t healthy And then we’re left tired, resentful, and wondering why we feel drained. The Word tells us to love,,,but it does not tell us to be doormats. So let’s open the conversation. 💬 Have you ever felt taken advantage of because you’re a Christian? 💬 How do you personally balance loving people and protecting yourself? 💬 Where do you struggle most with boundaries? No judgment here.Just real people, real faith, real conversations. Drop your thoughts below.... let’s talk.

We just learned in Day One of our free series, “Learning Who You Are in Christ,”that we pray as sons and daughters NOT slaves. So let’s practice what we learned. Finish this prayer below in your own words (no overthinking, no begging) Father, today I come to You knowing that I belong, and I declare… Drop your prayer in the comments. Then take a moment to pray over someone else’s prayer too. 🤍 We grow by doing... not just reading.Let’s pray with confidence.

Let’s set the tone right now. Before we talk about authority, faith, mountains moving, or taking anything back we have to fix identity. Because how you see yourself determines how you pray.And a lot of believers are praying like slaves, not sons. 📖 Romans 8:15 says: “You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Read that again. You did not receive a spirit of slavery.Which means if your prayers are full of fear, panic, begging, or desperation…that didn’t come from God. Slave mindset sounds like this: - “God, if it’s Your will…” - “I don’t deserve this but…” - “Please don’t be mad at me…” - “I know I messed up, but can I still ask…?” That’s not humility.That’s identity confusion. Son/Daughter mindset sounds like this: - “Father, You promised…” - “I come boldly because You invited me…” - “I trust You, even while I’m learning…” - “I belong here.” Slaves ask for permission.Sons walk in relationship. Slaves hope they’re allowed.Sons know they’re welcome. And here’s the hard truth....If you still see yourself as a slave, you’ll always pray like you’re trying to earn access. But access was already granted. Jesus didn’t die so you could visit God occasionally.He died so you could belong. You don’t have to beg God to love you. You don’t have to convince Him to help you. You don’t have to perform to be heard. You are adopted.Chosen.Covered.Welcomed. Not because you earned it but because He wanted you. Reflection Questions - When you pray, do you sound more like a slave or a son? - What fear shows up when you approach God? - Where did you learn that posture? - We’re not shaming today.We’re waking up. Because before you can speak to mountains…you have to stop kneeling like you don’t belong. Declarations I am not a slave.I am a child of God.I belong in His presence.I approach Him with confidence, not fear. Tomorrow we’re talking about inheritance and why it changes everything about how you ask.

How You Stay Steady When Life Is Loud Scripture: “And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” — Ephesians 6:15 Shoes don’t protect your head. They don’t guard your heart. They determine how you move. In Roman armor, shoes had spikes on the bottom. Why? So the soldier could stand firm, advance forward, and not slip when the ground was rough. Spiritually, peace does the same thing. WHAT THE SHOES OF PEACE ACTUALLY PROTECT The shoes of peace protect your stability. Without peace: • You react instead of respond • You feel constantly unsettled • You’re easily triggered • You feel rushed, anxious, and defensive • Your parenting feels chaotic and inconsistent Peace is not calm circumstances. Peace is steady footing when circumstances aren’t calm. 📖 “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds…” — Philippians 4:7 Peace guards your movement — how you walk through conflict, correction, chaos, and pressure. WHAT PEACE IS (AND IS NOT) Peace is not: • Avoiding hard conversations • Ignoring problems • Suppressing emotions • Being passive or quiet Biblical peace is: • Confidence in God’s presence • Stability under pressure • Calm authority, not emotional numbness • Forward movement without panic Jesus didn’t promise peace because life would be easy. He promised peace because life would be hard. 📖 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart — I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 HOW YOU KNOW YOU’RE NOT WEARING THE SHOES You’re barefoot spiritually when: • Every inconvenience feels overwhelming • You snap quickly • You dread conflict • You feel constantly on edge • You avoid situations instead of addressing them • Your home feels emotionally tense That’s not because you’re failing. That’s because peace hasn’t been fastened to your walk. Bare feet = unstable steps. HOW TO PUT ON THE SHOES OF PEACE (PRACTICAL) Peace is something you prepare for, not something you hope shows up.