Dearest Gentle Reader,
I want to invite you into something quietly powerful in this weekâs letter: finding Godâs nearness in the very place you feel stretched. Throughout Scripture, God often met His people in the midst of their challenges, not after they escaped them:
Moses saw the burning bush while hiding in fear.
Hagar heard Godâs voice in the wilderness.
Davidâs worship rose from caves, not palaces.
Paul wrote words of courage while in chains.
Challenges have never been signs of Godâs absence; they have always been invitations to notice His presence. My pastor (Chidi Nwajagu) said, âChallenges are the breakfast of champions, and I completely agree. It is in these moments, when life feels heavy or uncertain, that strength, courage, and growth are quietly nourished.
Maybe your current challenge is:
Emotional: healing from wounds no one sees
Financial: stretching what feels too small
Spiritual: feeling dry, heavy, or unsure
Relational: navigating disappointment, silence, or change
Whatever it is⊠God is not intimidated by your circumstances. In fact, He is shaping you through them, softly, tenderly, even when it doesnât feel like progress.
This week, let your heart hold these truths:
Faith doesnât remove the tension; it reveals God within it.
Strength doesnât mean you feel invincible; it means you lean on God while feeling weak.
Hope isnât naĂŻve; itâs courageous in the waiting.
You, yes you, are growing stronger than you know. God is writing a story with your life, one sacred moment at a time. Every step of obedience is a seed, every tear is noticed, every prayer, even the quiet, exhausted ones, is heard.
If this week stretches you, let it stretch you. If it tests your patience, allow yourself to rest in it. Growth is happening beneath the surface, in ways your soul can feel even if your eyes canât yet see. So be present and receive grace. And notice that even in the challenge, you are being held.
Keep flourishing in trust and resilience.
With love and hope,
Temi Olu