Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

Now, let’s be honest—if getting swallowed by a fish isn’t a wake-up call, I don’t know what is. Jonah thought he could outrun God. He booked himself a one-way ticket in the opposite direction, but God had other plans. And when Jonah found himself in the belly of that fish, he had plenty of time to think about his life choices.

Ever felt like that? Like life swallowed you whole and left you sitting in the dark, wondering how you got there? Sometimes, our storms and struggles aren’t just bad luck—they’re God’s way of getting our attention. See, God didn’t send that fish to punish Jonah. He sent it to save him. Because sometimes, rock bottom—or in Jonah’s case, fish belly bottom—is exactly where we need to be to finally listen.

If you’re feeling stuck today, remember this—God hasn’t abandoned you. He’s just giving you time to get your heart right. Jonah got spit out on dry land with a new purpose, and so can you. Your struggle isn’t your end; it’s just part of the journey.

 So, trust God, even in the belly of your troubles. He knows exactly where you need to be—and He knows how to get you back on track.

There’s a quiet power in the way the forest stands through every season. The mighty oak does not curse the winter wind, nor does the river refuse to flow when the storm darkens the sky. They endure, not because they do not feel the strain, but because they know—deep down—that seasons change, the wind shifts, and the sun will rise again.

This past week, I found myself walking through a deep and familiar valley. Depression, that old and unwelcome companion, settled in beside me. It didn’t make sense—life, in so many ways, is good right now. And yet, there it was, heavy as ever.

Then I traced it back, not to some great sorrow or burden, but to something as small as a few drops of prednisone in my eye. Amazing, isn’t it? How something so small can shift the way we see, not just with our eyes, but with our hearts?

Depression is like that. Sometimes, it comes with banners waving, announced by grief or exhaustion. Other times, it slips in unnoticed, hidden in the quiet changes of life—our bodies, our routines, the very air around us. And when it comes, it does not ask permission. It does not care how bright the sun is shining.

But here’s the truth: just as the night gives way to dawn, the soul finds its way back to light. The first step is to recognize the shadow, to name it, to remind ourselves that we are not lost—we are simply passing through.

So if you find yourself in the darkness, don’t fear it. Don’t fight it alone. Stand firm like the tree, flow like the river. Reach out, breathe deep, and remember—this is not the end of your story. The light is still there, even when you can’t see it. And soon enough, you will feel its warmth again.

-MJHarvell

John 3:16—if you’ve been around church folks long enough, you’ve heard it a thousand times. But don’t let the familiarity fool you—this verse is the heartbeat of the Gospel, the very essence of what it means to be loved beyond measure.

“For God so loved the world…” That means you. That means me. That means the best of us and the worst of us. It means the folks we get along with and the ones who drive us up the wall. God didn’t just love a select few—He loved the whole, wide world, and He proved it by giving His very best.

He sent His Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap, to make a way where we had none. And all He asks in return? That we believe. Not that we be perfect. Not that we have all the answers. Just that we trust in the One who gave everything for us.

And what do we get? Eternal life. Not just someday, way off in the clouds, but life right here, right now—abundant, free, overflowing with grace.

So don’t just let John 3:16 be words on a page. Let it be the truth that carries you through today. You are loved. You are seen. And you are worth dying for. Now go live like it!