Each Wednesday, a devotion is posted here, sent via email to our email list and also posted on our Facebook page. If you would like to be part of our email list please contact the church office. In addition, check out past Devotions on our Facebook page.
I often receive feedback that the devotions are rich in content and are complex. Reading devotions whether short and concise or longer and complicated should never be read once quickly. All types of devotions should be read multiple times using contemplation, reflection and pausing. In those spaces of contemplation and reflection we experience the Holy Spirit interacting with us. Sometimes, individuals will reach out and provide their thoughts and reflections on their devotion. My intent has always been to create a dialogue. So read these in the way that best works for you to experience the Holy Spirit and create a dialogue with others in our community.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Hi St. Andrew’s UMC Community …
How are you? My apologies that this week has been challenging to get things out on time. Sleep has been difficult yet the dreams are over the top and in the end, I wake up exhausted. For all who are exhausted, may you be filled with God’s newness and energy. Today we consider the challenging of believing in oneself!
Believe In Yourself
Philippians 4:13; Matthew 17:20
Ross Burach wrote The Little Caterpillar that COULD as a sequel to The Very Impatient Caterpillar. In this book, the new caterpillar does not believe he can fly 200 miles to find his friends. He ends up talking to a whale who encourages him to believe in himself. Believe in yourself. How does that statement make you feel?
There are many epidemics in this world but the largest and most pervasive one is the epidemic of not believing in one’s self. It is rooted in feeling not good enough and appears in life in a variety of forms. Where in your life do you not feel good enough?
All my life I have struggled with weight and exercise. Lately, I have discovered that many of my issues were due to the intense allergies of chemicals, mold and pollen. However, I remember in college and after college when I would attempt to jog a mile or two (never more), usually less than mid-way through I began wheezing and breathing heavily and my muscles would seize up. Yet I would push through and then be sick for days after. I never understood why people felt better after exercising. However, I remember many times as I picked up each foot at a pace that was more of a fast walk than a jog, reciting Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When I would say that, repeatedly, it seemed I breathed a little better and picked up my feet more easily.
Believing and living out Philippians 4:13 is not easy. The world and life always focus on what we can’t do. Can you relate? Where have you been told you are not good enough? Or where have you told others that? In God, all are good enough and in Christ there is strength the world cannot provide. A strength that overcomes the negative thoughts that seem inescapable!
Believing and living out Philippians 4:13 is not easy and yet it is the call of the Christian! What will it take for you in your life challenges to live out Philippians 4:13?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always believing in me and providing me strength in those times I don’t believe in myself. Guide me as I learn to believe in myself in the way you believe in me. Amen.
(Image from: (Image from: https://mx.pinterest.com/pin/5840674510003382/)
by Rev. David Piltz
