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Choosing Kindness Through Suffering: Allowing Life’s Challenges To Soften Our Hearts
A reflective Christian mystical exploration on Pema Chödrön’s statement that suffering can either harden or soften the heart, drawing on saints, Scripture, and contemplative wisdom to show how God transforms trials into deeper compassion. Includes a meditation question, related Scripture, and a linked blog post from Grappling With Divinity for further reading.
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Choosing The Better Part: Being A Contemplative In An Activist World (Lectio Divina)
This reflection explores how the Christian life calls us to balance just action with deep, contemplative stillness in God’s presence. Drawing on Scripture and spiritual wisdom, it invites readers to pause, quiet their hearts, and listen for God’s voice amid the frenzy of activism and good intentions.
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Letting Go of God to Receive God: Detachment, Grace, and Divine Union (Lectio Divina)
A reflective meditation on St. John of the Cross’s call to detach from all attachments—even our concepts of God—to experience divine union through grace. Drawing on Scripture and mystical insight, this piece invites readers to let go of self-reliance and embrace God’s transformative presence beyond human effort.
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Do Not Be Disturbed: Resisting the World’s Clamor and Finding Peace in God’s Faithfulness (Lectio Divina)
A contemplative reflection on resisting the subtle temptations of the world that promise short-lived satisfaction but draw us away from God. This post invites readers to meditate on trusting in God’s provision and faithfulness instead of worldly promises, offers a guiding Scripture, and links to a related Grappling With Divinity reflection on finding peace…
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Peace of Soul: How To Trust God’s Word And Not Be In A Hurry (Lectio Divina)
A reflective piece on embracing God’s call to stillness and trust in the midst of life’s hurry. Drawing on Scripture like Psalm 46:10 and spiritual wisdom from St. Francis de Sales, this post explores how rushing ahead of God leads to anxiety, while resting in God’s timing fosters deep peace and spiritual strength. Includes…
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Thorn in the Flesh: A Reminder of Our Dependence on God’s Mercy (Lectio Divina)
A reflective meditation on how the recurring “thorns in the flesh” in our lives remind us of our deep need for God’s infinite mercy. Drawing on Scripture and contemplative wisdom, this post invites readers to embrace their weaknesses, trust in God’s grace, and find spiritual growth through dependence on Him rather than self-reliance.
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Jiu-Jitsu And Christ: A Spiritual Strength That Bends Like the Willow (Lectio Divina)
Explore how the spiritual practice of “yielding,” likened to the supple art of jujutsu (jiu-jitsu) and the resilience of the willow tree, reflects Jesus-shaped strength. Rooted in deep intimacy with God, this reflection draws on Henri Nouwen’s insight to show how believers can grow flexible without being relativistic, gentle without being weak, and steadfast…
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Why Spiritual Reading is Essential for Genuine Spiritual Growth (Lectio Divina)
A reflection inspired by St. Athanasius on the vital role of spiritual reading in Christian discipleship, paired with Scripture support and a question for personal meditation. This post points readers to a related Grappling With Divinity article on prayer as a foundational spiritual discipline and invites deeper engagement with the life of the Spirit…
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Why the Word Became Flesh: Divine Love Dwelling with Creation (Lectio Divina)
This post reflects on the Christian theological insight of John Duns Scotus that the Word became flesh not primarily as a corrective to human failure but because divine love intentionally chose to dwell with what it had made. Grounded in the Incarnation, the summary explores how Jesus Christ embodies God’s self-giving love and invites…
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Do Not Be Overcome: God Promises Victory Over Death, Not An Easy Life (Lectio Divina)
Explore the profound wisdom of medieval mystic Julian of Norwich, who reframes the Christian journey not as avoidance of trial but as assurance of divine victory: “Thou shalt not be overcome.” This post connects her insight with Scripture and contemporary reflection on God’s sustaining love, offering encouragement for believers facing spiritual struggle and seeking…