Tag: Endurance

Reflect Jesus

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus can use broken people. If you truly study scripture, you will read that God often chose the weary, the wounded, and the overlooked to display His glory. From the suffering faith of Job to the thorn that humbled Paul the Apostle,  we are reminded that God’s power is not limited to perfect circumstances or pain-free lives. Some receive miraculous healing on this side of Heaven. Others pray with the same faith, the same tears, and the same surrender—and continue walking through illness or hardship. And there are those who once experienced a miracle,  only to find themselves facing another battle.This does not mean they lost their miracle.  It does not mean they have unresolved sin.  It does not mean they lack faith. It means they are human, living in a fallen world where suffering is still part of the journey.

We must stop spreading false doctrine that wounds the already hurting. When we imply that someone’s continued struggle is the result of weak faith or hidden sin, we misrepresent the heart of Christ. God never shamed the suffering;  He drew near to them.  He wept with them.  He touched the untouchable and sat with the rejected. The same Savior who healed bodies also carried a cross. He understands both deliverance and endurance. Jesus loves those who receive beautiful healings on earth just as much as He loves those who will receive their ultimate healing in Heaven. Our calling is not to judge or diagnose someone else’s spiritual condition, but to reflect God’s love, kindness, and compassion. Let us be people who comfort rather than condemn, who encourage rather than accuse, and who walk alongside the suffering with grace that looks like Jesus. ~OC

***You can check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

0

Faith and Trust

Today’s a new day! We don’t always need to know what’s next. So often, we exhaust ourselves trying to map out every detail, predict every outcome, and control every turn ahead. But faith was never about having all the answers — it’s about trusting the One who does. Even when the path feels unclear and the future seems uncertain, we can rest in the truth that God is never confused, never late, and never unprepared. What feels unknown to us is already fully seen and carefully planned by Him.

There is peace in surrender. There is strength in faith. When we release the pressure of needing to “figure it all out,” we make room for trust to grow. We may not know what’s next, but we know Who goes before us. And that is more than enough. ~OC

0

Even In The ICU

As I sit here in ICU, my body is struggling. It’s tired from such a long battle. Every breath feels heavier than it used to. The steady rhythm of the beeping machines reminds me just how fragile this earthly body can be. And yet, in the middle of all of it, I feel a peace — a peace that surpasses all understanding, like the kind described in Philippians 4:6–7. 

My journey doesn’t make sense by human standards. Circumstances say fear. The monitors say concern. The weakness says exhaustion. But my spirit says peace. Jesus is here in this room, and that changes everything.

I do not totally understand why God chose me to walk this crazy, beautiful health journey… but He did. And because He did, I can trust that He has purpose in it. In my weakness, I turn to Him for strength. In my uncertainty, I turn to Him for guidance. If He can use these words written from an ICU bed to encourage even one person, then it’s worth it. 

My desire is simply to be a humble servant. I don’t crave a platform. I have no desire to be a social influencer. I’m not chasing fame or recognition. My only desire is to serve Jesus and to love and serve others well. If that service happens from a hospital room in Intensive Care, then I humbly accept the assignment. 

Whether standing on a stage or lying in a hospital bed, my calling remains the same: to reflect His love. This body may be weary, but my spirit is willing. And as long as there is breath in my lungs, I will continue to point people to the One who gives true hope and peace — even in the ICU. ~OC

0

A Life Of Significance

Today’s a new day! This crazy beautiful health journey has taught me so many lessons over the years. There have been mountaintop victories and quiet valley battles—moments when strength felt limitless and others when even getting out of bed felt like a triumph. I’ve learned that health isn’t just about numbers on a chart; it’s about gratitude, surrender, and perspective. It’s about understanding that every breath is a gift and every setback can become a teacher. Pain has a way of refining what comfort never could. It strips away the noise and reveals what truly matters.

For me, one of the most important lessons has been this: LIVE A LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE. Not a life chasing applause. Not a life measured by likes, titles, or temporary victories. But a life poured out with purpose. A life rooted in faith. A life for Jesus. Significance isn’t about being known by everyone—it’s about being faithful to the One who knows you completely. When I choose to live for Christ, my journey- every struggle, every breakthrough—becomes an offering. My scars tell a story of grace. My perseverance becomes a testimony. Living for Jesus transforms ordinary days into eternal impact, and that is a legacy worth building. ~OC

***You can check out the spoken word version on my YouTube Channel Todd E Shoemaker Music.

0

Where’s The Iron?

Today’s a new day. And before I say anything else, I want to say thank you to the very few friends who have stayed by my side during this crazy, beautiful health journey. You know who you are. You are definitely in the minority. Your texts, your calls, your presence — not just your emojis — have meant more than you’ll ever know. It’s both funny and heartbreaking how someone can be celebrated as the “flavor of the month” for a season in the Christian community, applauded, platformed, and praised… yet the moment that same person enters a difficult health season, many quietly disappear. Some walk away from the responsibility to love and care as quickly as you can say, “Bless your heart, I’ll be praying for you.”

I’ve seen this especially in Christian men’s circles. Brotherhood is preached. Loyalty is applauded. Accountability is emphasized. But when things get uncomfortable — when illness lingers, when strength looks like weakness, when there’s nothing flashy or impressive to celebrate — friendships often fade. A thumbs up on a post. Prayer hands in a text. Maybe an occasional visit to check a box. And while those gestures aren’t meaningless, they’re not the fullness of brotherhood either. I’m not writing this from a place of anger. I’m writing from disappointment. There’s a difference. Disappointment comes from believing we can do better — that we’re called to do better.

Over the years, I’ve sat in countless men’s Bible studies where words like “iron sharpens iron” and “we’re in this together” are boldly proclaimed. Yet consistent, sacrificial friendship — the kind that shows up over and over again — is rare. And I share this not just for myself, but for the many brothers silently carrying their own battles. Health struggles. Mental strain. Financial pressure. Family heartbreak. So many men are walking through something and feel like they’re walking alone. That shouldn’t be the testimony of the Church.

I truly pray no one ever has to walk the specific health road I’m on. But if you ever do face your own long night, I pray you don’t just receive words — I pray you feel presence. I pray you’re surrounded by brothers who stay. Brothers who check in consistently. Brothers who sit in silence when needed. Brothers who don’t vanish when the spotlight fades.

Today’s a new day. And maybe this is a call for all of us — myself included — to love deeper, stay longer, and live out the brotherhood we so easily preach about.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. May the love and peace of God rest upon each of you. ~OC

0

Rise And Live Again

Today’s a new day!
In the silence of the midnight hour,
When the weight of the world feels strong,
There’s a whisper breaking through the dark,
A steady voice, a healing son
When my strength begins to fade away,
And my heart can barely stand,
I remember where my help comes from—
Held in nail-scarred hands.


It’s the power of God’s hope that lifts me,
The power of His unfailing love,
The power of His sweet compassion
Pouring down from above
His grace is more than enough for me,
His peace calms every storm within,
In the power of His forgiveness
I rise and live again.


When regret tries to rewrite my past,
And shame knocks at my door,
His mercy speaks a better word
Than I have ever heard before
He doesn’t see my brokenness
As something to condemn,
He wraps me in His righteousness
And calls me His child again.


In a world that’s torn by hurt and fear,
Where hearts are slow to trust,
His Spirit breathes a deeper truth—
From ashes, beauty comes from dust
He teaches us to love like Him,
To serve and not divide,
To carry hope into the night
With mercy as our guide.


Hope for the weary,
Love for the lost,
Grace that was given
No matter the cost
Peace like a river,
Forgiveness so wide—
All of His power
Now living inside. ~OC

0

Take Our Brokenness

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Today’s a new day! Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the Scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for each and every one of us. No matter how broken we feel inside, God has a purpose for us. We may not see how, but God can take broken bodies and broken hearts and use them for good in His great purposes. All He needs is a willing heart. 

We often feel, though, that we are too big of a mess for God to accept. But in reality, He desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our mess and lift our arms up to Him, just like when we were a child and we turned to our parents or grandparents in the middle of a mess that was often from our own doing. 

All that God needs is a willing heart. Because if we are willing, even though we may feel like we’re are a total mess, God will honor whatever faith we can muster, and take our brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

 Dear God, I pray that You will take our brokenness and use it for good in your great purposes. I pray that You will use our “I can’t” situations to show us what You CAN do and want to do in our lives. Thank you, God, for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ great name, Amen.” ~OC

0

Get Up!

Today’s a new day! There’s a quiet battle that happens before the day even begins — the one between the comfort of staying down and the courage to rise up. For many, especially those walking through sickness or hardship, that battle starts the moment the alarm rings. The temptation to stay in bed all day is real. But the truth is simple: you can’t win the battle lying down. 

Getting up each day — physically, mentally, and spiritually — is an act of faith. It’s a declaration that says, “God’s not done with me yet.” Whether your body feels weak or your spirit feels weary, rising is your way of saying, “I’m still in the game.” It’s less about strength and more about surrender — surrendering to purpose over comfort, hope over helplessness, and faith over fear. 

Every morning is another opportunity to complete another lap in this marathon called life. The running shoes are staring at you, and you have a choice: stay down or put on the shoes and head out the door. Some days, “getting up” might mean physically moving out of bed. Other days, it might mean simply lifting your thoughts toward heaven and whispering, “Lord, help me through this day.” 

Don’t underestimate the power of those small victories. God sees every effort, every struggle, every push against the weight of the day. And in those moments when you rise anyway — even trembling, even tired — heaven applauds, because faith just took another step forward. 

So today, no matter how heavy the storms of life may feel, answer the call. Rise up, not because it’s easy, but because your story isn’t finished. You are still in the race, and the fight is still worth it. 

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16

****If you would like to hear this post in Spoken Word, please check out my YouTube channel at Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

1

Your Mission

Today’s a new day! A lesson learned along this journey: God doesn’t care about your position—He cares about your mission. 

Your position might get applause. 

Your mission will change lives. 

I thought I was built for running many miles and sharing the Gospel. Turns out, I was actually built for running after and winning souls for Jesus. God rerouted my journey -not to punish me, but to prepare me. He took the dreams I had and gave me a purpose I never saw coming. And let me tell you, it’s louder, richer, and more eternal than any finishing medal I ever ran after. 

So if life has benched you, broken you, or blindsided you—don’t panic. That’s often where the mission begins. God specializes in turning detours into destiny. He’ll shift your position to align you with the very people who need your story, your scars, and your strength. 

Joseph didn’t stay in the pit. 

I didn’t throw in the towel. 

And you won’t stay stuck either. 

Your mission is still active. 

Your calling is still valid. 

And your impact is still unfolding. 

Don’t chase titles or medals. Chase truth. 

Don’t pursue applause. Pursue purpose. 

Because when you walk in your mission, you don’t just win—you help others rise up.

And that, my friend, is the real purpose for living. 

 A Scripture Reflection: 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21 

A Word of Encouragement: 

Your mission is always possible. Even when the position changes, the purpose remains. Keep walking. Keep trusting. God’s not done. ~OC

***You can check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

1

Real Talk

Today’s a new day! 

I’m gonna be real with you. 

Lately, I have hit a wall physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Some days the weight just stacks up heavier than usual, and you feel it in places nobody can see.

But I want you to hear this clearly: 

Hitting a wall doesn’t mean you’re defeated. 

It means you’ve been running hard. 

It means you care. 

It means you’re human.

I am learning that even strong faith-filled people have moments where they need to sit down, catch their breath, and let God hold the weight for a minute. 

I’m doing that right now, resting my mind, leaning on prayer, and letting the people who truly love me love me.

If you’re reading this and you’ve hit your own wall lately- emotionally, spiritually, mentally- don’t beat yourself up. 

Take a Pause. 

Take a Breath.

Don’t be afraid to Reach Out for help.

You don’t have to power through this life alone.

I am grateful for every prayer, every message, every ounce of encouragement family, friends and strangers have sent my way. 

It truly carries me on days when the race feels overwhelming. 

Today, I am:

Still Standing.

Still Believing.

Still Pushing Through. 

Still Running the Race. 

Still Thankful.

Still Blessed. 

I pray everyone has a beautiful and blessed day. ~OC

***If you would like to hear the Spoken Word version of this post, check it out at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑