Becky Harling

Cultivating a grateful heart is one of the best skills you can practice. Seriously, it changes everything. A woman willingly participated in a biofeedback study. The doctors conducting the study asked her to think of a stressful situation, and then they monitored her heart rate and blood pressure—both rose dramatically. Stress will do that, huh? …

Your Personal Plan for Growing a Grateful Heart Read More »

I was with my youngest daughter last week when I heard the news of the shooting in Texas. Both Keri and I were heartbroken. The situation felt so dark. Since then I’ve heard from several who are struggling with fear. I understand. With the increase of violence and terror attacks, combined with news reports that …

The 3-Psalm Fix for Your Crippling Fears Read More »

Starbucks has the Thanksgiving blend out! Oh, don’t you just love it? The blend, yes, but mostly the holiday. I love Thanksgiving. There is nothing quite like the practice of giving thanks, praising God and celebrating life’s good gifts. As I’ve been thinking about the holiday season approaching, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s …

The 1 Thessalonians 5 Keys to Unlock a Grateful Heart Read More »

You know those moments. You get a critical email, fire off a response and hit send. Or the car in front of you doesn’t go immediately when the light turns green, and you lay on the horn. Maybe your child forgets their homework again and you explode. Ah … stress! I have a theory: When …

4 Questions to Help You Take Your Spiritual Stress Temperature Read More »

Have you ever noticed that people who are content with life have a contagious positivity? They seem to have an undercurrent of peace running through their souls, along with a deep well of joy. What’s their secret? I believe contentment begins with a few good choices. Even though life is challenging, contentment is an attitude …

5 Spirit-Filled Steps to Cultivate Contentment Read More »

I’ve noticed that when life hurts, one of the temptations we face is to believe lies rather than truth. Satan doesn’t want us to believe that we are holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12). He doesn’t want us to believe that through Christ we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). He doesn’t want us to …

This Powerful Declaration Will Help You Stomp Out Satan’s Atrocious Lies Read More »

We live in a noisy world. My world, like yours, is filled with people I love, people I care about and minister to, and responsibilities and obligations. In the middle of all that, it can feel difficult to hear my own heart’s desires and the delicate whisper of God’s voice. In light of that, I’ve …

How Holy Spirit Leads You Into Fulfilling Your Dreams Read More »

I learned a long time ago the value of a good self-management meeting, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or fearful. The only attendee (other than God) at my self-management meeting is me! In our times, there are lots of reasons to feel overwhelmed and fearful. We’ve had our fair share of natural disasters. We see …

How to Crush Your Fatal Fears With Holy Spirit’s Power Read More »

The other day, I was sitting on the back deck with my daughter Keri, talking about friendship. Keri is an amazing friend to others, so it’s no surprise that she has many friends. One of the qualities that I most admire about Keri is her ability to draw her friends out by asking them great …

Caring Questions to Ask Your Friends Read More »

God has a plan for your life. It’s a plan for you to live an abundant and significant life for His glory. Jesus said that He came so that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). We know that’s true, yet many of us settle for far less. Why? I believe the majority of our …

3 Ways to Lean Into God’s John 10:10 Abundance Read More »

As I think of Hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida and the impact of Hurricane Harvey on Houston, I believe it’s a wonderful time to practice offering empathy. Simply put, empathy is the ability to walk in another’s shoes. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our …

The Gift Everyone Can Give in the Wake of Harvey and Irma Read More »

“If you go to Bible college, I will slice your throat and kill you!” Those were the words Marty heard when she told the gang leader that she was going to leave the gang in order to attend Bible college. Marty had only been a believer a short time. As she lay on the floor …

From Jihadist Threat to Life-Giving Promise: One Couple’s Journey Read More »

I remember a season in our home when our kids were little where two of our kids were getting into fairly regular fights. I—like any normal mother—wanted my kids to get along, and I wanted them to “be nice” to each other. I established the rule that if you got into a fight with your …

Powerful Relationship Advice to Use Anywhere, Anytime Read More »

Conflict is inevitable. We’re human, so it makes sense that sometimes we’re going to disagree, argue and get ticked. Right? While conflict is uncomfortable, it can be transformational. Author Michael Hyatt says, “See conflict not as a problem to be managed or resolved, but as an opportunity to strengthen the common life.” That’s great advice. …

Why Conflict Is Your Friend, Not Your Foe Read More »