Day 6 – Monday, August 25, 2025
The Root of Doubt
Scripture Focus: “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt me?’” — Matthew 14:31 (NIV)
Devotional
Sis, this scripture takes us right into the middle of a storm. Picture it: the disciples are out on a boat at night, and the wind is raging. The waves are crashing against them, and they are terrified. In the middle of their fear, Jesus shows up — walking on water. Peter, bold and eager, says, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus simply replies, “Come.”
Peter steps out of the boat — and for a moment, he does the impossible. He walks on water. But then, Scripture says Peter saw the wind. He saw the storm. He took his eyes off Jesus and fixed them on his circumstances. Fear rushed in, doubt crept in, and he began to sink. That’s when Jesus reached out His hand and asked: “Why did you doubt me?”
Let’s pause here. Jesus didn’t ask Peter why he was afraid of the storm. He didn’t even question Peter for sinking. Jesus went straight to the root: doubt.
Doubt is deeper than fear. Doubt is the inner voice that questions God’s presence, His power, or His promise. Doubt asks: “Can God really do this for me? Will He really show up this time? Am I even worthy of His help?”
For the women of Encouraging Her Resilience, doubt often shows up in the very areas where God is calling you to step out in faith.
- You step into recovery, but doubt whispers: “You’ll fall again.”
- You step into leaving a toxic relationship, but doubt says: “You can’t make it on your own.”
- You start to trust God with your future, but doubt whispers: “What if He lets you down like everyone else?”
Like Peter, many of us start out strong. We step out of the boat, bold and full of faith. But then the storms of life hit. Bills stack up. Kids act out. Trauma resurfaces. Pain from the past revisits your mind. And instead of keeping our eyes on Jesus, we start focusing on the storm. And that’s when doubt creeps in and we begin to sink.
Jesus’ question — “Why did you doubt me?” — was not condemnation, it was revelation. He was showing Peter, and He is showing us, that the storm was never the real threat. Doubt was.
Breaking Down the Root of Doubt
- Doubt Distracts
Peter’s problem wasn’t the storm — it was his shift in focus. Doubt always starts when we stop looking at Jesus and start magnifying the problem. Women at Encouraging Her Resilience, your doubt often rises when you replay trauma, rehearse failure, or believe the enemy’s lies instead of God’s truth.
- Doubt Divides
Doubt creates a double mind. James 1:6–8 says a person who doubts is “unstable in all they do.” One day you’re declaring, “I’m free!” The next day you’re rehearsing shame. One moment you’re praying with faith, the next you’re planning for failure. Doubt makes you live in two worlds, and it paralyzes progress.
- Doubt Drowns
Just as Peter began to sink when he doubted, doubt pulls us under. It drowns hope. It drowns purpose. It drowns confidence. Some of you have dreams God gave you years ago, but doubt has kept them underwater.
Action Step for Today
Identify the storm in your life that has shifted your focus. Is it finances? Relationships? Addiction? Healing from trauma? Write down where doubt keeps whispering, “God won’t come through.” Then beside it, write one scripture that speaks directly against that doubt. Pray it. Declare it. Every time the storm rises in your mind, speak the Word louder than the waves.
Example:
- Doubt: “I’ll never get free from addiction.”
- Truth: “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” — John 8:36
Reflection Questions
- When has doubt caused me to take my eyes off Jesus and sink into fear or hopelessness?
- What storms in my life am I focusing on more than God’s presence and promise?
- How do I react when life’s waves rise — with faith or with doubt?
- What would living with unwavering faith in this season look like for me?
- Am I willing to be honest with God about my doubts like Peter was, so that He can rescue me?
Declaration for Day 6
I will not let doubt distract me, divide me, or drown me. My eyes are fixed on Jesus, not on the storm. I believe He is faithful, He is able, and He will not fail me. Doubt has no place in my heart. I will walk in bold faith, even in the middle of the storm.
Sis, hear me: The storm is not the real enemy. Doubt is. Today, we silence it. Today, we lift our eyes back to Jesus. Today, we walk in faith again — and this time, we refuse to sink.
Sunday Devotional – August 24, 2025
“The Lord Is My Shepherd”
Scripture Focus: Psalm 23:1–6 (NKJV)
This Morning, God Met Me in My Valley
This morning, I woke up heavy. The weight of my trial sat on my chest before I even took my first breath of the day. My mind started running to the problems, the battles, and the uncertainties pressing in on every side. Maybe you know that feeling—the kind of trial that makes you wonder, “Lord, how much longer can I carry this?”
But before fear could take over, God led me to Psalm 23. It wasn’t just a scripture—it was His voice. It was His answer to the cries I hadn’t yet spoken. And today, I believe God wants to use this same passage to comfort not only me, but you—the women of Encouraging Her Resilience who are walking through trials of your own.
Verse 1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
This is not a suggestion—it’s a declaration. The moment David said “The Lord is my shepherd,” he placed his entire life under God’s care. That means God Himself has taken responsibility for you. When the world says you lack, your Shepherd says you shall not want. No matter how dry the season looks, He provides. No matter how broken your heart feels, He sustains.
Verse 2: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Notice this—He makes us lie down. Why? Because sometimes we don’t know how to stop running, fighting, or striving. God says, “Daughter, rest. I will fight this battle.” Still waters are where the soul finds peace. In the middle of your storm, He is the stillness. In chaos, He is calm.
Verse 3: “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Restoration means bringing back what was broken, renewing what was crushed, and reviving what was weary. God is not just patching you up—He is making you whole again. And He is guiding you not because you’re flawless, but because His name is on your life. His reputation is tied to your story.
Verse 4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…”
This verse reminds us the valley is not permanent—it’s a passage. You are walking through it, not living in it. And it’s not death—it’s the shadow of death. A shadow can’t harm you when the Light of the world is walking beside you. God’s presence is not distant. He is with you. Right now. In this valley.
“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
The rod represents His protection. The staff represents His guidance. God doesn’t just watch you—He defends you. He doesn’t just guide you—He disciplines you when needed so you stay on course. That’s why the attacks you thought would destroy you failed. His rod struck them down. That’s why even in confusion, you kept moving forward. His staff was pulling you back on track.
Verse 5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”
God is not intimidated by your enemies. He does not need to remove them before He blesses you. In fact, He sets the table right in front of them. While they watch, He anoints you. While they whisper, He elevates you. While they plot, He fills your cup until it runs over. The very ones who thought you’d fall will see you rise.
Verse 6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
This is not a hope—it is a guarantee. Goodness and mercy are not trailing behind you aimlessly. They are actively pursuing you, covering you, and carrying you. Not just on your good days. Not just when you’re strong. But all the days of your life—even in your darkest valley, goodness and mercy are your constant companions.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
This is not just a promise of heaven—it’s a promise of now. Dwelling in His house means abiding in His presence, living under His covering, being held by His hands. Even in the middle of trials, His presence is your safe place.
A Word for Today
Sisters, Psalm 23 is not just a passage—it is a lifeline. It is God saying: “You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are mine.”
Whatever trial you are walking through today—whether it’s heartbreak, loss, financial strain, injustice, fear, or spiritual warfare—let this word anchor your soul. The valley is real, but so is the Shepherd.
Reflection Questions
- Where in your life do you need to rest and let God lead you beside still waters?
- How has God already proven Himself as your Shepherd in past trials?
- What valley are you walking through right now, and how does this Psalm change the way you see it?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You for walking with me through valleys I thought would break me. Thank You for restoring my soul when I felt too weak to keep going. Today, I choose to trust that Your rod will protect me, Your staff will guide me, and Your presence will never leave me. Even in the presence of enemies, I believe You are preparing a table of victory for me. Let goodness and mercy chase me all the days of my life, and let my heart dwell with You forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5 – Saturday, August 23, 2025
Living Free
Scripture Focus: “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” — Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
Recap of Days 1–4: The Journey Toward Freedom
Sis, look at what God has already done in your life this week:
- Day 1 – Breaking Free From Fear (Isaiah 41:10): We exposed fear for the liar it is and declared that God’s Word — not fear — has the final say.
- Day 2 – Understanding Fear Spiritually (2 Timothy 1:7): We learned fear is not just an emotion but a spirit sent from the enemy, and God has armed us with power, love, and a sound mind.
- Day 3 – Healing From Past Fear (Psalm 147:3): We allowed God to touch our wounds, acknowledging the damage fear caused, but trusting Him to heal and restore what was broken.
- Day 4 – Bold Faith, Bold Steps (Ephesians 6:10–11): We put on the full armor of God, stood up to the spirit of fear, and declared we would not retreat, but march forward in bold faith.
Now we stand at Day 5. Chains are not only broken — you are walking out of the cell with your head held high. But freedom is not something you stumble into once — it is something you choose every single day.
Living Free Requires Discipline
Deliverance can happen in an instant, but staying free requires discipline.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
- Guard Your Mind: The enemy will whisper old lies. “You’re still the same.” “You’ll fall again.” But discipline says, No! You take those lies captive and replace them with God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- Guard Your Boundaries: Freedom and old environments cannot co-exist. Don’t wander back to toxic relationships, destructive patterns, or dangerous places.
- Guard Your Spirit: Prayer, worship, and the Word are not optional. They are the daily bread that keeps you strong. Neglect them, and chains will try to creep back.
Sis, discipline is not punishment. Discipline is the key that keeps the prison doors locked behind you.
Living Free Requires Sacrifice
Christ paid for your freedom with His life. Now you must be willing to lay some things down.
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. That means:
- Sacrificing comfort to walk in obedience.
- Sacrificing relationships that drag you back into chains.
- Sacrificing habits that feed the flesh but starve your spirit.
Sacrifice may feel hard, but sis — it is never loss. It is the exchange of what’s temporary for what’s eternal.
Don’t Rehearse the Pain God Already Healed
Too many of us keep playing reruns of old pain. Trauma. Shame. Mistakes.
But Isaiah 43:18–19 commands us: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
Rehearsing pain is like picking at a scar until it bleeds again. The infection is gone, but you keep reopening the wound. Sis, healing doesn’t mean you forget — it means you stop rehearsing what no longer defines you.
Don’t Return to the Prison God Freed You From
Prison looks different for every woman:
- Addiction: pills, alcohol, substances that promised escape but delivered chains.
- Abuse: the silence that kept you suffering behind closed doors.
- Toxic Relationships: loving someone who never loved you back right.
- Mental Torment: depression, anxiety, shame — the cycle of torment replayed in your mind.
But Jesus already unlocked the door. John 8:36 declares: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Sis, you don’t belong in chains. You don’t belong in that cell. You are free — don’t look back.
Freedom is a Daily Choice
Joshua 24:15 declares: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
Freedom is not just what happened yesterday. It is the choice you make today and tomorrow.
- Freedom is waking up and choosing faith over fear.
- Freedom is forgiving instead of replaying the offense.
- Freedom is obedience when compromise looks easier.
- Freedom is discipline when drifting feels more comfortable.
Sis, freedom is not just leaving Egypt — it’s refusing to go back, no matter how tempting the old life feels.
Challenge for Today
Be brutally honest with yourself. Write down the one area where the enemy keeps tempting you to go back. Addiction? A relationship? A cycle of shame? Speak it out loud. Then pray over it and declare it shut in Jesus’ name.
Declaration for Day 5
“I will not go back. I will not rehearse old pain. I will not return to prison. Christ has set me free, and I will stay free. With discipline, sacrifice, and surrender, I choose freedom daily. I am free — and I will live free in Jesus’ name.”
Sis, freedom is not just what you escaped from — it’s what you refuse to go back to. Today, you rise. Today, you choose freedom again.
Breaking Chains With Dashonia Marie
Day 4 – Friday, August 22, 2025
Bold Faith, Bold Steps
Scripture Focus: Ephesians 6:10–11 (NKJV) — “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Recap of Days 1–3
Sisters, let’s remember what God has already revealed:
- Day 1: We learned fear is a chain of lies. It whispers, “You can’t,” when God has already declared, “You can, because I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). Fear is not your name, nor your identity.
- Day 2: We exposed fear’s true form—it’s not just an emotion, it’s a spirit. The enemy sends it to paralyze your destiny. But God did not give you that spirit. Instead, He gave you power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Day 3: We began healing from the damage fear caused. Psalm 147:3 assured us: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Fear left scars of rejection, addiction, and broken trust, but God is restoring us piece by piece.
Now, on Day 4, it’s time to move from defense to offense. Chains are broken, wounds are healing—but now we rise up as warriors.
The Nature of the Battle
Sis, you are not crazy for how heavy the fight has felt. Fear was never just in your head—it’s spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) tells us: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
That means your battle is not against your ex, your boss, your trauma, or even your past—it’s against spirits of darknessthat want to keep you in bondage. The spirit of fear is not harmless—it is an assassin. Its mission is to silence your prayers, weaken your faith, and steal your destiny.
But here is the truth: the spirit of fear has already been defeated at the cross. Jesus stripped the enemy of his authority (Colossians 2:15), and now we fight not for victory, but from victory.
What Bold Faith Really Means
Bold faith isn’t about never feeling afraid. It’s about standing your ground when fear attacks. It’s refusing to bow when everything in you wants to retreat. It’s the kind of faith that silences the enemy because it is rooted in God’s authority, not your feelings.
- Bold faith says with Psalm 118:6 — “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
- Bold faith echoes Joshua 1:9 — “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Bold faith declares Romans 8:15 — “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
Sis, bold faith doesn’t whisper. Bold faith shouts back at fear, “You are a liar, and you have no place here!”
Bold Steps to Crush the Spirit of Fear
Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). That means you cannot just believe—you must act. Bold faith demands bold steps.
- Confront Fear With Scripture — When fear says, “You’ll fail,” answer with Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will complete it.” When fear says, “You’re unworthy,” respond with 1 Peter 2:9: “I am chosen, a royal priesthood, God’s own possession.”
- Wear Your Armor Daily — The enemy doesn’t fight fair. That’s why God gave us armor (Ephesians 6:13–17). Each piece—the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit—is essential. A warrior without armor is an easy target.
- Pray With Authority — Stop praying timid prayers. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” You are not begging fear to leave—you are commanding it to flee in the name of Jesus.
- Worship as Warfare — Fear suffocates in an atmosphere of worship. When Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison (Acts 16:25–26), chains fell and doors opened. Worship is not just a song—it’s a weapon.
- Take Back What Fear Stole — If fear told you to stay silent, it’s time to speak. If fear told you not to move, take a step. If fear told you to hide, walk boldly in the light. Every act of obedience reclaims the ground fear stole.
Why Boldness Is Essential
Sis, bold faith is not optional—it’s survival. If you don’t fight, fear will try to return. And if it finds the door open, it will bring more bondage (Matthew 12:45). That’s why you must be vigilant.
Boldness is not about personality—it’s about identity. You are not a slave to fear—you are a daughter of the King. And the King has given you authority. Authority to trample, to declare, to resist, and to overcome.
Isaiah 41:13 (NKJV) says: “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” That means you never fight alone—your Father fights with you and for you.
Encouragement for Today
Resilient Sister, your healing is proof that God is still moving. Your boldness is proof that fear has lost its grip. And your faith is proof that the enemy has already been defeated.
Don’t shrink back. Don’t cower. Don’t retreat. Today, you put on the armor, lift up your shield, raise your sword, and fight with bold faith. The spirit of fear has no authority here.
Declaration for Day 4
“I am armed and dangerous in the Spirit. I walk in bold faith. I take bold steps. I put on the full armor of God and I fight with His authority. I will not retreat, I will not bow, I will not break. The spirit of fear is defeated, my healing is secure, and my victory is already written in Jesus’ name.”
Sis, today is not just about surviving fear—it’s about crushing it under your feet.
Day 3 – Thursday, August 21, 2025
Healing From Past Fear
Scripture: Psalm 147:3 (NKJV) — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Recap: The First Two Days
On Day 1, we learned that fear is a chain that lies about who we are and who God is. We confronted the reality that fear whispers false identities and paralyzes purpose.
On Day 2, we went deeper, exposing fear not as a mere emotion but as a spirit—an enemy strategy sent to keep us bound. We declared that in Christ we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Now, sisters, today we shift from breaking to building. The chains are broken, but now we must allow God to heal the bruises, scars, and soul-wounds fear left behind.
The Wounds Fear Leaves Behind
Fear doesn’t leave quietly—it leaves evidence. Some of us can still trace its fingerprints:
- Sleepless nights filled with anxiety.
- Walls built around our hearts to avoid being hurt again.
- Distrust in God’s timing because we expected Him to fail us like people did.
- Generational patterns of silence, shame, and survival that shaped how we love, live, and recover.
Sis, the truth is this: fear damages more than your emotions. It damages your faith, your confidence, your relationships, and even the way you see yourself. Fear is a spirit that leaves wounds deep in the soul—and wounds demand healing.
Entering God’s Healing Process
Healing from fear doesn’t happen overnight. Just as fear crept in slowly—through trauma, pain, and lies—God’s healing often unfolds as a process. Deliverance removes the chains, but healing restores the heart.
- Acknowledgment — Healing begins when we admit the fear existed and confess the damage it caused. We can’t heal what we keep hiding.
- Surrender — We place the fears of our past into the hands of the One who already overcame them at the cross. Healing happens when we let go of control.
- Renewal — God begins to re-train our thoughts, filling the places fear once occupied with His Word, His presence, and His peace.
- Wholeness — Healing is not just about feeling better—it’s about being restored. God doesn’t just want you free of fear; He wants you whole in mind, body, and spirit.
Fear Is Broken, Healing Is Here
Resilient Sister, hear me: fear is no longer your master, but you must allow God to be your Healer. The same God who broke your chains now wants to pour His oil over every wound. The spirit of fear may have caused damage, but God’s Spirit brings restoration.
When you let Him heal you:
- Peace replaces panic.
- Confidence replaces timidity.
- Faith replaces doubt.
- Wholeness replaces brokenness.
God is not just delivering you from something—He is delivering you into something: a life of courage, freedom, and unshakable faith.
Encouragement for Today
Sis, don’t carry old wounds into a new season. Healing is your inheritance. You no longer have to rehearse the old lies fear spoke over you. Your Father is rewriting your story with love, freedom, and victory.
Declare this today:
“The chains of fear are broken, and I am healed. My past no longer controls me. God is binding up my wounds, restoring my soul, and preparing me for the life He has already promised me.”
“The chains of fear are broken, and I am healed. My past no longer controls me. God is binding up my wounds, restoring my soul, and preparing me for the life He has already promised me.”
