A new episode of the Dear Christian Girl Podcast is out, and my guest is Tolulope Mike-Bamiloye, a Christian actress, registered dietitian and nutritionist, and host of the Truth Talk with Ted YouTube show. She’s also a wife and mom of two handsome boys.

Tolu explained thee story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. God gave Abraham a very specific instruction—and Abraham obeyed it.

But here’s the part that stood out to me: the provision was waiting for him at the place God had instructed him to go.

Tolu explained that Abraham had to get to that specific mountain. If he had decided to go somewhere else, he wouldn’t have encountered the provision God had prepared there.

It made me think about how easy it is to obey God generally while avoiding the specifics of what He is actually asking us to do.

Tolu said:

“You need to obey to the letter, obey the specifics. When God has given specific instructions, there is provision He has made available for that exact assignment.”

And then:

“Once you obey, other things will start unfolding. However, you still have a choice. God will not force you to obey.”

That last part is important.

Sometimes we’re waiting for God to show us the entire plan before we take the first step. We want to know where we’re going, how everything will work out, and what the provision will look like.

But what if the provision is waiting on the other side of the instruction?

What if we’re asking God to provide before we obey, when He’s asking us to obey so we can see what He has already prepared?

We go deeper into this in the episode, including what it has looked like for Tolu to follow God’s specific instructions in her own life—even when she didn’t fully understand where they were leading.

And if you’re in a season where you know God has told you to do something specific, but you’re hesitating because you can’t yet see how it will all work out, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here

▶️ Watch the full conversation here

Mo

Hey friend,

A new episode of the Dear Christian Girl Podcast is out, and my guest is Tolulope Mike-Bamiloye—a Christian actress, registered dietitian and nutritionist, and host of the Truth Talk with Ted YouTube show. She’s also a wife and mom of two handsome boys.

Tolu explained the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 in a way I had never heard before.

God gave Abraham a very specific instruction and told him to go to the land of Moriah and offer Isaac as a burnt offering on one of the mountains He would show him.

The provision was waiting for Abraham at the place God had instructed him to go.

God had already prepared the ram that would take Isaac’s place but Abraham had to follow the instruction and go to the mountain God had prepared for him.

It made me think about how easy it is to obey God generally while avoiding the specifics of what He is actually asking us to do.

Tolu put it this way:

“You need to obey to the letter, obey the specifics. When God has given specific instructions, there is provision He has made available for that exact assignment.”

Sometimes, we want God to show us the provision before we obey and we want to know how everything will work out before we take the first step.

But what if God is asking you to take the step first?

We go deeper into this in the episode, including what it has looked like for Tolu to follow God’s specific instructions in her own life, even when she didn’t fully understand where they were leading.

If you’re in a season where you know God has told you to do something specific, but you’re hesitating because you can’t yet see how it will all work out, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here

▶️ Watch the full conversation here

With love,

Mo

Hey friend,

A new episode of the Dear Christian Girl Podcast is out, and my guest Tolulope Mike-Bamiloye is a Christian actress, registered dietitian and nutritionist, and host of the Truth Talk with Ted YouTube show. She’s also a wife and mom of two handsome boys.

One of the things I loved about this conversation was how honest Tolu was about the difference between becoming a mom for the first time and having her second baby.

With her first son, she said nobody really prepared her for what motherhood would actually feel like; the sleepless nights, the exhaustion, and even those moments when she wondered if she had made a mistake.

But by the time her second baby came along, something had changed.

The circumstances weren’t necessarily easier, but her mindset was different.

Sometimes we’re waiting for the circumstances to change when God is actually teaching us how to think differently, and change our perspective.

We dive deeper into Tolu’s experience of motherhood, what changed between her first and second baby, how she learned to renew her mind along the way and how she learned to give herself more grace along the way.

If you’re in a season of motherhood that feels harder than you expected, or you’re carrying guilt because you thought you’d be handling it better by now, or you are just in a very difficult season, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here

▶️ Watch the full conversation here

With love,

Mo

It may seem like I come bearing bad news this Friday evening when all you want to do is relax, catch up on your favourite Netflix show and just enjoy the start of the weekend. But I’m just reminding you of Jesus’s words in John 16:33:

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world, you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”

I’m not sure what version of Christianity we were sold, but I know too many Christians who have bought into the idea that Christianity is synonymous with the “soft life”; a life free from hardship, discomfort, and challenges. It’s almost as though a lot of people didn’t really understand the terms and conditions of Christianity before signing up. You know how people just scroll and say “I accept” without reading the terms and conditions?

That is what a lot of people do with Christianity.

News flash! God did not call you to a life of ease, or a life free from stress and hardship, and Jesus himself said it, that “in this unbelieving world, you will experience trouble and sorrows.”

The Message translation says, “you will continue to experience difficulties.”

The Amplified translation says, “you will have tribulation, trials, distress and frustration.”

Maybe we should define these words, so it hits home.

Sorrows: Deep sadness or grief, often caused by loss, disappointment, or pain.

Tribulation: Severe trials, suffering, or trouble, especially related to faith.

Frustration: A feeling of being upset or annoyed due to being unable to change or achieve something.

Distress: Extreme, sorrow, or pain; mental or emotional suffering.

Trials: Tests or difficult experiences meant to prove, strengthen, or refine one’s faith.

Trouble: Problems, difficulties, or situations that cause concern or suffering.

This is the reality of life in a fallen world; difficult seasons are inevitable.

You may lose a loved one far sooner than you ever imagined. You may lose your job. You or someone you love may receive a devastating diagnosis. Your children may fall sick. You may experience grief, disappointment, financial hardship, or seasons where you’re flat out broke. You may face betrayal, you may be swindled out of money, or you may find yourself waiting much longer than you expected for a spouse, a child, or a long-awaited breakthrough. You may battle anxiety, depression, loneliness, or deep sorrow.

These are the realities of living in a fallen world, so the question isn’t if difficult seasons will come, because surely, they will.

The question is: How will you respond when they come?

1. Stop Being Surprised by Trouble

Jesus didn’t hide the terms and conditions of following Him. He never promised us a life free from pain, disappointment, hardship, or suffering. In fact, He said it plainly:

“In this world you will have trouble.”

So why are we surprised when trouble comes?

I am not talking about the initial shock that comes with devastating news.

Losing your job is shocking.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is shocking.
Losing someone you love is heartbreaking.
Going through a miscarriage is devastating.

Those emotions are human and even Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

What I am referring to is something different: it’s the shock of believing you would go through life without ever experiencing hardship. It is the mindset that says, “How could God let this happen to me?” as if trouble was never supposed to touch your address.

But Jesus already told us that trouble would come.

So instead of beefing God and doubling down on the “woe is me” mindset, lean into Him for strength. Bring Him your questions, confusion, and your pain, and allow Him to help you make sense of the things that don’t make sense. Because the goal is not to respond according to what your emotions are telling you in that moment, instead respond according to what Jesus has instructed us to do when we face trouble.

2. Be of good cheer

Jesus doesn’t leave us at, “You will have trouble”, He continues by saying, “Take heart, be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world.”

But how can anyone be cheerful while they are suffering? How can someone still have joy in the middle of disappointment, grief, or hardship?

It is because Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and it is not dependent on external circumstances, or your current reality. It is rooted in the unchanging nature of God and the confidence that He is still good, even when life feels uncertain.

This is the standard for every believer: whether you are in a season of abundance or a season of difficulty, your Joy cannot be held hostage by your circumstances.

I know someone is probably asking, does that mean I can’t cry, or mourn or grieve when I’m experiencing trouble?

Being joyful does not mean you cannot cry. You can cry and still maintain your joy.

I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn’t. Crying is a normal human response to pain, grief, and disappointment. Again, even Jesus wept. However, when your emotions start to become the main character in the story and begins to shift your attention away from God into despair, that is when it becomes dangerous.

So, take heart.

Be of good cheer.

And protect your joy at all cost.

3. Pray and investigate the trouble

Not every hard season is simply life lifing

Sometimes, the devil is manipulating a situation and using it as an opportunity to oppress you.

The question is: How do you know the difference?

Prayer.

Every hard season is an invitation to return to your Father and ask Him questions.

“Lord, what is happening in this season?”

“What are You teaching me?”

“Is this a season I need to endure?”

“Is this an attack from the enemy?”

Don’t make assumptions; instead, take the matter before God in prayer and investigate the matter and if you discern that it is a spiritual attack, then that is not the time to sulk, and accept what the enemy is doing. Rather, it is the time to stand firm, and enforce your victory in Christ.

Scripture tells us that Jesus has overcome the World, and as believers we have authority in His name, so stand on the Word of God, pray with that authority and in the understanding of who you are in Christ. “No gree” for the enemy.

But what if you discern you are in a waiting season?

Then, as strange as this may sound, congratulations.

James tells us to “Count it all joy, whenever we experience various trials, because we know that the testing of our faith produces endurance. And we must let that endurance have its full effect, so that we may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

Waiting seasons are never wasted because God uses them to develop endurance, deepen our dependence on Him, refine our character, and prepare us for the next season. If you lean into Him instead of trying to escape the discomfort, you will come out stronger and better.

Prayer is a non-negotiable in this season, but let’s be honest, you don’t necessarily feel like praying when you are going through a difficult season.

At least, I don’t and when I was still a baby Christian, I would act on my feelings and not pray, but now, I know better.

A lot of us have made prayer feel like this complex activity, and we make it feel more complicated than it needs to be.

But prayer is communication with your Father.

God is your Father. Please let that sink in.

Prayer is telling Him exactly how you feel without sugarcoating your words. It is bringing your fears, worries, and frustrations to Him instead of acting on them.

Sometimes all you have the strength to say is:

“God… help me.” That’s prayer.

Sometimes all you can do is cry in His presence. I promise you, depending on the posture of your heart, that is also prayer.

Sometimes all you can do is play worship music and sing along.

Sometimes you simply leave the audio Bible playing while lying in bed.

Sometimes you call your friends and ask them to pray with you and for you. This is the one I lean into the most.

Sometimes I have a roster of friends I call every day to pray with me because I just don’t have the strength and it works like magic every time. I draw from their strength until I am able to start praying by myself again.

Also, make sure you draw strength from the Word of God and remind yourself of His promises. Usually when I’m in a difficult season, the Holy Spirit drops a Bible verse or a chapter in my spirit that speaks exactly to what I’m going through and I stay on those verses for weeks, sometimes even months.

If you aren’t getting any verses or chapters when you pray, read Psalms and encourage yourself in the Lord, just like David did.

4. Bask in your victory

Bask in the victory you already have in Christ. As a believer, you are victorious in every situation, and you always win. But one thing you must do is enforce your victory. Jesus has died for you, but you must enforce that victory by declaring the Word of God over your situation.

The Bible says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

Bask in the victory that is already yours and remind yourself that God has delivered you and will continue to carry you through whatever you are facing. What you are walking through right now has an expiration date; it will not last forever. Continually anchor yourself in God’s truth, stand firmly on His promises, and embrace the victory He has given you, even in the midst of that season.

5. Be anxious for nothing

One of Satan’s favourite tactics during difficult seasons is to plague believers with anxiety, fear and worry. But remember that our brother Paul admonishes us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”

But let’s be honest, this is easier said than done, and I’m not saying there aren’t times when anxiety won’t try to rear its ugly head or when fear wont creep in, depending on what the matter is, but as believers we can’t embrace it. When I start to feel anxious about a particular matter, I take that anxiety to God, and I speak about it practically.

“God, this situation is making me nervous.”
“I am scared about my future, and I don’t know what to make of it”
“God, please I need Your help.”

Instead of dwelling on your worries, choose to replace them with the promises of God. Take the very thing that is causing you fear, uncertainty, or anxiety and bring it before your Father in prayer. Remember He is a good Father who deeply cares for you, sees you, and is attentive to every detail of your life and you can trust Him with the things that weigh heavily on your heart.

6. Stay in community

This is VERY important.

One of the most common things people do in hard seasons is withdraw, and I am one of those people. My first instinct is to delete all my social media apps, lol, and probably turn off my phone, and if I could delete my number, trust me, I probably would.

But this is one of the oldest tricks in the book. The enemy wants you isolated and he wants you to believe no one loves you, cares about you, and you must walk through everything alone so you can continue believing that lie.

But please, don’t isolate yourself. Instead, throw yourself into community.

Lean into your friends and family, lean into your church community, talk to your cell leaders, pastors, and other trusted believers. If you need financial help or any other form of support, please remember we don’t call ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ for no reason.

There is nothing new under the sun and there is nothing happening to you that someone else hasn’t already walked through. When God leads you to the right person, you will often discover that someone has survived exactly what you are facing right now and hearing their testimony will strengthen you in ways you never expected.

7. Take care of yourself

Please make sure you eat good food and enjoy yourself, because last last, you cannot come and kill yourself. Eat that pizza, grab that ice cream, go to the gym, go swimming, if you like reading and writing, find your community of readers or writers, and if you like golf, go golfing. Also make sure you are taking care of yourself and doing what fills you up. Indulge in the things that are genuinely good for your soul.

So yes, Jesus promised trouble, but He has also overcome the world, and He has promised us victory. So, when trouble comes, and it will, don’t panic, don’t assume God has abandoned you, and resist the urge to run from God, because He is with you even amid that difficult season.

I’ll leave you with the words of Jesus:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

With love,

Mo

Getting into the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law is still one of the highlights of my life. I had done my undergrad in Nigeria, so moving abroad for postgraduate studies was a bold step, and I was so excited.

As a planner (the A-type personality kind), I had everything mapped out. I’m the type of person who writes a to-do list just to feel the joy of ticking things off, even if I’ve already done them.

So naturally, once I arrived in Toronto, I hit the ground running. I made new friends, got into the rhythm of classes, and before first semester ended, my friend and I already bought our graduation dresses and scouted the perfect photo spot for our graduation photos. It was right in front of the big Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square, and we had organized every detail of our photoshoot.

Except nothing went as planned.

The first semester went well, but then came second semester, and trouble with it.

One morning, at 6 a.m., my rang. I’m not a morning person, so I ignored!

But my friend kept calling. When I finally picked up, I was met with a shaky, anxious voice. Something was wrong.

Our grades were out. My friend had failed.

I rushed to check mine, and I had failed too.

I couldn’t believe it. This wasn’t the plan.

I hurriedly emailed the professor and secured an appointment for later that day, hoping, and praying, she had made a mistake with my grades.

We met the professor that afternoon and received even worse news: we would have to repeat the entire semester in the fall, meaning we’d graduate a whole year later. The worst part? There would be no graduation ceremony.

Our fancy dresses and the entire photoshoot?

All went poof.

I remember sitting on my dorm floor, crying and throwing a tantrum at God.

“How could You let this happen? I’ve always been a straight-A student. This wasn’t supposed to happen to me.”

And in one of those tantrum moments, God led me to James 4:13-16 TPT

13 - Listen, those of you who are boasting, Today or tomorrow we’ll go to another city and spend some time and go into business and make heaps of profit!

14 - But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes!

15 Instead you should say, “Our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.”

16 But here you are, boasting in your ignorance, for to be presumptuous about what you’ll do tomorrow is evil!

I had never seen this in the bible before, and instantly I felt convicted. I realized how foolish I had been to plan my entire year without acknowledging and involving God and there’s James saying for me to be presumptuous about what I would do tomorrow without acknowledging God is evil!

For a planner like me, this hit Hard!

See, I’m always planning. As a mum, I’m constantly thinking ahead, what the family will eat for the week, the next birthday party, the next doctor’s appointment, and everything in between. So when something spontaneous happens or my day doesn’t go as planned, it completely throws me off.

But what I am learning from these verses is that while planning is good, we must learn to plan within the confines of God’s will. When we plan, we must make space for God to interrupt them. Planning isn’t wrong. But it becomes dangerous when we put our plans above God’s will.

Jesus is a perfect example; in the garden of gethsemane, he prayed, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will, but Yours be done.”

The Bible says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Instead of boasting about tomorrow, we ought to say, “If the Lord wills.”

Now that is what planning looks like; “Lord, I have made this plan, but not my will but yours be done.”

I don’t know what plans you’ve made that seem to be falling apart, but let me remind you: you are not promised tomorrow. Life isn’t predictable, but God is always faithful.

When your plans derail, it doesn’t mean your life is off course, it might just mean God is interrupting your plans to call your attention to something important or he is rerouting you for something greater and we must always learn to trust him.

So plan, but allow God interrupt your plans!

There was a time in my life when everything felt dark.

I was deep in postpartum depression, even though I was holding my precious baby in my arms.

When my husband brought her to me, it felt strange, almost like I was holding someone else’s child.

I had a rough pregnancy, and towards the end, things got worse. I developed severe preeclampsia that wasn’t properly managed, and during labor, I temporarily lost my sight. I went into the hospital because my sight was deteriorating and before I could understand what was happening, they wheeled me into the operating room for an emergency C-section.

You know those videos online of moms bonding instantly and doing skin-to-skin with their babies? That wasn’t me. I was in so much pain, still dealing with preeclampsia symptoms weeks after giving birth. I ended up back in the hospital a few hours before my baby’s naming ceremony, and we had to cancel it.

I remember feeling so traumatized and disappointed as I had seen friends have smooth pregnancies and easy labors. I had watched videos of women dancing on TikTok a few hours before giving birth and I thought that would be my reality.

But it wasn’t and everything hit me all at once.

At first, I thought it was just “baby blues.” From what I had read, that should pass within two weeks. But mine didn’t.

Instead, it got worse.

At my six-week check-up, my doctor diagnosed me with postpartum depression. The mood swings intensified, and I experienced deep sadness.

Nighttime became my worst nightmare, and my heart would race as darkness approached. My mind was filled with intrusive thoughts: falling down the stairs so I could end up in the hospital or running away and never returning.

I felt so ashamed to talk about it with anyone because I had a gift that so many people prayed for, yet I was depressed.

When visitors came and saw me break down in tears, I often heard, “Be grateful. You have a child and so many people are praying for this.” Others assumed I was crying because of my excessive weight gain. For context, I gained over 40 kg during my pregnancy.

During that season, I couldn’t pray.

I tried, but God felt so far away.

Anxiety consumed me and although I was exhausted, it would take about two to three hours to fall asleep, and only with the help of rain sounds.

I dealt with heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and lingering preeclampsia symptoms.

I would call my husband to pray over me sometimes, and that would also calm me down.

Then one day, something happened that changed everything…

As I lay down, playing my usual rain sounds, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Give thanks.”

It didn’t make sense, but I heard it clearly.

Of course, I didn’t have the strength to say the words out loud, so I decided to write them instead and that’s how my gratitude journal began.

I started small, with about three or four things I was thankful for each day, and day by day, something began to shift.

As I gave thanks, my perspective changed, and I started to feel lighter and the heavy cloud that hovered over me began to lift.

I cried less and the mood swings became less intense and slowly, I found the strength to pray again.

My doctor had recommended medication to help with the depression, but I chose not to take it and over time, through gratitude, lots of sleep, crazy support from my husband, and God’s help, depression lost its grip over me.

My perspective shifted and I began to enjoy motherhood.

I started to see it as a blessing to be my daughter’s mom and to serve my family in that season.

I am writing this to encourage you to flip the script.

You might be in a HARD season right now, where everything feels dark and you are not quite sure if you will survive this.

You may feel seriously discouraged, overwhelmed, or even hopeless.

But there is always hope in Christ for the Believer.

I want you to start small.

Find one or two things you are grateful for today and write them down. Then do it again tomorrow, and the day after, and keep at it for months.

Watch what happens.

Your perspective will begin to shift, and watch your Joy return.

Even the Bible admonishes us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, to
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Flip the script today and start a gratitude journal.

My three-year-old daughter has a habit of calling for either “Mummy” or “Daddy” as soon as she wakes up.

On this faithful day, she woke up and, as usual, she called out for Mummy. Without thinking too much, I replied, “Zoe, follow my voice and come to Mummy.” And she did exactly that. She followed the sound of my voice, traced her way to where I was, jumped into my arms, and gave me a big hug.

Immediately, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “My sheep know my voice.” This prompted me to do a study on John 10, and though this post might feel a little disjointed, please stay with me as we draw lessons from this chapter.

We Are His Sheep

John 10:3-5 “The person who watches the gate opens it for the shepherd. The sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice. He calls each of his own sheep by their name and he leads them out. When he has brought out all his own sheep, he goes in front of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger. They will run away from a stranger because they do not recognize his voice.”

In this passage, Jesus compares us as believers to a sheep and calls Himself the Good Shepherd. As I studied the characteristics of sheep, a few things really stood out: they are generally gentle and calm, but they have a very limited sense of direction and easily get lost without their shepherd. They are also flock-oriented, meaning a sheep that strays from the flock becomes vulnerable and defenseless against predators like wolves. Most importantly, a sheep always recognizes the voice of its shepherd and responds to it.

Jesus was teaching that His sheep, recognize His voice and follow Him, and they do not follow the voice of a stranger. As believers, we are meant to grow so familiar with Jesus’ voice that when any contrary voice speaks, be it fear, lies, doubt, or worry, we know not to listen.

The Good Shepherd Who Leaves the Ninety-Nine for the One

Every time I read Matthew 18:12, where Jesus talks about a man who has 100 sheep and discovers one is missing, I always wonder: “what type of Shephard leaves 99 to go look for the one lost sheep.” Is Jesus truly that ‘careless’ that He would leave the 99 randomly on the hills? What if wolves came to attack the remaining 99?

But as I studied John 10, it made so much more sense.

Verse 1 says, “Jesus then said, ‘I tell you this. A shepherd keeps his sheep in a safe place with a wall around it. There is a gate into that safe place. Anyone who gets into that place by another way, not through the gate, is not the shepherd. That person is a robber. He comes to take away the sheep for himself.’”

This “safe place” is what’s known as a sheep pen, an enclosed area, built from fencing, walls, or portable hurdles, used to contain sheep. It helps shepherds protect the flock from predators, manage tasks like counting, shearing, and lambing, and prevent the animals from wandering off. So, it makes perfect sense that the Shepherd would comfortably leave the remaining sheep securely in the sheep pen to go look for the one that strayed.

Jesus Will Always Go After the Sheep That Strays

This illustration continues to blow my mind: Jesus will always go after every single sheep that strays, every lost soul. While I strayed, He was actively looking for me, even when I didn’t have to do anything to earn it.

David, a shepherd himself, drew on that experience to describe God’s protective love. A shepherd’s rod was a sturdy club used to fend off predators like wolves, while the staff, with its curved hook, guided and rescued wandering sheep.

When David says, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me,” he’s expressing confidence that the Lord, both defends him from danger and gently directs his path. Jesus later echoed this imagery, calling Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life to protect His sheep from wolves. For believers, the rod and staff represent the assurance that God actively guards us against spiritual threats while lovingly guiding us through life.

Jesus: The Gate, The Shepherd, The Way

Jesus compares Himself to the gate in verse 7 “I am like the gate. Everyone who comes in through me will be safe. They will be free to come in and to go out. And they will find plenty of food. The robber only wants to take away my sheep. He wants to kill them. He comes only to destroy them. But I have come so that they can have true life. And so that they can have everything that they need. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd would die so that he can save his sheep.”

Jesus uses this powerful imagery to describe His relationship with those who follow Him. Just as a shepherd in ancient times would sleep across the entrance of the sheep pen, literally becoming the gate to protect the flock, Jesus positions Himself as the only entrance to safety, freedom, and abundant life. Unlike the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came so that His sheep “can have everything they need.”

But Jesus didn’t stop at being the gate. He called Himself the Good Shepherd and then proved it. A hired hand might run when wolves approach, but the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus didn’t just say these words; He literarily died for every sheep in His flock, including the ones that strayed.

An Invitation This Easter

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is still searching for lost sheep. He hasn’t given up on you. Even if you’ve strayed far from the fold or wandered into places you never thought you’d go, made choices you regret, or simply drifted away, He is coming for you.

Maybe you feel that tug in your heart right now. Maybe it’s this message, a conversation with a friend, or even stumbling across a Substack note, that’s the Shepherd calling your name, and reaching out with His staff to bring you home.

Easter isn’t just about bunnies and Easter eggs; it’s about a Shepherd who loved His sheep so much that He laid down His life.

You don’t need to have it all together.

Just come as you are, because he has already left the ninety-nine and is on His way to find you.

Looking at this photo, you might be wondering, what exactly is going on here? Let me explain.

This was me in 2018, worried sick about my future and everything I was going through at the time. I picked my journal to write down my worries, but I felt a strong leading to draw the “feet of Jesus” and lay my worries at his feet.

I know what you’re thinking. “That looks nothing like Jesus’ feet.” Haha—I agree! The drawing is terrible, but it’s the intention that counts, right?

I was worried about two men; both were asking me out, and one wanted me to visit Vancouver to see if we could explore a relationship. I spent countless hours, writing a pro and cons list of both men hoping it would help me figure out who amongst them to date.

I was worried, about my future husband. What if neither of them was “the one”? When would I meet the man I was meant to marry?

I was worried about passing the Bar exams. I had failed it once and I desperately needed to pass so my then job could retain me as a lawyer.

I was worried about passing my driving test, whether I should enrol in driving school, or if I could even afford a car. ‘

I was worried about having enough money to pay for my Articles and the Bar exams after paying my first fruit and Tithe.

I was worried about my purpose. I longed to be involved in an NGO for wrongfully convicted persons, but I didn’t have the time.

I was worried about my writing. I dreamed of becoming an author, but at the time, it felt impossible.

I was worried about my spiritual life. My prayer life lacked consistency, and I felt guilty about it.

Eight years later, I look back and wonder—what exactly was I so worried about?

God sorted every single thing out.

I am married to the most amazing man and what a waste of time it was losing sleep over other men! I passed the Bar exam and I’ve been practicing law for six years. I passed my G2, G, bought a car, and fully paid it off. God provided for my Articles, Bar exam, and I had more than enough! I am actively involved with an NGO that supports wrongfully convicted persons. My writing has flourished; I’ve attended writer’s conferences, joined writing groups, and working towards publishing my book. God has blessed our finances and provided us with multiple businesses and my prayer life is growing stronger.

Matthew: 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 And who of you by worrying can add one [a]hour to [the length of] his life?

28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing],

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendour dressed himself like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clotheyou? You of little faith! 31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’

32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Worrying is pointless and it changes nothing. “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but never takes you anywhere.” Most importantly, it’s a sin, and it shows lack of trust in a God that can do and solve all things.

Our Heavenly Father tells us not to worry about tomorrow, and when we do, we disobey Him—and that is a sin.

Worrying makes you act like an unbeliever, constantly anxious about what to eat or wear. But you are not a pagan, so stop acting like one!

What if, years from now, the things you’re worried about never even happen? Still, stop worrying and trust God in your waiting season.

So instead of worrying, surrender everything to Him in prayer and if you’re feeling creative, try drawing Jesus’ feet and placing your worries there (hopefully, your drawing is better than mine!). Please share it with me—I’d love to see it! 😂

That’s why knowing what not to say is so important. Here are some phrases to avoid:

• “I know exactly how you feel”

• “Be strong”

• “Don’t cry”

• “Take it like a man / woman”

Grief is personal, messy, and heavy. Sometimes the most meaningful support is simply to sit with someone, listen, and show up without expectation.

Ayo’s experience also inspired the Grief & Support Care Kit, which is designed for anyone navigating loss or supporting someone who is. Inside, you’ll find:

• Practical ways to help someone in grief

• Curated prayers that brought Ayo comfort during her season of loss

• things not to say and do to someone who is grieving

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Here are things to avoid:

• Don’t visit the person mourning expecting to be hosted or fed

• Don’t demand conversation or updates

• Don’t send random motivational or “be strong” videos

• Don’t police how someone grieves

• Don’t teach people how to grieve

Grief is personal and unpredictable and sometimes the most meaningful support is simply to be present, listen, and show up without expectation.

Practical ways to support someone grieving can make a big difference. Instead consider:

• Sending a meal or groceries so they don’t have to worry about errands

• Helping tidy up their space or arranging a cleaning service

• Offering financial support for funeral or memorial expenses

• Taking them on a quiet walk

• Praying for them everyday

You can also watch the video where my guest Ayo shared the story of losing her only sister to a medical complication during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), how that loss changed her life forever, and how she learned to navigate grief.

Whether you are grieving yourself or want to support someone who is, this episode offers guidance, comfort, and practical ways to show up.

You can also download the Grief & Support Care Kit, which includes prayers for those who are grieving and more practical ways to support someone through loss.

Subscribe now

Our guest, Ayo, who experienced the loss of her only sister due to a medical complication during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), shared in this video what helped her navigate grief. She talks about what to do when you, or someone you know, is grieving, including the prayers that brought her comfort during that difficult season and I want to share them with you.

• May God hold you and wrap you in His arms in this difficult season.

• May you feel His presence in ways no human ever could.

• May He give you peace and comfort that surpasses understanding.

• May strength rise in your body, mind, and spirit.

• May you hear what God is saying to you in this season.

• May your faith not fail.

• May you be upheld and carried by God.

You can also download the Grief & Support Care Kit, which includes prayers for those who are grieving and more practical ways to support someone through loss.

Subscribe now

“Let me know how I can help”?

Although, this may sound thoughtful, but when someone is grieving, even small decisions can feel overwhelming. Instead of placing the responsibility on them, take the initiative to help in practical ways.

For example, you could:

• Arrange for groceries to be delivered so they don’t have to worry about errands

• Send a meal or bring food to their home

• Pay for a cleaning service or help tidy up their space

• Contribute financially toward funeral or memorial expenses

• Take them on a quiet walk

• and most importantly pray for them everyday

Small acts of kindness mean so much during seasons of grief and can go a long way.

You can watch the video where my guest Ayo Adeloye, shared the story of losing her only sister to a medical complication during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), how that loss changed her life forever, and how she was able to process and work through her grief.

What to do when you or someone you know if grieving

If you are grieving, this episode will help you, and if you know someone who is grieving, it will help you understand how to show up for them in practical ways.

You can also download the Grief & Support Care Kit, which includes prayers for those who are grieving and practical ways to support someone through loss.

Last month was rough!

Life was life-ing, work was busier than usual. I was attending court more frequently, dealing with a sick child, and also not feeling well. I was also waking up at 6:00 AM to pray, working out four times a week, podcasting, writing, editing, blogging, while still trying to be a great wife, mom, and friend.

It didn’t take long before I burnt out and disappeared from social media.

Then my friends came searching for me.

With every message or call, one thing stood out: “I am praying for you.”

You know how people say, “I’ll be praying for you” but they never pray? Not these friends. When they called, they prayed. Some left voice notes praying for me and others met to intercede on my behalf.

I have friends I call and simply cry. While I do the crying, they do the praying. (Very dramatic, I know.)

The Bible is filled with examples of people praying for their friends:

– In Acts 12:5-17, the church prayed for Peter when Herod arrested and put him in prison. The Bible says, The church earnestly prayed to God for him and while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, an angel appeared and led him out of prison.

– In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prayed for Peter: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

– In Esther 4:15-16, before approaching the king to save her people, Esther asked her community to fast and pray for her. Their intercession played a part in the deliverance of the Jewish people, and we see the answer in Esther 7, when the king ordered Haman to be impaled on the pole he had set for Mordecai.

In life, you need friends who will pray for you—when you are too weak to pray, down, grieving, or overwhelmed. You need friends who will intercede on your behalf like it’s a matter of life and death.

Look around your circle and ask yourself, Do I have friends who pray for me?

If you don’t, be that friend who prays for others and ask God to bring friends into your life who will do the same for you.

The post Do You Have Friends who Pray for You? appeared first on Moyosore Somide.

My friend also gave me a book titled ​Praying Circles Around Your Children” by Mark Batterson​, which talks about how to pray for your children. It has real-life examples of parents who prayed consistently over their children and saw results, and it also shares five biblically backed prayer circles you can pray around your children. Honestly, the book couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

Whether you’re praying for a child you already have or your future children, here are forty prayers you should pray over your children and future children.

I have done the hard work, so you don’t have to, so feel free to copy and paste them into your journal, notes app, or wherever it is easy for you to see. Make sure you insert your child’s/ children’s names before each prayer:

Dear ______________

1. You will say no when peer pressure compels you to go with the crowd, and sinners invite you to join in. You will not follow the crowd into compromise, and you will stand firm in God’s truth even when it’s unpopular. (Proverbs 1:10)

2. Your ears are tuned to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit (1 Kings 19:12)

3. You hear God’s voice clearly, and you follow his instructions (John 10:27)

4. You carry a prophetic ear and voice like Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10)

5. You know God deeply, and you do exploits for him (Daniel 11:32b)

6. You hate iniquity and love righteousness (Psalm 45:7)

7. You serve the Lord all the days of your life (Joshua 24:15)

8. You are taught by the Lord, and great is your peace (Isaiah 54:13)

9. You are not confused about your identity and gender, and your identity is secure in Christ (Genesis 1:27) (Psalm 139:13-14)

10. You shine brightly in your generation, and your light will not be dimmed (Matthew 5:14)

11. The excellent spirit of God rests upon you (Daniel 6:3)

12. You always know what to do, and you walk in divine wisdom (James 1:5)

13. The gates of nations are open to you, and you are blessed and highly favoured (Isaiah 60:11)

14. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon you— the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and the reverential fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)

15. To obey the Lord will make you very happy (Isaiah 11:4)

16. You will not judge people because of what you see with your eyes or what you hear about them, but with righteousness and justice shall you judge the poor (Isaiah 11:4)

17. Righteousness is your belt; faithfulness is your sash, and you walk in integrity (Isaiah 11:5)

18. You will not suffer what your parents and grandparents suffered (Ezekiel 18:20)

19. You bear the mark of Christ, so let no man trouble you (Galatians 6:17)

20. Angels guard you every day of your life (Psalm 91:11)

21. You are never at the wrong place at the wrong time (Proverbs 3:23)

22. Your friends and teachers are handpicked by God (Proverbs 1:11-15)

23. You will never be a victim of any abuse (Psalm 91:10)

24. No weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

25. You are trained in the way of the Lord, and you will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6)

26. You are rescued from every hidden trap and deadly disease (Psalm 91:3)

27. You trample upon snakes and scorpions, and nothing will harm you (Psalm 91:13)

28. Whenever you call, God answers (Psalm 91:15)

29. You will live a long and satisfying life (Psalm 91:16)

30. You are powerful in this land; wealth and riches are in your home (Psalm 112:2–3)

31. Your heart is steady, and always trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112:7)

32. You will be rich in the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) Galatians 5:22-23

33. God’s thoughts towards you are precious and countless, and God’s promises concerning your life will be fulfilled (Psalm 139:17–18)

34. You cannot escape God’s presence — He is always with you (Psalm 139:7–10)

35. The evil one cannot touch you because you are born of God (Luke 10:19)

36. God is for you, so no one can be against you (Romans 8:31)

37. You are more than a conqueror through Christ, and nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:37)

38. Your mind is kept in perfect peace because you always trust in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3)

39. You are saved from unnecessary pain (1 Chronicles 4:10)

40. You will know the joy of a close relationship with God (Philippians 3:8)

If this post would bless someone you know, please feel free to share it with them and encourage them to subscribe for more posts like this.

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It’s something we can all relate to. 

From the small, everyday moments like watching the microwave countdown or finishing that last rep at the gym to the big, life-changing waits for test results, a job, a spouse, or for the arrival of a child.

Even my two-year-old experiences it. I can see the impatience on her face when she hands me a candy wrapper and waits for me to open it.

Eight years ago, God gave me an instruction that would test my patience in ways I never imagined: He told me to write a book. I just moved to Canada, and I was a confused 20-year-old trying to figure out next steps. I love writing and had written several unpublished stories as a child, but a book? That was different.

The more I ignored, the louder it became. Finally, I started writing, even though I didn’t know what I was supposed to write about. I’d open my laptop and just type, letting the words flow. As the years passed, the book’s purpose began to crystallize, and in 2022, I finally finished the manuscript.

I felt a strong urge to pursue traditional publishing. Anyone familiar with the industry knows how challenging this path can be, especially without a huge platform or millions of followers. My family and friends advised me to self-publish, but the more they suggested it, the more determined I was to go the traditional route. I should have listened, but I’ve always been drawn to the harder path.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, I pitched my manuscript to literary agents. The result? Over 50 rejections. Each “no” was a blow to my confidence, making me question if I was a good writer. After all the rejections, I was ready to give up on my writing career. I’d been at this for eight years – a long time to pursue a dream with no tangible results.

I began to focus my energy on other projects when I heard God say to write another book. I was livid! Why write another when the first one had been rejected? I threw tantrums and questioned why this would be anything but a waste of time.

After much internal struggle, I surrendered. I realized that living in disobedience was a sin. So, I started writing the new book, and now I’m back to pitching and waiting. 

It’s been eight years since that initial instruction from God, and sometimes, I wonder why it’s taking so long, but this time, I’m determined to wait differently. 

The first time around, I was miserable. My heart skipped a beat with every email notification, and I felt discouraged when others got book deals.

So, how am I waiting differently now? 

1. I cry and ask God questions. I feel some religious people coming for me. Who are you to question God? I’m human, and sometimes I feel down and discouraged; I feel tired and frustrated from waiting. Especially when it’s happening for others, it’s okay to cry or feel sorry for yourself at that moment, but never let it end there. Go back to God, and hold on to his promises in his word. Read and stay on the word and pray the word of God. If you have prophecies from God, hold on to them and continue to pray them to pass.

2. Remember you are dealing with someone who knows and holds your future. Joseph thought his life was delayed but he didn’t know the future. You never know what God is saving you from.

3. Let God slow you down. Waiting is a form of worship. It can be uncomfortable, and many times, however, waiting on the Lord will never be a waste of time.

4. Be comfortable with God scattering your plans. Many of us are planners and we have our lives planned out, but what if God never gives you that job or that thing you desperately desire? You must realize God is still God, and he is forever Good. If I never become traditionally published, I must still judge God faithful, and that’s on period. You need to get to the point where you decide to stick with God whether or not that thing you are waiting on happens.

5. Trust God. Trust him with your life. It won’t matter when it happens or if it happens because you trust him.

6. Celebrate with those who have what you are waiting on God for. I spend my money on books, and I’m always so joyful when I hear that someone just published a book. I always want to buy and read their stories and support them.

7. Pray, study the Word, and learn from Jesus, who is the greatest example of someone who waited well. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from Jesus is how to wait with purpose. Jesus didn’t begin His ministry until He was 30, yet He died at 33. He spent 30 years waiting. He was already engaging with teachers at the temple by age 12, and he most likely was performing miracles at home because for Mary to have told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do, she knew he was capable for turning water into wine. Despite all of this, it wasn’t yet His time, so He waited. Just like Jesus, you may have the capacity for something right now, but it may not be your time yet. Sometimes, God requires us to wait because a pruning process is necessary. His version of you—the one fit for the promise—needs to emerge. There are moments when you need to admit, “It’s not yet time,” because if you step into your purpose prematurely, it may kill you. In these seasons, God expects you to keep praying, keep studying His Word, keep working on your character, and keep holding onto the vision. Your wait is not idle—it’s preparation for what’s to come. Trust Him with the process, and know that His timing is always perfect.

Waiting is never easy, but remember that those who wait upon the Lord will have their strength renewed.

The post Why Is Waiting So Hard? appeared first on Moyosore Somide.

I grew up in an environment where it was constantly about pleasing other people. I constantly heard things like “What will people say? What will they think? and I guess people pleasing just became a part of me.

I noticed a pattern of putting other people’s needs before mine, a pattern of being too agreeable so I don’t offend anyone, a pattern of accepting other people’s opinions and dismissing mine, just to make sure the other person was happy.

I didn’t think there was anything wrong with this until I started becoming self-aware and I started noticing these patterns.

I have read and I’m still reading books to help me completely break free from people-pleasing and I am seeing progress. Of course, this comes with a cost such as: losing people who were only with me because of what they could get, but in the end, it’s a win-win!

I’m not there yet, but I have definitely come a long way and I know it will only get better. I’m really enjoying this journey of becoming more self-aware!

Are you a people pleaser or do you have friends who are people pleasers?

If you are a people pleaser, how are you breaking free from people-pleasing?

If you aren’t, what advice will you give to a people pleaser?

The post My name is Moyo, and I’m a RECOVERING PEOPLE PLEASER! appeared first on Moyosore Somide.