6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:6–9

The first book of Peter was written to Christians living throughout Asia Minor—we know today as Turkey. They were exiles in a foreign land. In 1 Peter 1:1, Peter writes, “To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion…” meaning these were Christians—like you and me—chosen by God to be scattered and live in foreign lands, where they would face hardship and persecution.

So, when we read 1 Peter 5:9—Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that your brotherhood is experiencing the same kinds of suffering throughout the world—this wasn’t a hypothetical statement. Their suffering was real, and it was happening in real time! These Christians were far from home, uncomfortable, persecuted and afraid. Yet, they believed the mission God had given them was more important than their own comfort and safety.

Most of us do not know this kind of suffering. There is not a lot of religious persecution in Florida. Someone may mock you for your beliefs or think you are a little strange, but we are not seeing Christians used as human torches or being imprisoned or executed for their faith. Yet this is exactly what those early believers endured.

Where we live, religion is widely accepted and practiced in many forms. We have access to nearly any information we could want—and we probably access to much we should not. So, when we read, “Resist him, firm in your faith…” what does that mean for us? If we are not experiencing suffering like theirs, what then do we have to resist?

We all experience suffering in different ways. There is genuine suffering and heartache—such as losing a loved one, facing life-threatening illnesses or enduring painful, broken relationships. These are real hardships that wound us deeply, damage relationships and bring grief and despair, leaving us to wonder if it will ever get better.

Then, there are things that feel like suffering in the moment—like a canceled flight that leaves you stranded in an airport for eight hours, a fender bender that leaves you without a car for weeks or a virus that strikes right before a long-awaited trip to a beautiful tropical paradise. I call these superficial sufferings. They’re simply part of life. Life throws us curveballs, and we adjust our swing accordingly, and then we move on.

But suffering for the sake of the gospel—suffering to the point that I would need a letter of encouragement urging me to stand firm and resist the devil—have I ever experienced that? No. And truthfully, most of us have not.

I am fairly confident that God is not telling me to leave my family and my church behind to travel to dangerous parts of the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ—not yet, anyway. But God’s plans aren’t always the big, adventurous, life-threatening ones. Sometimes, He uses our everyday stories, the paths we walk and the circumstances we face to bring about significant, life-changing transformation in the people around us.

I’ve always felt like my testimony is so boring. I was raised in church, always knew who God was and accepted Christ at 12 years old at summer camp. Later, I met a pastor, we got married and now we are part of one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States! Boring, right? Not much risk-taking and danger there! But here’s the thing—God uses me most when I try the least. Let me explain.

When our kids were small, I left my career in physical therapy after 15 years to become a full-time mom. That was all I wanted. My career had never been my passion—it was a paycheck. And while I enjoyed many aspects of it, I knew deep down that being a full-time mom was my heart’s desire.

But after a couple of weeks of being home with JP, who was seven, and Reagan, who was three, I began to question my decision. I Enemy’s lies came in loud and clear: You’re worthless. You’re lazy. If you were stronger, you could manage a career and a household. You’re not doing enough. Those lies only grew louder and louder. Instead of being proud and joyful, I was embarrassed to be a stay-at-home mom.

I finally told (Pastor) Joby everything. At first, it didn’t go well—he couldn’t understand how I could be unhappy with a decision I had longed for and prayed over for years. But my feelings and struggles were real.

The words (Pastor) Joby spoke to me in that moment changed everything. Well, to be honest, it was probably a series of moments and arguments—but in the end, his words impacted me, and they still do today. He said, “What career in this world is more important than raising those two humans to know and love Jesus, and to be home and support me as we enter this unknown season of launching a new church?”

You see, I quit my job to be home full-time about five months before we launched The Church of Eleven22. It was perfect timing—God’s timing—and I started to question it. I was listening to the lies of the Enemy and ignoring the truth I had known all along.

My ministry was at home. Everything that entered and exited that front door was my mission field. My kids and my husband were my ministry. Because my home was my ministry, I also invested in the people who came into it. At the time, that mostly meant babysitters—single, young women facing all kinds of struggles and fears. I hope and pray our home was a safe place for those girls, a place that helped them grow in their faith and navigate their own journeys.

Many of those young women are now married with children of their own, and some are serving in full-time ministry today. Even now, I meet weekly with a group of young moms for Bible study and fellowship in my home. And as my kids grow older, and one day when I become an empty nester, I still want my home to be my ministry.

Sometimes God’s call in your life can feel a little scary and unfamiliar. I led worship for 15 years, and taking that leap of faith—trusting God with the decision to lead worship in front of thousands of people was one of the hardest and scariest things I’ve ever done. I am an introvert, not a public speaker. The stage has never been a place of comfort for me; I would rather lead from behind a curtain or in another room. But God said, “Go,” and I did. I am grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and I am so thankful to be part of God’s movement in our church.

Now, God has called me to write for our church. I’m not even remotely qualified to write anything, and never imagined I’d be writing for an organization where thousands of people would read my devotionals. But in all my fear and self-doubt, I said, “Here I am, God, use me!”

Resisting the Enemy and standing firm in your faith can be intimidating, scary and sometimes dangerous. You might suffer a little—or it might feel familiar and comfortable. But it’s about standing up for what is right, no matter the cost or what the world around you says. It’s about answering the call God has for your life, not anyone else’s.

If that means going to the ends of the Earth for the sake of the gospel—go! Maybe it means funding others to do the same and rescue children from trafficking. God gave you those resources for a reason. Maybe He is calling you to serve in students or kids at our church—yes, that can be scary too! If that means working with ministry partners like First Coast Women’s Services or Hadassah’s Hope, then serve there. If it means singing, sing. If it means writing, write. If it means leading a disciple group, lead. If that means going abroad as a missionary, praise God! If your mission is in Jacksonville at your workplace, that’s perfect. And if your role is to stay home and raise little ones, don’t be afraid to answer that call.

God has a purpose and plan for each of us, and no one’s purpose is more important than another’s. He uses us exactly as He wants—so long as we are obeying His call.

Don’t belittle God’s plans for your life. Embrace them—whether they seem big or as small. And even if it’s scary, say, “Ok, Lord, here I am. Use me!”

If it seems too small or insignificant, wait for it. God’s plans are never small. Big things are right around the corner. Resist the Enemy by standing firm in the call God has placed on your life.

When we follow God’s plan, it may be hard. We may face ridicule, questions and persecution. But we know God will be with us, guiding us and he will never lead us astray. As Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV reminds us: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God, I pray that You will give us the strength and courage to follow Your plans for our lives so that others will come to know You—no matter how big or small or how scary it may seem. God, we trust You and You alone. Amen.