“Do you read all of the devotionals in every issue of Rejoice!?”

Yes, as the editor, I set the theme for each issue, assign the writers, read every devotional, and consult with writers on changes as needed. Sometimes a devotional needs to be trimmed because it’s too long. At other times, I ask for clarification, or re-wording, or a reference to satisfy the publisher’s copyright requirements.

I also respond to questions from readers and writers. So when a writer wanted to reprint a Rejoice! devotional on her own website, I had to say no, because the publisher buys all electronic rights. But I also decided to work at turning that no into a not yet, and with the publisher’s approval, we now have a new policy. The publisher will still retain electronic rights, but writers are now able to reprint any of their Rejoice! writing on their own websites, starting the month after publication and giving appropriate credit to the publisher.

That’s win-win-win all around—the publisher retains the usual rights, writers gets to share their own writing, and Rejoice! gets more visibility and perhaps some new subscribers. It’s my favourite kind of problem-solving solution!

So today I’m sharing one of my Rejoice! devotionals written at a time when I felt overwhelmed by life. As I look at the world around me, I could just as well have written it this morning. I offer it below as a word of faith and hope for whatever challenges you face today.

God is Greater

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
—1 John 4:4

Read: 1 John 4:1-6

When I’m feeling overwhelmed by life, I find it helpful to take a step back—to turn off the news, to shut down my social media, to let my emails wait. At this time of year, I like to make myself a hot cup of rooibos tea and sit in my recliner by the fireplace. When the weather’s clear, I might go for a solitary walk around the neighborhood.

But withdrawing is not the only way to deal with the sense of being overwhelmed by the world. Besides periodic sacred pauses, we also need to practice wise discernment in the midst of daily life. Do I really need to listen to every news report, and if not, which ones? Do I need to respond to every social media post, and if not, which ones? How can I discern among the spirits, as 1 John might put it?

Our reading today provides a simple test: “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (vv.2–3). But there’s more: 1 John urges us to obey God’s commandments, including the commandment to love one another (3:11, 18, 23, 4:7–8). Other texts urge us to seek God’s wisdom (Proverbs 2:1–5; James 1:5).

As we seek to obey God and love others, as we seek God’s wisdom, we can also rest in the knowledge that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (v. 4). Whatever threatens to overwhelm us, God is greater.

Respond: When I feel overwhelmed, grant me your wisdom and remind me that you are greater than any challenge.

This devotional first appeared in Rejoice! daily devotional, Winter, 2020–21, copyright © MennoMedia.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: Where do you need wisdom today?