Serenity in Suffering

Finding Peace and Purpose in the Storms of Life

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Mindfulness

orange asters in small glass vase, candle, open book, sweater in front of window, overcoming insecurities with God

Overcoming Insecurities with God

sheet music, dried flowers and greenery, embracing rhythms of rest

Embracing Rhythms of Rest

white coffee mug, on wooden table surrounded by autumn leaves, welcoming a new season

Welcoming a New Season

feather pen, ink and paper, if you held the pen

If You Held the Pen

bowl of turkish delights, coffee cup, recapturing the art of wonder

Recapturing the Art of Wonder

two purple wooden heart on table, shifting perspective on priorities

Shifting Perspective on Priorities

sun shining through forest trees, beholding the limitless beauty of christ

Beholding the Limitless Beauty of Christ

chalkboard heart with "hope" written inside, hiding hope in your heart

Hiding Hope in Your Heart

old key, burlap heart on twine hanging on a wooden wall, the key to overcoming overwhelm

The Key to Overcoming Overwhelm

plants at a sunny window, gray cat on red & black afghan on white sofa, book open, cultivating hope in the new year

Cultivating Hope in the New Year

silhouette of Joseph, Mary & Jesus, 4 candles lit, nearby Christmas tree, my soul in stillness waits

My Soul in Stillness Waits

red pillar candle at dark window, lighted tree, Advent's invitation to stillness

Advent’s Invitation to Stillness

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Hi, I’m Donna!

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Welcome to Serenity in Suffering; a safe place to find Hope and purpose in the hard places of life, through intimacy with Jesus Christ.

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Recent Posts

  • No Fail Predictions for the Coming Year
  • Unhustled: Reclaiming the Sacred Art of Doing Less
  • The True Light Has Come
  • When Light Waits: Embracing the Slow Rhythms of God’s Promises
  • The Beauty of Shadows

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serenityinsuffering

Does life feel dark or uncertain for you right now Does life feel dark or uncertain for you right now?

Does your hope feel little more than a barren branch too brittle to lean on?

God promised His people in Exodus, when He sent the plague of great darkness through Egypt, there would be Light in their dwellings. He was true to His promise, and when the world around them turned dark, He held them in His Light.

The same is true today. In that place which feels too dark for even God to enter, He's there. In my dark places of shame, broken relationships, and relentless trials, He is there.

In the darkness of an uncertain future, He is there.

In the darkness of a world imploding, He is there.

In the darkness which feels so heavy you no longer hope, He is there holding you in His Light.

Dare to trust that God is doing His deepest work in the exact place of your darkest suffering.

How can I pray for you to experience His Light today?

#serenityinsuffering #darkness #suffering #godslove #godslight #hope #faith
What if you could know for sure what awaited you i What if you could know for sure what awaited you in the coming year?⁣
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Every year the “experts” posit what they foresee for the coming year. ⁣
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While many of their predictions seem vague, pundits insist yearly predictions tend to materialize. ⁣
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The thing about such predictions given at the outset of a new year is, people seldom remember them at year’s end. ⁣
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Whether or not the above 2026 expert predictions come to fruition, I have some no fail predictions for the coming year which I know will happen.⁣
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At the close of the first month of 2026, the world seems as uncertain and dark as ever, but Jesus gave some timeless advice over 2000 years ago which still holds true today.⁣
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Join me on the blog for my new post, "No Fail Predictions for the Coming Year", to learn exactly what you can expect in the days ahead-and it's not what you think! Link in bio!
What if you could know for sure what awaited you i What if you could know for sure what awaited you in the coming year?⁣
⁣
Every year the “experts” posit what they foresee for the coming year. ⁣
⁣
While many of their predictions seem vague, pundits insist yearly predictions tend to materialize. ⁣
⁣
The thing about such predictions given at the outset of a new year is, people seldom remember them at year’s end. ⁣
⁣
Whether or not the above 2026 expert predictions come to fruition, I have some no fail predictions for the coming year which I know will happen.⁣
⁣
At the close of the first month of 2026, the world seems as uncertain and dark as ever, but Jesus gave some timeless advice over 2000 years ago which still holds true today.⁣
⁣
Join me on the blog for my new post, "No Fail Predictions for the Coming Year", to learn exactly what you can expect in the days ahead-and it's not what you think! Link in bio!
Do you need a hug from God today? I know that sou Do you need a hug from God today?

I know that sounds silly, but some days that's exactly how I feel. Facing a hard path or just weary from one day pouring into the next with no end to the struggle.

As I gazed through the recent snowstorm at the endless rolling hills painted with iridescent white, the purity and infinite nature of it took my breath away.
Capturing this photo and the following photos, I later savored their beauty.

And a wonderful moment occurred as the verse from Jeremiah came to my mind. The serene, endless, pure beauty of the snow was the hug from God I needed.

The loveliness of even the stark lavender and azalea spoke of hope in the harsh places.

The shadows across the snow mingled with the brilliant light of the sun, with comfort of knowing God's light will always defeat the darkness of our pain.

I share the beauty of my photos with you today as a hug from God, reminding you His love:

Has no beginning.
Has no end.
Is near and intimate.
Is without measure.
Is unchanging.

Dear one, you are held, held in the warmth of an infinitely, splendid love which speaks hope and healing over your harsh reality today. 

Let's keep it going, share this with someone you know who needs a hug from God today. 

#serenityinsuffering #snow #snowstorm #godslove #hope #healing #faith
Are you feeling stuck or discouraged? Or maybe you Are you feeling stuck or discouraged? Or maybe you feel forgotten by God, unable to perceive His work in your life.⁣⁣
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Where in your life does it seem nothing is happening?⁣⁣
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Of all the seasons, winter’s identity appears most deceptive. ⁣⁣
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Flaunting stillness, through bare branches, frozen ground, and muted skies, everything seems paused.⁣⁣
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Yet, beneath the surface, winter’s heart beats with secret life as creation repairs, restores, and prepares for a future outcome.⁣⁣
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What if God’s work in this season of your life bustles unseen beneath the surface?⁣⁣
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Appearing deathlike on winter’s surface, the deep work of creation’s dormancy forged in the hidden places, mimics God’s most transformative shaping of our lives in the seasons where nothing seems vibrant, and progress stagnant.⁣⁣
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January invites us into a posture of trust in God’s hidden work, without the need to force a visible outcome.⁣⁣
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Check out my recent Substack publication, "The Hidden Work of Dormancy", where I wrestle with these same things in my own life. ⁣⁣
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Come find hope and peace in the hidden places. Link in bio!
Reflecting tonight on the beauty of God's voice. W Reflecting tonight on the beauty of God's voice. When I feel anxious, the simple random song of the wind chime outside my window reminds me God is near.

We're in the path of the biggest snow storm in years. My husband's job requires him to be there through it as he works in a skilled care facility.

I'll be braving it alone.  And yet not alone.

"I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hang & says to you, do not be afraid, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Are you feeling stuck or discouraged? Or maybe you Are you feeling stuck or discouraged? Or maybe you feel forgotten by God, unable to perceive His work in your life.⁣
⁣
Where in your life does it seem nothing is happening?⁣
⁣
Of all the seasons, winter’s identity appears most deceptive. ⁣
⁣
Flaunting stillness, through bare branches, frozen ground, and muted skies, everything seems paused.⁣
⁣
Yet, beneath the surface, winter’s heart beats with secret life as creation repairs, restores, and prepares for a future outcome.⁣
⁣
What if God’s work in this season of your life bustles unseen beneath the surface?⁣
⁣
Appearing deathlike on winter’s surface, the deep work of creation’s dormancy forged in the hidden places, mimics God’s most transformative shaping of our lives in the seasons where nothing seems vibrant, and progress stagnant.⁣
⁣
January invites us into a posture of trust in God’s hidden work, without the need to force a visible outcome.⁣
⁣
Check out my recent Substack publication, "The Hidden Work of Dormancy", where I wrestle with these same things in my own life. ⁣
⁣
Come find hope and peace in the hidden places. Link in bio!
What if the holiest thing we could do at the start What if the holiest thing we could do at the start of the year is…less? ⁣⁣
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What if restraint, not ambition is the doorway to renewal?⁣⁣
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For those of us who are still holding space for the weariness of walking hard paths in 2025, a softer approach invites us to step out of the cultural current and rediscover the sacredness of margin, rest, and unhurried presence with God. ⁣⁣
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Maybe instead of hustling into the new year, reclaiming the sacred art of doing less resonates with you.⁣⁣
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In the past, even if I have not yet set goals or composed a list of new habits for the new year, I have a focused direction. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
But this year I sense a distinct nudge from God to a time of rest, reflection and refinement.⁣⁣
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Though it feels counter cultural, when my peers seem full of energy, busy tackling new projects and goals, it also feels empowering.⁣⁣
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Join me on the blog to explore some practical ways this might play out for you in my new post, "Unhustled: Reclaiming the Sacred Art of Doing Less". Link in bio!!⁣
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#serenityinsuffering #suffering #rest #reflection #hope #newyear #2026
Are you still carrying weariness from walking the Are you still carrying weariness from walking the hard paths in 2025?

Maybe like me, you feel overwhelmed with goal setting, resolutions, or big plans for 2026. Or maybe you're just tired of having to keep up with cultural norms and the expectations of others.

Join me in trying a softer approach to the new year, one which nourishes your soul and transforms your heart.

My newest devotional, The Grace of Gratitude: A 21-Day Journey to a Heart Transformed by Grace, is a gentle way to ground your weariness while refocusing on your relationship with God. 📚💛⁣
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This gentle, Scripture-centered devotional invites you to slow down, notice God’s quiet mercies, and let gratitude soften your heart one day at a time.⁣
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Inside you’ll find:⁣
🌿 21 daily reflections⁣
🌿 Scripture-centered encouragement⁣
🌿 Heart-level journaling prompts⁣
🌿 A companion gratitude study section⁣
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If your soul has been craving rest, renewal, or a fresh way to notice God’s fingerprints in ordinary days—I wrote this for you.⁣
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✨ Grab your copy here today! My Smart Bio has a special button with the link to the book on Amazon, get your copy today!
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Your support—purchases, reviews, prayers—means more to me than I can ever say.⁣
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#serenityinsuffering #serenity #devotionals #gratitude #hope #faith #rest #grace #godslove
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