Donna Reidland

About Donna Reidland

Donna is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, and Biblical counselor. She has been blogging through the Bible each year since 2012. She loves God's Word and sharing how freeing and practical it is. She is certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

“Is Prayer a Blank Check from God?” July 3

Jul 3, 2026

Does God promise to give us whatever we ask for?

Some Christians believe He does. Others wonder why their prayers seem to go unanswered. Then there are familiar verses like, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart,” or Jesus’ promise that whatever we ask in His name, He will do.

So what do those verses really mean?

Today we’ll look at Solomon’s remarkable prayer, discover why God answered it the way He did, and learn several simple principles for interpreting Scripture that can keep us from misunderstanding some of God’s greatest promises.

“Before You Make That Decision, Ask These 4 Questions” July 2

Jul 2, 2026

How do you know if you’re making the right decision?

Most of us have heard the advice to make a list of the pros and cons. But is that enough for someone who wants to honor God? Could there be questions we’re overlooking that reveal not just what we want to do, but why we want to do it?

In today’s readings, we’ll look at four simple questions that can bring surprising clarity to life’s decisions—from everyday choices to those that can change the course of our lives.

We’ll also meet a Roman centurion whose response to Jesus can challenge us about our level of faith and trust in God.

“The Most Powerful Way to Fight Back After Betrayal” July 1

Jul 1, 2026

Betrayal hurts differently than almost any other kind of pain.

When an enemy attacks, we expect it. But when the wound comes from someone we trusted—a close friend, a spouse, a family member, or someone from church—it can shake us to the core.

So what does God want us to do?

Should we confront them? Walk away? Protect ourselves? Fight back? Or simply pretend it didn’t happen?

Today’s readings introduce us to one of the Bible’s greatest betrayals and reveal a surprising strategy that is far more powerful than revenge. It isn’t natural, but it has the power to transform both our hearts and, sometimes, the heart of the one who wounded us.

“The Secret to Handling Conflict Most People Never Learn” June 30

Jun 30, 2026

Why do some conflicts seem to spiral out of control while others end in peace?

Most of us assume the problem is the other person. If only they would listen… admit they’re wrong… or stop being so difficult. But what if God is trying to teach us something through conflict that has very little to do with winning the argument?

Today’s Proverbs says something surprising: it is honorable to stop striving because any fool can start a quarrel.

That raises an important question.

What if the strongest person in the room isn’t the one who gets the last word—but the one who knows when to let it go?

We’ll also look at David’s preparations for worship and discover why our attitude toward singing on Sunday mornings may reveal more about our hearts than we realize.

“Does the Bible Contradict Itself About Alcohol?” June 29

Jun 29, 2026

Should Christians drink alcohol?

It’s one of those questions that often sparks strong opinions. Some believers say the answer is obvious: Christians shouldn’t drink at all. Others point out that Jesus turned water into wine and argue there’s nothing wrong with drinking in moderation.

So which is it?

At first glance, the Bible almost seems to contradict itself. In one place, wine is described as a blessing that gladdens the heart. In another, it is called “a mocker.”

How do those passages fit together? More importantly, how should a follower of Christ make decisions about issues like this where Scripture gives principles rather than a simple yes-or-no answer?

Today’s readings invite us to think carefully about Christian liberty, wisdom, and loving others well.

“If Baptism Doesn’t Save You… Why Be Baptized?” June 28

Jun 28, 2026

If someone asked you why Christians are baptized, could you answer?

Does baptism actually save us? Does something supernatural happen in the water? If salvation is by grace through faith alone, why did the early Christians seem so eager to be baptized? And what about those who were baptized as infants—is that the same thing?

These aren’t just theological questions. They go to the heart of what it means to publicly identify with Jesus Christ.

In today’s reading, an Ethiopian official hears the gospel, believes in Christ, and immediately asks one surprising question: “What prevents me from being baptized?”

His response gives us a beautiful picture of what baptism is—and what it isn’t.

“The Missing Ingredient to Lasting Peace” June 27

Jun 27, 2026

It’s becoming harder and harder to find peace.

We watch the news and wonder what happened to our nation. We see evil celebrated, biblical truth rejected, and hostility toward Christianity increasing. Even in our own lives, disappointments, unanswered prayers, and difficult circumstances can leave us asking, “Why isn’t life better than this?”

But what if our discouragement points to something deeper?

Today’s readings reveal two very different responses to hardship. Israel had God’s miraculous provision every day, yet remained dissatisfied. The early church faced intense persecution, yet experienced remarkable joy as the gospel spread.

What’s the difference?

And could the secret to lasting peace and contentment have far less to do with our circumstances than we imagine?

“What Does It REALLY Mean to Fear the Lord?” June 26

Jun 26, 2026

What does it actually mean to “fear the Lord”?

It’s a phrase Christians use all the time, yet if someone asked us to explain it, many of us would struggle.

Is it being afraid of God?

Is it simply respecting Him?

Or is it something much deeper—something that affects every decision we make?

Surprisingly, one of the clearest illustrations of the fear of the Lord comes from a simple parenting principle many of us have taught our children.

Today’s readings reveal why partial obedience isn’t really obedience, why delayed obedience exposes something about our hearts, and how one short phrase can help us understand what it truly means to walk in the fear of the Lord every day.

“Do Your Kids Know Your Testimony? & Why They Should” June 25

Jun 25, 2026

What do your children actually know about your story?

Not just the family-friendly version.

Not just the lectures about gratitude, respect, or how much harder things were when you were growing up.

Do they know how God rescued you?

Do they know the mistakes you made, the consequences you faced, and the ways God’s grace met you in the middle of your failures?

Many Christian parents spend years warning their children about what not to do, yet never share the testimony that explains why.

Interestingly, Scripture does the exact opposite. The Bible doesn’t hide the failures of Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, or countless others. It tells the whole story—the victories, the sins, the consequences, and ultimately the grace of God.

So should we do the same with our children?

And if so, how much should we share?

Today’s readings offer some surprising insights about the power of testimony, the importance of telling the next generation what God has done, and two dangers every parent should avoid when sharing their story.

Handling Emotions Biblically: Introduction

Jun 24, 2026

Have you ever known exactly what God says about a situation and still struggled with fear, worry, anger, discouragement, or anxiety?

Why is that?

If God’s truth is so powerful, why do our emotions sometimes seem even more powerful?

Perhaps the problem isn’t that we have emotions. After all, God created us as emotional beings. The problem comes when our emotions begin driving the train instead of riding in the caboose.

When fear takes over, we panic.

When anger takes over, we say things we regret.

When discouragement takes over, we lose hope.

When anxiety takes over, we struggle to trust God.

Over the years, one of the most common issues I’ve dealt with in biblical counseling involves emotions and how they affect our thinking, our relationships, and our walk with Christ. That’s why I’ve decided to update and republish this series on handling emotions biblically.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll look at anger, depression, guilt, fear, worry, anxiety, and suffering—not from the perspective of popular psychology, but through the lens of God’s Word.

Because while emotions are real and powerful, they were never designed to lead us.