Deanna was over the moon when the pregnancy test was positive. But when genetic testing indicated the little girl growing inside her had Down syndrome, Deanna was certain that God had gotten it all wrong. “There was a storm inside me. I felt like all my dreams were gone,” Deanna said. “My mind went to a very dark place wondering, ‘Why me?’” But God knows what we…

Dave Dietz was a man who attended church but really didn’t understand the love of Jesus. After reading a book about truly loving God and people, his eyes were opened and he began caring for people and restoring relationships. Other traumatic events—a job layoff and serious car accident—also changed his outlook.

As an actress, Gwendolyn Briley-Strand was used to playing strong female roles—women of faith and perseverance. But playing a resilient character is far easier than being one in real life. Two rounds of cancer, including exhausting chemotherapy and radiation treatments, reinforced Gwen’s belief that she needed to turn to the healing words of the Bible for her strength.

Becky’s life was a mess. Once she found what she’d been looking for, she knew she had to share it. “I wanted a deep, meaningful, rich life for the Lord;” and she found it in loving others well.

Angel believed the lies the world told her. She felt worthless and ugly. Her life became a swirling mess of men, booze, and drugs until one day she cried out to God, “Kill me or save me. But don’t let me live like this anymore.”

Doing for God took the place of being with God. Until he learned to be still and listen.