16 April - "God’s Not Mad at You"

I watched something on YouTube this week that I can’t stop thinking about.

It was a guy named Todd Pierce from Riding High Ministries, working with a wild horse.

Now, I’m not a horse whisperer by any means, but what Todd demonstrated with that horse really impacted me.

He wasn’t just working with a horse. He was showing us how Jesus loves us.

As Todd approached the wild horse who was nervous, defensive, unsure—it didn’t know what to expect. And that’s kind of how we can be with God sometimes. Unsure. Braced for impact. Waiting to be punished for our past or our mess-ups.

But what Todd did was wait. He stayed near. Kind. Calm. He didn’t punish. He didn’t lash out. He just kept showing up—gently. And as the horse slowly realised there was no punishment coming… it had to rethink everything.

And that’s exactly how God approaches you.

He’s not your punisher. He’s your defender. He’s not standing in front of you to yell at you. He’s standing in front of you to gently say, “Hey, I’m here. I’ve always been here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

We weren’t made to live in fear. We were made to live in love. To walk in connection with the One who created us.

Because it’s in that connection—with Jesus—that we truly discover who we are. That deep longing, that dream, that “pull” inside of you to be more, to do something that really matters? It’s from Him. But it’s only in communion with Him that it ALL comes together.

Sometimes we run. We buck. We kick at His hand like a frightened horse. But He doesn’t force us into anything.

He just waits. Quiet. Strong. Loving. He waits for us to stop kicking and look at Him.

And when we do…That’s where everything changes.

Action Steps For Today:

1. Take a moment to breathe. Ask yourself—Have I been running from God? Bucking at His voice?

2. Write it out. What fears or guilt are holding you back from drawing close to Him?

3. Invite Him in. You don’t have to fix everything first. Just look His way—He’s already near.

   
   

Think and Say:

• “I don’t have to fear punishment—I am fully loved.” God is not my punisher. He is my defender. I am loved and safe in Him.”

• “God is gentle with me. I can trust His hand.”

• “I was made for connection, not fear.”

Prayer

Father, Thank You that You are gentle with me. That You come close, not to punish me, but to love me into freedom. I’ve been afraid… I’ve run, I’ve fought, I’ve doubted. But You’ve never left. Today I stop running. I look at You, Jesus. Help me to trust Your love more than my fear. I invite You into the places I’ve shut off. Reveal who I truly am in You—and lead me into the fullness of who You’ve created me to be.In Jesus’ Name,Amen