beencouraged - Barbara Lynn Seibel

July 19, 2026July 18, 2026

Pride, Humility, and Consequences

What is pride?

It can be seen as reasonable self-esteem or confidence and satisfaction in oneself. In other words, self-respect.

Another positive trait of pride can be a pleasure that comes from some relationship, association, achievement, or possession that is seen as a source of honor, respect, etc.

But when it turns into exaggerated self-esteem or conceit, pride is definitely negative.

What is humility?

Merriam-Webster.com defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.

The opposite of the negative definition of pride.

What are consequences?

Consequences are something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions.

Today’s study looks at an example of pride, humility, and the consequences of both in the life of Hezekiah.

July 12, 2026July 11, 2026

Human Armies versus a Single Angel

In our natural state, it is easy to be overwhelmed by what looks like an intimidating display of strength and power.

Today, we are looking at a passage that is a review of events also found in 2 Kings 18-19.

Both passages report how a massive human army was overpowered and conquered by a single angel sent by the Lord.

Read on for insights that will encourage your own faith journey as you and others encounter challenges in your own lives.

July 5, 2026July 3, 2026

Are We Doing What is Good and Right?

Today’s study continues the story of King Hezekiah’s leadership in restoring spiritual faithfulness to the Lord.

His concern was not about his own success but doing what is good and right in the eyes of God.

This intention spills over into the hearts of all who took part in the restoring of the temple, the celebration of the Passover, and the organization of providing for the ongoing worship practices thereafter.

Studying King Hezekiah’s heart for the Lord and how the people responded to his actions prompts me to ask, “Are we doing what is good and right?”

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Celebrating Our Return to the Lord

Today’s study continues our study of King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles that we did on May 24, 2026.

We pick up the story after King Hezekiah has completed restoring the temple grounds so that the Israelites could resume regular worship of the Lord.

King Hezekiah understood the power of celebrating their return to the Lord.

Enjoy.

June 21, 2026June 18, 2026

Seeing Opportunities in Our Circumstances

Our circumstances ebb and flow between easy and difficult.

Some circumstances arise from choices we make. But sometimes the circumstances we’re experiencing come from choices others make.

Regardless of our circumstances, we always have a choice regarding our attitude.

We can be miserable curmudgeons when things go poorly.

Or we can be exuberant when things go well.

What is striking, though, is when we or others find ourselves in challenging circumstances, yet still experience peace and joy.

How is this possible?

The Apostle Paul has valuable insight to share on how this is possible in Philippians 1:12-21.

June 7, 2026June 6, 2026

Does Jesus Walk with You?

Last week I also talked about walking with my post Are You Walking Worthy.

That post considered how we can pray for fellow believers and ourselves to be strengthened in our faith walk.

Today, though, we are looking at how Jesus comes alongside us when we are feeling discouraged about circumstances that have crushed our hopes.

Are you able to recognize when Jesus walks alongside you?

Join me as we study an example of Jesus doing exactly this for two of his disciples who expressed disappointment about what they had just experienced.

May 31, 2026May 30, 2026

Are You Walking Worthy?

Walking has been a topic on my mind since February of this year.

Why?

Because I’ve been recovering from a torn meniscus, a large baker’s cyst, and an osteoarthritis flare-up in my left knee. I’m also struggling with a bone spur on my left big toe that makes it feel like I’m walking on a pebble.

Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and plenty of rest have altered my routine for the last several months.

But this is physical, literal walking.

The question of this post is about our spiritual walk and how we live our daily lives with one another.

Most importantly, what does it mean to walk worthily in God’s eyes?

And how should this impact our daily lives?

Join me in a study of Colossians 1:9-14.

May 24, 2026May 17, 2026

How Do We Rededicate Ourselves to Worshiping God?

How Do We Rededicate Ourselves to Worship God?

The definition of the word rededicate, according to merriamwebster.com, is: to commit (oneself, one’s life, etc.) anew to a cause, enterprise, or activity.

This act reveals that we have drifted away from whatever we are now committed anew.

An example of this is rededicating ourselves to living a healthy lifestyle with how we eat and the amount of activity we get.

But today’s study is not about physical fitness.

It is about spiritual fitness.

Join me in studying a passage from 2 Chronicles 29 as well as some verses from the book of Hebrews to get a fully rounded concept of how we can rededicate ourselves to worshiping God.

May 17, 2026May 16, 2026

Why Would You Come and See?

What are you interested in enough to drop what are doing to go see something?

Is it usually something significant that you’ve heard about that provides motivation?

Or could it be something simple that you greatly enjoy?

One simple thing that motivates me to “come and see” is a gorgeous sunset or sunrise.

This simple thing also motivates me to invite others to “come and see.”

But this simple thing pales compared to who extended the offer to “come and see” in today’s passage.

And what motivated the invitees to do so.

May 10, 2026May 9, 2026

How Do We Know God Is At Work?

On the one hand, the question for this post seems silly to ask.

Especially for those of us who believe the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments.

But sometimes the world gets so bleak that even the most stoic believer might find this question in their thoughts, even if ever so briefly.

When this happens to us, it is important that we turn to the Bible to find encouragement from our Creator.

2 Chronicles 29:1-19 provides just such encouragement.