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When the storm rages, remember that God finishes every good work He begins.
 Have you ever felt like you were close to reaching a goal, only to face a setback that made you question everything? Mary and Joseph, weary from their journey, could see Bethlehem on the horizon when a sudden storm nearly swept them away. Through cold winds and pounding rain, they clung to each other and to the promise God had placed on their lives. This terrifying experience brought them to the edge of despair, but it also brought them closer to God and to each other, strengthening their faith. God’s promise wasn’t to spare them from every hardship but to bring them through it. Sometimes, the greatest tests of faith come just before we reach our breakthrough. Are you facing a storm that’s making you feel far from your destination? Trust that God, who began a good work in you, will carry it to completion. He is faithful, even when life’s path is hardest to see. Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 Reflect on a time when you felt close to a goal but encountered an unexpected setback. Today, ask God for the strength to press on and the confidence that He is with you through every trial. Remember, He is the one guiding you, and He will complete the work He has begun in you.

Sometimes it’s in our lowest moments that we rediscover the strength of those walking beside us. Have you ever felt like life stripped away everything you depended on? Mary and Joseph faced this very feeling. Robbed of their few belongings and weary from the road, their frustrations bubbled over, and they found themselves losing patience with each other. Yet, in the quiet of that painful moment, they remembered that God’s presence hadn’t left them. He was still guiding them forward, bringing comfort in their shared pain. It’s easy to lose hope when our plans are shattered and we feel vulnerable. But God promises His goodness and mercy, even when the journey feels impossible. Are there places in your life where you feel like hope is slipping away? Trust that His mercy will follow you, even through the valleys, bringing healing and peace. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 Think about a time when you felt abandoned or struggled to keep hope alive. Mary and Joseph’s journey reminds us that even when we’re robbed of what we hold dear, God’s mercy is still with us, guiding us back to peace. Today, ask God to help you see His goodness at work, even in places of loss or hardship. Let His promise of mercy renew your strength and hope as you move forward.

Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren have adopted eight children and have also cared for foster children. They also have 3 biological children. The Dungys are advocates for adoption and foster care. Tony is a national spokesman for All Pro Dad, a program that helps recruit and raise awareness for adoptive and foster families. Tony and Lauren co-wrote We Chose You: A Book About Adoption, Family, and Forever Love. The Dungys have said that they love children and are passionate about mentoring and supporting them. They say that they keep going with prayer and by making time for each other. Tony Dungy is a former professional football player, head coach, and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts.