Isn’t it funny how tightly children grip their toys, shouting "Mine!" at the first sign someone might take them? It may be comical as a child, but that instinct doesn't naturally fade with age. In fact, for many, it becomes a life pattern that leads to misery. But what if there's a better way to live?

Have you ever felt the sting of betrayal from someone you trusted? Or experienced the slow, painful erosion of a relationship that once brought joy? You're not alone. The Bible is filled with stories of hurtful relationships, from the very first dysfunctional family, Adam and Eve, when Cain killed Abel to David's heartache when his son Absalom committed treason and took over the country. Even Jesus himself was betrayed by one of his own disciples.

Have you ever felt utterly alone, even in a crowded room? That gnawing emptiness that comes from disconnection isn't just uncomfortable, it's actually contrary to our design. The very first negative statement in the Bible appears in Genesis 2:18 when God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone." Everything else in creation was deemed "good," but isolation was not part of God's plan for humanity. We were created for community and connection.

How often do we end up caught in a "doom loop" of worry, turning a problem over and over in our minds without actually solving anything? We often mistake worry for productivity, believing that if we think about our problems enough, we'll somehow fix them. But what if there's a better way to handle the everyday anxieties that weigh us down?