Encouragement for Today - August 29, 2025
The Power of “Withness”
TONI COLLIER
Lee en español
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Of all of the gifts my strong-willed blessing of a daughter, Dylan, would ask Santa for, it just had to be the Power Pony. You read that right. The. Power. Pony.
This wasn’t just a stationary rocking horse. This was a hoverboard-3000 horse, giving riders the chance to sit and ride a hoverboard instead of standing. And, friend, it was fast. And it could spin.
This thing was dangerous, and my daughter, in all of her glory, was the most excited to ride it in our neighborhood. Except I told her to obey one rule: “Do not ride it down the driveway. Safely carry it down the hill, and just go slow.”
You know she didn’t listen.
As I was watching my 1-year-old, my older daughter came zipping down the driveway on her Power Pony. She got to the bottom and started to spin (remember I told you it spins?), and before I could safely secure my toddler and get to her, she flew off, scraping her arm on the ground. Tears everywhere. It was a mess.
As she cried, reaching out to me, I wanted to say, “Didn’t I tell you not to go down that driveway?” But I knew that was not what she needed.
Because when we’re in pain, we don’t long for correction; we deeply desire comfort. Our pain is starving for “withness.” For presence.
“Withness” is actually our opportunity to live a glorious life of fulfilling the law of Christ. We are called to graciously, willingly, safely, and lovingly be with God’s sons and daughters. Especially when they’re in pain.
God has quite literally called us into this good and faithful work. Galatians 6:2 beckons us toward a life of choosing to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Maybe you’ve been in pain, and someone didn’t show up well. I get that; I really, really do. I’ve seen pain and betrayal and embarrassment. And I’ve seen the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).
We must get back up again and reclaim God’s plan for us. If you’re not ready yet, that’s OK too. We can let our prayers to a good God be our comfort today as we journey toward “withness.”
Father, be with me as my fragile, broken heart journeys back toward Your loving arms and Your loving people. Rebuild the fragments of my heart that feel shattered, and teach me that beauty knows no bounds and can be created from the tiniest of ashes. Be with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
It’s one thing to tell a good story and bring peace and hope back to someone’s heart, but the next step is just as important: getting practical! My new book, Don’t Try This Alone: How to Build Deep Community When You Want to Hide from Your Pain, is a guide to really understanding how to build a healthy community. And I deeply believe it’s the best thing I’ve created. It’s raw and honest, straight to the point, and leans on the truest book ever written: the Bible. Lean in; I’ll meet you there.
ENGAGE
I’d love to connect more deeply and intentionally with you! Meet me on Instagram @tonijcollier, and join my healing community channel. We go deep or go home and hold each other up along the way. Head to Tonijcollier.com/freebies for some freebies too!
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Don’t Try This Alone by Toni Collier. To celebrate this book, Toni’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Tuesday, September 2, 2025.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
1 Corinthians 12:26, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (ESV).
1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace …” (ESV).
What scares you the most about trusting people with your pain? What are three conversation starters that require bravery from you? Maybe try to use them this week.
We’d love to know your thoughts about today’s devotion — share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Toni Collier. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
