Many believers today find themselves facing hardship and immediately call it persecution—but not every battle is because of righteousness. Sometimes, the pain we’re walking through is a consequence of pride, disobedience, or poor decisions—not a spiritual attack. Jesus warned that His followers would suffer for His name’s sake, but He also called us to examine our hearts and motives. Are we truly being persecuted for Christ, or are we paying the price for choices that stray from His will? In this post, we’ll explore the biblical meaning of persecution, the difference between suffering for righteousness vs. self-error, and how to discern when your struggle is spiritual refining—or self-inflicted pain.
Not every kind of suffering is persecution. In a culture quick to claim “spiritual attack,” it’s easy to confuse the pain that comes from living righteously with the pain that comes from living recklessly. Jesus promised that following Him would cost us something—but He never said that every hardship was proof of holiness. There’s a difference between being persecuted for standing on truth and paying the price for disobedience, pride, or unwise decisions.
Understanding that difference is crucial for spiritual growth. When we suffer for righteousness’ sake, Heaven stands behind us. But when we suffer from our own choices, God’s mercy meets us there to correct, heal, and restore. This is the refining ground where discernment grows—where we learn that not every battle is from the enemy, and not every burden is a cross to carry.
“True persecution reveals your faith. Self-inflicted pain reveals where God still wants to bring freedom.”
What True Persecution Looks Like (Standing for Righteousness)
Scripture Foundation: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10
When Jesus spoke these words, He was preparing His followers for the cost of truth. Real persecution doesn’t come from being loud, controversial, or opinionated—it comes from living righteously in a world that prefers compromise.
True persecution happens when your obedience to God offends the culture around you. It’s not about suffering for ego, status, or attention; it’s about suffering for alignment with Heaven’s values. It’s what happens when your faith becomes visible enough to convict the world’s comfort.
Persecution Isn’t Always Dramatic—Sometimes It’s Subtle
Not every believer will be thrown into prison or physically harmed for their faith. Sometimes, persecution looks like rejection, ridicule, or quiet isolation:
- When your decision to stay pure in a relationship gets mocked.
- When you lose a job opportunity because you refuse to lie or manipulate.
- When you choose forgiveness over revenge and people call you weak.
- When standing for truth costs you friendships, platforms, or reputation.
This kind of persecution doesn’t make headlines—but it makes heaven take notice. Every time you choose obedience over acceptance, you’re proving that your loyalty belongs to Jesus.
“Persecution exposes what you love most — God’s approval or man’s.”
Why the Righteous Are Opposed
Scripture reminds us that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Why? Because light exposes darkness, and darkness resists being exposed.
When you live righteously:
- Your humility challenges others’ pride.
- Your peace disrupts their chaos.
- Your purity convicts their compromise.
- Your joy reveals their emptiness.
It’s not that the world hates you—it’s that it hates the Spirit within you that refuses to blend in.
True Persecution Produces Fruit
Unlike self-inflicted pain, persecution produces something beautiful:
- Endurance — it strengthens spiritual muscles that comfort can’t.
- Compassion — it teaches you to pray for those who oppose you.
- Character — it humbles you, stripping away the need to be understood or praised.
That’s why Jesus calls the persecuted “blessed.” Not because pain feels good, but because persecution proves your faith is real.
“You know you’re living for the Kingdom when the world no longer claps for you.”
What This Looks Like Today (For Millennials + Gen Z)
In our generation, persecution rarely shows up as violence—it often shows up as misunderstanding.
- Being called judgmental for setting boundaries.
- Being labeled “too deep” for choosing holiness.
- Losing followers for speaking truth in love.
- Feeling isolated for choosing obedience when everyone else is compromising.
But take heart—Jesus said, “If they hated Me, they will hate you too.” (John 15:18–20) The hatred isn’t personal—it’s prophetic. The same Spirit that raised Christ in you will sustain you through every misunderstanding.
Heaven Keeps the Receipts
When you’re persecuted for righteousness, it can feel unfair or lonely. But Heaven keeps record of every moment you stood firm in love, every tear you shed in silence, every time you chose forgiveness over retaliation.
Persecution doesn’t cancel your calling—it confirms it. It reveals that your life bears fruit that threatens darkness.
“If you’ve never faced resistance for following Jesus, you may be walking in the same direction as the world He came to redeem.”
What Self-Inflicted Pain Looks Like (Reaping What We Sow)
Scripture Foundation:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” — Galatians 6:7
Not all suffering is persecution. Some pain comes not because we’re standing for righteousness—but because we’re resisting correction. There’s a kind of struggle that isn’t a spiritual attack—it’s a spiritual consequence.
When we make decisions outside of God’s wisdom, ignore His voice, or move ahead of His timing, we often end up in situations that look like persecution but are actually the natural result of our own choices. God, in His mercy, doesn’t abandon us there—but He will use that pain to discipline, mature, and realign us.
The Difference Between Being Attacked and Being Corrected
- Persecution comes when we do what’s right and suffer for it.
- Self-inflicted pain comes when we do what’s wrong and blame everyone else for the fallout.
Sometimes we call “warfare” what is really warning.
We rebuke demons when what’s really needed is repentance.
“Not every storm is sent by Satan. Some are stirred by our own disobedience.”
When Consequence Feels Like Attack
It’s easy to mislabel consequences as persecution because humility is hard.
When a relationship ends that God never approved, we call it “spiritual warfare.”
When a ministry opportunity closes after God told us to rest, we blame “church politics.”
When our influence crumbles because we chased platforms over purity, we call it “being misunderstood.”
But God’s correction isn’t cruelty—it’s course redirection. The pain of disobedience is often the nudge back toward surrender.
“Sometimes what we call rejection is God’s protection from our own pride.”
Cancel Culture & Self-Inflicted Persecution in Ministry
We live in an age where cancel culture runs parallel to call-out culture—especially in ministry. Many believers, pastors, and influencers face backlash online, and while some of it truly stems from standing on truth, much of it is self-inflicted.
Here’s the distinction:
- When you’re canceled for preaching the truth of God’s Word in love, that’s persecution.
- When you’re canceled because you lacked integrity, humility, or accountability—that’s consequence.
Modern “persecution” on social media often disguises a deeper issue:
- Pride without repentance.
- Platform without purity.
- Gifting without grace.
When a leader’s fall becomes public, the pain that follows isn’t the cost of righteousness—it’s the cost of neglecting private obedience.
When we treat ministry like performance instead of stewardship, we attract applause—but lose anointing.
And when we weaponize the Word for attention, the “attack” that comes next isn’t persecution—it’s pruning.
“The internet didn’t cancel them—God simply exposed what pride tried to hide.”
God doesn’t delight in exposure; He desires repentance. But when correction goes ignored, He will protect His name over our platform.
Signs You Might Be Suffering from Self-Inflicted Pain
- You call correction “judgment.”
- You feel attacked when held accountable.
- You resist counsel but crave validation.
- You justify sin as “grace” and conviction as “religious.”
- You keep repeating the same mistake but label it a “test.”
If this resonates, take heart—conviction is mercy. The same God who disciplines also delivers.
From Consequence to Correction
Self-inflicted pain isn’t the end of your story—it’s the beginning of transformation. The moment you stop defending dysfunction, grace steps in to heal it. God isn’t trying to punish you; He’s trying to purify you.
Persecution reveals our faith; consequence reveals our flesh. Both can lead to growth—if we let them.
“God loves you too much to let your character crumble under the weight of your calling.”
Key Takeaways
- Not all suffering is spiritual warfare—some is self-inflicted.
- God’s correction is a sign of love, not rejection.
- Cancel culture often exposes compromise, not conviction.
- Repentance realigns us with peace and restores purpose.
How to Discern the Difference
Scripture Foundation:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” — James 1:5
One of the hardest parts of spiritual maturity is learning to ask: “God, is this persecution… or correction?”
Not every storm means you’re under attack. Some storms are God’s way of revealing what still needs to be healed, humbled, or aligned.
Discernment is the difference between reacting and responding, between pride and peace. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to recognize the root of our pain — not to condemn us, but to help us grow in wisdom and holiness.
1. Check the Source: Who Sent It?
- Persecution comes because you’re obeying God.
- Consequence comes because you’re ignoring Him.
Ask yourself:
- Did this come after obedience or after rebellion?
- Am I suffering for standing on truth or for refusing correction?
- Does this opposition deepen my faith or expose my pride?
When you’re walking in obedience, resistance often confirms you’re on the right path. But when your decisions keep leading to chaos, God may be showing you that it’s time to yield.
“The enemy attacks your anointing. God confronts your attitude.”
2. Look at the Fruit: What’s It Producing?
“You will know them by their fruit.” — Matthew 7:16
Every trial produces something — the question is what kind of fruit is growing?
- Persecution produces peace, endurance, humility, and deeper trust in God.
- Consequence produces chaos, confusion, shame, or constant defense.
If your pain draws you closer to God, it’s persecution with a purpose.
If it keeps you cycling in guilt, offense, or avoidance, it’s correction inviting you to return.
“True persecution purifies your heart. False persecution exposes your heart.”
3. Examine Your Posture: How Are You Responding?
Your reaction often reveals the source.
- When persecuted, the righteous pray, forgive, and endure.
- When corrected, the prideful justify, blame, or withdraw.
If your first instinct is to clap back instead of bow down, you may be fighting the wrong battle. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just comfort you in pain — He clarifies it.
God never uses conviction to shame you; He uses it to shape you. If He’s highlighting something that needs to change, don’t call it an attack — call it an opportunity for alignment.
“You can’t heal what you keep defending.”
4. Ask for Confirmation Through the Word and Wise Counsel
God’s voice always aligns with His Word and His character.
If you’re unsure whether your pain is persecution or consequence:
- Bring it before God in prayer and fasting.
- Search Scripture for principles that match your situation.
- Seek counsel from mature believers who love truth more than flattery.
Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” God will confirm truth through peace — even if it stings first.
Pain with a Purpose
At the end of the day, both persecution and correction are allowed by God — but for very different purposes.
- Persecution refines your faith.
- Correction realigns your faith.
Both can bring blessing if your heart remains teachable.
So instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?”, ask “What are You showing me through this?”
That question transforms pain into purpose — and reaction into revelation.
“The mature believer doesn’t just endure pain — they interpret it.”
Key Takeaways
- Not all spiritual resistance means attack — some mean adjustment.
- Check the source, fruit, and posture to discern the difference.
- The Holy Spirit always reveals truth in peace, not pride.
- God’s correction is just as loving as His protection.
The Heart Check: Motives Matter
Scripture Foundation:
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” — Proverbs 16:2
When it comes to discerning persecution versus consequence, your motives tell the real story. It’s not just about what you’re doing for God — it’s about why you’re doing it. You can say the right thing in the wrong spirit and still miss the heart of God.
Sometimes what we call “suffering for righteousness” is really suffering for recognition. We stand boldly for truth, but secretly crave applause. We say we’re being “attacked,” but deep down we’re hurt that obedience didn’t earn us admiration. God sees beyond the performance — He examines the posture.
“God doesn’t just test your obedience; He tests your motives behind it.”
Pure Motives Produce Peace
When your motives are pure — rooted in love, humility, and a genuine desire to please God — even opposition can’t steal your peace. You can walk through persecution without bitterness because your goal was never validation, only obedience.
But when your motives are mixed — driven by ego, fear, or pride — you’ll always feel restless. Every “no” feels like rejection. Every critique feels like persecution. Every delay feels like punishment.
That’s because self-centered obedience seeks outcomes, while Spirit-led obedience seeks alignment.
“Pure motives care more about impact than image.”
Hidden Pride Masquerades as Persecution
Many of us have unknowingly confused pride with purpose. Pride says, “They’re attacking me because they can’t handle my anointing.”
Humility says, “Lord, if they’re offended, show me if there’s truth in their critique.”
This is where many ministries and online platforms fall into what I’ve mentioned earlier — self-inflicted persecution through prideful motives.
In a digital world where everyone’s “called” to speak, post, and teach, it’s easy to hide ego behind “ministry.”
- Are you posting to glorify Jesus, or to prove your value?
- Are you preaching truth to heal hearts, or to win debates?
- Are you serving from compassion, or competing for clout?
God is not impressed by reach — He’s drawn to reverence.
“You can’t say it’s for God’s glory if your heart breaks when you don’t get the credit.”
The Mirror of Motives: Questions to Ask Yourself
Heart checks are sacred pauses. Before labeling something as persecution, ask:
- Am I obeying God or protecting my image?
- Do I want to be right, or do I want to be righteous?
- If no one ever applauded this decision, would I still make it?
- Do I truly want God’s will—or just His validation for mine?
These questions don’t expose you to shame — they expose you to truth. And truth always heals what pride hides.
“Motives matter because purity of heart determines clarity of vision.” — Matthew 5:8
God Rewards What’s Done with the Right Heart
It’s possible to do the right thing and still lose your reward because it was done with the wrong spirit (Matthew 6:1). Jesus reminded us not to practice righteousness for public approval, but for the Father’s pleasure.
When your heart is right, you won’t need to defend your actions. God will vindicate you in His timing. But when your heart is wrong, even your victories will feel hollow. That’s why before God promotes, He purifies. Before He multiplies your influence, He measures your motive.
“If your heart isn’t humble in hidden places, your platform will only magnify what pride left unchecked.”
It’s possible to build a platform in God’s name — and still miss His heart.
It’s possible to preach truth — and still lack love.
It’s possible to perform ministry — and never truly minister to God.
That’s what happens when a religious spirit replaces a relational one.
“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8
The religious spirit is subtle because it disguises itself as righteousness. It knows Scripture but lacks intimacy. It looks like zeal but is fueled by pride. It produces performance instead of purity, comparison instead of compassion, and self-exaltation instead of surrender.
This spirit thrives in ministry environments where metrics matter more than motives — where doing things for God replaces being with God. And while it might draw crowds, it can’t draw hearts. It builds influence but defiles impact because God does not anoint ego, He anoints obedience.
“The religious spirit loves attention; the Holy Spirit loves alignment.”
How the Religious Spirit Shows Up Today
In modern ministry — especially online — the religious spirit hides behind spiritual language but reveals itself through the fruit:
- Speaking truth harshly, without grace or empathy.
- Measuring “anointing” by numbers, not by humility.
- Building personal brands around “revelation,” instead of pointing people back to Jesus.
- Using conviction to control instead of to call people higher.
- Seeking to be right, not righteous.
It’s the same spirit that drove the Pharisees — passionate about rules, disconnected from relationship. They were masters of theology but strangers to the Father’s heart.
And when that spirit operates unchecked, it pollutes purity. You can’t pour living water from a polluted vessel. That’s why Jesus didn’t just cleanse the temple — He cleansed the motive behind the ministry.
Purity Over Performance
God measures impact differently than man does.
He’s not impressed by reach; He’s drawn to reverence.
He rewards what’s done with Him, not just for Him.
When your heart is pure, you don’t have to compete for recognition. You don’t have to manipulate outcomes. You don’t have to prove your calling.
Because purity brings clarity — and clarity brings peace.
But when the religious spirit drives the work, everything becomes transactional.
Ministry turns into marketing.
Obedience becomes opportunity.
Worship becomes performance.
And slowly, the fruit begins to rot because the root was pride.
“God will never reward what was done for validation, only what was done from love.”
How to Guard Your Heart Against the Religious Spirit
- Return to Relationship: Before you post, preach, or plan — sit with God. Let His presence recalibrate your purpose.
- Seek Private Purity Over Public Praise: What you do unseen matters more than what you share online.
- Stay Teachable: Pride resists correction; purity receives it.
- Ask Often: “God, am I doing this to be seen or to serve?”
The religious spirit thrives on busyness; the Holy Spirit thrives in stillness.
When you move at the speed of intimacy instead of ambition, your impact becomes eternal — because it flows from His heart, not your hustle.
“The religious spirit performs for God. The pure heart partners with Him.”
The Reward Is in the Why
The real reward of obedience isn’t applause — it’s intimacy. The more your motives align with God’s heart, the more peace and clarity you walk in, even when misunderstood.
You don’t have to prove you’re right when your motive is righteousness.
You don’t have to defend your obedience when your desire is to honor God.
You just have to stay pure — and let God handle the perception.
“When your ‘why’ is right, your peace will outlast every persecution.”
Key Takeaways
- God doesn’t just examine actions — He weighs motives.
- Pure motives bring peace; mixed motives create confusion.
- Pride often disguises itself as persecution.
- Ministry done for validation becomes idolatry; ministry done for love becomes worship.
- The reward isn’t in being seen — it’s in being surrendered.
How to Respond to Each: Wisdom for Every Kind of Pain
Pain isn’t always avoidable, but how you respond to it determines whether it becomes a weapon or a witness.
Both persecution and consequence can be holy ground if you respond with humility instead of pride.
Here’s how to handle each with discernment and grace.
When It’s True Persecution (Stand Firm in Faith)
1. Rejoice, Don’t Retaliate
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” — Matthew 5:12
Joy in persecution doesn’t mean pretending it doesn’t hurt — it means trusting that the pain has purpose. Worship becomes warfare when you praise through pressure.
2. Respond with Love, Not Bitterness
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” — Romans 12:14
You win spiritual battles through love. Refuse to mirror the hostility that comes against you. Forgiveness is your protest against darkness.
3. Keep Your Focus on Eternity
Persecution shifts your perspective: this world is temporary. Every loss for Christ will be restored in His Kingdom. Don’t trade eternal reward for temporary validation.
4. Let God Defend You
You don’t have to explain, clap back, or prove yourself. God vindicates His children in His timing. Let your fruit — not your frustration — speak.
“Persecution tests your posture: will you fight for control or stand firm in Christ?”
When It’s Self-Inflicted Pain (Repent and Realign)
1. Take Responsibility Without Shame
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” — Revelation 3:19
Owning your choices isn’t condemnation — it’s maturity. Repentance restores intimacy faster than denial ever will.
2. Invite the Holy Spirit to Heal and Rebuild
Ask Him to reveal the root behind the behavior — fear, pride, impatience, insecurity. Once the root is healed, the pattern breaks.
3. Seek Accountability and Wise Counsel
Healing rarely happens in isolation. Confess, get guidance, and let trusted believers help you rebuild your boundaries, habits, and heart posture.
4. Learn From the Lesson, Don’t Live in the Label
Consequence doesn’t define you — correction refines you. God will use what broke you to build wisdom for your next season.
“Correction isn’t punishment; it’s preparation.”
When You’re Unsure Which One It Is
If you can’t tell whether it’s persecution or consequence: Pause. Don’t post. Don’t panic. Pray.
God will never leave genuine seekers confused for long. Peace will confirm His voice; pride will cloud it.
“Ask for revelation before reaction — that’s where discernment grows.”
Key Takeaways
- Persecution requires endurance; correction requires repentance.
- Forgiveness is the weapon of the persecuted; humility is the healing of the corrected.
- Let pain push you toward prayer, not performance.
- Both responses lead back to the same place — the feet of Jesus.
The Blessing in Both
Scripture Foundation:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Every form of pain — whether born from persecution or correction — carries potential for blessing.
One reveals your faithfulness, the other refines your foundation.
And God, in His mercy, uses both to make you more like Jesus.
The blessing isn’t always the removal of pain — it’s the revelation within it.
Persecution shows you who God is for you.
Correction shows you who God is within you.
1. The Blessing in Persecution: Deeper Dependence
When you’re persecuted for righteousness’ sake, you experience a side of God that comfort could never reveal.
- You discover His sustaining peace when everything feels shaky.
- You experience His nearness when everyone else walks away.
- You learn to care more about Heaven’s approval than human applause.
Persecution presses your roots deeper into God’s presence.
It strips away every false security — leaving only faith that’s been tested, trusted, and proven genuine.
“Persecution doesn’t destroy you; it develops you. It clarifies what truly matters.”
That’s why Jesus called the persecuted blessed — because they live with eternity in view. They may lose followers, friends, or opportunities, but they gain a closeness with God that the world can’t comprehend.
2. The Blessing in Correction: Holy Realignment
Correction feels painful in the moment, but it’s one of God’s greatest acts of love.
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline… because the Lord disciplines those He loves.” — Proverbs 3:11–12
When God allows consequences to surface, He’s not trying to humiliate you — He’s trying to heal you.
He lets what’s unhealthy rise to the surface so that grace can clean it out.
Correction teaches humility. It exposes what pride tried to hide. It breaks cycles that self-awareness alone can’t fix. And it produces lasting fruit — wisdom, self-control, and deeper reverence.
The blessing? You learn that conviction isn’t condemnation — it’s God fighting for your future.
“Correction is mercy in disguise. It’s how Heaven says, ‘You’re still mine.’”
3. Both Lead to Transformation, Not Punishment
Persecution refines the outer life — how you live for God before others.
Correction refines the inner life — how you live for God when no one’s watching.
One tests your endurance; the other tests your honesty.
Both reveal your need for grace.
And grace is the true blessing in both — the thread that weaves suffering into sanctification.
“The same fire that purifies gold doesn’t destroy it — it reveals its value.”
4. The Blessing of Becoming
When you walk through either persecution or correction, God’s goal is not punishment — it’s formation.
He’s shaping you into someone who can carry His heart well.
- Persecution matures your faith.
- Correction matures your character.
- Together, they make you whole — rooted, refined, and ready.
The “blessed life” Jesus spoke of in the Beatitudes wasn’t one of ease; it was one of evolution.
It’s the becoming — the slow, sacred work of transformation that can only happen when you stop running from pain and start listening to what it’s trying to teach you.
“Both persecution and correction lead to the same destination — Christlikeness.”
The Beauty in Both Roads
If you’re walking through persecution — take heart. Heaven sees you.
If you’re walking through correction — don’t run. Heaven’s helping you.
Different routes, same result: refinement.
God wastes nothing. He uses rejection to redirect, pain to purify, and discipline to deepen dependence. The blessing isn’t that you hurt — it’s that you’re being healed while hurting.
“The breaking was never to destroy you — it was to build you into something Heaven could trust.”
Key Takeaways
- Persecution builds endurance; correction builds humility.
- Both are instruments of transformation, not punishment.
- God’s discipline is just as loving as His deliverance.
- The blessing isn’t in what you lose — it’s in who you become.
The Reward: Suffering That Glorifies God
True persecution has eternal weight. The world may not understand your obedience now, but heaven takes note. God promises a crown of life for those who remain steadfast under trial.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.” — James 1:12
When you suffer for Christ, you share in His glory. When you suffer from your own choices, you share in His grace. Either way, He uses it to refine your faith and reveal His heart.
Sit With This: When Pain Becomes Purpose
Every believer will face moments of pressure — seasons where pain feels personal and purpose feels blurry. But not all pain is the same. Some comes to prove your faith, and some comes to purify it. Both are grace.
The persecution that pushes you closer to Jesus is a blessing.
The correction that humbles you back into obedience is also a blessing.
Because whether God is refining your endurance or reshaping your character, His goal is always the same — to make you more like Christ.
So if you’re in a season of struggle, pause and ask:
- Am I being purified or proven?
- Is this a moment to endure or a moment to repent?
Either way, you are still deeply loved. The pain is not punishment — it’s proof that God is still working in you.
“The refining fire is not rejection; it’s recognition. Heaven only tests what it intends to trust.”
When you stop seeing pain as the enemy, you start seeing it as the evidence that God is forming something eternal inside you.
Scriptures to Meditate On This Week
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children.” — Hebrews 12:7
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
No pain is wasted when surrendered to God.
Persecution shapes you; correction sharpens you.
Both lead you to the same place — deeper dependency on Jesus.
“Blessed are those who allow God to use their breaking to birth something new.”
Grace + Love,
