Do you ever feel your faith shrink after a setback—like hope is slipping through your fingers?

In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef continues the journey of overcoming pessimism by revealing the next steps toward steady confidence in Christ. While yesterday’s foundation was knowing who you are in Jesus, today tackles what happens when fear, opposition, or disappointment hits your “hot buttons” and you start expecting the worst.

Through the life of Thomas, Dr. Youssef highlights how Jesus overpowers pessimism in real time:

How to handle setbacks without losing confidence (John 11): Thomas assumed following Jesus to Bethany would end in death—but Jesus shattered that fear by raising Lazarus, proving His authority even over the grave.

How Christ’s resurrection defeats chronic doubt (John 20:25–28): Thomas demanded proof—until the risen Jesus stood before him. Encountering the living Christ transformed him from skeptic to worshiper: “My Lord and my God!”

Why your hope is never tied to circumstances: Jesus is alive, reigning at the right hand of the Father, and still redeeming situations that look beyond repair.

If you’ve been bracing for disappointment, stuck in “realistic” negativity, or quietly wondering if God will come through—this devotional will help you remember what Thomas learned firsthand: the resurrected Christ changes what’s possible.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 66:5

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

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Pessimism is one of the quietest threats to a growing faith—because it often sounds like wisdom. We rename it “discernment,” “caution,” or “being realistic,” but Scripture exposes what it truly is: a lack of faith in God’s power or His promises.

In this episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef takes you to Mark 9, where a desperate father says to Jesus, “If you can…”—revealing the real issue wasn’t Jesus’ ability, but the father’s unbelief. Christ’s reply still challenges us today: faith changes what we believe is possible.

Dr. Youssef also points to Thomas, famously labeled “doubting Thomas,” to show that pessimism doesn’t have to be permanent. Jesus overcame Thomas’ unbelief by anchoring him in a life-altering truth: you are chosen, called, and unconditionally loved by God’s grace.

If you’ve been battling negativity, doubt, or a constant expectation of the worst, this devotional will help you:

identify pessimism for what it is,

bring your unbelief honestly to Jesus, and

rest in the security of God’s steadfast love and calling.

Scripture Focus: 1 John 3:1

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

What are you drawing on for strength—your circumstances, your abilities, or the power of Christ?

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us that only Christ’s resurrection power can truly satisfy the empty heart, defeat temptation, and exchange our weakness for His strength. Earthly assets and “wins” may look impressive, but they’re nothing compared to the transforming power of Jesus.

This devotional also sounds a loving warning: when life is going well, it’s easy to drift back into independence and forget the Source of real joy. That’s why we must stay alert to spiritual stagnation and choose growth—even when growth stretches us.

You’ll be encouraged by Scripture’s call to keep pressing forward:

Run with perseverance, throwing off sin and fixing your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Press on toward the goal, forgetting what’s behind and straining toward what’s ahead (Philippians 3:13–14).

If you’ve been tempted to coast, quit, or rely on comfort instead of Christ, this episode will re-center your heart on the One whose power never runs out—and whose grace meets you in the struggle.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 147:5

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate