Thursday. February 20, 2025

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! Brian here. The “upward call of Christ” is drawing us to level up in this season. We can rise up with the Holy Spirit!

This week … getting past “the dip” to the good stuff, God spots, stupid people, and more.

✅ SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

P.S. — How snowflakes form and why no two are ever alike.

Getting past “the dip” to the good stuff

Seth Godin’s The Dip explains that anything worthwhile comes with a difficult season—a point where progress stalls, frustration rises, and quitting feels like the best option.

Those who recognize the dip and push through often find extraordinary success. Those who quit too soon miss the reward.

This applies not just to careers or skills, but to faith, projects, assignments, and even relationships. Every meaningful pursuit has the dip.

At first, there’s excitement. Then comes resistance—prayers seem unanswered, a project gets complicated, motivation fades. In relationships, misunderstandings or distance can set in.

Many quit here, assuming they’ve failed.

Abraham faced the dip in his faith when God’s promise of a son seemed impossible after years of waiting (Genesis 15:1-6).

He came to a place in his faith quest where he was fully assured that what God had promised he would perform. Isaac was on the other side of the dip.

Elijah prayed with fervency seven times before rain came (1 Kings 18:41-45). The Scriptures are full of people who experienced this.

Even great innovators and leaders push through unseen struggles before success.

Think about relationships. Friendships, romantic relationships, marriages, and even family dynamics all go through the dip—seasons where connection feels lost or efforts seem unappreciated.

What goodness is on the other side of the dip?

But the reward is found when you press through, choosing perseverance and faith over frustration and quitting.

The key? Know the difference between a dead end and the dip.

Protracted dead ends should be quit* at some point. Energy and time can then be directed on what’s fruitful.

But if what you're pursuing has real value, then THE DIP IS JUST A REFINING PROCESS. Keep praying. Keep working. Keep loving.

Faith, perseverance, and love go hand in hand. Your breakthrough—whether in prayer, a project, or a relationship—may be just beyond.

What’s a time you had to push through the dip? Will you approach a future dip differently?

*Ending a marriage should be rare, warranted, and Scriptural for the Christ-follower.

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🫵 Hearing from you matters! 60 seconds. Confidential. Thanks!

🎧️ On the pod

Be super creative in Christ for a new season. You desire to be super creative to see something flourish, right? We have boundless potential to be super creative in Christ for a new season. We can address needs, decode problems, engage workarounds, exploit possibilities!

God spots⁉️ 

Author and speaker Jennie Allen is witnessing what she calls a real-life “miracle.” Thousands of students filled Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky for a powerful night of worship with UniteUs, a ministry serving young adults. This was the 12th stop on their tour, with Ohio State next on Feb. 18.

The event saw many students coming forward to embrace faith and even get baptized. Allen says these sorts of events are happening all over the world. “Holy Spirit, come in your fire and presence. Reveal Jesus and his Kingdom. Awaken and reform.”

⁉️TRIVIA QUESTION: In extremely cold weather, what happens if you throw boiling water into the air? A) It instantly freezes and falls as ice cubes B) It evaporates before hitting the ground C) It turns into a cloud of ice crystals D) It summons an angry snow spirit demanding a sacrifice E) It stays liquid but cools rapidly. See answer below.

WORD WEALTH 🪙 
True beauty is favor. Beauty is warfare.

“For how great is it’s goodness and how great its beauty! (Zechariah 9.17 NKJV).” Yophi (yoh-fee) is an OT Hebrew word meaning beauty, splendor, brightness, flawless in symmetry. This verse connects the beauty of the Lord with human flourishing under his favor—the second half of the verse says, “Grain shall make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.” Know that there is warfare against beauty in any form. Insist on beauty. “Father, we embrace the beauty of your Royal Son, and receive favor and blessing. All beauty in the earth and heavens is from your Son. Amen.”

Related: see the new, growing collection of Smart Edit ‘Word Wealth’ segments.

Facing down the “Quad-Demic”💪 

Illness is surging across the U.S., with influenza A, COVID, RSV, and norovirus all hitting at once—creating a ‘quad-demic’ even worse than last year. CDC and wastewater data show virus activity at high or very high levels, straining hospitals nationwide.

To strengthen your defenses, prioritize quality sleep, nutrient-dense foods, and daily movement—each playing a key role in immune resilience. Stay hydrated, manage stress, and get fresh air when possible. And don’t forget the basics: wash your hands often and support your gut health, where much of your immunity begins!

Scriptural affirmation: Christ is not weak toward me, but mighty in me. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13.3 and 1 Corinthians 6.19-20)

Understanding immune system health (Mayo Clinic)

Spiritually open non-Christians. What non-Christians believe about God (Barna)

Why is Britain cracking down on free speech?

Is free speech in Britain threatened because of the concern of public safety? Or could that be a screen for wokeness and a “soft tyranny” of expression? “We invoke the Lordship and Leadership of Christ in Britain. Father, we thank you for prevailing prayer and prayer-borne action.”

Belief. Prayer. Skills. Projects. Career. Relational life. Anything of value.

Related newsletter: Time for a personal faith campaign?

Trivia answer: C) It turns into a cloud of ice crystals—Known as the Mpemba effect, boiling water freezes almost instantly when thrown into extremely cold air, creating a dramatic icy mist! And fortunately, no snow spirits have been confirmed... yet. 😁