More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Louie Giglio
Read between
October 25 - November 16, 2025
all of us are shepherded whether we realize it or not. Your shepherd might not be Jesus. But something is going to lead you.
I am my own shepherd, and I’m a mess. I don’t have everything I need. That’s for sure. I wouldn’t know still water if it were staring right at me. I haven’t taken a rest in a green pasture for quite a while now. I don’t walk along paths of righteousness, but I know what fear and evil are. I seek comfort wherever I can get it. I can’t stand my enemies. I want to hurt them. My cup definitely overflows—I’m full of angst, consumed by anger and sorrow and rage. I’m so full I easily spill over. I’m packed so tight, it doesn’t take much for me to explode. I don’t know what’s going to follow me all
...more
But Jesus says, Lie down in green pastures. Get some rest. Stop trying to manage all the outcomes. Take a break in the midst of the craziness of your day and acknowledge that I’m a Good Shepherd and I have your best interest at heart. By the way, while you’re resting, go ahead and eat some green grass. Allow Me to nourish your soul. That’s how I operate. I love you and take care of you, and any directive that I give you will be for your own benefit.
Even though I am surrounded by enemies, God has prepared a table for me, and I will sit down with Him.
When the Devil sits at your table, he often points to another table and talks about how amazing it is somewhere else. He points to a place that’s not the table where God is and says, That, over there. That’s the solution to your problem.
You will never find the Good Shepherd telling you that life is hopeless, there’s no way out. Why not chuck it all, quit, and die? That is not the voice of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd says, We’re going through this valley, and I’m going to be with you all the way through. And guess what—we’re going to have a story to tell on the other side.
The table allows you to change the narrative from Everybody hates me, everybody is against me to God is for me, God’s got my back. The bounty of the table changes you into an agent of love to those around you.
Jesus didn’t send a message or a messenger to tell you how valuable you are. He came Himself. He paid the price. He is the prize. He’s waited an eternity (literally) for you to join Him.
But as soon as you eat the fruit and hit guilt, shame, and frustration, the Enemy changes roles. He shifts from being the enticer and promiser to becoming the accuser and the condemner.
one huge difference between God and Satan is that the Enemy will condemn you, but God will convict you. There’s a world of difference between the two actions. Condemnation is done from a posture of hate. Conviction is done from a posture of love.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, you too “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 ESV). That’s who you are today!
This is where the victory starts: by immersing yourself in the truth that you are a new creation.
the message of the cross is far less about “Don’t sin” and much more about “Come, walk with God.”
Sure, it’s good you’re saved. Sure, it’s good you’re forgiven. Sure, it’s good you’re going to heaven. Yet beyond that truth, God is greatly interested in you knowing Him, right now, today, long before you ever get to heaven.
Instead of playing defense with the harmful thoughts that come your way, you take action and deliberately place helpful thoughts into your mind.
Monday. My God knows my name. (Isaiah 43:1) Tuesday. My God goes before me. (Deuteronomy 31:8) Wednesday. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Thursday. My present suffering pales in comparison to my future glory. (Romans 8:18) Friday. No weapon formed against me will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Saturday. I am a child of God. (Romans 8:16) Sunday. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. (Ephesians 1:18–20)
The Enemy wants to define you by your scars. Jesus wants to define you by His scars.
