Happy Monday,
We continue Beauty After the Storm — our limited, one-day-only engraving series that drops a new exclusive message every single day through Easter. Each engraving is available for custom orders only today (March 30, 2026), then gone forever from this collection. These pieces are wearable reminders that God is still working beauty in you, honoring every quiet season winter has built into your strength.
Today’s exclusive engraving (available only March 30, 2026): TRIED TO BREAK ME... BUT STILL I RISE
These powerful words carry both raw honesty and triumphant hope. They acknowledge the attempts — the storms, the betrayals, the failures, the losses, the pressures that tried to break you — and they boldly declare the truth: you are still rising.
On this Motivation Monday, as we move deeper into Holy Week (this is Holy Monday, the day traditionally associated with Jesus cleansing the temple and the beginning of the final confrontations leading to the cross), we celebrate the resilient strength God gives His people. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you, lifting you up even when life has tried to keep you down.
You are still rising. And that is worth celebrating.
Reflection: Tried to Break Me... But Still I Rise – The Resilient Strength of God’s People
There is a sacred defiance in the words “Tried to break me… but still I rise.”
Life has tried.
The storms have tried.
Betrayal has tried.
Failure has tried.
Grief has tried.
Fear has tried.
Circumstances have tried.
The storms have tried.
Betrayal has tried.
Failure has tried.
Grief has tried.
Fear has tried.
Circumstances have tried.
Some seasons felt like they were specifically designed to crush your spirit, your dreams, your faith, or your hope. And yet — here you are. Still standing. Still breathing. Still believing. Still rising.
This is not mere positive thinking. This is the resilient strength that only comes from God.The Apostle Paul knew this reality intimately. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 he writes with raw honesty: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Paul was not spared hardship. He was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, betrayed, and constantly opposed. Yet he could say with confidence that he was not crushed, not destroyed. Why? Because the resurrection power of Jesus lived in him.
This is the same power available to you.
The engraving “Tried to break me… but still I rise” echoes the heart of Scripture’s testimony about God’s people:
- Joseph was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery, yet he rose to become second in command in Egypt (Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good”).
- David was hunted by Saul and betrayed by his own son, yet he rose to become the greatest king Israel ever knew.
- Esther was an orphan in a foreign land, yet she rose to save her people.
- Daniel was taken captive and thrown into a lions’ den, yet he rose with greater influence and unwavering faith.
- Jesus Himself was crucified and buried, yet He rose on the third day, defeating death forever.
This truth is especially meaningful as we walk through Holy Week. On Palm Sunday the crowds cheered. By Friday they demanded crucifixion. The forces of darkness did everything possible to break Jesus. They succeeded in killing Him — but they could not keep Him down. He rose.Because Jesus rose, we can rise too.
Your story may not look like a dramatic resurrection moment yet, but every time you choose to get back up, every time you choose forgiveness over bitterness, every time you choose faith over fear, every time you choose to keep going when quitting would be easier — you are rising.
You are stronger because of the storm.
You are wiser because of the pain.
You are more compassionate because of the heartbreak.
You are more rooted because of the waiting.You are still rising.
You are wiser because of the pain.
You are more compassionate because of the heartbreak.
You are more rooted because of the waiting.You are still rising.
On this Motivation Monday, let this engraving speak life over every place that still feels broken or defeated. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is raising you — day by day, step by step, into the person He created you to be.
The storm tried to break you.
But by God’s grace… you are still rising.
Christian Faith Points
- What the enemy intends for harm, God intends for good (Genesis 50:20).
- We are hard pressed but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed — because of resurrection power (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
- Jesus’ death and resurrection prove that no storm is final (Romans 6:4-5).
- God uses trials to produce perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5).
- We rise not by our own strength, but by the power of the One who rose first (Philippians 3:10-11).
In a mid-sized city in Texas, USA, Sophia — a 41-year-old nurse — lost her husband suddenly and faced overwhelming grief while raising two children. The storm tried to break her spirit and her faith. For a long time she felt completely shattered.
But through the support of her church and daily honest prayer, she slowly began to rise. She discovered a strength she didn’t know she had. She learned how to ask for help, how to grieve without losing herself, and how to trust God again.
Years later she told her children, “The storm tried to break me… but by God’s grace, I rose stronger. And so will you.”
In another story from Colorado, USA, Marcus — a 55-year-old contractor — lost his business, his savings, and nearly his marriage during a devastating economic collapse. He felt like a complete failure and wondered if he would ever recover.
Through counseling, prayer, and the support of a men’s group, Marcus began to rise. His character deepened, his humility grew, and his faith became more authentic than ever before.He now mentors other men in crisis and often tells them, “The storm tried to break me… but I rose stronger because of it. And you will too.”
Your Motivation Monday Story
Pause and breathe. Think about a storm or difficult season you have faced (or are facing now). Ask God to show you one way you have become stronger because of it. Journal what comes to mind. Then speak today’s engraving over yourself: “Tried to break me… but still I rise.” Thank God for the strength He has given you and is still building in you.
Practical Tools: Rising Stronger Because of the Storm
- Rising declaration. Each morning say: “Tried to break me… but still I rise — by God’s grace.”
- Strength reflection. Write down one past storm and three ways it has made you stronger.
- Gratitude pause. Thank God for one specific way He has carried you and strengthened you through difficulty.
- Encouragement share. Tell one person, “I see how strong you’ve become because of what you’ve been through.”
- Verse anchor. Carry today’s engraving as a reminder that you rise because He rose first.
Father, thank You that I am stronger because of the storm. Thank You that what tried to break me did not succeed. Thank You for the strength, resilience, and faith You have built in me through every trial. As we walk through Holy Week, remind me that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me. Help me rise with confidence, knowing I am stronger because of the storm. Amen.
Commitment / Pledge
Today, I commit to remembering and declaring that I am stronger because of the storm by God’s grace. I will stop underestimating the strength You have built in me and instead thank You for it. May this confidence motivate me and anchor me in changing the world one wrist at a time.
Motivation Monday Challenge
- Option 1: Journal three ways you are stronger because of a past storm.
- Option 2: Speak today’s engraving over yourself three times today with gratitude.
- Option 3: Encourage one person this week by telling them, “You are stronger because of the storm you’ve been through.”
- Romans 5:3-5 (Suffering Produces Hope)
- Isaiah 43:2 (When You Pass Through the Waters)
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (Hard Pressed But Not Crushed)
- James 1:2-4 (Trials Produce Maturity)
- Philippians 4:13 (Strength Through Christ)
- Malachi 3:3 (The Refiner’s Fire)
- Isaiah 61:3 (Beauty for Ashes)
- Psalm 92:12-14 (Still Bearing Fruit)
- Zephaniah 3:17 (He Rejoices Over You)
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (He Will Never Leave You)
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (Trials Refine Faith)
- Genesis 50:20 (What Was Meant for Harm, God Meant for Good)
Subscribe for more Motivation Monday encouragement throughout this season. Share below: In what way are you stronger because of the storm? We rise together.
Today’s Exclusive Engraving Reminder: “TRIED TO BREAK ME... BUT STILL I RISE”
Available only today, March 30, 2026 in the Beauty After the Storm collection. Order yours before midnight—it won’t be offered again in this series.
Available only today, March 30, 2026 in the Beauty After the Storm collection. Order yours before midnight—it won’t be offered again in this series.
