God Archives - Diana Derringer

Weather the Storm

February 16, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

How did you weather the recent storm? Some of you may have escaped snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. However, we experienced all three. More than one person said our driveway was like a skating rink.

Literally, to weather the storm means to stay where we are until a storm passes.

We go nowhere. With few options, we hunker down and wait until the worst is over.

Figuratively, to weather the storm means to survive a hard time or situation.

We experience and live through it. Many close to us have recently faced such hardships.

Health crises
Death of family members
Job loss
Financial difficulties
Family problems

According to The Free Dictionary, this expression “has been used figuratively from about 1650.”

A similar expression is to ride out the storm.

We hang on for dear life through our difficulties.

Life is not always easy.

We experience ups and downs. Hard times come and go. Yet we can make it.

We never have to weather the storm alone.

God promises never to leave those who follow Him. Because He remains near, we have no need to fear.

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (Hebrews13:6 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Knock on Wood

February 9, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

How often have you heard people say, “Knock on wood”? When they do, they rap their knuckles on something made of wood.

Knock on wood is based on a superstition.

People want something good to happen or continue. If they mention it, they fear they jinx it.

Therefore, they knock on wood for good luck. Ancient superstition taught that knocking on or touching wood wards off evil spirits.

Touch wood is a similar expression.

According to Phrase Finder, that version is more common in the UK. People sometimes jokingly tap their heads rather than wood. The British version is older than the American one.

Knock on wood expresses hope that good luck continues and bad luck stays away.

Good versus bad health
Calm versus stormy weather
Positive versus negative relationships
Success versus failure

People frequently use this expression for laughs.

They don’t believe the superstition. However, they have fun with the saying.

Enjoy fun expressions but put your faith in God.

Superstitions mislead you. God will never take you the wrong way.

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray” (1 John 3:7 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion and to Allie Kowle for the photo.

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Neither Here nor There

January 12, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Many things that steal our attention are neither here nor there. They take our time but matter little or not at all.

Neither here nor there means unimportant.

The information or action:

Does not relate to the circumstances
Will not change anything

Therefore, who cares?

Think of daily activities that are neither here nor there.

Time on social media
Scrolling through television channels
Trying to be more important than one another

Frequent decisions are neither here nor there.

Either choice is okay, six of one and half a dozen of another. Examples include:

Where or what to eat
Which outfit to wear
What games to play

According to The Free Dictionary, “this term dates from the sixteenth century.”

Although not the first to use it, Shakespeare included it in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Othello.

When choices do matter, choose wisely.

Invest in what lasts.
Show respect for everyone.
Follow God’s direction.
Share God’s love.

“As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message.” (Galatians 2:6 NIV).

Thanks to Rita Smalley for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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Look Like a Million Bucks

December 8, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Mom and Aunt Ersie always wanted to look like a million bucks. On their worst days, they still liked to look good. At Aunt Ersie’s eightieth birthday celebration, they certainly achieved their goal.

If we look like a million bucks, we look great.

A million bucks means a million dollars. That’s looking good! An attractive appearance, like we just stepped out of a band box, usually makes us feel better. Try it.

If we feel like a million bucks, we feel great.

Other steps for a happy and healthy life include:

Exercise
A balanced diet
Plenty of water
A regular sleep schedule

Positive thoughts help us look and feel better.

Likewise, negative thoughts lead to negative appearances and emotions. For the best life, avoid stinking thinking.

We never want to look like a million bucks but treat others poorly.

Remember, pretty is as pretty does.

God gives us worth and beauty.

We are all different, but God loves every one of us. That’s worth more than a million bucks!

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Jane Cleasby for the suggestion.

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On Pins and Needles

December 1, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

Have you ever been on pins and needles?

Physically, our hands or feet may become numb. When we move them, a feeling like pins and needles runs through them. That tingle results from the blood returning.

On pins and needles emotionally means nervous or anxious.

We get tense.

That often occurs when we wait for results such as:

School exams
Medical tests
Job applications

We wonder what will happen.

Few of us like uncertainty, so we tie ourselves in knots while we wait for the next shoe to drop. An unknown often makes us more nervous than a known problem.

Anniversaries of difficult times also make us anxious.

The death of a loved one
A family tragedy
Accidents

This expression occasionally appears as sitting on pins and needles.

The meaning remains the same.

God offers the best cure for uncertainty.

Rather than pins and needles, God provides peace and rest.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

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Chasing Squirrels

November 17, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

We love watching squirrels in our neck of the woods. However, chasing those squirrels never works. Smaller and faster, they disappear before we can get out the door.

Yet we often succeed at chasing squirrels in other ways.

Chasing squirrels means we lose focus.

We get distracted and as a result, waste time. Rather than concentrate on our work, we notice everything else around us. For example,

“Oh, look! I saw a squirrel.”
Or butterfly
Or cute baby
Or airplane
Or anything except what we should see.

Chasing squirrels differs from chasing rabbits.

Chasing squirrels means we get distracted. Chasing rabbits means we get off subject. Both can be fun. Both can also cause problems if we fail to refocus or get back on subject.

After our squirrel moments, we want to hightail our minds back where they should be.

Always look in the right direction.

That includes to:

The work before us
The needs around us
God’s plan for us

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).

Thanks to Melissa Henderson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Stick Your Neck Out

September 22, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

It’s risky to stick your neck out. Joining the crowd — looking and acting like everyone else — is safer and easier.

If you stick your neck out, you risk getting in trouble.

You attract attention. Even if other people agree with you, they fear joining you. They don’t want to face:

Danger
Criticism
Anger
Job loss
Rejection

This expression’s origin remains unknown.

Possibilities include:

Horse racing
Turtles sticking their heads out of their shells
Barnyard animals with their necks on a chopping block
People on a guillotine
Boxers protecting their necks and heads by holding them in

In all these examples, extending the neck makes it vulnerable.

You can stick your neck out personally or professionally.

You take chances when you:

Speak unpopular truths.
Report wrongdoing.
Rock the boat.

If you stick your neck out, don’t take unnecessary risks.

God commands people to stand tall and stand firm for what is right. Yet, boldness is not always wise or necessary.

Weigh the evidence.
Pray for guidance.
Choose carefully.

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11 NIV).

Thanks to Terri Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Danièle Konsbruck from Pixabay.

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Not for Love nor Money

September 15, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Many things in life we would never do – not for love nor money. Few of us would:

Walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls
Swim with sharks
Run with the bulls in Spain

Not for love nor money means never.

Under no circumstances
Regardless of what happens
Impossible

Similar expressions include:

Not for love or money
Not fer love ner money (country slang)

Sometimes we must do hard things even if we rather not.

They are so important, we take the risk. Forget hemming and hawing. No ifs, ands, or buts. We simply hunker down and do it.

Not-for-love-nor-money decisions may be outside our control.

Whether we want to do something or not, we may be unable to do it. However, nothing lies beyond the control of the one and only God who is:

All-powerful
All-knowing
Everywhere present

What we cannot do, God can.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion and to Piper Atwood for assistance with the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Cut to the Chase

September 1, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

Children know how to cut to the chase. They abandon boring activities and hightail it to their next adventure.

Cut to the chase means to get to the point.

We don’t bother with:

Trivial details
Information overload
Unnecessary actions

We address only what matters most. Forget the minor. Focus on the major.

We often wish people would cut to the chase.

Those brave among us tell them to quit dillydallying, to stop wasting our time. The not-so-brave endure their rabbit chasing until the end finally comes.

This expression has a motion picture history.

When a scene ends and another begins, they “cut” from one scene to the next. This may occur in filming or editing. To cut to the chase means to get to the exciting part of the film. They move from a slow scene and focus on an action shot. Think in terms of:

Car chases
Police raids
Helicopter fights

Movie producers want to keep their audiences interested.

Let’s cut to the chase with our lives.

We do well if we:

Focus on the most important.
Use every word, action, and attitude to live for and point others to our loving God.

“What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV).

Thanks to Alma Haste for the suggestion and to Kelsi Wilson and Lorie Richerson for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Close-knit

August 4, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

Do you have a close-knit family or group of friends? Few things in life replace those special relationships. Your roots may have run deep for a long time. Or you may have known one another only briefly. Either way, you can depend on one another.

Close-knit means a close relationship.

Your ties to one another may result from shared:

Family
Friends
Culture
Interests

Whatever holds you together stays strong.

Time or distance don’t reduce your close-knit commitment.

You remain ready to move heaven and earth for one another at a moment’s notice. Just call, and help is on the way.

That’s the kind of relationship everyone needs.

You never have to wonder. You never have to worry. If you need them, they will be there.

God offers a never-failing close-knit relationship to everyone.

People have limits. God has none. If you want the best of the best, turn to God. God will never leave you alone.

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

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