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When Systems Break and What Real Compassion Looks Like

When Systems Break and What Real Compassion Looks Like

From vending machines to welfare programs, this week’s episode looks at what happens when we test boundaries and when the systems meant to help us start breaking us instead.

Devin Almonte
November 06, 2025

_{Hi friends,}

_{It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Are we ready?! Oh my. The Christmas music has already started on-air in plenty of places (including one of the stations where I’m on-air), so if you’re ready for a little joy early, go ahead and download the}_{STAR 93.3 app}_{. It’s the perfect bit of Christmas cheer to lift your spirit:).}

_{Now, while some of my friends have}_already_{decorated, I’ve been told I’m not allowed to join them yet. My kids have made it very clear that I “ruined Christmas last year” by decorating too early. Who knew festive spirit could be so controversial?! But I did the math: this year, we only have four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So after a round of family negotiations, we settled on pulling out the Christmas décor the weekend before Thanksgiving. That gives me about}_{five glorious weeks}_{to enjoy it and I’ll take it.}

_{It’s funny how even something like decorating comes with boundaries. Every family has their unspoken rules: the lines we draw, the ones we bend, and the ones we test just to see if we still can.}

_{Lots of good things to share with you this week. Three new Anchor Points that I think will really encourage you, and a new episode of}_{The InSight Out Show}_{out today, where we talk about everything from vending machines and sneaky charges to what happens when the systems we trust start to break down. I hope it gives you something to carry with you and live out this week.}

_{Have a blessed week,}

_Devin

_{Today’s episode:}

_{Here’s what’s on today’s}_{InSight Out Show:}

_⚓_{Anchor Point:}_{Out of Order.}_{A vending machine, a persuasive thirteen-year-old, and a clear warning sign. This story isn’t just about snacks, it’s about the quiet ways we test what we already know to be true, and how God’s boundaries are never random.}

_💳_{Ethics in Everyday Life:}_{The Cost of Convenience.}_{Ever tried to cancel a subscription and still got charged? You’re not alone. We’ll talk about the rise of “friendly fraud,” why companies bank on our distraction, and what we can do to protect both our wallets and our peace of mind.}

_🏛️_{Main Story:}_{When Helping Hurts.}_{We’ll step into one of the biggest trust tests of all: our welfare system. What started as a safety net has quietly become a trap for many. We’ll explore how good intentions turned into a cycle of dependency, what real compassion looks like, and why biblical care restores dignity instead of just managing survival.}

🌿_{The Bigger Lens:}_{What happens when help loses its heart or when compassion becomes management instead of mercy? And maybe the better question is this: how do we make sure that never happens in our own lives, churches, and communities?}

_{🎧 Come join me.}_Listen_.

_{Listen to this week’s Anchor Points}

_{Short, devotional reflections that anchor our day in truth.}

_{The Fire Alarm And The Truth}_{– Just because we don’t see the flames doesn’t mean the fire isn’t real. Truth isn’t something we create, it’s something we stand on. Ephesians 6:14 reminds us to fasten the belt of truth and stand firm.}
_{Slow Faith In A Fast World}_{– We live in a culture that glorifies speed, but Jesus never rushed and He still got everywhere He was meant to go. Faith isn’t about moving fast; it’s about staying close while we move.}
_{Your Seat Is Secure}_–_{From school lunch tables to office circles, everyone knows what it feels like to be left out. But Jesus never overlooks us. He invites us to His table where we’re always seen, always valued, and always welcome.}

TRUTH IN

FAITH OUT

Truth In:

God’s truth isn’t flexible, it’s firm. The signs He gives aren’t there to hold us back, but to keep us from breaking what was never meant to be forced. When we start testing the limits of what we already know is right, we don’t just risk small consequences; we risk losing sight of the truth itself.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”

— Ephesians 6:14

Faith Out:

Before we step past the signs God’s already given, let’s ask:

What truth have I already been shown, but keep testing anyway?

This week, look for the quiet places where you’ve been tempted to trust your own read on things. Maybe it’s in a decision you’ve been justifying, a habit you’ve ignored, or a boundary you’ve tried to stretch.

Let truth hold steady, even when everything else feels negotiable.

_{This week’s challenge:}

Let one boundary stand. The next time you’re tempted to test something you know isn’t right, whether it’s a shortcut, a compromise, or just doing what feels easier—stop. Not out of fear, but out of trust.
Let truth steady your steps, guiding your choices, guarding your peace, and reminding you that God’s boundaries aren’t punishments; they’re protection.

💬_{Question for you:}

Where in your life have you started to treat God’s warning signs like suggestions? What might change if you trusted His “Out of Order” signs as protection instead of limitation?

_{✉️ Have a question or want to connect? Send me an email at:}_{[email protected]}

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