How do we get Jesus peace, joy, and hope amidst hardship? We need to have His perspective, and Jesus’ perspective is always looking beyond the temporary. This world is not our home. Whatever it throws at us is temporary. It’s difficult to keep that perspective sometimes, but it is key. Jesus has overcome this world, and we can too. Every day we choose to live for that which is eternal, we are conquerors.
Recently I was praying fervently for something. I had dreamed about it for a long time. But it seemed like God was saying no. Again. I was crushed. Then it clicked. I had missed the point that God was trying to show me. He doesn’t withhold Himself. If I walk uprightly in the Spirit, the desires of my heart will be in accordance with Him.
Fear is so sneaky. It’s like a really talented, conniving salesman. It convinces us something is undeniably true. Yet once we’ve bought in, we look at what we’ve “purchased” and we can see we’ve been duped.
I know that comparison and a spirit of negativity are wrong, but it’s hard to just stop negative thought processes without having something else to turn to. I’ve thought a lot lately about the power of other’s words in my life, and I've been challenged to create a habit of speaking words of life and encouragement to others. Is it possible that searching for good things in others to compliment could help to build a more positive thought process in me?
How often do you find yourself painting some extra space in your responses to give yourself some room to change your mind. I always thought this was a smart move. Not liking to let people down, I didn’t have to fully commit to something and potentially not come through. Maybe you've guessed where I'm going with this, but recently I've learned those "wiggle-room" responses might not be so great after all.
A friend of mine recently reminded me that we can’t base what we know on what we feel. Our feelings are inconsistent and dependent on our surroundings - and God knows that. God’s love and presence are independent of our feelings. Faith is what we have in spite of our feelings.
Like a thief in the night. That moment in life when the only thing that matters is if - in the past - you’ve made a choice to prepare. This is exactly what the Bible tells us the second coming of Jesus will be like. Sudden. No warning. Like a 2am break-and-enter.
My Grandma often scolds me that I do not take time “to stop and smell the roses”. She’s right. I don’t. I like to keep busy and do as much as possible. Even when I’m spending time with the people that I love, I like to squeeze in the memories and “maximize” the time. Thankfully, I'm married to a man who knows how to slow down.
We want to feel satisfied and loved. But so often we look to the world for it. What does it offer us? At the surface, the Instagram Façade seems harmless. hBut underneath it is a boatload of filth.
We fail a lot. In fact, you could say it’s human nature to fail and to do so frequently. So how can we fail and be "perfect just the way we are" at the same time? Something seems off about that...
