|
I am a firm believer in keeping a level head at all times. So many times in life people place their happiness and joy based on what is happening to them right now. If everything is going well and there are no troubles in their path then they are a joy to be around, but if the storms begin to rage and they start feeling any discomfort all you will hear from them is complaint, negativity and pessimism concerning their current situation. What I have found to be more effective in overcoming the trials and troubles of life is to remain calm, stay in peace and allow my faith to answer the door when troubles and fear come knocking. If I believe that God is with me and that He has promised to meet my every need then how can I in good conscience worry about and fear what my future holds? That would make me a hypocrite. That would make me an unbeliever. No that could never be me because time and again God has been faithful. He has calmed the storms; He has given me strength, filled my heart with joy and gladness and has graciously given me a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Isaiah 26:3-4) (Philippians 4:6-7)
My best advice to anyone is to have a proper perspective at all times. When we understand that trials are temporary and that the storms can’t rage forever we will be more at peace than we would otherwise because our mind would keep racing with all of the what ifs. Instead we should trust that God is in control and that His promises of sustenance and provision should be believed and received for ourselves. We can be at rest instead of being in worry. We can stay in faith instead of being doubtful. We can trust that our latter end will be much greater than our meager beginnings because God can take us from the lowest of valleys to the highest of mountaintops if we only believe His Holy Word. (Psalm 46:1-3) (Psalm 138:6-8)
Be encouraged to try the Lord for yourself. Pray a simple prayer of trust letting God know that you are letting go of the fear, uncertainty and any anxiety that has been stealing your peace. God is faithful to hear and answer every heartfelt prayer because His love is beyond our comprehension and His mercy and grace will be extended to all those who humble themselves knowing in due time God will raise them up. (James 4:7-10)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to always allow yourself to react slowly, thoughtfully and with faith whenever the trials of life come your way.
COOL HEADS AND WARM HEARTS
If you've ever struggled making the right decision, you may appreciate this story:
A young man seemed to take an unusually long time to place his order at the flower shop. When the clerk asked how she could help, he explained that his girlfriend was turning 19 and he couldn't decide whether to give her a dozen roses or 19 roses -- one for each year of her life.
The woman put aside her business judgment and advised, “She may be your 19-year-old girlfriend now, but someday she could be your 50-year-old wife.”
The young man bought a dozen roses. He made his decision from both his head and his heart.
Abraham Lincoln has been considered one of the greatest leaders of all time. He maintained a cool head, even under personal attack. Though constantly criticized in public, he rarely answered back. "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business," he said. He showed courage in the face of unjust criticism. He refused to retaliate and chose instead to quietly do the very best he could.
And Lincoln was also widely known for his compassion. He made difficult and tough decisions during America's Civil War, but at the same time showed great leniency. He pardoned more prisoners than any U. S. president before or since. And when a general asked Lincoln how the defeated Confederates should be treated, Lincoln replied, “Let 'em up easy.” He was both cool-headed and warm-hearted.
Too many people get it the other way around. They have hot heads and cold hearts. They react in the heat of anger or passion. They are cold and unfeeling. And they invariably make poor decisions.
A cool head asks the hard questions. A cool head thinks it through. A cool head fairly weighs the options and asks, “What is the logical thing to do?”
A warm heart empathizes. A warm heart considers feelings and relationships. A warm heart asks, “What is my spirit telling me to do?”
Some decisions we make with our heads. Others with our hearts. But I think it takes both to get it right.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 23:1-4 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
1 Peter 3:10-12 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
