“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good—–“ Genesis 50:20   George Eliot wrote, “I’ve been a great deal happier since I have given up thinking about what is easy and pleasant, and being discontented because I couldn’t have my own will. Our life is determined for us; and it makes the mind very free when we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is laid upon us, and doing what is given us to do.” He discovered what most folks never discover. The harder we work trying to make ourselves happy the more miserable we become. It is only when we resign ourselves to do the will of God, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, that we discover happiness. To overcome anxiety we must accept what God allows, believing, as tough as it is, He will use it for some good and His glory. That is the path to peace.   We simply must stop expecting people to beat a path to our door seeking to bless us. Gripe all you want about it being their duty—that doesn’t change anything for the better. We need to think of ourselves as being totally undeserving of anything, only then will we be thankful for everything. Oh yeah, one more thing—how many paths have you made to the doors of others, seeking to be a blessing? Expect a blessing and you will be disappointed. Be a blessing and you will be blessed—even if others ignore you. True happiness doesn’t depend on what others do or don’t do. It comes from a proper relationship with Christ. That puts happiness within the reach of every chlld of God.

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”–2 Timothy 2:1 Life is tough and we all struggle. There are no “super-saints”. In and of ourselves, we can do nothing. And we are often frustrated because of it. Yet, it is a good day when we come to realize that we are weak. As confusing as it might seem to some, Paul was right when he said,”When I am weak, then am I strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:10). A sense of weakness makes us desperate and drives us to seek a source of strength. Paul had discovered that the only true source of strength is God’s grace. That’s why he took pleasure in his problems and sought to encourage others with this truth.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).   Paul isn’t telling Timothy to muster up his own strength, as though he could, but to be strengthened. There is a big difference! We have no real strength of our own. God alone is the source of our strength. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Through Him we can do “all things”(Philippians 4:13). If you refuse to believe that, you are in trouble. We find strength for the struggle only “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”   Jerry Bridges wrote:”Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, nor are your best days ever so good that you are beyond the need of it.” That’s good advice!   The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”–Proverbs 27:1   Gomer Pyle had it right when he said,”Surprise, Surprise!” Life is full of surprises. None of us know what a day may hold. While we’ve gotten pretty good at predicting the weather, there are some things we just can’t predict. Experience has taught us to expect the unexpected. This very day, some will receive a notice that they have been laid off from their job. Others will receive a bad and sad diagnoses from their doctor. Some will be told by their spouse that they want a divorce. Indeed this will be a sad day for a lot of folks. But, on the otherhand, some will receive wonderful news today, and they will be on the mountain top. The one sure thing is that we don’t know what lies ahead.   Now, here’s the good news. As uncertain as the future is, we know that God never changes. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8). You can count on God! Regardless of what happens today, God is just as loving, wise, faithful, and powerful as He was yesterday. And, He will be the same tomorrow. You can rely on God regardless of your situation. His promises are true.   Fix your thoughts upon the Lord and trust Him to use today’s experience for some good and His glory. He can do it. Whether sunshine or rain, or pleasure or pain, God can make something glorious out of your experience. Knowing this is true should make this day special—-live it to the fullest!

“You are not reading of a Savior who was, but of a Savior who is. The Lord Jesus is moved by the same sympathy, is possessed of the same power, and is as quickly and as tenderly responsive to the appeal of the sorrowful and the necessities of the needy, as when the tabernacle of His humanity adorned and consecrated our earth, and when to its asylum thronged earth’s sons and daughters of suffering and of woe.

Oh, it is a truth as replete with comfort as with wonder, ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.’ Beloved, cling to this Unchanging One!

No ebb in the tide of your affection, nor trembling in the needle of your faith, can create the slightest variation in His love or faithfulness. Your waywardness has not chilled it, your fickleness has not affected it, your sinfulness has not forfeited it, because He is essentially, immutably, and eternally the same. ‘If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.'”

– Octavius Winslow

“It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good”. (1 Sam. 3:18)

See God in everything, and God will calm and color all that thou dost see!” It may be that the circumstances of our sorrows will not be removed, their condition will remain unchanged; but if Christ, as Lord and Master of our life, is brought into our grief and gloom, “HE will compass us about with songs of deliverance.” To see HIM, and to be sure that His wisdom cannot err, His power cannot fail, His love can never change; to know that even His direst dealings with us are for our deepest spiritual gain, is to be able to say, in the midst of bereavement, sorrow, pain, and loss, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath, taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Nothing else but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us, and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us. Nothing else will completely put an end to all murmuring or rebelling thoughts.–H. W. Smith