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Introduction
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father. . .encourage your hearts and strengthen you.
2 THESSALONIANS 2:16–17
Some days we need a gentle hand to pick us up and a voice to whisper encouragement in our ears. Life can be challenging, and when trials come our way, we may feel discouraged. But God does not fail us, no matter what our days hold. His Word provides comfort for all our troubles. In these pages, I hope you will feel the touch of His tender hand and find strength for each day.
Anger GOD’S PLAN
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
JAMES 1:19
God gives good advice on anger. Often, if we listen carefully and hold our tongues, we don’t become angry in the first place. Good communication forestalls a lot of emotional trauma. Hurt emotions often cause us to speak words we regret, simply making the problem worse. So when we feel tempted to anger, let’s stop, listen, and hold our tongues for a while. That’s God’s plan for more peaceful relationships.
A PRAYERFUL SOLUTION
I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
1 TIMOTHY 2:8
Anger becomes a real trap, even for Christians. When we try to settle differences angrily, we land in big trouble, affecting and even destroying a whole congregation. One solution to anger is prayer. It’s hard to stay angry with someone you pray for, even if that person continues to irritate you. As God’s Spirit works in your heart, you give the other person a second, a third, or even a hundred chances. In Jesus, unrighteous anger cannot linger.
LETTING GO OF ANGER
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery. . .idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath.
GALATIANS 5:19–20 NKJV
It’s not something we like to hear, but according to God, anger is right up there with sins such as adultery and idolatry.
Most of us feel wrathful occasionally. But if such feelings take hold of our lives and bitterness results, we fall into sin. When anger touches our reactions, let’s use it as a warning sign of an issue that requires our attention. Through wise action and prayer, it need not control us.
GOOD ANGER
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
EPHESIANS
4:26 KJV
We have valid reasons for anger when we see wrongdoing against the innocent. But God tells us not to let that anger last long. We need to come to Him in prayer, consider the issue in Him, and ultimately leave it in His hands. If we can help correct the wrong, we should, but letting ourselves dwell on the situation until we fume is not an option. Let anger push us to do good, not ruin our emotional health.
GENTLE SPEECH
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
PROVERBS 15:1
How you speak can strongly affect those around you. If someone is hot under the collar, do you quell that anger with calming words or inflame him with harsh ones? Do you start a forest fire with your sister who irritates you or quench the blaze with soft words? Anger’s heat makes wise decision-making impossible. But God’s Word offers advice that brings peace to our lives. Gentle speech leads to wiser choices.
Anxiety IN HIS HANDS
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
Need a sure cure for anxiety? Start praying. As you trust that God has your best interests at heart no matter what situation you face, His peace can replace concern. God says there’s nothing you need to worry about. Just put all your troubles in His hands, and He who rules the universe yet knows each hair on your head will see that everything works out right. Are you ready to trust now?
TODAY!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
MATTHEW 6:34
You can look ahead and obsess about fears for the future or take life one day at a time and enjoy it. But you only live in today, not in the weeks, months, and years that may lie ahead. You can only change life in the moment you’re in now. Since worry never improves the future and only hurts today, you’ll benefit most from trusting in God and enjoying the spot where He’s planted you for now.
GOD IS IN CONTROL
“Which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?”
MATTHEW 6:27 NASB
What does worry gain us? It can’t change the length of our days, except to decrease the health of our bodies. Ultimately, worry is the most self-defeating thing we can engage in. Besides, why should we give in to concern when God controls our lives? He will always set us on the right path, so we don’t have to agonize over life’s details.
SHARING WITH JESUS
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 PETER 5:7 KJV
You don’t have a care in the world that you cannot share—with Jesus, that is. There isn’t one thing He doesn’t want to hear about from you. Before you ask a friend to pray for you (and you should do that), be certain you share your care with your best friend, Jesus. Your human friend may try to help you and may do a lot for you, but no one helps like Jesus. There’s no worry He can’t alleviate or remove.
Blessings BLESSING OTHERS
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:12
God gave Paul many blessings, and the apostle passed them on, even if the recipients didn’t seem to really deserve them. Those who cursed him (and they were, no doubt, many) did not receive a cursing in return. Instead, Paul tried to bless them. Do we follow the apostle’s example? When we are cursed by the words of others, what is our response?
POWERFUL PRAYER
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.”
NUMBERS 6:24–25
Want to pray for someone? This is a good way to do it. It’s the blessing God gave to Aaron and his sons to pronounce on Israel. What Christian wouldn’t appreciate these words, committing her to God’s care and wanting her to draw closer to Him? Who would turn down the good things God has to offer? Can you bless your friends and family with these thoughts today?
LIVING FOR CHRIST
If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
ROMANS 8:13
Living for Christ through His Spirit offers real life, overflowing and abundant. Blessings spill over in obedient lives. But the world, at war with God, doesn’t understand. Unbelievers never feel the touch of the Spirit in their hearts and lives, and Jesus’ gentle love is foreign to them. Put to death worldly misdeeds and, instead of the emptiness of the world, you’ll receive blessings indeed.
HOLD ON TO HOPE
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
PROVERBS
10:28
Trusting in Jesus gave you new life and hope for eternity. So how do you respond when life becomes dark and dull? Does hope slip away? When no obviously great spiritual works are going on, do not assume God has deserted you. Hold on to Him even more firmly and trust. He will keep His promises. Truly, what other option do you have? Without Him, hope disappears.
AN OBEDIENT LIFE
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
PSALM 119:1 NASB
Want to be blessed? Then don’t live a sin-filled life.
God can’t pour out blessings on anyone who consistently ignores His commands. Blessings belong to those who hear God’s Word and take it to heart, living it out in love. Want to be blessed? Obey the Master. You’ll live blamelessly and joyfully.
Comfort GOD OF COMFORT
[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we. . .receive from God.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:4
When you hurt, God offers you comfort. No trouble is so large or so small that He will not help. But when you have received His strength for the trouble at hand, do you share it in turn? Comfort isn’t meant to be hidden away, but passed on to those in a similar need. As part of the body of Christ, we—the church—should be sharing the knowledge that God cares for and strengthens all His children.
REACHING OUT
Just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:5
Paul knew the pain of persecution, but he also knew the deep comfort God offered. When people gave the apostle trouble, God drew His servant close to His heart. When trials come your way, God will do the same for you. If life is always going smoothly, comfort is meaningless, but when you’re in the midst of trouble, He comes alongside with tender love that overflows your trials and reaches out to others.
RENEWAL OF FAITH
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”
ISAIAH 66:13 NKJV
Like a tender mother, God comforts His people. When life challenges us, we have a place to renew our faith. Instead of questioning God’s compassion because we face a trial, we can draw ever nearer to Him, seeking to do His will. Surrounded by His tender arms, we gain strength to go out and face the world again.
GIVER OF COMFORT
You ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:7
Do you know someone who is sorry for her sin?
Then don’t keep reminding her of it. If she has sought forgiveness and put it behind her, it is dead. Instead of criticizing, remind her of the power of God that works in her life. Encourage her when temptation calls her name. Then she will not be overcome by sorrow and fall into sin again. Give comfort, and you will be a blessing.
Contentment GOD’S PROVISION
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 TIMOTHY 6:6 NKJV
Paul warned Timothy against false teachers who wanted to use the church for financial gain. If these people were looking for security, they were on the wrong track. Money, which comes and goes, never brings real protection. Our security lies in God’s provision. Whether or not we have a large bank account, we can feel content in Jesus. The one who brought us into this world will never forget we require food, clothing, and all the rest. When we truly trust in Jesus, contentment is sure to follow.
LOOK TO THE SHEPHERD
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
PSALM 23:1
No matter what your physical circumstances, if Jesus is your shepherd, you never have to want spiritually. No matter what the world throws at you, you can be at peace. No fear overcomes those who follow the shepherd as their King. He guides them through every trial, leading them faithfully into an eternity with Him. Are you lacking contentment today? Look to the shepherd for peace.
WATCHFUL LOVE
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
PHILIPPIANS 4:11 NKJV
Paul wasn’t writing about a grit-your-teeth kind of contentment. He had learned to trust deeply in God for all his needs, so the apostle did not worry about future events. His strength lay in God, who cared for his every need, even when churches forgot him. We too can be content in Jesus. If the boss doesn’t give us a raise or an unexpected bill comes in, He knows it. Nothing escapes His watchful love in our lives.
CONTENTMENT IN TROUBLE
The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
PROVERBS
19:23
God doesn’t promise we will never suffer trouble, but He does promise something even more important. In the middle of trouble, we will experience real life—contentment in the middle of confusion, doubt, or turmoil. Which would you prefer, trouble and life in Jesus, or trouble on its own? You can’t avoid trouble here on earth. But share life with Him, and contentment will follow.
