June 7, 2020

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:15-17

When my circumstances are not going as I planned my natural tendency is to get upset and irritated. Fighting any situation that is out of my control only leads to frustration and disappointment. Many times, my negative attitude turns out to be caused by something I failed to do or not do and when I can’t find anyone to blame, I don’t get free until I accept responsibility. No matter what is happening, I know that when I refocus my attention on the Lord and surrender everything, I can have immediate peace and joy. It is in that moment, when I trust Him to take over the problem, I have the clarity I need to hear and see solutions God has that enable me to change the negative event into a positive outcome. I pray for a heart of gratitude in every form of hardship and adversity to replace my criticism and blame.