Peace and Joy

 “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him, so that you may overflow

with hope by the Holy Spirit”.

Romans 15:13

“Peace and joy go hand-in-hand.  If you are uneasy and stressed it is much harder to be truly happy.  More often than not, joy and contentment work together in our lives.  The truth is that many of us search for happiness, but we don’t often realize that peace is the major part of the puzzle.  Stress, worry, anxiety all have a way of trying to rob us of our joy.  But when we have peace...we can expect joy as well.”

• Peace and joy come from the same source. The Bible tells us that both joy and peace (along with many other blessings) come from the Holy Spirit. When we are abiding in Him and allowing Him to work in our lives, we can EXPECT fruit. They are naturally produced in our lives. That being said, I’m not sure we can experience true peace or joy separate from one another. After all, they are BOTH the result of abiding in Christ. We may experience moments of “peace” or “happiness” apart from the Holy Spirit. But in Him, we can expect to live in TRUE peace and joy…the kind that isn’t based on circumstances.

 

• When we live in God’s peace we experience His joy. This is something I’ve been personally working on in my own life. In my quest to find happiness, I often forget that abiding is God’s peace and rest is essential. Can you imagine no longer feeling worried or stressed? How much joy are we missing out on when we choose to focus on our circumstances rather than surrendering them to God?

 

• Faith and trust produce peace and happiness. We already know that abiding in Christ produces peace and joy in our lives. But what does that look like in practice? We choose to abide every time we make the conscious choice to trust God with our lives. When we are experiencing financial difficulty, we choose to trust that God will meet all of our needs. When we are suffering from a painful loss, we surrender our pain to our heavenly Father. And when we are worried about everyday circumstances or safety, we know that God is watching over us in every way.”
•  “When we choose to place our trust in our Heavenly Father, we can expect to experience His indescribable love.

                             

~ alyssajhoward.com

Renewing Your Mind

“Don’t be conformed to this world.  But be 

transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you

may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and 

perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2

“Are you living your best life? Shifting your patterns and focus can change your life. That’s what this verse is about—renewing your mind, changing the way you think to create a better life for yourself and a life that honors God. 

The world and society have patterns or ways that lead to a broken life. These patterns are easy to fall into and can be difficult to transform. The patterns, or routines, are often preformed mindlessly, without any consideration of our actions or their consequences; however, we are not stuck with them.

Our patterns can be identified and changed by:

• Choosing to focus on Christ.

• Focusing on God’s mercy, and the love of God. 

• Focusing on being in Christ and reject the lie and deception of sinful desires of the enemy of your soul. 

• Rejecting the patterns and routines that the world promotes as desirable, and live with a heart for God.

Changing your patterns and focusing on Christ will change your life. When we understand God’s love and mercy for us, we find the reason to transform our lives and renew our minds.”

~ agfaithchapel.org

 

The True Light

 “The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5

“The darkness has not overcome it” means the darkness of evil never has and never will overcome or extinguish God’s light.  Jesus Christ is the Creator of life, and his life brings light to mankind.  When we follow Jesus, the true Light, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin.  He removes the darkness of sin from our lives.  Let Christ guide your life, and you’ll never need to stumble in darkness.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

God Is Love

“God is love.  Whoever lives in love 

lives in God, and God in them.”

1 John 4:16

“God’s love is the source of all human love”

What does it mean that God is love? How can we know that statement is true and how does God show us that?

1. Love began with God when he created the world and us. Without Him, there would be no love in the world because it came from Him.

2. God's primary nature is to love as shown by His rescue plan for us through His Son Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus is the greatest demonstration of God's love for us.

3. God's saving work of grace in the heart of the sinner is the true source of love. God sent his Holy Spirit to us to transform us and make us new in love.

4. God's greatest commandment for us is to love the Lord and to love one another. God calls us to be the love in our world that He created us to be.

God With Us

 “The Virgin will conceive and give birth to 

a son, and they will call him

Immanuel which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23

Here we explain the meaning of Immanuel in the bible . Although it says in Isaiah 7:14 “you shall call his name Immanuel”, Mary and Joseph did not give their son that name.

Instead, they followed the instructions specifically given to them in Matthew 1:21 (Joseph in a dream) and Luke 1:31 (Mary for the angel Gabriel) to name him Jesus.

As seen in Matthew 1:23, the meaning of Immanuel is “God with us. The promised child received the name of Jesus, but he was also Immanuel, God in the flesh. God became human so that we would know and understand him. through Jesus.

~ anonymous 

“Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer.”

Do Not Be Afraid

“Do not be afraid.  I bring you good 

news that will cause great joy for all people.”

Luke 2:10

“The shepherd were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah’s birth.  First the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word.  Jesus is your Savior.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

“Joy is a powerful antidote to fear!  And the greater the Joy, the more effective the antidote is.”

~ Jesus Always by Sarah Young

God Is With Us

 “The Lord himself goes before you

and will be with you, he will

 never leave you, nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 

Even today, when we face life altering changes in our life, these same words that were once spoken to comfort a people struggling with the changes they were facing, are the  same words God is using to calm our fears and anxieties.  It is always His intention for us to walk in His peace as we walk in Him. 

This verse speaks volumes about God’s heart for us and His determination to help us see Him as He really is.   Not only is He always ahead of us carving out a path we are to travel on, but He is able to walk with us as we go through our intimate trials.  He is telling us that there is no reason to be afraid or discouraged because He’s not going to abandon us.  He has everything under control and all that is going to happen will happen under His watchful eye. 

Whatever storms God is using in our life, it’s for a reason. Sometimes it is to strengthen us or change us or deal with a flaw in us.  Regardless of the reason for the time of suffering, His promise is that He will go through it with us and He will be with us in any and every circumstance; whether hard or easy.  This verse is a declaration of His complete and total willingness to be involved in our life.  God wants us to know Him and His heart. 

He is a God of love and everything He allows or does is because of His love for us.  He has no hidden agenda. 

God is with us and will always be with us every day of our life.

~ all creatures.com - by Marni Montanez

   

Bear the Cross

 “Whoever wants to be my disciple

must deny themselves and take up the cross

daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

“Being Christ’s disciple means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s crosses every day, and following him. 

The cross you bear may have you at a breaking point. The pain is too heavy and you feel crushed under the weight of worry, weakness and the need for relief. You may feel rejected, misunderstood and forgotten, but your Savior Jesus has walked this painful path and He has not forgotten you. It is for you that He suffered, died and rose from the grave, so your broken heart might be healed by His grace, your burden of shame lifted by His love and your feeling of loneliness filled by His precious presence. Invite Jesus and others to bear your burdens. He will.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

“I have always believed that God never gives

a cross to bear larger than we can carry.  No matter what,

he wants us to be happy, not sad, birds sing

after a storm, why shouldn’t we?”

~ Rose Kennedy

The Truth

 “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.

Then you will know the truth and the truth

will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

“Jesus is the truth that sets us free.  He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right.  He frees us from from continued slavery to sin, from self deception, and deception by Satan.  As we seek to serve God, Jesus perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be.  He shows us clearly the eternal life with God. Thus Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God.”

“Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming who God created you to be!!!”

~ Life Application Study Bible

A Thankful Prayer

 

Dear God,

Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes … Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day … In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The Lord Is My Strength

 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength;”

Habakkuk 3:19

“When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember God gives strength.  Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.

God’s people need to live in the strength of his Spirit, confident in his ultimate victory over evil.

God is alive and in control of the world and its events.  We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do.  But we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right.  Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Ever Present Help

 “God is our refuge and strength,

  an ever-present help in trouble.”

“God is always there to help, providing refuge, security and peace.  God’s power is complete.  He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Wipe Your Slate Clean

“to be made new in the attitude of your minds.”

Ephesians 4:23

The apostle Paul says that every day you need to put on a fresh new attitude. If you don’t start anew, you’ll bring all the negative from yesterday into today. You do that week after week and before long you’ll be critical, condescending, negative, and seeing the worst. “I don’t like my job. My house is too small. I’ll never get well.” That is an old sour attitude.

When you wake up each morning, you need to say, “Father, thank You that this day is a gift. Everything may not be perfect, but I’m grateful to be alive, grateful for my family, grateful for today’s opportunities. I’m going to make the most of this day.” That’s not just being positive, that’s putting on a fresh new attitude. You get rid of anything from yesterday that’s weighing you down and wipe the slate clean. Let go of the disappointments, let go of what didn’t work out, get your mind going in the right direction, and you’ll see God show out in your life.

~ Joel Osteen Devotional

Trust in the Lord

      

 “Trust in Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all yours ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

 It's hard for us to see God's vision for our lives, but if we trust in Him and have faith, He will guide us down the road that He's built especially for us.

~Woman’s Day Devotional

The Light of the World

                 

 “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk 

in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Just as ships follow lights to ensure safe passage, so we rely on the Light. Jesus’s death broke through the darkness, lighting the way for us. God’s Word, through the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, helps us understand and remember when we need His wisdom to steer us. Prayer, which serves dually as life boat and lighthouse throughout our everyday lives is an open line of communication not available to Old Testament believers. We learn from the beginning of the book of Genesis and John’s Gospel that Jesus was present, and that He is the Word. Everything the light touches, He is a part of.

~ Bible Tools

How to Stay Young All Your Life

 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Our culture is obsessed with youth. Products abound that offer better health, fewer wrinkles, and increased energy, but these address the issue of aging only in superficial ways; nothing alters the fact that our bodies grow older. Feeling old, however, is not inevitable—with the right attitude, we can be young at heart no matter what our chronological age may be. We do this by cultivating ... 

• A God-Centered Focus. Keep your mind on the things above rather than on earthly things (Col. 3:2). See each day as an opportunity to trust God more fully, love Him more deeply, and serve Him more joyfully. 

• An Active Pursuit of Learning. Never stop learning from Scripture. Long for the Word the way a baby craves milk so you can continue to grow spiritually (1 Pet. 2:2).

• A Hopeful Outlook on Life. Let godly thinking shape your attitudes. Be joyful, thankful, and prayerful (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

• An Others-Centered Orientation. Don’t let yourself withdraw into self-absorption. Instead, invest your life in others for their spiritual encouragement and growth (1 Thess. 5:11). 

Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. So never stop learning, laughing, and loving God with all your heart.

~ Charles Stanley Devotional - In Touch Ministries

Wait

 “Wait for Lord; be strong and 

and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

Practicing patience is difficult because it often goes against our expectations and desires for immediate results. This is especially true when we are waiting on the Lord and His timetable doesn’t match our own. In such situations, it’s important to remember we can’t go wrong waiting for Him. Blessings will come in God’s good time when we refuse to run ahead of Him.

We ask the Lord for what we think we need, based on our limited information. But His understanding is infinite. At times God simply says no to our requests. In other cases, He may adjust our desire to match His. And sometimes He answers in a way that looks nothing like what we requested, but it will be exactly what we need. A submissive heart accepts the omnipotent Father’s gentle redirection, recognizing that He is always right. 

Waiting patiently on the Lord strengthens our faith in Him: We learn to rest in His loving care and accept that whatever He gives us is best. It’s also a witness to others, who see His care and faithfulness to us and may choose to put their trust in Him as well.

~ Charles Stanley Devotional

God Is Our Hope

“But those who hope in the Lord, 

will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31

“Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us to rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.  Do you believe God loves you and wants the best for you?  Can you relax, confident that his purposes are right?  Are you convinced that he has all power to control all of life - and your life as well?  Though your faith may be struggling or weak, accept his provisions and care for you.”

“Isaiah was speaking to the people that were broken, discouraged, and running weary.  He would tell them  to wait on the Lord for he will renew their strength and hearts.  This promise is beautiful and can be applied to us today.  If we wait on God he will show up, he will renew our being.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

 

The Light

 “The true light that gives light to everyone.”

John 1:9

“We, like John the Baptist, are not the source of God’s light; we merely reflect that light.  Jesus Christ is the true Light; he helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way.  But Christ has chosen to reflect his light through his followers to an unbelieving world, perhaps because unbelievers are not able to hear the full blazing glory of his light firsthand.  The word witness indicated our role as reflectors of  Christ’s light.”

~ Life Application Study Bible 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid.”

Psalm 27:1

It’s In His Hands

 “The Lord is my light and my salvation -

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life -

of whom shall I be afraid.”

Psalm 27:1

Are you worrying about your children, stressed out over your job, or discouraged because of a disappointment, thinking it’s not going to work out? We need to live with the attitude of the psalmist David. He had all kinds of things come against him—people, armies, even his own family—and yet he would say to you about your situation, “God’s got this. He’s directing your steps. He’s bringing the right people across your path and your children’s paths. He has beauty for the ashes, and right now He’s working behind the scenes. Dare to believe, dare to trust. Be still and know that He is God. He has you in the palms of His hands.” Don’t worry or fear when you face obstacles that are bigger than you. It’s an opportunity for God to show you He’s God. It’s one thing to believe God has power to do the impossible. But God wants you to do more than just believe; He wants you to experience His power. He will show you His greatness.

~ Joel Osteen Devotional

Guarding the Heart

 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

 will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 4:7

God’s desire for relationship and his love for you is the major theme of Scripture. His care about the condition of our hearts is preeminent in both Old and New Testaments.  The word heart occurs 862 times in the Bible.  Half of those times are mentioned in the Wisdom Literature and the Prophets.  It appears more than holy, blessed, or sacrifice. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). The Hebrew translation of guard means to keep above all keepings.  So, above ALL you guard –  your marriage, family, bank account, passwords, your car or house –  guard your heart with more vigilance than anything else.

Joseph guarded his heart from his circumstances. Since he was continually looking to God for understanding he became better not bitter.  As a result, God showed favor to Joseph using his protected heart to save not only his father’s family and the nation of Israel but Egypt.  He knew to whom his heart belonged and gave him peace despite life’s desperate situations (Hebrews 12:14-15).  Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). This is why God insists on worship of him alone. It’s for our peace, enjoyment and rest as his sons or daughters. To worship anything else brings sorrow and destruction.  Fear and anxiety steal the peace of God in our hearts (1 Peter 5:7). Temptations insist we ignore the Spirit’s promptings in our minds (John 10:10). And, anything taking God’s rightful place in our lives is sin (Deuteronomy 4:8-10).

Guarding is a continual growing and maturing process. We must learn what it feels like to be protected by God’s peace, and stay there.  Learn to recognize and know what his voice sounds like and heed it. Learn his words to depend on in times of decision. We must guard our hearts from idolatry because the world and its ways want to crowd God out of our hearts (1 John 2:16).  Jesus shows us by example one strategy of guarding his heart. He  often went away to pray alone (Matthew 14:23, Luke 9:18, Matthew 6:46). Ponder how you can keep to the task of guarding your heart.   Find some solitude today and take a few moments of silent reverence before God with Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
-Psalm 51:7-12

By Donna Burns  

Peace of Christ

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

Colossians 3:15

 “Christians should live in peace.  To live in peace does not mean that suddenly all differences in opinion are eliminated, but it does require that loving Christians work together despite their differences.  Such love  is not a feeling, but decision to meet other needs.  To live in love leads to peace between individuals.

Paul tells us to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee in our hearts.  Our hearts are the center of conflicts because there our feelings and desires clash - our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love.  How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants?  Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of Christ - which choice will promote peace on our souls and in our churches.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

How God Reveals Himself

 “The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1

“As God reveals himself through nature, we learn about his power.  As God reveals himself through Scripture, we learn about his holiness and sinfulness.  As God reveals himself through daily experiences, we learn about his gracious forgiveness and our salvation.”

“We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God’s craftsmanship - the heavens give dramatic evidence of  his existence, his power, his love, his care.”

“As you look at God’s handiwork in nature and the heavens, give thanks for such beauty and the truth it reveals about the Creator.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

The Spirit Helps Us

 “... the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we 

ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, 

because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Romans 8:26-27

“As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems.  Even when you don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you and God answers.  With God helping you to pray, you don’t need to be afraid to come before him.  Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you “in accordance with the will of God.”  Then when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

A Pure Heart

 “Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

In Psalm 51, David offered God a prayer of repentance in which he acknowledged sins he had tried to cover up for a year. He was so weighed down with guilt and condemnation that he became sick and weak. That moral infection started to poison his physical life. David finally confessed his sins and asked God to forgive him. Things began to turn around. Once he released the guilt and got the infection out, his health was restored. He could receive cleansing in his heart, purity in his heart, and renewal in his spirit. As David did, we all make mistakes and sin. Too many people make the mistake of holding on to them or trying to hide them. They get bitter, live guilty, and go around with self-pity. Don’t hide it. You weren’t created to live under condemnation. Go to God and ask for forgiveness. Then here’s the key: Receive His mercy and ask for a pure heart that He can fill with good things—strength, joy, passion, creativity, and happiness. ~ Joel Osteen Devotional

The Advocate

 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will

send in my name, will teach you all things and

will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26

“Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he been teaching them.  The disciples were eye witnesses of Jesus’ life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives.  The Holy Spirit can help us in the same way.  As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it.

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace.  With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future, sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.  Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him.  If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

The Truth That Sets Us Free

 “You shall know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32

“The closer you live to Jesus, the freer you can be.  By spending time with Jesus, your awareness of Jesus’ presence grows deeper and stronger.  Jesus’ healing presence binds up wounds from your past so that they stop bleeding.  In His Holy Light you can see things from a new perspective - freeing you from old unhelpful ways of thinking.  As you lay down baggage from your past, you grow increasingly free.

Jesus helps you face the truth about yourself and the people in your life.  If you’re involved in hurtful relationships, He will help you change them or break free.  If you’re trapped in addictions, He will help you take the first step toward freedom.  In every situation the truth will set you free.”

~ Book - “Life with the Holy Spirit” by Katherine Ruonala

    “Let the Sea set You Free!!!”

Your Identity

 “As you think in your heart, so are you.”

Proverbs 23:7

“No matter how you’ve been feeling in the world around you, the Holy Spirit wants to show you that that you’re adored, you’re accepted, you belong, you’re beautiful, and you’re always the apple of His eye.

When you actually start to believe this, things change.  All of us inevitably live out the identity we have for ourselves.  If your identity as a beloved child of God sink into your heart, you will no longer look at other people’s opinions as statements of worth.  You’ll live with an assumption - an absolutely true one - that you are already loved that you are free to love others.  Instead of expecting rejection from others, you’ll be looking for opportunities to share the privilege you’ve been given.  That’s the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  He connects you to the happy place of intimate fellowship.  His fruit not only benefits but also blesses those around us.  It’s absolutely delightful!

~ Book - “Life with the Holy Spirit” by Katherine Ruonala

God Works for the Good

 “And in all things, God works for the good...”

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28-39

Think about a circumstance in your life that you’d change if you could. Whether it’s a hardship or unfulfilled desire, in order to be content, you must accept that the situation has been allowed by God, even if He didn’t cause it. 

When I face such things in my life, I often pray, “Lord, I choose to accept this as though it’s coming from You. I’m choosing to look to You.” Then I can rest in the knowledge that I’m His child. Instead of feeling like a victim of my circumstance, I know I’m cared for and guided by my sovereign Father. 

I’ve also found it helps when we fully submit ourselves to God. This doesn’t mean approaching God insincerely and saying, “Well, Lord, I just want to thank You for this!” Be honest and admit, “This is painful and I don’t like it. But I choose to submit to You because You are trustworthy and loving. I choose to draw from Your strength for everything I need.” My friend, if you do this, your concerns will lose their power. 

Do you believe Romans 8:28? If you do, you can entrust yourself to the Lord, knowing that He has your best interest at heart, will take care of you, and won’t ever leave your side. When you embrace these truths, you’re on your way to contentment in Jesus.

~ In Touch Devotional - Charles Stanley

Look to God

 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength.”

Habakkuk 3:19

“God is alive and in control of the world and it’s events.  We cannot see all that God will do.  But we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right.  Knowing this can give us confidence in a confusing world.”

“Habakkuk’s feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God’s ability to give him strength.  When nothing makes sense, and when trouble seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength.  Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.”

~ Life Application Study Bible