If you feel the world owes you something, brace yourself. You’ll never get reimbursed! Henry Ward Beecher said, “A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.”  The sky is never blue enough, the steak isn’t cooked enough, the universe isn’t good enough to deserve a human being like you.
Pursue gratitude.  The grateful heart is like a magnet, sweeping over the day, collecting reasons for gratitude. Thank you, God.  Your lungs inhale and exhale 11,000 liters of air every day. Thank you, God. For the jam on our toast and the milk on our cereal, the blanket that calms us and the joke that softens us and the warm sun that reminds us of God’s love. Gratitude leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up!
Thank you God.

God has a perfect timing for everything. Learn to wait on Him. This brings Him honor, and it brings you peace. (see Psalm 27:14)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Matthew 5:7

“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

Proverbs 21:21

“This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

Joshua 1:9

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him”

1 John 4:9

“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”

2 Chronicles 15:7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Philippians 4:6

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Ephesians 4:2

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Romans 12:10

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they
will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 6:5-7

What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can imagine. Never lose hope and hang on to God’s hand.

He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, & by his wounds we are healed. -Isa 53:5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. -1Corinthians 13:4

When doubts start to creep in, take a moment to pray

Some people are hurting so bad you have to do more than preach a message to them. You have to BE a message to them.

God knows us better than anyone else, and that’s why no one can love us like He does.

Never lose faith. God loves you too much to let you down

Don’t fear, for I’m w/ u; don’t be dismayed, for I’m ur God. I’ll strengthen u & help u; I’ll uphold u w/ my righteous right hand -Isa 41:10

Everyone should b quick 2 listen, slow 2 speak & slow 2 become angry, 4 man’s anger doesn’t bring about the righteous life that God desires

But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you. -Psalm 56:3

Sometimes God removes things from our lives for our own protection. Trust in Him.

God can make something good out of your mess! The test you’re experiencing will become your testimony.  2nd Corinthians 1:4-5 says, “God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone who’s going through hard times so we can be there for that person, just as God was there for us.”
You didn’t sign up for this crash course in single parenting? No, God enrolled you. He’s taken the intended evil and rewoven it into this curriculum. Why?  So you can teach others what He’s taught you. Rather than say, “God, why?” ask “God, what?” What can I learn from this experience? Rather than ask God to change your circumstances, ask Him to use your circumstances to change you.
Life is a required course.  Might as well do your best to pass it!  You will get through this!

Lord, I don’t know what this day will bring. I accept it as your gift to me and I ask you to help me live it as well as I can with the confidence that you will see me through all that happens — good and bad. Thank you for the peace that faith in you can bring. Help me never to lose faith in you. Amen.”

All tests are temporary, limited in duration. 1 Peter 1:6 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” Some tests end on earth, but all tests will end in heaven, right?
In the meantime, let God train you. He watches the way you handle the little jobs. Jesus promised in Matthew 25:21, “If you are faithful over a few matters, I will set you over many.” Do you aspire to great things? Excel in the small things. Don’t complain. Let others grumble. Not you. When you’re given a task, take it. When you see a hurt, address it. Compassion matters to God.
This is the time for service, not self-centeredness. Cancel the pity party. Love the people God brings to you. He will work in you what is pleasing to Himself. And you will get through this!

You’ll Get Through This