Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind but now I see.
—John Newton, “Amazing Grace”
Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty person? Do you look at that glass and feel panic and awareness that it’s nearly empty, or do you look at the glass and celebrate that you still have half of it left? Perspective is everything.
When we consider the battles we face in life, our victories can often be attributed to our attitude even more than the outcome of the situation. It is normal for some crises to initially overwhelm us, but we don’t have to stay there in that place.
Jesus gave us a perfect example when He faced the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He called out to the Father in anguish, knowing His time was nearly over. He says, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.…”(Luke 22:42, NIV) He shows us that it isn’t a sin to wish away our circumstances for a moment. However, He doesn’t leave it there. He goes on in the same verse to say, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” He reconciles Himself to God’s great will for His life, for the sake of all of humanity.
The same is true for you. We may not always understand why something happens, but we can be assured that God has a plan for our lives that includes every circumstance we encounter.
Paul found God’s perfect peace by loosening his grip on every fleshly aspect of life and holding on tightly to Christ alone. In Philippians 4:12–13, he writes, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)
At the end of the day, our personal relationship to the One who made us is truly all that matters. God loves us so much that He will allow a shift in our comfort zones so that we might find Him and draw nearer to Him. What will it take for Him to fully and completely win your heart?
Contact Information:
Christine C. McDonald
636-487-8986
Christine.CryPurple@gmail.com
“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald
Through The Eyes of Grace – Christine C McDonald
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEj5RbFpuzjx_CuksAqgyXA/featured
Peace is like a military guard. Peace crushes rebellions and it protects hearts and minds. Jesus is the answer, embodiment, and fulfillment of peace. In the end, peace wins.
Your thoughts set the tone for your day. Positive thoughts lead to a happier day. Each positive day makes it easier to have happy days. Your thoughts turn into words which turn into actions. This all affects those around you. Make sure you’re affecting them in a positive way.
The indicator of truly having our hopes in Jesus is this: Do we have “perfect peace” or have we lost it somewhere along the way? I can be so hard on myself at times. While in one way, I really do want to continue maturing in Christ every day. I also want to get from point A to point B in the fastest car on the Autobahn. However, God wants me to learn to be patient in the process of getting to point B. So He puts me in a “Slug Bug” or “economy car” instead, and probably laughs. Because in “the process” of getting there is where we learn to know Him, to know who we really are in Christ, and to know which path He is lighting for us to walk in. The process (if we submit to it) is also where our strength comes from. It’s a training module to teach us to have “peace in a storm”.
I’ve always believed in God, but for a long period in my life I hardly ever prayed. I may go to our Father in Heaven when I wanted something, but that was about it. Now I pray every day, sometimes several times a day. I go to God to give thanks. I go to Him to pray for others. I go to Him seeking continued happiness. I go to Him for pretty much everything. I believe He wants that kind of relationship with all of us. You don’t have to be eloquent with words to have a conversation with God. Talk to Him like you do with anyone. He wants to hear what’s in your heart. Give it all to Him & have faith that He is listening. He will give you exactly what you need.
