We are in the midst of a difficult week. Behaviors seem illogical and we are often left scratching our heads, trying to make sense of things far beyond our understanding.
I may not know a lot, but here's what I do know:
1. I cannot control someone else's attitude, but I can control my own.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4: 8-9).
2. I do not need to own someone else's problems, but I can help when he is ready.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6: 9).
3. Prayer is effective.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"(Jeremiah 33: 3).
4. Worry is not.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14: 27).
5. God is in control.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31: 6).
6. God's timing is perfect.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3: 11).
7. I can't expect to know all the answers, but I can rest in knowing that God does.
"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147: 5).
8. I must strive to be patient.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12: 12).
9. My love may not be perfect, but I need to love anyway.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4: 8).
10. I can find blessings in the little things.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).
11. I am loved.
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us" (1 John 4: 9-12).
I may not know a lot, but here's what I do know:
1. I cannot control someone else's attitude, but I can control my own.
2. I do not need to own someone else's problems, but I can help when he is ready.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6: 9).
3. Prayer is effective.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"(Jeremiah 33: 3).
4. Worry is not.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14: 27).
5. God is in control.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31: 6).
6. God's timing is perfect.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3: 11).
7. I can't expect to know all the answers, but I can rest in knowing that God does.
"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147: 5).
8. I must strive to be patient.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12: 12).
9. My love may not be perfect, but I need to love anyway.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4: 8).
10. I can find blessings in the little things.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).
11. I am loved.
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us" (1 John 4: 9-12).