Problem Monopoly

1 Kings 19:14,18 KJV
And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. [18] Yet I[God] have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him [emphasis mine].

Sometimes we act as though we have a monopoly on problems that come our way. We somehow believe that something we are going through has never happened to anyone else in history and we deserve special sympathy. But whatever issue we encounter, there are thousands who have already been down that road and came through. If they did it, so can we. “Once you remember you are not the only one going through this, then you will remember to stay strong” (Terry Mark).

Simplicity of Life

Ecclesiastes 2:24 KJV
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Life is generally simple for those who want it to be. Human nature dictates that the more we have, the more we want. It takes an enlightened person to take delight in what they do have, knowing they are things they once wished for. It does not cost anything to take pleasure in the simple aspects of life. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated” (Confucius).

Patience is more than just waiting

Numbers 21:4-5
…: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. [5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Nothing good comes easy in life. Even if you know exactly what you want and the paths it takes to get there, the journey may not be as smooth as desired. It may be a test of faith, and as such we need to learn to be patient in times when things may not go as we wish they would. “Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting” (Joyce Meyer).

Strength of character

Proverbs 24:10 KJV
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

We all have bad days. It is in those times that our strength of character is put to the test. “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved” (Helen Keller).

Limit

Proverbs 30:25-26 KJV
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; [26] The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

In life some people and some situations will try to limit you from living up to your potential. At the end of the day however, you realize that the only one who has the power to truly limit you is you. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve” (Mary Kay Ash).

Create happiness

Philippians 4:11 KJV
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Rarely do things go the way one would prefer them to, and it is why it is good to learn to hold one’s own at all times. Circumstances are almost never ripe for perfect happiness, and if they are they are short-lived. Therefore you need to be able to create your own happiness from within. “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances” (Martha Washington).

Godly Enthusiasm

Genesis 41:1,16 KJV
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

It is easy to become disillusioned with God when it seems everything that can go wrong does go wrong in our lives. Even if we don’t lose our faith completely, it is easy to lose our hope in and enthusiasm for God. “In reality, we most certainly are not alone during these dark times, but walking by faith means believing that we are not alone even when we can’t feel the warmth of God’s presence” (JD Greear).

Fire

Leviticus 6:13 KJV
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

One difficult thing about being a Christian is consistently keeping the zeal for God alive day by day, in public and in private, relentlessly. It is easy to be on fire for God during church meetings, in the presence of church brethren, but outside those confines is another world. Thank God we are in the era of the Holy Spirit who helps us to keep on moving forward and not give up!

Godly Enthusiasm

Genesis 41:1,16 KJV
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

It is easy to become disillusioned with God when it seems everything that can go wrong does go wrong in our lives. Even if we don’t lose our faith completely, it is easy to lose our hope in and enthusiasm for God. “In reality, we most certainly are not alone during these dark times, but walking by faith means believing that we are not alone even when we can’t feel the warmth of God’s presence” (JD Greear).

Godly Enthusiasm

Genesis 41:1,16 KJV
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

It is easy to become disillusioned with God when it seems everything that can go wrong does go wrong in our lives. Even if we don’t lose our faith completely, it is easy to lose our hope in and enthusiasm for God. “In reality, we most certainly are not alone during these dark times, but walking by faith means believing that we are not alone even when we can’t feel the warmth of God’s presence” (JD Greear).