How Adaptable Are You to Unavoidable Changes?

Adjusting to life’s ups and downs is an ongoing necessity. It is not a question of whether uncertainties will have to be faced but how to respond. It is possible to confront uncertainty with confidence, for God will teach you how to face the future.

When the future appears questionable, adaptability is the key to successfully managing the unexpected. Adaptability depends on whether a positive or negative emotional state of mind accompanies what appears uncertain and challenging.

Human beings and the majority of God’s creation are designed to be adaptable to changes in life, whether temporary or permanent.

Imagine the twelve disciples and their families adapting to a life of uncertainty and of challenging work. Instead of fishing for a living or collecting taxes, they had to become fishers of men – evangelists who preached the Gospel. Being adaptable opens the door for God to change your life. Are you ready?                

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The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. 

~Psalm 34:19 New International Version 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

~Isaiah 41:10 New International Version 

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Is It Possible to Remain Faithful to Jesus?

The majority of people are capable of managing variations in their daily routines. However, variations can be challenging if too complicated and beyond what is known and acceptable. Variations are usually temporary, while transitions tend to be permanent.

Transitions are a fact of life and require adaptability. Have you noticed how getting older often diminishes your energy and strength? Fortunately, God provided us with adaptability so we could accommodate needed change.

The apostle Peter believed he could never be dissuaded from being faithful to Jesus, but when faced with a life-threatening situation, he caved to fear and denied even knowing Jesus. Peter later proved he could adapt to failure by putting it behind him. He accepted the challenge Jesus gave him to be a true disciple. Peter then remained faithful to Jesus until his death. 

Forgiveness is available to whomever will seek it.      

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Take care to remain in me, and let me live in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.  

~John 15:4 The Living Bible 

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Is It Possible to Embrace Uncertainty?

Since uncertainties cannot be avoided, believing something good will evolve eases anxious feelings. Under these circumstances, self-awareness of your thoughts and feelings will help evaluate what should be avoided and what needs to be embraced.

Embracing uncertainties does sounds abnormal. Try to imagine the Apostle Paul’s conversion. He was struck down by an intense light that blinded him. He also heard the voice of Jesus accusing him of persecution but later calling him to a life-changing ministry.

The key to preventing a negative attitude from controlling you is self-awareness of what is actually taking place so an accurate assessment can be made of how to respond. It’s important to believe God is working with  you to change your life in ways that will prove to be good and supportive. God promises to “supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”              

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To keep me from becoming conceited, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it from me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

~2 Corinthians 12:8-10 New International Version 

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Can Uncertainty Be Overcome?

It is possible to face uncertainty by embracing it with faith that God desires to demonstrate his faithfulness by teaching us to trust him in all things? What does it mean to embrace uncertainty when the common reaction is to avoid anxiety and fear?

Acts 16 reveals Paul and Silas facing uncertainty in jail with their future looking shaky. Their sleep was disturbed, so they began to pray and sing with such enthusiasm the other prisoners couldn’t help but listen.

Instead of submitting to anxiety and fear, they embraced uncertainty with confidence that God was present and knew their situation. Rather than fretting, Paul and Silas opted to place their lives into God’s care. They trusted God to provide for their needs rather than yielding to feelings of hopelessness. They chose to believe God was “a very present help in times of trouble”. 

That can be your hope and testimony.

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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 power of the Holy Spirit. 

~Romans 15:13 New International Version  

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What Makes Facing Uncertainty So Threatening?

Facing uncertainty is predictable through all the different stages of life. Uncertainty may vary in importance and consequences ranging from minor to life-changing. Personal reactions depend on the accompanying feelings, like anxiety and fear, or hope.

The most common feelings are fear and anxiety. When I was 12, my father was given the opportunity to work at an aircraft factory. Prior to this employment, he had spent his life farming, except for brief interludes driving a truck and working as a mechanic.

You will usually have a choice in how to face uncertainties. What my father did was direct his attention toward what this opportunity provided that was beneficial to him and our family. Jesus said in this world you will face trouble and trials but you can do it with confidence by realizing that Jesus overcame the world and you can be an overcomer through faith and trust in him.

         

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In all these things we have complete victory through him [Jesus] who loves us. For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love... 

~Romans 8:37-38 Good News Bible  

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What Delivers Us from Condemnation?

It is difficult to accept that one decision can affect the direction your life will take. Rare is the person who hasn’t desired to change a decision because its influence seems impossible to outlive. You remember details that continue to produce sorrow and regret.

Jesus made decisions that were physically and emotionally painful, but they did not produce regret. He pleaded with God to forgive those who nailed him to the cross resulting in him feeling abandoned by God as he became the sacrifice for our sins.

Fortunately for you and me, we are not up against the cutting edge of condemnation, for we belong to Christ Jesus.

 This truth gives us hope for a new purpose in life, set apart from those previous decisions, to make our own way through life. Sadness is replaced with joy by realizing God has the power to set in motion a new course for your life. Expect it to happen.

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…Every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son Of God. 

~1 John 5:4-5 Good News Bible  

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Is It Possible to Recover from Unwise Decisions?

It is impossible to move through the different stages of life without making a number of life-changing decisions. Take into consideration that decisions are not made in a vacuum, so others will be affected either positively or negatively.

Yet the majority of decisions have a personal component, even if on the surface they appear completely other-centered. Imagine the attitude of those on Wall Street whose main concern is personal financial gain knowing their decisions could mean financial ruin for innocent people.

Whatever unwise decisions you’ve made in the past, God will provide an opportunity to move toward recovery if you honestly repent and literally turn from evil. Pretending the past never existed is unthinkable, for natural consequences have rendered that impossible. Yet God is faithful to provide the endurance to survive what has to be faced when you’re fixated on going forward in the strength and courage God will supply.

                    

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…I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:9-10 New International Version  

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How Does Faith Help You Survive the Impossibles of Life?

We’ve all had to pretend things were just fine to get past a difficult situation, like being worried about a relationship, finances, or a loved one. No matter how desperately we try to give the impression all is well, a worried mind is not easily pacified.

It’s apparent that Jesus grew weary and needed to withdraw from the stress he felt. Each day’s concerns had to be faced regarding the challenges to the legitimacy of what he was communicating about himself and God the Father.

Are you facing a critical situation at this moment that has to be addressed? The temptation might be to pretend it doesn’t matter and push it out of your conscious mind. It’s amazing how God supplies the will to go forward and meet life’s challenges instead of pretending something doesn’t exist. 

A speck of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can change what looks impossible to what can actually be accomplished. God bless you today.      

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Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 

~Psalm 116:7-9 New American Standard Bible  

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How Can Your Mind, Body, and Spirit Find True Rest?

The majority of children love pretend games. Adults of all ages need to momentarily escape the world of reality through sports, watching favorite TV shows, or just focusing on a hobby. Our mind, body, and spirit need rest from the pressures of daily life.

In reality, pretending requires that we act pleasant although it might be far from our true feelings. It’s impossible to be happy every day in all circumstances. Getting up with the morning light and doing what’s required to get out the door means managing your resistance to the basic rudimentary rules of life.

Irritability cannot be transported to the workplace and social events so pretending becomes a necessity, but this is not the same as pretending all is well. God knows your mind and heart, so there’s an open invitation to share with him your heart’s concerns. God desires to give you comfort and courage to face today with confidence. He is your strength and joy. 

                 

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Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. 

~Jeremiah 33:3 New International Version  

[Jesus said,] “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

~Matthew 11:29-30 New International Version  

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How Difficult Is It to Hide Who You Really Are?

There are special occasions when dressing up in costumes and wearing a mask is acceptable and fun. Every year young and not so young children come knocking at the door holding out their bags expecting to receive a treat.

A high school student told me he put on an imaginary mask to pretend he was happy and all was well at home. He was forbidden to tell friends his parents were separated with divorce impending. Facades and false impressions rarely hide the real person.

The good news is it’s impossible to hide and cover up who you are from God because he knows your heart, mind and soul. Think about it: if others can see through your facades and false impressions, how much more in depth does God see you? God’s unconditional love tells you to take off the mask and come to him just as you are and make a new beginning free of falsehoods and cover-ups.

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 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.  

~2 Chronicles 16:9 English Standard Version 

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What Do Parents Need Most from Their Children?

Child development professionals affirm an important reinforcement for successful parenting is a child’s innate desire to please the parents. Parents desire to please their children by providing the necessities of life and meeting their reasonable desires.

Of course, parents love their children, and children respond favorably to that love by returning affection and obeying rules and boundaries. The desire to please is motivated by a deep, intrinsic need to make favorable impressions on others.

Parents need for their children to make good impressions on grandparents, friends, teachers and peer groups. Yet children learn to create facades and false impressions to cover up dissatisfaction with the person they are becoming. 

Genesis 1 informs us we were created in God’s image, and this truth serves as a reminder that God’s love purifies us from all that has contaminated our heart and soul.                      

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My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn… “If you hear his voice today, don’t be stubborn like those who rebelled.”  

~Hebrews 3:12-13,15 Contemporary English Version

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Is It Possible to Change from Giving False Impressions?

Living with false impressions is a way to cope with life when feelings of dissatisfaction with one’s personal identity are on display. A person may masquerade in sheep’s clothing to hide a ferocious wolf’s intent to deceive, according to Matthew 7:15.

The objective is to cover up distasteful character or behavioral flaws. Character flaws exist in each person, much to our dismay. However, each Christian should desire to live for Christ Jesus, but coping with character flaws can be discouraging.

The Christian life is an ever-maturing quest in need of God’s grace and restoration. False impressions cover up weaknesses of character capable of surfacing at any moment. The best defense against false impressions is to permit honesty and truth to saturate your consciousness. Honesty encased in humility reflects Christ Jesus within you. This is your best hope. 

                    

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You will earn the respect and trust of others if you work for good; if you work for evil, you’re making a mistake. ~ Proverbs 14:22 Good News Bible  

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How Difficult Is It to Remain Faithful to Jesus Christ?

Saying one thing but meaning something else gives a false impression of who you are and your purpose for living. Taking false impressions to the extreme, the terrorists of 911 masqueraded as guests, but their intent was to kill and destroy.

While the majority of false impressions do not fit into this extreme category, the intent is to mislead or cover up the truth. Pretentious and deceitful attitudes easily equate to a fake identity that conceals the actual person behind a disguise.

Jesus told about pretentious individuals who appear safe and harmless but are wolves masquerading as sheep. Every aspect of who you are communicates a strong message to others. It’s imperative to consistently live for Christ Jesus. 

Some authorities strongly mandate, “to yourself be true,” while the major objective of the Christian is for you to always “be true to the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

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Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of our heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

 ~Proverbs 3:3-4 New International Version

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What Is Your Preferred Way of Communicating?

How do we communicate? Obviously with language, although not with words alone; the way words are formulated to give meaning to a message are important. The intonation and pitch of your voice and your body language are powerful communication tools.

Looks can be deceptive, such as a smile that communicates a nice greeting while hiding negative feelings and intentions. Everyone knows what it means to give or receive a simple smile, pretending all is well – when it isn’t.

Pretending might serve an immediate purpose, but reality will have to be faced. Psalm 31:5 refers to God as the “God of truth.” John 1:14 portrays Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” Self-evaluations are needed so God’s truth can correct questionable behavior patterns. Asking God for truth, facing that truth, and living with truth form a strategy for overcoming the need to give false impressions.                

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What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. 

~Proverbs 18:21 Good News Bible  

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Can False Impressions of Self Be Overcome?

It’s not unthinkable to speculate that each person has deliberately given a false impression about a specific aspect of their life. The purpose of false impressions is to influence others to see something other than your true self.

Mary Ann Evans, writing under the pseudonym of George Elliot, observed that “Life is too precious to spend in weaving and unweaving false impressions.” False impressions are designed to influence what others think and believe.

Self-centeredness drives false impressions, but future accountability cannot be disregarded. Ephesians 5:5 states that “no immoral person will have an inheritance in the kingdom of God.”

The first step in turning away from false impressions is to permit the purifying light of Jesus Christ to cleanse the core of your soul. When tempted to fall back into sin, immediately correct yourself. The power of God in Christ Jesus will help you repent and be forgiven.                        

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Love [for Christ Jesus] should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ ... becomes strong because of [His] love.  

~Ephesians 4:15-16 Contemporary English Version  

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How Valuable Is Trust to Relationships?

What purpose does genuine trust serve in relationships and every area of life? Trust is the foundation on which governments, societies, work and family life are anchored. Trust is the navigational system that guides us through daily activities.

Think how we trust public agencies to provide electricity and safe water. False trust believes these will never fail. Proverbs 25:14 describes those who deceive as being like clouds that promise needed rain but are empty of moisture.

What purpose does portraying yourself falsely accomplish? Enticing others with false trust may produce momentary gain but predictably end in sorrow. Accountability that’s anchored in trust for God welcomes without hesitation Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, to thoroughly search the heart for falsehood. Peace comes to opening your life to that light.          

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When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise. In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.  

~Psalm 56:3-4 New American Standard Bible  

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How Powerful Is False Trust?

Have you noticed that in most popular music trust or mistrust is usually the topic? False trust can be the main focus. Perhaps the reason for the popularity of this issue is the human need to be loved and trusted.

False trust has the capability to convince the unsuspecting that love and acceptance exist when in reality, they don’t. Satan used his talent to convince Adam and Eve that he was trustworthy and what he had to say was pure truth.

False trust is powerful and convincing when combined with promises of accountability. Genesis 4 describes how Cain lured his brother Abel to an isolated place and murdered him. Cain made use of false trust for selfish purposes. God never intended for false trust to invade human relationships, but rather for truth and honesty to dominate.           

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Most people will tell you what loyal friends they are, but are they telling you the truth? 

~Proverbs 20:6 The Living Bible   

We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 

~2 Corinthians 4:2 New International Version 

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How Is Trust Affected By Accountability?

Have you ever trusted someone only to discover they were totally unworthy of your trust? 

Everyone eventually gets blindsided for being somewhat naive. Failure to pay attention to God’s warning signs gives evidence of false trust.

When a relationship or situation proves painful, what was believed to be trustworthy was based on unrealistic beliefs and the unwillingness to face the truth. Failure to heed warning signs is a failure to be accountable to what God provides.

Accountability depends on confidence that God’s presence will provide strength to overcome whatever must be faced. False trust believes a particular situation is safe regardless of contrary evidence. Accountability is attached to faith that assures you God’s unfailing love is trustworthy for fighting the good fight that must be faced in life.

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Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. ~1 Corinthians 4:2 New International Version  

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What Makes False Trust Believable?

God created human beings with an innate ability to trust, otherwise he would not have commanded people to trust him. Do you realize what a blessing it is to have confidence that God is able to "supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus"?

False trust believes God will supply everything you want, no matter how out of bounds it is. False trust believes that something exists when there is no basis for its existence. False trust believes someone cares for you when evidence proves it isn’t true.

False trust attempts to make something believable when it’s a sham. False trust believes when you’re married, you will be completely happy and children will fulfill all your needs to be loved and respected. Healthy trust derives from making the Lord Jesus Christ your stronghold, an anchor that holds you firm through the storms of life. Healthy trust remains assured of God’s love.                 

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Blessed is the [person] who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like the tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water, a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by the long months of drought. Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing its luscious fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:7-8 The Living Bible  

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What Makes a Person Worthy of Our Trust?

Has God made it possible to measure or define trust in different situations? Common sense testifies that trust has many variables. When considering the emotional and intellectual components of a situation, the worthiness of trust can be evaluated. 

Are we accountable to those who think they are worthy of our trust? We’re accustomed to believing others should be accountable to us when we extend the gift of trust to them. Accountability is confirmed when we stand by our word.

Human beings need and want to trust in relationships, political systems, and God. Job 8:14-19 reminds us of the reality of false trust, which is like shallow soil that starves the plants. Sadly, each person has experienced false trust. However, when compared to faith and trust anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ, His promises are dependable, solid, and trustworthy.

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Give yourself to the Lord, trust in him, and he will help you; he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun. Be patient and wait for the Lord to act. 

~Psalm 37:5-7 Good News Bible 

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