Faith's Priority ~ 2020 Vision of Trust in God

Do you believe on this New Year's Day that the new year can offer a fresh start for your life? If so, have you promised to make lifestyle changes to ensure that a fresh start has a chance for success? Your fresh start has a chance for a positive outcome and success provided you inaugurate Christian faith’s priorities into the action to be taken. 

What do Christian faith’s priorities include? Trusting in God to give you wisdom to choose what to include in your fresh start will determine if your journey will be successful. Trust is essential for activating faith that keeps you on the path when the way grows narrow and distractions abound.

What is an essential faith priority that holds you steady when the way becomes filled with obstacles? Essential is a heartfelt belief that the presence of God will keep you from falling away or giving up when it’s impossible to see what lies ahead. God promises never to leave or abandon you regardless of what you encounter, so keep pressing onward. God keeps his promises.  Happy New Year! 

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Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

~Psalm 143:8 New International Version

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.

Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us.

~Isaiah 26:3-4 Good News Bible

Endure: Don't Give In or Give Up - Part 3

Numerous examples of endurance derive from exceptional individuals who are handicapped. I sat beside a young woman in a college class and did not discover she was severely hearing impaired until the end of the semester. She took notes by reading the professor's lips. Can you imagine being deaf and attending a state university and being an A+ student?

When I'm faced with situations requiring value clarification and perseverance, I’m reminded of this young woman. Jesus' words from Matthew 7:13 speak to the issue. "For the gate is narrow and the way hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few." Every worthwhile endeavor may have a narrow gate and eventually require endurance.

The temptation might be to give up because the way is difficult. The alternative is to look for an easy way, the path of least resistance. Jesus was offered this alternative, but chose instead the narrow gate, leading to the cross. Consider the consequence for us, if he had chosen the easy way.  

Endure: Don't Give In or Give Up - Part 1

Recently, I met a person who was experiencing intense conflict over office procedures and policies. What appeared to be a secondary issue, but turned out to be the primary issue, was this person’s fear of conflict and confrontation. He preferred to pout and internalize frustration rather than to be "up front" with the issues.

There are several ways to manage conflict. One is to endure in silence and become a helpless victim. A healthier way to manage is to be open and truthful, carefully explaining what you think and need. Then request the person's help and support for resolving problems. Change usually requires patience and endurance for appropriate change to become a reality.

Endurance displays character strengths. Endurance makes emotional and spiritual transformation possible. Character strengths come from believing the Lord God will use any situation to let you know he is interested in you and will give you strength to endure. You can love and trust him to faithfully keep his promises.