What Does Your Mood Reveal?

 In most cases your mood is obvious to others, but what creates a mood can be difficult to explain. A depressed or angry mood can arise from a multiplicity of factors, ranging from feeling threatened to feelings of grief. Your tone of voice indicates if you’re having fun or whether you need either closeness or distance.

A person’s mood actually has an effect on the ability to worship, to pray, or on what you gained from reading God’s word. Your mood affects your state of mind and your conduct. It also indicates if you have an optimistic or pessimistic predisposition, a positive or negative outlook on life.

Faith in Jesus Christ gives you hope for today and for all eternity. Listen to Paul’s confidence: “I know whom I have believed. I’m certain he will guard what I have entrusted to him.” He further advocates, “For me to live is Christ but to die, … well, that’s better yet." In spite of all the troubles Paul experienced, his optimistic attitude is obvious. 

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I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.  

~Psalm 27:13-14 Amplified Bible

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Resilience: Character Strength for Survival - Part 1

When reading biographies of Christian martyrs, it's impossible not to be amazed by their character strength to endure hardship and pain. They refused to give in to pressures and temptations and abandon their commitment to Christ and his church. Their faith paralleled St. Paul's, who was willing to face death rather than default on his faith in Christ. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day."

President John F. Kennedy acknowledged this strength of character. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Defectors and traitors usually are despised because they portray a weakness of character like Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Resilience is a character strength that enables each of us to overcome adversity and hardships we're bound to face. Pain is inescapable, but St. Paul declared that he rejoiced in suffering because he knew that suffering produced perseverance, another good synonym for resilience. Standing up to adversity strengthens your faith in Christ Jesus. 

Building Trust for Change - Part 2

What mental images does the word trust bring to mind? For some, the word trust creates pictures of a mother lovingly nurturing her baby. For others, trust conveys a sense of safety and security. Is it easy to trust those with whom you come into contact each day? Basic trust begins in infancy and affects every choice throughout life.

In Job 13:15, we're given a model for trust even when we're pushed to the edge of life itself. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. I will surely defend my ways to His face." Job trusted God when he had lost all hope of his life improving. Basic trust helps us survive hard times, when  cruel disappointments have cut to the bone.

Making choices in difficult times, whether major or minor, can be carried out with courage by anchoring your faith in Christ Jesus. Basic trust and faith believe that God is your resource even if everything seems out of control. Job knew in whom he believed; he trusted God's faithfulness. God offers this assurance to you.