Setting a New Course for Life

It’s within human nature to desire good things, to reap the rewards of one's labor, to enjoy a growing family and to be happy sharing the love of a faithful husband or wife. Yet sustained happiness is beyond grasping, for there’s no way to control everything life presents. We’re imperfect, so we make choices that result in suffering or unhappiness.

It's critically important to prevent getting entrapped in the consequences of careless choices. Instead, be resolved to make amends, for hurtful words and behaviors can set a new course for your life. To personally experience God's mercy and grace is the best motive to correct what is not working in life.

Listen to Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer for all people: "God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." This is a wonderful prayer and motive for celebrating life.    

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Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.

~Revelation 21:5 Contemporary English Version

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The Conscience As an Alert System - Part 2

There's never been a time in modern history when mankind's survival was not an issue. Initially, Adam and Eve did not worry about survival, but their utopia ended with a careless choice. Although they were expelled from the garden, God did not cut them off from his love and protection. No, he still loved and cared for them and made sure they survived.

Have you given thanks to God for your survival, for your blessings? We work and pay taxes so others can have food, clothing, and shelter. We give away clothes that are longer in fashion and support programs to help people all over the world. Generosity is possible because we're so blessed and do not struggle to survive physically.

However, survival is a multi-faceted issue. Because we're complex, fragile, and sensitive, we often strive to survive emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. As God loved and cared for Adam and Eve, he loves and cares for you. So invite Jesus to fill you with his presence. This is a wonderful, healthy choice for survival. So give thanks to God.