Anger previously peppered our life, and rose from the disappointments we experience from conception, and which intensified throughout the years. Some have a more violent past than others, but we all suffered from deprivation, violence, permissiveness and/or wickedness in one form or another. Salvation eliminates much of our anger. Christ frees us and heals the pain of our past and gives us courage to face the future.
The second asset we receive with salvation is the blanket
of peace, which defies human explanation and envelops every fiber of our being (Philippians 4:7). We
suddenly realize that we are not alone (Hebrews 13:5). We have no need to struggle through life any
longer. Rather than seeing life as full of hopelessness, we see that all things
are now possible, because Christ lives in us (Luke 18:27). In our exhaustion, we yoke up
with Jesus and find fulfilling rest (Matthew 11:28:390; Hebrews 4:10).
Jealousy and envy no longer rot our bones (Proverbs 14:40),
because we realize that God does not love another person better than He loves
me. He loves us all enough to go to Calvary’s cross and bear the penalty of our
shameful sins. Problems only arise when we compare our life to someone else’s
and focus on what we do not have, rather than to live in gratitude for what we
do have. God works all things, even bad things, out for the ultimate good (Romans 8:28; John 3:16,
3:34).
We are filled with God’s Spirit (Romans 8:9). We are able to accomplish
the works God created for us to do (Ephesians 2:10), because we can do anything now that Christ
abides within us (Philippians
4:13, 19). When we feel defeated, His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm
91:15). God works in and through us as we walk in His Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25).
We are still powerless alone, but Christ in us is infinitely able. We are now more than
conquerors and nothing separates us from His love (2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 8:37-39).
Prayer:
Father God, You are our Everything (Psalms 23 & 91). There is not a
hair on our head that grows in or falls out, which You do not see (Matthew 10:30). You
give us wisdom to face the challenges of life (1 Corinthians 1:30), and You walk within us
every step of the way (Hebrews
13:5). Each day, we acknowledge You and You direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). When
life worries or frustrates us, we can cast every care on Your shoulders,
because You care for us infinitely more than we even care about our self (1 Peter 5:7).
Thought for the Day:
When I feel like I can no longer face the challenges of life, I realize that the King of Kings forgives me and provides me with love, power and a calm mind, which allows me to obey His will. - 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:7
