At the beginning of each new year, one thing is on most everyone’s mind: New Year’s resolutions. The new year provides a fresh start to change something … especially to quit an old harmful habit or to start a new healthy one. Our intentions are good, but as you know, New Year’s resolutions rarely last. I believe one reason they don’t stick is because the focus is often on our efforts … rather than on our God.
The problem of evil and suffering is nothing new. However, until we enter heaven, we may not understand the real reason for all the injustice in this world … nevertheless God’s Word is not silent about suffering. The Bible reveals that our pain has purpose … our suffering has significance.
They’re all around us—the walking wounded. They come from all walks of life, all races, and all nationalities. Male and female ... young and old ... rich and poor … they’ve all been targets of someone else’s cruel drive for power and perverse self-indulgence. They bear the stigma of suffering ... but seldom can you see the marks....
Habits are learned patterns of behavior or attitudes repeated so often they become typical of a person. Interestingly, habits can be good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, positive or negative. However, an addiction is always negative because it’s a compulsive, enslaving dependence on something, resulting in detrimental patterns of thinking and behaving.
Forgiving isn’t easy … especially when you don’t feel like it. When someone causes you pain that penetrates your heart, resentment can easily take root. Yet God commands us to forgive. The Bible says … “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
If you became a single parent, you might believe you can’t feel secure unless you must have another person in your life to provide for your physical and emotional needs. In truth, God knows you will go through painful times, but you can feel secure in knowing that the Lord is the perfect provider for your family. …
Are you in an emotional battle because of guilt? Is your guilt a loving instrument of God – used to convict, correct and conform your character when you stray the wrong way? Or, do you battle feelings of shame and condemnation when guilt appears? The Bible says … “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Realize, both true guilt and false guilt exist, and the differences are great. …
If you take an item to an auction and ask how much it is worth, the answer is obvious: Whatever someone is willing to pay. The worth of an item is determined by one simple standard … the highest price paid. Yet we often ignore this practical equation when it relates to our own value. Many who struggle with low self-worth say, “I’ve made too many mistakes. I don’t deserve happiness. No one can really love me. I must do as much as I can to earn approval from others.” This kind of person becomes a human “doing” instead of a human being.
If you take an item to an auction and ask how much it is worth, the answer is obvious: Whatever someone is willing to pay. The worth of an item is determined by one simple standard … the highest price paid. Yet we often ignore this practical equation when it relates to our own value. Many who struggle with low self-worth say, “I’ve made too many mistakes. I don’t deserve happiness. No one can really love me. I must do as much as I can to earn approval from others.” This kind of person becomes a human “doing” instead of a human being.
Many people see nothing wrong with harboring bitterness, resentment, and hatred. Because of unjust treatment, the concept of forgiveness seems so unfair. Like me, they feel absolutely justified. In fact, we feel we are carrying the cause for justice—carrying the cause for right—only to discover we are wrong...
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