READ BETH TURNER FAVS
We figure things out the best we can without worry and anxiety, God adds his "butcher's thumb" and how things really work out may be a surpise. The idea is that things turn out better than they would have had he not intervened. He is the Great Mitigator.
Ecclesiastes 7:10
"Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise or because of wisdom that you ask this."
Don't compare one part of your life with another. If it's time for lunch, enjoy lunch. If it's time for dinner, enjoy dinner. Find what God has for you right now. It's probably pretty good if he's there with you and you are there with him (by not complaining and opening your eyes to the opportunites around you now).
Ecclesiastes 11:6
"In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withold not your hands, for you know not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good."
Don't prejudge outcomes, "go for it" and stick around to see the results. Be an optimist. I asked myself once what would happen if I got an A+ on everything for the whole rest of the semester. What do you think happened? Dean's List and I had been getting low grades.
Proverbs 21:2
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills."
Don't focus on what you think people important in your life will say or do, tell God what you want and let God handle the people. He's the only one who can anyway.
Isaiah 8:10-15
"Take counsel together (against Judah), but it shall come to naught; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us (Immanuel). For the Lord spoke thus to me with His strong hand [upon me] and warned and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying 'Do not call conspiracy [or hard, or holy]; neither be in fear of what they fear, nor [make others afraid] in dread; The Lord of host-regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him]. And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who referently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble thereon; and they shall fall and be broken, and be snared and taken."
People may gang up on you and seem to triumph over you. Don't be afraid of them, don't act in such a way as to lead others to be afraid of them. Don't fear anything as you can insult and offend God, whom alone you should fear. If you can't stand straight and tall in adversity for any other reason, do it so as to give honor to God. It may look bad now but it can and will be worse for those who are after you unless they understand who is watching over you and stop.
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