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How To Stay Sane In A Changing World - Part 1

[B]ecause you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:3

Somebody said that the reason lightning never strikes twice in the same place is because the same place isn’t there the second time! Because we live in a constantly changing, stress-filled world, we need to learn to recognize: (1) When to ‘give up’. We’re surrounded by escape artists trying to avoid the stress that accompanies change. But there is no escape - change is inevitable. So stop regarding it as the enemy and instead make it your ally. Only when you decide to ride the horse in the direction its going will you get to where you need to be! (2) When to ‘wise up’. When we’re hit with sudden change, our ‘fight or flight’ instincts aren’t very effective at handling it. But there’s a solution: by entrusting your life fully into God’s care and asking for His wisdom, ‘He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into ’change’ (Romans 2:4). (3) When to ‘toughen up’. Somebody said, ‘If it wasn’t for stress, I’d have no energy at all!’ Stop and take inventory! Are you making it harder on yourself than it needs to be? Is your self-talk faith or fear? Are you convincing yourself that you can’t handle the changes? Are you ready to give up without even trying? Listen: ‘‘under [the pressure of change], your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed’’ (James 1:3-4 TM).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom to know when to give up, wise up, or toughen up with the changes that are around me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen