ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

With all the news feeds, opinions, and op-ed's floating around the internet it's no wonder our minds are on information overload. The way we all tend to shoot off our mouths you would think we were the most informed, understanding and wise generation that ever graced planet earth with our intelligence.

All joking aside... the wisest people among us are not those who have thousands of likes and views on their social media feeds. They are not those of us who have spent years and years studying in the top universities to acquire their Doctorate. 

According to God, wisdom and understanding are something tangible, profound, and much more personal.

In James 3:13  God asks us us a point blank question..."Who  among you is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom." 

God's wisdom has nothing to do with how many degrees we can list next to our names. The wisest people in the Kingdom of God are not those of us who are considered the smartest. Instead, wisdom is applied to the people who put God and others first in their lives. In the Bible humility has to do with servant hood. The verse goes on to say "wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate , submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial and sincere." Wow! What an incredible list of character traits we should all aspire to.

God also tells us if we lack wisdom to ask Him for it and he will give it to us generously. We are to imitate God who is always ready to forgive us for our sins when we confess our failures and turn away from our transgressions. Because of his mercy and faithfulness he encourages us when we're down, leads us when we have lost our way, and loves us even when we don't deserve it. To boil it down, if you want to be considered wise,  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12) WISDOM IS LOVE IN ACTION.
 

PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING

 

"Into each life some rain must fall." This timeless phrase comes from a classic jazz song sung by Ella Fitzgerald and quickly became an anthem for everyone who perseveres through hardships. We certainly don't look forward to having setbacks in our lives but the good news, when we have Jesus as our anchor, we always come out victorious. 

Rain and storms symbolize hardships...so when the rain starts falling it's best to get our focus on the One who helps us in our time of need. The Bible gives us lots of perspective on adversity when it hits home. 

1) When trials come...REJOICE.  That sounds crazy but our reaction to trouble when it hits will show our enemy, Satan, we choose to trust God with the outcome and we refuse to cave to fear of our circumstances.

2) Obstacles, big and small, test our faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6)

3) Faith produces steadfastness that empowers us to stand firm, immovable, confident in God. When we make it through, God tells us we are perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Best of all, the promise of victory is found in First Peter Five verse Ten  "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen , and establish you."  So remember...when bad news comes... perspective is everything so hang on and..DANCE THROUGH THE STORM.