Praying Through Difficulties

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do you tell people that you’re praying for them? When you tell them, do they show visible signs of gratitude?

Paul wrote to the church of the Thessalonians, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

Doesn’t it feel good to know someone is praying for you? I love having friends who know God and aren’t afraid to go to Him with my name on their lips.

I take God’s word seriously and try to do what is good for everyone. That includes having a positive and joyful attitude instead of bringing everyone down with an atrociously dismal attitude. Doing what is good and praying for others affects my relationships. Sometimes I tell people I’ve prayed for them and sometimes I just pray.

I don’t write all of my prayers, but I do try to write in my journal every day. In the morning, the first thing I do is read a Bible verse and write in my morning prayer journal. It helps me focus on what I should be thinking about that day. Writing my prayer in the morning helps me put God first and listen for His guidance.

When I need to review how much I’ve improved as I’ve struggled on my journey, I can go back to my journal entries and read through my prayers and my gratitude. I can read the highlights of what I’ve done and how God has shaped me.

At the end of the year, wouldn’t you like to review the story of your life? It will be an amazing one!

If you don’t have a journal already, here’s a prayer journal that you can use for 100 days.  

Make Your Community Better, part five

Psalm 25:9  

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Part Five: Be teachable

There are three truths (among a whole lot of others) that we sometimes forget when we’re trying to improve our lives and get frustrated with the process. 

Truth: You don’t know it all. 

Truth: You could improve in a few areas.

Truth: Some people want to help you identify those areas. Take the hint.

Many people have some expertise in the area of their gifting. But while doing quite well in that one area, we forget that others can help us learn in areas that are not our gifting. 

For instance, the painter is able to create beautiful art, but doesn’t like it when the tax accountant down the street wants to brag about the art she created. These two women could cooperate and help each other. The tax lady could help the painter become more organized, and the painter could give the tax lady a few tips about making her art more appealing. For this to work, both of them would have to be patient and humble.

Being teachable is humbling yourself and allowing another person to share their gifts with you. 

This is a great way to enhance your own self-improvement, but it also makes your neighborhood a better place to live.

Pick one of these five ways of making your community better to work on today. And pick another to work on tomorrow. Set up reminders in your phone’s calendar to do specific things this week. 

Your diligence to put these improvements into practice will pay off. You’ll eventually have all of these good habits and set a good example without even trying. Remember, it takes time to expand your gifts, good habits, and good attitudes. Give yourself a break and don’t expect perfection in the first week.

Each of these five things shows consideration for others while creating good habits for yourself. When others see you setting the example of kindness, they’re more likely to join you in helping out in your community.

Keep at it. Don’t give up. You can do this. You’re making your community better.

Thanks for seeking God with me.

Want to read this series from the beginning? Here's Part One.

Make Your Community Better, part four

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Part Four: Give with a passion

Show some passion for doing what you love. Many people get involved in a job they love, but allow the mundaneness of everyday life to drag all the joy out of it. After a while, they are burned out and uninterested in something that used to make them excited to go to work. 

If this is you, take a moment to reflect on the reasons you used to love what you do. Find out if there is anything still in you that thrills you about that job. You can make a list of ways you used to do things and revisit them one by one to see if you can revitalize your passion. 

Then jump in. Dive into your job with renewed vigor. Use your job as a ministry where you can serve your coworkers and customers with the renewed passion that is building up in you.

Serve with verve. Give to others with exuberance and put some pep in your step. 

Coming up: Part Five! 

Want to start at the beginning? Here's Part One.

Make Your Community Better, part three

Matthew 5:41  

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Part Three: Give your job the extra effort

Part Two was about having a work ethic. This is about putting in the extra effort.

There are many ways to go above and beyond. One is taking advantage of the opportunities that pop up without warning. This requires you to be observant, selfless, and generous.

You can turn “Must I” into “May I”. For instance, don’t say, “Must I pick up after someone else?” Instead, turn that into, “May I pick up that trash on the floor for you?” Offering to clear a table or put away items that were out for a project will set the example for others. You can do a quiet gift of service and see others learning in your wake. Start a tidal wave of good deeds in your community with small daily acts.

Attitude shows up in the body language. You’ll be impressive when people see the twinkle of joy in your eye as you serve others without whining. Just doing the job is one thing, but doing it with a smile is impressive. 

Coming up: Part Four! 

Want to start at the beginning? Here's Part One.