Sometimes, like the present, we just cannot understand why God is letting things happen the way they are. Terrible tragedies happen to innocent people, people lose their loved ones, evil people seem to succeed. We try and try to find the logic in the events, but cannot.

In those times, a few of the following verses may help:

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.”

Psalm 91:14, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust my name.”

Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

Psalm 27:14, “Wait patiently for the Lord, Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

We may not understand the work God is doing, but we can know that He is in control, and He is there for us.

Dear Lord, You know how difficult life can be for some people, be with those who mourn, help them feel your presence and comfort. Give use the words, wisdom, and love to be your hands of caring to those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever painted over a bad color on a wall, or crayon drawings your children colored on the wall; maybe graffiti on a building. Isn’t the transformation intersting?

Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8. “Above all maintain constant love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Proverbs 10:12 says. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all sins.” Like painting over the blemishes on our walls, love for others, helps us overlook their blemishes, their love for us also allows them to overlook ours, and most importantly God’s love for us through Salvation covers our sins like they never happened.

Dear Lord, thank you for the love you provided us, that covers our sins, help us share your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we have challenges in life, medical problems, relationship problems, emotional problems or others, our first inclination is to find an expert in that problem area and get help from them. That is not necessarily a wrong solution, but we need to remember that these people are experts at understanding sciences that God created. He is the source and he should be our first stop in helping us with our challenges.

Psalm 121:1,2 says, “I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth!”

Dear Lord, You are the ultimate authority, power and source of solutions for us. Help us remember to come to you first, trust in your love for us and promise to be there for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you noticed how much your “state of mind” affects what you think about events, your expectations, and how you treat others. For instance, if things are going well for, you may tend to have a positive “state of mind,” have positive expectations, and tend to be upbeat and positive with other people. When you are in a negative “state,” just the opposite tends to occur.

I would argue that we can control our “state of mind” by taking control of our thoughts. For example, our state of mind can quickly change when something tragic, or something fantastic occurs in our lives. So if some external event can change our thoughts, our own conscious choice to change our thoughts can do the same.

Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

I use two steps to try to get myself into the right state of mind when events are dragging me down. I first look at all the things for which I have to be thankful, and they are many. It is nearly impossible to be in a bad state when we are truly thankful. Then I pray and put my trust in God to lead me through my challenges.

The Bible tells us these things in many places. Here are a few to lean on.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

“Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Lord, Help us take control of our “state of mind” with thankful hearts and confidence in your unlimited power to overcome any challenge we face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Does your life look like what is described here in Galatians 5:22, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

If so, Praise the Lord! Take on the mission to spread this fruit of the Spirit with others.

For the rest of us, Luke 11:13 tells us to ask for God’s spirit, “.. how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Dear Lord, When we look for that missing thing that will make us happy, help us remember that it is You. Give us your spirit so that we may experience lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. And use these gifts to spread your Good News and glorify you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.