7 Daily Bible Verses That Will Get You Through Life's Trials

There are days you might wake up and feel like it’s the end of the world. When you’re not feeling your best, when things aren’t going well, and even when life is going great, we must come to know either way there is power in God’s Word! There are many books you can read.  However, if your goal is to: 1)Get your prayers answered, 2)transform your situation for the better or 3)overcome challenges; then make God’s Word your primary self-help guide. 

•   Strength and Courage

“This is my command--Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord YOUR God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

•   Trials and Tribulations

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

•   Affliction and Sickness

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  

•   Comfort

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 

•   Finding Peace

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

•    Conquering Fear

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

•   Building Faith

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6

Although this list is not all inclusive, it is a great way to jumpstart your day.  For more searchable and helpful bible verses visit www.biblegateway.com

5 Ways to Live Stress Free This Holiday Season!

5 Ways to Live Stress Free This Holiday Season

Living stress free this holiday season may be farfetched for many.  There was a time that I would overspend to make others happy.  All that did was cause me to panic and I would go into the New Year repeating a cycle of figuring out how I would pay lingering bills.

As we approach one of the biggest spending holidays of the year, millions are left to cope with the stress of not having enough to buy the perfect gift.  Realistically, this is a time when people are spending money that they just don’t have to spend.  This causes a plague or snowball of other stressful circumstances to follow.  Don’t let this be you.

My advice is if you can’t buy the perfect gift, the last thing you want to do is worry and spend money that’s better spent on debt you already owe.  Most families have gotten smart and are doing grab bags, which is a great way to prevent overspending.  So buy what you can, don’t try to be Santa to everybody and be stress free!

Besides, worrying cancels out faith and replaces it with depression, fear and a nexus of other negative emotions.  If you have bills, a family, a job, a ministry that you oversee, and so on; chances are you won’t completely eliminate stress.  However, if you implement these very simple life-changing steps below, you can significantly minimize it.  Use your time and your money wisely, and focus on spending time with family. That way, your new year will lend itself to a sense of fulfillment and most importantly, peace of mind. After all, Jesus is the real reason for the season!

Matthew 6:34 says: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Make it a priority to maximize your spiritual growth and minimizing anxiety!    

1. Pray Daily
How can prayer help? You might be thinking “I’ve been praying about my situation for a month and nothing has happened.”  Instead of worrying about situations you can’t control simply continue seek God in spite of what looks like an unanswered prayer.  Pray when things are good and when they aren’t so good.  If we don’t form a habit of asking God for what we need, we are less likely to have peace of mind in knowing that all of our needs are met.

2. Dieting (Physically & Spiritually)
Eat foods that make you feel good.  This includes vegetables, fruit, and drinking plenty of water.  On the spiritual side, we must change our consumption, and eat the bread of life which is God’s Word.

3. Self-Motivation

If you’re not happy with who you are or what you have, then change it! Whether it’s losing weight, going back to school, starting a savings or investment account, moving where you want to live, etc. begin to obtain the things that make you comfortable.

4. Find a Circle of Positive Friends

Remove negative people from your life. Everyone needs someone reliable besides their spouse they can confide in. Find a person that you can trust, who is pleasant to be around, but who listens in return without passing judgment.  Friends like this may seem hard to find, but they do exist.

5. Gain Financial Freedom

Lastly, now is the time to take control over your money.  Most people aren’t good stewards over their finances.  Take charge of your finances by cutting unnecessary spending, particularly this holiday season.  Plan vacations in advance, create multiple streams of income, and stay away from extensive lines of credit, to name a few.

Until next time…Be blessed in abundance!