More With Us

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or discouraged

because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him,

for there is a greater power with us than with him."

2 Chronicles 32:7

They were experienced in conquering nations.  Having never tasted defeat, they were pretty confident in their ability to take down the tiny nation of Judah.  So, they set to work, laying siege to all the fortified cities.  In the face of such a threat as this, Hezekiah didn't waver in his faith in God.  Even though the armies of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, surrounded him, he realized they were no match for his mighty God!  Therefore, he encouraged his people to stand firm and put their trust in the Lord (2 Chronicles 32).

It may look like things are pretty hopeless in my life, as well.  Perhaps I face an insurmountable opponent such as the federal government, or a powerful corporation, or a team of lawyers.  No matter how much they posture, threaten and attempt to intimidate me, they are no match for God.  Even if they've never lost a case or failed in their efforts, God cannot be defeated.  If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31, Psalm 118:6)

I have nothing to fear because no matter how things look, there's more with me than with my enemy.

Arm of Flesh.  The plan is solid and they've all had a good night's sleep.  The team is filled with hard-working people, the best in their field.  It seems everything is working in their favor.  As they set to work, though, they face many obstacles.  As time goes by, their fervor wanes and their strength fades.  Before they know it, they are burned out.

It doesn't matter how well-prepared man is; he will run out of steam at some point.  The abilities and power of man are limited.  If I place my trust in any man-made entity, I will be disappointed.  If, however, I place my faith in God, I will never be let down.  He never grows weary or runs out of answers and I can't go wrong by waiting on Him (Isaiah 40:27-31).

When I place my faith in God, there is more with me no matter how strong or intelligent man may seem.

Warrior.  It seems counter-intuitive in the face of a battle.  Isn't an army supposed to fight?  Usually, yes, but God has a history of fighting battles for His people.  So, Joshua trusted in God's plan and led his people in marching around Jericho, never lifting a weapon against the mighty, fortified city they were there to conquer.  To their great astonishment, the impenetrable walls fell on the seventh day of marching, purely as a result of God's supernatural work, and the Israelites took the city (Joshua 6).

God is not just my protector, provider and sustainer.  He is also my warrior.  As such, it is His desire that I let Him fight my battles for me (Deuteronomy 20:4).  Therefore, I can rest easy and watch for the Lord's deliverance.  Even though it seems like I should be fighting to protect my rights, or further my agenda, or liberate myself, it is God's desire that I leave the battle to Him.  In the end, when I stand in wonder at all He has done to rescue me, He will get all the glory for a battle well-fought.

When I place my faith in God, letting Him fight my battles, there is more with me than with my enemy.

Help.  It feels good to help others, knowing I have made their lives a bit easier and have blessed them in some small way.  Asking for help, on the other hand, is not something I am naturally willing to do.  I'd rather muddle through on my own, trying my best to make things work.  

I was never designed to walk alone on the path God has laid before me.  It is His intention that I walk with Him, allowing Him to bear my burdens, hold onto my fears, and carry my worries.  When I insist on trying to make a go of it in my own strength, I will fall every time.  When I instead cast my cares on Him, trusting in His mighty power, I will be able to walk calmly and assuredly through any calamity that comes my way, knowing He is my ever-present source of help (Psalm 46:1-3).

When I place my faith in God, allowing Him to help me in my time of need, there is more with me than with the unknown I face.

In the same way that Hezekiah faced a great opponent yet stood firm in his faith, I can trust God even when the going gets tough.  When I do, I will realize the futility of trusting in man and will allow God to fight my battles for me and give me the help I so desperately need.  Then I will truly be able to say, there is more with me than with whatever it is I face.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God instead of giving into fear.

When am I afraid to let God fight for me?

How am I unwilling to let God carry my burdens for me?    

First Things First

"In the first month of the first year of his reign,

he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD

and repaired them."

2 Chronicles 29:3

Hezekiah had his priorities right.  His first order of business as newly crowned king of Judah was to bring people back to God.  There are hundreds of other concerns he could have addressed, decrees he could have issued, or problems he could have tackled.  Instead, he chose to focus his attentions on restoring worship in the temple of God.

Likewise, there are many choices I make each day.  I am often faced with making decisions on how to spend my time, where to place my attention, and what most needs my efforts.  How often do I choose godly pursuits?  It is time I do as Hezekiah did and put first things first.

Open Temple.  Before anyone could walk through the threshold of the temple, the doors had to be opened.  Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, had previously sealed up the temple, further leading the people away from God by setting up altars on street corners in Jerusalem, encouraging improper worship and unfaithfulness to God (2 Chronicles 28:24-25).  By simply opening the doors, Hezekiah provided a way for people to get back to the Lord.

Since I am the temple of the living God and His Spirit dwells within me (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), I can either shut myself off from the rest of the world, denying my faith to a world who needs such truth, or I can open up the doors, allowing others a glimpse of His magnificent love.  

When I live out loud for Jesus, revealing my allegiance to Him, I am showing others the abundant life He offers.  As I live authentically before others, refusing to hide my weaknesses, mistakes and tumbles, I am presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ in a tangible way, showing others I am free from condemnation, guilt and fear (Romans 8:1, 1 John 4:18).  In this way I am proving my belief that the good news of Jesus Christ is a powerful, life-changing gift from a God who loves us (Romans 1:16).

My first priority is to open others up to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by living authentically before them.

Repair Temple.  I never wanted to place a bumper sticker on the back of my car, fearing my driving would be a horrible witness for Jesus Christ.  If I cut someone off in traffic, whether it be intentional or not, the other driver would see my life as no different than all the others who are willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.  How would this draw people to Jesus?

Since I am the temple of the living God, I must ask myself where my testimony is broken.  Not that I need to live a perfect and pristine life, but that others must know that I am forgiven completely based on what Jesus has done.  It is easy to give others the impression that my status as child of God is reliant on my actions.  If I'm unwilling to admit to my faults, or refuse to reveal my sinful ways, they will never see the process of repentance, forgiveness and restoration that is freely mine in Christ (1 John 1:9).  

The world is a cold and unforgiving place.  As I dwell there, I learn to harden my heart against those who hurt me, shutting off God's love to many who desperately need it.  I also grow prideful as I forget how sinful I am, choosing instead to focus on the transgressions of the world around me, pointing an accusing finger at others' faults.  If my testimony is going to mean anything, I can never forget my true identity as sinner saved by grace (Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:8-9)

My next priority is to repair my testimony where it has begun to deliver a gospel of works or cheap grace.

Consecrate Temple.  Ahaz did much damage to the temple of God.  He shamelessly and recklessly used the holy temple treasures as enticement to gain the king of Assyria's help, later destroying and removing temple furnishings, furthering desecrating the temple of God (2 Chronicles 28:21-24).  When his son, Hezekiah, took the throne, his main priority was to undo what his father had done.  Consequently, he set to work consecrating the temple, cleaning it, removing what didn't belong and returning what did.  The temple again became a place that pleased God.

In order to do the same in my own temple, I must set aside my life as a living sacrifice, removing everything that dishonors God and adding that which pleases Him (Romans 12:1).  This means offering myself completely to Him, wholeheartedly dedicating my attentions to obeying His calling on my life.  It also means I must take His Word seriously enough that I allow it to penetrate my heart, altering the way I think which in turn changes my behavior (James 1:25).

My subsequent priority is to consecrate my life for Jesus, making it a living sacrifice for Him.

There is so much to take my attention away from what is truly important.  I can take a lesson from Hezekiah and choose to open myself up as a testimony for Jesus Christ, repairing whatever is not pointing others to Him, and setting myself aside for God's glory alone.  In doing so I'm putting first things first.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can get my priorities straight.

When do I attempt to prove my allegiance to Christ by trying hard to live right, thus drawing attention to myself and my own efforts?

How is my life as a living sacrifice crawling off the altar?

Fallacy of Destiny (Flip Side of "No Guarantee")

"He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight,

just as his ancestor David had done."

2 Chronicles 29:2 NLT

This apple fell far from the tree.  Even though Hezekiah grew up under the influence of his evil father, King Ahaz, he did not follow in his footsteps.  He was not destined to become like his father.  There was hope for Hezekiah, and there is hope for me.  I am not fated to become like anyone else, whether it be parent, teacher, sibling or friend.  No matter how close I am to them or how strong their influence, my life has a path of its own (Hebrews 12:1).

Freedom of Choice.  I have a friend who grew up in a highly dysfunctional home with a father who was barely ever there and a mother who suffered from mental illness.  The messages she heard about God from her parents were conflicting, to the say the least.  There wasn't much love found within the four walls of their house and she could have grown up to suffer from a number of maladies, or be plagued by drugs abuse and promiscuity like her siblings.  Instead, her faith in Christ is strong, her heart is pure and her desire to obey Him led her to the mission field.

I cannot make myself see my need for Jesus; I need God to open my heart to the Gospel (John 6:44).  Even the faith I use to trust in Jesus is from Him (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:13-14).  He gets all the glory for my salvation.  

Once I belong to Him, though, it's up to me to either walk in the Spirit or by my own flesh (Galatians 5:16).  It's my decision if I am to cooperate with His plan of transformation for my life (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:10).  I can choose the path of life or continue down the crowded road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).  These are choices I have been given and my friend made for Christ despite the horrible examples she had in her parents.  She was not doomed to follow in their footsteps.

Destiny is a fallacy because God has given me freedom of choice as His child.

Stronghold of Sin.  I can either be a slave to sin or to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).  While the pull of my own sin nature is strong and I may feel like I have to do what comes naturally, I have been given power over this sin through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24-25a, 8:2).  I am not destined to do what I have always done, to continue in the patterns of destructive behavior I have always known, or to be oppressed by a generational curse.   No, in these things I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57).

While sin is a powerful attraction, I have the ability through Christ Jesus to take what was once used for destruction and offer it to God as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:11-14).  I can choose to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as I would don a coat, letting His righteousness become my own (Romans 13:14).  I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, the old sin nature has gone, if only I would fully let it go (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Destiny is a fallacy because Jesus Christ has given me victory over sin.

Mission of Enemy.  They really hated his brother.  In fact, they despised him so much they were ready to do him in.  They didn't really care how much he may suffer or how he felt.  All they wanted to do was rid themselves of his annoying presence (Genesis 37:12-36).

After Joseph spent nearly 40 years in Egypt as a result of his brothers selling him into slavery, over 20 of those as second in command to the Pharaoh, he gained a new perspective on the treachery that marked his life.  When faced with possible retribution, his brother's quaked in his powerful presence.  Joseph, understanding God's sovereign plan, replied, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20).

Satan intends to harm me.  In fact, his mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a), but Christ came to give me life and life to the full (John 10:10b)!  God can take what my enemy meant for evil and turn it into the best thing that ever happened to me (Romans 8:28).  While my enemy has a mission that is for my destruction, Jesus has a mission to save me and turn the ashes of my life into something beautiful (John 3:17, Isaiah 61:1-3).

Destiny is a fallacy because Jesus has a mission to bring me the abundant life, no matter what my enemy intends.

While it may seem there is no hope for my life when I consider the influences surrounding me, there is always reason for optimism in Christ.  He gives me salvation and the ability to choose to walk with Him, power over sin, and a plan that will blow my mind in it's goodness.  There is no grounds for me to think, then, that I am destined for destruction.   I have the hope of Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God in the great plan He has for me.

When do I resign myself to what seems inevitable?

How am I a victim of my own negative thinking? 

Don't Resist the Holy Spirit

"You stiff-necked people,

with uncircumcised hearts and ears!

You are just like your fathers:

You always resist the Holy Spirit!"

Acts 7:51

All the believers were gathered together, making for a motley crew crowded into a single home.  Suddenly, what sounded like a violent wind storm swept through the group, only the air wasn't moving.  Perplexed, everyone looked around at each other, wondering what was happening.  The sound seemed to be coming from above but there was no place from which to flee the cacophony within the house; the din was everywhere.

All at once, a great fire came down from the ceiling, dividing itself into separate tongues of flames, each one resting upon a believer.  A great sense of power filled each person and they mysteriously received the ability to speak in other languages.  When outsiders gathered to investigate the sound, they wondered at the wide range of tongues coming from these people.  How could they each hear the message in their own language, as diverse as the onlookers were?  Some thought these believers must be drunk, but what had really happened was that God had sent His Holy Spirit upon those who trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I have the very power of God living within me in the form of God's Spirit.  Even so, it is easy to get into the habit of resisting His direction, His guidance and His power.  How could I defy such a mighty force?  There are many ways.

Stiff-Necked

God had provided everything they needed.  They had a continuous supply of delicious and nutritious food, delivered daily to their doorsteps. (Exodus 16:13-14) Their clothing and shoes stayed in good condition. (Deuteronomy 29:5)  When they needed water, He could make it appear from a rock, or turn bitter water into sweet.  (Exodus 15:25, Exodus 17:6) God Himself led the group, giving them guidance through a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. (Exodus 13:21)  In essence, the Israelites had it made.

Knowing that I have everything I need does not necessarily give me a sense of contentment.  Many times I yearn for more, desiring things I don't need but suddenly think I can't live without.  My wants morph into needs in my heart.  

The Israelites were no different.  Despite the fact that God had provided everything they needed, they still had a way of focusing only on what they didn't have and not on what God had provided.  They forgot they were God's chosen people and that He promised to take care of them.  Consequently, they complained a lot.

I'm equally as stubborn and set in my ways.  If I'm used to existing at a certain standard of living, I balk at the thought of giving up some income.  If I have my heart set on a new electronic gadget, car, or house, I resist the idea of settling for less.  If I'm accustomed to being around family at holiday time but this year everyone is split up, I mope if things don't go the way I want.

God is constantly at work in and around me, but I oppose Him when His provision or effort doesn't look like what I'm used to experiencing or what I expect to see.  I fight against what He's trying to do in the way that I direct my focus.  If I look for trouble, I'll find it.  But if I look for God's hand, I also will discover how He's at work and join in with Him.  Instead of being a part of the problem, then, I'll take part in God's amazing plan for my life.  

I resist God's Spirit in my life when I insist on my stubborn ways instead of letting go of my expectations in order to free Him to work in my life without limits.

Uncircumcised Hearts and Ears

They faced a tremendous challenge.  I mammoth city loomed above them, fortified with impenetrable walls.  This metropolis stood between them and the land God had promised the Israelites.  The men were not quite up to fighting yet as they had recently undergone the painful process of circumcision.  Yes, the people of Israel were coping with quite a dilemma.

Thankfully, God had a plan and it had nothing to do with the might of their soldiers.  Instead, it had everything to do with the power of God.  He commanded the people to march around the impassable wall of Jericho one time each day for six days.  On the seventh day, they walked around seven times, blowing their horns and shouting on the seventh time.  At the sound of the trumpet blast, the walls collapsed, allowing the men to rush in and conquer the city. (Joshua 6)  The faith of God's people had given God free reign to accomplish His will.

There are powerful things God has planned for my life, as well.  Many times, however, my heart does not desire to please Him and my ears do not hear His direction.  Instead, I'm more focused on looking holy outwardly but fail to commit, or circumcise, my heart to the objective of listening to and obeying God.  

Every time I depend upon my common sense instead of seeking God's will, I'm guilty of the same.  When I use my intellect to come up with a solution instead of leaving it in God's hands and paying attention to His direction, my heart is far from Him.  During the times when I betray my lack of faith by worrying about tomorrow, God is not glorified in my life.

The Apostle Paul explained this idea of setting my heart upon God as opposed to striving to look like I follow God.  He said, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.  Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." (Romans 2:28-29)

I can only please God when I'm devoted to following the lead of His Spirit instead of putting in the effort to try to do the right thing.  One is by the power of God, the other in my own strength.

I resist God's Spirit in my life when I depend upon my own resources instead of waiting for Him to direct me.

Generational Transfer

His father was the most evil king that ever ruled the nation of Judah.  He worshiped false idols, sacrificed his own sons in the fire in order to appease these gods.  He never turned to the one true God, even in the face of great trouble, instead opting to give sacrifices to the gods of his enemy, hoping to bring favor upon himself.  Instead, all he managed to do was draw God's wrath. (2 Chronicles 28)

Hezekiah, his son, must have worried that he'd follow in his father's footsteps.  Instead, he has the reputation as a king who did right in the eyes of the Lord.  Not only that, but it is said that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah and that the Lord was with him, giving him success in all his endeavors.  (2 Kings 18:1-8)  Only God can break this kind of family line.

Similarly, there are negative qualities and areas of sin that have been passed down in my family from generation to generation.  It's easy to think I'm doomed to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors.  Thankfully, God is bigger than this trend.  I am not bound to do things as they have always been done.  Instead, I can step into the light of Jesus and walk in His ways.  (1 John 1:7)

The Lord gave a powerful message through the prophet Isaiah to the unfaithful people of Israel. He said, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Israel 43:18-19)

It doesn't matter what's been done in the past.  Maybe I'm plagued with the legacy of sexual sin. It could be that I think I'm doomed to a life of depression.  I may think that child abuse and an atmosphere of fear may be my lot in life.  Letting God have His way in my life, however, means that I will experience new things; abundance where once there was shortage, joy in the place of sorrow, success instead of failure.  

I resist the work of God's Spirit in my life when I bow down to generational transfer instead of letting Him break that family cycle of sin.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is available to all those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.  Unfortunately, there are many ways I block His work in my life.  Instead of continuing in stubbornness, relying on my own strength and doing things as they've always been done, I can walk with Him onto a new path.  As I stay close, I'll experience His power in a way I can't explain, and I'll never be the same again.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will let God's Spirit have His way in me.

How do I insist on getting things my way, even though God's way is so much better?

In what ways do I feel doomed to walk in the steps of my family?

Open my Eyes

"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered.

'Those who are with us

are more than those who are with them.'

And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, 

open his eyes so he may see.'"

2 Kings 6:16-17

Elisha was in a tight spot.  Through the revelation of God, the prophet had been tipping off the king of Israel regarding the movements of his enemy's actions.  Whenever the king of Aram changed positions, the army of Israel had already anticipated their moves.  Frustrated, the king of Aram vowed to capture the prophet, ending their advantage.  

As the enemy troops gathered around the city, Elisha's servant took one look and knew they were doomed.  His courage was gone, his hope had disappeared, his strength had vanished.  They were surrounded!  The army of Aram was strong with horses and chariots, giving them the clear advantage!  There was no escape!

I feel like that sometimes.  I look at the circumstances of my life and deduce that there is no way out.  I am surrounded by problems.  I can see no possible escape from my troubles.  My thoughts turn to feelings of doom.

Then, I look to God, and He opens my eyes to the truth, much like Elisha's servant's vision was broadened.  When my perspective has changed and I see the multitudes that are fighting in my stead, my hope returns.

Broaden my View 

The bills pile up, my health declines, the family grows apart, I fall into despair.  All my problems feel overwhelming; they are taking up my entire viewpoint, blocking out the glory of God.  He is bigger than all my struggles, but my focus is too narrow.  I am concentrating excessively on the issues.

It is kind of like trying to view a majestic mountain from close up.  When I am on the mount, all I see is white snow.  It doesn't seem so impressive because I can't see the whole peak.  Once I descend and take a look at the same mountain from the valley below, I appreciate the magnificence of it's imposing presence.  Up close it just seemed like a vast snowfield.

In a similar way, I can't appreciate the power of God when I am focusing on a tiny part of the picture.  When I only see the here and now and the impossibility of my issues, I forget that God is bigger.  When I am trying to come up with solutions to my problems, I am overlooking the fact that God uses trials to refine me in the same way that a silversmith purifies silver in the fire.  When I dwell on the hardships, I fail to see all the good that God has given me.

The people of Judah found themselves in an impossible situation during the time of King Hezekiah.  The Assyrian army surrounded the city of Jerusalem, and the people were afraid.  But the wise king encouraged them by saying, "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.  With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8) Not surprisingly, the people gained confidence from his words. 

Notice that Hezekiah did not deny that the army that laid siege upon their city was large.  He was upfront about the threat that faced them.  What Hezekiah did was to remind everyone that no matter how big the problem, God is bigger!  Like God reminded Abram, "I am your shield, your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

When hard times hit, I can remember that God's power overwhelms any force that I can face.  If He is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31) Who or what can stand against the Lord?

When tough times overwhelm me, I need to broaden my view.

Lighten my Grip

I'll admit it; I'm a control freak.  I like to be in charge.  It makes me feel more comfortable knowing that I make the decisions.  Directing my own path seems natural.  The problem with this tendency is that I am not really in control.  I like to think I am, but the Creator of the universe is in charge.  

When I refuse to let go of my own sense of autonomy, I am in essence saying that I am god and there is no need for another.  My desire to manage my life the way I see fit and in the way that pleases me gets in the way of Jesus reigning as Lord of my life.  As Oswald Chambers said, "He is King of kings and Lord of lords from the day of His Ascension until now."  There is no doubt that Jesus sits on the throne, but does He reign in my life?  Or do my desires, comfort and well-being rule?

Trying to direct my own paths has not worked very well, in my experience.  I tend to obsess over problems, analyzing possible solutions and dreaming up various scenarios until I'm sick to death of thinking about my difficulty.  I never thought of myself as a worrier, but considering the fact that worrying is simply focused thinking on difficulties or troubles, I came to the conclusion that I am a first class worrywart!.

Jesus had something to say to me, the bundle of nerves. He said to watch the rest of creation for a clue: birds never worry because they trust God to provide for their needs.  He knows what I need better than I do, and I can place my confidence in Him rather than in my own wherewithal. Then He advised me to, ". . .seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Letting go of my desire to control and giving God dominion over my life means I will trust Him to provide my needs.  I will be so secure in His ability to supply that I won't even think about it.  Instead, I'll be completely focused on what He's doing around me and how I can join in.

When my grip is white-knuckled, it's time to let go and give God a chance.

Narrow my Scope

We've all heard it: "He who plans to fail, fails to plan."  The maxim to "plan ahead" is drilled into our minds at a young age.  While it is wise to give thought to my future, if I extend those thoughts to foreseeing possible difficulties and taking part in troubleshooting of future imagined problems, I will work myself into a pile of nervous anxiety.  

John Piper, author and pastor, explained this phenomenon by using the term, "future grace."  He said God gives us a continuous supply of grace, but each day's supply is sufficient only for that day's trouble. That's why Jesus said to, "not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  

I have been given enough grace to handle today's problems, but when I hone in on things that may happen in the future, I am weighed down by the pressure.  I have not yet been given the strength to handle what may come tomorrow.  I am only enabled to cope with today.

As I "borrow trouble" by focusing on the future, I am taking away the grace that was meant for today.  Corrie Ten Boom, holocaust survivor and author of The Hiding Place, said, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength."  Using today's God- given resources to attempt to deal with tomorrow's troubles robs me of today's grace.

Instead, it is my desire to maximize the grace God has given me for this day and use it only for today's difficulties. 

When my vision is too far-sighted, it's time to narrow my scope.

There is a lot in this world to keep me anxious.  If, however, I broaden my view to take in all that God is doing behind the scenes to protect me, lighten my grip to give God dominion over my life, and narrow my scope to focus only on the troubles God has supplied the grace to handle, I will live a life of peace that passes understanding.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will live my life with my eyes wide open to God's sovereign work that is happening all around me.

How do I discount God's power by trying to rely on my own strength?

When do I think I can try to tackle tomorrow's problems and thus borrow trouble?