Remember Who Controls The Game When “Things” Are Tricky

 Matthew 10:12-20

"And as you enter the house, give it your greeting. "And if the house is worthy, let your greeting of peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your greeting of peace return to you.” And whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Psalm 37:3-9, 23,24,34

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.  For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land. The steps of a man are established by the LORD; And He delights in his way.  When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. Wait for the LORD, and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land

    One of the most helpful verses to remember no matter what is happening in your life is Romans 8:28 which says that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  It’s a great verse to repeat over and over in your mind when “tricky” things happen and you don’t know why. As you say the words, it reminds you that even though you can’t see anything good in what is currently happening to you, God is going to manipulate the big picture, to take you down a better road, a road that you wouldn’t have traveled if the “tricky thing” hadn’t happened. The name of the game is to retain your peace, so that you can deal more effectively with everything and everyone. That’s how you glorify God. That’s how you do your mission.  But you won’t feel like doing anything when something bad has happened or someone has hurt your feelings in some way.  So the next time someone offends your spirit, remember: it could be two things.  First, the unfortunate incident could just be a cleverly disguised tool of Satan designed to steal your joy and your peace.  Or, an incident that you thought was really bad could be something that God has sent in order to move you in a different direction.  Either way, if you really are playing the game of life with God as your partner, He will use whatever is happening to direct you safely to your promised land, your happily ever after.  Don’t spend your energy replaying the offending incident over and over in your mind. That is what the Bible calls “fretting” and it will only lead to your feeling worse.  The minute your mind goes back, move your thoughts.  Put in a new tape, a hopeful tape, a “God’s got this handled” tape. The repetition of that comforting thought will sustain you no matter what sharks pop up as you sail along in anticipation of your prize that God has created just for you.

Click the link below to see my books,
"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Your-Lamp-Lit-Schuler/dp/1451559321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277386999&sr=1-1#noop
"Good Strategies for Bad Times"
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategies-Bad-Times-Schuler/dp/1438257775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265471485&sr=8-1