Either you trust in someone / something or you don’t. When you decide to trust someone / something, you are confident about its integrity, strength or ability. So, in order to trust, the object of your trust must be worthy of your confidence and reliance. For example, we tend to marry someone we trust and if that relationship remains healthy, and continues to grow, the trust level will increase, not decrease. As for our spiritual relationship, we need to realize that God has our best interest in mind. Sometimes we look for immediate gratification, where God is looking at the whole picture and for our future. When these ideas clash, it might be tempting to think God doesn’t care for me or love me. We have to learn to trust God and have confidence in Him. No matter what, God is the only one who sees our future and He’s always looking out for us, for our own good, for our life. You can trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurch.com

William Burroughs once said, “Desperation is the raw material of drastic change.” Webster’s defines it this way: “...driven to or resulting from loss of hope; offering so little chance as for improvement; hopeless.” To become so desperate can either be a good turning point or can become a point of destruction in our lives. When we become so downcast that we realize something has to change, and we become sick and tired of being sick and tired, only then will we decide to make good changes in our lives. It’s actually a good thing when we discover that some of our behaviors are creating destruction and hurt. That’s when we can adjust our thinking and our attitudes. We shouldn’t allow circumstances to get so bad that we make foolish decisions out of desperation. The bottom line is that sinking so low that you become discouraged may not be the best place to be, but if viewed from the right perspective, it could be the catalyst to cause long-lasting transformations in our lives. Let’s continue to grow and develop our character and our way of life so as to live peaceably with ourselves and others if possible.

We can never underestimate the power of forgiveness. I don’t think we could talk about it enough, because it’s such an important part of our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical lives.  There is such a releasing power found within forgiving and being forgiven. All of us make mistakes, no matter how hard we try. As we grow and develop, we’ll make less and less of them, and so will others. The ability to pardon and release others from the wrongs and injustices done to us, is an attitude that we must develop not for them, but for our own well-being. If we don’t, we’ll harbor hate and contempt in our hearts and that will lead to more pain. On the other hand, if we’re sincerely sorry, being forgiven frees us from the guilt and shame of doing wrong and hurtful things to others. Forgiveness isn’t just about pardoning others, but us as well.  So no matter what goes on in our lives, let’s purpose to be forgiving people. Learn to let go, and walk in an attitude that helps us, not hurts us. Remember: unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurch.com

Habits are an important part of our lives. Bad ones cause problems and good ones cause success. Steve Gladden said, “Men don’t decide their future; they decide their habits and their habits decide their future.” What are your habits? What’s causing you not to succeed? An example of a destructive habit is the habit of procrastination. It will create stress and desperation and place undue pressure on those around us.

It has been said that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. We should develop good, healthy habits that create success. One such habit we should seek to develop is that of growing. One of my mentors, who invested a lot of time and effort in me, told me that in order to grow, I should learn something everyday. I never forgot that. If all of us learn to master that habit, it will help us as we move forward in life.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurch.com

We should live by principle, not by pressure. Peer pressure, if allowed, can be a catalyst for making decisions. We feel pressure from people we are around to do a certain thing and the next thing you know, we do something we regret, or more importantly, something we know is wrong. Have you heard the phrase, “Well, everyone is doing it”? It still doesn’t make it right. We should be guided by our values and beliefs. The decisions we make should be governed by our principles. For example, if everyone else is taking a longer lunch than they are supposed to, they are stealing time from that company. That doesn’t give you the right to do it too. We know that stealing is wrong and that obeying the rules is right. We should purpose to be honest and we won’t violate our standards and ethics for anyone or anything. What morals do you live by? That’s how we should base our choices, not by being pushed or pressured into doing something. When I worked for UPS, I was pressured into slowing down and coming in late. My values, on the other hand, dictated that regardless of what went on, I was paid to do a job, and I did it. We’ll have clearer consciences and a reputation for honoring our word if we don’t cave in to pressure tactics. It’s better to be respected than liked.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurch.com