“By your patience possess your souls.” Lk 21:19 NKJV

Make peace your priority. Don’t let your inner man be controlled by outside pressures. When you “go to war” everybody suffers, but when “the peace that comes from Christ control[s] your thoughts” (Col 3:15 CEV), it restores your perspective and creates an atmosphere that’s conducive to solutions. Look for a breakthrough from an unexpected source. When you “Commit thy way unto the Lord” (Ps 37:5), don’t be surprised when the people and circumstances He sends into your life aren’t what you expected. He spoke to Balaam through a donkey (See Nu 22), and He used a burning bush to get Moses’ attention (See Ex 3). Don’t be in such a hurry. Ever notice that the faster you go, the more behind you get? Jesus said, “By your patience possess your souls.” As Henry Blackaby observes: “God’s timing is…best…He may be withholding directions to cause you to seek Him more intently. Don’t try to skip the relationship and get on with doing. God is more interested in a relationship with you than He is in what you can do for Him.” Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Solomon said, “With humility comes wisdom” (Pr 11:2 NLT). If the people you turn to aren’t immediately available, be patient and don’t give up. God designed us to work together, and somewhere up the road you will be called to help somebody by sharing what you’re learning right now. “God…comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else…so that we can be there for that person” (2Co 1:4 TM).