You Give And Take

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.—Job 1:20-22

These times reveal the best and the worst in men. Men can become more irritated, frustrated, concerned, and patience, wanes. We tend toward self-preservation, and we become self-focused. We hear negative sound bites on in media and news outlets all day long, and we perpetuate negative defeatest attitudes. We can quickly become cynical and negative, and we lose hope and behave poorly.

I am myself will do this. I confess it.

But we have to remember our character is always being tested in change. In fact, change, tension, trials, challenge, and adversity reveal it. This is a timely moment to give it the needed attention. To mediate our tempers. To give care to our words. To address our fears. To reconcile our differences. To trust in God's sovereignty. To lean on biblical hope. To serve others. To love people unconditionally. To engage when others back away.

Give attention to your character today by trusting more in the unwavering promises of God and less in your feelings. God has not left you alone; he said this:

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."—Hebrews 13:5

DO THIS: Trust in God's and his Word today.

PRAY THIS: God, my faith wavers, I confess it. And I do this because my feelings are more real to me than the facts that reside in your Words. Today help me in my unbelief.