Formula For Coping

"Take a chill pill!"  My kids 

My kids used to say that to me when they felt I was unduly riled about something. Usually it was something over which I had no control; and something that I could not change. I guess they were wiser than I gave them credit for.
   
Our Lord tells us the same thing about afflictions (sore distresses of body or mind, addictions, calamity, misfortune). We all have afflictions; and there are way too many people stuck in their afflictions, not able or willing to move on.

Calamity befalls all of us at some time or another. Misfortune comes our way many times through out the span of our lives.  We all are confronted with difficulties. Let's face it: Life is hard!   

After I completed alcohol rehab in Hornell, New York, I found a wonderful Christian counselor who gave me this formula for coping with my old behavior patterns. It is from God’s Word. It is found in I Peter 5:6-10:
   
    1.  Humble yourselves under the hand of God.
    2.  Cast all your care upon him.
    3.  Watch out because the devil is seeking to destroy you.
    4.  Resist steadfast in the faith and know that you are not                 
         singled out.
    5.  God, by Christ Jesus, will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle 
         you after you have suffered a while.

Growing in Grace has pains just like the natural growing in body. When we rely wholly on God, those growing pains produce a beautiful life in Jesus Christ. 

All this takes time; so, chill out! We must learn and apply new, healthy, life-affirming habits; and, remember he loves you; and he died to prove it!
   
Have a great day; and remember who and Whose you are.
Brenda Quimby Smith  

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."  Jude v. 24 KJV

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