Don't Try So Hard

Trying too hard.

To be at peace...

John 14:27 - "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

I cannot try to be peaceful. I cannot give myself peace. Only the Holy Spirit can grant me peace of mind and heart. What a gift! To know that the Lord provides all my needs! I need not ask anyone else, or try to have peace. I need only call upon the name of the Lord, and He will pour out His peace on my heart.

Philippians 4:19 - And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

To have patience...

Psalm 27:14 - Wait patiently for the Lord.

Who am I waiting on? The Lord God. His timing is perfect, and His will is flawless.

Psalm 5:3 - Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Be peaceful and wait on Him.

To love those of the world who are so unloving...

The Lord Jesus didn't look for others to accept Him, or give Him love.

His reward did not come from men, but from His Father in heaven.

If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant (Galatians 1:10).

Fix your eyes on the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

For this world is fading away (1 John 2:17).

The darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining (1 John 2:8).

I cannot rely on my own strength or energy to be at peace, to have patience, or to love others.

I can only rely on Jesus Christ to show His love through me.