Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26–27 (NLT) Have you ever experienced a strong physical reaction when making a decision? I can remember times when I’ve had such a strong sensation that I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn’t explain why, but I just knew that the answer was no. It’s vital to reason things out with logic and data, but if something only seems right in my head but wrong in my gut, something isn’t right. I’ve learned to go with my gut every time. This is one of the ways Holy Spirit leads us. If your gut is telling you that you need to deal with an issue …

Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). 2 Corinthians 4:16 (AMP) No one and no situation has the power to discourage you because you have to receive  it to experience it. It’s like a package that comes to your door. You decide whether or not to receive it. Every new problem, accusation, or blogger—every new attack brings the potential for discouragement, but I refuse to accept it. As the disciples moved from city to city, spreading the news about Jesus, they had plenty of opportunity to become discouraged. Paul said he was whipped, beaten with rods, stoned and shipwrecked. He said: “I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from… the Jews, as …

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us….And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6–7 (NLT) When the prophet Isaiah caught a glimpse of the Saviour that would come, he referred to Him as the Prince of Peace. Isaiah knew that this Saviour would do much more than just give you nice fuzzy, warm feelings inside. He had seen what Jesus would bring to this Earth. Jesus would bring shalom—the potential for complete wholeness. And when Jesus was born, the sky filled with angels who sang about this shalom peace—this complete wholeness—that Jesus had come to restore to you and me (Luke 2:14). This shalom peace isn’t as elusive as some think. …

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) In our busy world, peace can seem hard to come by. Many people try to maintain a sense of calm through deep breathing, exercise and meditation. Although these are all good, the stress rushes back in five minutes after they’ve managed to get their minds off of it. Some even rely on chemical forms of relaxation, and although chemical imbalances and other physical issues may make this necessary, often it’s only a band-aid approach. The anxiety and stress just return as soon as the meds wear off. Really, what we need is more peace. When you think of the word peace, a few things …

Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. 1 Peter 2:17 (NLT) It’s often easier to honour a stranger than a loved one. Familiarity sets in and we begin to take our loved ones and their admirable qualities for granted. When it comes to those we’re close to, we see everything—the good, the bad and the ugly—and we have to choose which of the three we will focus on. If we choose to look past the positive and zone in on the negative, it won’t be long before we lose all respect for those we love. It’s really all about focus. We all have faults and flaws, but families need to choose to see the best in each other. Without that respect—and showing that …