John 14:1

Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe (confidently) in God and trust in Him, (have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and) believe also in Me.

Sometimes when we take our attention off of God and see the increasing evil in the world, we can get faith fatigue. God never said the world had the answers, but God did say believe confidently and trust in Him. A focus on God keeps us in hope and away from hopelessness. Don’t let the heart be troubled, and look at the perfect word of God. 

James 1:4

And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed (in your faith), lacking nothing. 

Faith is like a tree that starts small, sending out unseen roots. The tree may look only like a twig, but it is growing and enduring and surviving the storms. Faith becomes stronger as it grows and endures and isn’t shaken when the wind blows or the weather changes. Faith that is planted, watered, and fed by the word is faith that endures. 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast (that is, committed and focused on You-in both inclination and character), Because he trusts and takes refuge in You (with hope and confident expectation).

When we make a decision, we delineate the direction and focus of our character. When we decide to live our lives in peace, we choose to avoid or confront anything that leads to strife. Peace is a safe harbor in the storm and maintains our health and joy. 

Proverbs 14:29-30

He who is slow to anger has great understanding (and profits from his self-control), but he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness (for all to see). A calm and peaceful, and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, but passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones. 

We can profit significantly from self-control and controlling our thoughts—peace in our lives and leaving strife behind leads to greater happiness. At the same time, anger negatively concentrates our emotions and makes it harder to hear directly from God. Peace is our daily goal. 

Mark 4:25

For whoever has (a teachable heart), to him more (understanding) will be given; and whoever does not have (a yearning for truth) even what he has will be taken away from him.”

We must be willing to have a teachable heart and let down the barriers. There isn’t a person that couldn’t learn and improve in their relationship with God. We must recognize that we will never stop learning and growing with God. God is the best teacher we could have because He knows how to teach us individually. 

Mark 1:41

Moved with compassion (for his suffering), Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing be cleansed.”

How many times have we failed to remind ourselves that Jesus has compassion for our suffering. He died so we could have life more abundantly here on earth. We don’t have help with our needs because we don’t ask or we don’t ask according to the promises in the word. 

Luke 4:8

Jesus replied to him, “It is written and forever remains written, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

When the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus quoted the word. Jesus never had to dwell on His response but directed His answers from the truth of the word of God. Jesus kept it simple and straightforward and stood on the word as His defense and guide. The word is the sword that leads to victory over the devil. 

Romans 6:5

For if we have become one with Him (permanently united) in the likes of His death, we will also certainly be (one with Him and share fully) in the likeness of His resurrection.

Jesus is the substitute and sacrifice for our redemption from sin. Jesus is our redeemer when we can stumble, confess our sins and get back up and move forward. We don’t have to suffer the weight of guilt and condemnation because Jesus washed it all away. Jesus never gave up on us, and we should not give up in this life but push forward. 

Romans 4:19

Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead (for producing children) since he was about a hundred years old, and (he considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb. But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God. 

When it comes to faith and the situation, we should do our best only to consider God. If we focus on the circumstance, it will become more significant than the solution.   The solution is all that matters and not the problem, and the answer is God and His promises to us. Focus on the solution in faith and receive the promise as Abraham did. 

Romans 3:23-24

Since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified (declared free from guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life) as a gift by His precious, undeserved) grace through redemption (the payment for our sin) which is (provided) in Christ Jesus. 

We have been made acceptable and free from sin and guilt by the blood of Jesus through salvation. God no longer sees our sins, but God sees us washed clean. Our path is changed, and our direction becomes clear to walk following the word. Grace is a gift of redemption, and we have been redeemed because we have believed in Jesus as our savior.