Introduction
Stay focused on the bigger picture.
- Hebrews 11:8-10
- God’s people have always been those who can look past present troubles and see the end goal.
Be proactive instead of reactive.
- Joshua 1:6-9
- John 16:1-4 – Jesus told his apostles what to expect once He left.
- The whole Bible is preparing us for the future.
Address the root issues, not just the symptoms of the moment.
- Hebrews 10:25; 3:12
- Luke 12:13-15 – Jesus saw that the root issue was greed.
- I Peter 2:11-12
Keep feelings in their proper place.
- Proverbs 28:26 – It is possible for us to lead ourselves astray.
- Psalms 119:105 – God’s word is the source of truth.
Make them do good things, even when they don’t feel like it.
- Genesis 22:1-12 – Abraham surely didn’t feel like sacrificing Isaac.
- Luke 17:4
- Luke 18:9, 14 – Some today might say the Pharisee was living his truth, but Jesus said he was wrong.
Teach the value of truth over feelings.
- Genesis 37:3-35 – Jacob was deceived – his feelings were false.
- Proverbs 3:5,1, 6-7 – We must mold our heart to fit God’s commands.
- Psalms 19:14
- James 1:2
- You can change your feelings to fit God’s truth.