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Read Philippians 4:4–8

I know, I know...this is a rotten world. And some people just can’t be trusted. And con men (and women) and phonies and charlatans are out there, ready to rip us off. Even Jesus counselled His men before their solo flights into ministry to be “shrewd as snakes” (Matthew 10:16). Good, sound advice, since there are a lot of hungry wolves out there. I’ve learned over the years, however, that cynicism can quickly set in, bringing only heartache and bitterness. God offers us a better way:

Read Luke 6:31, 36–37

A young boy lived with his grandfather on the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. Often, just to hear his voice echoing back to him, he would go outside, cup his hands around his mouth, and shout, “HELLO!” Up from the canyons it reverberated over and over, “HELLO...HELLO...hello...hello...hello...”

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–7

With an eerie simplicity, George Barnard Shaw wrote:

The statistics on death are quite impressive. One out of one people die.

If you have children, share your past mistakes with them and help them learn from your failures. They won’t think less of you; they’ll admire your authenticity. They will feel closer to you.

People who live by faith don’t focus on actuaries and statistics. When God says, “Go!” people of faith don’t waste time calculating the odds. They obey God’s instructions and refuse to live on the edge of fear.

God wants us to grow in faith, not only because we need Him, but also because it’s good for us. It stretches us beyond our comfort zone. Way beyond.

Because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has satisfied all the requirements of morality on our behalf, and because He has suffered the consequences of our moral failure, we can legitimately call God our Friend.

Determine that you will never stop living until someone puts a mirror under your nose and there’s no fog. Never stop. Never give up.

Satisfied translates from the Hebrew word sahbah, which literally means “to be full.” Abraham died with a full smile. Full of years. Full of satisfaction. Full of contentment.

Do you ever struggle with narcissism, pessimism, or fatalism? What truths can you hold on to when those struggles come your way?