Following Jesus’ example is sometimes very difficult. The most important part of living a Christian life is to do the best we can to be like Jesus. What an example He set for us! We will never be as obedient to God as He was, but we can try, and keep on trying.
     Our human nature is to do things the way we want to do them. We are brilliant in finding reasons to approve of our own ways. Even Jesus’ disciples thought they were qualified to give Him advice about what He should do.
     When we have a conflict with someone – anyone – we tend to push a button that makes us unhappy. If we keep quiet and accept the indignity of being ignored or criticized, we can feel “righteous indignation.” We might even feel spiritually stronger than the other person because we let them have “their own selfish way.”
     God wants us to strive to be more like Jesus. He did not feel abused. Isn’t that amazing? Jesus humbled Himself and was totally obedient to God the Father. Even when He was facing death, He had a miraculous peace.
     Jesus offers us His peace, but our nature often responds with, “I have a right to be upset!” And that is what God asks us to give up! His message is: I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid (John 14:27 TLB).

 by Merlin Carothers

     Our nature often rebels at the don’t be troubled directive that He gives us. Here is where His promise in Romans 8:28 can often give us the help we need to believe and act as Jesus did: We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. We can learn to: experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
     It may seem beyond our understanding to enjoy such quiet hearts and rest, but God created us, knows what we are like and what He can give to us.
     We have a choice: To be upset and unhappy, or learn to: Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). Let’s say it as frequently as we need to, “My choice is to always be full of joy in the Lord.”
     When we are disobedient to God, He forgives us because He loves us. He is preparing our eternal home and wants us to keep our attention on Him rather than on the problems in this life. As God permitted Jesus to be delivered into the hands of evil men, He may permit us to have problems with people or with difficult circumstances, but He wants us to learn to trust Him as Jesus did. Now is our best time to learn!

by Mary Carothers

     In Ephesians 4:27 God warns us to not give the devil a foothold in our hearts by nursing anger. In saying do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, the Lord recognizes our tendency toward anger and jealousy. But God wants us to choose to reject those thoughts and feelings. When we realize that our thoughts and attitudes are not pleasing to the Lord, we need to ask Him to help us have the attitudes that He wants us to have. If we truly want to please the Lord, He will help us.
     Both Ephesians 4:22 and Colossians 3:9 speak of our need to put off your old self and put on the new self – which is Christ. How? By humbly realizing that we like Paul could say, nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature (Rom.7:18).  By understanding that Christ in you is our only hope. Also by renewing our hearts and minds with God’s Word.
     Dear Lord, we don’t want to be like Saul. Help us to daily grow more like Jesus as we consciously resist the old ways of thinking and feeling. May the truth and power of Your Word wash our minds and set us free from Satan’s lies.