I got this yesterday in a daily devotion and thought it was really good! Hope ya'll don't mind me sharing it!
"Living Beyond Circumstances
Author: Jim Burns
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Kathleen's parents are getting a divorce. Tom's mom is an alcoholic. Linda's dad is out of a job. Tony didn't make the cut on the basketball team. Janet has never had a date, and Jerry had to have his third operation in three years. All these people are living under some pretty crummy circumstances. Every one of them wishes their problems would disappear. All of these people have prayed about their issues and yet the problems won't go away.
What are your problems? No doubt you have issues in your life, like all of us, that make life less than perfect.
Today's lesson is just like yesterday's: Your circumstances may never change but your attitude can change and that makes all the difference in the world. If you can do something about your problems, then by all means make a wise decision to get rid of them. However, there are some problems you have no power over. These are the problems that can teach you a lesson to live beyond your circumstances.
Terry Foxe ran a marathon every day of the week to raise money for cancer. He ran on one leg; the other leg had been amputated because of his own cancer.
Rachel was beaten by her mother and abused by her father. Although life wasn't easy, she decided to get help. Her circumstances of childhood couldn't change, she worked through her attitude. Today she helps other teenagers from abused homes find a meaningful life.
What about you? Do you need a dose of an attitude change today? With God's help you can overcome most any problem. Don't wait another day for an attitude adjustment. Learn to be thankful even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The result is "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7)."
Living Beyond Your Circumstances
