Are Honorable

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (KJV) ( Romans 12:17 ) 

It happens fairly often, someone will be inconsiderate or mistreat you.  In that split moment you have one of two options.  You can choose to return evil or you can be honorable.  Your response is a reflection of how you view God.  If you think God will stand by and let this go unnoticed, you will respond with evil.  Or if you believe God's righteous anger will pay them back, you will respond honorably and leave the rest up to God.  How will you choose to respond in the moment you face mistreatment?

Less and Less

He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease. (KJV) ( John 3:30 ) 

It's so natural for us to focus on our accomplishments and want to bolster our image. The problem with this thinking is it's selfish. When we focus on humbling ourselves, we step aside and let Christ shine. How can we become less important? A few steps can make a difference such as seeking others' opinions or not being afraid to make mistakes. In addition, allowing Jesus to become a greater influence in our lives increases His importance to us. Open yourself up to increasing God and decreasing yourself.

Care Of You

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (KJV) ( Psalm 55:22 ) 

When you are overwhelmed and troubled by fear and anxiety, turn to the Lord.  It is difficult to do in the face of hardships.  But God will honor your faithfulness.  Identify an area in which you worry and tell God you will turn it over to Him.  When you find yourself circling your thoughts around in worry, stop those thoughts, because they will plant seeds of doubt.  Your God will take care of you.  Worrying only discredits your faith that God will protect you.

Human Anger

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (KJV) ( James 1:20 ) 

What is human anger?  It's anger that occurs when someone rubs against our pride or selfishness.  God still wants us to get angry, but for the right reasons such as the injustice of orphans or widows.  Learn to temper your selfish anger.  When you feel yourself getting angry because your feelings are hurt, swallow it and focus your mind on something else.  Stewing in your anger only produces more anger.  Practice refocusing your mind as many times as needed.

Instructions

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. (KJV) ( Proverbs 19:27 ) 

Is there someone in your life you have stopped listening to?  If they are repeating the same thing over again, perhaps try listening to them.  Usually, there is some wisdom that you have overlooked and need to pay attention to it.  No one is ever too old to hear advice from others.  Instruction is given out of love.  Try receiving it with love.  

Require of You

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (KJV) ( Deuteronomy 10:12 ) 

When it comes down to it, God is asking that we love Him.  Many people think they have to get their life in order before they can become a Christian.  But really, God isn't asking much, except for your heart to love Him.  When you align your heart towards God, you naturally change your life because you love His ways.  Changing your life isn't a requirement to love God, instead, it is a result of your love for God.

Always Responsible

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. (KJV) ( Daniel 6:4 ) 

Daniel conducted himself in an honorable manner where no fault could be found by his coworkers. Do your coworkers describe your work ethic as faithful, responsible, and completely trustworthy? If not, what changes do you need to make in your work life? Perhaps create a new calendar system, or breaking down overwhelming projects into manageable chunks, or communicating more with others. If you need to make a change, what better day than to start today?

Deserted Ruins

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (KJV) (Isaiah 58:12) 

Every city has deserted ruins left from poverty, drugs, or hopelessness.  We can choose to keep walking or we can choose to restore.  While our spiritual gift may not be in renovating homes, we all have gifts that can restore a community in some way. What bonds have you overcome (depression, addiction, anxiety, etc) that you can bring healing to others?