It's Better to Laugh

God has given women the power to move on in life thorugh the contagion of laughter.  I've spent the past several years collecting quips about laughter and sayings that make me laugh.  I have a lot of quotes about dieting, middle age, motherhood, husbands, wrinkles, love -- you name it:  all those hot spots in a woman's life that would kill us if we let them get us down.  The secret is to not let them get you down.  The secret of not letting them get you down is to laugh about them.

We can sigh about things, or we can laugh.  Both these responses release pressure, but which is the most fun?  Whatever it is probably won't go away, so we might as well live and laugh through it.  When we double over laughing, we're bending so we won't break.  If you think your particular troubles are too heavy and too traumatic to laugh about, remember that laughing is like changing a baby's diaper.  It doesn't solve any problems permanently, but it makes things more acceptable for a while.

Barbara Johnson

Promises About the Renewal of Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

By two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:18-19

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23

Promises About God's Sovereignty

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," Jesus says, "who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelations 1:8

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1

Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation.  For by him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17

The Star of the Show

I need to be reminded of who takes care of me and who is in charge of all the events in my life.  When I'm congratulating myself on my confidence and skill, it's easy to forget who my safety net is.  Fortunately, God doesn't let me be the star of the show from start to finish.  Sometimes he turns things completely upside down so that what is happening does not make sense to me at all!  I'm forced to cling to him and rest in his peace that passes understanding.

You may find yourself in the middle of circumstances that don't make sense to you.  You may be surrounded by people who would never be your choice.  Possibly God is reminding you that "the battle is the Lord's" and the way he wins battles is often through people and events we'd never even think of, much less choose.  Oddly enough, that knowledge takes the pressure off of me.  I can quit striving, plotting, maneuvering.  I am not the star of the show; God is.  That brings me outrageous peace. 

written by Marilyn Meberg

Promises About Faith

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."   Matthew 17:20


The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  James 5:15


In Christ and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Ephesians 3:12


Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  Romans 3:22

Pain Has A Purpose

When we realize our days here matter, our pain has significance, and our choices are meaningful, we can step through the darkest of times with hope in your hearts.  It's not that we won't waver, but even our inquiries have the potential, when we are seeking, to lead us to a stronger faith. 

I find that my joy is enlarged by understanding that, as a child of God, even my pain has purpose.  That realization doesn't eliminate my pain, but it makes it more manageable, allowing me other emotions in the midst of calamity, even joy.

The Power of Faith

Everybody experiences difficult situations in life.  Things that make us want to scream out or give up.  Deprivations.  Sacrifices.  Losses.  Misunderstandings.  But isn't there some way for the Christian to respond without getting mad at God?  Otherwise, what's the good of our faith?  There has to be some key to being joyful in the midst of discouraging circumstances and crabby people.  What is it?

It's taking god at his Word.  It's believing he will do what he says, no matter how things look or how we feel.  Nobody said it would be easy.  If you find any Scripture that even hints that life will be easy, call me collect.  Please.  But I can tell you now ... it ain't in there!  However, trusting God with everything we have, everything we are, every problem that is ours, every loss we endure, every battle we face, every person who disappoints us --with thanksgiving-- gives us the grace to come through it with flying colors.

written by Luci Swindoll