“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deut. 11:18-19.

Have you ever noticed that in America we tend to compartmentalize our lives? There is Home, Work, Religion, Friends, and perhaps also Sports or Hobbies. Each is a separate and distinct category, with very little crossover. But here’s the problem: Religion is a waste of time. You heard me.

A Relationship with Jesus is what makes the difference, now and forever. And that is a relationship that should not be restricted to a time and place. It should be an essential part of your identity that cannot help but to overflow into all aspects of your life.

How does your faith inform how you live daily? It should influence what you do, say and watch, as well as how you treat family, friends and strangers. It should have a direct impact on your character and integrity, which is reflected to the people who live in closest proximity to you.

Ever heard the question: If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Are you a “Closet Christian” who feels like Religion is a private matter that should not be openly discussed? Are you afraid that people may not like you or think you are a religious freak?

When you love someone deeply and passionately, people don’t have to guess how you feel because you talk about them all the time, show off pictures and call them on your lunch break. It isn’t out of obligation: it’s natural and spontaneous. Do you love the Lord that way?

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

As I confront the ramifications of losing my full-time job, I can relate to the character of Rebecca Bloomwood in the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Let me clarify that I’ve never been a true shopaholic: I could never afford it and I don’t believe in accruing debt. But I did enjoy a good shopping spree now and then, even if everything was on clearance. But now I’m forced to stop and evaluate: “Do I need this?” When your budget dramatically shrinks, every purchase has to be thoughtfully analyzed.

When I see a beautiful pair of boots, I release a deep sigh of longing. How I would love to bring them home with me! Just as Rebecca confessed that when she shops, all is right with the world, then it isn’t, and she has to go shopping again—I think most of us can admit we’ve experienced the elation of therapeutic shopping. Now deprived of this pleasure, I must readjust my thinking and my expectations to meet the reality of my financial situation.

And you know what? I don’t need another pair of boots (as my daughter would tell you) and after the initial feeling of longing, I actually feel a certain amount of satisfaction walking away from them.

I have everything I need to live well. I have a loving family, a roof over my head, food to eat, and plenty of shoes. Above all, I have a relationship with the Creator. I am truly blessed.

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country… and go to the land that I will show you. …So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed.” Genesis 12:1-4.

God could have given him the name of the final destination, an estimated travel time and maybe a few road marks along the way. But I guess Abram would have relied on the map instead of faith, and God is in the business of building faith.

A few weeks ago I learned that my job as teacher’s aide was hinged on the receipt of Pre-K contracts. Without this job, I cannot afford to send Grace to the Calverton School. I told Grace we must trust that God’s plan is the best plan, and accept it whether we like it or not. My Plan B was to homeschool.

The day before school started I received the official word: no job. Grace and I were both disappointed, but I had my Plan B—God’s Plan A—ready to initiate. As I move forward with it, God is providing the right people and resources for us and already I feel blessed to be where he wants us to be. I am excited about this new phase in our lives. I have learned that God’s plans are for my ultimate good, if I am willing to yield my life to his wisdom. God will not lead me anywhere he is not willing to accompany me.

I’m still working out details about income, and trying to assemble an expert curriculum for Grace. But one thing I know: God will lead me and he will provide for us. I will choose to trust him, despite any pangs of anxiety.

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” Mark 11:25 (NLT).

What if it’s just not that easy to let go of your anger? The wound is too deep; the loss too great. The anger is too powerful to relinquish hold over you, and hatred is creeping into your heart. The Bible speaks often on the necessity of forgiving, but there’s no psychological discourse on how one goes about it.

Start with John 6:28: “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” It’s impossible to honestly pray for a person’s peace and healing if you are harboring resentment for them. The prayer is uttered through gritted teeth, if you can even spit out the words. Pray it anyway, and while you’re at it, ask God to heal your anger.

For a little while, you’ll feel peace. But then you’ll remember the words or event that originally triggered the anger, and hatred will flood back into your heart like poison. The danger lies in not separating the anger from the hatred. The actions may be hated, but not the perpetrator.

Our emotions tangle it up into a knot that seems too complicated to untie. But not for God. Every time we feel the anger crossing the line we have to forgive again, until one day we can remember without hatred. Because we probably aren’t ever going to forget: we are shaped by life’s experiences. We must let life make us wiser, not bitter.

“Be angry, and do not sin” Psalm 4:4 (NLT).

God created humans to experience a vast array of emotions. One of these is anger. The Bible doesn’t say that being angry is a sin. It warns us of the danger in allowing this strong emotion to lead us into hatred, a desire for revenge, or at the very least, spiteful words.

There are times when anger is the only appropriate response: injustice, victimization of the innocent, blatant acts of evil and malicious disregard for the truth are a few such examples. Jesus got angry. Read John 2:13-16. But the Bible says Jesus was without sin, so his anger was deserved. It’s called “righteous anger.”

The problem is that often our anger isn’t righteous. So when you feel the blood pressure going up, stop and evaluate if it’s warranted or if it’s an ego issue. Remember that difficult person in your life? They’re good at triggering this particular emotion. And sometimes we need to take a stand; other times we must exhibit wisdom and restraint by being the peacemaker and diffusing the situation. Even when we are right and they are wrong.

Take your anger to God and ask him how you should deal with it. Remember, it’s ok to feel angry. Just don’t let the emotion take over and lead you into sin. If it’s justified, let it empower you to do something positive and meaningful, or just to make you a wiser, stronger person. Remember, every uncomfortable experience can be a teaching moment if only we are open to learn.

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you” Luke 6:28 (NLT).

Is there anyone in your life who plucks your nerves and makes you insane? Some people are just annoying; others seem to lay awake at night contriving how they can make us miserable. How do we deal with them?

Pray for them. And not, “Please God, let lightning strike” or “Lord, please make him pay!” These are knee jerk reactions, but as Christians we are meant to rise above basic human instincts.

In our daily walk with the Lord, as we align our thinking with God’s teachings, our hearts should be softening for all his children. When we consider them as God’s prodigals, we can begin to glimpse the heart of God being broken with longing for his children’s redemption.

Try this one: “Lord, please help him to let go of his anger or bitterness and to find peace and healing. Soften his heart, so that he can receive you.”

Yeah, it might feel like a waste of time. And they might never change. But your conscience will be clear, and God can use this person as a tool in your life to shape you into the likeness of his son, if you allow Him.

As you finish your prayer, don’t forget that you are not responsible for his actions, but you are accountable for your reaction to them. “Show me how to respond as a peacemaker instead of lashing out; give me wisdom and gentleness as I assert my boundaries.”

Difficult people are God’s children, too.

“Never stop praying” I Thessalonians 5:17.

Does prayer work? How do we know if our prayers have been heard? The expected outcome is an obvious change in the circumstances of our lives, but what if that doesn’t happen? Did God fail us?

I once made the mistake of believing that I could, through my prayers, direct God how to run the universe (which he, by the way, created). After many tears, I came to a brilliant realization. The purpose of prayer is to establish a relationship of trust and intimacy with God, and to learn from him. He really doesn’t need our advice.

But how do we hear him? It’s hard to listen for God’s voice because the phone doesn’t ring when he’s ready to speak. You just have to be ready at all times for a still small voice to reveal itself through any number of possible means. And as your relationship with God develops, he gives the wisdom and insight to deal with life’s problems.

So tell God everything that is burdening you. But don’t forget to thank him for all the ways he has already blessed you, and trust that he really does have your best interest at heart. As you read the Bible or listen to inspirational music or words, be open to receiving God’s message. Take the time to be still, and listen.

God is yearning to communicate with you. He already loves you. Talk to him, and learn to love him better.