Replace the negative talk that will hinder you. Replace it with praises for God, who will deliver you.

comparison steals celebration. And a life void of celebration is a life empty.

Imagine how differently you might approach each day by simply stating: God is good. God is good to me. God is good at being God. And today is yet another page in our great love story. Nothing that happens to you today will change that or even alter it in the slightest way.

God, I don't understand this situation. But I do understand Your goodness to me. I thank You for the protection that is part of this rejection even when I can't see it. I trust You.

Some will live their whole lives missing the chance to see all the good God has placed around them just for them. Partly because the hard stuff has demanded so much of their attention. And the seeming permanence of some of the heartbreak has stolen their affection for life.

If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day.

When things are going wrong, praise Him anyway! Thank Him in advance for the good He will surely bring from all situations (Romans 8:28).

It is good to be honest with God, but we must be careful that we don't become whiners. There is nothing that aggravates my heart more than to hear whining and complaining, especially from my kids. I can't help but think the Lord might feel the same way.

We get empty when we park our minds on comparison thoughts and wallow in them.

But, instead of wallowing in what I can't have, I'm making the choice to celebrate what I can have.

Alarmed, I resolve to remember who I am. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Stay in the flow—my job is obedience; God's job is results. Shift from an attitude to gratitude. My reactions determine my reach.

So, here's the short version of my predetermined biblical procedure manual all in one place: Alarmed, I resolve to remember who I am. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Stay in the flow—my job is obedience; God's job is results. Shift from an attitude to gratitude. My reactions determine my reach.