God is our Provider. He provides strength and wisdom to earn a living, overcome sin, love others, and so much more. He provides all the wisdom we need to steward our lives well. Our responsibility is to seek God and work hard so we can lovingly provide for others’ needs, trusting Him all along the way.

Do you find yourself speaking with unwholesome speech or in a way that tears people down? It might be worth examining what’s going on in your heart. Consider asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what might be preventing you from speaking the truth in a loving and timely manner.

Do you give thanks on the bright days and in the storms of life? Even when the rain keeps coming and the skies are gray, learn to give thanks and express your gratitude to God. In doing so, you acknowledge that He is the Sovereign God and that He has a plan and purpose for your life.

We tend to move toward that which we focus upon, and the direction of your spiritual focus is of critical importance. So where is your focus—on your sin, or on the truth of who you are in Christ and the power available to you by His Spirit?

When life doesn’t go as you hoped, do you tend toward self-centeredness? Or are you willing to sacrificially serve others? It’s not easy, that’s for sure. Yet we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus not only set us the example, but he also enables us to have the same attitude he had.

Even if someone is different, difficult, or even despicable, as Christ-followers, we are not exempt from expressing and acting in love. In fact, it may be that God uses the person who is so different from you to test your ability to love.