Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

On a recent flight home I reviewed what I had been reading the past six days away.

The theme became apparent...how to get from stress to satisfaction.

They cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:6

Do not be anxious about anything...

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13

Distress, anxiety, the weight of the our past mistakes... how do we get out of this mess?

and he brought them quail

and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. Psalm 105:40

They soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. Psalm 106:13

What is this saying? Clearly we are to wait for His counsel.

"Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble and he rescued them from their distress. Psalm 107:6

Ask, wait, cry out. Those are Steps 1 to 3.

There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. Psalm 106:3

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

so that you may be able to discern what is best. Philippians 1:9,10

Actions are so important. After you've done the above...

They asked, and he brought them quail

and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. Psalm 105:40

He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

and he will trample down our enemies.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12

And what IS the secret?

I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13