A Play on Words

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:1-6 (NLT)

How much of what we are pursuing daily has eternal significance?

IDEAL (Mirriam Webster)

As an adjective:

1. “Exactly right for a particular purpose, person, or situation.”
2. “Of, relating to, or embodying an ideal.”
3. “Conforming exactly to an ideal, law, or standard: perfect.”
4. “Existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only.”

As a noun:

1. “A standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence.”
2. “One regarded as exemplifying an ideal and often taken as a model for imitation.”
3. “An ultimate object or aim of endeavor: goal.”

1. Stuff over substance 
2. Pleasure over purpose 
3. Status over character

The first answer to our struggle is JOY!

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

The second answer to our struggle is PRAYER!

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The third answer to our struggle is FOCUS!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

The fourth answer to our struggle is CONTENTMENT!

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. Philippians 4:4-14 (NLT)

Christ, gives me the strength to live abundantly as I walk in the wisdom of His word!