What if we went out of our way to talk to those that are different than us? What if we took time to learn their stories and their struggles? As an apprentice to Jesus, we should seek to understand others. Compassion comes about when we are curious.

You can't react to others with anger, disdain or fear and follow Jesus. To live like Jesus is to represent him in everything – especially with how we react when we disagree with others or when things don't go our way. Our reactions show our confidence in God.

If we want to live like Jesus, we should be reacting with love. It's upside down and unusual to react to a frustrating situation with love, but it's a great way to show God in our life and show confidence in God.

Our reactions reveal who we belong to and who we base our life around. It's more than just trying harder to be a better person and controlling our reactions, it's a life change that can only be done through God. We should be reflecting on how God treats us when we mess up and resemble that.

Our desire is to cultivate a sacred space for you to connect with God and give voice to your emotions through the Psalms of the Old Testament. God is inviting you to be real, raw, and honest with Him, so open up your hearts and minds to these ancient songs and prayers today.

PSALM 34

I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Our desire is to cultivate a sacred space for you to connect with God and give voice to your emotions through the Psalms of the Old Testament. God is inviting you to be real, raw, and honest with Him, so open up your hearts and minds to these ancient songs and prayers today.

PSALM 21

How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested. You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you. You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear. The LORD will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them. You will wipe their children from the face of the earth; they will never have descendants. Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed. For they will turn and run when they see your arrows aimed at them. Rise up, O LORD, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

Our desire is to cultivate a sacred space for you to connect with God and give voice to your emotions through the Psalms of the Old Testament. God is inviting you to be real, raw, and honest with Him, so open up your hearts and minds to these ancient songs and prayers today.

PSALM 30

I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.

You brought me up from the grave, O LORD . You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!”

Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

I cried out to you, O LORD . I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,

“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD .”

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Our desire is to cultivate a sacred space for you to connect with God and give voice to your emotions through the Psalms of the Old Testament. God is inviting you to be real, raw, and honest with Him, so open up your hearts and minds to these ancient songs and prayers today.

PSALM 113

Praise the LORD ! Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD . Praise the name of the LORD !

Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.

Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the LORD .

For the LORD is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high?

He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth.

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.

He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!

He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD !

Our desire is to cultivate a sacred space for you to connect with God and give voice to your emotions through the Psalms of the Old Testament. God is inviting you to be real, raw, and honest with Him, so open up your hearts and minds to these ancient songs and prayers today.

PSALM 100

Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His - His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

It may be easy to praise God when we’re joyful, but it's hard to practice that and we forget to go to God when everything is going well. When you intentionally focus on joy and gratitude, you become a happier person. We should be using that joy to praise God and thank him for everything good in our lives.