before acting, considers the consequences, anticipates potential needs, and prepares him or herself for what lies ahead. The result is managing one’s affairs well.

Genesis 41:33-46. Pharaoh selected Joseph not only because he interpreted his dream, but also because of his foresight to plan a course of action to maximize benefit and minimize suffering.

Proverbs 6:6-11. As opposed to the lazy person who rolls over in the bed and seeks another comfortable position to prolong sleep, the ant illustrates prudence by preparing food in the summer and gathering in the time of harvest.

Matthew 25:1-13. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus teaches his disciples about the catastrophe that a lack of preparation can bring. The five foolish virgins ended up scrambling at the last minute and were locked out of the feast.

Sometimes, it’s not best to be prudent. Sometimes walking by faith requires spontaneity and improvisation. Even so, living prudently will best prepare you for the times when God calls you to step out of the norm and walk by the spirit.

Psalm 37:7a. “Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him…”

Psalm 40:1. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.”

Lamentations 3:26. “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

Romans 12:12. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”

James 1:3. “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Waiting on God is a necessary discipline that helps us grow in wisdom and endurance.

Galatians 5:22 NLT. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”

Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Impatience – the opposite – can be a work of the flesh with severe consequences.

Hebrews 6:15. “Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.”

Other men in Scripture who waited patiently on God: Noah, Joseph, David, and Jesus

1 Samuel 10:8; 13:7-14. God instructed Saul to wait for the prophet Samuel to offer the burnt offering. Saul was impatient

When God is telling you to wait, just wait. The story of Saul demonstrates that when we rush ahead by our own devices, we may forfeit God’s blessing and regret it for years to come.

The only thing harder than waiting on God is wishing you had.

Persistence—being determined to continue towards a goal despite difficulties, opposition, or setbacks

Attentiveness—being thorough and meticulous in accomplishing a task

Hard work—applying significant effort and time to achieve a goal

Commitment—being dedicated to a task or goal long term and not giving up or diminishing one’s resolve along the way

Diligence is an inherent component in living with God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 12:24; 13:4; 21:5

Jesus was a diligent person in various aspects of his life.

Mark 1:35. Jesus consistently devoted himself to prayer with his Father, God.

John 4:34; 5:30. Jesus was focused on accomplishing God’s will in his life.

Jesus also worked hard to teach people about the Kingdom of God. Even when the going got tough, Jesus never backed down or changed his course, all the way unto death on the cross.

Nehemiah was a leader who exemplified diligence in his oversite of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem after the Israelite captivity in Babylon.

Nehemiah 4:6-23

We are to be diligent in life like our Lord and Savior, especially with regard to our trust in God.

2 Peter 1:5-7

Hebrews 11:6

God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Let’s be faithful followers of Jesus and seek God with diligence each day of our lives.The post Diligence first appeared on Living Hope.

God is merciful in His character. He supremely demonstrated His mercy in what His Son did for humanity on the cross. As a result, we should show mercy to others. Still, we need wisdom to know when to show mercy and when not to.

Exo 34:6. God is merciful and gracious in His character. These attributes often occur together throughout the Old Testament. See 2 Chron 30:9; Neh 9:17, 31; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 111:4; 112:4; 116:5; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jon 4:2.

Rom 5:8; Eph 2:3-5. The cross supremely demonstrates God’s mercy through Christ’s example.

Luke 6:31-38; Mat 7:1-2. Jesus teaches us that we should show mercy to others rather than judgement. By the strictness with which we judge and condemn others, we will be judged as well.

1 Sam 2:12-17, 22-25, 28-35; 3:11-14. Showing mercy isn’t always the right course of action. When Eli found out his sons were committing terrible acts, he confronted them but did not ensure they stopped their deplorable behavior. In this case, Eli’s mercy resulted in catastrophe for his family and Israel.

James 2:13. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Victor Hugo illustrated the redemptive power of mercy in his novel, Les Misérables, in the bishop’s mercy shown to Jean Valjean.

As demonstrated by how we cringe when we see someone disrespect another, God designed humans to crave and expect a certain amount of basic respect. As Christians we should live in a respectable way and show respect to others, even when they haven’t earned it. God calls us to be respectful.

1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 7:12 We all need respect. We need others to value us.

1 Samuel 24:1-22 What you do affects whether others will respect you. Saul gave in to jealousy and paranoia, while David showed respect which resulted in him receiving respect.

Matthew 18:7   Skandalon – the trigger of a trap on which the bait is placed, wand which, when touched by the animal, springs and causes it to close causing entrapment.

Revelation 2:14   The Moabite women sexually seduced the men of Israel.

Matthew 18:8   “Hand” – what you do; “foot” – where you go; and “eye” – what you look at

James 1:14   Self-awareness:  Individuals are encouraged to be aware of their own desires and the potential they have to lead to sin.

Responsibility:   The passage emphasizes personal responsibility in resisting temptation.

Moral Vigilance:   By recognizing the progression from desire to sin and then to death, believers are warned to be vigilant and proactive in preventing sin from taking root and growing.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5   Our weapons in this warfare have divine power.

Philippians 4:6-9   Control triggers by resisting with prayer and God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 19:7-11   God’s words are much more effective than positive confession or affirmations. They are powerful and will overcome all temptations.

1 Corinthians 2:11. We can overcome mind reading by recognizing that we don’t know what others are thinking.

2 Corinthians 10:5. We can identify, analyze, and deal with all the thoughts we have.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. We are to test everything and hold onto the good.

1 Kings 19:1-8. Even great prophets, like Elijah, experienced depressing thinking patterns. Sometimes, we just need to take care of ourselves.

We can all tend our mental gardens. When we view our minds as a garden, we can weed (identify and cast away negative thoughts), remove pests (identify the sources behind the negative thinking patterns), water (put on Scripture), add fertilizer (take care of ourselves more holistically with exercise, etc.), and allow God to transform us as He promises to.

Finally, there is a time to be sad and process our emotions. But no matter what, something greater is coming. You are equipped for this challenge. You can tend the garden of your mind. You can provide an environment conducive to the growth and powerful transformation that God desires for your life!

To maintain sanctified thinking, we must control anxious thinking patterns. Catastrophizing, negative projecting about the future and overgeneralization come against the joy and peace that is ours in Christ.

Numbers 13:23-14:1 – Catastrophizing (predicting that things will turn out badly) and overgeneralization destroy sanctified thinking.

Numbers 14:2-22   Ten times they lost control.

By the Red Sea:  Exodus 14:11-12

Desert of Sin:  Exodus 16:2-3

At Rephidim:  Exodus 17:3

Romans 8:15   We are not the slaves of fear; we are the sons of God.

1 Peter 5:5-9; 2 Timothy 1:7   Give your anxiety to God; claim what is yours in Christ.

John 14:27; 15:10

Matthew 6:34; Hebrews 3:7-12, 15; 4:7   Stop negative predictions; live one day at a time.

Psalm 62:5-8   Have godly self-talk.

Philippians 4:4-9   Stop overgeneralization; pray and focus.