There is a war being waged for your joy on numerous fronts. Spiritual forces, comparison with others, actual opponents, even our own thoughts at times seek our defeat. Attacks can be subtle as pride seeks to overwhelm our sense of self and how we engage with others. We are weak; we need a strength beyond our ourselves to combat crippling pride with courageous humility.

Good circumstances and worthy causes can spur us to momentary generosity. However, when desire and discipline are lacking, we can easily become sporadic or even stingy in our giving. For a culture of generosity to be cultivated, specific habits, attributes, and motivations are necessary for enduring giving. 

We need. We desire. We take. When we are needy or greedy, we close our hands on what we have out of fear we will not have enough. To have our hands opened to give, share, and be generous in ways which cost us requires courage. This courage is birthed from being reorientated to see what we have been given.

Affliction comes in many forms. We experience grief for many different reasons. While the actions of others can discourage us, it is often our choices which cause us the greatest pain. Where we are derailed by the impact of sin, repentance is needed to return us to the path of endurance. 

We have strong internal desires and powerful external influences competing for our attention and affection. Some helpful, some harmful. What does endurance look like in a world opposed to God? How can we stay actively engaged with the world without engaging in active sin? 

We know shame. We know suffering. We know separation. These are part of the consequences of living in our imperfect world. We cannot bear the dishonor of sin we’ve caused, or endured from, others. We need a salvation outside our ourselves effective to cover our shame, clean our souls, and change our relationships. 

We live for ourselves. Self-improvement and self-fulfillment are strong forces propelling our engagement with the world. Our desire for acceptance and focus on outward appearances drives, and often distorts our interactions with others. All the energy directed towards us leads to emptiness and exhaustion. We need a new compulsion.