Overcoming the grind is impossible without overcoming self-interest. When we allow God’s Holy Spirit to renew our minds, we become a full version of who God is calling us to be: people who love one another.

Things can only get better - or so the saying goes. And sometimes they do. But often, they don’t. How do we reconcile the belief in a better future promised to us in Scripture with the often debilitating challenges and loss that seem to define daily life?

How can we overcome the joyless anxiety that so often seems to come with daily life? In his letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul names three key ingredients to help us put mind over grind. The first is faith.

One of the youngest of the early church leaders, Timothy is a protege of Paul, a “loved and trusted child in the Lord,” who excels in modeling and encouraging what it means to walk in the Way and not become distracted by poor teaching.

Elizabeth is well aware of her connection to the tradition of God’s people. The Bible describes her as “blameless.” But her life isn't without trouble. With her husband, she has been praying for a child for years, and is now old. One day, her waiting is rewarded, and she becomes pregnant. Her child isn’t just any child, either.

Naomi loses everything when her husband and sons die in a foreign land. She decides to return home to Israel, and tries to send her daughter-in-law Ruth home to her family, but Ruth insists on staying with her. They work together to survive as widows, and even though Naomi is too old for another husband, their plan leads to new life.

When his little brother Jacob takes the prominence and privilege that is rightfully his, Esau vows revenge. But when they finally meet again, in spite of the legitimacy of the older brother’s grievance and the power he has over Jacob, Esau chooses reconciliation and peace.

Supporting characters model loyalty and friendship, even when the result benefits someone else. The eldest son of Israel’s first king, Saul, Jonathan was rightful heir to the throne. But his deep friendship with David was more important, and when Saul threatens to kill David, Jonathan intervenes and clears the way for David to eventually become king.

God made a promise to Abram and Sarah that set the stage for all that would follow in Scripture and to this day, that their descendants would fill the earth. But how could this be? The couple was childless and old. All things are possible with God - even when we, like Sarah, laugh at the very thought of such blessing.

If we follow Micah’s commands to do justice and love mercy out of obligation rather than love, they mean nothing. Our actions aren’t about rules, but the practice that grows our relationship with God. Micah's command is an invitation to continually pursue a loving relationship with God. It is the key to becoming the people God made us to be.