From the Desk of Melissa Reinert… 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

I’ve been struggling lately. Things are getting hard. As I was driving recently replaying all the trials I’m facing over and over in my mind, it occurred to me: “It’s a season.” It’s not going to last forever. It will pass. I will live through these trials, albeit it seems so overwhelming in the moment, God is here with me and will see me through. He always has.

A wonderful sense of comfort flowed into my soul. My heart felt calm. The Lord gave me His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Naturally, I should be overwhelmed. There are bills, there’s inflation, there’s health struggles, there’s just so much to do and I’m tired. But, God! My heavenly Father has me. Things will get better, in fact, things already improved in that car ride. My mindset shifted.

It takes constant intentionality to keep a better mindset. It’s something I’ve been working on my entire life. 😊

When circumstances are difficult and beyond our control, it’s easy to lose hope and optimism. That’s why it’s so important that we prep ourselves. So how exactly do we prepare? How do we cultivate a get better mindset?

• We cultivate a get better mindset growing our faith. Hebrews 11:1, says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It takes work. We must regularly commune with God and build a strong relationship with Him. We do this by spending time in His word, worshipping, praying and serving others in His name. Growing in faith instills and empowers hope. We need hope that things will get better. That we will become better people through the trials we face. 
• We need to remind ourselves of the great things the Lord has done. Psalm 126:3 reads: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” Keep counting your blessings over and over. Write them down so you remember them. Write down the Lord’s provisions and His answers to prayer. Keep this journal handing for when you need reminding. This provides our hearts and minds with proof that with God, we can will overcome any of life’s circumstances.
• We need to understand that if God is for us, who can be against us? Remember, the Lord says in Jeramiah 29: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” What more comfort do we need than knowing that we are in the hands of our loving Father, the Lord God almighty Who created the universe and is indeed its master.