Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Forgiveness is one of the most frequently discussed principles of Christianity, yet it remains among the most difficult to practise. It is relatively easy to speak about forgiveness when we have suffered little…

Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much.” We often imagine that the most important moments of our lives are those involving significant decisions, considerable responsibility or opportunities to accomplish something remarkable. Yet much…

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” — There are seasons in life when doing something feels considerably easier than doing nothing. We may face a difficult decision, an unresolved problem or circumstances that appear to offer no clear way forward. Our natural inclination is often to act, to…

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” There are moments when the direction of a relationship can be changed by just a few words. A disagreement begins, perhaps over something relatively unimportant. One person speaks sharply, another responds defensively, and within moments the conversation becomes more concerned…

Scripture: Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” There are burdens people carry that remain almost entirely invisible to those around them. Someone may be struggling with disappointment, financial difficulties, illness or the quiet exhaustion of responsibilities that never seem to diminish. Yet outwardly, they continue fulfilling their…

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Much of what determines the direction of our lives begins long before it becomes visible through our actions. An attitude develops quietly. A resentment grows through repeated thoughts. An ambition gradually becomes more important than the principles…

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Every morning brings another opportunity to consider the direction of our lives. Some days begin with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose. Others arrive carrying the disappointments,…

Scripture: James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” There is a considerable difference between understanding what is right and consistently doing what is right. Most of us possess principles that we sincerely believe are important. We recognise the value of honesty, kindness, patience and forgiveness.…

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” There are few things more difficult for the human spirit than waiting when we believe something needs to happen.…

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” There are moments when the greatest test of our character comes not from the difficulties we encounter, but from the words we choose in response. Someone speaks unfairly, questions our judgement or makes an accusation we believe is unjustified. Almost immediately,…

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.” There is a particular difficulty in recognising pride within ourselves. We can usually identify it in others, especially when somebody refuses advice, dismisses criticism or insists upon having the final word. Yet the same behaviour can be considerably harder to recognise…

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” There is something reassuring about knowing that we are prepared. We save money against unexpected expenses, develop skills to protect our employment and make plans intended to safeguard our future. We build relationships, establish…