Pufferfish have a good defense mechanism. When they’re scared, they puff themselves up so they look a lot bigger than they really are.
“Love . . . is not puffed up. . . .” 1 Corinthians 13:4
Father, give me the courage to be my real size today.
every day off
What do you usually worry about? Imagine taking today off. Then imagine taking every day off.
“[I]f we look abroad and bring into one day’s thoughts the evil of many [days], . . . what will be and what will never be, our load will be . . . intolerable. . . .” Jeremy Taylor
“[T]he Lord . . . daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19
God's pleasure
There’s a world of difference between enjoying God’s pleasure and trying to earn it.
“[W]hen I run, I feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddell, Olympic runner
“I . . . [have] ten lonely seconds to justify my whole existence.” Harold Abrahams, Olympic runner
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who revere Him.” Psalm 103:11
shining reminders
Sometimes, even on the darkest of days, you get shining reminders that things won’t always be dark.
“For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” J. R. R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
“May the God of hope fill you . . . so that you may overflow with hope. . . .” Romans 15:13
a taste of heaven
A few minutes’ vacation from self-focus is (literally) a taste of heaven.
“Love . . . is not self-seeking.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Christ died to save us, not from suffering, but from ourselves. . . .” George Macdonald
like eagles
When you get a glimpse of what God means by freedom, it’s hard to keep your feet on the ground.
“Wouldn’t you like to be the skater who wins the silver and yet is thrilled about those three triple jumps that the gold medal winner did? To love it the way you love a sunrise?” Tim Keller
“Those who put all their hope and expectation in the Lord . . . will soar on wings like eagles. . . .” Isaiah 40:31