THERE ARE THINGS in life that keep us in permanent wakes—they echo our past and emphasize the present. They tell us what we have done well—and where we have done poorly, we become afraid. In the 1930s, many Americans faced a grim existence—family savings were gone, and no one could deny the dark realities of the day. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," said Franklin Roosevelt. While he noted the difficult days ahead, he promised to return the courage the people reposed in him. He understood that what they were going through was deeper than they could imagine. He also reminded them that the hard days would be worth the cost if they learnt something. The question is, what are you learning today? What are these difficult times teaching you? Tell the Truth IF YOU'RE IN LEADERSHIP, you must learn to steer the people in the direction to go and tell them the truth. God delights in honest people—and lying lips are disgusting to Him. (Proverbs 12:22) When the Ammonites and Moabites came against Judah, Jehoshaphat called for a fast. And all the people stood before the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:13) Roosevelt's inaugural speech reflected his concern for the future. However, he asked the Lord to protect them and guide him in the days to come. News is Important IT'S SELFISH to suppress the news. When leaders do this, they erode their credibility. Learn to speak to people's experience and show empathy. It pulls everyone together. When people realize that their leader cares about their well being, they are delighted. "We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer" – Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dignity is vital EVERYONE'S dignity matters to God. When leaders give people direction, they lighten their burden. Extending assistance to someone in need makes you human. Franklin Roosevelt read the mood of the people when he dedicated the nation to the policy of the good neighbour—where the neighbour respects himself and the rights of others. When people brought a woman accused of adultery to Jesus, they continued to demand for an answer. And he said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" (John 8:7) When they heard this, each one of them left. And Jesus told her to go and sin no more—every life matter to Him. Sacrifice for others EVERYONE IN JUDAH gave up their food to fast. They trusted God for a great outcome. (2 Chronicles 20:13) Have you given up your food lately? Roosevelt told his fellow Americans that their true destiny is not to be ministered to but to treat themselves to their fellow men. He taught them how to give up certain things to keep others safe. The Good Samaritan gave up his money and time to save a stranger. (Luke 10:25-37) And Jesus gave his life to save the world. (John 3:16) Give Hope THE DAY after the people of Judah met with the Lord, Jehoshaphat said to them, "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established. Believe in his servants, the prophets, and you shall prosper." (2 Chronicles 20:20) He gave them hope. BRINGING IT TOGETHER IF YOU'RE worried, you are not alone. David said, "Why are you so downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God." (Psalm 42:5) To be strengthened, you have to look inwards. And if you're going to be saved, you must look upwards.

THERE WILL ALWAYS be needs in our lives to meet—this is who we are, and this is where we are. Our needs come from various sources. THERE ARE NEEDS that we create ourselves, especially when we make bad decisions. When the prodigal son collected his inheritance and left home, he ended up in the hog pen—and created a need that he could not meet. He had to return home to ask for forgiveness. "Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God's sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son." (Luke 15:11-32) OTHER PEOPLE create genuine needs in our lives. When Joseph's siblings sold him into slavery, they created uncertainties—and exposed him to a difficult life. But everywhere he went, Joseph continued to give his best. There was something about his understanding of God that made him live in a certain way—and this led to his recognition. (Genesis 41:41-46) THERE ARE NEEDS that God creates in our lives. When God said to Satan, "Have you thought about my servant Job? No one in the world is like him! He is a man of integrity: He is decent, he fears God, and he stays away from evil," he made Job vulnerable. (Job 1:8) And Job had to go where he hadn't been to have a better understanding of God. Sometimes, God causes his children to face challenges to reveal their hearts. Adversity does not build character; it reveals it. THERE ARE NEEDS you inherit from your childhood. Someone may have talked you down, bullied or berated you—and handed emotions over to you. Adversity does not build character; it reveals it You may have suffered one form of abuse or another and built a coping mechanism to protect yourself. You might deny your situation or refuse to take ownership where you're responsible and project the blame on someone else. You can also continue to lie to please others and comply to avoid conflicts and conform to get accepted, forgetting that conflicts are needed. If you're suffering any of this, pray to God to show you the real cause, help you deal with the pain and heal the hurts. Jabez inherited a name that caused him pain. He came to terms with it and cried out to God. "Please bless me and extend my territory. Let Your hand be with me and guard me from harm, so I will not experience pain as my mother did." (1 Chronicle 4:10) God granted his request. UNCERTAINTY surrounds every need—and when the demand grows, it triggers anxiety. But worry is a sign of unbelief, and it's a sin. What do you do? "Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:6-7) Knowing how your thoughts pattern your life is empowering. Paul teaches us how to train our minds employing a series of attitudes: Keep your thoughts continually fixed on authentic and real truths—the truth in God's Word. Honourable and admirable—do the dignified and noble refusing the ignoble. Beautiful and respectful—morally lovely. Pure and holy—celebrate clean thoughts and build a mindset that encourages it. Merciful and kind. Fasten your thoughts on these glorious works of God. (Philippians 4:8-9) BRINGING IT TOGETHER HOW WILL YOU KNOW HOW to author your life without experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly. Your situation may not be perfect, but you'll have peace when you walk with God. And anything you do not have today; you will be wealthy of it tomorrow.

ENTHUSIASM is the bedrock of happiness—it's the fuel that empowers the believer, and without it, nothing extraordinary happens. Enthusiasm gives you the desire to face each day and gives you hope for tomorrow. However, it's easy to lose enthusiasm when you go through difficult challenges—and people violate you by cruel, hateful behaviour. The Narrative THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL had been in slavery for four hundred years when the Lord sent Moses to deliver them. (Exodus 3) And they left Egypt to navigate a new reality—one that required a sustained enthusiasm. But as they continued their journey, they lost interest in God and walked in rebellion. God was displeased with them. And he said, "None of these ones who have turned their backs on Me will ever see the land." (Numbers 14:23) But how do you sustain enthusiasm? Maintain the Course IF YOU'RE going to keep your enthusiasm, you cannot change lanes—you must stay the course. Don't get off track, either left or right, to make sure you get to where you're going. (Joshua 1:7) Paul gave similar advice to Timothy. He told him to fan to flame the gift of God that's in him. "Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use," Paul said. (1 Timothy 4:13-14) Timothy, be active! Be Bold GOD HAD NO DOUBT that Joshua desired to please Him, but the times required much more. The time that we live in requires more accountability too. Joshua will have to be keen on the inside and courageous on the outside. He understood that when a leader is fearful, the effect trickles down to the rest of the body. And after spying out Canaan, he believed the Lord's report. (Numbers 14:6-9) God also wants you to keep up your attitude and zeal. When things are challenging—count it all joy. (James 1:2-4) Take Instruction GOD KNEW IT was intimidating for Joshua to step into Moses' shoes, so, he told Joshua what to do. Let the words of the Book of the Law always be on your lips—take instructions from it. Ponder and meditate on it day and night—always keep it in your thoughts. And Joshua, if you do these things, you will never go wrong. (Joshua 1:8) For you to sustain enthusiasm, you must experience God continually and change to His image. The more you read and meditate the word, the more excited you become. But when the things of God become a duty, and there's a loss of excitement, these are signs that you're jaded—and there's danger ahead. Paul warns us not to get too familiar with God. He said, "So, let even the most confident believers remember their examples and be very careful not to fall as some of them did." (1 Corinthians 10:12) BRINGING IT TOGETHER WHILE MANY ISRAELITES yearned for the past and got stuck, Joshua looked to the future. He got into God. Enthusiasm means 'to be in God.' And to stay enthusiastic day after day, you need a daily infilling of the Holy Spirit.