Have you ever had a really bad day? Maybe you said something really dumb in front of your crush. Or perhaps you forgot your part for your group presentation at school and feel like you let your class down.

We all do dumb things sometimes. And in the middle of the dumb things we do, it’s easy to let ourselves get upset, troubled and afraid.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27 (NIV)

Today’s verse gives us some insight into how God wants us to view trouble. In the middle of trouble and difficulty, Jesus said He would leave us peace. That means that no matter how crazy what you’re going through may seem, we can do it walking in God’s peace.

Even in those times when it seems like nothing in the world is right, we can still walk in peace. We can be confident that God is good. Because we have that knowledge, we know that regardless of circumstances and situations, we can walk in God’s peace.

Today, if you’ve allowed your heart to become troubled and afraid, determine to put an end to it. Decide that from today on, you’re going to walk in the peace of God. Choose peace, even when it’s hard. After all, Jesus came to bring peace to your life!

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. – Proverbs 3:7

One of the biggest things we struggle with within our culture is the need for God. It can be easy to think, why do I need to pray and seek God’s direction? I can just google it. It’s easy with so many answers right at our fingertips to avoid seeking God’s advice and do things at our own discretion.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of being independent of God. Because we have so many answers and options readily available, we begin to not seek Him as much.

However, despite all the technology and all the answers we can find, we need to realize that we always need God. We need His help in every situation that we face. We need His guidance for our day to day life.

So choose today to get God involved in your life. Choose to get Him involved in your decisions, no matter how small. You’ll never be disappointed when you get God involved in what you’re doing.

It’s true, you’ve probably got your share of issues. Maybe you dunk your cookies in milk (totally gross by the way). Maybe you have a deeper issue, like a lack of trust. Or perhaps you have a bad habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Ugh, we all have those days when we wish we could change everything about ourselves. Yes, literally everything.

We wish we looked different. We wish our personality was different.

All that wishing for change can often end up leaving us feeling disappointed in who we are and who we’re becoming. It can be easy to begin to dislike yourself and that can lead you down a bad path toward self-hate and self-harm.

Learning to like yourself can be hard. It’s a process and it’s not going to happen in just one day. However, don’t lose hope. You can begin to like yourself, even in the middle of all your issues.

One of the best ways to start liking yourself is to see yourself as God sees you. When He looks at you, He doesn’t focus on all your problems, rather, He sees you with eyes of love. He loves you and is proud that you’re His child.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Here is a list of Bible verses to help you get started seeing yourself as God sees you.

Do you feel alone sometimes? Like you’re overwhelmed by all the pressure around you and that no one really gets you?

Maybe you’ve just gone through something really difficult, and it’s hard to even have hope that things will get better.

In those times when you’ve given up on hope, take courage. Jesus is the good shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – John 10:11 (NIV)

That doesn’t mean that your life will be perfect. It doesn’t even mean that bad things won’t happen. What it does mean is that in the middle of them Jesus is good. Jesus’ heart for you is good.

Jesus is there like a good shepherd, leading you. Guiding you. Helping you.

Today’s Challenge: When it seems impossible, believe in the goodness of Jesus.

In those moments when it seems impossible. When it feels like there is no hope. Jesus is there. He’s there to be your encouragement. Jesus is good and He’s there to walk life with you. So choose to believe it. Choose to believe that Jesus is good and that things will turn around in your life. As you do, you’ll experience the goodness of God.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27 (NLT)

Right now, we are living in a time when there are so many voices. From social media accounts to our leaders, everyone is talking, talking, talking. All those voices sometimes can make your heart feel anxious.

When the news, social media, and other sources cause us confusion, we should choose to listen to God’s voice.

Today’s Truth: Listen to God’s Voice

As we listen to God’s voice by reading our Bible and spending time praying, it often brings us the peace we need and long for. It’s good to listen to God’s voice because it will set your heart at peace even if it seems like the world is far from peaceful.

God’s voice tells you that you’re loved. He tells you that you have a purpose. As you listen to His voice, it helps bring your heart to a place of peace and rest.

Today, if you’ve been guilty of listening to all the voices out there on the news and social media, choose to make some adjustments. Take some time away from those voices and focus on the voice of truth: God’s Word. Hear what God has to say about your situation and your circumstances. Learn to rest in His peace and presence.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, – James 1:19 (NIV)

Have you ever been in class and your teacher said, “Pay attention to this, it’s going to be on the test”? I feel like that’s the tone James was trying to set in today’s verse. He’s saying, “pay attention guys, this stuff is important”.

So what is so important about this verse that James was trying to get our attention? I think that James was trying to set us up for success in life. James knew that becoming wise really starts with listening. If you listen to others, you can learn a lot and get good advice.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt – Mark Twain

He also talks about being slow to speak and being slow to get angry. As Christians, we are to be light to those around us. We should be doing things that make others want to know Christ more. A great way to do that is to be slow to speak, and be slow to anger. Instead of getting mad at someone because of what they believe or do, choose to be slow to anger. Look for opportunities to share God’s love with others.

If you choose to develop these areas in your life, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the long run. Choose to do what James suggests in this verse, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:19 (NIV)

How often do you spend looking at all your needs? Do you see the lack of money, the lack of time, the lack of courage, or any other lack in your life and let it get you discouraged?

If so, don’t be discouraged. Today’s Bible verse is telling you to be encouraged. Whatever need you have, God says He will meet it. Sometimes that can be hard to believer, however. But the truth is, we don’t have to be concerned about the things you lack. Instead, you can look unto Jesus, who meets our needs.

The other good thing is that Jesus doesn’t just have enough to meet your need, but he has an abundant supply. He’s got more than enough for every need you face. Just decide to put your trust in Him and let Him be the supply for your every need!