This past Tuesday afternoon I was seeing a client out when a couple came walking towards me. Now the problem was they thought they had scheduled a session – but they had not. To make it worse, I had the next couple lined up, via Zoom, from a different continent.

Friend, what do you do when scheduling conflicts arise? Solomon says that “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). So, a better question would be, how do we remain open to the Lord establishing our steps?

In this world, there are two kinds of people – givers and takers. Givers always put the needs of others ahead of their own – even when they are being mistreated (Mt.5:44). Users always take. They continually feel sorry for themselves and ultimately end up all alone. After all, just how long can anyone survive in the presence of someone with narcissistic personality disorder (an excessive need for admiration, disregard for other’s feelings, an inability to handle any criticism, and a sense of entitlement)?

However, the givers of this world are always taken for granted and often treated cruelly by the takers. So, the givers may find themselves wondering just how much longer they can endure. To them, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel writes:

Psalm 37:21–24 (ESV) The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.

My Blessed Friend, NEVER GIVE UP! Instead, focus only on taking up your daily cross and Jesus will hold you up with His strong right hand.

Image from rebrand.ly/x4pj5c