A better tomorrow

Everyone is hopeful for a better tomorrow. That's why we say "Good morning" at the start of the day. It's an indicator of the hope within that welcomes the dawning of a new day to bring better fortunes our way. God's mercies are new every morning and His compassion does not fail. When faced with adversity it becomes harder to see a better tomorrow, but resilient people are focused on the fact that trouble is only a comma in the sentence of life.

At a time where fear has gripped many hearts because of various reasons, it is difficult to remain hopeful. Without hope, you cannot have the faith necessary to live. Faith is the substance of what is hoped for. Faith gives hope tangibility. To be without hope is to open the door of low living. Hopelessness is the start of damnation in life. You and I were born for a reason. We are not just statistics, making up numbers in any particular nation. You and I were born to reign in life. That situation that has so far made a mockery of you is not a permanent story in your life. What must one do to create a better tomorrow? The list below is just a few thoughts I have gleaned that are useful for having a better tomorrow.

1. Make the choice to lookup. Take a walk along the high streets of most capitals and you will discover that the people who are happiest are hopeful people. Such people chose to look up despite the time of the day. Whether it's raining, snowing, hot, cold, it doesn't matter to them. Determine it within you that from now on you will look up and not down on life. 
2. Mind your language. I'm not referring to the British sitcom of the early 80s. Make the choice to speak life and not death. Your words reveal your faith. Your words reveal the picture within you of your tomorrow. Your words reveal where you are going. Your words qualify or disqualify you in life. It is a well-known fact that words are creative. Look at your Maker as the best example of using words to create a better tomorrow. You and I are created with the capability and capacity to create order out of chaos.
3. Make the choice to give honour to whom it is due. Out of the 10 commandments God gave Moses in Exodus 20 only 1 has a benefit attached to it.  One of the greatest injustices of our generation is the lack of honour. Society does not place a premium on honour. Honouring relationships establishes a long full life for us. I am constantly amazed at how many devalue their lives by lack of respect for others. It's not just honouring parents or authority. One of the reasons divorce is high is because of dishonour. Relationships are breaking up daily because of what can be traced to a lack of respect or honour for one another. People regularly break their word. One of the things God has challenged me is that He is faithful and what He says He does. How then can we say we serve God and fail to keep our word? The world is full of honour denying, excuse-making people, who always give a reason for not keeping their side of the bargain. Be careful who has access to you. Only allow those who honour you to come into your life, for such people are always towers of strength. If you meet someone and soon discover that they can't keep a promise, please don't give them any further access because they will only break your heart. The value placed on something or someone will determine the honour accorded.
4. Get in line with the heavenly vision. If your focus is fixated on the circumstances and challenges of life you will soon begin to think that life is worthless. What you focus on determines where you will go. Paul, the apostle in the New Testament, declared that his life was guided by the heavenly vision and he was not disobedient to it. Be committed to the purpose that your vision entails. Too many people have no spine to follow through the heavenly vision. You may be asking why heavenly vision. That's because you cannot expect to see a better tomorrow outside of the picture God has ordained for you. 

Know for sure that God is faithful. Adopt the attitude of the Psalmist King David, whose declarations revealed his beliefs and hopes that God has all in His hands. Psalms 23 has been my source of encouragement as I keep declaring that my days can and will only get better.

Psalms 23.
1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord  forever."

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.