Don't get your feathers all ruffled up

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Today I got to learn first hand the truth that God works all things to good for those that love and obey Him.

It is easy to focus on the immediate, the up front, the urgent, when things are going haywire or just not in the direction I want them to go. I'm so focused on my own plans and reputation and achievements, so focused on the rushing water, that I can't see the direction the river is going and the amazing view from my boat.

Not that things always go peachy, and nothing "bad" ever happens - far from it. But I can rest assured, my Lord is a sun and a shield, he gives favor and honor and no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Instead of focusing on the rushing water, the cold temperature, I should focus on keeping my walk blameless and make every effort to enter into that rest.

It is also important to work out solutions to challenges - The balance is this: the things I can control, do those with excellence, integrity, and passion. The things I can't, don't waste an iota of energy on it. One of Ben Franklin's 13 Life Virtues was:

"Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."

Instead, trust the only being who was, and is, and is to be, who has nothing in all creation hidden from His sight, the one who knows the plans He has for you, who prepared good works beforehand, that we should walk in them.

How do you work things out, and yet keep your feathers unruffled at circumstances?