So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 Peter 4:19

We’ve all had that day where everything is just…off. I had one day recently where I couldn’t tap into my motivation. Everything was a chore. Just a bit of first-world suffering.

In those moments, I tend to reflect on the past. Perhaps it’s human nature to remember the good times, the previous victories and the successes that seemed to tumble one on top of another. And, if you aren’t that way, imagine someone older saying, “Things were so much better when I was younger” and you’ll catch my drift. Sometimes a lack of energy, motivation, and passion can come from thinking about the past.

Professionally, those in the nonprofit sector can tetter on the edge of burning out. Seeing suffering that can be mostly avoided is frustrating. At the same time, there’s no other feeling like when a person takes a step toward wholeness that changes the projection of not  only their lives, but the lives of those around them. It’s that kind of impact that keeps most of us in the nonprofit sector going. Sometimes those motivations wane, and that’s okay.

Personally, for months after the divorce, I found myself once again evaluating the past years. Evaluating and comparing my sufferings against a past that was—well—in the past. I was so tired of thinking about my experience and the auto-response to continuously process through the emotions again. I vacillated between blame and then I would swing to the other side and cry over how horribly I treated the people around me and particularly my ex-husband. My perspective probably differed from his. I wondered, what would he say about what happened? How did his perspective differ?

When we are in a place of suffering, whether it be a lousy day at work or the constant grind of evaluating emotions, the Bible suggests that we commit to doing good. Follow the Creator who is faithful to us. Perhaps it is our perspective that counts. Our suffering—in whatever manner it comes in—is real, but a shift of perspective by focusing on our “faithful Creator” can motivate us to “continue to do good.”

This verse (1 Peter 4:19) tends to pull me to Psalm 37:3, which says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Trusting God and doing the right thing are safe ground. No matter your perspective or circumstances, doing the next good thing is the next best thing to do.

What’s the next good thing you are about to do? Share it on Facebook @HopelesslyHopefulBooks. https://www.facebook.com/HopelesslyHopefulBooks

More devotions like this are available in Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation: 28 Daily Devotions of Hope for Those Experiencing Martial Separation…And if you want to read days 29-31, you can find those at HopelesslyHopefulBooks.com, located at the bottom of the homepage in the footer navigation.

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© 2021, Mollie Bond. All rights reserved. Originally published at www.molliebond.org.