Rick Warren's Blog, page 553

Focus on God���s Opinion, not What Others Say

People who accomplish big things in life must face naysayers who try to discourage them.

Why Hope Isn���t the Same as Optimism

Life often brings you matters that are difficult to swallow, like a sickness, a job loss, or the death of a friend or family member. Those pills are bitter going down, and we often choke on them.

Where Do I Find Real Hope?

At the end of World War II, a U.S. submarine came back to dock at Newport News, Va. As it came into port, something terrible happened, and the submarine began to sink. The Coast Guard was immediately dispatched to save the crew, and divers swam down to the submarine. As they approached it, they heard a sailor using a hammer to tap Morse code on the hull. His question: ���Is there hope?���

Change Something, Change You

You can���t change everything. But you can change you.

When your life feels like it���s falling apart, knowing what you can change ��� and what you can���t change ��� can make all the difference.

Get Alone with God, and Wait

When life seems to be falling apart, your most ���spiritual��� decision may be a surprise: Get alone with God, and wait.

Does God Owe Us an Explanation?

We all go through a time when our lives seem to be falling apart. We lose our job. A relationship falls apart. Someone dies. Our health takes a turn for the worse.

Don���t Let the Fear of Rejection Keep You Quiet

The fear of rejection is the main reason most Christians don���t share their faith with other people. We���re afraid of what others will think. God has given us Good News, yet we���re scared to share it. We worry that our friends will reject us or that people will think we���re fanatics or ���Jesus freaks.���

Let God���s Acceptance Save You from Fear

It���s hard for any of us to truly understand how unique and valuable we are to God. And that���s why we���re vulnerable to the fear of rejection, because we���re full of self-doubt. And that���s why sometimes when another person criticizes us, deep down inside we have the doubt and fear that they���re right. So it hurts even more.

Let God���s Salvation Save You from Fear

I love the way my wife Kay watches horror movies. If something like Alien comes on television, she turns on every light in the room and sometimes pulls up the comforter to cover her eyes. Would she watch a horror movie in the total dark? Absolutely not. Many of you won���t, either, because light helps you see things more clearly.

Let God���s Approval Save You from Fear

Advertising manipulates us all the time: ���Buy this product, or you���ll miss out on life!��� or ���You���d be a fool not to take advantage of this sale!��� Have you ever bought something you didn���t want or need just because you were afraid you might look foolish? Have you ever had someone in a grocery store offer you a little piece of food on a toothpick? And you really didn���t like the food, but you bought some anyway?