Survival Kit for 2018

With all the dire predictions for 2018 in the news, I thought you might need a survival kit for the new year. It is not original with me. Someone gave me one, and I thought it might encourage you as it did me.

The gift bag contained a toothpick, a rubber band, a band-aid, a pencil, an eraser, chewing gum, a mint, candy kisses, and a tea bag with the following instructions:



1. Toothpick--to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).








2. Rubber band--to remind you to be flexible. Things might
not always go the way you want, but it will work out. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).



3. Band-Aid--to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours and someone else's. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).


4. Pencil--to remind you to list your blessings everyday. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).


5. Eraser--to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay! Just as Joseph, who forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery, said, "'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.' ...And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:15-21).


6. Chewing gum--to remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything with Jesus! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).




7. Mint--to remind you  that you are worth a mint to your Heavenly Father. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16, 17).





8. Candy kisses--to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7).





9. Tea bag--to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Wishing you a healthy and blessed New Year!