Jesus taught that we should value people over tasks. When you give as He gave—sharing your time with others, caring for people and offering comfort where needed—you can experience life in an unhurried, calm and peaceful way. It’s the perfect way to understand the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Have there been moments in your life when you questioned, “Jesus, are you the One?” Times when you feel off-balance by an opportunity or situation and doubt that this is the turn your life should take? In these moments, trust that it is God at work in your life and you will not only stretch the boundaries of what you are capable of, you will develop greater faith.

When you feel frustrated about a situation, pray the above verse. Feel God’s peace calming you. Ask Him to help you let go of difficult emotions. Breathe His Spirit into you and see this trying moment as an exercise in faith—of stretching your love and patience—and growing deeper and closer to Him.

Learning to wait is a necessary part of being prepared to receive God’s promise. It’s not a matter of time, but a matter of trust. When you open your heart to faithfully waiting, you pave the way for His promises to work in your life.

Jesus’ actions when he was tempted show us that the best way to fight temptation is to focus on the bigger picture. When you know and use God’s Word you are equipped to resist whatever trials you face. Jesus knows what it is to be tempted and understands what you are going through.

When you feel lost and uncertain about what the future holds, pause for a moment and look back at your life. Reflect on the many instances where you were guided and blessed by God; the times when you could clearly feel Him helping you. Know He is with you now. He is helping you.

As Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing Him three times. Later, after Jesus’ resurrection, He asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”—giving Peter multiple chances to correct his wrongdoing and respond with love. Like He did for Peter, Jesus offers us His grace and forgiveness, every time we doubt or turn away from Him.

Jesus made seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John: I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the gate for the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way and the truth and the life, and I am the vine. With these declarations, Jesus went to great lengths to clarify His mission and to help the people understand that He is the Messiah. He is the Light in the darkness.

Some of life’s worst experiences serve as our greatest lessons. Through our struggles, we learn to trust, to have faith and to recognize God’s touch in our lives. Every Christian has a faith story—that “Aha!” moment when they first experienced God’s divine love. When we share how our faith has helped us through tough times, we share His love and offer comfort to those who need a boost of hope.