1. Your past pain and present pain are gifts that shape the person you are today and the person you will become. Let your trials produce patience, kindness and understanding for today.

2. What really matters is what you think about yourself. Put on the mind of Christ–or in other words, think as he does. 1 John 3:20-21 states, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence in God.

3. You have heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds.” Well, God says that he is time. He is the alpha and the omega; the beginning and the end. Trust in Jesus, for he is the king of the brokenhearted, and he cares for you personally.

4. When you judge others, you are setting yourself up for the same treatment. Rather, when you see someone who is doing something that you do not approve of, realize that that person was sent into your life as a warning to open your eyes to your future.

Jesus himself prayed that we would all be one. If you believe he will have all of his prayers answered, then treat others as if they are already one with you. Pray for others and yourself. Realize that others are your mirror. The Book of Matthew tells us that by the same measure we judge others, we will also be judged. Jesus later said that your own words will judge you. Ouch. Wouldn’t you rather be judged through eyes of mercy than eyes of disapproval?

5. Trust that God has a plan for you and is working everything out for your good, even when it does not look or feel like it. In the Book of Jeremiah, he said he has plans to prosper us and plans for our future. The Book of Romans also tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

6. Your understanding will affect your happiness. Joy is found in knowing the truth. God is truth. He is speaking truth through all that has been created. Seek understanding, and know this as well: Opposites attract. So if you have a negative thing in your life at the present, that negative is your evidence that a positive is on its way to you.

7. In all of this you can rejoice. So smile and remind yourself that all is well; this too shall pass. Life is a circle. It is bittersweet. So have a cup of coffee or a piece of chocolate, and be reminded how wonderful life is even in the midst of hard times.