Balanced budget and balanced life seem to become more elusive every year.  And so does true peace and contentment.  They say that young people growing up today have multiple times more anxiety than young people a few generations ago during the Great Depression.

So how is that for a cheerful Monday morning?

If we just gain the right perspective, does that give us balance?

If we have balance in our personal life, especially our spiritual life, does that make all the imbalance in Washington not affect us?  Hardly.  If you think so, just wait and see.

If we lower our expectations, will that help for peace and balance?  Well, compromise and concessions abound, but that just gives the ominous clouds on the horizon more time to darken before the big storm.

“What will be, will be; we can’t do anything about it”—-equals—-slavery.  That does remove some of the uncertainties, but I’m not in that camp.

Politicians promise, preachers pacify, money manipulates, finances frustrate, imbalanced budgets break the back of America, imbalanced lives break the heart of Americans.

The answer for you and me and America is found in putting our hope in the right things, the truth, and acting accordingly.

Lies are alive and well today—some obvious to all—many mistaken for hope.  Postponing truth is dangerous, costly, painful.

Discernment is rare today—even scoffed at—but available.  Start by evaluating your sources for information, interpretation, and personal application.

News sources that do not give a Biblical perspective become brainwashing for all that is evil.

Likewise, preaching that does not give a Biblical application to the issues today, leave people ineffective and unprepared.

How can you know the truth today, put your hope in the right place, and apply it to make a difference in this messy world?

ONE—–Open your Bible and read, several times a day, from different places—until something He says makes a difference in your life.

TWO—–Kneel and pray, alone, before you do anything else every day—wait, until He touches you inside and takes charge.

THREE—–Turn off the TV.  Consider the following two comments, for thought:  “I can hear God better without any TV in my life.”     “TV is not food for thought.”

FOUR—–Listen to American Family Radio-Inspiration and American Family Radio-Talk (afr.net   and    onenewsnow.com).

FIVE—–If you have a pastor (or someone who gives you advice), share this article and this site with that person.  Their response will shed light on both of your lives.

SIX—–Read “LIFE—BALANCED OR BIPOLAR?” from 9-27-12, here.

SEVEN—–Write and tell me where you’re at and what you’re dealing with.