1. Perception

Our perception is what shapes our environment. It is more powerful than reality, for our perception is the window through which we perceive reality. The environment we build through our perception is the environment to which we adapt. If our perception is negative, we adapt to living in a negative world. If our perception is positive, we adapt to living in the positive world.

2. Promise

Whenever something tragic happens in our lives, we always demand to know why. Why did this happen? The thing is, God never plays the “Why†game. He knows that an explanation will not satisfy nor heal the hurt, and it will keep us in the past. God wants us to move forward, thus He gives us promises. His promises are things we can live for, things we can move toward, and things that give us purpose. So when the road of life gets rough and stormy, look to His promises.

3. Perishable

Life is perishable. If we do not give it away, in time we will have to throw it away, for life cannot be preserved for a later time. Those who make the biggest impression in life are those who roll up their sleeves and work for it. There is no “later.†The time is now. Give your life away to gain it.

4. Planted

Psalm 92 says that those who are planted in the House of the Lord flourish in the courts of the Lord. Christianity thrives in community. There is no “me and Jesus doing out thing†in the House. The House is where the community of faith comes together, and it is in that that we thrive. Our destinies are connected to other people. It is in them that we find our future.