Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

"Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily.
To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely.
To meet others, peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously." 

- Francis of Assisi 

This beautiful prayer from Francis of Assisi pairs well with advice from another of my favorite saints, Francis de Sales.

He urges us to not look forward in fear to what life is bringing. Rather, he suggests we look forward in hope, living as quietly and easily as Francis of Assisi suggested.

Francis de Sales points out that we belong to God. He will lead us safely through all things. When we cannot go on, God will pick us up and carry us through.

He cautions us not to fear what will happen. Worrying is useless, as Jesus often points out. God loves us. He will take care of us today and tomorrow.

Suffering is a natural part of life on Earth. Jesus told us we will have trouble on this Earth. But in life with him, we will have joy and peace.

That means that God will either shield us from suffering. Or he will give us “unfailing strength,” as Francis de Sales says, to bear it.

The end result is that we make the decision to be at peace. We decide to put aside anxious thoughts and imaginations, as Francis de Sales says.

When we love God with all our mind, we focus on him as the day and night go by.

This can be simple. Perhaps you recall the last Bible story you read. Or you think about a challenging point from last week’s sermon. Or you sing a worship song and really mean it.

I have Bible verses and perpetual calendars with inspirational sayings throughout my house. There are never far away. I read one when I reheat my coffee in the microwave, for example.

I also read the Bible as often as I have food. And I practice fixed hour prayer, stopping to pray at daybreak, 10 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and bedtime. Just these short breaks … often only five minutes … keep me close to God.

We cannot live today, quietly, easily, without God’s help. Lift your spirit up to Him on a continual basis. You will be shocked as how easy He can make your day.