- 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

Have you ever planned to quit your job because of the gossips you heard about you? Or you wanted to quit because of an irate co-worker or boss? Sometimes you say to yourself, “I’ll quit because even though I am working hard, my co-workers still say some negative things about me behind my back” or “It is better to quit because my work is too demanding.”

Sometimes, we are tempted to entertain negative thoughts. Those negative thoughts would trigger our emotions with disgust and discontentment. Giving up seems to be easier than keeping on. A firm decision, commitment and passion to reach the goal are the essential elements of a victorious person and not a quitter.

Many are eager to start something but when they face various obstacles, the easiest option is to quit. Quitters do not win. They are losers as they had easily given up on their goals.

Keeping on is not easy if we will only rely on our own strengths and abilities. Only our Lord Jesus Christ can give us the strength to go on. Developing our personal relationship with Him will transform our minds. He will fill us with positive thoughts. When we have a right relationship with God, we will feel encouraged rather than discouraged. He will enable us to go forward, pursue our goals until we attain those.

If we will focus our eyes on Jesus, we will never thought of quitting. Do not give up until victory is complete. The Bible says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”(Romans 12:2).

Regardless of our competence, abilities, qualifications or credentials, God alone has the power to bestow upon us the needed wisdom and knowledge to perform all our undertakings.  His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways.  He gives us the needed comfort, strength, counsel, and might to allow us to improve and succeed.

Small minded people may put on more pressures on us to quit or compel us to work even harder beyond our human abilities to prove ourselves. Do not allow the small minded people to stop us from reaching our goals and proving our selves.  We have our special roles under the sun. He entrusted to us our times, talents, and treasures to be utilized wisely for His glory. We have our special tasks and assignment to perform here on earth. As we perform them well, He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Are you still tempted to quit?  Always desire not to give up. Keep on.

- Matthew 10:29-31

Have you experienced being disappointed or discouraged?  It can affect your life either positively or negatively.  Once, a fourth year high school student was so saddened upon hearing the news that he was disqualified from the honor roll. Being a consistent honor student from kinder to high school, he was so depressed upon hearing the news that he was not included from the lists of those who will graduate from high school with flying colors.  Several concerned and caring friends tried to console him saying comforting words like, “Don’t be discouraged.  There is still hope.”  Right, we still have more chances to win the battles in life and there are more open doors of opportunities that do await us.

Different kinds of people have different experiences which may cause traumas and embarrassment.  It is through God’s loving care that we are all able to continue facing life’s battles because we know, He is always in charge.  He holds our imaginations and fills our minds with positive thoughts.  He keeps on assuring us that we don’t need to worry.  We must not give up.

God does not want us to worry but to firmly establish our faith on him. Worrying is an insult to God. Such feeling underestimates His power – His ability to perform the impossible.  If we worry, it means that we are relying on our own ability and doubting on what God can do.

Rather than being a worrier, become a warrior!  Worrying would lead us nowhere. Being a warrior in prayer would enable us to win battles and pursue great exploits. It is not about what we can do – it is about what God can do in our lives, in the situations we are in and in battles that we are facing.

Only believing in the power of God would enable us to start winning. In contrast, doubting is synonymous to losing. God wants us to become victors and not victims of situations. People who are victims are not “happy people”. Situations in life tend to engulf them — paralyzing their dreams and ambitions. They are imprisoned by worries in life. Warriors do not let situations stop them from their pursuits of victory.

Making God in-charge of everything would make us free indeed. If God is really our Lord and Savior, there is no place for worries. If He is our Lord, we let Him control the situations. He can even turn hopeless situations to hopeful situations.

If we can only fully entrust our lives on Him, we can clearly see how He can miraculously do great things in our lives. What are your worries? Is it something about you and your future? Is it something about your family or career? Why not let God take control of everything and see how great the outcome will be.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”

– Exodus: 14

Few of us would think of Moses as having low self- esteem. But read his answer when God told him that he would be the one to lead Israel out of bondage: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? Exodus 3:11.

If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. However, God has a course mapped out for your life, and all the inadequacies in the world will not change His mind. He will be with you every step of the way. And though it may take time, he has a celebration planned for when you cross over the “Red Seas” of your life.

What are these “Red Seas” in your life?

Rejection. You might feel inferior because you have experienced rejection before you walk with Christ in your past. The pain of rejection is strong. It attacks the very foundation of your personality, your concept of self- worth. If you let the assault continue unbridled, you suffer spiritually, emotionally, and physically. You can become a prime candidate for bitterness and depression. Is there a way out? Can you recover your self- esteem when another has cast you into the ditch of rejection?

Yes, you can. It is not an easy road out. But there is a biblical truth that can comfort you and restore you to wholeness. It begins by understanding that even those closest to you are capable of rejecting you. We are imperfect people who often wrongly judge and think. We are all stained by sin.

Worthlessness. The piercing arrow of rejection can be removed and the wounds healed as you understand that your intrinsic worth is forever bound to God’s unchanging truth. Your value is tied to Him. He is the magnetic north pole of your essential worth. The Almighty Creator is the infinite reference point, the ultimate standard, the “cosmic blue book” of your value…your value was written in blood at the Cross. Whatever the Lord Almighty values is valuable.

Shame. When temptations come and yield you to sin, feelings of shame are sure to follow. Your conscience springs to action any time it is violated. That is one way you know what you have done is not in line with God’s will for your life.

There is only one way to handle shame, take it immediately to Jesus Christ. Ask him to show you what you have done, if anything, and to help you obey His leading in confession and submission to His Word. Never forget, God’s forgiveness was applied to your life at the Cross when Jesus Christ died for your sins past, present, and future.

When you have Jesus, no negatives can keep you from His love. Walking with Him will turn your painful and awful times with integrity and honor. In His eyes, there are no losers, only lives being changed for His glory.

- 2 Timothy 2:12

If suffering is not desirable, does that also mean it cannot be profitable? Does the pain have no purpose or meaning? Since “God causes all things to work together for good” (Romans 8:28), suffering must have some positive consequences. Consider these;

1. It drives you deeper to the heart of God. Your ultimate purpose should be not to achieve pleasure or happiness but to know Christ and become like Him. Real trouble facilitates that goal, driving you closer to Him.

1. Suffering causes You to receive more of God’s marvelous, merciful grace. You think you are strong, but suffering reveals your weaknesses. That’s when you discover the inexhaustible resources of God. He gives you all you need to endure. His strength replaces yours.

1. You develop a base of reality and compassion with which you can minister to and love others. A former or present cancer sufferer is the best one to help another cancer patient.

Suffering is never desirable. But your sovereign, loving God can make it profitable. Christ is the only one who has the answer in all our adversities. In the midst of suffering Job says, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5).

Occasionally a “why” in adversity is met with a swift response from God. But on most occasions, God does not directly give explanations for adversity. To advance in your adversity, you must not dwell or linger too long on “why” but shift your focus to “who”- the person of Jesus Christ.

Let us take Job’s life in example. Job cried out for God to answer his questions. He desperately wanted to know why he was called upon to endure so much suffering. Finally, God answered him out of the whirlwind. But the answer was not what Job expected.

God refused to grant Job detailed explanation of His reasons for the affliction. The secret counsel of God was not disclosed to Job.

Ultimately, the only answer God gave to Job was a revelation of Himself. It was as if God said to him, “Job, I am your answer.”

Real, solid growth can occur in difficult circumstances when you bow before God and entrust yourself and your problems to Him without demanding a solution.

We have to always seek God’s providence in all that we are going through. Though at first, these adversities might seem so dull and you might feel hopeless, be reminded that God is in control. Take the life of Job, tested yet remained in the love of God.

God’s purpose in your life is sure. He is certain in all that He is doing to your life. The thing that you should do is trust Him. Let God do the holding and you do the trusting. Let Him hold your hand and walk with Him. Surely, all that you are going through will be profitable to you.

-1 Samuel 10:9

One of the most important elements in a race is a good start. In swift competition a poor start is tantamount to losing.

For us, the start is the decision to trust Christ as Savior- it’s when we recognize that He died for our sins and start repenting on the Cross. When the prophet Samuel identified Saul as King, it was obvious that Saul had begun his journey with admirable qualities. After Samuel anointed him king, Saul demonstrated his patience and humility by enduring the taunts of “certain worthless men” who mocked him (1 Samuel 10:27).

Perhaps your beginning hasn’t been so favorable. Perhaps, circumstances beyond your control have thwarted you at every turn. Perhaps you have never chosen to follow Christ. You can begin today. If you have not yet received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, invite Him now into your life. Pray that He will cleanse you from your sins and enjoy His salvation and your new life with Him.

If you do know Jesus but are continually frustrated, submit completely to His lordship, asking Him to take control of you and your circumstances. Trust Him to use even your problems for your welfare. He can do it if you turn to Him.

The gift of eternal life that you received through Christ has only begun. Christ, our Life, fills us with His purpose, joy, peace, power, and patience for life’s daily struggles. We have a new, rich quality of life as heirs of God.

Death is but a doorway into the presence of God. Eternal life is yours forever, serving and living in the very presence of God. Eternal life means everything counts- here and hereafter. Nothing is meaningless; nothing is wasted; nothing is ever finished. You are always just beginning.

The time that you receive Christ and begin with Him, you have a fresh encounter with Him.

Psalms 23:3 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Many times in the Psalms, David cried out to God to “restore”, “revive”, and “fresh” his soul. He uttered some pleas out of sense of desperation. Others came out of his desire to know God more intimately. David was seeking a fresh encounter with God. You, too, often need times of renewed spiritual vitality.

Although fresh encounters with God cannot be programmed or scheduled, they seldom happen apart from lifestyle of meditation on God’s Word combined with honest prayer. God can break into your life explosively and suddenly or quietly and gradually. But when He does, you sense His presence anew. You are keenly aware of the Holy Spirit’s active ministry.

You walk with a new assurance of God’s help. Your problems may stay, your circumstances may remain, but you know God is in control. You are focused on His adequacy, not your inadequacy.

Personal encounters with God will help you see your weaknesses and magnify the awesome reality of Christ’s love for you. They can refresh the driest soul and energize your new beginning with Him.

-  Psalm 83:12

What may be the simplest term for the word “blessed”? Many are confined with the idea that if you are blessed, you are rich – you have lots of money.  However, blessedness is not limited to having millions of money. A youth bible translated the term “blessed” as “happy”. Yes, a blessed man is a happy man.

We know of famous people who lived and died with true happiness. Why? They fully yielded their lives completely to our Lord Jesus Christ. When they were here on earth, they just believed that they are just pilgrims – looking forward to the future eternal bliss. They lived unselfishly and humbled themselves to Him, who is the owner of all things.

A lot of people seek happiness in the wrong places and with wrong motives. Whenever they could not find it, they end up disillusioned, sad and dissatisfied.

How can we find true happiness? Happiness is not found in having an extravagant house, a luxury car or even signature clothes – not even attaining so much popularity or being in a high authority in the society. The Bible says, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?” Many aspire for power and the amassment of great wealth. Unbeknownst to them, they are doomed to their own destruction.

Some people try to find their happiness through position and fame. Even Alexander the Great did not find happiness in conquering the world during his days. While weeping inside his tent, he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”

Marilyn Monroe, a well-known singer and an icon of beauty during her time, ended her own life. At a time that Marilyn would begin dating her vocal coach, Fred Karger, before attempting to end her own life after he dumped her. That she viewed suicide as an easy way out of her problems was already surfacing as a dangerous tendency. A dark, gaping crack was beginning to open up in Marilyn’s life.

People might be rich but not happy. They might have such power yet still dissatisfied. Some might brag of their beauty yet still feeling empty. Wealth, power and beauty do not equate with happiness.

True happiness cannot be bought. It is not either something that can be begged off. We can only find the source of happiness in knowing the source of real joy, the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek Him and His righteousness and all peace and joy shall be found. Once we yield our lives to Him, He can rebuild us and make our lives overwhelmingly free and beautiful under His grace.

How happy is the man who draws closer to his Maker. He enlightens and enlivens us. He is our true joy that provides peace and contentment. We might not be as popular and good-looking as the other people, but if Jesus lives in our hearts, we will have true joy.

“Moses said to the Lord, “Oh Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, I am slow of speech and tongue. The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? What makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

- Exodus 4:10-12

Moses was an insecure person. He saw his frailties instead of what God could do for him. He saw his limitations instead of seeing what God could do in his life.

When I was a child, it was very difficult for me to deal with people. I was also insecure. I remember those times when we had visitors at home, I used to stay inside my bedroom until the visitors would soon leave. I could not play outside. I could not do what I wanted. My insecurity crippled me.

I tried to figure out what had caused me to be insecure at a very young age. I remember an incident when I would go outside to play with other kids but then, those kids would tease me because of how I look— a young apathetic girl with an unlikely appearance, scarred-skin due to insect bites and quite heavy for my age. No one complimented that I was pretty except my parents and my grandparents of course.

A lot of people suffer from much insecurity regardless of their personalities, economic status, family background and achievements. Even a gregarious person who is often a life-of-the-party might be so much insecure. A big boss working in a multi-national company, earning a lot of money, staying in the office too late, might have insecurities about family matters. A dashing woman who has a very pretty face might be so insecure because she was dampened by her boyfriend.

Bad experiences in the past which underestimated our self-esteem caused us to be less confident about ourselves. We have dreams we desire to be fulfilled. We have great tasks we want to execute. However, because we are imprisoned with insecurities, there are so many dreams which remain to be dreams – some people died already with unfulfilled dreams.

God wants us to be the best that we can be. He wants us to be free indeed. We are His creation. We are created in accordance to His image. We only need to discover our ultimate purpose and see how great His plans for us are. We have such God-given potentials that need to be unleashed.

We might have failures in certain aspects of our lives that could ruin our self-esteem.

Our self-esteem needs to be anchored neither on the achievements we have attained nor on our physical appearance – not even through our financial status. Our security and confidence should be based on God.

How we can overcome our insecurities? First, we need to surrender our lives to God. Second, we have to begin trusting God that He has great plans for our lives – God values us. Next is to spend some time each day praying, reading the Bible, claiming God’s promises, and worshipping God. Then find a church that teaches the Bible, and encourages a personal relationship with Jesus. Begin to develop friendships with sincere Christians and fix your eyes on Jesus. Remember, we each differ in respective talents, abilities, and beauty, but we are all necessary and important in the eyes of God. It’s high time to focus on God’s adequacy, not your inadequacy.

Matthew 11:28 – 30

The word gentle appears as meek.  Jesus is so meek and humble in spirit.  He came not to be served by people, but He himself served humanity.  He says, “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.  He gave His life as a ransom for many.  He exemplified the best model of lowliness of mind and meekness.  He never practiced self-depreciation.

His deep love for humanity enables Him to reach out and to touch the lives of many people.  His greatest desire is to love and to serve mankind. It is so pleasing to hear His words saying, “You are loved.  You are forgiven.  You are important.  You are healed.  You are accepted in the Beloved.”  These words are soul-inspiring that even the blind can see, the lame can walk, the dead can rise from the grave and live again.

People who are hurting and sorrowing are encouraged when they sense and feel that Somebody cares deeply for them.  He says, “Casting all your cares upon me, for I care for you.”  He cares for everybody and is always willing to help us in times of our needs.

A medical practitioner showed his great love and concern to his patients by silently praying for them, requesting the Great Physician to extend His miraculous hands to them before he gives any medical prescriptions for their medical aids; he showed such tenderness and compassion to them. As a result of his great care for them they are comforted, strengthened, and recuperated from their pains and sicknesses.  He unselfishly lends his ample time and shares his talents to serve them patiently and diligently.

Jesus communicated His utmost care for the different kinds of people with diverse cultural backgrounds and varied personalities.  He wept even for the salvation and redemption of the worst of sinners.  He also loves even the unlovable and forgives our sins granting our clemency and pardon.

Do we really care for others?  We can show our love and concern to the widows.  Even to the aged who are suffering from their sicknesses and loneliness. .  We can send letters, cards, or flowers to the bereaved.  We can also share our words of comfort and encouragement to those who are depressed to allow them to find strength in the midst of trials.  We can visit those who are hurting in prison and those who are in their hospital beds.  We can show our concern to   the fatherless, the abandoned street-children, the blind beggars, the emotionally and physically abused, the battered wives, etc. May we always open the gates of our ears to listen to the cries of others.  May he always guide our mouth in expressing gentle words to them. We can act being

His servants doing our supportive roles to this world in despair.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.”

- Proverbs 18:10

Birds find their hiding places or places of refuge on their nests, bees within their hives, snails or turtles on their shells and even hermits find secluded places on caves or remotest mountains which are hard to be reached by anyone just to find their peace of mind.

Peoples throughout the world find ways and means to build houses, tall buildings, or even towers where they can find security and rest. But, when unexpected calamities or tragedies come, these hiding places are considered not as safe places for refuge.

There’s no perfect place in this world. Even if we live in small huts or biggest mansions, if we do not find the real peace of mind and tranquillity of soul, all our domiciles are of no avail at all. Why not come to real source of safety? We can only find assurance of peace and security if we will humbly come closer to Jesus, who is our refuge and strength, a perfect help in time of trouble.

In His hiding place, there is continual guidance. His light is ever present to outshine and lead us to places where we can live with security. Thus, we are safely guarded.

Hudson Taylor said, “Where God guides, God provides.” In His place, we are much provided with His strong support systems. We have our emotional support, hearing His expressions of love, “I love you. You are the apple of my eye.” His physical support gives us assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He says, “I am the Lord who will heal you. By My stripes you have been healed.” How marvellous to hear His words assuring us of His gentle touch.

We find refuge beneath His mighty wings. He cherishes us to keep us warm spreading His wings with greatest tenderness just to surround us with the power of His love.

Just like the mother eagle that builds her nest on the side of the mountain. In forming an inviting shelter for refuge, she weaves together prickly branches from briar and thorn bush. This is done to form interlocking structure for her eggs. Soft material combined with feathers plucked from own breast line the nest. Thus, her eaglets dwell high above all harm in her warm comfort.

Our Father in heaven provides us with comfort and ease. With His hands, we are wonderfully sustained and kept secured even in the most turbulent times.

His name is a very strong tower. Even when many enemies surround us, we shall be well-armed when we draw closer to Him. He generously provides us with the shield of protection and armour. He is the real Sword of our excellence by whom we are well-armed and unharmed.

As our Tower, He gives us hope and satisfaction in life. We can live with serenity and calmness. Where else could we go? We can go directly to the right path, His place to hide. Here, we can experience so much care and loving fervour. Believe in Him and His words saying, “I am your Mighty Fortress.” Out of our insufficiency, we can rely on Him for our sufficiency.

Why not resort now coming to my hiding place?

-  Habakkuk 3:19 NIV

When crisis arise, they appear foreboding- pink slip at work; a somber look on the face of your physician after seeing test results; an unexpected call with the sad news of a family death. Although you cannot diminish their gravity (the Bible never ignores or attempts to explain away pain), you can take realistic stock of your dilemma and then turn to the ultimate Realist, Jesus Christ.

The danger in facing life’s crises is withdrawing into the valley of despair or seeking to surmount it with feeble self- resolve. Both tactics will end in ruin. The opportunity is to trust God to make your feet as “deer’s feet” so that through Him, you may see God at work in your problems.

During the times that you are facing the winds of adversity, Jesus Christ is the only One you can count on to turn your mourning into dancing.  Even David in Psalms 57:1 said,  “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

The enduring times of adversity might whip up swirling whitecaps of stress, but the good news is that you can rely on several calming biblical truths to anchor your inner person. Here’s how:

1. Recall God’s activity in the lives of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, Peter, and Paul are illustration of God’s dealing with men. Examine His methods. Investigate their responses.
2. Count on God’s fixed, unfluctuating character: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). You can depend on God to act consistently with the revelation of Himself through His Word.
3. Magnify the power of God’s grace: Grace works every time.  Grace is His supernatural provision for every need, every problem, and every circumstance. Grace overwhelms every obstacle, overflows every failure, and overcomes every dilemma.

Faith in God and His care for you will stabilize your footing and give you a confident grip in His ability. God however, has fitted you to navigate through turbulent times. Just as a pilot’s confidence during inclement weather is in the instruments, so must your reliance be on God, not in yourself.

Your foremost guide in rough times is God’s Word. It is always a lamp unto your feet, especially when the darkness is at its deepest. If you are in tempestuous circumstances, read His Word.  You have to cling to specific promises tenaciously, and anticipate His gracious response.

Jesus Christ will stabilize you through His divine assistance. Be it an emotional, spiritual, financial, or psychological tumult- He will be there for you, surely. He will upright you when you fall, and constantly gird you through His unfailing strength and love.

As the Lord Jesus Christ strengthens you and equips you, you can ride on the divine winds of faith. The result is renewed hope in God’s active presence in your life. God is the Sustainer of your soul. He will see you through when you cannot see at all.