Faith When The Devil Tries Too Hard 10:29 PM When The Devil Tries Too Hard It is when I’m close to reaching my goal, feeling joyful, or planning a promising project, when the devil tries too hard to steal my happiness. I’ve read somewhere that you’ll know if you’re really close to your dreams when the devil is working double time to delay you, discourage you, and make you quit. He tries to take away everything important to you to distract you. Sometimes he even sends people---friends, relatives, significant other into our lives to distract us. Be careful what and with whom you are spending most of your time with. Ask yourself, is this a distraction or a blessing? Are they bringing you closer to your dreams or are they pulling you away? Remember: you are made to do great things. The enemy doesn’t have to do anything major to stop you. He only needs to take your eyes off of God. What happens next is up to you. When the devil tries too hard, always find the strength to stand up again and shake it off. Despite your weakness and vulnerability, God won’t let His child be defeated. "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10 The devil would usually take away the things that you’ve been holding closest to your heart. This is to break your spirit and make you turn away from God. Remember that when you have God, you have everything you need. God will always provide you of what you NEED. As a mere mortal, I am flawed. I admit that sometimes, I let bad things discourage me. When you lose a loved one, when an investment failed, when a plan didn't go as expected, when someone hurt you, It's easy to question God's presence. No wonder a lot of people turn their backs from faith. I’m sure he’s laughing so hard just by watching me fail and feel lost. But in the end, I realized that it’s really up to you if you let him win. You can either look at things from a victim’s perspective or with victor’s mindset. Don't let loneliness be your destination. Let it only be part of your journey; to hone you, to make you stronger. No matter how hard it gets, or how many distractions the devil tries to throw your way, don’t take your eyes off God. The next time you’re feeling weak, just remember that you are an inch closer to your dreams and victory. Why do you think the devil tries so hard? He knows he’s losing the battle, that’s why. Bible verses to help you get through the tough times When the devil tries too hard, remember these passages: I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm--my great army that I sent among you. --- Joel 2:25 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. --- Job 42:10 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. --- Psalm 121:7 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. --- Philippians 4:13 Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ---James 1:3 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. ---1 Peter 1:7 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. --- Psalm 23:1 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD. I come to you for protection. ---Psalm 143:9 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. ---Psalm 91:11 God, your God, will restore everything you lost; He'll have compassion on you; He'll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered. No matter how far away you end up, God, your God, will get you out of there and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. He will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors. God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live. God, your God, will put all these curses on your enemies who hated you and were out to get you. And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God, keeping all his commandments that I'm commanding you today. God, your God, will outdo himself in making things go well for you: you'll have babies, get calves, grow crops, and enjoy an all-around good life. Yes, God will start enjoying you again, making things go well for you just as he enjoyed doing it for your ancestors. But only if you listen obediently to God, your God, and keep the commandments and regulations written in this Book of Revelation. Nothing halfhearted here; you must return to God, your God, totally, heart and soul, holding nothing back. This commandment that I'm commanding you today isn't too much for you, it's not out of your reach. It's not on a high mountain - you don't have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it's not across the ocean - you don't have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it. --- Deuteronomy 30:3-13 I shared this article on The Praying Woman and edited for my blog.
Faith Prayer In Time Of Uncertainty 7:48 AM Prayer In Time of Uncertainty Dear God, Hear my prayer in this time of uncertainty in my life. I am blinded by the challenges of the present, help me remember that this is a part of your big plan for my beautiful future. I am discouraged by the uncertainties of things today, remind me that tomorrow is surely wonderful as You are already there. It is too dark where I'm standing now. I can't see a single thing. I am scared. I am lost. Hold my hand. For holding Your hands, I know I can do anything. Help me take a leap of faith. I don't know where I am going to land. But I know for sure that You will be there to catch me. Help me remember that if You can calm the waves and the raging storm, You can calm the storm in me. Remind me of the times you did the impossible to save your children in the face of peril and lead them to Your Promise Land. I may be in the desert today; parched, exhausted, alone, but I have faith that You are here to provide and protect. Forgive me for forgetting that You are Almighty. You laid the earth's foundation. You parted the Red Sea for Your people. You closed the mouths of hungry lions to save a faithful man. You made the blind see and the cripple walk. You raised the dead. What can you not do for me? Nothing is too hard for you. Forgive me for doubting. Awaken my faith. Revive my soul. Raise my dead dreams back to life again, Lord, I beg you. My future is unclear and uncertain but help me to believe that it is going to be okay. Because You hold my future in Your hands. In this time of uncertainty and difficulty, Lord hear my prayer in Jesus' name. Amen. See also: Let This Be My Prayer Today I Pray
Faith 7 Lessons I Learned From Ruth While Waiting For My Boaz 8:18 PM So here's the thing about Ruth and why she's a big deal---at least for single women. She's the perfect inspiration for those who are: feeling inadequate feeling flawed scrutinized and marginalized by the cruel society feeling that they've ran out of luck when it comes to finding "The One" tired of doing good and not seeing any good happen to them In short, Ruth is not your ideal woman. People looked down on her because: She was a Moabite. Moabites were descendants of Lot from an incestuous relationship with his oldest daughter. She's a woman, and women during her time were considered property whose value is only a little higher than cows in their society. She's a widow. Some people during her time thinks widows are cursed. Giphy Despite her personal obstacles and the labels people give her, she remained faithful to her mother-in-law Naomi and did what she could to help her. Brushing aside the whispers about her, she went out to glean the barley fields of her late husband's kin, Boaz. That's a quick summary so you may want to read her story to know more. But here's what I got from Ruth. 7 Lessons I Learned From Ruth While Waiting For My Boaz 1. Ruth’s priority was a life of service. Ruth didn’t wait for someone to redeem her after her husband died. She went out there and worked---for her and for her mother-in-law. The only family she has. She could have left her but she didn't. She served her. She knew her priorities. Don’t wait for other people—especially for men to validate your existence or rescue you from where you are. In the end, you're the only one who can save you. Don't be a damsel in distress. Be your own hero. 2. Loyalty and selflessness are always rewarded. She cared for Naomi and never left her side which eventually led her to her future husband Boaz. Even when you don't expect it, your goodness will be rewarded. That's how the universe works. 3. Be confident with who you are. Ruth never let rumors and gossip stop her from going out there and getting what she needed. She ignored the naysayers. She knew she was being judged because she didn’t fit in the society’s standards. She had more important things to think about; she had no time for petty things and petty people. If you know who you truly are, no amount of rumor will make you question your identity. Your reputation is in the hands of others. That's what the reputation is. You can't control that. The only thing you can control is your character. -Dr. Wayne Dyer 4. Be diligent, persevering, and determined. Ruth worked harder than others, which Boaz noticed. Your work ethics, virtues and hard work will speak for itself. Though some people don't appreciate your effort and your goodness, someone will---someone who matters. 5. Be a woman of character. Boaz told Ruth: “All my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.” What can be more flattering than that? You can’t control your reputation, because everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But remember: not everybody matters. You can’t control other people’s impression of you. Don’t even waste your time trying. However, you do have full and total control of your own character. Be someone your Boaz can be proud of. Be someone you yourself, your children and your children's children can be proud of. Carry yourself with dignity. 6. Stop chasing people. Don’t be desperate. Boaz praised Ruth’s loyalty saying, “You have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor.” Never run after a bus, train or man. When one leaves, another arrives. 7. Follow the advice of the wise. Ruth knew she could trust Naomi so she followed her advice. Which turned out to be an effective one because Boaz married her after that. Ruth may not be every guy's fantasy girl, but she’s every man’s ideal wife, judging by her character. People might have treated her like trash, but her character shined so brightly that a man of integrity like Boaz saw what a gem she was. Don’t just sit and wait around for your Boaz. Ruth never did. She lived a life of service and the Lord rewarded her. For God is faithful, and His timing is perfect. Be like Ruth while waiting for your Boaz. Work while you wait and wait in faith. ---- Lessons from The Feast's teachings on Women. Edited from the article I submitted on The Praying Woman.
Faith When People Don't Believe In Your Dreams 7:00 AM When People Don't Believe In Your Dreams When people don't believe in your dreams, remember that it is not your inadequacy that shows but theirs. When people don't believe in your dreams, look at their history. Most of the time, these are people who once dreamed the same dream but failed. They must have seen the same spark and zest in you that they had when they were dreamers. They can sense your enthusiasm and determination in reaching your dreams. They can see the dreams they once had in your eyes. But that must be why they don't believe in it anymore. Because they failed. They went crashing down hard and it was so painful that they never want to try again. Nor do they want to be near that dream again. And hearing you speak about your dreams remind them of their failure. Giphy When people don't believe in your dreams, it is their fear that they feel and they project on you. Their negativity has nothing to do with you or your dreams and everything to do with who they are and their lack of faith. It may be discouraging, painful, and frustrating especially if these people who don't support you are close to you. It would be nice to hear them cheer you on. It would be easier to face trials and conquer your mountains along the way if you know there are people who got your back. But that's not always the case. That's alright. When David was about to face Goliath, everyone including his brothers didn't believe that he could win. How could they? He's just a boy. All he had was a sling and a stone. That's all they could see. Repeat: That's all they could see. But David is more than just his sling and stone. David knew He could because He had faith. And what did his brothers know of what he can do? They weren't there when David was alone and honing his skills. They don't hear his conversations with God. They don't feel and hear God's calling for him. They only know what they can see with their naked eyes. They only understand with their limited knowledge. Plus, there is envy in their hearts. Aren't we guilty of this too? At some point, weren't we like David's brothers? We think we know someone so well. We see their limitations and what they can do and we think we can predict what their future will be based on what we see. We are fast to judge and discourage with our words. Yes, we may have good intentions. We may want them to see what we can which we think is reality. But we do we really know about them; their hearts, their faith and the depth of what they can do? What is reality? As Krishna Saagar says, "You don't see the world as it is, you see it,as you are." We didn't see the time they put in to work on their God-given talents. We didn't see their sleepless nights and hard work to get to their dreams. We haven't walked in their shoes, we don't know the battles they faced and are still facing. Who are we really to judge? Let's be like David instead. Giphy Let's perfect our skills and offer the world what we have been gifted with. No matter how small or insignificant it may be to most people, even if the world would mock us, even when those we love and hope to support us laugh at us instead and tell us to "dream on," may we never waver in our faith. God Himself planted those dreams in our hearts (Bo Sanchez). Who are they to question it? Most importantly, why would we doubt that? Hasn't God shown us He can deliver? Is the God who can part the sea, calm the storm and raise the dead not powerful enough to equip us of what we need to accomplish the mission He has entrusted in us through our dreams? When we question our capabilities, we are insulting God. When people don't believe in your dreams, remember David. You may be facing a giant with only a sling and a stone in your hands, and that might look ridiculous indeed. But that's not all you've got. You have a big God Who will not let you be defeated and Who knows what you're capable of and believes in you. When people don't believe in your dreams, don't show them what you can do, but what God can do through you. When people don't believe in your dreams, listen to God's voice in your heart. It's God's opinion that matters most. The rest is just noise. If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Faith Let This Be My Prayer Today 7:00 PM Let This Be My Prayer Today: You never let my cup run dry. When I'm at the verge of giving up my fight, too exhausted to continue, You carry me in Your arms. You stand by me in all my battles. You help me defeat my fears. You take away my worries. You wipe away my tears. You heal my brokenness. You fix me like only You can. You bring me from glory to glory. Who am I to deserve such scandalous grace? Who am I to receive your mercy? The world says I'm a nobody. Still, You chose to die for me. Your wounds, my healing. Your pain, my glory.Your death, my life. What can I ever do to pay you back? What can I ever give You that You cannot give me? I've got nothing but scars, flaws, frailties. I've got nothing but imperfections. Here I am, flaws and all. Make do of my imperfect love. Let this be my prayer today.
Faith Reflection: God's Crazy Love 8:00 AM For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. -John 3:16 I thank God for giving me my passion to write. That's why as a thanksgiving, I decided to start a Reflection series. Because despite not being a technically good writer, despite some grammar slips here and there, despite the criticisms, insults, and mockery I've received from people telling me I'm not a REAL author, I know in my heart that this is a gift from my Big Daddy. I know this can only come from Him---from God's crazy love for me. I'll always be grateful for Him providing me with the tools and skills I need to use this gift. For leading me to the right people, bringing me the right opportunities and allowing me to build pipelines for His blessings to flow into my life. Truly, my God is crazy in love with me! God's crazy love I'm a nobody. I'm only a speck of dust in His vast universe. I often find myself asking, "Why, Lord? Why do you love me this much? I am a sinner. I often neglect you. I often blame you for my misfortunes. Why sacrifice your Son---Your life for me?" And the only answer is love. Pure, unadulterated, complete, infinite, unfathomable, crazy love. Who can explain love? Even science fails to give it justice despite its intellectual research and theories. It's still not enough. Nay, it's not needed by people in love. "I don't know, I just love her. That's all I know." That's what you'll often hear people respond when you ask them why they love someone. It goes beyond the physical. It is more than just what is certain and what's there. It is beyond human comprehension. And that is only human love. God's crazy love is so much more. For this world's wisdom is foolishness (absurdity and stupidity) with God. (1 Corinthians 3:19) That is why the proud, intelligent ones despise Him. For they cannot put Him in a box. For they can never explain His beginning and end. He is their failure when it comes to displaying their wisdom. But that's what makes Him God. He is infinite. He is beyond our grasp. If we can understand Him, then we will be equals. God's crazy love is not for the perfect. It is for those who are humble enough to admit they are not complete, they are not enough and they are not well. Those who will receive Him and allow Him to heal them. God's crazy love is for those who are crazy enough to admit that they need His craziness in their lives. Hey, I am crazy. That's why despite my flaws and imperfections, despite my difficulty to accept His love and feel His presence, despite my unlovable and unloving state sometimes oftentimes, I accept Him. For He's crazy enough to accept me in the first place. (Just between you and me, I think He's crazier than all of us put together). The Lord your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. (Zephaniah 3:17) Kind of hard to imagine an almighty, all powerful, majestic, glorious King rejoicing and shouting with joy, right? I mean, I've always thought kings are reserved, dignified, solemn. We know some kings could even be tyrants, taking delight in punishing his people. Oh, but this King we have is crazy in love with us. He is our Father before anything else. And that is something we may never come to understand. We can only allow Him to love us or reject Him like we always do. God's crazy love is inviting you to accept Him today. Are you in or out? Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith Wounded And Scarred 8:00 AM It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. -J.K. Rowling We are all wounded and scarred. Some wounds are deeper, some scars more permanent. I don't know about you but I'm yet to meet someone, especially an adult who has never been bruised or wounded in life...figuratively speaking. Indeed if we look closer, we are walking among broken people; wounded souls, scarred hearts, exhausted from the battle of every day life. Dramatic, isn't it? But, isn't that the truth? Personally, I know people who are victims of abuse---physical, sexual, verbal abuses by family members, "friends", and even strangers. People who have been struggling with addiction, those who are stuck in toxic relationships, those who are fighting depression, those who are struggling in finances. Some of these people are denying themselves of healing. That's why you meet full-grown adults acting like toddlers. If they can't be happy, neither can you. Toxic people are everywhere. If you allow them, they can transform you into one of them. Sad. And scary. Wounded and scarred, it is our choice that determines what we become. Are we going to use these wounds and scars to help others find their way, or are we going to add more to it by hurting others? In doing so, we hurt ourselves back. Wounded and scarred, we either seek healing and be well, or let the pain taunt us for the rest of our lives, becoming miserable and difficult to deal with. Wounded and scarred, we can allow the Healer to turn our mourning into dancing or stay and rot in the valley of death. Wounded and scarred, we either stay down and miss what life has to offer, or get up, dust ourselves off and carry on. We are all wounded and scarred, whether we like it or not. Whether we accept it and face the truth or forever live in lie and agonize. Wounded and scarred, we are still beautiful, because we are not here by mistake or accident. We are loved, we are His joy, we are made for greatness. Hello, fellow wounded and scarred soul. Oh, how beautiful we all are. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith To The Girl Who Always Gets Dumped 4:23 PM Show me a woman who has never had her heart broken, and I'll show you a woman who has never really lived. Unknown To the girl who always gets dumped, I know what you're thinking. That you're not pretty enough to hold his attention. Or you're not smart enough to keep him interested. Or you're not hot enough to keep him hooked. But, you're wrong. You are lovely. And you are enough. It's not your fault that he is not content. He never was and he never will be. It's not your fault that he is superficial. You are better off. It's not your fault that he couldn't see your worth. That doesn't change who you are. You deserve more than what he's giving you; his spare time, his leftover feelings, his insincere affection. If you only matter to him when he needs something from you, If he's only available when his friends aren't around, If he cares about his happiness more than your well-being... Girl, you're better off. You're better off than being used, being cheated on, being lied to and hurt in any way. You are better off alone and at peace, than with someone but carrying a heavy useless burden in your heart. No, you don't deserve his insults. No, you don't deserve his slaps, or kicks or punches. No, you don't deserve his vilification, condescension, and downplaying. No, you don't deserve to be played and cheated on. To the girl who always gets dumped, You deserve joy. You deserve affection. You deserve undivided attention when you talk. You deserve unceasing loyalty. You deserve to be honored and cherished. You deserve true love. You deserve to be treated with respect and adoration. You deserve to be treated like a princess. Because you are. Aren't you the King's daughter? You have been lied to far too many times that you may have started to believe it. And lived the way you were told to. To the girl who always gets dumped, Find yourself again. Find your beautiful, precious, love-worthy self. Take your identity back. Let go of your trashy past. It already happened. Stop holding on to it. Forget about your vampires or Dementors. Remember that you are loved and your value does not diminish despite the number of mistakes you did in the past. Remember that your past does not define your future. (Bo Sanchez) Remember that as cliche as it may sound, it's their loss and not yours. To the girl who always gets dumped, It's not your destiny to be ditched, so stop believing that's how you should be treated. You were born a victor. You were made for greatness. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Go and fall in love again. But this time, love yourself first. Give to yourself first. Most of all, forgive yourself. For it's not your fault that you loved more, you loved sincerely, and that you believed in the goodness of men, even those who weren't good to you. It's not your fault that you believe in love in a world full of doubts. That you are genuine in a world full of fakes. Stay real, be wiser, and be more careful in who you're giving your heart to. Someone out there is waiting to give you all that you deserve. The puzzle will soon be complete, and you will see what a beautiful picture you have been a part of. One day, your heart will be whole again. And on that day, it will all make perfect sense. For now, enjoy the journey. Laugh at your boo boos. Feel your pain, and then let go. Step out and see the world waiting for you to take it on. To the girl who always gets dumped, you are beautiful. You deserve to be loved. Remember that. If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Faith To My Enemy 8:00 AM To my enemy, I may be weak and losing. I may look tired and about to surrender. But I am not. I am far from quitting. I am far from getting knocked down. To my enemy who keeps trying to steal my joy and distract me from focusing on the prize, listen up and listen well: You may think you've owned me. Oh, I can hear you laughing now. I may look frail and dying, I may look defeated. You may assume I'm gone, but I assure you I am not. You may feel like you've won, because right now I am lying helplessly on the ground. You have pinned me down and I am too weak to fight back. I have little strength left to get back up again. But the ground is not my home. This is not where I belong. Let me remind you that I'm not alone in this fight. When I am weak, my God is strong. You can assume that the fight is over. I can't blame you. I have retreated in my corner. I've got no more words to say. But that's not because I've ran out of reasons. It's just because I realized you're not worth the time. I don't want to waste my time and energy on something worthless such as yourself. I will never be able to show you reason. For your mind is narrow, and you are arrogant. You'll never accept the truth staring at your face. And you will die trying to convince me I am living a life of lies. You will never win this fight. For even before the fight started, Jesus already conquered the world. Needless to say, He has conquered you. Oh, you may think I have forgotten. But, I have not. You have lost, before you've even started. I may be badly wounded, broken beyond recognition, black and blue all over, bleeding profusely---almost lifeless. But, just you wait. Just you wait. When my Savior comes bringing His game, you will be scattered in your conceit. My God, the Champ, the Big Boss, the Lord of all, will carry me and heal me. He will mend me and wipe away my tears. He will cleanse me, strengthen and nourish me back to life. He will make me brand new. He will stop the bleeding, He will bring me back to my feet, and I'll be ready to kick you goodbye. You can rejoice now, for I may have temporarily stopped fighting back. That's not defeat though. That's just me wising up and choosing my battles. I hope you're ready to face your fate when the Lord is done with me. I'll be back with sweet vengeance for the Lord is my vindicator. For He has prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5). You can plan tactics after tactics to bring me down, but you will always fail. You may have succeeded in persecuting me, you may have offended me repeatedly. But pain is temporary, the glory that comes when the truth comes out is forever. No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). You and your lying tongue will soon find its doom. For God's just judgment will still prevail. You will be shamed for assuming you have successfully taken everything away from me. For God will restore everything I've lost; He'll have compassion on me; He'll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where I have been scattered (Deuteronomy 30:3). To my enemy, you have messed with the wrong woman. I am your King's daughter. You have not beaten me to death. You have only made me stronger. On my side is He Whom even death could not hold down. To my enemy, be afraid. Because I have a big God. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:10
Books Overcome Failures And A Free eBook Giveaway 8:00 AM What you think about your story greatly influences how you tell it. -Dr. Ifeoma Samuel Competition has ended. Congrats Jayson Santos for winning! Overcome FailuresFailure is a topic many people---myself included---can easily relate to. How many times have I failed in life? I lost count. Bruised. Battered. Badly wounded. Scarred for life. Not so different from most of you, I presume. But hey, here we are. Still standing. Still smiling. What keeps me going?I'm too stubborn to let life knock me down. I chose to be happy a long time ago. That, and God's grace. Mostly His grace. You know who else is an expert in overcoming failures? My friend Ifeoma. If you've been a follower of this blog (I am eternally grateful to you), you might have read her guest article Ultimate 30 While In Your 30’s Checklist. Guess what? She's launching her new book Overcome Failures: Get Back On Your Feet. It comes with a companion study. So, you don't just read her story and reflections, you get to write down your own reflection from your own story. Reading it feels like you are walking in your journey and Ifeoma is there to hold your hand every step of the way. Such a gift she is. And her book. eBook giveaway! Speaking of gifts, I am giving away a free copy of her eBook Overcome Failures and a companion study! This is Ifeoma's offer for the launch of her book. The book launch is on August 16. This giveaway is open internationally. Enter below and be blessed with this amazing and uplifting eBook. Overcome Failure Book and Companion Study Giveaway What's your back-on-your-feet story? Click to read the Goodreads reviews here. You can pre-order the book here until the book launch on the 16th of August, 2016.
Faith The Sweet Fruits Of Waiting 8:00 AM Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. -Aristotle The waiting period is the most trying, most painful and will always be the longest period in a person's life---no matter how short it may be. The Sweet Fruits Of Waiting Waiting will reveal our character. It will teach us patience, it will test our endurance, and will shake our faith. The longer the waiting, the more we will appreciate and value that which we are waiting for once it has arrived. In waiting for the Lord to answer your prayer, you will encounter His most deafening silence. I have been waiting for God to answer my prayers. Some He has already given me, others He is still not revealing. Although I admit that sometimes I want to rush things and I get impatient with Him, I know that He has my best intentions in mind. I do not have a wise answer as to why He makes us wait. I don't want to put Him in a box because He is infinite for a reason. I may not understand His purpose but I know it is for the best. Besides, isn't that why He's God and I'm human? If I understand Him, then we'll be equals. So as difficult as it may be, in my waiting, I choose to believe. In my waiting, I choose to keep on serving Him. Sometimes in my service, I see His answer and I feel His love. In my waiting, I choose to be happy because whether I am miserable or joyful, I'd still be waiting anyway. So why not wait in joy instead? The waiting has made me wiser, although not as wise as one could be. At least now I know things I did not know before. People may be laughing at me because I seem to wait in vain, but that's alright. They are not the ones I made covenant with anyway. And I know that He who made His promises to me will surely deliver. That is another great thing about waiting. Waiting has revealed to me the faithfulness of God that I would not have known had all my prayers been answered immediately. Waiting may be painful at times, but I would not change it for anything else. God would not have put me here if He thinks the other way is better for me. I trust Him.
Faith 7 Stages of Moving On: A Dreamer’s Triumphant Journey Back to Wholeness 7:00 AM Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. -Louise Erdrich I know heartbreak all too well. I know how it is losing your drive, crying yourself to sleep each night, waking up to a big gaping whole in your heart, helpless. Gutted. The struggle is real. Needless to say, I know about moving on as well. Here's another wounded healer who's been through that same dream-shattering, life-changing, colorful road to share his own journey. Reading his story proved to me that we are never alone. At one point, we've all been in that same place...together. May this give you hope and courage too: 7 Stages of Moving On: A Dreamer’s Triumphant Journey Back to Wholeness I’ve spent years chasing my dreams, turning my ambitious thoughts into beautiful things. I donned medals of academic rewards, earned certificates that attest to my competencies, obtained the trust of key people in their respective domains of expertise, and conquered worlds that gave me a rightful place. I’ve surpassed seemingly insurmountable challenges and with these, I have learned so much. I resolved that as a dreamer, I would never fall in love. I spent a great deal of conscious effort to guard my feelings because I know it is my greatest weakness. Then it came. Nothing has ever prepared me for this. I fell in love deeply. I’ve been hurt badly. Pain and Denial My heartbreak was like a giant tidal wave that came crushing over me. The whole world collapsed before my eyes. I felt defeated and helpless. Until now, I couldn’t find the exact words to explain the gravity of my pain. All I ever wanted was to make the pain go away...faster! It was very hard for me to see things beyond my pain. There were many questions that I begged answers for and the worst part of it all was that I denied myself of the reality. I convinced myself that my love just needed time and space to think things over and we would be together again. Lost and Shattered As the reality of my broken heart sank in my stricken mind, I found myself in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know how to proceed with my life. I lost my direction. I suddenly stopped doing my routine. I lost interest in the things that I used to find pleasure in. To top it all, I gave up my recent career promotion which resulted to financial difficulties. I wanted to protect myself from further pain so I shut my world, disconnected from life, and lived in darkness. Emotional Paralysis It was the stage when my heart became cold and hard. I was so focused on my pain that I became very insensitive to the needs and feelings of others. I felt lonely. I trusted nobody. I did not allow anyone to comfort me. It was as if the colors of life have faded away. Every comforting word fell on my deaf ears. Bitterness was everything I could taste. Prisoner of the Past I couldn't remember how long have I been a prisoner of the memories that I couldn't let go. I always saw my object of affection in everything I set my eyes on. Even when I closed my eyes, a vision of my beloved haunted me in my dreams. I kept loving this person so much; yet, I wasn’t receiving the treatment that I deserve. I was out of my mind! The Awakening I could still recall those lonely mornings when I wondered what I was waking up to. I dreaded the time between sunrise and sunset because I knew I was going to put up another exhausting battle with my emotions. One time, I happened to see my naked self on the full length mirror. I shuddered at seeing my appearance. This is no longer me! I realized that my life was going nowhere; that I was wasting so much time wallowing with my pain; that I've allowed myself to suffer terribly; that I needed to be kind to myself; that I needed to give myself a chance to be happy! Discernment and Acceptance It’s important to reflect on the desires of our heart before we engage in any relationship. If you're intention is to find someone to “complete” you, then you're setting yourself up to failure. The one you'll find might just be as broken as you are. Two hurt people coming together to find happiness isn’t a good start of a romantic relationship. In my case, at least, this is true. I didn't realize that I was already broken before I even entered the relationship. This is where I’ve gone wrong. It only made sense to me now after I've graciously accepted my pain. It put me to the right perspective that my struggle had a meaning. God allowed things to fall apart so certain family relationships would be restored. My heartbreak led me to rediscover a lot of things about myself, including my faith. I realized that fixing my broken relationship with God is the key to having a happy relationship with people. Relaunching My Spiritual Life When I surrendered my brokenness to God, my path to healing has started. More blessings initially disguised by pain have been unleashed. I'm closer now with my family. I’ve also found a new rewarding career that meets my learning and financial expectations. Sometimes, I think that I'm better off to be just on my own, with my God who truly completes me. About the author: Jayson Santos is a spiritual seeker, a dreamer, and a runner. On his blog, The Dreamer Writes, he devotes a special section called Dear Love, where he writes and collects stories, poems, unsent letters, love notes, and all other messages of joy and sorrow from a heart that faithfully loves. Read more of his writings by visiting his blog or following his Google+ page. You can also follow him on Twitter at @jaysonsnts. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
