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The Gifts of Pain
Nobody wants to experience pain in life. Most of us want to protect our hearts from it. But even though it’s not easy to deal with it, there are beautiful gifts behind every wound. 1. Pain will teach us important lessons in life. Sometimes, we need to experience it so that our eyes will be opened to the things we ignore. Perhaps God had already given us warnings all along the way, but then we chose to follow our own understanding. That’s why, we end up hurting. At some point, we need to humbly receive the consequences of our decisions so that we will learn. 2. Pain will keep us…
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God Has Great Plans For Paul Despite The Redirections That He Received
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:9-10, NIV Before this vision, Paul received a series of redirections. God convicted him not to enter certain places because He had greater plans in mind. Instead of answering Paul’s desire to preach the word of God in the province of Asia, God led them to Macedonia, a province lying in the north of Greece, where the churches in…
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Trust God Despite The Redirections You Experience In Life
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Acts 16:6-7, NIV Paul was in the middle of his mission when the Holy Spirit would prompt him not to enter certain places. Even though his intention was good, which was to preach the gospel, there were still instances when God would say ‘no’ to his request. This doesn’t mean that Paul did something wrong or God doesn’t want…
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When You Finally Accept The Fact That Mere Humans Can Never Fill The Emptiness Inside
One of the things that causes people to experience pain is the common mistake of depending on other human beings. People tend to expect others to fill the empty spaces in their hearts, thinking that it would be enough. This truth may be hard to swallow, but we need to slowly accept that mere humans can never fill the emptiness inside. They may temporarily give us the affection and love that we need, but it won’t be that consistent. Humans will fail. Our love will never be perfect. The sad thing is that it would be hard for us to receive God’s love if we kept on focusing on what…
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Being Faithful In The Midst Of Suffering
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Acts 16:1-2, NIV The first time Paul visited Lystra, he was stoned and greatly persecuted. It wasn’t an easy journey for him. In Acts 14:19, it was written, “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.” If these people thought that Paul was dead, then it was evident that he was in great pain. But…
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The unspoken thoughts of A Wounded Heart: Day 4
Dear God, I just remembered a painful memory. It was when I felt so alone as a kid. There was this season in my childhood days when I was forced to grow up so that I could take good care of others. I need to forget about playing or having fun with my friends. I need to stand up and fight my own battles, without having any support. I never thought how painful it was not until I experienced what it felt like to be a child again. All along, I was carrying this memory as if it’s part of my identity. Father, I know that you have a reason…
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When I Learned To Surrender
I was once an overthinker. I easily freak out when unexpected things happen and immediately think of the worst-case scenario. I was not comfortable with change. I just wanted everything to stay the same—to be in the same environment with the same people. I usually withdraw from opportunities that would challenge me to step outside my comfort zone. I tried my best to stay in a place where I could control everything. But then, when I decided to follow Jesus, my life changed. I realized it’s impossible to walk with Him without a surrendered heart. He can’t reign if I still wanted to rule my life. It takes humility and…
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Better Is Open Rebuke Than Hidden Love
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5, NIV Not everyone wants to be rebuked. It’s painful, and it kills our pride. But thank God because He openly rebukes us through His words and the things that He allows us to experience. This only means that His love is not hidden. When we receive corrections from Him or from other people, it means that we are loved beyond what we can imagine. So whenever God painfully corrects your actions, just humbly accept it and choose to thank Him. Sometimes, that’s what we need. We may think we are doing the right thing according to our understanding, but He needs…
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He Satisfies The Thirsty And Fills The Hungry With Good Things
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107: 8-9, NIV If you are in trouble and distress, then you need to remember this verse. God’s unfailing love is with you all throughout the journey. You may not see or feel it right now, but He is doing good things in your life. He poured out the blessings that you need. God is always there to guide and assist you. The problems may try to bring you down but fix your eyes on the One who will never…
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The Unspoken Thoughts Of A Wounded Heart: Day 3
Dear God, I find myself easily frustrated. When people do something unexpected, I tend to withdraw and create my own boundaries. When I’m disappointed, I think of negative things towards others. Is there something wrong with me, Lord? Is there something I need to face? The things that have happened recently seemed to remind me of the pain I used to experience. Is this a sign that I am not yet healed? Perhaps, I’m became so sensitive because I can’t help but think about those people who hurt me before. I was affected because I kept on hiding the wounds that I thought you already healed. I failed to face…
