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Why does it feel like Pain is always a bad thing
Enemies of pain, haters of wounds, lovers of joy, and obsessed with pleasure. I somehow have this idea that pain is always a bad thing. Maybe because growing up, I find my loved ones protecting me from it. It’s something I shouldn’t experience at all like it’s an enemy that I should avoid. And because of this mindset, every time I feel in pain, I feel like I’m on the wrong road. I feel like I did something wrong. And I need to correct it immediately. Yes, there are instances that pain is a signal that something is indeed wrong, but at the same time, there are moments when you…
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Believe in the Goodness of God
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalms 27:13, NKJV One thing that greatly helped David, especially in seasons of difficulties, was to believe in God’s goodness. He would have lost heart, but he kept reminding himself that God was good despite everything he was going through. Many times, we also go through seasons when we want to give up. We experience moments of loss or pain, and we can’t help but think that God doesn’t care. In this verse, we are reminded that one of the things that would help us hold…
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Just Do Your Best For God, And Everything Will Be Worth It
The way you do things will change the moment learn to surrender everything to God. You may have your own plans and goals, and you may want to fulfill them for the people you love and for others, but this time around, try to redirect your focus to God. Do your best not because you want to achieve your dreams but because God deserves your all. Offer all the works of your hands to Him and allow Him to bless them. Give your all and acknowledge that He is the source of your strength and wisdom. This is not about you, but this is about the God who is living…
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Let’s Choose To Strengthen Others
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18: 23, NIV Paul’s mission wasn’t just to plant churches outside Jerusalem and make converts. But it was also his goal to strengthen the disciples. This gives us two important reminders. First, for those who already started making disciples, we are reminded to continuously serve those whom God entrusted us. It’s not enough that they know Jesus; we are also called to help them know Him deeper. That they may be strengthened, and they may also be empowered to disciple others.…
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You Will Stop Seeking Validation From The Outside If You Know Who You Are On The Inside
Those who don’t know who they truly are will seek validation from the people around them. They will find themselves looking for the approval of others, and they will ultimately feel exhausted simply because they can’t please everyone. This is why it’s very important to work on your core so that you won’t be easily shaken. If you don’t have a strong foundation, other people will easily dictate your identity, or perhaps the situation around you will become your driving force. Instead of standing on solid ground and living in your core values, you will find yourself following the principles of this world. This will then lead you to a…
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Trust in the Lord
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV People who trust in the Lord put their confidence in Him. Even though they will go through challenges and storms, they won’t be easily destroyed because they are planted by the water. This means that they will be sustained throughout the seasons. They won’t fear when drought…
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Your Tears Are Safe In The Arms Of Jesus
Choosing to be vulnerable is not easy. There is this negative thought in our head that would hinder us from being honest with what we feel. We find ourselves building walls so that others will no longer see our wounded hearts. We choose to keep everything on our own, thinking that it’s the best thing to do. But then, we will eventually feel exhausted because we are not created to bury our feelings. We need to release the emotions we feel inside so that they won’t poison us in the end. And if, by chance, you are still having a hard time sharing your heart with others, then know that…
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Trust God’s Perfect Timing
They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Acts 18: 19, NIV Ephesus is a Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor. Paul once attempted to visit this place, but the Holy Spirit forbade him to. This is stated in Acts 16:6: “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” During that time, God’s answer to Paul’s request was to wait. He asked him to patiently trust in His timing. And true enough, after more or less two years, God permitted…
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Focus on Eternal Things
This world is broken. There will be times when we experience pain and problems, and there will be unfair situations along the way. This is why we need to set our eyes on eternal things. If we just focus on the situations of this world, we will easily lose hope and feel disappointed. The negative things around us will consume our souls, and living a fulfilled life will be impossible. When we also fix our eyes on the temporary things of this world, we will no longer consider the eternal consequences of our choices. We will live as if our life ends after death. We will try to do the…
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God is Just
My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” Psalm 35:10, NIV God is moving even when you can’t see Him. Many times, we witness injustices around us. People tend to use their power to exploit certain resources for their own gain. They took the shortcut and eagerly received the things that they wanted. They forget the rights of other people and think of their selfish gains. If you experience unfavorable situations that make you feel like God is not there. Then, this verse will remind you what’s in His…
