Transform Your Thinking
God's glory is man fully alive. Living fully starts with the mind.
Monday, February 24, 2014
When God is silent
The problem is, my unwillingness to accept that none of the things and events in life are under my control.
Only the way I respond to them.
When you are going through a chain of seemingly unfortunate events, it is acceptable in human nature to question God for His purposes. To launch the big WHY? But, do not lose heart, for in God's seeming silence, He works His miracles in us. We, should develop silence in the face of adversity. To listen, and in listening, finally get our revelation.
When you get too much comfort in life, there leads the sin of complaining for the smallest mishaps or trials, not noticing the blessings you never asked for, but have received. In the midst of insurmountable trials, we are tempted to cry and whine against God, not thinking that He never sends us where His grace cannot sustain us. When He leads us to a direction against our will, we refuse to bend. We say, "everything has been going so well, then suddenly, this." What we do not see is that beyond the adversities, everything is still going well. It is our ability to see beyond it that is being developed. It is our need for God to being developed, as we most often forget Him when things are going smoothly. Seeing beyond adversity is walking by faith, not by sight.
For you, there may not be a clearly visible way, but that does not mean that there is no way. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean that it is nonexistent. You only see the few steps ahead, God sees the whole staircase. You only walk in the path before you that you can see, God sees until the end of the road. Who then, should control the driving? We are blind drivers hoping to see the next sign. Yet we complain as if it were our right to know. Our self- entitlement to know and be in control takes over us. Why should we be?
When God is silent, He is at work. While we are too busy whining and complaining and we refuse to see the good despite the bad, we forget to reflect of the possible benefits these trials are giving us. Then maybe, we are being taught to reflect about everything in life. So that we may live a meaningful one.
When God is silent, we must know that He is still God. Whatever is happening in our lives will pass. There are no permanent storms, unless we create them everyday. And even in storms, there are possibilities of keeping ourselves warm and safe by holding on to His promises that He will deliver us out of it.
When God is silent, we must be patient. Patience is a lesson that mostly involves God dragging us somewhere kicking and screaming. We do not want to be moved when we are somewhere comfortable. Like St. Paul said, we boast of our suffering because it produces perseverance, which produces our character and our character produces hope. How can you possibly make diamonds without breaking its outer rocks?
When God is silent, He still loves us. In fact, He is silent because He loves us. He listens to us and makes a way for us. We get ourselves way in above our head and as our Father, he always bails us out. We don't have to be anything for Him. We're good just as we are and He loves us that whatever we throw at Him He just sends us His love even more, whether or not we like the form it takes when it gets to us.
So when God is silent, He is still here. He is with me, whether or not I feel it. God's presence isn't based on my feelings, it's based on my faith. And if I focus on the mountain then I cannot develop my faith. It will take a while to get used to focusing on the positive after being so negative, but it's possible. Everything is possible. It just looks impossible because I am not willing to put in the effort and the hard work. But nothing of importance ever comes easy.
I choose to thank God, because without this mountain climb, I may never reach a top and have a great view in life. To live fully is to witness His kingdom revealed in my life and walk in His glory so that others can too.
Friday, February 14, 2014
It's all about PERSPECTIVE
This is what my mom, dad, brothers, friends and loved ones would say whenever I fail or feel down for not being able to accomplish what I am supposed to be doing. Right now, it was passing a licensure exam. I have failed once and now, twice. Though there is a indistinct voice in my head trying to make me feel down, there is a greater feeling of consolation from the words that my loved ones shower upon me. It is really encouraging to know that God does have a plan for us.
I was devastated by the results I got, thinking that I have done my best and have prepared so much but still to no avail. I wanted to say that I was tired, but after thinking about it, it is true: God has a better plan. I chose to look at what was happening instead of what has not happened.
Let's see, instead of passing the licensure exam and getting to work overseas, I was not able to pass.
This could mean that God is still not finished in preparing me to be alone and away from my family. He is sparing me from some misery that working away may cause. He is also preparing me experience-wise. I will be handling a great deal of cases and patients and a meager experience may leave me even more exhausted because I will practically be lost and confused with something I am not familiar with. He gave me a chance to take and re-take probably to give me a heads up on what is coming ahead. That I will be able to take it in the future and not be shocked by the change.
There are lots of better reasons why things don't happen rather than reasons for why they should. What matters is, God indeed has a better plan and He sees the whole road while I can only see these next few steps. He is in control and I know that He would never let me get hurt because He loves each one of us as if we were the only one living in this world.
Perspective helps you in dealing with ANY situation that comes, no matter how hard it is. We should thank God that He doesn't always give us what we want because sometimes what we think is absolutely best for us could turn out to be the worst decision we ever made. So I believe that relying on God to do the decision making is essential to life. Like the apostle Paul said in Phil 4:6-7" Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
We literally have to pray about EVERYTHING. The very beat that comes from your heart is from Him therefore you are incapable of doing anything on your own because He is the sole provider of your life. When God delays, they are not denials, they are simply little hurdles that we have to overcome with Him so that we learn to call on Him and learn the importance of walking with Him in every second of our lives. Outside of Him nothing can be done. So a perspective that is focused on God can really help us in dealing with our situations because He always has a purpose. He makes sure that absolutely no second of your life is without purpose.
No one is ever destroyed by being positive but I'm pretty sure being negative will. So you may feel like there is this voice keeping you on the negative, even when your body doesn't feel like being positive, it all begins by thinking positively and speaking positively whether we may or may not feel like it on the outside.
Do it gradually, just think of positive things little by little everyday, and you will see a great improvement in your life! I used to be a mess putting myself down with my own thoughts, but now, even I am surprised that I have the grace to keep moving and stay at peace. Remember that patience helps you keep your peace.
Keep pressing on because God is on your team!
Is 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Overcoming dependence
Dependence, in all its meaning is very unhealthy and destructive unless it is on God. We cannot depend on anything else after all, not ourselves, not other people and most definitely not on things. God provides people in our lives and supplies them with His grace in order to be His intruments, but depence on them can mask and overpower our need for dependence on God.
You can very well tell when you are beginning to lose dependence on God when you lose security in Him. When you base your security on something else other than Him, things get out of hand. You develop attachments. Now attachments can be towards objects or people and when it becomes a habit, you will be having a hard time breaking free and regaining your composure and.security in the love of God. The bottom line is, security on other things will lead you to lise security in God.
The good news is God is always available to lead us back to Him. He is always willing to provide us the grace to see Him and feel His presence when we are overwhelmed with insecurity. We should just be open and willing to let it go and surrender our fears and anxieties to Him. Some people struggle with a bit if anxiety and insecurity while some are almost paralyzed because of it but either way, the answer still relies on God. When you have made dependence and insecurity a habit, it may be hard to overcome it at first but as you push on little by little you will find surrendering to God and regaining security in Him to be easier and easier. It will take time, it will be uncomfortable at first, but the good news is once you start the renewing of your habits, you will begin to see little victories day by day.
You will learn to do small things and eventually big things even if you are afraid. What matters is your commitment to your renewal beginning with your mind. You must be committed to think thoughts that remind you of God's presence and control in your lufe. You should keep praying for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to help you push on and endure this trial because we know that all of God's people are bound to be victorious. Ask for patience, as most of us fall in this part of our journey to victory. When you have made this daily walk a habit, surely, you are headed to freedom from your bondage to fear and insecurity.
I have been on the journey to regaining my security in God and I myself have celebrated victories, no matter how small, toward the full life God has intended for me. What matters is that we keep at it, even if we sometimes experience setbacks and failures, He is kind and merciful and will help us back on our feet again.
God made His people strong and has bestowed upon them His power to overcome anything.
All glory be to Him!
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Monday, December 30, 2013
"You do not regenerate outside your game"
There is this feeling we have that we can actually do anything. And while I spot on agree to that, I feel there is a rule about that in order for it to be carried out properly. I have a belief that we cannot regenerate outside of God. Yes you may do things, but without Him, nothing is done. And when things die or fall apart outside of Him, it simply cannot come back to life.
When you leave Him out of the picture, you cannot regenerate.
When everything fails because He was left out, I doubt that anything can come together without Him.
Because He is the source of all things. Of everything.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
God has a solution, Guaranteed!
Friday, November 16, 2012
In order to follow, Forgive.
You see, when you lose someone, it really hurts, but in her case, someone she loves was taken from her.
You must imagine the pain. the hurt, the anguish and everything your mind will dictate on you because of anger.
Perhaps, during times like these, the world has been most unfair and you are not deserving of such an incident.
But as life goes on, things will unfold, everything will make sense, Everything will suddenly have meaning and we will realize the truth of what we have had to go through.
But one thing is required in order for you to be finally set free from the hatred, from the burden of trauma.
You must forgive. In forgiving, it is you who is set free. In forgiving, you trust that God will be the judge and not you. You will trust that God knows everything and is at work in your life. You will trust God with everything even if it does not seem to be clear to you. You will keep the faith in God that whatever reason He has, it is ALWAYS for your best.
God is in control. Moments of suffering always cloud our vision. They darken things. But when you are focused on the light of God, through your constant communication with Him and your relationship with Him, you will never lose sight of the important things in life. You will never run out of anything. There will always be people, provisions, love, acceptance and care in your life. You will always have exactly what you need if you surrender it all to Him.
Choose to forgive those who have hurt you and those who have hurt you repeatedly. God knows and sees everything. And He will always give us what we deserve. Just continue being a true Christian and continue your duties so that you always walk in His ways.
One day, things will unfold, things will ligthen up, things will make sense...and you will have moved on.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Trusting in the present times
It's hard. Yes it is. The moment you focus yourself in giving up everything to Him and letting Him have the steering wheel, there will be a lot of temptations to take the wheel back and control your life. We all hate uncertainty, but it is in the uncertainty of life that we can prove our faith and trust in God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
And in proving that faith, there will be a lot of trials to mold us, and to prove that God is the absolute power over everything. You will encounter experiences that will show you how God is the almighty and powerful God who has control over everything. And when you witness to this event in your life, you will be called again and again to submit the most uncertain situations in your life, career, health, family and friends.
The sooner we accept that God is in control, the sooner we can let go and experience the life He always wanted for us. And who can make a better life for you than God? You can never outdo His generosity and His favor, or even more, His wisdom. He knows everything. He sees everything.
In following the commandment to trust in Him and Fear not, God will always put us in a position where we yearn for Him. God knows if and when we are halfhearted in our service, belief and trust in Him. We like to trust God but still we want to control what will happen. That is why we are placed in certain situations that are uncomfortable to us, so that we learn to search for Him wholeheartedly. And in the scripture, He promises that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find find Him.
Now what would be better than finding God and encountering Him in your life and in everything that happens to you?
I believe that whatever discomfort you are facing now, whether in your career, family, health, finances and relationships, God is at work behind the scenes. He is waiting for you to seek Him with all of you. Don't try to snag the steering wheel from His hands because you are afraid. He forbids us to worry and forbids us to fear. Though it is a natural human emotion, He already declared in His word that there is nothing to fear for He holds everything in His hands. God is already promising you a great life with Him and all that's left to do is to accept it!
It doesn't matter who you are. If people don't know who you really are, if you are forced to wear a mask everyday in your life to conceal the real you, with God you can come clean. He loves you and there is nothing you can do for Him to unlove you. The world may judge you, and may even use God to judge you, but God is not of this world. And no human in this world can speak for Him. If you share a special relationship with God and you are deeply rooted in Him, no matter who and what you are, you will find peace in Him and the world cannot hurt you.
All that's left to do now is hold on to Him and trust that His word is always true and will not fade. He saved you already, now you should offer your life as a gift of thanks to Him. Do what He tells you to do and start by trusting in Him. It may not make sense to you, it may be difficult for you, but the turnout will be far greater than you have ever imagined.
I hope you share your life to everyone and bare yourself to God.
Stay blessed!