This week brought a heartfelt letter that resonated deeply with me, sharing poignant experiences from an individual's life. 😊 As I absorbed the words, my mind reflected back to John Bunyan's timeless work, "Pilgrim’s Progress," written in 1678. 📖 The wonderful novel tells of the journey of a Christian, who encounters diverse obstacles and aspects of life from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. 🌟
One universal encounter we all face on all our journeys is the thick mire traps veering off the path, ensnaring us at times. 😬 Some of us happen to get out of the mire more quickly than others. Gratefully, our gracious Lord patiently intervenes to rescue those of us who need extra help. 🙏 We all grapple with sin, diverse struggles, and bewildering challenges – whether in the form of unchecked emotions, fractured relationships, unfaithfulness, a fiery tongue, or a cold heart. 💔 My heart sympathizes deeply with those entangled in life's chaotic messes, yet there is hope. 🌈
Despite any present chaos, I firmly believe that God orchestrates a preordained plan for good out of what is presently tumultuous and broken. 🙌 In the decades to come, those who persevere in their journey with Jesus, resisting bitterness and the temptation to quit, will look back and witness God's gracious hand intricately involved in life's complexities. 🌍 Their reflections will be filled with gratitude for the masterpiece He has woven. 🎨
Personally, I've experienced that even when the present appears messy and chaotic, it's merely a segment of God's grand masterpiece. 🤔 With the passage of time, a clearer and more insightful perspective unfolds, revealing the brilliance of the blood of Christ shining through God’s masterpiece. ✨
To continue this journey with Jesus, we need steadfast commitment, daily humility before God, and the resolve to lead a fruitful life despite critics' opinions. 🌱 Unfortunately, there are critical individuals who are blinded by their own glory and feel the need to govern others' matters. 🙄 And if and when critics gossip, slander, or belittle us, we need to live our life with God and put them behind us. 👋
Undoubtedly, there have been individuals who have dis-friended me, and to their own demise, some have taken on the role of an adversary, whispering gossip and painful words against me. 😢 There was a period when I harbored anger toward those who slandered me. However, God patiently, through His WORD, healed my heart, gave me biblical understanding, and instilled in me a sense of love and compassion for critics. ❤️ While the impact of hurtful words remains, the transformative power of Christ’s cross and the testimonies of messy lives in the Bible have enabled me to value even those who look down on me, gossip, or slander my name. 🏔️ I am climbing the mountain of life with God, and I do not have time to sit and listen to the wind. 🌬️ I have gained a somewhat deeper understanding of God, His boundless grace, and unwavering faithfulness. 🙌
I too, at times, have fallen into sin, lived an emotional rollercoaster, and struggled with bewildering thoughts. 😔 Many people here and there learned about personal issues that had no business of knowing. Some folks, whether for good or evil intentions, felt the need to tell others. Nevertheless, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ surpasses sin, struggles, and slanderous words. 🌈
I always thought I would go to my grave, as most people do, without ever openly discussing personal battles, turmoil, and sin. But the Lord guided me on a journey of exposure, transforming it for Christ’s honor, others' encouragement, and my healing. 🌟
In 2022 and early 2023, the Lord permitted me to endure a season of intense sickness, confining me to bed with the added torment of sciatica. 😷 During the prolonged months of being bedridden, a sense of peace from God enveloped me, making it unmistakably clear that I was to openly share my life story with the world. 🌍 The Lord empowered me with the strength to write about all the pangs, secrets, and struggles in a memoir titled "CONFESSIONS: A MEMOIR OF HOPE FOR THE SUFFERING." 📚 I believe He has given me this book to extend encouragement and help to those who need uplifting and are grappling with their own afflictions. 🤗
So, if you find yourself presently amidst the challenges of this fallen world, I want to encourage you to choose gratitude through the suffering. Be encouraged by the goodness of Christ. Look unto Christ, gaze upon His face, saturate your heart with God’s Holy Bible, and persist in serving and loving others. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! 🌟🙌
One universal encounter we all face on all our journeys is the thick mire traps veering off the path, ensnaring us at times. 😬 Some of us happen to get out of the mire more quickly than others. Gratefully, our gracious Lord patiently intervenes to rescue those of us who need extra help. 🙏 We all grapple with sin, diverse struggles, and bewildering challenges – whether in the form of unchecked emotions, fractured relationships, unfaithfulness, a fiery tongue, or a cold heart. 💔 My heart sympathizes deeply with those entangled in life's chaotic messes, yet there is hope. 🌈
Despite any present chaos, I firmly believe that God orchestrates a preordained plan for good out of what is presently tumultuous and broken. 🙌 In the decades to come, those who persevere in their journey with Jesus, resisting bitterness and the temptation to quit, will look back and witness God's gracious hand intricately involved in life's complexities. 🌍 Their reflections will be filled with gratitude for the masterpiece He has woven. 🎨
Personally, I've experienced that even when the present appears messy and chaotic, it's merely a segment of God's grand masterpiece. 🤔 With the passage of time, a clearer and more insightful perspective unfolds, revealing the brilliance of the blood of Christ shining through God’s masterpiece. ✨
To continue this journey with Jesus, we need steadfast commitment, daily humility before God, and the resolve to lead a fruitful life despite critics' opinions. 🌱 Unfortunately, there are critical individuals who are blinded by their own glory and feel the need to govern others' matters. 🙄 And if and when critics gossip, slander, or belittle us, we need to live our life with God and put them behind us. 👋
Undoubtedly, there have been individuals who have dis-friended me, and to their own demise, some have taken on the role of an adversary, whispering gossip and painful words against me. 😢 There was a period when I harbored anger toward those who slandered me. However, God patiently, through His WORD, healed my heart, gave me biblical understanding, and instilled in me a sense of love and compassion for critics. ❤️ While the impact of hurtful words remains, the transformative power of Christ’s cross and the testimonies of messy lives in the Bible have enabled me to value even those who look down on me, gossip, or slander my name. 🏔️ I am climbing the mountain of life with God, and I do not have time to sit and listen to the wind. 🌬️ I have gained a somewhat deeper understanding of God, His boundless grace, and unwavering faithfulness. 🙌
I too, at times, have fallen into sin, lived an emotional rollercoaster, and struggled with bewildering thoughts. 😔 Many people here and there learned about personal issues that had no business of knowing. Some folks, whether for good or evil intentions, felt the need to tell others. Nevertheless, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ surpasses sin, struggles, and slanderous words. 🌈
I always thought I would go to my grave, as most people do, without ever openly discussing personal battles, turmoil, and sin. But the Lord guided me on a journey of exposure, transforming it for Christ’s honor, others' encouragement, and my healing. 🌟
In 2022 and early 2023, the Lord permitted me to endure a season of intense sickness, confining me to bed with the added torment of sciatica. 😷 During the prolonged months of being bedridden, a sense of peace from God enveloped me, making it unmistakably clear that I was to openly share my life story with the world. 🌍 The Lord empowered me with the strength to write about all the pangs, secrets, and struggles in a memoir titled "CONFESSIONS: A MEMOIR OF HOPE FOR THE SUFFERING." 📚 I believe He has given me this book to extend encouragement and help to those who need uplifting and are grappling with their own afflictions. 🤗
So, if you find yourself presently amidst the challenges of this fallen world, I want to encourage you to choose gratitude through the suffering. Be encouraged by the goodness of Christ. Look unto Christ, gaze upon His face, saturate your heart with God’s Holy Bible, and persist in serving and loving others. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! 🌟🙌
