In Search for The Meaning

Do You Fear?

2010-01-25T21:57:00.001-08:00

It is so easy to fall into fear: fear of the unknown, of loosing a loved one, of betrayal, of rejection, of being alone, of being poor, of the future, of loss of health, of growing old, of change, of loneliness, of shame, of being used…etc. It seems it is inevitable to not feel fear; even the strongest person feels it. By having fear we loose our inner peace and sense of direction. It is hard to find peace when we do not know the outcome of our situation and we do not know which decision to make. Sometimes we even feel there is no decision to make, that the situation is out of our control, with no way out.

How can we defeat fear and find peace? I think the answer is by having trust and patience. Sometimes we want to know the outcome of our situation immediately and not knowing gives us frustration, even gives us the impulse to try to solve it quickly. We have to understand that God’s timing is perfect and that if we do not know the outcome we should stop worrying and leave it on his hands. It is hard to have patience but we should trust in God, he knows the best for us and the way. Things will turn out the right way if we trust in God and follow his will. The problem is when we want to solve our problems in our own time and way instead of having patience and trusting God. Also, sometimes we can be stubborn and want certain things or outcomes without realizing that maybe they are not the best for us and that God has a better plan. We need to realize that God is with us and he has a perfect plan, a plan that will bring us happiness. We should rest our fears and leave them to him to solve, he knows the best way.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Matthew 30:31

Love Till it Hurts?

2009-10-27T00:46:00.000-07:00

I have heard for two days the bishop say a quote from Mother Theresa “love till it hurts, if it does not hurt it is not real”. This made me think of how true it is; love is not a fairytale where everything is happiness and peace; that is not the reality. Love is more than that, it is suffering, it is patience, it is tolerance, it is pain, because true love is proven during hardships, it is what makes it stronger. Love is how much you give of yourself to others. Go and ask a couple that has been together for many years, ask them if the love they have for each other ever hurt; you will see in their eyes the truth. True love is a hard gift to give, it is an offering of yourself to the other person, it is renouncing to your self-interest and saying, “Here I am no matter what, I will love you and be there for you”.

That kind of love makes me think of God, he loves us so much even though we sin or go against his will. He is always waiting for us to return to him, always there to forgive us, always there to love us. There is no greater love than the one God has toward us; his love has even gone to the point of death for our salvation. How great if we could learn to love like him, to give so much like him, to forgive so much like him.

“No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“…love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Luke 6:35

“To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love.” John 1:6

“Above all preserve an intense love for each other, since love covers over many a sin.” Peter 1:8

“In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself.” Romans 12:10

“After all, brothers, you were called to be free; do not use your freedom as an opening for self-indulgence, but be servants to one another in love since the whole of the Law is summarised in the one commandment: You must love your neighbour as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

“You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike.” Matthew 5:43-45

Why Does God Allow Suffering even when we are Righteous?

2009-10-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

There is a question that has been on my mind “Why does God allow suffering even when we are righteous? “ We can try to follow the path that we think is the right one and try to do his will but then along the way there is suffering. Why does God let this happen? It is easy to think that God is upset at us or that we are alone.

At the time of our struggle it is hard to look past that moment. We get so stuck in the moment that is hard to think there will be something positive ahead.

So why does God allow this to happen? I believe that God allows it because it will bring some greater good. For instance, he allowed the death of his son for the salvation of all humanity. In the same way, maybe he is allowing your suffering to bring you closer to him or to save you from something worse. It is hard to understand the reason behind our suffering since we only have our human reasoning; but God knows why.

Have patience and trust in God; he loves you and wants the best for you. So let God be your strength and let him guide you. Leave all your worries in his hands; he will take care of you. God loves you immensely.

Offer your suffering to God and give it a purpose, maybe to share the suffering of Jesus at the cross or for the salvation of other people. If the suffering that we are experiencing will get us closer to God or make us better persons then we should bless it. Everyone has a different cross to carry on this world. So have faith, take your cross and follow Jesus.

“My dear friends, do not be taken aback at the testing by fire which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you; but in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. “ Peter 4:12-13

“Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will restore you, he will confirm, strengthen and support you”. Peter 5:8-10

“So even those whom God allows to suffer should commit themselves to a Creator who is trustworthy, and go on doing good“. Peter 4:19

“And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong”. Peter 3:17

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry. But the Lord's face is set against those who do evil. No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right; and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear”. Peter 3:12-14

How to know which is the Right Decision to Any Situation?

2009-10-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have always been afraid of having free will. One decision can change your life forever. How to know which is the right decision? I usually analyze for a long time and try to find a plan to solve the dilemma. When making a decision I want to take control over the situation and solve it as quickly as possible. Not having control gives me anxiety. I tend to search for all the solutions available to get the best outcome. This process can be exhausting, my mind goes over and over the same issue trying to solve the problem. Sometimes I miss sleep trying to find the solution, or I can’t concentrate at work, and I do not enjoy life at the fullest because I am in distress.

I think the main problem when making decisions is to want to take control over the situation, and to want to solve the problem on our own time and way. Sometimes we forget that God has the perfect time and the perfect way to solve each of our problems. After all, God has the control of everything. God has a plan for each of us, a perfect plan, which will give us happiness. He already knows all about your situation and he has the solution. Leave your problem in God’s hands, ask him to take over your situation, follow what you think he wants you to do. A good question to ask is “What do I think God wants me to do about this situation?” Take action if you think that is what he wants you to do, if not have patience and trust God because he will lead you towards the right path. Remember that you are not alone; God is with you in each step of the way. He knows what you are going through and he will not abandon you. His solution will give you peace and make you feel good with yourself.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”.
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

“Be strong, banish fear and doubt. Remember the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you; For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?...How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-9,11

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. No only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us”. Romans 5:1-5