This is the point of my life…
When I see nothing but only truths and lies to what others say…
The inner voice is silent…paralyzed….
What have I done?
I can’t express myself… It felt like I’m controlled…
The battle within is like a cold war that fights in silence….
I don’t understand…
I’ve been feeling sick in one way or another for the last 6 months. Some of it comes from my migraines becoming progressively worse, but another part of it is something that the doctors can’t determine. One doctor thinks I’m clinically depressed. Others have put me through tests for multiple sclerosis. My muscles twitch involuntarily almost all the time. I know from experience that it’s difficult to actually be thankful for the pain, the fatigue, and everything else that goes along with not feeling like yourself. Maybe it’s a lesson that’s being learned the hard way, I don’t know.
Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things. Simple instructions from the Bible, yes, but ones we simply don’t tend to do, right? When was the last time we thanked God for being sick? Do we pray for the people we meet throughout the day? Do we simply give thanks for what we have at the end of the day… or do we give thanks for everything and everyone we meet or see when we encounter it?
What I do know is that we really have stopped giving thanks and we’ve stopped being humble. We’ve stopped praying for people. We’ve turned what is supposed to be outward to something that is inward by praying for ourselves and the people we love instead of strangers. There’s nothing wrong about praying for our needs, but a prayer life that is just about “me” is a bit selfish and not the least bit humble, don’t you think?
Today was the last day of the trial of Andres Bonifacio in 1897. Despite the recommendations of the War Council and Judge Advocate Baldomero Aguinaldo that the Bonifacios were guilty as charged and deserved capital punishment, President Emilio Aguinaldo commutated the sentence to exile.
However, Generals Pio del Pilar and Mariano Noriel, who were members of the War Council, convinced President Aguinaldo to withdraw his decision.
In case you missed it, the transcript of the entire trial is also available online.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”(1 Peter 4:12–13, NIV)
It’s one thing to know that you’re going into a challenging season. You get prepared for it. You get mentally ready. But what about the difficulties that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches us off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming that it almost knocks the wind right out of us.
The Scripture says that we shouldn’t be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith. Keep your joy and keep declaring God’s Word over your future. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and right now, I declare that you will fulfill your destiny in Jesus’ name!
| — | Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises (via fakeville) |
