Patience.

patience (n): 

the quality of being patient, as the bearing of 
provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without 
complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. 

quiet, steady perseverance; 
even-tempered care; diligence 

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Be patient, then brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. 
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, 
patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming 
is near. Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, 
or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door! 

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of 
suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord 
finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 

-

James 5:7-11

Are you offended?

So just earlier today, 
I was in the middle of a conversation with my sister
and she said something that made me feel
as if she didn't respect me as an older sister.
It wasn't anything huge or that offensive
but it just rubbed me the wrong way. 

And I know for a fact that many of us 
come across these situations..
maybe a bit more often than we want to. 
But in these moments my question was,
'How are we going to respond to these emotions?'

Am I going to give into the temptation 
of feeling "hurt" and "victimized"?
Am I going to assume that my sister 
does not respect me and that I need to 
give her a lesson on how to respect 
her sister more properly? 

Or am I going to take a step back and say, 
"Wait.. what am I really offended at right now?" 


Truth be told, 
our time here on earth is very limited. (James 4:14) 
So we need to be more intentional about how we take 
care of our relationships/friendships and also resolve our 
offenses while we are living this vapor of a life on earth. 


Practical Steps to Take 

In any case of offense, 
I find that it is best to bring it to God and 
really ask Him to help examine your heart 
and see where the offense is rooted in. 

Sometimes it can just end with you forgiving 
that other person for offending you in any way 
without having to confront them. 

But occasionally, we will have to take a step further 
and seek face-to-face reconciliation with the other person 
if the situation calls for it.* 

(*The latter decision will depend on your own discernment 
and maybe a talk with a leader or someone above you with 
greater maturity in dealing with relationship issues). 

-

And while I recommend these two steps, 
I recognize there is a hesitation to ask God to help forgive
or to confront because there is a sense of injustice left inside of you.
Feeling as if your act of kindness or consideration towards the 
other person has not been acknowledged properly by the public. 

But again, I am not asking you to be Jesus 
or to be the 'nice' friend that always just forgives 
because you're the one who is the more 
considerate and understanding one. 

(^This is also known as self-righteousness,
something I personally struggled with for a looong time.

While we are called to reflect Jesus we have to recognize 
that we are all human and in the process of becoming more like 
him through the small decisions that we decide to make ). 

This is purely a choice that is the best for you.
It will not only help you let go of that 
bitterness that previously led you to judge others 
but will also help you to grow and flourish in the
gifts and talents you carry as an individual. 

And trust me...
forgiveness is always the 
better option in the long run. 

-

So I guess my point is..
that we need to live this life with more of a eternal perspective.
Fortunately (really fortunately) we are not on this earth forever. 
There is an eternity that awaits us after this temporary life. 

If we take that to mind, offenses will no longer carry 
on the weight that they previously had on our lives. 
It will be a lot easier to extend love, mercy, forgiveness and 
grace because we know for a fact our time is limited to do what 
we were called to do - to be the reflection of His very presence.

-

James 3: 9-12
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we 
curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. 
My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? 
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

God's Foolishness.

1 Corinthians 1

v.18-19
For the message of the cross is 
foolishness to those who are perishing, 
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; 
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."  

v.25 
For the foolishness of God is wiser than the human wisdom, 
and the weakness of God is stronger than than human strength. 

v.27-31
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - 
and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, 
so that no one may boast before him. 

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, 
who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, 
our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: 
"Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." 

Walking Through..

One thing I've been learning lately..

through the pushing and the enduring,
through the blurry and the unseen...
...that God's grace is (still) ever so thick to enjoy
His sweet, sweet presence. (so so sweet).

In faith, in community,
the battle has already been won
and victory is mine, is ours.

And of course,
that our God is (and will forever be)
a good, good Father.

Sigh... my heart explodes sometimes
just thinking about His love for me.

Just one of those nights....
where Grace is so tangible
and Love is so real.

I want to deny it but I can't..
too much covering and support to just give up.

#thankyou
#againandagain
#thankyou

Proverbs 29.

A God of Justice & Integrity.

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy. (1)
Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger. (8)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (25)

By justice a king gives a country stability,
but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. (4)
If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever. (14)

A rod and reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. (15)
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire. (17)

The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern. (7)
The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright. (27)

My Battlecry of Hope.

I am not Jesus.
I am definitely not perfect.
I have my share of struggles.
My share of emotional ups and downs.
I have my moments of doubt.
My moments of hatred towards this world.
Moments of deep resignation towards people.
A desire to just quit and to give up.

I am just human, like you.
Whether you are Christian or
of no religious background at all.

But in those blurry moments,
somehow.. under God's great Love,
I choose to hope. I choose to move forward.

I choose to have faith in His Love again.

Now to say this is just mere optimism, is not enough.
Faith is much more than just thinking positive thoughts.

I've tried many times to just wake up
and make myself feel "positive" and "good".
But we all know that this type of motivation can go so far in life.

Faith is having hope in the One who has given us life
and to believe that yet again He is a good, good Father.

God is always good.

Every part of me wants to neglect this truth
but yet my spirit says yes and amen to His goodness.

How? I don't know how..
words are never enough.

-

And so today, yet again..

I choose to believe that God is good
and I refuse to believe otherwise.

Where My Soul Rests.

For God alone, O my soul,
wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:5-8