September 7, 2011

Many people try to commit suicide due to hardships they suffer in life.  But we don't have the right to end it all because our life is just borrowed from God.  Life goes on with a smile on our lips even if life is too burdensome for us.

Joshua 6:1-5 : "Now Jericho was in a state of siege because of the presence of the Israelites. No one left or entered. And to Joshua the LORD said: I have delivered Jericho, its king, and its warriors into your power.  Have all the soldiers circle the city, marching once around it. Do this for six days, with seven priests carrying ram’s horns ahead of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, and have the priests blow the horns. When they give a long blast on the ram’s horns and you hear the sound of the horn, all the people shall shout aloud. The wall of the city will collapse, and the people shall attack straight ahead.

Summoning the priests, Joshua, son of Nun, said to them, 'Take up the ark of the covenant with seven of the priests carrying ram’s horns in front of the ark of the LORD.'"

The walls collapsed when they followed God's instructions to Joshua. Just like the walls of Jericho, we might have mountain-high problems that we can no longer see the light beyond. But with a positive attitude and with God's grace, we will overcome all obstacles.

The wall was collapsed by the miraculous intervention of God.  The blowing of horns and the shouting of the people were a customary culture of ancient warfare, here intended by God as a test of the people's obedience and of their faith in His promises.

The truth is, all of us have problems to bear.  How we handle these problems is the question. Just like what the priest said, when we were young and sinless, we were free to do what we wanted to do without worrying anything.  But when we grew old and started to sin, we also started to worry and deprive ourselves of happiness.

Everyone faces obstacles that seem insurmountable.  But every obstacle we face is subject to the power of God.  He will give us very clear instructions to overcome it.  The Lord gave us the assurance of removing these obstacles that hinder His will and plan for our lives.

What is God's instructions to you?  The Gospel for this Sunday talks about forgiveness.  If you haven't forgiven a person, how can God forgive you? If there is still hatred, unforgiveness and resentment in your heart.  It is in obedience to the will of the Father that we will be able to overcome the problems in our life.

The Lord wants us to be holy. Does your everyday activities make you holy? Are they pleasing to God?  Problems will always be there. As the song goes, "Something good is going to happen to us... Jesus of Nazareth is coming this way."  What should we do? "Alam kong may magagawa ang Diyos... kung ako'y magiging tapat, at sa Kanya ay manglilingkod, alam kong may magagawa ang Diyos" (I know the Lord can do something, if I am just faithful and serve Him, He can do anything). We need to be faithful and serve the Lord.

This applies to me every time I encounter problems, I ask myself, "What did I do that is not pleasing to God?"  What you sow is what you reap.  If you do good, blessings will pour out on you.  If you do bad, you face the consequence of doing so.  So, it's better to do good.

The obstacles that we face are God's way of molding us and awakening us to a life of holiness as a spouse, parent, child or friend. It is part of our everyday life.

James 1:2-4 : "Consider it all joy my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, for you know that testing of your faith produces perseverance.  And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

We should always think that all the trials that come our way will lead us to holiness.  And that will change our attitude to be always happy knowing victory awaits us.

Real faith finds joy in the midst of hardships. When we are in the midst of a trial, we can take joy by focusing on the outcome of this trial in our life and in eternity.

It is contagious.  When you enter the room and you're feeling sad and cannot sport a smile, the members feel it.  No negative vibes should enter the room.  Even members of our family feel it when we carry a heavy load.  Remember, we should be an inspiration for them.

A faithful man who seeks wisdom receives it.  But a man who doubts the Lord's goodness will end up receiving nothing.

Do you still doubt God's goodness?  It is easy to go on a mission when you know that God is with you. The Divine Mercy enthronement at Malabon City Hall and the Philippine National Police proves that God showers His wisdom to all who are faithful and obedient in doing His will.

The trials that we experience in our life are growing us to be mature and complete, so that we will not be lacking anything.  Trials make us grow and become steadfast.

A breast-cancer patient shared with me how blessed and happier she is now compared when she had lots of money.  She took a positive note of her illness and never blamed God for her condition.  She managed to exude an aura of joy despite her condition.

So, the problems that we encounter should make us grow and change us for the better and not for the worse.

John 15:33 : "I have told you this, so that you might have peace in me.  In this world you will have troubles.  But take courage, I have conquered the world."

We are too preoccupied with the things of this world.  We worry too much; we might not have enough money to spend, food to eat, not enough for the family, etc.  That's why if there is an opportunity to earn more, we set aside God's work.  The worst thing that could happen is to postpone an assignment given you and ask for somebody for a replacement, because you need to work overtime.

Give priority to God and His works, and He will fix things in your life.

Following Christ, while it is not the easy road, is the road that leads to eternal life, a life that will eventually be free from pain and suffering and, better yet, will be an eternity spent with the Lord.

It is better to suffer now for we know that eventually, we will be with the Father in heaven.  Knowing this, we would surely be all industrious in our ministry and chapters.

In the words of Winston Churchill, "The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.  The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
The trials and difficulties we encounter in life is an opportunity to transform our way of life or an opportunity to grow and mature as a Christian.  If you think this way, you will go far. In our life, how broad is your understanding?  How extensive is your love? How much do you care? How wide is your acceptance of one's weakness?  Or is it still I, me, myself who is good, famous or a hero?

We have to think positive.

Positive steps to solve our problems:

1.  Realize you have a problem.  It is yours to solve.  No one else can do it for you.  Others can help,  but the final decision rests on you.
2.  Stop talking about your problem.  Talk about the solution.
3.  Make a list of those problems causing the most troubles.
4.  Move through the list with determination.  Change what you can change.  Others will take care of what you cannot change.
5.  Make a list of your blessings.  Be thankful.  Your problems will become permanent if you choose to make them so.

Our life should revolve around God.  The way we think, the way we speak, the way we relate with others.  It should encompass all.  When we speak with someone, that person will only say good things about us, and not a single bad comment against us.

Should someone tell something bad about you, take it on a positive note.  It might be a lesson for you to change for the good.

Life is not always easy to live; many times it is really difficult.  Living out your faith will be challenge.  Christian life is not an easy life, but it is the better life.

Christ is manifested in our life; the way we live.

How do we face all the problems and difficulties we encounter in our daily life?  We will go back to Jericho.  Is our life revolving around Jesus?  Then, expect that you will find the answers to all the problems and trials you are facing in your life.

James 1:12 : "Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him."

Be strong and persevere.  It is our loss and not God's if we quit. We are here because something good is happening to us, to our loved ones and to our families.

What the Lord wants is for us to continue the mission and He will entrust to us bigger things if we are faithful and obedient to His will.
How we will be able to face life's difficulties will depend on how deep our relationship with God has become.  Has our life been rooted in God? If not, expect more problems without answers.

You are the answer to your problem.  Others may be able to help you, but it the end, you are to decide for yourself.  Only you can solve your problems.  Whatever your burdens are right now, be it your married life, parenting, or whatever problems you have, only you can solve those problems.

If you want to dwell on your problems, it is up to you. But God will always be there for you and will wait for you to revolve your life around Him so he can give you wisdom and blessings for all that you need.