When God is on our side, then nothing can stop us (1 Samuel 18:14). God protects His faithful servants, just like He protected David from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14). God can deliver us from lions, bears, and giants – even if we are weak and small (1 Samuel 17:37).
God wants us to obey Him – not go our own way (1 Samuel 15:22). We have to wait for God’s timing! Doing it our way can cause a lot of harm (1 Samuel 25:39).
God is greater than everything. He can control anyone’s actions (1 Samuel 19:23). God’s perspective is greater than ours and different from ours. To Him, the heart is more important than outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
I felt a bit overwhelmed—too many uncertainties. Things were not going my way, and I was losing control. The anxiety was creeping in. I broke down—couldn’t take it anymore. Begged God to take the steering wheel.
He was probably just waiting. Waiting for me to let Him in. Suddenly, piece by piece, things were falling into place. Why didn’t I just trust Him? What took me so long?
I spent so many hours worrying and wasting my time. I imagined worst-case-scenarios, where all hope was gone. Instead, I should have just trusted. Trusted that He was in control.
He knows me, and He loves me. He walks with me through the valley of the shadow of death. All struggles and pain open my eyes. It teaches me lessons that I would never want to be without.
At the end of the day, I have to admit that I’m thankful for the struggles and the pain. Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
I have a tendency to put my value in what I accomplish and in the tasks I complete. I always work hard to perform at my peak and make sure that I am thriving. I do not want to let myself or other people down, therefore I take my responsibilities and duties seriously. However, is that what life is about? Are we simply created to work, work and work?
No, we are not! We are created to be so much more than responsible laborers. We are not simply created to perfect our tasks and jobs. Deuteronomy 24:5 is an interesting verse written to the Israelites and it says: “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married” (NIV).
In this verse, God commanded recently married men to stay at home with their wives and bring happiness to them. This made me stop and think. Why did God commanded them to stay at home for a whole year and invest in their relationship instead of completing other tasks? They certainly had more important things to do, right?
No, they did not! God wanted them to invest in their relationships and happiness, because He views that as important, and so should we. We are not simply created to work, work and work. We are not created to always perform at our peak or put our value in what we accomplish. We are allowed to invest in our relationships and enjoy life. Take a deep breath and make sure that you are prioritizing correctly. Remember the importance of spending time with the people you love!
Do you have a dream deep within you? A vison that makes your heart beat a little bit quicker? A though and a goal that scares you, but somehow keeps you going? An unexplainable desire to do something significant and influential? Is it a God-given dream?
Sometimes God gives us dreams that terrify us. Sometimes He calls us to do something that seems impossible and out of our reach. However, we are not called to do it alone. Joel Osteen once said: “Where God gives vison, He always provides provision.”
Joshua, from the Old Testament, was called to replace Moses and lead the Israelites to the promised land. Joshua was given an enormous responsibility and had every reason to be frightened by the calling. However, Moses told him: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deu. 31:6, NIV).
God had called Joshua to lead the Israelites, however, he was not called to do it alone. God promised to go with him. In the same way, God will also go with us when He calls us or gives us a dream. We do not have to be terrified, even if the God-given dream or vision seems frightening. “Where God gives vison, He always provide provision.”
We live in a world where we are forced to prioritize all the time. We constantly have to choose how to spend our time, energy and money. It is essential to prioritize correctly in order to get the most out of what we have been given, however, that is way easier said than done.
Furthermore, it is crucial to prioritize the most meaningful and valuable things in our lives, however, that might also be easier said than done.I know that my faith and my relationship with God is extremely valuable to me, nonetheless, every now and then, it seems quite irrelevant and ineffective to prioritize that. In a world where everything has to be efficient, prioritizing God is challenging.
However, I realized something important when I read Numbers 18 in the Old Testament. This chapter instructs the Israelites to give God the best and holiest portion of everything given to them. It probably felt like a waste of resources to give the best of what they had to God, who has everything he needs. However, they had to trust God and understand that prioritizing Him was not a waste, no matter what they felt.
In a world where we are forced to prioritize, we have to understand that prioritizing God is the best thing we can do. Giving God the best part of our time, energy and money is not a waste of resources. When we trust and prioritize Him, He will provide for us.
I am in a period of my life where I have to make some decisions that will affect my future. And more than anything else, I want to choose correctly. I want to make the right decisions. But what does that even mean? Have you ever been in a similar situation? A situation where you had to make an important decision? How did you choose correctly?
I have read about the Israelites who wandered around in the desert, and Exodus 13 explains how God led them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night. They always knew when and where to go. When I read the story about the Israelites, I became a little bit jealous, because I wish I had been given a pillar of cloud too. It must have been so much easier for the Israelites to make the right decisions when they had somebody to guide them through their lives.
However, then I realized that I have been given the same privilege as the Israelites. I might not have a physical pillar of cloud, but I have direct access to God. When Christ died on the cross, the veil was torn and there is nothing that separates us from a personal relationship with the Creator.
On the other hand, I think the real problem is that I forget to take advantage of the privilege I have been given. I try to choose correctly and make the right decisions, but sometimes I forget to ask God what He wants me to do. I think the key to making the right decisions is to ask God what he wants us to do and wait for His reply.
Have you ever heard an opinion that you totally disagreed with? Something that was unfair, unjust or unreasonable? Something that made your whole value-system react, snap or shiver? What did you do about it? Did you start a movement or campaign? Or did you just go on with your busy life?
The last option is the simple solution, and it is the one we usually choose. It is so much easier to ignore the problems, than to question them. It is so much easier to avoid the dilemmas, than to actually face them. It is so much easier to blame somebody else, than to take responsibility. Finding excuses is surprisingly easy. I know that from personal experience, because I have done it way too often.
However, it should not be acceptable to ignore, avoid and overlook topics that are unfair. We have to question unreasonable decisions, even when it seems pointless. I read a story about five brave sisters in the Old Testament and I realized that questioning a matter can make a difference. Numbers 27 recounts the story of the five sisters who stood in front of Moses, the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance of the tent of meeting. They were there to question a decision that had been made. Their father had died without any sons and therefore his inheritance had not been passed on, and as a result, their father’s name would disappear from the clan. His daughters thought the decision was unfair and wanted to inherit their father’s property to preserve his name. As a result of the daughter’s questioning, Moses brought the case before God and God made a decree for men who died leaving no sons, and the five daughters inherited their father’s property.
It would have been easier and more risk-free for the five sisters to accept the decision that had been made and not question it, however, they knew that it was unfair and they wanted to preserve their father’s name. By facing the problem, they made a difference.
The story about the five brave sisters reminded me that standing up for what I believe in and questioning matters that are unfair is not pointless. Taking responsibility and facing problems can make a difference. So, the next time we hear an opinion or decision that we think is unfair, unjust or unreasonable, we have to take responsibility and do something.
I want to grow, develop and change. I want to become the best version of myself. I want to reach my full potential. Furthermore, I want to help others do the same. But how do I get there? How can I develop my character, and how can I help others develop their character?
I think discipleship is the answer. A disciple is a person who walks with the master and copies the master’s actions. Moreover, a disciple learns by use and practice. This concept is extremely helpful when a person wishes to grow, develop and change. However, discipling is a process and the change will not happen over-night.
The process of discipleship is an important part of many people’s lives and it should be an important part of Christians’ lives as well. Christians should engage in discipleship because it is at the heart of the great commission, the results of discipleship are far-reaching and the Bible teaches it. The story of Barnabas and Paul is one good examples of discipleship in the Bible, and this story is found in Acts. Barnabas served as a magnificent mentor or disciple-maker for Saul, who became Paul. Prior to Saul’s conversion, he had persecuted believers of Christ. However, after his conversion, he wanted to be part of the Christian community, but he was not accepted. Nonetheless, Barnabas saw something in Paul and in Acts 9:27 he brought Paul with him to the Apostles. As a result of this action, he was accepted by the Apostles. Furthermore, Barnabas discipled Paul and helped him grow into an outstanding leader. As a result, Paul also became a mentor for many people.
I know that in order to grow, develop and change, I need to walk alongside other people. Furthermore, I need mature, Christian role models, who are bold enough to discipline me. We are all too weak to walk alone, therefore we have to share our journey with other people. Sometimes we have disciples, while other times we are disciples.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? That feeling of not knowing what you need, and not even knowing what you want? You truly want to ask for help, and you want to seek God. However, you end up not doing it, because you don’t know what to ask for, and you have no idea how to begin praying.
Whenever I have this feeling, I usually just want to give up. I know that I can’t expect anybody to help me, because I don’t even know what I need. Furthermore, I can’t pray either, because I don’t know what to pray. I end up feeling extremely lost and helpless.
However, I have realized that I can always come to God, even when words can’t express my feelings or my needs. Romans 8:26 says: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (NIV).
God is all-knowing and He doesn’t need our words to understand what we need or want. We can simply sit quietly in His presence, and He knows everything. We can cry, groan, shout or whisper, and He understands everything.
If I study a bit more, then I will become smart enough. If I travel to a few more countries, then I will understand everything. If I get a good education, then I will comprehend all the big questions. If I push myself a little bit harder, then I will be strong enough to conquer the world.
It is extremely easy to believe that at some point we will reach our goal. At some point, we will be satisfied with our wisdom and strength. However, the truth is that no matter how wise or strong we become, it will be nothing compared to God’s wisdom and strength. In 1 Corinthians 1:25 it says: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (NIV). This verse was an eye opener for me.
I realized that even if I get a respectable and good education and become the wisest person on earth, it will be nothing compared to God’s wisdom. His foolishness will still be wiser than my wisdom. Moreover, if I become the strongest person on earth, both physically and mentally, it will still be nothing compared to God’s strength. His weakness will still be stronger than my strength.
So, why do we still try to understand everything and do everything in our own strength? God is so much wiser and stronger than us, and He wants to help us. It is completely logical to simply give everything over to Him; however, we do not always do that. Therefore, we should become better at that, and give everything over to our all-knowing Father.
Why do I have to suffer? Why do I have to go through pain? I have been told that God has an incredible plan for my life. Is this God’s plan? How can the heavy burdens be part of God’s plan? What can possibly be the purpose of this misery? Does God truly want me to experience this?
Questions about hardship and pain are extremely difficult to comprehend, because sometimes the suffering seems incredibly unfair and cruel. Furthermore, it might be impossible to understand the meaning of the suffering. We try to grasp the purpose of our pain with human minds and we try to see the whole picture with our limited eyes, however, that is almost impossible.
Nevertheless, the book of Hosea gave me a new perspective on the purpose of hardship. Hosea was a prophet in Israel and God told him to fall in love with and marry Gomer, a woman who would be unfaithful to him. Her unfaithfulness obviously caused a great deal of agony on her husband. Why did God tell Hosea to marry an unfaithful wife when He knew that it would cause a great deal of pain? Why was suffering part of God’s plan for Hosea’s life?
Hosea’s wife, Gomer, was a picture of Israel, because Israel had been unfaithful to God in the same way that Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea. Since Hosea was a prophet in Israel, God wanted him to experience the pain that God experienced when Israel was unfaithful. Interestingly, Hosea had to live a life filled with a great deal of agony, because God wanted him to truly understand what it was like when a loved one is unfaithful.
God has a different perspective on life and his plans might seem strange to us. Moreover, God sees the big picture and he understands how all the details in life are connected and how everything fits together. Therefore, He might allow pain and suffering, just like He did in Hosea’s life, to teach us an important lesson or to use us as part of his incredible plan.
I have a voice in my head that always pushes me to become better. The voice in my head points-out my flaws on a regular basis. It tells me to never give up, because perfection is within reach. It tells me to pull myself together, because I will never get anywhere if I do not become extraordinary.
It seems like the voice wants what is best for me, however, I have realized that the voice will never be satisfied. It is almost like I am a slave of my own mind. I catch myself believing that everything it says is the truth, however, it keeps lying to me.
My mind is my worst enemy. It is so destructive and hurtful. Nobody else has ever criticized, judged or talked me as much down as the voice in my head. It is extremely nasty and unfriendly sometimes.
Additionally, I have realized that a great deal of people are slaves to their own minds and that I am not the only one. Similar to me, they also listen to all the lies the voice in their heads keep telling them.
Nevertheless, the truth is that Christ has set us free. We were salves of sin, but Christ died for us and gave us freedom, therefore we are no longer slaves. Furthermore, now that we are living in freedom, we should not let ourselves be burdened by another yoke of slavery. In Galatians 5:1 Paul says: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (NIV).
As already mentioned, it is almost like we are slaves of our own minds and slaves to the lies that the voices tell us, however, Christ does not want us to be burdened by this kind of slavery. Therefore, we cannot let the voice in our heads control our lives and we have to chose to not become slaves of our own minds. I will not let the voice in my head pull me down and I will not listen to the lies that it keeps telling me, because I have been set free and I am not a slave anymore.
Have you ever been surrounded by people, yet felt extremely lonely? Have you ever sat in a room full of people and felt completely empty on the inside? Have you ever been laughing, even when you felt like crying? Have you ever wondered if you are the only one with these feelings?
I have experienced to feel terribly lonely in the middle of people and I have believed that it was foolish to feel that way. I did not understand why my external circumstances did not align with my internal feelings. Why did I not feel happy on the inside when everything seemed perfect on the outside?
However, the truth is that these kinds of feelings are quite common and most people have felt them at some point. It is normal and acceptable to feel lonely, empty inside or sorrowful sometimes. Nonetheless, it is important to understand that these kinds of feelings should not take over our lives.
We have to take control over our feelings and not let our feelings take control over us. God advises us to choose to focus on the positive, beneficial and good things in life, because he does not want loneliness and sorrow to dominate our lives. Paul understood this and told the Philippians: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
Therefore, when we feel lonely or empty inside even when we are surrounded by people or when we try to laugh even when sorrow dominates our thoughts, we have to seek God and focus on the excellent things in life. God has never promised that our lives will be easy, however, he has promised that he can fill us with a joy and peace which we cannot comprehend.
When I was a small kid, I would always keep asking my parents about something over and over again. If they were hesitant about letting me have my way, I would give them some good arguments. My favorite and most recurring argument was that everybody else were allowed to. If all the other kids were allowed to, I should too, right?
This type of argumentation is remarkably popular among small kids and seems quite silly; however, I still catch myself using it from time to time, because it is easier to simply go with the flow. It is extremely easy to think that if somebody else are allowed to do something, then I should be allowed to do the same thing. Nonetheless, this type of argumentation seems to go against God’s guidance.
Moreover, God even had to warn the Israelites about using this kind of argumentation, because it was terribly easy for them to simply do as the people surrounding them did. In Leviticus 18:3-4 He said: “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God” (NIV).
It is quite obvious that God does not want us to simply go with the flow and do like everybody else are doing, because He wants us to follow His will and guidance. Therefore, we have to make sure that we are aware of the decisions we are making and not basing them on what everybody else are choosing. We should not simply go with the flow.
