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Wednesday, March 17, 2010Keep Standing
When I was about to write this blog, I thought of checking my emails first to make sure that I don't have any important things to do before I start writing.
As I was browsing to open my emails, the headline news caught my attention - Nearly 15,000 jobs lost in Alberta in February.
A couple of days ago, my wife was talking to her friend about a massive layoff in their office. I thought the recession was over. I can only imagine the challenges these people have to face. I can tell because I was in that same situation last year.
In my last blog, I post this query - there will be a time in your lives when you are left alone, discouraged and everything that could go wrong has gone wrong - so, what do you do?
To properly answer this question, first, we need to understand these things that we know. Of course everyone knows about their own situation, that's obvious, but do we understand why we are in that situation?
So I don't confuse you, let me give you my example. Last year, when I lost my job, here are the things that I know.
I know that I lost my job, I know that I will no longer have a monthly income, I know I must find other means to provide for my family, I know I have a mortgage, I know I have a car payment, I know I have debts to pay, I know I have other people who rely on my help and at the same time, I know I have a big dream in life.
If I start analyzing the facts based on my logical understanding, I'm doomed! I will get scared and worried and desperate and angry and most of all, I will go crazy!
Thank God, it did not happen that way.
Let me tell you what I understand during that time.
I understand that it's not the end of the world. I understand that there are many open doors and opportunities waiting for me on the outside. I understand that God wants me to grow my career to another place. I understand that I have a great family and a loving wife to support me.
I understand that I have a God who is not worried about the outcome of my situation and trials. That's simply because he already knows the end result and what reassured me was - He can do all things but fail!
Situations happen and God allows these things to happen, for a purpose.
Don't think that I can say all these things because I have a good relationship with our Lord. Ahhhh... I wish! Once in a while I still do some stupid things.
Regardless, we need to understand that even if we make stupid mistakes in our lives, "God causes all things to work together for good." (Romans 8:28)
He does not sit in heaven and count the mistakes we do and say... strrrriiikkee three! You’re out!
If that's the way you think, you are separating yourself from a loving God. That is not the kind of relationship that God wants from you. Our God is not a tyrant!
What we think is wrong, the Lord changes for our good and His glory. There is no shortage on this goodness!
Scripture says, "The Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear." (Isaiah 59:1)
Having this thought, we do not stop trusting Him even when we encounter hardships; rather we need to overcome it.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials." (James 1:2)
How can you keep standing in the midst of these trials?
1) Be teachable.
There was a time when no one can teach me. It's not that I'm stubborn - but I consider myself to be smarter than others - I was "simply" arrogant!
That is why doors of opportunity did not open in my life! Becoming teachable allows you to open a lot of channels in your life.
Moses was right on when he told the Lord:
"Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight." (Exodus 33:13)
Moses was not an uneducated person. One can only imagine the type of education he received while living in the palace of the Egyptian king. "Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds." Acts (7:22)
However, he had to spend 40 years of his life in the desert to learn the ways of God. He could not lead God's people with just the "wisdom of the Egyptians." He had to be taught by God.
If Moses did not heed through this process and rely on his own wisdom, the story of Exodus could have been different.
It was only when I started to listen to my family, friends and mentors through the word of God that I began to experience a dramatic change in my life.
If I remained stubborn and relied on my old ways, my questions in life could have not been answered and I'll still be practicing my old ways.
Being teachable is a sign of humility. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
2) Stand on His word.
Quick question, where do you like to stand - would you prefer standing on God's word or man’s opinion?
During the times of distress, this is the best time to learn God's word and depend on it. Capitalize on those trials by taking advantage of your situation by knowing more about God while you have these trials.
God's word is very powerful in times of trials because there is a lot of conviction while reading His words. His word becomes your foundation.
Remember, the word of God is not like the economy or stock market. It's guaranteed. If God says it, that settles it.
The scripture defines the word of God as "The Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit." (Ephesians 6:17)
The Sword of the Spirit is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare especially when we are facing trials.
The sword is formed by speaking God's word. When we use the sword properly, God's power and resources are available to us.
Just a quick note on this - when we use the Sword of the Spirit, we need to ensure that we are using the scripture in the proper context from where it was taken. In order to understand the context, we'll need to learn the Bible. Attending daily mass or bible study or living word groups or even teachings not only familiarizes us with the word but also sharpens our discernment skills and builds our faith. Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
I also encourage you to spend time even for a few minutes by reading the daily readings and reflect on it.
There are a lot of ways to do study the bible. If you ask me where to start, I suggest you start by reading the Gospel of Mark. It's the shortest Gospel and it's full of action.
As you face daily challenges, try to recall the verses you have learned that apply to the trials and challenge. If you can't remember any, ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember them.
Scripture says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:26).
The Lord has provided us with spiritual armour so that we may be able to stand on the solid foundation. Start building up a good foundation and start today!
3) Keep Standing.
"Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13)
As the saying goes, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again?"
Persistence is the key. If you get beaten up, stand up and try again. If you get washed out, get up and try again. If someone lets you down, leave them behind and stand again.
One of the main reasons why we don't get up is fear. Fear of failing again, fear of being rejected and the worse fear is the fear of being criticized by others.
A fine opportunity given to you, then you hear your neighbours comment - "Who are you anyway to aim so high?" In one comment, your dream is gone.
The challenge is - will you retreat because of the uncalled for comment or do you keep standing?
Your next action will define your future.
No matter how upset you are, how hopeless you are, how shattered your dreams are with all the trials, sufferings, distress, oppress, depress, and all the other negative "ress" that you can think of, you are still God's champion!
Keep standing!
God is the greatest!
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