#Thestruggle

         

We have all faced various trials and struggles in our lives, and these are the struggles that fashion us into who we are today. Too often in life do we tread the wrong path, walk down the darkened alley of evil, and become enslaved to sin. Our hands are bound by the piercing chains of iniquity, and our feet are shackled down by our trespasses. We are hurt, bruised, anguished, and fatigued. We hunger and thirst for freedom, but are starved under the premise of trials and tribulations. We fall, we stumble, and we struggle.

          At times, ‘hope’ becomes this far fetched and abstract idea to the point where we cannot fathom its relatives; happiness, joy, love and peace. When we lose hope, we lose everything. Hope is a virtue, to expect a good outcome regardless of the situation. When we lose this virtue, we belittle ourselves and during these times we feel like we are worth nothing…we amount ourselves to nothing. We cry, we hurt and become strangers in our very own world. We lose control of our lives and become passengers rather than drivers. When we lose hope, we lose the very desire to live.

        We look up to God and harshly blame him for the situation. We question His understanding and demand the answer to the question “why weren’t you with me” and “why didn’t you stop me”. Truth is He was with us, and will always be with us. He allowed us to fall into these trials and tribulations to allow us to come out stronger. In life, we don’t learn from experience, we learn from our mistakes. In due time, God will reveal to us the meaning of the trial, but we must be willing to endure it. In order to have hope, we have to include Christ as the main factor in our situation and expect a positive outcome knowing that He will intervene.

         The word “struggle” has such a negative connotation. You will never hear anyone talking about struggling in a positive way. We fail to recognize the struggle on the cross. Our Lord, God and Savior, our creator, our father, and our King left his kingdom to struggle for us. He took our nature and allowed for himself to be hung on the cross, for both you and I. When I close my eyes, I am reminded of his pain and suffering on the cross as he thought of me. “For God demonstrates his own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  In His heart, he knew that I was worth His life, He considered me worthy of His struggle and he tasted death for me. Following His struggle on the cross, I received salvation. Likewise, following the struggles that I will face in life, there will always be a rewarding lesson to learn.

          So be prepared to struggle, be prepared to fight, be prepared to truly mean it when you say “thy kingdom come, thy will be done”, and wait. Wait to be tried, wait to learn, wait for Christ to intervene. Life isn't worth living without a struggle, because the struggles you face are apart of your story.

We May Not See it All

Just because you don't see anything happening, doesn't mean that God isn't working, The moment we pray, God sets the miracle into motion.

Sometimes God takes us into troubled waters, not to drown us but to cleanse us. Not to make us hopeless but to allow us to realize that this path was not the right one. Not to leave us in despair but to better reveal His presence in our lives. Above all, to humble us.

Sometimes we are left confused as to who we are, what life is, and what's our purpose here on earth. Too often we see images of the “perfect” girl, the “perfect” family, the “perfect” lifestyle and too little do we consider the imperfections in our lives that have fashioned us to who we are today. The mistakes we've made, the friends we've lost, and the nights spent in tears aren't necessarily the main ingredients of a “perfect” life. You begin to question, what have you done to deserve all of this?

The mistakes you've made have caused you to become more vigilant, the friends you've lost have caused you to befriend many others, and those long nights spent in tears have washed away the hurt. 

And so, my imperfections have fashioned me, my hardships have led to perseverance, and my tribulation as fine jewels, each scar a memory, a battle, and yet a victory. So next time you ask yourself why you don't have the "perfect" life, consider the imperfections in your life that are the key ingredients to your success, your smile, and your personality.

Above all, resist your will and allow God to steer you in the right direction. The moment you really mean it when you say "your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven", God will surely step in. A father only wants the best for his children. We are more than His children we are His creation. We are so loved by Him, that He considered us worthy of His blood on the cross. The scary thing is, are we really living that life?

When crossing troubled waters, or when you've reached that point in your life when you feel like you've lost it all, have Hope in your God.

"For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) NKJV

Ressurection !

Day 7: Resurrection
4/20/2014

The hands that carried me over roaring waters, I tightly bound like a thief. The back that lifted away my many burdens, I whipped. The feet that walked miles and miles in search for me, the lost sheep, I hammered unto the cross. The mouth that taught me love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithful and self control, I fed sour wine. The head that was consumed with nothing but thoughts of me, I placed a crown of thorns on. The heart that beat rhythmically for my sake, I silenced. When my heart was hardened as I pierced your side, you cried for my sake... tears of pain, and yet tears of salvation.

When I close my eyes and envision You Lord, I am reminded of your pain and suffering on the cross. I, your most favored creation returned your loving kindness with bitter hate. With carelessness I crucified my savior, and with negligence I felt no remorse. Yet Your heart was overflowing with love. You prayed for my sake "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" and created an excuse on my behalf.

Dear Lord, help me to do the same. Help me to love unconditionally, without expecting much in return. Help my heart to overflow with love so pure and so genuine. Allow me to create excuses for those who have wronged me, forgive them that hurt me, and love those who have hated me... just as you have done the same for me. 

Above all, help me to involve You more in my life, in all my choices, decisions, tasks, and all that I do, that Your name may be glorified. As a potter, mold me in your likeness and as My creator, keep me from harm's way. As my father, provide for me only that the will benefit me and as my God, strengthen me in times of weakness and forgive my sins. Through Your pain and suffering, I was given a new beginning, and through Your death, I was given a new life. Help me to live accordingly, as this is not my own life to live.

 

Ekhristos Anesti, Alithos Anesti

Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen!

Amen.