Anxious for Nothing

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4, 6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Life can throw us some hard punches even as a son of Elohim. I have learnt that truly trusting in my God, requires a deliberateness about trusting Him. As long as you walk in Christ, it becomes easier to rejoice in Him always. When I realized my life was a gift from Him, I got to that place where in everything by prayer and supplication, I make my request to Him. I trust in His perfect will for my life. No worries.

Peace as a result of material things or people around us is fleeting. But the peace in our soul when we know who is in charge in our life is priceless. A peace that is not dependent on our circumstances but on faith in Jesus. It takes putting Jesus first in every area of my life.

How about you? Are you still carrying the load of life on your back? Aren't you tired yet? Come to Jesus all you that are heavy laden and He will give you rest.

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#LifeLessons: The Cancer that you can control

(The forgiveness Series 1)

22 May 2016

Un-forgiveness is like cancer. Once the seed is sown, it starts growing and spreading like a bush fire; consuming, destroying and killing all things in its part. The only way to stop it is to uproot it from the root. The only way to prevent it is not to let the seed be planted in the first place.

Not too long ago, I was hurt. I had un-forgiveness threatening my life. Yes, that is what it does. It steals your peace and joy, and most importantly your relationship with God.

I was hurt! It was not even one incidence but a series of incidences by the same person. Those incidences, I felt were meant to humiliate and deliberately hurt me. It was even more painful because it was in an environment that I expected to be full of love. I flirted with bitterness and nearly took the pill of offence.

What saved me was the fact that I had Jesus Christ in my life. I kept remembering He forgave me, why would I not forgive this person. I lost respect for this person. I mistrusted anything they said. I found myself reading meanings into what they do. Through this, I opened myself to battlefield of the mind.

I knew I was in trouble because the Holy Spirit kept convicting me through my conscience. On judgement day, would I use the person as an excuse for not forgiving? Was their own action powerful enough over my life to dictate my actions?

I knew I was fighting a spiritual battle because I know what the God I serve says about forgiveness (Matt 6:14-15, 18:21-22, Luke 6:37 examples). I was in this battle for about a year.

So I started fighting it. No one was going to make me miss my eternity. I prayed consistently for the Holy Spirit to help me to forget the pain, that when I see this person, I will not remember the pain.

I started taking control of my thoughts by confessing Philippians 4:8. It became my favourite verse;  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Anytime I see the person I recited the verse, to keep away any negative thoughts. It worked.

I prayed to be filled with agape love – not the ordinary flesh inducing love but the love that covers all sins, one that does not anger; that sees through Christ eyes, the love that comes from above. I prayed to love this person with agape love. I then started working it out. Whenever I see the person, I will greet and hug them. I went out of my way to help them. I was determined to love them. Agape love does not depend on feelings but based on decision.

Gradually the feelings of hurt died. I see them now I feel love. I have also come to know and understand their character and nothing they do now could hurt me again because I shrug off their weaknesses and focus on their strengths. I want to put my energies in working on my own weaknesses – there is a lot of that already!

I came out of that experience having a deeper understanding that forgiveness is not easy but it is not impossible. The Holy Spirit is there to help us work it out.

How about you?