Defeating Discouragement

Discouragement is what stops the course of one's goals and dreams.  It never comes by easy and its only purpose is to defeat you. It has the power to take away all the energy that has kept you going, leaving you weak and powerless. But did you know that you can defeat discouragement? 

A couple weeks ago, a Pastor offered me an opportunity to share my revelations during one of his services. I'm more of a writer than a speaker, so on the outside I was nodding sure and maybe, but on the inside I was telling myself definitely no. There was just no way I could imagine myself successfully speaking to a group of people about God. 

Few weeks past by and the Holy Spirit reminded me again about his offer. I wanted to do it because I love sharing the good news about Christ, but I felt so incapable. I've never spoken about my revelations in a larger group setting, and I was afraid to even try. What if my revelations did not resonate to their lives? What if I ended up looking like a fool? What if couldn't touch their lives? 

But it was in that moment when the Holy Spirit told me, "It is not your job to touch lives, that is my job."

It is not our job to touch lives - it is the Holy Spirit's job to touch lives through us. 

It was then when I realized that these discouraging fears in my mind were only in my head to prevent me from pursuing the will of God and to glorify him. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." There was no reason for me to be afraid because I had everything I needed and that was God. 

I didn't need to be an experienced speaker or have an intelligent mind to change lives, I just needed God. God tells us to not be afraid or discouraged because he promises to never leave us and he will always go before us. God will never ask us to do something that will only require our strength, instead he will always offer himself for us. 

No matter where or what God is calling you to do, do not be discouraged because the only thing you need is God, and you will have him wherever you go. If what you are discouraged from doing is something that will glorify God and expand his kingdom, then know that that discouragement only comes from Satan. He is after your calling and purpose, and he will do anything to prevent God's glory from shining in your life. 

Satan used discouragement and fear to stop me from sharing the gospel through speaking, and he will do the same to you. That is why in Deuteronomy, God tells us to not be afraid or discouraged because he already knew that those two things would hinder us from completing the task that was set before us. Don't given in to discouragement, but give up on discouragement. 

Know that God is here to say to you, "do not be discouraged." Your only job is to go and let God handle the rest. He never asked us to change lives, but only asks that we go and share the gospel. God has equipped each of us with the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us to change lives and grow his kingdom in this earth.

The disciples in the bible were able to grow the church by large numbers and spread the gospel not because of their own efforts, but because they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts constantly writes about how the disciples "were filled with the Holy Spirit..."(Acts 4:8) when performing miracles. Lives don't change because we are great, but because our God is great.

It can be easy to underestimate our own abilities, but we must remember that we shouldn't depend on our own abilities, but God's abilities alone. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It is only through Christ that we can successfully live the life that God has given us. So remember, God can defeat discouragement.

Can We Be Fulfilled In a Demanding World?

We live in a world today where we are judged by our accomplishments. We work hard towards achieving our goals so that we can cross them off of our list to feel accomplished and satisfied. But once a goal is crossed off, there will always be another goal that we will strive to complete. This list that we all have is never ending, and it continues to demand more of us. So can we be fulfilled in a demanding world? Can we experience a moment of complete satisfaction when there will always be more that requires of us? 

I'm an ambitious go getter girl who always needs my schedule to be filled from morning to night. Having nothing to do actually stresses me out more than having too much to do. But there was a moment in my life when God told me to let go of all my selfish desires, and when I say selfish, I mean desires that were meant to satisfy me, and not God. 

Slowly, God started to show me the things he wanted me to let go. It hurts, but I'm still in the process of surrendering myself to him. I had to let go of my music studio that I have developed for years, and I now have passed it on to my sister. 

Passing it on to my sister wasn't as bad because it didn't feel like I had completely let it go. But slowly, week by week, my students started quitting. On top of that, I was also loosing followers on my Instagram page. And while this was all happening, my brother and boyfriend got accepted to the college I wanted to go for my Masters. 

I couldn't draw any joy from my accomplishments because at the moment, I had none. 

My music studio and Masters were two things on my list that I wanted to check off as accomplishments, but those were the two things that God asked me to take off my list. I couldn't see how I could be fulfilled when I was constantly driven by my accomplishments and goals. 

Even after one goal was accomplished on my list, the need for more would eventually over take the fulfilling moment. 

However, in the midst of my distress I was reminded of the story of the Samaritan women in the well. She told Jesus that there was no way he could get her water because the well was too deep. But Jesus told her that he could give her water that would never make her thirst. He said to her in John 4:13-14, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst." 

It was at this moment when I realized that I was trying to satisfy myself with my accomplishments, drawing water from the well that was never made to satisfy me forever. God reminded me that I must draw from him, and not my accomplishments to be truly fulfilled. I had to dig in him to receive water that would never leave me thirsty - water that would fill me up with everlasting joy. 

When we dig up satisfaction from our own well of accomplishments, we will always find ourselves temporarily satisfied and thirsty for more. Jesus is the only one who can give us the permanent fulfillment we need in our lives. 

The Samaritan women said, "...the well is too deep" (John 4:11). If we try to satisfy ourselves by digging up water from our own well of accomplishments, we will find ourselves tired out because the well is too deep. Our list of accomplishments are too far and deep of reach to satisfy us, but Jesus is near and close to always satisfy us. 

What's even worse than temporary satisfaction is no satisfaction at all. And that was exactly what I was feeling, but God didn't give us life to experience temporary or no joy, he gave us life so that we may have full joy - and the only way to experience life to the fullest is to depend on God as our source of fulfillment.

Our accomplishments were never made to define us nor fulfill us. They were only made to bring us closer to God, so that we may be defined in Christ. Taking the path to a fulfilled life means sacrificing our flesh so that Christ may live in us (Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..").

It is no wonder that I was feeling depressed because I was drawing on my accomplishments instead of God. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." God is never too far for you to draw from, and he is more than enough to satisfy you. Run to Jesus and draw from him; he will refresh you with love that will overwhelm you. God's love will give you a complete satisfaction that will not require more of you. Your accomplishments will never complete you, but God's love will complete you. So remember, you can be fulfilled in a demanding world. 

What A True Love Story Really Is

We all know the typical cliche love stories that we see many times in movies - guy meets girl and they both happen to have the same interest, personalities that click, and a charm that attracts each other. We picture in our minds that a true love story is when we find our perfect match, our soulmate that we have been dreaming of every night.

Now, this is probably true, but only in the beginning of a love story.

So what is a true love story? From my own experience, it is definitely not what movies portray or what our minds dream about.

When I first dated my boyfriend things went perfectly. All we wanted was each other, and we could simply gaze at one another all day long. We were at that point in our relationship when we both wanted to do whatever the other person wanted to do.

Sounds like a typical love story right? But just a month ago, I really started to question if I was in the right relationship. My relationship just didn't seem to fit with the typical "love story" that I had always pictured was right for everyone. We have been dating for almost 2 years now, which isn't that long, but it was long enough to a point where I could see our love story start to fade away.

He started getting into his hobby collection and playing games, while I started getting more involved with church activities. I liked going to the mall, he didn't. He liked to stay at home, I liked to go out. I loved to talk and ramble about my revelations with God, while he wasn't always the perfect listener.

The fact was, we were two different people. And if we did have a similarity, it was the fact that we both would get mad when things didn't go our way. 

I was desperate for our old love story to come back, for us to have passion for one another like before. I yearned for his support and understanding which seemed to only get worse. But it was in my devotion time with God, when he spoke 3 words that really changed my relationship. 

Love is patient. 

God showed me that love is patient - it always hopes and perseveres for the best of the other. Love is willing to wait everyday in hopes that the other person will change. This is the kind of true love story that God had planned for each couple to live; to have a love that shows how God loves us. 

Psalm 136:1 says, "..God's love never fails." How is it possible that God's love will never fail? Because his love is a love that is patient. He patiently waits for us in hopes that we will change and love him more. His arms are always open to welcome us on that day when we will run into his arms. God will never give up on us because his love is always waiting and believing for us to come back to him. 

This is the love that a true love story should have - a love that will never fail, and one that cannot fail. How can love fail when it never ceases to give up on the other? 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.." If this is love, then how can love fail? True love was never made to fail. 

Through my relationship, God really showed me what a true love story really is. 

A true love story is not when two perfectly matched people come together, but rather when two different people come together and try everyday to be a perfect match for one another. Love is a choice and commitment to choose to love the other. Love is not a result of an emotional bonding, but rather it creates an emotional bonding. 

Emotional love feelings were never made to last forever, but love as is stated in 1 Corinthians 13 was made to stand forever. A year ago I made a huge mistake and thought my boyfriend would never forgive me for it, but he stood by me and still chose to love me. He chose to be patient and hope for the best of me. 

Today, by the grace of God I have been changed, and changed for the better. True love is a love that never gives up on the other, one that loves unconditionally. God reminded me that now it is my turn to be patient, because that is what love is. My boyfriend and I now try everyday to please one another and grow in Christ together. Because of my new perspective of what love is, our love story has definitely changed.

It takes both people in relationship to choose to love one another for a relationship to thrive. We will never be perfect for one another,  but we will never stop trying to be perfect for one another. So remember, this is what a true love story really is. 

How To Get More In Life

We all have dreams, goals, and desires that we want to take hold in our lives, but how do we attain them all? We have one life and each minute only goes by once, so how do we make the most of this life? How can we get more in life?

As of any typical ambitious person, I have big dreams - dreams to have my own Christian clothing line, to be an author of many books, and a speaker who shares the good news of God to the world. But deep inside my little courageous heart, I asked myself, "Could all these things really come into reality?"

I knew that God had many promises in the bible of giving us a good future, and it even says in John 10:10 that Jesus came to give us life, and life to the full, but I asked God how could I have life to the fullest? It seemed impossible for me to be who I wanted to be at the rate I was living in now.

The verse just seemed too good to be true. Was it really possible for me to have a life to the fullest? To have every dream come true and gain the best that God had planned for me? But in the midst of my doubts, God showed me that it shouldn't be me questioning God if his promises were true, and instead God questioned me and asked, "will you surrender everything?"

Here I was, asking God to give me more in life, yet his response was for me to give him more. It didn't make sense, and I was already at a point in my life where I had already given up my plans to do masters and continue my music school.

Did I really hear God ask me to surrender again?

But it was in this moment when God revealed to me that there was still one thing I hadn't surrendered to him, and that was my time. I still chose to do my free time the way I wanted to spend it, and not the way God wanted me to spend it. It may seem weird to think that to experience life to the fullest means to give up our fullest to God, but here's the truth on how to get more in life:

Let go to get more.

The more you let go, the more God will give you more. If you are still holding on to the things you want, then you will not have enough room to have the things that God wants to give you. And it is only God, who can give you life to the fullest.

For me to accomplish my big dreams, I had to let go of things that were not rooted in God's desire. God slowly revealed to me that I was spending too much time with my boyfriend. And if I didn't surrender my time to God, there was no way I could finish writing my first book that I had planned on, and accomplishing the other goals I had for myself.

I used to think that letting go meant I was getting less for myself, but I have found that when I let go, I actually get more from God. Because I letted go of my plans to do masters and to continue my music studio, I know have more opportunity and time to spend on developing myself towards becoming a servant of God, and writing books. And I believe that in his time, the more I let go the more God will give more. 

When God calls us, he will always require us to let go of something. As Oswald Chambers says it, "we must be willing to let go before we can grasp something else." Everyone who was used by God in the bible had to let go of something before they could accomplish God's calling for them.

Abraham had to let go of his comfort zone and leave his home town before he could receive the promise land and God's blessings, Moses who had to let go of his majestic life in Egypt before he could save the Israelites, Paul had to let go of his old life before he could be used by God, and Joseph had to let go of his brothers and family before he could be lifted up in Egypt.

All of those who were used by God had to let go of something before they could experience God's full blessing upon their lives. They had to let go to get more of what God had in stored for them. And just like them, God needs us to let go before we can get more from God.

God revealed to me that it is possible for me to see every dream come true and receive the best from him. It wasn't God who I needed to question, but myself. I had to ask myself, was I willing to let go and surrender everything to God?

Psalms 37:4 says, "Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Delight means to please, so we must please God by giving ourselves up as living sacrifices, and in return he will give us the desires of our heart. 

God knows your every desire, and he wants to give them all to you, but you must free up your hands to be able to receive them from God. Are you wiling to let go and surrender everything to God? So remember, let go to get more. 

How To Handle The Future

Life is filled with many uncertainties; each day we are faced with not knowing what will happen next. Where will we be 5 years from now? Who will we marry? Will the time and efforts we put in our ventures be successful? Despite all the questions we may have about the future, there is a way to live peacefully. So how do we handle the future? 

I sat one evening thinking about my future, wondering how things would come together in my life. I had big dreams and desires that I wanted to happen in the future, but then a thought creeped inside my mind..what if all that I dreamed and desired would not happen?

What if my boyfriend didn't end up marrying me? What if I lost my job out of the blue? What if my dreams to write this book failed? I had so many unanswered questions about my future, and I am sure that many of you have your own questions about your future. 

With all these questions rushing in my mind, one particular worry was becoming a great concern in my heart: What if my boyfriend would not be the one for me? What if down the road we would not make it into marriage? 

So what did I do in the midst of my worries? I prayed and forced God to reveal to me if my boyfriend was going to be my future husband - if he was the one whom God had purposely planned for me. But it was at that moment when God reminded of Psalms 46:10 which says, "Be still and know that I am God.." I realized that what I had just prayed for was completely wrong and definitely not what God wanted to hear from me. 

God wanted me to be still. 

And not just to be still, but to also know that he is God. The verse does not only ask us to be still, or to be still and worry,  rather it says to be still and know that he is God. 

Being still means not forcing God to tell you everything about your future. It means not forcing God to tell you all the answers you want to know now. God wanted me to be still and trust that no matter what happens, he is God.  That even if we would not make it into marriage, God is faithful and he will provide me with all that I need. 

God reminded me of the importance of knowing who God is. Who is God? We know that he is faithful, good, loving, almighty, trustworthy, merciful, our provider and protector, our healer, and the list goes on and on. We can be still because we know that we have a God who will always take care of us and be there for us. It doesn't matter what will happen in the future, because all we need to know is that we have a God whose love for us will never fail (Psalms 136:1 "Praise the Lord! He is good. God's love never fails.")

When we know who God is, we are able to claim who he is upon our lives, and it then becomes a living and working power in the midst of our situations. When we claim who God is, we receive his love,  faithfulness, and peace in the midst of our stillness. 

Being still means letting go of what you think you need to do, and being completely still and trusting that God's got it. The word "still" means making no movements - we must take no actions and simply be still and know that God has it all together. 

I am a control freak; I don't like the fact of not being able to control my life, and being still and taking no action is the last thing I would ever want to do, but being still and knowing that he is God is a lesson I need to remember.

We will never know our future and this applies to any part of our lives. God might direct you to take a job now, but he might not reveal to you how long you can work there or if you will get laid off. He will not always give you a 100% answer if the man you are dating will be your husband. But despite the uncertainties we face, we do know that we have a God who is in control, and a God who will never do harm into our lives. 

God will always direct our paths, but he will not always give us absolute and definite answers. If we were able to know the future, then why would we even need God? God will not always tell us everything we need to know because he wants us to depend on him. 

God doesn't need you to handle the future, he just needs you to be still and know that he is God. Be satisfied with the information that God gives you, and trust the rest to him. Take life a step at a time and continue to look to him to direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding and he will direct your paths." So remember, be still and let God handle your future.