Realization #003: Is Suffering Optional?

Friends, family, classmates, blog mates. Hello once again!

I heard many teachers of the Bible nowadays promising each and every believing Christian that life will all go well... prosperous and happy. You see, I realized this in my life, being a Christian, happiness is temporary, but God told me to be joyful because being joyful doesn't say of today but the outcome of tomorrow. What I have experienced in the past years isn't like that now, it is a life rougher than ever before, but I am glad and joyful that my soul is secure. And no matter how mysterious life may be, the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 still shines far greater than any threat that lies on the road I am now.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Upon my walk, I also see a lot of Christians who are still afraid, crawling out from their shell. They are afraid of finding who they really are because of what form of suffering may lie ahead. Some of them may not know it but still they suffer, they suffer from accepting who they really are and the rejection that lies ahead. Friends, I don't see myself prep enough to encourage you, but indeed, as the Bible tells us that suffering is not an optional thing. It comes standard in our life.

Why is suffering good? Yes, I said that, good. Suffering refines us, defines us; just like a precious gold being refined by fire.

1 Peter 1:7
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

SUFFERING EXIST EVERYWHERE
On Mountain Biking

You won't gain if you don't endure! That's not science fiction, it is a tested fact by each and everyone of us.

At School
Tests, tests, tests... there is always a downside for a greater gain. That is to immerse on studying and reading 4 inch thick books. But what do we get afterwards? Unimaginable bliss.

I see suffering as temporary, after this, you will soon forget about it and might just laugh in the end. A guy from BoMb said and I quote;

"Embrace the suck," I said. It's one of my mottos. "It's going to suck, you know it is. You might as well embrace it because you can't avoid it. False motivation is better than no motivation at all. So, tell yourself it's going to be fun and treat it as fun... and in two days, it'll be over and you might just find yourself smiling after all!"

It is the same with being a Christian. Sometimes, it's going to be bad (it's going to suck). We can't change that. What we can change is our attitude during those times. Embrace the suck. It's going to come, regardless.

In addition to his contribution to the blog, I say, suffering is not an option, we have to face it regardless, but we have to make sure when we suffer, in the end we praise God!

1 Corinthians 4:11-13
"To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."

*Oist, I am not in a preaching mode ha!

Realization #002: Why do we need to read the Bible?

This has been on my thoughts lately and despite having been able to conclude everything. I still want to share it to you; my friends, relatives, and fam! XOXOXO... :D

Why do we need to read the Bible? This is quite a question we might ask ourselves. Why are some people reading it? Why do some Christians don't? Why? Why?

As far as I can see it. The Bible is the most important book. Its a guiness record holder! It is the most translated book in the world, a best - seller, and probably, "the most smuggled item in the world."

The Bible is a book that many Christians would die for. If its not that important then why do Bible Couriers risk their lives into crossing borders with a bag filled with 150-190 pieces of Bible, one single mistake and this could send him to prison, worse would be death.

As much as how my story look fictional to you, but the story is real on the other side of the world. Many Christians risk their lives for a book, because it is a book that gives hope. That is the message of Christ. Still don't believe me? Please feel free to read on his experience.

Let me ask you again, Why do we need to read the Bible? Please allow me to ask another question. Do we really know that hope we have in God or are they just flying words of preaching from someone else? They say Christians have faith, but is it a faith that reasons "I just believe it!" kinda thing? or is it a faith in line with what Romans 10:17 says?

I can conclude on this thing. We are grateful to have our own Bible with us. We can buy at least five different versions; from NIV, KJV, to NLT. The list just goes on and on... But have we ever take the time in reading it? To know God better and to know ourselves better?

We are that grateful! Because the people living in countries where Christianity is banned is aching and praying for years to have their own copy of the Bible which they often refer as the "Diary from the Lord". They tear it page by page and allow everyone in their secret church rotate each page just to know something great about their God and how He really, really, really loves us.

Our hope, is it sitting covered with dust? Let us humble ourselves and make this book worthier than what it used to be. God loves you; take time to read His diary about how fearfully and wonderfully made you are. It's your life manual.

*Oist, not in a preaching mode ha! Just got really inspired by how a friend of mine shared her life in China together with the bible couriers. She said, the youngest was a 17 year old girl, asteeeeg ang tibay ng loob!

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Realization #001: Over and Over

I realized this in my life.

When things get rough and it's hard to forgive, I become alone by myself. I become weaker and weaker; devotions pass through my days. Opportunities from heaven are closed.

Then you find yourself stumbling and falling again.

"Consider it pure joy", someone said that to me that night but confused I become. He said, "When all things turn rough, be joyful always". He didn't stop there as he added, "because it will develop perseverance and faith."

I cried lightly as the world dictates that I should not since a man is defined on a box with a character based on firmness and strength. But God tells me to be a man for Him, not in a box, but a strong, firm-faith'ed, powerful, conqueror, history maker, and sensitive to discern. I thought these things require me to sacrifice in order to be refined, hence, I get all too tired.

But then He said again, "Consider it pure joy." God knew all His sacrifices. The cross was a painful thing for Him to do but He knew that this sacrifice would eventually turn to pure joy.

Then I realized, God in the first place considered it pure joy.