A DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM MY HEART TO YOURS

Honestly speaking, the journey of the Christian is not all fun and games. Sometimes you will just want to put your head under a pillow and cry your heart out, and other times you will wonder whether God has given you a blackout!

I have recently gone through a challenging period, and during this time, God spoke to me in his own way, at his own pace. It has not been an easy ride, but I have learned that God is always close by, even when I don't feel His presence.

Below are a few verses that have gotten me through this tough period. I hope and pray that these words will encourage you in your journey.

1. Are you facing a situation that seems too big for you to handle? A giant-sized problem, perhaps?

Psalm 118:6-7 "The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me, he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me." (NLT)

2. If you are going through a period of darkness where you cannot see any light ahead, this verse will encourage you.

Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?" (NLT)

Jesus is your light in the darkness, and he will protect you, just as a fortress protects one against the enemy!

3. Perhaps you are too scared to sleep at night, and you fear what the night has in store for you?

Psalm 4:8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." (NIV)

4. Do you feel like God is far, far away, and that he cannot hear your cries? Do you know that if you keep on looking for him, you will find him in all his fullness?

Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (NLT)

Keep on looking for him; he is right there waiting for you to find him.

5. Discouraged? Weak? We have all been there, right? The point where your heart is tired, and you don't have the strength to trust – is the point where God steps in.

Psalm 73:26 "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." (NLT)

6. Sometimes I feel confused, and I wonder who around me has the right answer. During such periods, it is difficult to hear God's voice, isn't it?

2 Samuel 22:31 "God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection."(NLT)

Focusing on HIS promises always sets me back on track, and points me in the right direction. After all, these promises come from our faithful God!

7. Help! Help! Where do I get help when I need it so desperately?

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (NIV)

My help comes from the LORD, the one who made heaven and earth!!! How encouraging!

I hope that the verses I have shared above will encourage you not to lose faith in God even in the hard times.  I pray that when you finally get out of the rough patch (and you will), these words from Psalms will be on your lips.

Psalms 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me." (NIV)

Missed our last reflection? Here it is - LOOKING FOR THE ‘RIGHT' ONE?

Another topic, perhaps? WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

LOOKING FOR THE ‘RIGHT' ONE? 4 QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE!

The biggest question on the minds of many young singles is – how do I know this is the right person for me to marry? How do I know that things will work out between us? If I don't marry this person, will I regret my decision forever?

Here are a few tips that I thought might help singles out there make the right decision.

1.       Pray about it

Choosing a marriage partner is a major decision, and as such, it is important to involve God. He created you with an excellent plan for your life, and for most of us, marriage is part of that plan. Pray before you start ‘hunting,' during the dating process, and when you finally zero in on a particular person.

The following verse from Psalms is a favorite of mine – I always turn to it when I need to make a crucial decision.

Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (NLT)

Dear single, there is nothing wrong with telling God that you want to get married, and the kind of person you would like for a life partner.  Let him know the desires of your heart, and guide you through the process.

2.       Listen to wise counsel

Now – listening to wise counsel is not easy when you are smitten. Nobody wants to hear anything negative about the person who has swept them off their feet. The truth is, however, you need to be objective about the person you are in a relationship with, and about the realities of your relationship. For example, if there is something in your partner's past that affects your present relationship, wouldn't you like to deal with it now?

Proverbs 19:20 "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." (NLT)

Get advice from your friends who have been married for a while. You can also identify someone who is older than you who is open and honest about the realities of relationships – an older married friend/ couple, a mature aunt/uncle, or even your pastor. Keep an open mind every time you ask for advice. As I said before, you may not like what you hear, but it will help you in the end.

Therefore – if you ask someone to ‘rate' the person you are dating, and to give advice as to whether the person is a keeper, don't trash the answer if it is negative. Seek to investigate the reasons behind the other person's views. If the response is positive, though, you are good to go!

3.       Keep your eyes and ears open

Okay – I do not mean you spy on the person you are dating. You do, however, need to be ready to spot inconsistencies in behavior and actions. If you are currently seeing someone that you hope to marry, there should be no secrets between you. This person should also be happy to introduce you to family and close friends and take you along when he or she is invited to a function.

Be on your guard if you notice many hushed phone calls, a reluctance to be seen with you in public, or an unexplained level of secrecy. Ask questions where you need to – the answers will guide you to whether this is the person to spend the rest of your life with.

Just a note, though. People who are madly in love rarely want to accept the truth about their significant others. Try your best to remain objective when making your observations.

4.       Take your time

There is no race to get married. Ignore the snide remarks from friends, relatives, and colleagues about your delay in making a decision on a life partner. If you make the wrong choice, it is you, not them who will be stuck with it the rest of your life.

Be patient, therefore, as you look for a spouse. Don't be in a hurry to specialize; instead get to meet different people at social and work-related functions. Maintain your integrity and don't compromise on your values, as people will be watching you as they try to catch your attention. When you finally start a serious relationship, let it run its course. Have fun, travel, fight, make up, etc. as you get to know one another better.

There is no certain way to know if the person you are relating with is the right one to marry. The few tips above will, however, give you an idea of what to look out for when you get to the point of choosing a partner. All the best!

Missed the last reflection? Here it is - keeping-your-marriage-grass-green

Another topic? can-i-really-do-this