Some months ago, a colleague posted something on our team chat that I was very critical of because I thought it inappropriate. I even suggested that she deleted it. There is no doubt this offended her. At first, I struggled with why. However, upon realizing her deep hurt, I apologized and suggested we talk it through, and it was then I realized that she was responding from a place of hurt and a painful experience.
How many times are we quick to judge others without taking the time to investigate their point of reference? I learned a very important lesson that day. I was so absorbed with what others would think instead of focusing on the message she was trying to convey. I learned the importance of focusing my attention on the words of the speaker instead of the audience’s response. What matters most is another human being who is trying to put themselves out there and say, hey I’ve struggled, and I am still struggling, but I am trying to be hopeful. Don’t judge me, just respond with empathy and love.
People who are overwhelmed with emotions are forbidden to express themselves freely because it is considered too much information (TMI). Hence, we allow them to dry clean only instead of washing their laundry and drying, which takes more time. Some of us are very selfish, hence the reason we have so many problems in our society today; no one talks or listens. We cannot listen to someone hurting without it changing our hearts and keeping them soft and receptive. Instead, we have traded our humanity for callousness.
Recently, I was on a flight when I overheard another passenger having a conversation with a relative. It was obvious this person adored this older sibling. However, he just wanted a quick hi and bye. She pleaded with him to just listen because she was depressed and he refused, stating that he was a musician and not a counselor. I could hear the disappointment in her voice. He could have used the music to minister to that need and fill that place in her heart before it became a tear. However, he didn’t have the time to listen, and dismissed her.
Music is a great way to calm a soul that is in distress. We see in the Bible where David played for Saul when the evil spirit visited him, and it drove the spirit away (1 Samuel 16:14-23). When we dismiss others , instead of taking the time to care, it can often lead to feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, neglect, and depression. Family, friends, and the church community are very important during these times. Let us purpose in our hearts to help one person today by sharing God’s love!
Let’s defend and not defriend the people in our lives who are not on the same plane as us. Yes, some of us are lost in the traffic of life; in our homes, workplaces, and church because no one cares or feels the desire to at least investigate what is going on or even lend a helping hand. People are floating through life with anger and rage because they are being treated unjustly, punished for speaking up, being isolated, and labeled as troublemakers who are not listening or learning, disobedient to God, and unconverted. Who appointed you to assign these labels to others, thou hypocrite? Cast the plank out of your eyes first (Matthew 7: 3-5), then you will have a heart of empathy towards others. 70 X7 (Matthew 18:21-22) is the number of times Jesus admonished us to forgive, which is ceaseless.
We constantly pop people into boiling water. Like a tea bag, they expand, giving others a nice cup of tea while they are squeezed out and dumped into the trash. Do you sometimes feel like a tea bag and wished you could just sit and enjoy a cup of tea too? Of course, you do. However, others won’t allow you to because they consider you unworthy. We are mere mortals and none of us is perfect. God created all men equal; we are different, yet we have the same physiological. emotional and social needs, according to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. We can all get along despite race, ethnicity, and social and economic status. To do so, we must stop suffocating others with our dogmas and allow them to breathe just like we would.
People are suffering from many complexes because of various reasons: their mothers rejected them while in the womb, abandoned them at birth, or during their childhood. Hence, they go about life looking for a sense of belonging while suffering deep pain that is comparable to a deep gash from a wound that will not heal. Inwardly, they are crying out for help, and no one notices their silent cries. They live with criticism, blame, and shame. Despite all their steadfast efforts, there are overshadowed, overlooked, belittled, criticized, and dehumanized.
Are these the characteristics of Jesus Christ, the God of love? I think not. He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He healed the believer and the unbeliever, and hung out with the dejected and scourged of society. Our capacity to love is impaired because we have not experienced love, therefore we cannot give it. The good news is that “LOVE IS THE UNIVERSAL LAW”. It is God’s law of love; love God, and your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12: 30-31). When you love God, it is easier to love everyone and not isolate a group or a person because they don’t think, look, and talk like you or their lifestyle differs from yours. Christians, unless we love others unconditionally, we will be cast into outer darkness when Christ comes again. Examine yourself to see if you have a heart that genuinely cares for humanity. The world needs our love now. Love is a precious gift! Let’s gift others with our love today.
The story in Luke 8: 45- 55 chronicles the end journey of a lifetime of pain and suffering for this woman of God. She was very ill but never gave up because she willed herself to live. Her earthly resources were exhausted and she had nothing left. Despite this infirmity, she kept pressing on in faith knowing that she will be healed although not knowing when and how.
On this given day, Jesus was visiting her town and there is no doubt that the news quickly spread because everywhere He went He had a huge following. He was lauded and celebrated by all; those who loved Him and those who hated him. Though very frail she positioned herself in the crowd no doubt being trampled on as she crawled because she didn’t have the energy to stand. She heard about JESUS and she believed that He could heal her and make her whole. She trembled with excitement as she inched closer to Him planning her strategy of when to reach out and touch Him. As she got close enough, she reached her hand and touched the border of His garment from behind, and immediately felt the power of the touch that healed her. JESUS stopped what He was doing and asked “who touched me”? He felt the transforming power left His body to hers and He wanted her to testify. She knelt in humility at Jesus’s feet and confessed and He called her daughter and declared to her that it was her faith that made her whole (Luke 8:48).
Many of us are suffering from chronic illnesses today and we have not received our healing. Is it because we lack the faith or the will to be made whole? God wants to heal us but we must read His word, pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do, and follow in obedience. It was His Holy Spirit that directed that woman to that place of healing where she experienced the most electrifying touch in her life. Do you want a touch like that? Commit your plan and ways to the Lord and He will bring it to pass (Proverbs 16:2-4). Let our hearts, hands, and prayers touch heaven this year so that we can experience that powerful, personal, and healing touch from the Master, JESUS CHRIST!
My friend’s husband recently published a book titled: The Will to Heal. You can check it out at this link:
Mental health illness is an invisible disease because often no one knows about it. Except for the sufferer, although they sometimes don’t know that what they are experiencing is more than a case of the blue. Since it is so difficult to detect, it can go unnoticed for years. Hence, it takes an informed person and someone who has a real bond with those individuals to recognize the symptoms when they are suffering from a mental illness and urges them to get help right away.
Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
Problems with alcohol or drug use
Major changes in eating habits
Sex drive changes
Excessive anger, hostility or violence
Suicidal thinking
In the last couple of years, many prominent people in our society had Suicidal Ideation and sadly acted on it. Published literature describes Suicidal ideations (SI), as suicidal thoughts or ideas, and is a broad term used to describe a range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with death and suicide. There was darkness in their souls which they skillfully covered from a society that expects them to be great and “fine” even when they’re crushed inside. After covering their mental anguish for years, they finally succumb to the pressure that eventually consumes them. Many people do not want to hear the truth because the truth is costly. It requires listening with the heart and for some of us, our hearts are closed to the world. Hence, we continue to act indifferently to those who are suffering.
Mental health illness is a critical illness that is likened to a pressure cooker. If we do not lift the lid and let out the steam, it will explode and the consequences can be detrimental to life and property. Therefore, I urge you to ease the lid and let the steam out while there is still time to escape. Why not take the time and talk to a cherished friend with whom you have a spiritual bond or a professional counselor today? Help is abundant out there for those who are mentally ill. However, it is up to them to recognize that they are unwell and need help and reach out to someone who can steer them in the right direction. Get help now! Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone picks on you and makes it their duty point to make your life a living hell? This is what I experienced over the last couple of years. The attacks were vicious, hateful, and targeted. I became broken and defeated. I reached the point where I felt diminished as a human being. This psychological abuse crippled me at the core and it took me almost a year before I reported it. Sadly, nothing was done about it and this added to my pain knowing that this monster was allowed to get away with tormenting me without any consequences.
Although the stress was chronic, I continued to write posts for my audience and carried on under the weight. One morning while I was wrestling with why this was happening to me, the inspired words came to my thoughts, and I wrote them down. I suddenly felt empowered, and it has been life-changing for me. Then it occurred to me to get them on Tees because this is not only my story. Yes, there are people in this world who will make you feel that way despite your race or ethnicity. Visit our store at https://teesdees.etsy.com and get your tees that will inspire you to challenge the negativity you will face in this world!
Let’s stamp out #stigma, #hate by showing love to others now. Support this ministry by getting your T-shirt today. May it empower you as it did me to STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT! https://teesdees.etsy.com
Jesus is asking the same question He asked Peter when they were together” WHAT IS THAT TO YOU FOLLOW ME”? When we are following Jesus, we must avoid at all costs every distraction by not becoming overly engrosses in things that do not concern us. Most of us spend a significant part of our lives minding other people’s business instead of caring for our spiritual health. Sometimes we become preoccupied with the wrong things and overly care for others while neglecting to care for our health and well-being.
2023 is here! Let us put off the old man and put on the new man. Let us be mindful that God is supreme and we are mortals. He is not asking us to sit and think all day about our burdens and other people’s problems to overwhelm us. No one has the time to single-handedly spent with everyone daily. Only God alone has all the time in the world because He created time. He is the only one who is always available to all 8 billion of us at the same time because He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. (Psalm 139:7-13).
Let us strive to spend more time with Him, building characters that will last throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Our attitudes should be when confronted with problems, “what is that to me”? God got this because only he alone has the power to change things, not man. We must keep following God even amid the pressing trails. We know He is with us and promised that He will never leave or forsake us because He wants what is best for us and that is eternity. Will you allow Him to guide your life or continue to trade your eternity for now?
As I reflected on the adage, “belief kill and belief cure”, I felt impressed to tune into my own beliefs and after deep thoughts and reflections, I came up with these:
We are standing on the edge of a brand-New Year 2023! For many of us, our lives have been at a standstill for years. How do we pull ourselves up from where we are to live out our best life instead of just getting through the next year? It takes the ultimate sacrifice; something that is uncomfortable but necessary. What are you willing to sacrifice this year so that you can live a happier and healthier life in 2023? Each year we make resolutions that we are not resolute to keep and are often abandoned before it starts. What sacrifice did you make for yourself in 2022? Mine was seven weeks off from work and school. I was under a lot of stress and completely exhausted and health issues didn’t make it easier. I needed to be present for me. I followed one of my passions and reconnected with myself, my friends, and my family, and also spent more time with God. During this time amazing things happened, my mind was calmer and relaxed and I felt a peace that I have not experienced in years. It felt like a spiritual rebirth and I want my life to be like this every day of my life. There were no calendars, or deadlines my life came to a complete halt and I spent each day in a meaningful way just doing the things I wanted to do for me. It was a bold move and I couldn’t afford it but then I couldn’t afford to.
God made us for His pleasure (Revelations 4:11), and He doesn’t want us to stress out ourselves with this world’s expectations of us instead of following our heart, using the talent and gifts He bequeathed to us, and doing what we think is best for us. Whatever you are struggling with or think you must have it is not worth sacrificing your health and well-being for any material gain. What shall it profit a man if he gains the world…( Mark 8:36-38). Start honoring yourself by doing more of those things that improve your health and well-being, reverse those lifestyle diseases or genetic diseases handed down to you from your parents and fore-parents. Strive to become a better human being; mentally, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Let us make ourselves proud in 2023 by spreading deep joy, light, peace, and exuberance wherever we go and to whomever, we meet. Let’s determine to have a solid sacrificial year for ourselves.
When we honor ourselves by taking care of our bodies which are the temple of the Holy Spirit, God honors us. It was amazing how God took great care of me and I had no lack. It was a joyous time for me. I experienced healing on a physical, mental and spiritual level. God wants to give us His best, however, He wants us to do an inventory of our lives and see how we have been using the time He gave us and see what we have reaped from the many bad investments we have made; financial, emotional, and physical. Start by making simple changes that will enable you to have a calmer life, by being kind to yourself and keeping well! Have an exhilarating New Year!
We abandon ourselves when we cannot do the little things daily that nurture and nourish our mental, physical, spiritual, and overall well-being. Our primary responsibility is to take care of ourselves and then try to help others do the same. When we fail at self-care, we leave ourselves vulnerable to physical, mental, and spiritual weakness. It isn’t God’s idea for us to work ourselves to the point of our dangling nerves. Instead, we were meant to live lives that are rich, rewarding, and engaging. He gave us a 24-hour respite each week, and this doesn’t mean that we must not carve out time every single day for rest (Exodus 20:8-11). When we cannot take the time to care for ourselves, we will find our overworked, undernourished, and fatigued bodies succumbing to many maladies. A powerful mind lives in a strong body.
We say we love ourselves, yet everything we do contradicts this. We spend countless hours trying to entertain and please people, cooking, cleaning, and running errands to the detriment of our health. What about us? Are we not important enough to step aside and spend some time with ourselves to nurture and nourish our body mind and spirit? Yesterday, the world awakened to the shocking news of the death of another celebrity, DJ Twitch, who from his outward appearance had it all going for him. Yet no one saw the longing of his soul because it cannot be seen with human eyes. People are crying out for more and it is not for more money, and followers on social media but for more quality time with “ME”. This is one of the most selfless things you can do for yourself. Some are afraid to withdraw from public life for a while because it is not the thing they do, fearing public backlash or losing followers. Let them leave. Many more will follow. A good friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17) and when people care about you, they allow you the space you need to take care of yourself and be authentic. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet they are not machines, and they break from time to time. The problem is that they often warn us by sending creaking, pesty sounds we do not want to hear. When we ignore them, it is to our detriment because a simple oil change can become a complete overhaul of the engine, which is the heart of the vehicle, and takes much longer to fix.
How to you spend time with yourself
Being kind to yourself is the first step in self-care. Instead of jumping out of bed in the morning, do it slowly. Look at yourself in the mirror and affirm yourself. Do the simple little things such as brushing your teeth, taking a shower, combing your hair, having a good meal, and being present while you are doing it. Put “you” at the top and bottom of your daily schedule every day because you are more important than anything you could ever do. Take mini-vacations, and long vacations, hug longer, and spend time alone or with people who are “self-carers” not “self-drainers.”
Live your life on your terms
Stop allowing people to manipulate you into doing what they think you should be doing. Find yourself and do those things that are meaningful to you and nurture your mind and body. Don’t be afraid to start all over. Sometimes this is what many of us need to do instead of remaining stuck in the corner we have placed ourselves in. Give yourself permission to move out and explore the world around you and your innate gifts. We all have many gifts, but we harp on just one which is just as draining. Try something new daily. You might find that you have more talents than you think. Listen to your heart and do what it is telling you to do without fear. Life is risky and one cannot live without taking risks: take a hike, go bungee jumping, zip-lining. Do something fun and amazing!
Spend quality time with God
Put God first in your life. Set aside time to be with Him daily because He is the power source of all wisdom. Talk with Him about your life, concerns, family, the future because He yearns to hear them. Read the Bible daily and praise Him as well. He wants to comfort you when you are broken by giving you that safe space to heal. He wants to guide and give you the life He has planned for you.
Spend quality time with family
God created us to be a community. We are never meant to be alone. Spending quality time with family creates bonds and trust, provides support, and improves our overall health. Those who don’t have a family can spend time with friends or church members because this is good for you and increases longevity.
Although it is good to do good, let your first good be taking care of you today!
Now when Job’s friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and comfort him.
Go, Sit, and Support
How do you relate to those who are suffering from personal loss, chronic illnesses, or tragedy? Most people will pick up the phone and call, send a card, and sometimes money. These well-intentioned mean nothing to the person who is saddled with grief and pain. The greatest gift you could give to anyone who is suffering from illness, grief, or personal loss is to show up and be present. When people are at the most vulnerable points in their lives, they need family and friends to surround them with love, empathy, understanding, and positivity. Since the pain is incomprehensible, these little acts of love will go a long way toward the healing process.
When the devil slapped boils all over Job’s body, he lost his health and, as a result, bore excruciating pain every day and night. His three friends, when they heard of his sufferings, made an appointment to visit him. While they were afar, they noticed the shadow of the man he once was and were overcome with deep emotions. They wept bitterly, rented their mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their head, which is a symbol of fasting. These men loved their friends and all the love, support and encouragement, compassion poured out of them through tears. I am reminded of when Jesus wept shortly before raising Lazarus from death(John 11:35-45). When was the last time you cried with someone who was going through pain and suffering?
They sat on the ground with him for 7 days and 7 nights, and they all did it in silence because through empathy they understood the extent of his suffering. I would love to have friends like these, and I am sure you would too. When our loved ones and friends are hurting, we must make the time to visit with them and comfort them even for one meaningful hour. They will appreciate it. And while you are there, just remain quiet because they don’t need your opinion and your not-so-funny jokes. Wrong timing! Only your presence is appreciated.
Another interesting thing that these conscientious friends did was remain silent for the first 7 days. When people are in deep anguish, the last thing they want to do is to talk. They respected Job so much that they gave him the space which allowed him to speak only when he was ready. It took him 7 days to utter his first words. He needed that time to think and reflect on what had happened to him and his friends empowered him with their support to do so. Many have criticized Job’s friends for judging him however, they failed to acknowledge the positive aspects of their character. They were genuine friends, not superficial, and even the best of us will mess up. Many of us can learn how to become authentic Christian friends through these three men. I challenge you to read prayerfully Job 2 and let it change your life today.
Our world has become a diverse place because of people traveling from every corner of the earth to different countries around the world. Often they bring with them not only their customs and traditions but the different species of bacteria that are unique to their country. Parasites are everywhere. They are in our food, water systems, and the air we breathe.
Carl Zimmer in his book “Parasites Inside the Bizarre World of Nature’s Most Dangerous Creatures”, prefaces the horrific story of a young boy named Justin from a remote town called Tambura in Southern Sudan. He was only twelve years old. His frail body was laid on a thin frame of a bed. His shoulders were thin and his belly curved inward like a bowl. His neck was so swollen that it was hard to tell where the back of his head began. His eyes bulged in a froglike way, and his nostrils were clogged shut. His neck and back were so stiff that when lifted by a nurse, he rose like a plank. For weeks his body had been overrun with a single-celled parasite, and the medicine he was getting was not effective.
Causes of Parasitic Invasion
Parasites are dangerous organisms that disrupt the friendly bacteria balance in the body. As the name suggests, they live off other organisms with the sole purpose of thriving while destroying everything in their path that they foresee as a hindrance. Parasitic infection many times lies at the root of many illnesses. Our bodies are the host to a vibrant ecosystem. This vast array of species of bacteria that populate this system is known as the microbiome forms a coordinated defense system against harmful pathogens. However, there are times when this perfect balance is disrupted because of chronic stress, poor diet and lack of exercise which can lead to long-term illnesses. Also, the quality of the food that is eaten these days is devoid of their nutrients due to over-processing and soil erosion. This is where the topsoil is displaced due to wind, rain, snow, humans and other environmental factors. Also, the soil loses its richness over time because of the planting of crops back-to-back hence the land does not get any chance to rest and re-mineralize. According to (Exodus 23:10-11) For six years, you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
Signs of Parasitic Infestation
Coupled with this are other factors that affect our environment, such as toxic waste from pesticides and chemicals that impact our water systems. In third-world countries, parasites are prevalent because of the scarcity of proper drinking water and sanitary conditions. When a breach takes place, it leaves the door wide open for the predators to seize the opportunity to destroy the good bacteria by creating dysbiosis in our digestive tract. For many, this is the start of their digestive woes; bloating, cramps, nausea, belching, GERD, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, cravings, an insatiable appetite even after having eaten for a short period, weight gain or loss, flushing of the skin, mental health problems such as depression, apathy, and moodiness, unexplained weakness, tachycardia attacks, headaches, restlessness, chronic fatigue, ringing in the ears, difficulty breathing, unexplained breathing issues, bad breath, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, blurred vision, floaters in the eyes, itchiness especially in the back and around the anus, grinding of the teeth and bed-wetting, especially in children, outbursts of anger, anemia, and an overall diminished vitality that significantly impacts one’s quality of life. Do you sometimes feel like you’ve been bitten on the inside? That was a parasite. They make a meal of you and they know how to hide so that you can never find them or when you do, it may be too late. When these insidious enemies take over the control of our delicate ecosystem, they create a toxic overload that causes chaos in the body and results in a compromised immune system that allows them to remain undetected. With compromised immunity, we are prone to develop a host of chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, food intolerance, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other immunosuppressive diseases.
Cleanliness
Parasites are everywhere, and we can prevent them if we practice cleanliness. For example, washing our hands after using the bathroom, playing with pets, before eating, and practicing hand washing for good hygiene throughout the day. There are millions of people all over the world who are affected by parasites and are not aware of this because some of them are good at living in the body for years, causing no symptoms. Some of the most common forms of parasites found in humans are tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. You can read more about them at this link: https://www.newscientist.com/gallery/mg20327161300-enemy-within-human-parasites/
In Deuteronomy 23:10-14, God gave instructions to the children of Israel about the cleaning of their environment. If there be among you any man, that is not clean because of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp: But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again. Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee: For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
My Experience with Parasites
Some years ago, I suddenly began feeling unwell. It was just a general feeling of malaise. Since I was very concerned about this, I called a friend in New York to discuss it. She said parasites caused it. It made little sense to me however; I went along with her suggestion to buy an herbal compound recommended. I ordered it online, and it arrived within days. It was a 14-day detox, and I started taking it immediately. One of the first things I noticed was that there were black spots on certain parts of my body. Although I was scared, I continued with the product because in my previous research I had learned that the skin is the biggest elimination organ for moving toxins quickly out of the body. I was purged and within a short time, not only did I feel better, but the spots went away, leaving me with radiant skin. Sadly, I did not follow the instructions and repeated the treatment for the next two months.
Managing Parasitic infection
Parasitic infection is very complex, hence it is very difficult to get rid of it, and sometimes, medical intervention is required. However, there is hope as there are so many simple things that you can do to make your gut an unfriendly host to them. Eat more fiber-rich vegetables, especially those that are bitter, roasted pumpkin seed with cayenne pepper, pineapple, papaya, garlic, onions, and sesame seeds, and eat generously from the cruciferous family; cabbage, broccoli, kale, radishes, and arugula. Certain herbs are effective against parasites however, these should be prescribed by a trained herbalist. Avoid all sugars, even those that are healthy because parasites thrive on sugars. Also, consider doing intermittent fasting a couple of days per week, drinking herbal teas and detoxing every three months. Lastly, seek divine guidance because the God who made you has the power to heal your body.
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor am I promoting any products. The views in this post are mine and are not intended to treat or cure parasitic infections.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
We are all flawed as humans. None of us is righteous despite our best efforts to do what is right consistently. Some of us have secret flaws while others have flaws that are openly displayed: rage, anger, hatred, jealousy, malice, envy, covetousness, and strife. Surrendering is often difficult, especially where anger is concerned. It is a powerful emotion that is often destructive, yet many of us succumb to it. When we recognize our flaws are destructive, we must go to God, confess them and ask for His forgiveness. However, do not expect them to disappear immediately. God wants us to hate the flaw and be determined to overcome it in His strength, hence it requires the flexing of our muscles. He will test us with those same flaws until we are victorious. The testings are designed to help instead of punishing because God wants us to die to self daily.
Most of us have had these flaws all our lives and we cannot expect to just pray them away. It takes work that we must do with the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our victory is determined by the amount of effort we are willing to make, although it might take years. Don’t blame God when you find yourself still being unkind, angry, hateful, or jealous. It is because of your selfishness. You have not forsaken and surrendered those negative emotions to God. Sometimes maybe we find it too challenging, a cherished sin, or maybe we are too weak, hence this flaw remains a stronghold in our lives. As we yield ourselves to God, His Holy Spirit will grant us peace even amidst the war against the flesh and confusion. The battle is often won with humility, sincerity and patience. God wants to remove every stain of imperfection from us therefore, He invites us to come to Him for help.
