After my last blog “fan into flame the gift of God: my journey in the interpretation and translation ministry“, the preacher whom I mentioned in it shared with me that, although she was the one who encouraged me years ago to spur me on my journey in the interpretation ministry, this time round it was my writing that encouraged her in return at a time when she was most challenged with what life entailed.
It was uplifting to know that the sharing of my journey with simple words encouraged not just another sister in Christ but my very own encourager. The conversation about not only the encouragers needed encouragements but also on us switching our roles brought to mind my own encounter recently. I chanced upon the following passages that offered me strength and assurance during this time when I am experiencing some turbulent moments in my life involving some health concerns of my family members.
“When we are so challenged with what goes on around us and feeling helpless, we worship God! When we are feeling despair or anguish that our prayers have yet to be answered, we worship God! When that small still voice in our heart is drowned out by the noises and worries of the world, we worship God! The more we are distracted, feeling defeated and/or do not feel like worshipping, the more we need to worship God!
I remind myself often that we must not fix our eyes on the troubles and difficulties at hand but lift our eyes and shift our focus to God, and worship Him. As we quieten ourselves down before the Lord, praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth, God will come and meet with us, and His peace that transcends all understanding will fall upon us. We know God is ultimately in control of all things and as for now, let us hold on fast to our faith — not a great faith but faith for a great God, and trust and worship Him!”
I was greatly encouraged and comforted as I read and re-read the words, words that I myself, an amateur blogger wrote 5 years ago! Never would I have envisaged that this straightforward piece that I blogged years ago to encourage others, would one day be the very encouragement and reminder I needed at this particular period of time when I feel the most helpless.
We come into God’s reassuring presence when we seek and draw near to Him. On this occasion, God’s assurance and guidance was felt when He used my own writing to help me get up and re-adjust my vision. It might sound amusing but I literally take my own word for it! I have reminded myself to hold on to what is important and do what is right!
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Colourful Threads of Life 