It was morning and I was not feeling well. I felt cold and warm so I took a nap hoping the feeling would fade away. I prayed as I tried to get a little sleep to ease the cold and warmth I was feeling. It sounded ironic the way I put it, but if you are a normal human being this is exactly how you feel when you are about to get sick, you feel cold and hot. As I experienced this irony in my body, anxiety began to take over me about my plans for the first few days of 2021. I might put it behind and lose some finances due to my sickness.
Episodes just like this in my life remind me of my humanity, that there is a weakness in me, that I am limited in different aspects, yet I know that I am enough for the purpose He has entrusted me. God has supplied and will supply whatever I need. This is also a loving nudge from God that I must learn to let go of the things I can't control and fully trusting Him that all things will work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The year 2021 is not an exemption to the war that has been occurring even before I existed here on earth. A spiritual war has been going on since Satan rebelled against God. And the battleground for this war is our mind, thus we should fill our minds with good thoughts and ideas that edify us towards the kingdom of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
Living a victorious life is never easy, surely there are times of failure and losses, but He is faithful and Christ is enough. He will bring comfort in our troubled times. He will be with us when we face tribulation in our life. He will not forsake us. The LORD is always with us.
I am in the process of knowing God more and seeking Him to have that personal and intimate relationship. There are times that I waver and neglect my time with Him so I tried to improve some of my habits that will help me in my journey to know and experience Him more. I listed down below some of the materials that help me with this spiritual journey with God:
1. Journal Notebook
Ever since I decided to become a writer I always tend or prefer to pen down my thoughts and feelings in a notebook, but I was never consistent. Most of the time I just brush off the chances of penning down those thoughts and feelings. But the year 2020 made the difference, I was more determined to utilize my journal notebook in talking my thoughts and feelings with God. Hopefully, 2021 will bring the same determination as I continue to seek more of God.
2. 365-Day / Everyday Devotional
Recently, I began reading the Bible from the beginning, the book of Genesis. I was having trust issues with what the church was telling about Jesus. This was a struggle I opened to my Discipleship Group leader and other members. They prayed for me and gave references for me to watch, read, and meditate upon. Aside from reading the Bible, I thought it would be nice to have this everyday devotional book by Max Lucado.
3. Pens and Highlighters
I use Dong-A Fine Tech, they are more affordable than its other competitor. I get the quality I want at a much lower price. It is also refillable. For highlighters, I have ones from Stabilo Boss and Schneider Job collections. I just need the basics for penning down my thoughts and feelings, and sometimes my conversations with God. I also tried writing stories and poems on notebooks, but it appears to me that I am not making any progress right now.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Happy new year! God bless everyone!
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