Reading Job there's encouragement, maybe never more so when we feel like Job. In chapter 3, for instance, Job is given to lament his existence, hating the fact of his birth.
Consider this sample:
"Why is light given to one burdened with grief,
and life to those whose existence is bitter?" (v. 20)
This whole chapter Job appears practically suicidal. He reveals just how we all feel when we're encamped in grief. Everyone in grief has surely experienced something of what Job 3:20 is talking about having woken from their sleep and wanting desperately to return to unconsciousness.
As we read His Word, especially in that Joban position, God ministers to us through His Spirit. We're encouraged by someone else's lament. Their discouragement is a source of our encouragement, and this is the way God heals us in community - through shared experience.
When we feel less isolated we're able to cope better with suffering.
When we read of another's plight we don't feel so alone.
As we're coupled to an empathic community, God's mercy is felt as His comfort flows.
The Bible in our world is that community of God where many biblical characters are mentors. Some, and some stories, are there for our wisdom. To not go there. Not making the same mistakes.
The accounts we read in the Bible are so lifelike that nothing we could share of the life we live here and now could make it blush.
Those who think the Bible is for happy-clappy Christians obviously haven't read the Old Testament. And the truth of Jesus' Passion is the stuff of a Restricted-rated movie. Many times Paul despaired.
When we open our Bibles to 2 Corinthians it helps us most when we're undergoing a trial.
God's Word ministers truth into our souls through the vestibule of grace. The truth we need at the time is acquired through a search, and it meets us through His grace.
This is why the Bible is so important, especially in a world where post-truth and post-fact are real concepts. The Bible is a book of truth.
God's Word can encourage us most when we read of a biblical character's discouragement.
When we find ourselves in the narrative, we're instantly touched and heartened.
Source
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Why Faith Makes So Much Sense
Wisdom vindicates faith, which means that, only from the aspect of hindsight can anyone see that, by their faith, the best behavioural responses were worth it.
Only as we look back with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight do we see the wisdom in the action of faith; just like we'd see the folly in the fearful, false and unloving action of unbelief.
Faith makes so much sense when we look back with hindsight. We trusted in good things to occur. We believed enough to do the right thing. We decided that even if things wouldn't turn out one hundred percent of the time - and rarely do they turn out with such unerring reliability - that it was worth the pitch. Faith, it was decided, was worth the risk. And, much of the time it isn't a risk, as it is vindicated by wisdom.
It was worth it to forgive, because the person reciprocated to our grace.
It was worth it to forgive, because, though they haven't responded yet, one day they might, and besides, God is pleased. That's enough. That's wisdom. That's faith moving forward in the present with the audacity of wisdom to be experienced in a future present.
Faith makes so much sense for the simple reason that what is done in faith works out well more of the time.
Have you noticed the interplay between faith and wisdom on a continuum?
The more faith we invest in the present, the more wisdom vindicates the action in a future present. Faith moves in the faith that a present action will redeem a positive result in a future present.
Faith is worth it because it is the foresight of wisdom.
The more faith sown, the more wisdom reaped.
Source
Only as we look back with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight do we see the wisdom in the action of faith; just like we'd see the folly in the fearful, false and unloving action of unbelief.
Faith makes so much sense when we look back with hindsight. We trusted in good things to occur. We believed enough to do the right thing. We decided that even if things wouldn't turn out one hundred percent of the time - and rarely do they turn out with such unerring reliability - that it was worth the pitch. Faith, it was decided, was worth the risk. And, much of the time it isn't a risk, as it is vindicated by wisdom.
It was worth it to forgive, because the person reciprocated to our grace.
It was worth it to forgive, because, though they haven't responded yet, one day they might, and besides, God is pleased. That's enough. That's wisdom. That's faith moving forward in the present with the audacity of wisdom to be experienced in a future present.
Faith makes so much sense for the simple reason that what is done in faith works out well more of the time.
Have you noticed the interplay between faith and wisdom on a continuum?
The more faith we invest in the present, the more wisdom vindicates the action in a future present. Faith moves in the faith that a present action will redeem a positive result in a future present.
Faith is worth it because it is the foresight of wisdom.
The more faith sown, the more wisdom reaped.
Source
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Living A Life Without Mind Dominance
We, as humans, have unlimited possibilities to choose whatever we like and succeed in everything. The only condition is that we remain connected to our Source and free ourselves from mind dominance once and for all. Minds keeps us away from our Source -from where all of us have come-and keeps us disconnected from it. Why it does it? Because it is an instrument of EGO. Mind and EGO are, in fact inseparable. They are one and the same. Both want more and more to be accumulated. The mind keeps us trapped in a major misunderstanding that we lack something. Whereas, the fact of the matter is, we lack nothing. We are whole and complete. We are divine. So if we want to activate unlimited potential lying dormant within us; we have to say good bye to our mind and break the illusion of separation from the Source which the mind makes us to believe. Once we are convinced that we are firmly connected to our Source, and there is no separation, the whole world belongs to us!
Now it seems as if what I have paraphrased above is quite difficult to achieve. In fact, contrary to it holds true. It is very simple to connect to your Source anytime and anywhere! You just to have to do a simple exercise that won't take more than five minutes of your busy schedule. Here is what it is. Just sit in a quite place and start observing your breathing. Just inhale and exhale normally, as you usually do. By observing this breathing pattern only for a few minutes, you will find yourself totally in the present moment. Totally in the NOW state-as others prefer to call it. To your amazement, you will observe that the clutter of unwanted thoughts of multitude of varieties has stopped suddenly. Now observe your thoughts. Just observe and do nothing else. Say to yourself " Well let us see what next thought comes to my mind". You will be surprised to note that several minutes will pass before you will be able to observe another thought coming to your mind. Whereas before it was a like a bombardment of several thousand of thoughts on you from your mind. Why is it so? It is because the thoughts, or mind has lost its control over you. You have conquered your mind. Mind cannot stand present moment. Present moment is a killer of thoughts. It, the mind, needs past or future to get hold of you. When you are totally present, it loses its grip on you and is unable to disturb you any more. Interesting? Is not It? You have been able to connect yourself successfully to your Source which is only available to you on the present moment.
Time, mind and ego are, in fact, inseparable. If you want to live fully, just be in this moment. Rebel against mind dominance. Say to your mind loudly " I do not want to be your prisoner any more." Now the question naturally arises do we really do not need our mind. Answer is both YES and NO. To deal with all practical aspects of our life, we need it, like meeting someone, keeping track of our commitments, doing every day common tasks. But we do not need it when it reminds us of past failures or future uncertainties and anxieties. Remember, the only reality is NOW, the present moment. All other states like past an future are an illusion, only in your mind, but with no reality.
In short, if you no longer want to live a life of pain and misery any more and want to life happily then practice living in the NOW -without giving a chance to your mind to dominate you. At first, it will be a little difficult but slowly and gradually you will be able to live fully in the present and a feeling of inner joy and peace will embrace you.
Source
Now it seems as if what I have paraphrased above is quite difficult to achieve. In fact, contrary to it holds true. It is very simple to connect to your Source anytime and anywhere! You just to have to do a simple exercise that won't take more than five minutes of your busy schedule. Here is what it is. Just sit in a quite place and start observing your breathing. Just inhale and exhale normally, as you usually do. By observing this breathing pattern only for a few minutes, you will find yourself totally in the present moment. Totally in the NOW state-as others prefer to call it. To your amazement, you will observe that the clutter of unwanted thoughts of multitude of varieties has stopped suddenly. Now observe your thoughts. Just observe and do nothing else. Say to yourself " Well let us see what next thought comes to my mind". You will be surprised to note that several minutes will pass before you will be able to observe another thought coming to your mind. Whereas before it was a like a bombardment of several thousand of thoughts on you from your mind. Why is it so? It is because the thoughts, or mind has lost its control over you. You have conquered your mind. Mind cannot stand present moment. Present moment is a killer of thoughts. It, the mind, needs past or future to get hold of you. When you are totally present, it loses its grip on you and is unable to disturb you any more. Interesting? Is not It? You have been able to connect yourself successfully to your Source which is only available to you on the present moment.
Time, mind and ego are, in fact, inseparable. If you want to live fully, just be in this moment. Rebel against mind dominance. Say to your mind loudly " I do not want to be your prisoner any more." Now the question naturally arises do we really do not need our mind. Answer is both YES and NO. To deal with all practical aspects of our life, we need it, like meeting someone, keeping track of our commitments, doing every day common tasks. But we do not need it when it reminds us of past failures or future uncertainties and anxieties. Remember, the only reality is NOW, the present moment. All other states like past an future are an illusion, only in your mind, but with no reality.
In short, if you no longer want to live a life of pain and misery any more and want to life happily then practice living in the NOW -without giving a chance to your mind to dominate you. At first, it will be a little difficult but slowly and gradually you will be able to live fully in the present and a feeling of inner joy and peace will embrace you.
Source
Saturday, 11 February 2017
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