Thus, the first and the best victory is to conquer self.
Do not feel resentful because life has not given you what you want yet, your time will come, just have a little faith and be true to yourself. However, you cannot always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes you must dare to jump..! But, start somewhere. The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole, hence you ought to start somewhere. The day you get comfortable is the day your real opportunity passes you by. Every day you wait is another day you would not get back. The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.
You may have great intentions but, unless you let your actions speak louder than your words, nothing will ever unfold. A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action. If there is no action, you have not truly decided. “...The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)
In the meantime, I would like to encourage you to enjoy life by limiting your emotional baggage to a small carry-on. Sometimes you just got to leave people to do the things they do, trying to hurt you. But, you know you are matured when you realize that every situation does not need a reaction. There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take all to God in prayer. Just like Jesus, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. (1 Peter 2:23)
Perhaps, some have not apologised to you because they are ashamed of their actions. Forgive them anyway, be okay with a sorry you never got because forgiveness un-blocks your blessing. Do it, you are worth it. May God’s favour find you, causes you to be at the right place, at the right time, giving you good success.
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“May God’s glorious name forever receive honour. Amen.” (Galatians 1:5)
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Three
POSITIVE EMOTIONS: LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND HAPPINESS
(a). Love (The love of God)
Love is a feeling, a deep feeling that bring lots of emotions. It involves feelings of exhilaration, intense passion, and ecstasy. When you are in love with someone, it touches our body, soul and spirit. You are there to care, support and work together to solve problems. You’re willing to stand by this person in good times and bad. As there are different types of love but, there is only one love, same feeling deep in our heart and mind.
Thus, love is not only between man and woman or children and parents but between family and friends. For love takes its origin from God. It is by love which God is known. When He puts two persons together, He also put love so that they can love and support each other in marriage.
Today, many people has made this pure word become dirty, love is not sex and sex is not love. God in his infinite wisdom designed our bodies to give and receive pleasure in the confines of marriage. “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable.”(1 Thessalonians 4:4)
But, God’s love is different from people. For it is divine and perfect. It converts the soul. It is better than all rubies, diamonds, and riches untold. To know him is to love him, obey and follow his commandments. However, obedience is not the evidence that you love God. Love is the enablement to obey Him. If you love Him it is easy to keep His commandments. For there is nothing you can do to make your “Heavenly Dad” love you any less or any more except by following His statutes. Just as He said in His words: “If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)
It can be way too easy to forget the love God has for you, when we live in such a dark and broken world. But, today be assured that He loves you. The mistakes you did yesterday do not dictate the love that God has for you today. For God sees us as we can be and loves us as we are. Likewise, do not look at people through eyes of judgment; look at them through eyes of mercy. For you do not know what they have been through. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Unfortunately, people who are supposed to love us are not always able to give us the kind of love we need. Whether they are friends, mothers, fathers, grandparents, significant others, siblings, family, no matter how good their intentions are, sometimes they leave us still feeling empty, invalidated, un-cared for, and alone.
And on the days when that pain becomes too much to bear, our work is just to recognise that those people whose love we so desperately want are never going to be able to meet our needs. Not because they do not care but, because they cannot change who they are. They are human beings, only God can fulfil our every need. Because His love is unfailing. It is never changing. It is a greater love than anyone else in the world. Therefore nothing in all creation can ever separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
No matter who you are, if you allow God to shape your life, you can be used by Him for great things. There are times when God will use you in someone else’s life; though it may not be pretty or comfortable but, they also need to see Jesus through you. Those who walk in God’s new kind of love never injure anyone so, never take advantage of anyone. Simply walk and live in God’s love. Because people do not always need advice. Sometimes all they need is a hand to hold, ear to listen and a heart to understand. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
This is a time to love and appreciate those around you - near and far. To prioritise and to start over. Start loving yourself for everything you already are. Stop hating yourself for everything you are not. For every part of you was lovingly planned. Every detail was master- fully crafted. You are loved by the Lord unconditionally. He even said in His words “…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.“(Jeremiah 31:3). So, let your Father’s affection gives you security and courage to face the future. Do not fear.
Life has done nothing to you that God cannot make it work out for you, because with God every mistake is correctable and every sin can be forgiven, if only you will put it in His hands. Hence, you cannot comprehend how much God loves you until you mess up and see how He responds. When you have prayed and done all you can, leave it up to God. It is time to let God do what you cannot do. For God uses everything, nothing is wasted. What you went through yesterday, God may use it to help someone today.
The hardships you endured, God will allow them to speak into other people who are following the same path. So, do not be ashamed of your past. Your scars are proof that God heals. Your story is not over, God is not done with you yet. “He who began a good work in you will continue to perform it until it is complete.” (Philippians 1:6)
(b). Human Love (Romantic)
Have you realised that when you have a quarrel with someone, you tell it to everyone without any fear. But if you
