Don't be a pessimist!

A friend of mine drove by this church one day and took a quick picture of this billboard and sent me a text. At first, I had to ask her what it meant but when I re-read it, I realized the meaning of it. You can laugh about this, but you sure as well know that it is so true! I mean, how many times have we doubted ourselves when we face a challenge? How many times have we complained about difficult issues or problems cannot seem to resolve? Or maybe, how many times have we told ourselves, "I cannot do this?" I have done this countless of times! You know, it isn't as hard as you think it is...

The Bible says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." There is nothing that is impossible which God gives us to do. It may feel like it at that moment, but when you go through it with the Lord's strength and then as you look back, you realize the amazing victory you have achieve through Christ! We made the problem bigger than it actually seems.

Since the beginning of this year, I made a commitment to completely read the whole Bible in a year. Right now, I'm reading the book of Exodus when God uses Moses to bring the Israelites out Egypt after being in slavery for about 400 to 430 years. The part that I'm at loss of words is about how much grumbling and complaining the Israelites had when God CLEARLY provided and protected them out of Egypt. The Israelites complained to Moses about not having water or food repetitively, yet no matter how many times, God still gave them what they needed. The Israelites disobeyed God's instructions from time to time. I had to shake my head and say, "Jeez!" But then I realized that I have put myself in a similar position many of times. I have tried to argue with God and say, "Well, only if...this...or...that...then I will be able to do it or have the confidence." The more I realize my faulty thinking, the more I understand that the Lord is asking of my faith in Him. I have tried to put it in practice that whatever opportunity comes in my life that I would pray about it and seek God's will in this and then put it into action without any questions. Sure, there have been times when it's been difficult and I've wrestled with God, but in the end when I do pull through, I look back in victory.

For example, I moved to a new place recently (new state, new city, new people, new job, new ministry, etc...). It was hard to take that first step. The job that I accepted wasn't what I wanted, but in the next couple of weeks another job opened up and was offered to me. It wasn't anything that I thought I'd ever do and I had absolutely no experience in it. After I considered the possibility and prayed to God about it, I felt that it was a challenge that God had prepared for me. I was so scared, but boldly took on this responsibility. The first day on the job, I was a nervous wreck! The first week on the job, I cried almost every night and I REALLY WANTED TO QUIT! I complained here and there. I was negative about my abilities and qualifications. I kept telling myself that this isn't what I got my degree in...only if I had that other job, I'd be a better fit for it. Deep down inside I knew I was only fooling myself. No matter what job I would accept, it will be a challenge. Every morning, I prayed to the Lord for help and to constantly teach me how to remain humble. One day after another, a new challenge came and things got progressively harder. Even though it got harder, I became stronger with the help of the Lord. Yes, I still complained every now and then like the Israelites did on their journey to the promise land, but I still put my faith and trust in the Lord. Today as I look back, I realize that the Lord has been working in my life and in the lives of others around me! The Lord is so good and He is still bringing on new challenges in my life. I know that His timing is perfect and that He will not give me more than what I cannot handle.

I have a new opportunity that arose and will be facing a new challenge beginning this week. Yes, I'm scared as heck, but I choose to have faith in the Lord and to trust Him with my life. I remember a little over two years ago I received a confirmation from the Lord regarding my life and I continue to hold onto that to this day. My prayer is that this will be passed to you and that you will choose to BELIEVE in it. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."