“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:28-29Â
Last week, God used Jackie Pullinger to speak to me and reminded me again and again that His unfailing love is all I ever needed to pull through the difficult situations in my life.Â
Before the Mid Year Exams, I was being placed in tough situations which discouraged me a lot. I know this is a very important year for me because I’ll be having my O’s and I’d been struggling with my studies from the start of the year. Friends, family, teachers and even my principal pressurized me with their expectations of me. Words brought me down and I felt so helpless, tired, lost, and lonely.Â
Then one night, I was so desperate for help that I began to question God and asked Him why things turned out that way. I found myself worrying about things I should not be worrying about. God then spoke to me through this verse, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34) Jesus reminded me that worrying will get me nowhere, instead, if I take a step towards Him, He will give me relief from my burdens and strength to overcome anything.Â
During Jackie Pullinger’s conference, God reminded me that even when things aren’t meeting up to my expectations and plans (or those of others), never doubt that He will fulfill His unique purpose for me. Instead, I should continue seeking Him and be hungry for Him because He is the solution to all problems. Though I was broken, tattered and torn, I never lost my value in God and He still loves me. That’s the only thing I needed to know – to be loved by someone greater than anything else.Â
Life is full of decisions and I’m in the midst of making an important decision that may affect my life in one way or another. Yet God reminded me once again to not fear of what choice to make because whatever I do, He will never abandon me. Since I’d decided to follow Him all the days of my life, I should trust Him to make all things, including the disappointments and struggles in my life, work out for my benefit.Â
I will claim God’s promise, “‘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.’” – Jeremiah 29:11Â
Last week, I received back my results. Though I did not meet the expectations of everyone else, God knows I’d tried my best and He’s proud of me. He will strengthen me and make my paths straight.Â
Sometimes we just need to learn to keep our eyes focused on God and not on what other people have got to say about us. After all it’s God we’re living for, not others.Â
Studies matter a lot to me, and this must be the reason why God used this to teach me what life is all about. I was trying too hard to live up to expectations, and God made me just the way He wanted me to be, not what people expect me to be. And today I’ve realised that I do not have to live up to the expectations of others. All I need to do is to be myself, do my best, yet keep God in first place, and He’ll do the rest.Â
I was afraid, I was scared. I didn’t have the courage to choose for myself because I was scared to make the wrong decision. After these two weeks of claiming God’s promises, I believe I’ll never be alone because my God is Emmanuel and He will be with me every painful step.Â
Janice Ang (Gina’s Tribe)
