DO NOT PRETEND TO BE STRONG

 

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Cruised down the TV channels this early morning and stumbled on this program of Bo Sanchez of the Kerygma community. Many things he said but one line caught my attention......

"Do not pretend to be strong"

What he meant was not to choose to be alone in your misery. Reach out and connect, seek help. Prayer is fine but God also sends out helpers to help you.

Then again here's also from other preachers who say "Be strong" with such conviction.
But then.......

'pretending to be strong' and 'being strong' are two things different. Right?

Made me think....

We know that 'pretending to be someone or something which you are not and don't feel' won't get you anywhere. We know that. But still some do dip their fingers into that sea hoping that they would catch tons of fish for themselves. The fact is the sea of pretense and falsehood is what it is... false. Whatever you build or create out of falsehood stands on flimsy foundation. As a result... relationships crumble, trust is destroyed, businesses flounder, respect disintegrates, love demolished without any thought. Nothing is real or lasting nor enduring. And you'll find yourself so much more alone that you ever planned to be.

Being strong is who you are when in-spite of bad fortune and bad relationships, you stand with both feet on firm ground unafraid, authentic and true. You make choices which lead you to a better life, help you heal, take you to higher ground of accomplishment, lead you to new doors of opportunities, and connect with people who truly care and love you. Being strong is knowing your own weaknesses and strength and working on that which helps you grow, progress, and mature. Being strong is deciding to live life on your own terms and not those dictated or imposed upon you by anyone or by some dire circumstance. Being strong is being you..... by divine design. And that makes God truly happy and proud.

By the way, if and when in your life you go through some difficulty, big or small, just say this with your heart ---- "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". (I should know because I have tried it often and it works all the time)😇

God bless you, friends. Remember you are never alone. Never🌹 And remember also to be kind. Pay kindness forward.

HEAVEN IS NOT A FARAWAY PLACE

 

"Don’t search for heaven and hell in the future. Both are now present. Whenever we manage to love without expectations, calculations, negotiations, we are indeed in heaven. Whenever we fight, hate, we are in hell."    ~ Shams Tabrizi

That's right. Heaven is not a faraway place, though it's okay too to think that it is. But truth is, where there is the presence of God --- is heaven's place. And that could be anywhere where you put in some good. In our mundane day to day lives as we consciously do good to ourselves, others, animals, mother nature, and the rest of the world.... Wherever good is --- God is.

What about hell? It's here, too. When we allow the evil one to influence our lives turning it into such a big horrifying mess. Like whenever bad rears its ugly head in our character-----    whenever we allow it to dominate us...    whenever we consent to the bad of others...    whenever we turn blind towards injustice, cheating, falsehood of any kind...    whenever we serve greed, meanness, cruelty, pride, ego...    whenever we think ourselves superior to other living creatures...    whenever we twist religion to suit personal agenda...    whenever we consider bad as good and some good as bad to suit personal convenience....     whenever we stick to being wrong because it's easier to remain inside our comfort zones.....    and everything else and more along those lines.  That's hell ....... and we certainly give the devil every reason to have a party.

So then....    what's it gonna be ----  heaven  or  hell?
The choice is ours to make.  It always is.
This is just one life -----  make it count.
Blessings, everyone.