Thriving in the valleys of life

I subscribe to the daily devotional messages from Today God is First (TGIF) and found today's devotion a pertinent one given my recent interaction with acquaintances and friends, who seem to be going through tough times.

Though I didn't invite or ask to hear about other's problems and frustrations, it does seem that for two consecutive days, I seem to be the target of the frustrated, depressed and oppressed. They have sought me out to vent and pour out their anger and frustrations.

What does one do in such situations?

I do my best to listen. I try to discern the real situation. And I prayerfully consider what I should say to them.

While it would have been the easier route to say "I am busy and don't have time for this!" I could not bring myself to turn away when the troubled desperately needed my pair of listening ears and perhaps, my two-cents worth of perspective.

Furthermore, when such instances happen once too many times, I realize that perhaps God may have chosen to use me in such situations; first to listen, then to prayerfully discern, and speak words of encouragement and life into the troubled person's situation.

While it is easy to nod and agree with everything the troubled person says, as many people vent to others hoping to get agreement and justification for their anger ... it is quite difficult when you have a different perspective and insight into what God may be doing ...

It hasn't been easy delivering what I believe to be godly perspectives on situations ... delivering the message can cost me my friendship with this person ... and that's hard.

For those of you who have been troubled and oppressed by "enemies," consider Os Hilman's devotional message titled "Seeing Through God's Eyes."

Today's devotion was about dealing with our enemies and learning to see our enemies through God's eyes. When we understand why our "enemy" responds the way he/she does, we are "able to pray for him and genuinely love him in spite of the fact that he persecuted me. This is the kind of love Jesus wants us to have when He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us."

Hilman goes on to say, "I believe God does a special work of grace in those who go beyond the realm of normal response to persecution. He brings us to a level of grace we never thought possible. Describing how God worked in Joseph's life, Francis Frangipane reveals what happens when we tap into this grace:

God made him fruitful in the very things that afflicted him. In the land of your affliction, in your battle, is the place where God will make you fruitful. Consider, even now, the area of greatest affliction in your life. In that area, God will make you fruitful in such a way that your heart will be fully satisfied, and God's heart fully glorified. God has not promised to keep us from valleys and sufferings, but to make us fruitful in them. [Francis Frangipane, Place of Immunity (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Arrow Publications, 1996), 93]

May we be the modern-day Josephs whom God will make fruitful even in the midst of trials and sufferings.

It depends on who's on your side

When I look to the One who is larger than life itself and know that he has heard my prayer ...

To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world.
The perfect gateway, far from the buzz of traffic.
(Psalm 27: 4-5, The Message]

And when I hear this song and sing along, I sense the vastness of this God whom I worship and serve. I know that he is in charge, and my life is in his hands.



Almighty God by Tim Hughes

The rising Sun that fills the sky
The starry host that lights the night
Reflecting Your glory
The mountain heights, forever stand
The rain that falls to soak the land
Respond to Your glory

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

The vast expanse of earth and sea
Held by You in harmony
Speaks of Your glory
All You've made, since time began
Life itself; Your perfect plan
And it's all for Your glory

Creation joins as one to sing
“Glorious God.”
So far above all earthly things

And my response ...

Light, space, zest - that's you, my God!
So with you on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
[Psalm 27:1, The Message]

Would you believe it, after having experienced his presence and finding assurance of being by his side, I relaxed and was able to climb better and higher this afternoon.

My spirit is willing ...

After what seemed like a good start to the new year and only a month and a half into private climbing classes, progress is certain. However, of late, climbing seems to be an uphill task all the way ... with no buddy to take turns climbing, I have had to keep at it for most of the hour and boy, it sure has been exhausting and stressful for me.

Yes, the last class was a case in point ... I "dropped like flies" off the walls at Camp5. I don't know which is more bruised - my ego or my butt!

Regular occurences of sleepless nights or interrupted sleep for the third week and counting have not helped my climbing in any way either. Instead, I have found knitting to provide relief from my otherwise restless state of mind.

My spirit is ever willing to climb higher and push harder to get to the next level, but my flesh is weak. Isn't that the case, when one sets his/her sights on a prize/goal and begins the journey to attain it, that often times, when the going gets tough, the tough doesn't get going.

In my case, when the going gets tough, I go shopping! Only God and a few others know how many pairs of sweat pants and tops I have since purchased ... :-D

I think this is especially true for Christians who start off on a journey zealous and certain of the vision. When difficult times come, we give up all too easily and say that perhaps, it was not from God after all.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. [James 1:2-4, The Message]

I don't suppose shopping can be considered character building, but it certainly provides a resting place for many before the imminent return to the battlefield.

Knitting - the other extreme sport?

Last year, I started this blog over Chinese New Year break, and I have had great fun building my own website and seeking to capture experiences that will last a life time.

I thank you all for keeping up and in touch with me through this blog.

This year, apart from sleeping in every single day of the long Chinese New Year weekend, I will likely be knitting and hope to make greater progress in the two projects I have begun ...

(Above) Project 1: The front of the bolero-like cardigan







(Right) Project 1: The back

Project 2: It will be a grey-white cardigan when it's finished.

The goal is, of course, to complete at least one by the end of February, and the other by May 2008.

Here's wishing those who celebrate this special season Gong Xi Fa Cai and showers of blessings for 2008.