Tag: Jesus

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Feelings and the Truth

rebekahhime

When I was in the office, I thought I was okay. The day went smoothly as usual. But when I got home, that’s when I realized the pain of unfairness and injustice in the corporate world.

It was at home that the realization truly sank in—an incredibly painful surge of emotion for which no words are needed; only tears continued to pour down my cheeks.

I felt unworthy, unseen, and undervalued in the company.

Why do I feel this?

I recently found myself struggling with feelings of being undervalued after the decision was made to hire an external candidate for a senior role rather than promoting from within.

It is easy to get discouraged when your company hires someone younger than you for a senior role, especially when that person has zero experience in your line of business. Not to mention that you have given years of dedication and built significant experience in the company.

It was initially a difficult situation to process, and I felt quite discouraged.

I just can’t understand why I feel so bad. So many negative emotions are swirling inside me. Reality hits me hard. There are companies that do not nurture their existing employees but instead hire new ones. It feels like a slap in the face. Perhaps it is pride? Regardless, I really feel that it is unfair.

When I told my friend about my current situation, she asked me questions I could not dare to answer: “How do you feel about it? Are you okay being trampled on?”

It is easy to feel that you are not enough, that you are worthless.

I kept on crying. I didn’t want to go to the office the next day.

After taking some time for reflection, I found peace by refocusing on my faith and core values. I have come to realise that while corporate dynamics can be challenging, my personal worth is not defined solely by my professional title.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like going to the office the next day, but I realized that even if my company doesn’t see my worth and my efforts, even if they will not nurture me, I have a God who sees me. I have a God who is not done with me yet.

Sometimes, even when you don’t feel it, you must remember the truth that your worth is found in God. That is a fact, even if you don’t feel it at times.

My value is not based on the job I have; my value is in Christ.

And no, even if I am currently discouraged by my situation, I will still do my job to the best of my ability, not for man but for the Lord. After all, God is my true employer. He is my source of everything.

The world we live in is corrupted by sin. Therefore, injustice, pain, envy, pride, and politics are inevitable.

The world may see you as unworthy, but God values you so much that He gave up His only begotten Son. And Jesus gave up His life for you.

Eventually, I sobered up. I still feel the pain, but it is not as intense as before. I cried to God and sang the scripture song from Psalm 25:1-2.

I may be down in the dumps, but I cannot wallow further in these negative feelings, for it is dangerous.

I praise God for His promise that He is with me. He not only told me but commanded me to be strong and of good courage, for He is with me (Joshua 1:9, one of my favorite verses).

I just pray for my breakthrough. It may not be today, it may not be someday, but one day. I know God is working on it.

Christian Walk, Covid-19, Faith, God, Reflections, Uncategorized

Shalom

rebekahhime

Last year, during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 in the UAE, I stayed at my relatives’ residence for some time. After few days from moving in, I noticed that my skin had red patches. My entire skin was very itchy. I had rashes. I don’t have any food allergies, so I was wondering what was happening. I decided to observe my skin. Days passed, I hoped that the rashed would eventually disappear. Unfortunately, it didn’t. That’s when I decided to go to the clinic to get checked. Because it was the height of the pandemic, my uncle was EXTRA cautious of anything concerning COVID-19. He was concerned that I might have had COVID. He told me that he read an article that says that rashes are one of the symptoms of COVID. I understand his concern and what he was implying, but I think otherwise. I was more concerned about my allergy. I needed to know the cause of it. I gathered up my courage to ask permission from my uncle because he is so strict about stepping outside the house! I remembered this passage in the Bible which says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).” I held on to that promise and prayed to God to grant my uncle peace from worrying about the possibility of me having COVID, which would mean that I could put them at risk.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“

I visited the nearest clinic, and I was diagnosed with contact dermatitis. I had contact dermatitis before, and I knew that it was because of the soap that I was using. My uncle enquires about my check-up. I was relieved to tell him the good news! The issue was minor, and that he has nothing to worry about it. The next day after my check-up, I received a message from my uncle that his result from the swab test was negative. I was surprised why he sent me his results. I found out that their company arranged a regular PCR test for all their staff yesterday as well. Silently, I told myself, “praise the Lord!”

Indeed, God gave me peace — peace of mind from Covid and the cause of my rashes! What are the things that bother you? No matter how big or trivial our worries may be, God has the power to quiet our troubled mind and soul. He can easily still the tempest storms in our lives. So, worry no more because our Lord Jesus Christ can give us the peace that we ever desired. He wants us to cast all our worries to Him, for He cares about us. God is the source of our peace, a kind of peace that passeth all understanding. No wonder why He is also named the Prince of Peace. Shalom!

Christian Walk, Faith, God, Reflections

You Can Face Tomorrow

rebekahhime

This year has never been easy for most of us. It may be one of the worst years in our lives. Nevertheless, we have to be thankful that despite our hardships, our silent battles, our unspoken pains, the tears shed in secret, God was there all along.

Many of us were (and still are) infected and affected with COVID-19. Some lost their loved ones. Some lost their businesses, their jobs, and even their homes. We can lose everything we possess, but we cannot afford to lose sight of God. Let’s remember that the Lord gives and takes away (Job 1:21). Whatever it is that God has taken away from you, always know and remind yourself that God never makes mistakes and He loves you so dearly.

When things don’t go our way, our human nature gets us feeling confused, dishearted, and discouraged about what is happening in our lives, especially when we don’t see God’s plan for us. And when things seem to fall apart, and when we don’t meet our goals. When life looks pitch-black to you, perhaps you are focusing on your problems. Focus your eyes on Jesus, instead. This line from a song reminds me to always look upon Jesus:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Those lines uplift my spirit. I tried to recall and reflect on this year’s events. I realized that this year is not all that bad. I counted my problems, and as expected, God helped me make it through. My blessings were (and are!) numerous compared to my so-called “problems.” And these trials are even blessings. Perhaps we can say that we don’t have problems as it is considered a ‘blessing.’ Oh well… Maybe we need to change how we see things.

What are the good things that God gave you this year? What lessons did you learn? Let’s start with our very life. The fact that we’re still breathing is a blessing. A lot of pestilence and tribulations happened this year. But, here we are, we made it through! And that is worth saying “THANK YOU, LORD!”. We ought to praise our Lord God Almighty who made us come this far, the One who keeps us from falling (Jude 24:24), the One who sustains us, and the One who loves us the most.

The future is uncertain. We don’t know if next year will be better or worse. But with God, we have confidence that no matter how hard life may be, God will take care of us. He will hold us with His mighty hands. You have made it this far. And, definitely, you can weather any storm that may come. You can face tomorrow because God is with you.

Faith, God, Reflections

Brighter than the Sun

rebekahhime

As I gaze upon the sky, I marveled at God’s creation. God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also (Genesis 1:16).

The beauty of these creations never cease to make me feel in awe. Creations that remind me of hope. Indeed, God’s expression of love is found everywhere. When we get tired of the day’s toiling, God designed the sun to set. We have a caring God that promises us a peaceful rest. Isn’t He amazing? The moonlight that the moon reflects is like God’s light during our darkest nights. He promised us that though weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). And of course, at nighttime, we love to stare at the night sky. What do the stars say about God? For me, the uncountable stars are like His uncountable thoughts and blessings towards us. And when mornings come, God renews our strength. As the sun rises, it is a gentle declaration of God’s love which grows sweeter every single day and His protection (Psalm 84:11) that He bestows to His people. Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun (Ecclesiastes 11:7).

Whatever form of light we see in the sky, these lights cannot compare to the light that Jesus radiates. If these creations give light in our sky, how much more our Creator? In the new Jerusalem that the Lord God will create, there will be no more night. There will be no need for candles nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light. and they shall reign forever (Revelation 22:5). No longer will the sun be your light by day, and the brightness of the moon will not shine on you; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor (Isaiah 60:19). Jesus Christ is the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16). His glory outshines any form of light for He is brighter than the sun.

Christian Walk, Faith, God, Testimony, True Story

GOODBYE IS NOT ALWAYS FORVER

rebekahhime

Recently, there was another passing of a loved one in our family. It was my aunt. She was the sister and best friend of my mom.  She was the most loving and caring aunt I’ve ever known in my life since I was a child. I will never forget her kind-hearted nature. Her beautiful smile and face were still fresh in my mind. The sweet and beautiful memories of her will forever be in my heart.

The news of her death was so heartbreaking. I knew that it is hard for my mother as she lost her sister. How much more to my aunt’s immediate family itself! She left her husband, children, and grandchildren behind. Until now, I can’t still believe that she’s gone. But I know that she’s only sleeping. She is safe in the arms of Jesus. She is just resting until the morning of the resurrection. “We will miss you, Mommy.” See you on the resurrection day!

I remember when I lost my father last September 12, 2009. It was also my mom’s birthday and my graduation day in 1000 Missionary Movement. Moreover, it was also a Sabbath day. We were doing our Sabbath service inside the missionary campus when I received the news that my father passed away. My heart broke into pieces. I felt that my life shattered at that moment. Although I was broken-hearted at that time, I was still thankful to those people who comforted me, and to our Almighty God who gave me strength and courage.

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things to deal with in life. For me, every time you cry for your loved one, it’s a way of honoring them in your life. It is also another way of showing your grief. It lets the world know that someone precious has left us and that they still matter.

Although there is pain in this world, it’s good to know that this Earth is not our real home. This world will pass away. Everything on this earth is fleeting and transitory. We are just strangers in this world. Heaven is our real home. Our citizenship lies there. God is the architect of the heavenly home, which is endless. (2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV – For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven.) He is preparing it for those who confess about Him and His truth. (John 6:40 KJV – And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.) Those who believe and trust in the Lord are considered pilgrims and strangers of this earth.

Heaven will never get burned nor destroyed. There will be no more curse, weeping, pain, and death. (Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.) Unlike here on earth, we are subject to trials, afflictions, and sufferings. The Christian wants to be released from these, and to partake eternal happiness. God is preparing us for immortality. (I Corinthians 15: 51-52 KJV – Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.) That is His purpose and design.

Heaven is a wonderful place to be. We will be with a great multitude of angels standing before the throne of God. We will be wearing robes made white by the blood of the Lamb. And the most important thing of all is that in heaven, we will finally be home with our loving Creator and Savior.

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that would be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll shout and sing the victory!

With my beloved aunt.