Soar On Wings Like Eagles

 The spirit of frustration Frustration comes as a result of many things; the cause can range from small things to big, what causes it is subjective to individuals. It is defined as "the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something." It can be due to failure to achieve good results or due to failure to change wrongs or difficult situations. However, either way we look at it, it is usually a negative reaction. We react, we become angry, we put lots of energy on 'what should have been', 'what should happen', or 'why it happened'. We ask 'why me?', we go overboard looking for ways to reverse a situation, ways to get the results we want, ways to get our way! We grieve! Frustration comes when the flesh is fully at work, when we are imposing our way into a situation, when we do not want to accept certain kinds of news, when we do not want to believe or accept certain outcomes; the list is endle...

 Fear Fear is one of the most paralyzing emotions. Fear tells us not to venture out, it tells us bad things will happen, it tells us we should not start something. Most of us live in fear. It is one of the most effective strategies the enemy uses to hold us back. When we live fearful lives, we do not want to face uncertainties, we want to be comfortable. Fear is defined as, "a distressing emotion aroused by impeding danger, evil, pain; whether the threat is real or imagined." Why do we fear so much? We can either have fear or faith. We are told perfect love drives out all fear. We were not brought into this world to fear, we were born to love and worship God, to live fearless lives to our full potential. Yet, most times we give into fear. We feed our minds with fear, we keep saying 'what if'. But what if we confronted our fears? What if we put behind what we think are our shortcomings and do it anyway? What if we look to the One who is the source of all love? How...

Dying to self The Bible tells us not to conform to the patterns of this world. Too many times we find ourselves doing things we would not normally do; the reason being, someone told us to do it or someone influenced us or because we are told that is what people normally do. But what if it is the wrong thing? What if it is out of our character? What if it is against God's Word? What if it will lead us to destruction? Who sets the standards of how we are supposed to be and live in this world? One of the things the Bible tells us to do is die to ourselves, that is, the fleshly sinful nature. We do not follow the crowd if it is going against God, we do not do things just because others are doing it. We die to self. It is one of the most difficult things to do because there is a lot of external influences. Conforming is the easy way. Following Jesus costs us our earthly desires. And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up...

 Patience Patience is among the most important virtues to have. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Patience allows us to wait for God to work in our lives. However, waiting does not mean we do nothing; it means as we trust God for breakthrough, we do what He is directing us to do. It may not be what we would have wanted to do, it may go out of our plans, but if it is God's will, it will go in alignment with His Word. Patience is the ability to hold ourselves back, to not act out of our flesh. It is defined as "the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on negative annoyance." It is also known as forbearance. As humans, we want things quick, we want quick results, we want things to work out fast. Most of the time we run out of patience; we become impatient with ourselves, with our circumstances, with other people. However, we should keep in mind that patience does not mean we shoul...

 In the world but not of the world Which world do you live in? Have we ever asked another person that question? Have you ever been asked that question? It is a question that provokes many other questions. The main meaning that screams out at first is, conform! Do what other people do, lie like other people lie, slander like other people slander, bully like other people bully, abuse like other people abuse; that is, do unto others what they do to you. It is a question that aims to say, this is how the world works, this is how people are, this is how you are supposed to carry yourself. Deal with it! This tit for tat behavior is very common in the world, but it is not of God. Not surprisingly, the same question can mean the other way round; do good, help those in need, return evil with good, love one another, cover each other's weaknesses, help each other become better, be there for each other, do not lie, do not slander, do not bully, do not abuse, and do unto others what you would ...

 Complaining It is in the fallen human nature to complain. Many people are always complaining about something. Anything can become a subject of complaints; the weather, ourselves, other people, our circumstances, other people's circumstances, the world events, and much more. But what leads to complaining? A discontent heart; a heart that is not right with God. With time we realize that there is a difference between complaining and putting a point forward. There is a difference between giving an opinion and complaining. With complaining we are blaming everything and everyone else but ourselves. Yes, we should rise up against any form of injustice or immoral conducts, but what is the condition of our hearts when we are doing or saying something. What do we want to achieve when we say something? Why do we say or do what we do? Complaining comes from a point of weakness or fear. Do we go telling everyone and anyone our problems? How do we say what we say? Does it come from a pride...

 The Comparison Trap Human beings are always comparing themselves to each other. This leads to a lot of competition. But what motivates us to do this? Comparison leads to dissatisfaction, which leads to unhealthy choices and lifestyle. We do what the others are doing and fail to follow our path; we get distracted. We are exposed to lifestyle related diseases and mental illnesses. Our lives are stress filled. We are prone to envy; we want to have what the other people have. Comparison and dissatisfaction with our own lives is one of the things that leads to crimes. There is a lot of jealousy, hate, malice, and many other vices. Yet, God created us unique, each one of us for a specific purpose. So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27. The Bible says the devil was cast out from heaven, he was in competition with God; he wanted to be in the place of God. And war broke out in heaven; Michael...

 The Power Of Choice One of the greatest gifts from God is free will. When God put Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, He told them they could eat fruit from any tree except that of knowledge of good and evil. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may eat freely; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:17. God gave them clear consequences. This is the same with us today. When we realize we have power to choose good or bad, then that sets us free. The awakening of that truth in us is very powerful because knowing that, we will  not allow circumstances to dictate us. We can choose to do wrong, but let us never forget that in the end, there are consequences that follow. The bad things seem enticing but the repercussions are usually out of proportion to the wrong done. To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in ch...

 Count The Cost Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Luke 14:28. Following Jesus Christ will cost us. We have to be willing to leave everything for the sake of the Gospel. We have to come to a place whereby we will choose God no matter how tempting the other options might be. Give God your all. It is worth it following Christ. What it costs to live for God is nothing compared to the reward that comes for those who remain faithful until the very end. We have to be willing to die to self, to say no to carnal fleshly desires, and reject the ways of the world. The choices we make have consequences; let us choose well. We are advised to always count the cost. Before doing or saying anything, we should first stop and reconsider the effect such will have on us and on others. Most times we do and say things, then just get on with our lives without considering the effect our actions or words...

 Faith Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Why is faith so important to a Christian? Because without faith we cannot please God. We have to believe that God is who He says He is. Faith means believing that what God says will come to pass. Faith enables us to believe that what we do not see will indeed happen. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6. Matters of God require us to believe and rest on the Word of God. This goes against the matters of the world whereby people want what they can see, feel, and touch. That was one of the reasons in the Old Testament people made all sorts of images as idols. They wanted a god they could see. Yet, during those times God would reveal Himself to His people in such amazing ways. But still, that was not enough. Within a short period of...