A Humbling Experience

"Hey! What's the big idea? I did everything you told me to and this is what I get?! It's so unfair! Where are you? Can you hear me?" Does that sound familiar?

We talked about the life of Joseph at church and I took note of these verses because I found comfort and assurance in them. His story is just one of the many stories in the Bible where God showed His sovereignty.

"Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, 'God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home.' He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, 'God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow.'" Genesis 41:51-52 (The Message)

All of us go through sufferings in this life, but though many are our troubles, God has promised to be there with us. I never realized and appreciated the depth of this truth until I've gone through valleys in my life. You see, if you don't humble yourself, God will humble you and

mind you He will, really.

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11

Joseph, like us, went through the humbling process as well. Imagine receiving a dream when he was still a teenager and arrogantly telling his parents and siblings that they will bow down to him (Genesis 37:5-10). After that we know that he was sold by his own brothers, then landed in the house of Potiphar. God did prosper him there. But that's not the end of his sufferings.

"With me in charge, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am..." Genesis 39:8-9 (Emphasis mine)

See that bit of arrogance there? Well, yes he feared the Lord that's why he didn't give in to temptation. But again for standing for what is right, he was thrown to prison. What was that all about? I think it is just right to say that God wasn't done with him yet. But in spite of this set back, God was still right there with him.

"The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." Genesis 39:21

For showing kindness to his fellow men, in return, he was forgotten.

"The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." Genesis 40:23

Can you imagine the frustrations he might have felt that time? If I were in his shoes I would probably be kicking and screaming already. But God has a plan.

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrew 10:35-36

He knows what He is doing. He has everything figured out already. God spoke to Pharaoh in his dreams, but didn't know how to interpret it. (See, God does speak even to unbelievers and backsliders so let's not lose hope in praying for our loved ones) Now this time the cup bearer remembered Joseph (Genesis 41:9-13). God has already set up people ahead of us to do something good for us, yes, even people we don't know. How's that possible? It's God's favor upon us.

After all the pains and sufferings Joseph went through all those years, God's promise to him came to pass even when it already looked impossible and hopeless in the natural. His dreams when he was just a teenager...

"We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." Genesis 37:7

"I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." Genesis 37:9

... finally came to pass.

"Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground." Genesis 42:6

Are you going through valleys in your life too? If we surrender everything to God, if we would put our trust in Him, He will also make us forget our troubles and hardships; and prosper us in the land of our sorrow. He makes everything beautiful in his time.

Be patient. The best is yet to come.

Feeling Blah...

I have so many things to thank God for. And truly I'm grateful. I can see how God is fixing my finances little by little. I have been praying for this for years. Now I can see developments. God has been opening doors of opportunities for me to earn extra here and there. He blessed me with friends who express their willingness to extend a helping hand when I need it. I have been praying for my friends and I celebrate with them for answered prayers. God has been good.

And yet...

My heart is heavy. My heart cries out to the Lord for help. I couldn't put to words how I feel... I know my prayers, our prayers are not in vain. There's again an invisible tug o' war going on inside me. I'm trying my best not to cry, while I'm typing this.

To all who have been praying for me, I thank you. I know that in spite of this overwhelming emotions I'm having now, your prayers have helped me get back on my feet and run the race God has called me to. Your prayers have served as my "wheelchair" at times when I feel like I can't go on any longer. That's why I'm grateful for prayer warriors.

I pray that soon, very soon, I'd be posting a Praise Report about my heart's desire and say,

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

The Bait

It's so conspicuous how the enemy tries to lure me into his traps. He truly lives up to his name - the great deceiver. He tries every tactic he can think of and throws it to my face. I thank God for His grace and wisdom that I can somehow "smell" the enemy's repulsive and stinking stench. I know I have to be very careful because he works double time just to see me fall. I'm sorry to have to play the brain twister game here as to who and what I'm talking about. I need to protect the privacy of the person involved.

Last night, the enemy wanted me to grab his bait by presenting himself as my friend. I knew my friend was used by the great deceiver to trick me into his deception. Sin presented itself as a remedy for a bottled up emotion I've had all this time. The enemy was like saying, "Here, come and get it. You need this." I almost fell into his trap, but thank God I managed to say NO!

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

God, this is the second time he tried to con me with this and he used the same person to do it. I thank you, Lord, because You saved me from falling into the pit the enemy had prepared especially for me. God, thank you for Your wisdom and Your strength that helped me to stand up for what is right.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

The Bitter Taste Of Guilt

If I say that I tasted guilt the other night and it was bitter, literally bitter, would you know what I'm talking about? I did something the other night and I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. That same night, I came down with a fever and chill. I remembered God warned me of this thing a few weeks back and I ignored it. I was so guilty. I repented right away but I could taste guilt in my mouth. It was bitter. I went to work yesterday morning feeling lousy but went home after a few hours because I barfed everything I ate for lunch. I felt so sick! Last night, my best friend brought me food for dinner. Yep, I barfed it all out again. Sigh...

Lesson I learned - Don't mess up with what you're asking God for. Prayer is so powerful. You think God is not at work behind the scenes and you want to test the waters? Don't even think about it. Now I know how real guilt tastes like. Yuck!