I once had a beautiful mirror that reflected my image.

 And one day it broke. Shards of glass lay scattered around me.

 I could still see my image in these shattered pieces. But what was clear and complete earlier, now seemed fragmented. The shattered glass distorted my reflection beyond recognition.

I stood looking at the pieces. I wondered if these glass pieces could be joined together. I know this is not possible.

The above scenario closely mirrors my life; I missed the opportunity to join IAS despite qualifying for the entrance exam, challenges in my marriage, there were relationship issues, physical health problems due to several accidents, and a chemical imbalance that resulted in panic attacks.

I wondered, will I be able to put the pieces together again to form an accurate and complete image of myself?

“Yes”, a gentle voice whispered within me.

But how? I asked

I sat still, in quiet darkness. The same gentle voice whispered again “Look up to the mountains from whence cometh thy help”.

Sometimes, our lives are filled with moments that seem disjointed and without purpose. Will the difficulties, sorrows, and trials of our lives never end?

Can we live a peaceful life despite all this? We ask ourselves the same questions repeatedly. Do we have hope?

Yes, we do. Jesus is our hope.

FAITH IN JESUS

Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Our faith is like a muscle, and we must do what we can to keep our faith alive. If we don’t use it, we’ll begin to lose it. How do we build our faith? We need to be constantly seeking God. Stay in the word. Pray, read our Bible, fellowship with other Christians, go to church, and engage in Bible studies. I realized here is a profound truth; no matter what you are facing God has a master plan and He will unfold it.  Keep persevering and praying in His spirit by faith.

YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Remember God has created us in His image. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” As His children He wants to see us living the happiest and peaceful lives.

If that is the case, then why do we suffer and face hardships?
Our present struggles are a part of God’s plan. He has plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give us hope and a future. Every part of His plan is to fulfil His purpose for us. God doesn’t just want us to find our purpose, but find our purpose in Him. Therefore, He equips us according to His purpose. Knowing His purpose makes our vision clear, clean and pure. This also propels us forward with the assurance that He is by our side, guiding us every step of the way.  Even if it takes time (like it was for me), hold on to Jesus.

MERE BELIEF IN GOD IS NOT ENOUGH. KNOW HIM INTIMATELY

 These verses in the Bible helped me through some of the most difficult moments in my life.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He Shall direct your paths.’

 This powerful thought from Proverbs 3: 5-6 reiterated the importance of putting my faith in God alone and surrendering to Him in every area of my life. It urges me to rely not on my limited understanding but to trust in His infinite wisdom.

My beginnings should begin with God – It means seeking His guidance before making decisions, consulting Him in times of uncertainty and acknowledging His presence in my moments of triumph.  I may have this knowledge but my wisdom is just a drop in the ocean of His infinite knowledge.

At times, the situations make me feel like it’s pointless to keep moving forward. It’s a never-ending problem and this is something I’ll never be able to overcome. But when I cast all my burdens on Him my yoke is light.

 James 1: 2-12 encouraged me a lot. What I learned through these verses is that, it is faith that is tested, and it shows that faith is important and precious – because only precious things like gold or silver are tested thoroughly.

 Supernaturally, faith is built in us as we hear, understand, and trust in God’s word.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Trial produces patience. We ought to consider it as pure joy

Very difficult!  

First of all, we know that our patience and perseverance will complete its work so that we can become mature and complete and secondly, we are assured of life in God on earth and the assurance of being in His presence in the life to come.

Even now when I feel discouraged, this verse reminds me that I am a child of God and that God has given me this time to mature and become complete in Him so that I can run my race with perseverance.

 This verse brings in me the experience of my invisible value and increases my knowledge of who I am in Christ.

God never brings trials to discourage us. When trials are received with faith, we produce the fruit of the Spirit. If not, it can produce anger, bitterness, negativity and discouragement.

There was a time when I felt sad all the time,  worried and sometimes depressed about all the disappointments in my life. But now, all these have no place in my life, it has been exchanged, replaced and in fact, usurped by time spent with God- enjoying His company through prayer and meditation. And with more faith, there is more hope, more joy and more peace.

 What can you do to remain faithful to God as you undergo testing?

Trust me when I say, be strong in faith, you will find all your answers in the Bible and our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, will strengthen you and will make you an overcomer.

I am now complete in Jesus Christ.

And, I love myself even if the mirror is broken.