Be Kind, don't add to the hurt...

It amazes me how some people can be so inconsiderate of other people's feelings. I came across this quote by Plato "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." That quote rings true for so many reasons. Before you make that snide comment towards that overweight girl, the 'nerdy' boy, or that person who just doesn't seem to fit in try to remember that the overweight girl probably puts herself down enough and struggles with depression without you having to add to the hurt that she already feels. Or that 'nerdy' boy that you called ugly, remember him? His dad abuses him and calls him ugly and worthless on a daily basis without you trying to add to the hurt, he gets hurt enough at home.  Oh, let's not forget that person that just doesn't seem to fit in. He/she is secluded and just likes to be left alone. ...maybe that person's mom just passed away and their dad abandoned them so they were forced into foster care. They don't need you to remind them that they have no friends or that they just don't fit in with other people. And then there are those people that look perfectly normal, talk like everything is fine, put on a smile, make other people try to feel better even when they can't make themselves happy. They struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts because they just aren't happy or maybe they can't help but think those thoughts, maybe they are diagnosed with being bipolar and they can't help the thoughts that run through their head and you say something about someone being bipolar but you had no knowledge of this person's disorder but that hurt their feelings and pushed them over the edge....Although this may not always be the case but keep these things in mind. Even if someone puts you down try to turn the other cheek, because maybe that bully has a hard battle that they are fighting, like insecurities, so they pick on people to make themselves feel better. Next time you pray, pray for that person who you see continually putting people down. Pray that God will help them realize that they aren't the only people in the world that is 'fighting a hard battle' Each person's 'hard battle' differs but that doesn't make one more or less important than the other. Try to get in the habit of offering kind words or encouragement or giving someone a compliment. They may be having a rough day. I know when I'm having a rough day God always puts someone in my path to remind me that He loves me and that I have it good and that it could always be worse.
 "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read."

Slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Titus 3:2

Stage Fright

I've debated and prayed about what I should write about in my next entry....I figured if  I just started to write then it would eventually come to me....Well it hasn't yet. So I guess I could write about our upcoming mission trip. It is in June and we are going to New Orleans... I really hope I get to go because it could be a life changing experience. Although the week of the mission trip is also the week of our annual vacation to Florida....We've went for the past 3 years and it is always a great family experience but this mission trip could also be a great growing experience spiritually. It always is a great way to serve the Lord and do what  all of us as Christians are called to do....witness. We should take every moment we have and try to share the gospel. There shouldn't ever be a time where you are embarrassed to tell people what the Lord has done in your life. I've been struggling with the stage fright that comes with praying aloud. At lunch we all pray before we eat and someone at our table prays or sometimes we just pray to ourselves. So maybe one day God will call me to pray aloud and I wont be embarrassed. I'm not one to talk in front of people which is a trait I often wish I did not possess. When I pray to myself I often can't find the words that I want to say but that's okay because I know God knows my heart and how I feel. So next time your youth pastor or someone asks you to pray aloud, don't be shy or ashamed. Sure you may fumble on a few words but that is only natural. In time you will be a natural at praying aloud and sharing your faith with other people, all it takes is practice.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15

Forgiveness

When I woke up this morning I laid there thinking what I could write about today...Nothing immediately came to mind so I prayed about it. When I was doing my quiet time I was reading this passage by John Stonestreet. My bible is the Apologetics study bible for students and I absolutely love it because it has these little passages that contain questions that young Christians like myself tend to ponder on. This passage was called "Do I need to forgive people who decline forgiveness?" Well like many people I'm sure, I have a hard time with forgiveness. I tend to cling to something to try and justify my actions or my feelings towards someone. You know what I'm talking about, we all have those friends or even ourselves sometimes think "I just don't like her because blah blah blah" Well I'm telling you right now that petty little things like that are pointless and are pulling you away from a closer relationship with God. Now your thinking, well my grudges aren't petty like that they are actually meaningful like dads who abandoned their family or strangers who steal innocence. Well I have experience first hand some tough grudges and what it's like to feel bitter and hatred towards a person. But in the end it is in our best interest to forgive. "Why?" you ask, "I was hurt." Well we should forgive because we are forgiven. Over and over again when we ask for forgiveness God freely gives it. He doesn't ask questions, He is not judgmental, He is understanding and patient. We should also learn to have a patient and understanding attitude. Well some people say they aren't good at "forgiving and forgetting" Well forgiving doesn't mean forgetting. But it also doesn't give us permission to throw that back up in that person's face when they do wrong. It has been forgiven so there is no need in it. I was once angry at someone for a long time. I was so bitter and angry towards the person because I wanted things to be different and I wanted things to go back like they were before, even though I knew that wasn't a possibility I always clung to that little inkling of hope. Until, I read this quote "Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed." I then began to accept the fact that what had happened, happened and it couldn't be changed. I pray everyday that God would help me forgive the people that hurt me. It was hard at first but after letting that person now I had forgiven them I felt a sense of peace. That didn't mean I agreed with his actions. "I hated the sin, but loved the sinner." So remember next time someone hurts you, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry" James 1:19  Forgive. Because you were forgiven.

The Beginning...

It is a little past 8 o' clock, normally I would have already taken my shower, picked out my clothes, and all the other things that are in my routine for another day at school...Instead I am writing this blog because I feel like if I don't do it tonight I will procrastinate as I often do and it wont get done. Tonight at church our pastor talked about using our talents that we have to glorify God and to share the gospel. Well immediately I said I didn't have a talent, which at the time I didn't realize it. When I got home I continued to ponder on the question..."What are my talents?" Well then it hit me. I'm good at writing and if it's something I am passionate about I enjoy it. So I remember reading someones blog on here a few days ago and remembered that I could start a blog to share my testimony and the journey that God takes me on. So even if I'm just writing for myself and no one ever reads this I will be content, although I do hope someone gets something out of my personal experiences and who knows, they may can even relate. So if you decide to accompany me on my journey I would greatly appreciate it.

"If anyone wants to be My follower he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34