“He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!”
~ Nehemiah 8:10 ( MSG)
I had no intention of posting any article today because Monday usually serve as my ” All rest and no work day.” I find myself really sluggish and unwilling to do much except relax, listen to songs or messages, and spend time with ‘me’ every Monday. While enjoying my time alone however, something crossed my mind and I thought I should share it. It is my hope that it blesses someone somewhere , somehow, and maybe someday.( smiles)
A very good friend of mine was talking about how much she loves my strength and that she inspires others with my story whenever she has the opportunity to. I smiled as I listened to her talk, and all I could think about was the pain, shame and secret tears that sometimes come with the unpleasant situations that people go through, yet these people come out looking all strong and unmoved because their focus is on God alone and they have learnt to settle things on their knees and in private with their Father while they go through their moments of tests and unexpected wait that sometimes lasts a very long time.
That you smile always, crack jokes, help others who are in need even though you have your own unmet needs, and make others happy does not mean you are not dealing with stuffs, it only means you have chosen to operate in the grace that has been bestowed upon you because the truth is a lot of people would rather go about complaining, murmuring, blaming others, or desiring death as a way out of the same struggles you have received grace to handle properly. True to my friends words, I believe that some people can be perceived as strong due to how they handle tough times. I can only be considered as one of such people because His joy keeps me going. I try as much as I can to look at what God said, the things He has revealed, and not what I see, hear or believe. I have always been of the opinion that tough times do not last forever and everything will be alright someday.
I listened to a young lady who had suffered severe migraine headache, blurry vision and unexplained pains for years and she was later diagnosed with brain tumor, which was as a result of cancer. This led to her having her head cut open for the removal of the tumor. Glad she had gone through the surgery successfully, she went about life for some six years after the surgery, only to realize that another tumor had grown in the same place again. You are probably thinking what I thought …”Will she have another surgery?” Yes, she had to go through surgery to remove the new tumor , which means her head was cut open again. The reason I share her story is because at the time I listened to her talk about her journey so far, she did not sound pathetic, defeated or crushed down by cancer. Her attitude was inspiring and so great you could almost forget that the chemotherapy she was scheduled for in a couple of weeks is a painful, agony- filled and not a simple or fun- filled procedure. Her smile, gestures, positive vibes, well made- up face and beautifully tailored suit all pointed at the unusual strength of this amazing conqueror. She didn’t go about looking pathetic, shattered and battered. She displayed an unusual strength that is contagious.
What inspired me personally as I listened to her story is how going through a brain surgery twice, awaiting radiation and a chemotherapy procedure in few weeks time did not make this young lady pathetic, sad and depressed. Her answer to that question was ” I have this positive attitude and feel like this personally because I feel God gives battles to certain people just to let other people know that it is going to be Ok.” Still amazed at how positive this lady’s approach to life is , she went on to say ” As much as brain cancer is not a joke, positive prayers, having positive people in your life, can go a long way in helping you face the battle as it rages. This is what I consider the true definition of a strong person. Someone who is willing to let their pain bring strength to others, regardless of how she feels.
Talking about positive people, it is amazing to know that we all need such people when the going gets tough because they remind us of God’s promises, His relentless love, as well as their own love and support for us at such times. Above all, do not hold back from crying out to God for help because He definitely hears when we call and gives strength to us when we feel we cannot go on. Be grateful for everything and be rest assured -He is ever near and faithful till the end.
Be strong, be courageous, and face whatever it is you are going through with a positive attitude, knowing that despite how bad it may seem, it is going to be Ok and your story or experience as a tool in God’s hands will definitely be an inspiration for someone else someday. Keep on keeping on. You will win.
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ( MSG)
Author Profile
- Temitope is the founder of thesoulmeal.com, an online platform that she shares with her God-given spiritual family and friends. She is a speaker, teacher and youth counselor. She is passionate about inspiring people to find their identity in Christ. Catch her interviewing inspiring leaders on Tongue of the Learned Podcast
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