Issues Of The Heart. Job Mothiba

comes before you. “Let not your hearts be troubled...” (John 14:1)

      Sometimes, there is no need to analyse every tiny thing. Even though some things are meant to be understood, others are meant to simply be experienced and appreciated and; then move forward. Do not spend one more day held hostage by sad feelings, emotions, and circumstances. Feelings do not run the show. There is a reality deeper than our feelings. So, do not let your feelings lead your life because many times, they choose the moment, not the truth. If you stop over- thinking everything, worrying and stressing today, your day will be so much better. Instead, tell someone they are appreciated today. It is one of the simplest, yet most incredible thing that someone can hear. Even if they are not having a bad day. You can make a good day even better. Just a little compliment can make someone’s entire day.

      In fact, things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter the least. Your mood should not dictate your manners. It makes people see what you are not, not as what you are. I believe that when we work on being compassionate and accommodating others without judging them, we will find that those around us respond the same. One word or one action, whether positive or negative can affect so many others.

      So, be careful what you use in the formula. For every once in a while life will give you a dose of your own medicine. You must recognise that people are not required to think the same way you do on every issue under the sun. Just because it does not make sense to you, does not mean it does not make sense at all. Sometime you have to shut up, listen and accept that you are wrong. It is not giving up but, growing up.

      However, there is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had enough. People usually give up because it is easier than working things out, just as they lie, because sometimes it is easier than being honest. Besides, “An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.” (Proverbs 24:26)

      Learn to speak politely in the language that can be understood by others. Thus, language affects attitude and attitudes impact action. If you do, it’s done. If you don’t, it will weigh on your mind - like driving a car with the handbrake on.

      Now, you may choose to look the other way but you can never say again you did not know. Hence, to know better and not do better is worse than not knowing at all. As the Bible say, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, it is sin for them.” (James 4:17)

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       Let me pray:

       “I pray that whatever part of the world you are located, may you see the daylight. May light of righteousness shine unto you.” Amen!

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      When people ask how you are, do you tell them what they want to hear, or how you really feel? I used to think there is bravery in hiding your emotions and courage in pretending as if everything is fine. Problems take root and grow, when you close your eyes and pretend. Open up! It allows your thoughts and feelings to be as they are, making room for them and letting them come and go as they naturally do. Nature cannot be fooled. It is not about feeling good, it is about feeling alive. You deserve to have a full life.

      Sometimes it is harder to not say something, than saying it. Never be afraid to speak your mind, you have one for a reason. Saying what you feel it is not being rude, it is being real. However, certain things are better left unsaid. Just because you do not say certain things, does not mean you do not feel them. You can hurt yourself more than anyone can hurt you just by keeping all your feelings hidden. When you hide your hurt it may manifest in other areas and you become a prisoner of that hidden hurt.

      Perhaps, you find it is so easy to open up all your problems to strangers because they won’t judge you and, when its people you know, you really do not want to tell them instead, you prefer to tell the whole world about how you feel towards something. Tell it to one who really cares to listen. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you, He is near to the broken and confused. I guess by now you know Who I am talking about!!! He said “…whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)

      So, do not be discouraged and throw in the towel. Just give up the fantasy of how you think your life should have been and be at peace. It is time to let go of those feelings of guilt, hurt, shame and defeat; and put God first, knowing that with Him you have all the victory. “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6)

      And, if you ever feel useless, down and out, just remember you are still alive and you will get over what you think is a disadvantage in your life. May God take what looks like a liability for you and turn it into an asset and; have you first in your season as you acknowledge Him. So, rejoice, this could be your “cloud like a man’s hand” (1 Kings 18:44), a sign that your season is changing for the better. “The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do…” (Deuteronomy 28:12)

      Thus, no matter how useless you feel, you are someone’s reason to smile. Do not ever think you are nothing. Somewhere along the line, there is someone who truly thinks you are everything. However, you cannot expect someone to value you if you do not value yourself. When you stop judging, criticising your body and feeling sorry for yourself and begin to accept yourself, people will also love and appreciate you. Keep the smile, leave the tension, feel the joy, forget the worry, hold the peace, leave the pain, and always be happy. “This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your inner self.” (Proverbs 3:8)

      You may be tired of going to bed at night with a vague underlying feeling that there is more to life than you are experiencing now. But, allow me to tell you that nobody has a perfect life. Everybody has their own problems. It is just that some people know how to deal with it in a better way. So, making bad decisions and being ashamed of the outcomes is part of life. Just forgive yourself. You are not defined by a moment. You are no worse off than anybody else. Stop believing the worst about yourself. When you feel the need to be resentful, or angry, or to feel sorry for yourself, remind yourself to be thankful instead. Because someone somewhere may be wishing and praying to have the same life as yours. Thus, the first and the best victory is to conquer self.

      Do not feel resentful because life has not given you what you want yet, your time will come, just have a little faith and be true to yourself. However, you cannot always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes you must dare to jump..! But, start somewhere. The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole, hence you ought to start somewhere. The day you get comfortable is the day your real opportunity passes you by. Every day you wait is another day you would not get back. The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.

      You may have great intentions but, unless you let your actions speak louder than your words, nothing will ever unfold. A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action. If there is no action, you have not truly decided. “...The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)

      In the meantime, I would like to encourage you to enjoy life by limiting your emotional baggage to a small carry-on. Sometimes you just got to leave people to do the things they do, trying to hurt you. But, you know you are matured when you realize that every situation does not need a reaction. There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take all to God in prayer. Just like Jesus, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. (1 Peter 2:23)

      Perhaps, some have not apologised to you because they are ashamed of their actions. Forgive them anyway, be okay with a sorry you never got because forgiveness un-blocks your blessing. Do it, you are worth it. May God’s favour find you, causes you to be at the right place, at the right time, giving you good success.

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