Whose Are You?

By: Melody Rabor-Dizon

 

As I ponder on 2021, in a world that is full of unpredictability and uncertainty, we find ourselves in the season prevalent with fear and losses. In this season where the oppressors try to intimidate believers, nothing could have ever prepared us to our current reality. As things were just returning to some normalcy, another curveball. Where hugs and kisses are once again become weapons and not visiting family becomes an act of love, where money and power does not carry any weight at all. We are reminded once more how miniscule the little things we worry about and how in the bigger realm, it does not really matter. We get consumed with our everyday life that we forget how to be grateful to the basics of things and how beautiful life is.

No one knows when this pandemic will end. I want to be one that encourages you and be reminded of WHOSE YOU ARE. I am talking to all our inner selves, my inner child- Melody, the middle-aged- Melody and the old-aged Melody too.

Hold fast, hold fast to something singular and solid, hold fast to something that transcends this moment of darkness, hold fast to something bigger than us. Now is not the time to give up or throw in the towel, not the time to toss your hands up and allow defeat. It feels like times won’t get any better and that life is in shambles. But trust in God and He can turn it around. Despite what you are going through, God sees you and He hears your earnest cry. Despite what the enemy wants you to believe, God is still on the throne loving and looking out for His people. The enemy would lead you to believe that you are defeated. But you are not.

The bible says on Romans 8:35-37 35 Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being slain all day long; we are treated like sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, throughout all these things we are conquerors because of him who loved us.

We must endure hard trials. We must grow in our faith and experience God. Just because we are the children of the Father, does not mean that we will walk on a bed of roses. It doesn’t mean that we get out of jail free card all the time. Endure hardships

The bible says in James 1:2-4

Trials—the Test of a Faith in Progress. [a] 2 Consider it a cause of great joy whenever you endure various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith will develop perseverance. 4 And let perseverance complete its work so that you may become perfect and complete, and not be deficient in any respect.

Being children of God does not make us immune to the sufferings of the world. Remember Job, in the bible? – who lost not just a plenty but all. Sometimes these things happen in our lives. Be steadfast that God knows all and He sees all. It’s like going through the fire in the flood. But be of courage for God will strengthen your heart. God knows where you are and He knows when you have suffered long enough. We may have to go through it but rest assured that He sees right where you are. Trust God on His word. Stand firm on the promises of God.

The bible says in Jeremiah 29: 11-14 For I know full well the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for your misfortune, plans that will offer you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call out to me and come forth and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me. When you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will allow you to discover me, says the Lord. I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

What blessed assurance! It gives Him joy when we are happy. Yes, we may have to cry sometimes. But trouble does not always l ast. IT NEVER LASTS. So, lift up your chin up, your Heavenly Father ha s everything under HIS control. The best is yet to come, don’t give up 2022. Happy New Year, family!

In a quiet celebration on January 7, 2022 with family and close friends.