Walking with God

Content on Christian living – working out my faith, submission, serving

The Lord of Transformation: Unexpected Ways Jesus Changed My Everyday Life

| Flo

When I first got saved, I began noticing changes in myself, how I carried myself and lived my life.

Some changes were major while others seemed minor. Some happened gradually, and others almost instantaneously. Certain transformations were so subtle that I did not even notice them until someone pointed them out or God brought them to my attention.

I must say, though, that some of the relatively minor shifts surprised me at first. But I came to understand that Jesus transforms us from the inside out, completely and holistically. He cares about every detail of our lives, both big and small. Nothing escapes His attention.

Here are a few of those unexpected changes I noticed:

Returning to Childhood Lessons – Not Eating While Walking

One of the first things I realised was that I suddenly stopped eating while walking in public. Growing up, my parents – especially my father – strongly discouraged it. Even eating while standing was not encouraged in our home. I can still hear daddy telling me, “Why don’t you grab a plate instead, then sit down to eat properly?”

But when I moved out and started living on my own, I naturally relaxed some of those rules. I started allowing myself to walk about and eat when “the occasion called for it”. I’d buy a pie or ice cream while running errands or just out and about. Sometimes, I’d be running late and grab a piece of fruit or a sandwich “for the road” and eat it as I went on my way.

Over time, those exceptions became habitual.

Then, after I got saved, I noticed this habit fell away. It was like an unconscious return to the lessons my parents taught me. While I still make an exception occasionally, eating while walking about or standing is no longer my norm.

And just to be clear, this is not a judgment on anyone. It was simply one of the personal changes I noticed in myself.

Improved Handwriting

Another thing I noticed was how my handwriting seemed to improve overnight!

I wasn’t practicing or intentionally trying to write more neatly; it just happened! I started writing more clearly, neatly and even straighter on unruled paper.

I remember taking notes one day and suddenly realizing, “Wait… my handwriting looks different.”

It genuinely pleased me because neat handwriting had always been difficult for me. Even when I made an effort, it never came naturally. But after getting saved, it felt as though the effort required became much less while the results improved significantly.

Nowadays, I don’t have many opportunities to write by hand much anymore. So I guess my handwriting has taken a bit of a hit as a result. Still, it remains one of those small but meaningful reminders of how God was working in me in ways I never expected.

A New Appreciation for Creation

Another interesting change was how I began seeing insects, reptiles and small creatures differently.

Before, I would have thought nothing of killing bugs or moths out of annoyance or fear. My perspective shifted as I began to see God in everything.

I began to see annoying or scary creatures as part of God’s beautiful creation. They are a reflection of His creative wisdom – the diversity and beauty He chose to inject into His design. As a result, I became less fearful and more appreciative of most creatures. I say most because I still really dislike mosquitoes, cockroaches and flies.

I remember seeing a grasshopper thrashing about in a pool as I was swimming with my friend one day. I went out of my way to rescue it. This is something I probably wouldn’t have done previously. I’d have left it to its fate, reluctant to touch it. It amazed me how salvation softened certain parts of my heart in unexpected ways.

Conviction in Everyday Conduct

Lastly, at my first job, I had a long three-hour commute – two connecting trains, then a minibus taxi each way, totalling about 1.5 hours. By the end of the workday, I would be exhausted. So whenever the carriage wasn’t full, I’d put my feet up on the seat opposite me and either read or chat on my phone or just be alone with my thoughts.

Over time, this habit faded, no matter how tired I was. I started feeling uncomfortable doing it, regardless of whether the carriage was full or not. I began to find it inconsiderate and undignified. This was surprising, and if I’m honest, a little annoying to me at first, but it soon became second nature.

Again, this is not me condemning anyone who does it. It was simply one of those personal changes in mindset and conduct that naturally developed after I gave my life to Christ.

There were many other little changes I noticed, too:

I’ve always disliked littering, but I eventually found myself picking up litter left behind by other people. I started cleaning spaces I hadn’t messed up. Even though I strongly dislike washing dishes, it somehow became an act of service whenever we had church gatherings or events. I became more mindful about how I leave spaces for others.

I am far from perfect, and I am certainly not trying to blow my own horn. If anything, these changes remind me that transformation is God’s work, not mine. I believe God transformed me and He is still perfecting me. Anyone who knew me before would understand why these examples are indeed a testimony.

God truly transforms the whole person from the inside out. Every detail that makes up who we are matters to Him.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

I love this about Jesus – how intentional He is and how nothing escapes His attention. He cares deeply about every aspect of our lives – every habit, every attitude, every fibre of our being.

There is something incredibly comforting about that. It reminds us that we can trust Him fully, knowing that the God who cares about the smallest details of our lives will surely be faithful with the bigger things too.

Love,

Three Bible-based Ways to Stop Dismay in Its Tracks

| Flo

Dismay! Now that’s a word we hardly use in day-to-day communication. What is it?!

Dismay is the loss of courage, enthusiasm or resolve. It is the state of being disillusioned, discouraged or disappointed. It could be caused by fear, fatigue, disappointment/being let down, or deferred hope (the thing you were trusting in not panning out) to name a few common reasons. 

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been there a time or two in our lives, what with the high demands and pressures of our contemporary lifestyles. 

So what do we do? Isaiah 41:10 NIV reads:

So do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

In the passage, we’re presented with two commands along with two remedies to address the problem:

1. Do not be afraid

In the Bible, when God instructs people not to fear, He often follows it with “I am with you”.  That is because He is the remedy to fear. He is the solution. How? For starters, He is perfect love. And “there is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear (1 John 4:18a AMP). Second, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33 NIV) and has given you that same victory through your trust in Him.

So whatever terrifying person, thing or circumstance you’ll ever face, He’s already overcome it. Lastly, His presence and His help are always at hand. All you have to do is ask, believe and receive.

2. Do not be dismayed

God says do not dismayed because I AM your God. What does God being your personal Lord and Saviour, your God, have to do with feeling discouraged or losing enthusiastic energy or being disappointed? For one, He is awesome, amazing, kind, good, loving and unchanging. That means you can run to Him and delight in who He is. It’s hard to remain discouraged around a person like that. He is also wonderful Counselor and Helper. He will advise you and help you out because that’s who He is. He promises to “strengthen you, help you and affirm and elevate you with my righteous right hand. 

Of course, it’s not always easy, in the moment, to just stop being afraid or dismayed. Here are three practical things you can do that will help you:

i) Be Still

God is speaking all the time. He is always present and mindful of you. He knows how things will unfold long before they do. More than that, He makes a way for you to overcome out of His great love and consideration for you. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT says The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. The previous verse reminds one how God is willing and able to deliver even when the odds are stacked against you. So, intentionally focus on the Lord’s presence, His character, His promises and what He has done in the past. Choose to commit your heart fully to Him. He’ll give you strength to overcome just like He promised in Isaiah 41:10.

ii) Pray continuously

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. This tells us that prayer should be a natural state of being. It’s not just the words we speak, although those are valuable. Think of your involuntary bodily functions like breathing, digestion and your heartbeat. You do not have to consciously think about them. They automatically happen throughout the day, keeping you alive. The moment one stops, you’ll likely expire not long after that if nothing changes.

Prayer should be like that – an automatic and consistent function.
You’re aware of Jesus at all times and you automatically speak or respond to Him as a natural part of your existence.

You automatically look for Him. You yield to His guidance and direction. You seek His will. You rest in Him in all things and at all times. That’s how you experience the fullness of life in Him. Without that continual fellowship, spiritual death starts to set in and flow to other areas of your life.

iii) Praise and Worship

Lifting up God’s holy name, acknowledging Him and giving Him praise and adoration can radically shift your outlook, your mood and even your present circumstances. Worship and praise are life-giving. They prime you to hear from God and receive what He has for you. God is always present – surrounding you and living with you if you’re born again. That doesn’t mean you’re always tapped into His presence. Your house may have plumbing but unless you open a tap, you have no access to water. It’s effectively useless to you. Praise and worship enable you to tap into and experience God’s presence. It’s like opening a tap and allowing Him in. Psalm 22:3 states that God inhabits the praises of His people. So sign or speak God’s praises. Offer Him your adoration and admiration. Reflect on His loving kindness and goodness. Praise and worship and watch things shift.

You may also find more tips here. What other practical ways do you find helpful? Don’t keep them to yourself; sharing is caring. So please comment and share.

Love,

Did You Know? The Devil is a Paper Lion!

| Flo 
Be alert and of sober mind. 
Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
- 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

In this Bible verse, the operative word is ‘like’. While it likens the devil to a lion, it doesn’t say the devil is actually a lion. It tells us that the devil walks about as if he were a lion, roaring and looking for prey.

But we know something … 

There is only one Lion. And that is The Lion of Judah.

In the not-so-distant past, I heard a revelation about this verse that has since become my own. The speaker had travelled to South Africa and had gone on safari – as one does. They learnt that in a pride of lions, there can only be one Alpha.

At times, though, there may be juveniles in the pride who wish to challenge the Alpha but do not have the strength or the ability to do so. So, they stand off at a distance and roar loudly. 

However, it’s not a true challenge to the Alpha. It can’t be. The juvenile doesn’t have the authority, the power, the capacity to back it up. The devil is the juvenile lion, wanting to challenge God but unable to. He’s a defeated foe. So, he goes after God’s children instead.

I was sharing this revelation with my mum and saying, “In essence, he’s a toothless lion.” She laughed and said, “He’s a paper lion.” I found that quite amusing and we laughed about it. But the words stayed with me long after that conversation.

What I didn’t know is that they would become a revelation to me and minister to my soul more than I could have imagined then. Because a toothless lion is still a lion. It still has some power. It has claws and brute strength. The mere thought of encountering one can still strike fear. 

A paper lion on the other hand has no power whatsoever. It’s not real. It’s a counterfeit.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, 
he made a public spectacle of them, 
triumphing over them by the cross.
- Colossians 2:15 NIV

Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, took away the power of the enemy of our souls completely through the finished work on the cross. On our own, we’re powerless, helpless, defeated. In Christ, we are victorious. That is why He, being God Himself, chose to lay down His life to set us free from the trap that sin placed us in.

We do not have to be afraid, even when things go south. When we face trials and tribulations, we know we have ultimate victory. We have an inheritance in Christ. Love, joy, and peace never depart, irrespective of circumstances. Goodness and mercy pursue relentlessly and overtake. Always!

We do not cower or turn back. Ever. We take a stand! And when everything is said and done, we’re found standing. We have life and life in abundance. In high school, I had a teacher who used to like saying that empty vessels are the most sonorous. The loudest.

The juvenile lion roars so loudly, at a distance, but it knows it has no substance. The Alpha stepped in for once and for all. We could either accept or reject that truth, but there is no undoing it.

Beloved, if you haven’t already, I implore you to accept it. Ask Jesus to show you, to teach you. If you have already accepted this Good News, ask for a deeper revelation and watch and see what the King of kings will do! 

I invite you to pray the prayer at the end.

Love,

Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much that you love me. Thank you for dying for me on the cross. You took away my sin and shame; I have absolutely no guilt now. I ask you to completely take over every aspect of my life. I place myself, my whole heart and my life in your hands. 
Show me what life in abundance looks like. Please give me a deeper revelation of You and Your finished work on the cross for my sake. Teach me Your Truth and Your Ways.
Again, thank you. 
I look forward to all that you have in store for me with anticipation.
Amen and amen 🙏🏾

A Coin in a Fish: How Jesus Uses the Ordinary to Do Extraordinary Things

| Flo 
The Temple Tax (Two-drachma Tax) 
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax
came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 
“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. 
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Matthew 17:24-27 NIV

As I was reading from the passage above this morning, a thought popped into my head. Why didn’t Jesus just click his fingers and have a coin magically appear in His or Peter’s hands?

He could just as easily have done that. I mean, nothing is impossible with God, right?!

Well, to start, Jesus is not showy like that. He does not act in ways that are designed to attract attention and impress people. Doing it that way would almost be like a magician trying to entertain and amaze people and that is not Jesus’ MO! In all His ways, He is humble and intentional about how He does things.

I’m convinced that the means justify the ends with Him. Which brings me to the next point. Why fishing specifically? Why not mould a clay jar, tip it and find a coin inside? Well, God reminded me that Peter was a fisherman by trade. So, it’s quite intentional that He sent Peter to go and fish. I imagine that if Peter was a baker by trade, Jesus would have instructed him to bake a loaf of bread, cut it open, and find a coin inside it. 

God uses our natural skillset and our experience to do what He calls us to do. He chooses to partner with us where we are at to accomplish His purposes. It usually takes the ordinary things we are already capable of doing, coupled with our faith and obedience. This is how God often chooses to perform miracles.

Look at the first recorded miracle at the wedding in Cana, Galilee in John 2:1-12. Jesus instructed the servers there to fill jars with water, draw some out and take it to the banquet master. Somewhere along the way, the water turned into wine. It took the ordinary actions of ordinary people doing what they already had the skillset and experience to do. Simply put, they were just going about doing their job albeit in an unusual way.

So, it took obedience and a level of faith on their part to present water to the banquet master as though it were wine. That is the stuff that miracles are made of, isn’t it! God is not about fanfare or the hocus-pocus kind of miracles. He’s about doing the ordinary everyday things in an extraordinary, God-ordained way.

Jesus healed people by simply telling them to stretch out their hand, get up from their bed, wake up from the sleep that is death and so forth. For example, He simply told Peter, “Come,” and Peter walked on water Matthew 14:29.

Today, Jesus still performs miracles in the same way – no hocus-pocus, Abracadabra! fanfare or showy actions that are supposed to impress people. As Jesus followers, we should also emulate Him as we fulfil the Great Commission.

So, simply listen to what God is saying to you then respond in faith and obedience. He’ll partner with you and perform miracles through and for you.

Love,

Dare to Rise Above and Walk by Faith

| Flo

It was the festive season not so long ago. Christmas was upon us. I was chatting to my sister and I said to her, “Christmas is just not the same. I haven’t felt festive for the last couple of years, and this year is no different.” I wasn’t complaining or whining; I was just making an observation. Then she asked, “Has this been since Daddy passed away?” I realised it had. I hadn’t made the connection. Also, six months before this conversation, we had buried my Bestie, my Mbuya, my maternal grandmother. I was still processing that grief.

Sometimes things happen that break our hearts. We don’t feel like celebrating like we used to. We see the world in muted colours, not the vibrant ones we once saw. Perhaps we don’t laugh as easily, and we feel lacklustre. We’re just tired. At times, we get knocked down enough times that we may start to ask ourselves, “What’s the point?” We may even start getting tempted to stay down. To just accept that that’s life. We shouldn’t, though. We must choose to hold on to hope and faith and joy and peace, and all that is good. We must choose to hold on to Christ Jesus.

The festive season, for example, is more than just a holiday, a time for festivities and family and fun. Those are all great things, of course. But more than that, it’s also a commemoration of the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the redemption He secured for us. Christmastime is an opportunity to celebrate the ultimate new beginning we have in Him – the dawn of a new era.

A kingdom was birthed and made available to all for the taking. In this kingdom, the old are made new, the broken restored, the heartbroken comforted, the poor made rich, the lonely placed in families, and the homeless given a home. The list goes on and on. It’s for us to discover the things on this endless list and live by them.

As citizens of this kingdom, you and I have fellowship with our King, and that’s the greatest gift of all. So, then, as much as we may feel a little tired and a little dampened at times, we do not allow that to steal our joy. So, I personally found ways to celebrate the real reason behind the season this past Christmas despite how I was feeling. I remembered the Lord’s goodness and expected to see more of it. I expected a new lease on life from The Author of Life. And boy, did it happen! That’s a story for another day.

Today, I want to encourage you that if you’re facing heartbreak, if things are difficult and you’re barely holding on, if you feel like you’ve lost, if ever you start to feel like, “What’s the point?”, remind yourself that Jesus is! He’s the answer to all things. That’s Who has carried me again and again. He is more than sufficient in all things.

“Listen to Me, [insert your name], you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

– Isaiah 46:3 – 4 NIV

So, enjoy fellowship with The King. And out of that close connection with Him, may all the good things He has for you flow freely and fully. 

Love,

Faith vs Fear: Lessons from the 12 Spies in Numbers 13

| Flo

The scouting party sent out by the Israelites in this passage consisted of leaders (Numbers 13:3). One would expect such men to display wisdom, restraint, and sound judgment. As representatives of a people specially called and chosen by God, they should have been the best among them.

For forty days they explored the vast land and returned with both a report and samples of its produce (Numbers 13:21–22, 25). Their report offers profound lessons about faith and fear. Mainly, our faith determines whether we walk into God’s promises or retreat from them.

Firstly, they all saw the same land, the same cities, and the same people. Yet they returned with two very different perspectives: ten spies responded with fear, two responded with faith.

In verse 27 the fearful scouts reported:

“We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.”

This was entirely consistent with what God had already said in Exodus 3:8:

“So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

The Lord had repeated this promise many times—after the first Passover (Exodus 13:5), even after Israel’s sin with the golden calf (Exodus 33:3), and again while giving them instructions for holy living (Leviticus 20:24), among other occasions.

Fear began to inflate the problem and distort reality. They declared that the inhabitants were too strong and that Israel could not attack them (Numbers 13:31). They even claimed that “the land devours those living in it.” In their eyes, they seemed like grasshoppers compared to the people of the land—and they assumed the inhabitants saw them the same way.

That is what fear does. It distorts our perspective and makes things seem insurmountable. The Israelites believed the negative report and lost heart. In their fear, they began to view slavery in Egypt—a life of oppression—as preferable to the unknown future ahead of them.

Instead of the promised blessings, they saw their wives and children being taken as plunder and their lives lost by the sword (Numbers 14:2-3). Tragically, fear caused them to miss out on the blessing God had given them. They refused to lay claim to it and take possession.

Faith births courage and action. Fear causes us to shrink back and stagnate. 

Faith, on the other hand, led Caleb and Joshua to glorify God, rightly elevating Him above the very real challenges ahead of them. They chose to believe God at His word despite what they saw. They were certain they could take possession of the land.

Where others saw giants that could squash them like “grasshoppers”, they saw prey, “bread”, because they were looking beyond the natural (Numbers 13:31-33; 14:7-9). When God gives a command or a promise, we must resolve never to allow fear to steal it from us.

The Danger of Seeking Confirmation for Our Fears

Looking at the same account in Deuteronomy 1:19-40 reveals an interesting detail. It was the leaders who suggested sending out spies to scout the promised land (Deuteronomy 1:22). While this was a prudent idea, it’s also possible something else was at play. Perhaps the leaders asked for a search party because they were afraid. They’d just crossed a “great and terrible wilderness” and now were approaching unfamiliar territory. It’s human to seek reassurance in the face of uncertainty and discomfort. 

Yet it wasn’t unknown, not really. God had already promised, “I’m giving you a land filled with milk and honey.” That’s the most important information they needed to know going in. If they’d needed further details, God surely would have revealed them. This moment reminds one of Adam and Eve who sought knowledge of good and evil after God had expressly forbidden it. Their desire for knowledge went beyond trust in God.

I’m not saying it is wrong to be informed and prepared. No, that is prudent. However, we sometimes seek information not to prepare ourselves but to confirm fears we are already entertaining. Without discernment or staying focused on Christ, the same information meant to prepare us could feed our fears and weaken our faith instead. We need to ask God to give us His perspective to see people and things as He does when we seek information, not to scout independently of Him. 

When we don’t keep our eyes on Christ and the truth that He is always with us, the bad soon outweighs the good, and the risks outweigh the benefits in our minds. For example, the scouts brought back a single cluster of grapes, some pomegranates and some figs. However, the weight of their words of caution far outweighed these samples. They spoke far more about the challenges than about the blessings.

This is a good reminder to be careful about how we search for information, how we process it, and how we share it with others.

The Parallel Paths of Faith and Fear

Faith and fear operate in remarkably similar ways. In many respects, they are opposite sides of the same coin. Both come by:

  • Hearing a word

Faith begins with hearing God’s Word: 

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

Fear often enters our hearts by listening to words that contradict God’s Word, be it the news, a friend’s opinion, a business report, family beliefs, a doctor’s prognosis, and so on.

  • Believing it 

For anything to take root in our lives, we must agree with it on some level – even a subconscious one. For example, insults only gain power over us when we internalize them.

Faith grows when we believe God’s Word. Fear grows when we accept negative reports as ultimate truth.

In Shona, we say “kuzvigamuchira,” which means to receive it. You have to be convinced of something before it has any effect on you otherwise it is just a moot point, background noise, something that has nothing to do with you.

  • Meditating on it.

Once belief sets in, then comes ruminating. This minds replays the message and it stays with us. We turn it over repeatedly, examining every angle. This works with Good News i.e. God’s Word and with bad news. Unfortunately, many of us find it easier to dwell on negative messages. It takes intentional effort to redirect our thoughts toward God’s Word and His promises.

  • Confessing it

When something fills our hearts, we naturally speak about it. Exciting news spills out in conversation. The same is true for troubling news. We repeat it, discuss it, analyse it, and sometimes amplify it. Words have power, especially when we speak them repeatedly. Scripture teaches that salvation itself involves believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth (Romans 10:9). How we speak matters. That’s not to say we must deny reality or lie; however, how we speak about things can either magnify fear or magnify God. 

  • Living according to it 

What we believe eventually shapes our behaviour.

If I hear a traffic report about an accident on a certain road, I will avoid that route. I have believed the report, and the fear of being stuck in traffic affects my actions.

Faith works similarly. If I truly believe God’s words—such as His declaration that He loves me and I’m precious and honoured in His sight (Isaiah 43:4)—that belief will influence how I see myself, how I speak, and how I live.

  • Experiencing the harvest

Both faith and fear produce a harvest in our lives. What begins as a word grows through belief, meditation, confession, and action. Over time, it shapes our inner life before flowing outwards and shaping our circumstances.

Final Thought

The Israelites stood at the edge of promise, but fear convinced them to turn back. We face similar moments in our own lives. When God gives a promise or calls us forward, we must decide which voice will guide us: fear or faith. The voice we listen to, believe, and repeat will determine the path we walk and the future we experience. Faith produces life and courage. Fear produces limitation and retreat.

Love,

With Humility Comes Wisdom

| Flo

We serve a humble and tender-hearted God.

With greatness and achievement, often comes stature and popularity or renown. And when one is excellent and surpasses all others by a great margin as to be incomparable, a measure of pride is only natural. In fact, a level of arrogance is often expected in such a person. That is why it never ceases to amaze me that the Lord Jesus is humble and tender in heart.

He says to us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In Philippians 2:6- 8, we hear of how Jesus, though being God, did not take advantage of His divinity, choosing instead to take on the nature of a man, a servant at that! He submitted Himself to death on a cross, something reserved for criminals. That is just how humble Jesus is.

From His birth in a manger for a bed to His life on this Earth to His death on the cross, He chose not to exalt Himself even though if anyone had a right to, it would have been Him. After His death, we hear that the Father “exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Yet, even now, pride is not something that can be associated with Him.

I am in reverence and awe of such a heart, such character. What an example?! How is it possible that someone so great, so perfect and possessing the highest level of authority could be humble? Of course, it doesn’t make sense when considered from a human perspective but the kingdom of heaven is unlike any other. In the kingdom of heaven, the one who is least is the greatest. Humility is a virtue to be embraced. A humble person pleases God. He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage ‘pride goes before a fall’ in one form or the other. The Bible tells us that “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). It’s not always easy to choose humility. It is contrary to how the world works, in general, and that is why it is so surprising to encounter humility especially in a person who has every reason not to be humble. Imagine then, what a powerful testimony it would be that we follow the way of Jesus when we show true humility. 

So, I pose the question to you and me –  what are some ways we could grow in humility today?

Love,

Five Biblical Ways to Deal with Anxiety

| Flo

Five tips from my personal experience

It came to my attention recently that there may be something going on with my credit record, potentially an incorrect entry or something. While I do not intend to get any credit, I do want a clean record. So, I am trying to rectify the issue, but to do that, I need more information first and that has been proving to be a challenge. Something as simple as getting my record has been like pulling teeth. I have tried a few times and hit a different snag each time.

This morning, after attempting once again to get the information I need and getting nowhere, I started to feel very frustrated. I thought, “Why is this happening!” Then a sense of dread started creeping in and before I knew it, I was feeling sick to my stomach. It wasn’t because of anything tangible, just a strong feeling of uncertainty and worry. I felt a sense of fear and my stomach was churning. I immediately recognised that feeling. I have suffered from anxiety in the past and I can tell when I am starting to get anxious. My mind goes into overdrive and left unchecked, can begin to create all kinds of not-so-good scenarios.

Now, we can agree that that’s not good. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to give us life and life in abundance (John 10:10). It is God’s heart that we should have peace and that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). God has given us His Spirit (John 14:16) who is an advocate, a helper and a faithful companion in all things and at all times. Through His help, we can embody these qualities which are the fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). 

When I started to feel anxious and I couldn’t shake it off, I began to reflect on some Biblical truths and found ways, in the moment, to apply them. God has given me victory over depression and anxiety, and has caused me to walk in freedom from anxiety. That’s a story for another day. For today, here are five things that helped me immediately:

1. Practice Gratitude

I was having a cup of tea as I was sending some emails about my issue when I became aware of just how good a cup of tea I had in my hand. “Thank you, Lord, for this delicious tea. It is amazing. Your provision is not lost on me.” It was a simple and effortless expression but I immediately felt so much better. It shifted my focus to God, His goodness, His provision and His presence. I couldn’t help but smile. I started to thank God for other things, delighting in finding reasons to do so. In my moment of frustration, as I was struggling to find words to pray about what was bothering me, I focused on God’s heart for me and His character. It made me more acutely aware that Jesus is with me all the time. He has me and whatever I am facing in the palm of his hands.

2. Worship and Praise

Worshiping God can be like a soothing balm to the soul. We were made to have companionship with God and to glorify Him. Praise and worship ushers in God’s presence and we were designed to enjoy being in God’s presence. When I sing unto God, I feel an unmatched sense of coming home – arriving at the place where I belong, where I find rest, where I am safe and my beloved Love is. God is our friend and our Father, and worshipping Him can not only calm us and draw us closer to Him, it shifts our perspective, what’s happening internally. It also has the power to shift what’s happening externally. God delights when we call out to Him and He responds (Psalm 18:6). It is what we’re meant to do, not remain silent or try to do it without God’s help. (Psalm 14:4, 1 Samuel 12:23, Luke 18:1).

3. Surrender all to God

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22 NIV. God wants us to bring everything to Him, our joys and sorrows, our victories and our failures, our hopes and our dreams, our plans and lack thereof. He wants us to talk to him, to share what’s on my minds, to give to him what bothers us and then be convinced that once we do, He makes a provision and we do not need to worry anymore. This is seldom an easy thing, but I always say, “Just because it is difficult, it does not mean it cannot be done.” Moreover, God is kind enough to give us the strength to do the things we cannot do.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

4. Focus on What’s in Your Control

Quite often, when I feel anxious, it is because I feel a loss of control. Perhaps I want or expect things to turn out a certain way; I’ve made plans and preparations; I’ve put in the effort; I’ve done all that I can and beyond then… A big fat nothing. At times in life, it can feel like all your best efforts amount to naught and it can be unsatisfying or heart-breaking. I have learnt and am still learning to let go. It is helpful to have a sense of awareness of what God is calling me to carry, i.e., what I have the ability and grace [from God] to do. Anything more than that can steal my joy and peace. In the case of my credit record, I called, I sent emails, and I did all I could humanly do. I prayed as I did it and chose to trust God that He’d make a way. The scenarios running through my head were not real or helpful so I rejected them and waited to see what would happen, what God would do. What a turnaround that was for me! The rest of the day went better than I could have hoped.

5. Ask for Support

Last, but not least, we’re also designed to walk in fellowship, in community, in relationship with others. I believe in my heart that God saved and healed me from depression and anxiety, but I have also witnessed how the enemy will attempt to attach what I’ve been freed from back onto me. It was a part of my way of life for so long, so much so that it was like a part of my identity. Even as I write this, my heart goes out to the one reading or hearing this who is still struggling with depression and anxiety. My prayers are with you; I pray that Godspeed healing and freedom in whatever form He wills for you. 

With that in mind, I asked a couple of close and trusted friends and family to pray with me. This was especially helpful because, at first, for some reason, I was struggling to pray. Yet prayer is important. Prayer draws me closer to God and unlocks His blessings. It is how I stand firm, hold onto my peace and step into what God has already granted me (Exodus 14:13 -14). Only after thanking God for many unrelated things, worshipping Him and trusting that those who love me including Jesus Himself were interceding on my behalf was I able to see past myself and prayer could flow from my heart. Beloved, hold on to God and to your faith. When you struggle with that, reach out to your community, reach out to Jesus and ask for help. 

Love,

Maturing in waiting on God

| Flo

When we think of waiting, we automatically think of idleness, inaction, lack of movement and consequently, lack of productivity. That sounds like a whole lot of lack or a lot of nothing, if you ask me. Nobody wants that, right?! I don’t know about you, but these are some of the ideas and attitudes that get in the way when it comes to me waiting on God. It’s not an easy thing to do, yet it is a very important Biblical concept.

I grew up with a mum who took her relationship with Jesus very seriously. I learnt a lot about walking with God from watching how she lived her life. So, I was introduced, indirectly, to the concept of waiting on God by her . Let me tell you, not only did I not understand it, it drove me nuts! For example, when it was decision time, especially the more important life-altering decisions, she would say let’s pray then wait and see. See what?! As far as I was concerned, that wasn’t how decisions were made.

You gathered information, weighed the pros and cons, perhaps asked for advice though not so much that you would drown in other people’s opinions then picked the best possible option just like she and my dad had taught us. I did not understand this seemingly redundant step of ‘waiting on God’. Decades later, when I accepted Christ into my life, I slowly began to understand her – slowly being the operative word. Though I still find waiting on God challenging at times, it’s easier than it was in the past. There’s an unequivocal trust in God that I now enjoy that I didn’t before.

Impatience, desire for control, doubt and sometimes just plain curiosity would have me running back to Jesus again and again. “Lord, it’s me again. Remember that thing we spoke about some moments ago. I really want to know your thoughts. I am asking for these very good and specific reasons. Do you have an answer for me yet? No, not even a clue?! Okay, I’ll check back in shortly. If you will, could you let me know by this time pretty please. Thank you, God!” 😄  Isn’t it wonderful that God doesn’t get impatient with us?! 

At other times, I would pray about something concerning my family or friends or myself or some kind of issue. After praying, I would feel peace in my heart or sense God saying, “It is well,” or “It is done.” Yet, I would still fret because I wanted specifics or I would agonize over timelines. I wanted signs and confirmation. I wanted reassurance all the time. Through it all, God was ever patient and loving as He taught and corrected me. Over the years, I have had many chances to learn how to wait on the Lord as I have matured in my walk with the Lord. Here are a few of the things I’ve learnt.

Wait Actively

Waiting on God isn’t a passive effort. It is not simply delaying a decision or an action until such a time when it is right. It involves actively seeking God: spending time with Jesus; asking Him the tough questions you may be grappling with; intently searching out God’s heart and plans for you; and worshipping Him through it all. God remains good, unchanging, sovereign and faithful regardless of the season we’re in or what we’re facing so waiting on Him means acknowledging Him and submitting to His timing and design for us.

Rely on the Word

The Bible is full of wisdom and practical life lessons. Not only that, it is the Word of God, so it is like God speaking directly to us. From it, we can learn God’s thoughts, His character, His heart, His ways, His power, His designs for us and more. 

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. 
It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart 
Hebrews 4:12 AMP. 

Reading what God says in the Bible and putting it into practice is a good way to wait. If ever I am unsure of what to do, that’s the first place to turn to. When I want to make sure that my plans, my decision, my actions or my life are pleasing to my Heavenly Dad, I check to see that they are aligned with scripture. When I need to talk to God and words fail me, the Bible helps with that too.

Step out in Faith

I remember that when I first got saved, I used to want God to ratify pretty much every decision. I loved it. As I got ready in the morning, I’d ask Him which outfit He thought I should wear. When I made plans for the weekend, I would ask what He thought I should do and with whom I should spend my time. I would be so delighted when He responded. It was a great way to build intimacy with and trust in Him. However, when I didn’t receive that seal of approval I yearned for, I’d become a little paralysed in my decision-making. 

I wanted a specific yes or no or wait. Then a mature lady advised me that when my plans are aligned with God’s Word and God is silent when I ask Him about them, perhaps that’s an invitation to step out in faith and act. Ultimately, walking with God is about relationship. God is not some tyrannical overlord who does not leave room for our hopes or opinions or desires. On the contrary, He wants us to live in joy and peace; He wants to bless us. At times like that, it’s okay to take a leap of faith and trust that God has got your back.

Know His Voice

Jesus has also taught me He is the Good Shepherd who guides, leads and protects me and it is for me to trust and follow Him. He says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NIV) That means it’s important to know and recognise His voice when He speaks then follow and obey what He says. Take time to know God’s voice intimately and recognise it from all other voices – yours, other people’s, and the enemy Satan.

Be Content in Christ

Many times, we ask for something and we do not get it. You pray for a sick loved one but they get worse and then pass away. You believe for a job opportunity that could change your life and would be the answer to many of your challenges but you get passed over for it. You’re in a challenging relationship and trust God to turn it around but things keep getting worse. When I have been faced with such challenging events, I have learnt that Christ Himself is the answer for me.

When things stop making sense, He still is my portion and my inheritance. He still is Healer, Provider, Protector, and Vindicator. While that may not minimise or remove what I am facing, He gives me the grace and strength to face and go through it. What’s more, I have hope for the future in Him. 

Believe Him

Lastly, I have learnt that when God says He will do something, it is done. While I wait for it to manifest, I can find joy in worshipping Him. I can also be encouraged by what He said, finding peace while I wait. For example, I was looking at my grandmother’s photo on my bedside, thinking of her and admiring her beautiful smile one time. I had visited her and wasn’t sure when I would be able to visit again. See, she is advanced in years, so every moment I get to spend with her is very special. It could very well be the last. I remember thinking, “I hope to see that beautiful smile again,” and God immediately said, “You shall see it again.” 

I didn’t even question it. In my heart of hearts, I was persuaded beyond a shadow of doubt that I would. It was an answer to a prayer I hadn’t even consciously prayed. It was an Isaiah 65:24 moment – before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. I have seen my gran many times since. More than I would have dreamed or dared to ask.

As we speak, I am in another season of waiting. Actually, being a Christian involves a lot of waiting on God, in my humble opinion, and these reminders have been helpful and uplifting. I am encouraged as I continue to watch and wait to see what God will say and do. I hope you’ll find them uplifting and encouraging too.

Love,