TWO weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of gratitude in our life. How seeing the good, tracing its source, and giving thanks for such, can make a big difference in living a happier life. I also shared two practical tips to develop a grateful heart. (See “The Gift of Gratitude” – SunStar Baguio, August 12, 2018)
It was the gloomy morning caused by the rainy and foggy weather that prompted me to write about such a topic. The weather has not improved much since then. In fact, I can count with the fingers of my one hand the number of times the sun shone. And it has already been almost a month now. How I miss the sunshine!
A familiar quote comes to my mind. “You don't know what you have until it’s gone.” Indeed, we realize more the value and importance of anything (or anyone,) after we lose them.
Thank God, we know that eventually, the rains will stop.... and the sun will be shining brightly again. Still, it is a good reminder for us, to not take anything or anyone for granted. Life is too short to neglect to see the good and beautiful around us. To appreciate. To give thanks. Life is too short to miss to forgive and be forgiven.
The reality is, sometimes, our problems in life are like the heavy monsoon rains that we are experiencing now. They seem endless, causing us to feel anxious and even hopeless. Our problems like the monsoon rains can paralyze us. But, unlike the rains, we have control over our choices in life.
We can choose to face our problems whatever they are. We can ask for guidance and help from family and friends. We can choose to count our blessings, see the good, and thank God for them. We can pray unceasingly and offer whatever suffering we have for the intention of a loved one, or for our struggling and suffering country.
My dearest Baguio SunStar readers,
I believe that like me, you also miss the sunshine. Like me, you also have problems. I pray that God’s words will comfort you as they comfort me.
Romans 5:3-5 says, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Please keep in mind, that whatever problem you are facing now, just like the rains, this, too, will come to pass.
Let’s remain steadfast in our faith, trusting God through our present difficulties and pains. Let Jesus be our source of hope, who is the anchor of our soul. Together with Him, believe that we will weather all storms and see the sun, shining once again!
Please stay warm and dry. Keep safe under God’s loving protection. God bless you and your loved ones always! -08252018