Diary of a Not So Wimpy Kid.

* I pray that this post will be a source of encouragement to those with sad/worried/anxious hearts.

Enjoy !*

So this wonderful evening, I've come up with two great rhetorical questions that i would like for you to think on, yes!, YOU!

 1. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?

2. If you could change what happened, would you?

They're rhetorical questions - you kind of don't really have to answer them!. But why did i ask? well, continue reading so you can find out!

So, before Jesus went back to Heaven, he spoke to the disciples on different facets of things; from your purpose in life, to the job of the Holy spirit, all the way down to how to respond when someone slaps you, and in the book of John we meet Jesus speaking to his disciples on things that will happen to them in the future.  In the MSG (Message) version of John 16 verse 33, Jesus continues his conversation with the disciples and tells them 

  "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.". The popular NLT (New Living Translation) version says "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

I quote this verse because i believe sometimes were told lies about how fun every step of life is/should be. We tend to believe that life will be a smooth ride and once we encounter a bump or two or ten  we turn into wimps and our power goes from 100 to 0 (reeeaaallll quick), we begin to either doubt God or just respond to our "bump(s)" in an unhealthy way that doesn't please God. 

But Jesus tells us the reality of this life; that there will be sad times, bad times, the "i just want to give up times"...but he doesn't just leave us there, he also tells us to how to respond, he says "take heart!" in the original Greek text, "take heart" is "tharseo" meaning "good courage, good cheer and boldness." 

What is courage? courage is staring your mountain right in the face and still saying

 "One of us is going to have to move and its not me!"
"One of us is going to be shaken and its not me!"
"One of us was built to last and it is me!"

Jesus Christ wants us to respond to our bumps with boldness.

If you feel weak in this moment, i want to encourage you that Jesus Christ is near to you.(Psalm 34:18)

 Ask him to make you BRAVE.

So let me ask these not so rhetorical questions again 

1. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?...

2. If you could change what happened, would you?...

    the mountain is right there..

FACE IT AND RESPOND.

What would happen when sons and daughters of God responded to their situations just.... like.... God? 

"The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion" Proverbs 28:1

Thanks for reading!

I Love You

- Nicole J.