Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Looking Beyond Life’s Burdens

Are your aspirations falling apart and your toils slipping away to nothing? Or are you in the midst of a painful, dark time desperately seeking for answers of hope. In facing life’s burdens, it is humbling and wise to remember God’s promise to those who put their trust in the Lord, as He says:

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13)

God gave this promise to the people of olden Israel who lived in exile far from their homes as a result of judgment to their grievous sin of idolatry. Although judged, God’s watchful eyes are upon them ready to hear whenever they sincerely seek Him. This discipline holds equally true to any of us who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, His divine plan to walk us through the path of spiritual journey often takes us to a valley of suffering to refine us with the furnace of trials and to eventually partake of His holy and righteous character.

Indeed, God does have a plan and purpose for us that — though not always easy — is assuredly for our best interest and His glory, as God emphatically spoke this promise to His people who have been dragged away in despair facing tough, critical times:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11).

God’s ways are sometimes mysteriously clad in affliction, but He does not put us into a trying situation that we cannot bear. We just have to muster strength from the faith that He has given us, then focus not on our problems, but refocus on the Lord and His promised good future.

It is worth mentioning that before God gave this famous promise, He warned the people of Israel not to listen to false voices – to various advices which are so deafening that they inflict with fear instead of trust in the Lord. The same thing with us, whenever we face challenges, instead of hearing voices that confuse us, let’s spend time with His Word, pray and seek His face.

In spending time listening to God, our spiritual minds are quickened to prepare us for God’s purpose in our lives. We need to devote a time in our daily lives to reflect on God’s Word and speak to Him. God’s voice speaks clearly and gives us a clear conscience. And the more we are accustomed to His Word, the more confident we will feel of His guidance through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Let us then keep believing that God is up to something, even if we can’t see it yet. After all, God wanted His people to remember that He would fulfill His Word to them. And, as we pray, let us look for opportunities that God may have for us, and learn how God is using the tough times to change us to become closer to godliness and more like our Master for His praise and honor!

Looking Beyond Life’s Burdens

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