Finding Light in the Darkness: A Journey of Resilience and Hope

In the depths of our darkest moments, it can feel as though we are engulfed by an endless storm, with no respite in sight. The weight of emotional crises and depression can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling lost and alone. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of despair that we must summon the courage to seek out the flicker of light amidst the darkness.

My latest reflection is inspired by the profound words of Psalm 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” These words resonate deeply, reminding us that even in our most trying times, there is always the promise of a new dawn, a fresh start.

In the sacred scriptures, we find countless stories of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. From the trials of Job to the triumph of David over Goliath, these stories serve as timeless reminders of the power of faith to overcome even the greatest of challenges.

As we journey through the ups and downs of life, it is important to remember that we are never alone. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus assures us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). These words offer solace and comfort, reminding us that we can always turn to Him in our times of need.

Through the act of reflection and prayer, we can find strength and solace amidst the storms of life. Just as the sun rises each morning, casting its warm glow upon the world, so too can we find light in the darkness. With faith as our guide, we can navigate even the most treacherous of waters, knowing that we are held in the loving embrace of a higher power.

So to anyone who finds themselves struggling with emotional turmoil, I offer this message of hope: You are not alone. Even in your darkest moments, there is light to be found. Trust in the promise of a new dawn, and have faith that better days are on the horizon.

May we all find our way through the darkness and into the light, guided by the eternal promise of hope and redemption.

Warm regards,

Leandra.

Prayer: I pray through remembrance of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, our spirit is Resurrected and reborn, all parts of us that our dead, are cleansed , all parts of us wounded are healed, and all the pain will transform to testify the strength we gained to overcome and redeem through the grace of God. Jesus will never leave us, He is for us, His angels protect us, His spirit guides us, we will be filled with His peace, love , joy and miracles. God will transform our lives to exclaim his glory. May His glory be revealed and magnify his abundant favor over our lives always and forever, in the most Holy, beautiful,  powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Total surrender.

If you recall some of Jesus’s last words on the cross,
1. “My God, my God , why have you forsaken me?”
Mathew 27:46 & Mark 15:34

2. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

3.”Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46

4.”I am thirsty.” John 19:28

5.”It is finished.” John John 19:30

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Let’s reflect on the above scriptures.

1. Jesus knowing that the crucifixion was the last part of the journey in the plan of salvation, felt betrayed? Felt alone? Even when He is God (the Mystery of the Holy Trinity). Understand this, we will have our moments of weaknesses, even when we know God is with us, this journey is pre-planned. We will hit rock bottom sometimes, but it’s not the end, the pain could be excruciating & overwhelming. Don’t lose your faith.

2. He forgave everyone who betrayed him, who forsook him, who planned he’s execution. He forgave us even when we weren’t born, our sins against our Lord. He interceded for us in he’s last, such was/is his love for us.

3. The best lesson – total absolute surrender. The Lord of all surrendered to His Lordship- His Father, the Almighty.

4. Thirst for the life after – for the joining in celebration in Heaven, re-uniting with the Father.

5. Victory in the most tragic moment. He fulfilled the plan.

Stay close to the Lord. He makes all things beautiful.
You, life & your journey.

Praise Him in the storm.

Even when you feel He isn’t worthy, because sweet lil one, in your bitterness you can’t un-see how worthy he has indeed made you to have received all the blessings he’s already given you.

My Dearest you who are hurting, breaking & dying,

I know this might not really reach you. But with all my heart I pray God’s will for you, he’s mercy in your suffering, he’s comfort in your pain, he’s love in your darkness, he’s presence when you feel broken.

May He overpower all that you feel, all that you go through, all that you stand in agony of.

May He help you understand that life cannot be measured by the years you have lived or by the time you’ve been given to be prepared for the worst.

We all are mortals, death being the beautiful rebirth into meeting are higher selves (our souls – something un-perishable- a part of Him ) .

In your fear, Call out to him, welcome Him, Talk to Him. Because He not only listens, he’s present beside you, within you and he has he’s angels around you.

You are beautifully & wonderfully made. You are chosen. You belong to HIM. You are precious to HIM. He is worthy of our love even when we feel he’s not befriending us, He is always worthy of all Praises.
Hosannah in the highest.

I pray for you to have healing & peace & joy that penetrates through your pain and leaves you wanting Him more. Thirst only for Him, he redeems us.

Measure your life by the faith you have in him, by the blinded trust of having his hand at work in your life. Measure it by the blessings he’s endowed you with. Measure it with all the suffering & pain he’s let you endure, measure it with the strength he’s blessed you with. Measure it with praise in your heart even in the storms of your life.

Bless you.

Love,
Lea.

Climb with Jesus.

My dear friends,
Often in life soaring after a fall, you find yourself trapped again or falling again, and the fear & anxiety that crawls makes you feel like you don’t know how to control this change of tides.
That’s because you don’t control it.

God does.

Why do we go to HIM in our dire times of needs , but often take Him for granted in our peaceful time? Why often we fail to Praise Him, acknowledge Him ? Why to fit in with non believers we pretend to be loose on grounds of faith? Or to fit in with firm believers , we pretend we know Him the most?
And yet often the non believers ask us to pray to Him?

What is our faith lacking?

If you have read tons of books in your lifetime, have you read your BIBLE thoroughly? From the Old testament to the New?

It gives us a choice between life & death, good & evil, and advices us this :
Deuteronomy 30:19 CHOOSE LIFE.

When facing a battle and we expect defeat, it says :
Deuteronomy 31:6 BE DETERMINED AND CONFIDENT.

Deuteronomy 31:8 THE LORD HIMSELF WILL LEAD YOU & BE WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR ABANDON YOU, SO DO NOT LOSE COURAGE OR BE AFRAID.

Exodus 33:14 THE LORD SAID , “I WILL GO WITH YOU AND I WILL GIVE YOU VICTORY.”

Victory is ours if He is our sheild.

Make His word your armour and not even the raving oceans can defeat you. Even whilst drowning you will have hope of being saved, you will know that HE IS WITH YOU.

Remember this my friend,
Numbers 18: 20 I, THE LORD, AM ALL YOU NEED.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL FOR YOU, BE GLAD, AND WHEN TROUBLE COMES, JUST REMEMBER : GOD SENDS BOTH HAPPINESS AND TROUBLE , YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

There is simply no need to explain life and how meaningful it is, especially when Our Bible has all the answers.

Remember, those battles against God’s chosen people (Israel) were the WILL OF GOD. They had to learn to be faithful to HIM, they had to acknowledge THAT HE IS ALL WORTHY, ALL MIGHTY, EVER SO FAITHFUL, MERCIFUL & LOVING. THAT HE IS POSSESSIVE of His chosen, that He does NOT tolerate substitutes . That every battle against you is HIS CALL FOR YOU TO TURN TO HIM, GLORIFY HIM , HAVE FAITH IN HIM.

How countless are the substitutes in our lives when it comes to God?
Can we too learn to be open to HIM at all times?
He knows our deepest thoughts, our plans, everything that we do.

Proverbs 15:3 THE LORD SEES WHAT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE , HE IS WATCHING US, WHETHER WE DO GOOD OR EVIL.

Remember :

Ecclesiastes 3:11 HE HAS SET THE RIGHT TIME FOR EVERYTHING.

His will for us surpasses the plans we have for our life. Let’s go to Him & let him guide us through our climb.

Jeremiah 29 : 11-13 I ALONE KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, PLANS TO BRING YOU PROSPERITY AND NOT DISASTER, PLANS TO BRING ABOUT THE FUTURE YOU HOPE FOR.

THEN YOU WILL CALL TO ME, YOU WILL COME AND PRAY TO ME , AND I WILL ANSWER YOU. YOU WILL SEEK ME AND YOU WILL FIND ME, BECAUSE YOU WILL SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

Stay blest all of you.

May Lord give you peace , courage & faith to embrace your climb and walk through it with HIM.

God forgives.

If you remember the incident where Jesus saves a woman from being stoned to death for her sin had caught light,
you should know God forgives , even those that feel unworthy.
And His mercy surpasses every judgement.
For everyone is a sinner and humanely prone to commit mistakes, except God who is alone without sin.
Big or small your sin/mistake will not be used against you if you repent/turn/learn.

While a crime is unforgivable, sin is not.
Know the difference.
Find it in you to forgive yourself & people when you find it extremely difficult.
Find it in you to accept your wrongs & take charge to better yourself.
Find it in you to believe in Him all the time.
For HE is not only good, but Amazing all the time.

Know that God’s time is always the Right time.

You are in the right time,
All the wrongs are the right things happening/happened to you,
The just and the unjust, liked or detested , everything, everything is happening as rightly decreed.
Fate is unwinding as it was perfectly planned,
Not you neither me can change the lessons that life willingly teaches us,
Are you open to learning ?

Are you at home with falling? Because every time you fall , at your disposal is an opportunity to rise above all, take a new route that leads you home, may be the path that kept throwing you off the cliff wasn’t gonna take you home, and thus it’s time for you search and discover what will take you to the place you’ll feel the most alive. And sometimes its not one place, but many, those many will harbor a different milestone in your journey of seeking purpose and fulfillment.

Take care my friend.

Life is imperfect art.

Oh what a beautiful chaos!
How can the greatest perfect potter of all create something as imperfectly real as me ?
I’m amazed. I love the abstract art He created.
Hah! I’m learning to love me like how He see’s me.
Imperfect, cracked, tarnished, gracefully varnished, coloured, discolored, painted , remoulded, burnt, and plastered & torn apart and brought together anew.
How brilliant is this ?
Life is art at work.

When Faith talks #1

Faith defines a huge part of my existence.
I don’t think I’d recognize me without Him and His abundant blessings.
Jesus is not only my friend, my King, my comforter, my healer, my help, my refuge, my hope, my faith, my courage, my victory, questions & answers… Jesus has come to mean everything to me.
No I don’t go to Him in adversities alone, I’m not that much of a hypocrite. I kinda talk to Him everyday. Prayer is a beautiful tool to seek His presence.
And honestly the way His word (bible) always answers me is amazing.
I am not that girl who would bury her Faith so as to fit in with a sassy group of people who probably mock it and still say they are believers. I know Jesus , and knowing Him just alil has told me that there is so much more to Him that I am simply unaware of.
It is so beautiful to see non believers, come to Churches and Chapels and sit in silence, sometimes praying , sometimes hoping, sometimes just blindly staring. I long to know what they feel, what they experience, what they come there for? For a photograph? For the archaeological structures? For some answers, for peace ? For miracles? Statues?
I don’t know. But what really makes me smile is that most often, when they walk out, they have a smile, they have this peace , a serenity unexplainable.
Sometimes we Christians are so ungrateful and blind to see and learn more about Jesus and How His ways are beyond earthly understandings.
I’m not a preacher. But I hope you’ll know how to cherish your bible, how to study it, and how to talk to Jesus, not only when you need Him (in adversaries) but need Him in all times.

I won’t be that person who will wish you on every feast , every saints day and all that, and I’m sorry if I haven’t reverted back to some who indeed wished me, while that might be alil lacking in my faith, I just somehow am keen to only focus on Him, everything related to Him is a feast that I love to celebrate, whether Christmas, Easter…
.

People with faith are not blind as people with none choose to think , For we simply choose to believe in something that you can’t bring yourself to believe in.

P.s. the background art pic is from #Pinterest

The quote is mine.

Faith – the way to what you are looking for.

Scriptures to reflect on :

John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

…………………

They lost a key this morning , and her mom was all crazy and worried and anxious and already thinking of situations that how bad things could turn out because of this, she even started looking at strangers as suspects or should I say potential thieves? Also blaming God in the process and bringing up all the other hardships and questioning Him as to how much more had they to endure. Alice did reprimand her mom to not drag God into this, that they can’t blame Him for all petty things, have some more faith, they’ll find it.

Somehow Alice was so peaceful , even though she did help her mom and dad look around for it. They searched every possible corner but couldn’t find it. They kept looking and in it all Alice kept her peace , calm and faith.

Alice came back in after looking through the garden , it was a hot morning and her gut had a strong feeling that they would find it. She smiled as she looked at Jesus on her altar and heard her mom’s overly anxious thoughts and spoke in her mind, “Jesus, I know you are here and you are smiling just like me, and I also know you’ll help us find it before this day ends. Somehow I just know this. Why else would I feel at peace and not be a worrywart like mom then ? ”

They hadn’t had breakfast and knowing her mom, Alice knew better than to ask her to sit down and have breakfast. She sat herself down at the table and helped herself, watching her mom hustle around , hoping she wouldn’t flip seeing that she was sitting there all calm without a worry. It was an important key after-all.

Meanwhile, her dad had gone back on the path he had gone early this morning to run a few errands and guess what ?

He found the key sitting proudly at a stop he had had this morning.

Lucky him ? Or Amazing faith?

Alice thanked God in her rejoicing heart and had a smug smile as she looked right at her mom while she exclaimed , “Praise you Jesus!”.

Her mom was indeed alil stunned. She did try hiding the obvious though.

Isn’t it so extremely beautiful when you are so certain that God will lead you to the one thing you are earnestly looking for and that is exactly what you find waiting for you, like it was just meant to happen ?

Alice had faith , peace and the power of the Holy spirit in her. It was like she was casually conversing with Jesus, like this was all their naughty plan to create alil hustle in the calm. Alice did not ask God to help find the lost key. Alice knew that Jesus would lead them to it, so sure that she knew it was before the day ends . Much better, they found it the same morning, a matter of a few hours.

What a peculiar faith ?

She did not order God or gave him a set of instructions on how she wants things or when and where should the key be found. She simply said , ‘Jesus I know this is your doing, and I know you’ll show us the way. You will give us what we are looking for.’

In His time, Jesus not only did exactly what He would, but He also made His time inclined with Her’s.

Aren’t we all Alice’s mom most often ? Worrying way too much and taking off our frustrations on the people around ? Blaming God because we often can’t find what we are looking for ? Remembering all the bad things, listing them up and questioning the King of Glory of what do we glorify Him about? Sometimes we know what we are looking for and sometimes we don’t, but we are so involved in the what ifs, why not, how, what , when , where, why – that we fail to acknowledge the mastermind planning the hustle.

He stands patiently beside us and wait for us to become Alice. To remain calm and peaceful, and that can only happen when we can have a faith like her. A faith that is strong enough to be unbelievably brave in the storms and chaos and to know that there is everything good about the storm, the best is to have Jesus beside us, to realize the storm is not really a storm but our humane brain weaving a trap that is eroding our peace.

He waits patiently for us to become like Alice and talk to Him; To show confidence in Him rather than blaming and bringing up all the adversities that actually helped us to be where we are; To not forget the good that we reaped in the bad; To not ask Him for help but to accept the fact that He will help us regardless we ask for help or not if only we have more faith in Him than our situations.

He waits for us to acknowledge that it is not the situation that should rule our mind but our faith that should lead us through our mindtraps and rough patches.

And He also smiles and waits for us to have a heart of gratitude in it all.

How beautiful is the faith of Alice? Alice knew losing the key would be really a bad thing to happen, and while her mom’s worry was reasonable, what was unreasonable was that her mom let her worry make her see innocent people as potential thieves, much worse she relived all the past anxieties and fears and had not yet realised what greater blessings God had given them, she knew about them, yet in such times, her mom failed to weigh that their blessings were so much more profound, cherishable and generously given.

Alice knew all this. And even though she was the child, she was in a better place to understand How great and magnificent are the ways in which our Lord works.

Age does not count to confirm the intensity of one’s faith, a child may have a faith that is brighter and fiercer than that of an experienced older person.

Reach a state of calm like Alice, whether you lose a key or something or someone, whether you are waiting for someone or something, know in your heart that Jesus will lead you to it. Infact, be certain He is already leading you to it. Don’t stop looking. Don’t stop believing. And start talking to Him. He is listening and waiting to talk to us.

We all know this scripture that says, “Faith in God can move mountains ” , well we won’t need Him to move mountains for us, maybe a small stone, but often we’ll make these small stones seem like humongous godzilla’s chasing our leftover peace, sounds funny right ? But it does become gravely seriously when you are living in a situation like so. The situation can be assumed to be overwhelming as we let our mind weave a web about it’s enormity, half the problem is actually not even real, 98% of our worry we can do without, they are just our fears and anxiety resurfacing at the forefront wanting attention, and most often we give in. Try not. How ? Work on that faith sweets, Read His word, accept it and let it live in you.

Just imagine Him sitting beside you with a smile, in every situation, imagine Him stand by you and feel that sense of privilege that you know He is just there and only you can see Him with your eyes of faith, but the person before you can’t. Let this be your thing, like He is invisible to the world you interact with but very visible to your heart and mind and soul. And may be you could even let some know of His presence and how wonderful He is and let them too, have a secret friend at their side at all times ?

Sometimes we need to sit calm, and think how would Jesus want us to feel in a situation like so, ask Him if you want, ask aloud , what would He expect us to do ? And mind you , you will always find the answer almost clashing with the way you’d be feeling or thinking. And if there seem to be no clashes, you will have found the calm and peace you’ll have when there is faith radiating in your breath. You will not question Him then because you will automatically think and feel like He wants you to.

Stay vibrant in Jesus. Bless you. Bless sweet Alice and her mom and their family. And bless you all in your journey of finding your peace.

Have alil more faith.

Dear you,

May all that is disturbing you be laid to rest. May all your fears you overcome.

May happiness be your first choice.

And may simplest small things give you greater joys.

Life is in the moments , lets not wait for the good things to happen to us. Because even in the toughest patches are life’s greatest lessons. I don’t know what you are going through. But let’s remember what God said, “This too shall pass.” and it surely will. Today, just enjoy your day, there’s a reason you were born, a miracle to your parents and moulded by God.And even if we grow older, we still are children of God, and God never ever forsakes.

I know, the struggle in you is as real as your breath. You should know that you aren’t alone. There are tons of people going through tons of things on a daily basis. So just take one day at a time, breathe deeply, close your eyes for a moment and say it to yourself “It will pass. This is temporary. GOD is working with me, on me, in me.”

Dont worry about things you can’t control, work with things you can and leave it to God to intervene in your utmost helplessness. HE IS THERE. HE ALWAYS IS. There’s no reason to worry, especially knowing that He goes before us in our battlefields, He ensures that He leads us through adversities on the path of victory alone. Just like He-‘the great I Am’ – directed Moses & Joshua and led his chosen Israel to the promised land, what makes us doubt that our Eternal Father won’t lead us to the promised blessings He has in store for us ?

At times we may feel HE isn’t there, honestly He is there, He never leaves but may be, He isn’t aiding you because there’s something you are doing wrong , there’s something that you need to change, there’s something that you need to realise and figure out on your own. God shows the path, but to choose it is our choice; He helps but we need to become small, humble ourselves and Ask Him with faith and belief. We should have confidence in our Father that He will deliver us in His time. He is merciful especially when we repent. He does become angry just as our father on earth will, when we do wrong, but He readily forgives when we turn to Him in penance and prayer.

To be the chosen one, first believe that you truly are the Chosen one, count the countless blessings, at your lowest make atleast one person smile, that will make you forget your endless miseries for a few richly cherished moments.

You are chosen. And that indeed is such a great peace. Let it seep into your cells . Believe.

Reflect on these :

1.This too shall pass.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

2.He saves.

Acts 2: 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Joel 2:32 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

3. Ask him in faith.

Mathew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mathew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.

Matthew 18:19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 16:23-24 Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

1John 3:22 we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

1John 5:14-15 We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will. He hears us whenever we ask him; and since we know this is true, we know also that he gives us what we ask from him.

4. He chose you. He never forsakes.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Isaiah 41:9-10 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.“

James 1:17 -18 Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.

Isaiah 41: 13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”

5. He promises the impossible.

Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys, I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Mathew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.“

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

Take care and stay strong. It’s okay to feel what you feel. But only your faith should overcome you.

Have a blest day.

Lot’s of Love, hope & peace,

Leandra.