self-help – Page 7 – 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐫

If God Is Good, Why Bad Things Happen To Good People?

One of the most common questions we often hear is, “If God is good, why should bad things happen to good people?” And that’s right, many good people will experience suffering in their lives.

God doesn’t just allow suffering; God often uses suffering to test His faithful people. That was the event Job experienced, which eventually gave rise to the tried-and-tested character of Job, Job proved FAITHFUL. God also gave Paul to experience the test of his faithfulness through suffering so that he would be HUMBLED and REALIZE that God’s GRACE was more than enough for him.

So, when hard times come and God allows suffering in our lives, what is our response? Do we live it with a bitter and angry heart because we don’t feel we deserve it? Or, we will be grateful for the suffering that has arouse our strength?

Our response when the storms of life hits determines whether God’s glory is revealed, or only the bitterness we will feel.

Cheers good people!

Different,Unique And Valuable

No one among the billions of people on this earth is exactly the same. Everyone must have their own differences and characteristics. Even children born with twins, although they have similarities in appearance, must in many ways be different, because God shapes us in the mother’s womb with its own uniqueness.

Each of us is shaped by God in such a way. “… You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb… because I am wonderfully made; meaning God is actively involved and full of creativity. In fact, He himself pays attention to the baby from the moment he is still in his mother’s womb: from the fetus developing to making plans for his life in the future. God said, “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.

God also equips us with different gifts: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” . Everyone is different and unique. Therefore we do not need to compare ourselves with others or try to be just like them. Some get stressed, disillusioned with themselves and assume that God is unfair to him when they see others seem perfect (in his judgment), and then try in such a way to be just like that person.

It’s perfectly fine to admire and idolize others, but we don’t have to be the same as that person because basically everyone is different. Therefore, no matter what we are, we must feel proud to be ourselves and give thanks to God. Because you are precious in God’s eyes, and honored, and He love you.

Have a blessed day!

Pencil of life

A boy looked at his mother who was writing a letter, and then asked, “Is mama writing a story about our activities? Is this story about me?”

The mother stopped writing letters and said to her son, “Mama is writing about you, but there is more important than the words I am writing, which is the pencil that mama uses. Hopefully you’ll be like this pencil, when you’re grow up.”

The boy was astonished, he observed the pencil, it seemed ordinary.

“But that pencil is the same as any other pencil I’ve ever seen!”

“It depends on how you view things. There are five important points, and if you succeed in implementing them, you will always feel at peace in living your life.

“First: You are capable of doing great things, but never forget that there is a hand guiding you every step of the way. We call it the hand of God. He always guides us according to His will.

“Second: Every now and then mama has to stop writing and scooping up this pencil. This pencil would feel a little sore, but afterwards it became much sharper. Likewise with you, you must learn to endure some suffering and sorrow, for suffering and sorrow will make you a better person.

“Third: This pencil doesn’t mind if we use the eraser to eliminate the mistakes we made. It means, it’s okay if we fix something we’ve done. We’re on the right path to justice.

“Fourth: The most important thing on a pencil is not the outside, but the graphite material inside. So, always pay attention to what’s going on inside you.

“And the fifth: This pencil always leaves a mark. So is what you do. You have to know that everything you do in your life will leave a mark, so try to be aware of that in your every action and leave a good mark.”

Have a fruitful day!

Work Vigorously, Work Smartly And Win.

Inside the dark canal lived two rats. One day these two rats saw a piece of cheese bread from the hole of a ditch, but unfortunately the sewer hole was covered by very strong iron bars.

The two rats tried their best to destroy the iron bars with their sharp teeth. But the bars were too hard to break.

They stopped and began to think how to get to the cheese bread.

The first rat said in his heart, “I will not give up, I will destroy those iron bars with all my strength. Unyielding is the foundation of success!”

The second rat was pensive and thought, “I’m going to lose all my teeth if I’m desperate to bite those bars. It’s good if I just take another path to get that cheese bread.”

Then the first rat got up and started biting the bars again with all his might while the second rat chose to find another way.

Seeing the second rat leave, the first rat began to mock ; “You are easily to give up and not persistence, where is it possible that you can succeed in your life?”

The second rat didn’t care about the ridicule, he retreated looking for another way to the cheese bread place.

Eventually the second rat managed to gain its way to the cheese bread place while the first rat was exhausted and crumbled its teeth from biting the bars.

In working, we do need a great spirit to motivate ourselves. However, working with great zeal is not enough. We also need to work in a smart way.

The life we live is a war and the goal of it all is of course victory. Work is a war to be won. All is indeed passionate, but if it is not accompanied by intelligence and planning, defeat is what happens.

Working vigorously is not enough, we must work in a smart way. Work vigorously, work smartly, and then we will win.

Wise strategy is necessary to wage war, and with many astute advisers you’ll see the path to victory more clearly.

Infinite Patience

Man and his quality of life are judged by what he does but especially by the encouragement of everything he does.

Just as the motivation for his actions, so too is the quality of man’s life measured by the response given to every matter he faces.

Reason that drives man’s actions and responds to every thing that happens; will point more to the work of the brain to digest everything whereas the mind is more to the heart that perceives all things.

The quality of human action consists of right and wrong, good and bad, therefore with reason let it be sought that everything that happens does not become a challenge of patience to others, everything done is good and right and beneficial to others.

On the other hand, a quality human being is a human being who is able to be patient, with patience who is indeed long-suffering, when others do something wrong or even bad and always give place to forgive others.

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Caught In A Blizzard

Two men were trapped by a blizzard in the mountains. They were forced to abandon the vehicles they were using in search of shelter.

After much effort, they found a place and luckily there were a few pieces of wood where they could warm their bodies.

But unfortunately they didn’t have anything to start the fire. They were almost desperate, fortunately one of them came up with an idea, they still had banknotes in their wallets.

Soon the sheets of banknotes were burned among the pieces of wood.

Eventually the fire burns and they can warm up, this helps them survive the freezing temperatures until help comes.

Sometimes God allows circumstances in which we can place our possessions as they should, just like the two men. They realize that the money in their pockets is not worth the loss of life.

Likewise, we as believers, should have the treasures and money we can have in this world, no matter how much is not worth eternal life. So let us not exchange that eternal treasure for something mortal.

Money is a facility God has given us so that we can effectively serve Him. Lest we make God’s money over our lives.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Lesson From Iron

A piece of iron for $2.50.

If forged into a horseshoe, the price would be $5.0.

If it is forged into a needle, the price will rise to $17.

If it is forged and shaped into a knife, the price will double to $35.

If formed into a Rolex watch needle, the price jumps again to $125,000

Any forging and formation of such iron will increase its selling value. The more forged, beaten, and burned, the higher the value.

So it is with humans. If we experience many formations, forging, and trials, then the noble character that exists within us is increasingly formed.

Just enjoy the process. Respond correctly in obedience and sincerity, and let that perseverance bear ripe fruit that will bring us life change.

Remember that the gold was forged and tested in the fire. Once we hold the test then we will sparkle like beautiful gold.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The Final Destination

Everyone must have a goal to achieve. What is the purpose of our life in this world? Accumulate as much wealth as possible? Because we think that by having abundant wealth our lives will definitely be guaranteed and we will be happy all our lives.

Who doesn’t know about Solomon? A king who was very famous for his wisdom and abundant wealth actually declared that worldly wealth was in vain. It turns out that having wealth does not necessarily make people live in happiness. “With the increase in wealth, there are also more people who spend it. And what is the owner’s advantage other than seeing it?” . Solomon had the experience that the gluttony of the rich did not let them sleep. The rich man is always not calm in his life, even sleep can’t be good, because he always thinks about his wealth. It is true what the words of God say, “For where your treasure is, there is also your heart.”

Dissatisfaction with money and wealth encourages each person to look for ways how to increase his wealth: work without knowing the time until he forgets the hours of worship, forgets the hours of prayer, puts aside spiritual matters. The Apostle Paul asked Timothy to warn the rich, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” The riches of the world are not the ultimate goal of this life, for they are only temporary, and “… For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.“

If we are now trusted by God to manage more property, this is precisely the opportunity to “… be rich in remarkable works of extravagant generosity, willing to share with others.”

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

I’m Still Standing

On March 17, 2012, the world seemed to pause. Fabrice Muamba suddenly fell without physical contact with other players, then unconscious in the 41st minute, during the FA Cup final match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Muamba had a heart attack. Muamba’s heart had stopped beating for 78 minutes. However, he was saved after 15 electric shocks, both in the field and while in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

After a month of stressful critical period, Muamba was finally allowed to leave the hospital on April 16, 2012.

“Even though my career finished here and had to stop dreaming of playing at a higher level, I am grateful that I was still given the opportunity to live. I have to get up and move on. The mathematical and statistical sciences I’ve learned while still actively playing may be able to be utilized by me now. Thank you to God, the medical team, and the fans who faithfully supported and offered prayers for my recovery.” Such were Muamba’s parting words when he officially announced his retirement from professional football on August 15, 2012 based on the recommendation of the medical team.

All the inspiring stories of his life are then set forth in a book called “I’m Still Standing”.

In this life, we can’t always get what we want, even though we have exerted all the abilities we have. Indeed, herein lies the maturity of our faith and our way of thinking tested. Giving thanks is easy to do when everything goes well as planned, but the thanksgiving God means gratitude in all circumstances.

Not only does God work through astonishing great miracles, but He also works through the problems we experience. Even through what we call a calamity, God is working to bring good to us His beloved people.

Gratitude precedes the mujizat. By often saying gratitude, we invite the hand of God to do His magical deeds. Thankfully, it will answer all the questions in our lives.

“We always say thanks to God,”

Life killer

“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.“

Physical death is when life is no longer conceived; when the breath has stopped and the spirit ceases to exist in the body; when the blood no longer flows all over the body. The body no longer functions to express the signs of life.

Life is meant to express a life that gives life to others. When this function ceases to exist in humans, then in essence the human being is dead even though signs of life such as breathing, eating, moving, and so on are still present in that person.

Invisible death is when human beings experience death in life that still exists in this world. On the contrary the dead can still live and bring life to life, that is, when all that is good, all that is useful, all that builds is still alive in the life of mankind on this earth.

There are two life killers or those that make human life not reveal life and can even kill other humans, namely heartache and envy.

Heartache is in fools, which means that the one who is quick to feel hurt is a fool while envy is in a stupid person which means that the one who always envies is the fool. The fools and the stupid ones are those who have been killed in life; The killers of life.

For where there is envy and selfishness there is chaos and all sorts of evil deeds.