Christian Character Weekend

                Being Christian is a difficult task, we have to be attuned to Christ's image and likeness; His character. We are called to be faithful servants, to fully submit ourselves to the Lord. Different experiences, emotions define our character, but it is always by God's grace we can do everything, we can fully submit ourselves to Him. 

       This is a right timing that we are having this kind of retreat, the past few days were struggle for me. To keep my values, not to stoop down to the level of being unjust, not to be harsh on my actions and in my words. I prayed hard for self control, for calmness, to always remember being a good Christian. Anger is a natural, it is a response to the obstacles we are dealing but it is dangerous if we don't handle it with care, if we let ourselves controlled by our emotions. Emotions are reactions but it doesn't necessarily have to rule our decisions in dealing different people. We can handle them in a calmly manner by praying for strength, for wisdom to decide that we act in a Godly way, the right way. We always have a choice and i chose to keep my values. Forgiveness is the key. Other are blinded from God's love, cause they also have brokeness so they also need healing and prayers. It doesn't mean I am washing hands from sin because I also have sinned through my thoughts. But with God's grace I chose to do the right thing, to forgive, ask for healing and pray for people who mistreated me. 

"When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor. When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ."(Ephesians 4:26-32 NCV)

        When I was hearing the holy mass earlier, as if God is talking to me through Father's Homily, I felt then the urge to have the confession, like the Holy Spirit guided me to talk to Father and ask a few minutes of his time. I fully confessed all my sins, I need to have this confession to let go of my past, to let go of those feeling of unworthiness. Father said "You are beautiful in the eyes of God, don't see your beauty as a curse but a blessing. Don't let other people mistreat you, use you. People will fail us but onLy God is perfect so we can just only rely to Him. He will never fail us. Make a conscious effort to do the right thing, because God already forgave you so you must also forgive yourself." 

        "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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)"

      

        By God's grace we are able to do this, to fully submit myself to Him, to fully entrust my life, to surrender my totality as a human being. The very act of surrendering is to see God's love working in our lives; in our past, present and in our future.  

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)"

As I pray before I sleep. "Thank You Lord God for this wonderful time with You,  for the courage You gave me to be able to confess everything to You. Humbled by Your words, I was also able to forgive and forget. God I still need healing, continue to work in my life. I surrendered everything to you. Thy Your will be done, in Jesus name. Amen."