Lord, I give thanks for the hardships that I have had this past week. I was overwhelmed with the thoughts of ugliness and fatness. I couldn’t help but keep thinking that I am fat and ugly. These thoughts are really hurtful and I was feeling very sad. As it was written in Proverbs, “A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” I felt as if you created me the horrible way I am because you hate me. I became doubtful about your love.

Yet, lord, through this hard time, I learnt some very important lessons. In addition, I saw many beautiful things behind the pain that I felt. I know these are presents in disguise. I was over-focusing on the negatives and overlooked the wonderful things u blessed me with.

Some important lessons I learnt:


1. Physical beauty might be pleasing to the eyes, but a Christian woman needs way more than that. She must have many more qualities in order to qualify as an ideal noble wife.
• Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (Proverbs 11:22)
• Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the lord is the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)


2.The unconditional support genuine love, and patience of friends can help one overcome all kind of evils.
• A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
- Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (proverbs 27: 5-6)

3. God gives me hardship in order to discipline and mould me like Jesus! Hardships are blessings in disguise and a god’s way to show us his love.
• He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (Proverbs 23:24)
• Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. (Jobs 5:17)
• And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son…. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified!!
• See also Hebrew 12: 1- 12

4. Finally, I learnt to be joyful by remaining faithful in the lord always for God has a greater plan for us although we might not understand.
As Job said … “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)


Lord……

Do good to your servant according to your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
You are good and what you do is good;
Teach me your decrees……..
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Thx lord, once again, u proved to me that you are real n Loving!! Lord, may u continue to humble me and mould me like Jesus. Lord, thx for setting me free!! We praise u, o heavenly lord!! Amen.


-- Edited by jane at 09:40, 2004-12-21

-- Edited by jane at 09:38, 2004-12-21