BLESSINGS vs STRUGGLES

Write all your blessings and your struggles. 2:45 pm; February 1, 2014
Kish Island, Iran

BLESSINGS

Life. Complete family (provided, safe, healthy, love). Education (Grade/High school/College). Achievements and awards during school years. Profession (BSN). Licensed (RN). House (Home). Relatives. Friends. Barkada – Blupz. Co-workers. Extended families. Born in Capiz (Capizena). Proud Ilongga. Guardian (Manang Evelyn and Joy V.) Relationships (Past/present). Friendship. Able to support. CFC Youth for Christ. Mission in different areas. Service in High School Based. Attended conferences, trainings, household and fellowships. CFC Kids for Christ. ROCK. New families in the ministry. CFC Singles for Christ. Household! Going to Dubai. Finding work. Stress and pressure. Growth and maturity. Independence. Going home in Pinas July 2013. First vacation after 1 year 20 months. Reconciled with Ex-BF. Meeting new friends and family in CFC/SFC/YFC/KFC. Discerning for mission. Longing and praying for a relationship (4G). True love waits. Blessed. Providence from God. Safety. Good health. Favored. Problems. Self improvement. Anger management. Forgiveness. Stable prayer time. Experiences.

STRUGGLES

  Financial crisis due to job hunting. Homesick (envy since we're almost complete). 6 months ban, early cancellation, bad company, poor benefits, low gratuity than the expected, fooled via phone 3x, force signature asap, heart broken, falsely treated, discriminated, not paid justly, increased work load etc. Mistakes of the past relationships. Worries. Fears. Struggles. Job hunting. Exit in Kish. Fear for the future. Still single unlike siblings who already have. Anger feelings (overcoming)

 + + +
 

The blessings will always be doubled/tripled than the struggles/stressors. Bad things happen but they don't last long. The lesson learned is that overcoming/fighting the struggles leads us to realizing that we are still blessed beyond measure. Things/situations happen for a reason. We should be reminded that being blessed is also being grateful and thankful because we have something. God never leaves us empty handed and He is generous enough to give us all we need even our wants.

 

The Lord's blessing enriches and struggle adds nothing to it.

Proverbs 10:22

 

Blessings are worth sharing because it fulfills it's purpose when given to others. Blessings are meant to be shared that is why God blessed us more so that we can in return bless others too. It's like a ripple effect because the act of kindness goes on without end. Being stressed is normal and it's a way of coping or adapting but you have to fight it or else you might have no control over it. Over-stress is not healthy and can lead you to serious sickness in the future. Find reasons to be blessed instead of complaining you're stressed. So the next time you're stressed believe that you are more blessed than you ever know. I'm am more blessed than stressed!

 

Deo Gloria

Lessons learned from Kish Island

I wrote this post before I left Iran (about 2 months ago) but because of the busy schedule I have and things have been doing, I wasn't able to post it. So here I am sharing to the whole world the amazing experience through the realizations I have staying there. Better late than never hihihi!

This is my 2nd time to visit Kish Island after 2 years since I got my first job in Dubai, UAE. I can't believe that time flies so fast and here I am again exiting for change of visa from cancelled to tourist. This happened last January 27 until February 1, 2014. I stayed for 5 days as I wait for the issuance of visa.

We were in an island wherein most of us have been there for quite a while and there was nothing for us to do. We decided to go to places together, talk about random things/situations, had an experience to attend a bible study and we usually ate our meals together. We had fun because we enjoyed our stay there.

I have learned 10 things during my 5 day stay there........

1. Build RELATIONSHIPS through FRIENDSHIP with other people because no man is an island..

2. Sharing your burdens with others. In return, listening to their stories and learning from their mistakes.

3. No worries, less stress. Enjoy life. Relax. Take it easy. God is in control.

4. Try to learn something new. 

5. Be open to various possibilities. Get ready for the (unexpected) surprises from God.

6. Enjoy and savor your simple joys.

7. Overcoming fears and surrendering to God.

8. Waiting takes time. Great things come through patience.

9. Being distant is hard and communication is important to maintain relationships. Trust is essential.

10. Letting go of bad experiences, unwanted feelings and burdens then allowing God's love 

and forgiveness to heal you and take over. (Letting go and letting God)

At some point we were lonely because we felt isolated from the world but it was a chance for us to reflect and realize the importance of time for others, the presence of our loved ones and our time for our own self. Busy as we are with the priorities we have, we usually fail to realize that we are blessed. Sometimes we take for granted the persons whom we loved and the time we spent with them is almost too little.

Going to Kish was like a retreat for me since I don't spend my time wisely because I'm too busy with some things. I am happy and proud because meeting people, listening to them and journeying with them there was a bonus. I had fun and I didn't regret going there. God taught me to build and strengthen relationships and that I will put in to practice with His grace in time.

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations

Taken and written at Kish Island, Iran
(February 1, 2014)

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations..

There are times we get stuck in a struggle that paralyzes us to do something and perhaps move on. Yes, it's hard to face the struggles with a heavy heart knowing that you're alone and at times hopeless nor helpless. Sometimes we forget that God has been with us through the tough times. We seem to think we can do it our selves but we can't. God is always there and He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. It is because He is God and we are not. His ways are higher and better than ours. His love surpasses all things even impossible ones. He can change our sadness to an irreplaceable joy. He is the God of all great things and the only God of all human beings.

So if you're struggling right now, remember that you are in His presence. No battle that was lost for He always wins. No sorrow that he can't take away. No pain that He can't heal. No problem that He can't solve. And no struggle that He can't overcome. For as long as we hold on to Him, rest assured that we are in good hands for He has great plans. In His presence we can find peace, joy, trust, completeness, love, faith and unending hope. All we can simply do is trust Him even if it doesn't make sense. We should surrender to Him and allow His will to be done for God knows what He is doing and He never fails to work things out for us. Continue to trust and believe in Him because He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. All is well! May God be praised! Deo Gloria! :)

Kish Island 2014

A memorable 5 day stay at Fanoos Hotel in Kish Island, Iran. The wait was worth it and God indeed answers prayers unexpectedly. The pictures in the album speaks a thousand words. It may be filled with selfies of mine but it's something that I call a memory worth remembering.. Call it vain but I call it experience worth sharing.
May God be glorified!

I learned a lot of things being in this beautiful island. God allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings by being disconnected to the social media world. I became selfless instead of being selfish. I realized that no man is an island. I learned to build friendships and strengthen them through bondings, kulitan and food trips. I had a chance to go on a Kish tour to explore the history of the place. I had fun being with the people whom I just met recently and their presence created a big impact on me. I learned to share my burdens and in turn listen to the experiences of other people. It is nice to relax in a quiet place wherein you can do things like the simple joys because I was able to draw, read a book and even played guitar via tab. Also we had a chance to attend a fellowship despite having different religion but still worshiped the same God! I was able to let go of unnecessary feelings and allowed God to take over. The amazing gift to surrender and trusting Him even if it didn't make sense. It took me 5 days there. At first it was hard but then it became meaningful. It was an experience and a struggle that I had to overcome with God's grace. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. Thank you Lord for setting me free. Thank you for all the blessings you've given me! Thank you Lord! Praise God! I love you! ♥ 
Trusting, claiming, believing, loving, hoping and being like Christ,
~~Sarah ♥

January 28-February 1, 2014
Kish Island, Iran