A statue of beauty and marvel is born when the marble allows the chisel to chip away its edges; hidden potential is never brought out without the pain of edges being shaved off sharply.
Prayer works best only when you are ready to change and accept the answer that God in his wisdom delays; he never answers unless you are desperate enough to grab the new and leave old ways behind.
Therefore grow old in years but retain that wonder which provoked the child in you to ask and keep on asking; for when you lose that wonder all is old and nothing new.
—
Inspired by the words of the Bible, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am yet to meet a genuinely talented person who has not passed through a period of loss of confidence in his or her life or career. Certainly these dark periods of doubt have really made people stronger than before.
When you pass through a period of loss of confidence it is quite natural to brood on all negatives and failures that has happened to you. That is self-defeating. Instead of doing this, think of all your best past performances and believe that you can do it again.
Some people accept loss of confidence as a permanent attachment of their lives! How sad to see people live in the belief that they will never get out of loss of confidence. Such a belief is a lie and totally untrue!
What we need to accept is the fact that for a brief passing period of life we have entered a tunnel experience where all is dark. But hold on. Light will break at the end of the tunnel. Loss of confidence therefore should be accepted as a normal part of life but never accepted as a permanent condition. In this acceptance you will find freedom!
At the same time resist the huge temptation to rush things and the attempt to get back to top gear as quickly as possible. But if you attempt to rush things, that attempt is surely going to backfire on you
Instead take your time. Go it slow. Stop your activity and simply do nothing for long periods. Your mind and body need the stops rather than the notes of music at this time. And remember each person in the same situation of loss of confidence takes a different time to recoup and recover. So take your time and do not allow anyone to rush you!
Your goal at the moment is to get back the rhythm and the passion and the enthusiasm and the effortless grace with which you did things in the past. Till you get back to your absolute best, stay contented on the small stage. Your time to roar and soar is just a few days away!
No matter what the darkness in your life; no matter how great the loss you have faced; no matter whether it was your irresponsibility or mistake; no matter how long you have been out of touch with your best; no matter who or what great odds are pitted against you; no matter how depressed and sorrowful you are now; know that with God nothing is impossible.
As King David rightly expressed,: “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalm 18:28). Yes, with God you can. Even before you stop reading this, thank God for the mighty comeback he has enabled in your life. It will happen; it surely will!
A final thought that we need to keep in mind is that loss of confidence is no hopeless condition.
If rightly approached, such a phase in life can bring the best out of us; and can result in an outflow of creative use of our hidden potential and talents. More perhaps has been achieved by people with loss of confidence when they have trusted in the grace of God.
When St. Paul prayed thrice that God would remove a thorn in his flesh (exactly what this source of his loss of confidence was no one knows), the Lord Jesus Christ told him the secret to get the better of it:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses.”
Paul, powered by that word of confidence, became a great achiever in spite of all negatives that happened to him in life. So also we too can achieve trusting in the power of the One whose grace is sufficient in all our loss of confidence and whose power energizes us to rise and conquer in spite of all our weaknesses!
Therefore with St. Paul, let us also confidently say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 Bible NKJV).
Not to wound me but that I might not lose my way and perish! In that discipline I find comfort.
I never need to worry about what I need. He supplies it all. He knows what is best for me and he provides. What is not good for me; he denies.
There are no secrets in my life not known to him. There is absolutely nothing in my life that does not matter to him. All that concerns me is his concern too.
It’s a long journey ahead but he has gone before me. And I find everything prepared for me. Even when those who oppose me are watching he satisfies me with what is good with a surplus added.
Oh, how I love his special attention given me even when life is busy and no one else finds time to even ask how I am doing!
The skies become cloudy at times. And the walk takes me through valleys that are dark and frightening. Dangers lurk there at every step. But I have this one assurance, he is with me.
Life has changed after Covid-19. Classes are online. I miss the warmth of friendship, the ambience of learning, and the fun of doing things together.
Life has thrown new challenges. In this context, as I look back at all my experience of teaching, I think there are three things every student should know. Let me share that with you.
First of all finding yourself where you are now was never your choosing.
When you were young it was your parents who decided things for you; perhaps they still do.
You might not like everything they do and might not agree with all that they decide for you. But there are no perfect parents on earth and yours are no exception. Learn to forgive in case they are wrong.
At the same time do not give up when you find yourself in a course of study that was never your first choice.
Instead make best use of time and opportunities that are present for you. Do not compare yourself with others and feel inferior. Negative circumstances are just the right conditions for you to excel.
Who knows! If you show passion for the subject that you find yourself in today, your skill in it might just be the most wanted in the changed world tomorrow.
Secondly, learn to do ordinary things exceptionally well.
Let me start from the simplest of examples. From drawing a margin in your notebook, writing today’s date on the blackboard when given the chance, tying your shoelace properly, are all indicators of greatness.
No task is below your dignity if you can stamp it with a divine “nothing left undone that could be done” attitude. Whatever you do, do it with enthusiasm and as if there is no second chance.
When such an attitude becomes a habit there are no end to possibilities. What is mundane and routine becomes ablaze with glory.
So then, aim high and keep on doing the ordinary with the best of your efforts every single time you attempt. Let there be no exceptions.
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. This is a great promise that God told his people through Prophet Isaiah (40:31).
It tells you about God who has not forgotten you or your struggles in life. He has immense power and wisdom to show himself strong on your behalf.
He is motivating and encouraging you to rise up from your bed of despair. He is calling you to believe in him who will help you to soar on wings like eagles.
When you feel like quitting or giving up; do listen to this motivational podcast.
It will surely inspire you to trust in God who will help you to fly high just like how eagles do.
“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 1
1Isaiah 40:31 Bible NIV 1984.
Featured image courtesy: Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels | Microsoft Designer
To the people taken captives and in exile, to a people who had nothing to look forward to or hope for, God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah asking them not to lose heart but to work with all their hearts in the land of their captivity:
But what means this song to you and me today?
One, it is a message of present opportunity. And it is a clear call to you today as well: Do not look back at lost opportunities and wasted years in life. Instead do what you find to do right now with all your heart and strength. Do it with enthusiasm.
Two, there is promise of God’s helpin the midst of hopelessness. The message is that God has not forgotten you even though he has disciplined you. He is compassionate.
Third, God has plans for your life. Even though circumstances of today seem to restrict you, do whatever your hands find to do to the best of your ability.
“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.”2
Yes, there is a future for you. It doesn’t matter how others have tried to make you feel despair, useless, and as having no worth; God will reverse your fortunes once again.
Therefore do not yield to despair. Instead connect with God. There is no one else who can repair the smudges on the canvas of your life like he can. He listens when your heart sighs in despair and feeling of hopelessness. For,
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.3“
Now listen to the song once again: It was the voice of despair of a people taken captive in war: “Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” It was the cry of broken hearts!
But that was what the captors demanded. “Sing,” they had said. 2500 years later, the very words of lamentation of a people in exile and captivity expressing their inability to sing have conquered the world as a song of hope.3
Covid 19 has changed the face of the world. Faces have been masked, handshakes are not welcome anymore, social distancing is the norm, classes are online, and work from home (WFH) and video-conferencing is the new culture.
A lot of changes in quick time has happened. And change is never easy.
There are three things you can do to cope with change:
One is acceptance. There is no good in closing your eyes to changed realities. The longer you resist change the harder it becomes for you to adopt and adapt. So show a positive attitude to change.
Second is managing fear. The pandemic has made man realize how fragile life is. Carefully laid plans are disrupted, dreams crash, and hopes dashed in the blink of an eye. Being wise in practical steps and trust in God along with it are the means to handle fear.
First of all, don’t be afraid of change.
It has to be seen in a positive light. Know that every act of change is accompanied by doubts. Some of these doubts, if entertained for a long time, can stop you from acting. Therefore it is important to act and make needed changes before opportunities close their doors on you.
The second step is to know that there is no survival without change.
Though there is nothing new under the sun, change keeps happening. If you resist change, you will soon be outdated. Your competitors will get far ahead when you have not even begun. So be open to change. And be willing to learn and add new skill sets to your profile. Yes, with a learning attitude most of the difficulties accompanying change can be overcome.
Thirdly, be excited about change.
There is nothing like enthusiasm which can change your attitude. Instead of finding excuses for not changing, why not find reasons to be full of joy and anticipation about the change that is coming into your life? After all, expectant mothers look ahead with hope to see the newborn’s face even when they know that their world is going to change dramatically with the arrival of the child!
Finally, many people have found COVID-19 an opportunity to vent their anger against God and to proclaim him dead. I do understand their feelings. There are lot of questions I too do not have an answer to.
But what if the pandemic is a simple reminder from God to man that in spite of man landing on the moon and probing space like never before there are lot of things he is yet to understand!
Even though it sounds very difficult just thank God for all that went wrong this morning if it did for you. Sometimes plans that get upset are Godsend to save you from running into greater difficulties during the day. In our busy world, we often need attention-grabbers; and interruptions early in the day can mean just that.
Know that a bad start does not change the big purpose of your life, whatever that be. Race along in the slow pace that is possible even when you had a bad start. At the end of the day, you’ll be surprised to note that you were able to accomplish far more than you dreamed was possible.
Let me conclude by saying that it doesn’t matter if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. What matters more is with what attitude you are going to face life today. — “For his [God’s] compassions never fail. They are new every morning” — Lamentations 3:22b, 23a Bible.
If you look at circumstances, if you look at the wind and the clouds and the surging waves, you will never move out of the safety of the shore.
What does that mean? It means you lose your opportunity. And opportunities might not knock a second time.
Therefore have an eye that looks out for opportunities. They might not present themselves well-dressed and might even appear in beggar’s clothes. But it is your eye that looks out for the opportunity which sees potential hidden within.
Secondly, ask, seek, knock. Opportunities will never come for those who simply sit, wait, and daydream. They come only to those who actively seek for it. Be bold and persistent. And be gently persuasive. But do not give up.
Above all, never think closed doors as permanent. Trust God. He can open doors where no opportunity seems to exist. He can bring things to life out of what others term as dead situations.
Therefore be wise in the way you use God-given opportunities in life. It can mean the difference between failure and success!
You cannot please everybody. It is like trying to juggle a football, a cricket ball, and a table tennis ball along with a few cups and plates.
And that is not only impossible but even the attempt is futile.
Therefore it is wise to focus on what you do and attempt to do that well each time you do it. Of course there will be people to criticize your mistakes.
Simply accept the fact that no movement or progress is possible without being criticized.
But when that happens there is no need to lose heart.
First of all examine criticism truthfully.
It might have some lesson you can accept to correct your course of action and improve yourself. Never lose that opportunity. But accept it with humility.
Secondly, criticism can dishearten you easily. You might feel like giving up. If you do you lose a valuable opportunity to show the world how good you are in what you do. When people speak ill of you, sharpen your skills and come back more strongly than ever.
Thirdly, trust the true estimate God has about you.
It is not the colour of your skin that makes you look beautiful in his eyes. Instead it is sheer love for you that made him die for you. No one can snatch you out from his hands. Therefore do not worry, “Am I good enough?”
Let me conclude by asking you my dear friend to humbly accept criticism honestly. Use criticism as an opportunity to show your strength and not cower in weakness and fear.
Finally, be assured that in spite of all the criticism the world can throw at you and all that you think is not good about you God loves you and accepts you the way you are right now.
Why worry anymore about what others think about you?
When it happens the first thing to believe is that you can come out of it, God helping you.
Again, do not be surprised that you feel totally confused and unable to do so many things you did with ease in the past. That is how it is during a period of loss of confidence.
What you need to do is to look back, look forward, and look up. What you shouldn’t do is look inward and feel helpless.
Instead, look back to your best past performances and believe that you can do it again. Perhaps much better than how you did it then.
Then you need to look forward and focus on dreaming big for your future. Do not focus on the present misery and limit yourself. The greater your dream the better chance for your quickness of recovery.
And when you dream, always think of helping people to be at their best through your success. It will give a greater purpose to your dreams and enthusiasm in your present efforts.
The next thing to do is to look up. God loves you and is always ready to help you. The only thing you need to know is that his sense of timing is different.
He is patient. He takes time to rebuild your confidence. His goal is formation of your character and making you have inner strength and courage.
Perhaps the hidden blessing in loss of confidence is that you become a person with compassion for others. Instead of being puffed up with pride because of your talent and abilities, you learn to stoop down and give a helping hand to those who struggle with lack of confidence themselves.
So cheer up. Your loss of confidence is not going to last long. With hope in God and trust in his unchanging love for you, move forward to climb greater heights than you have ever achieved so far.
Finally, treasures and riches mean what it means. We all love to store up money. Nothing wrong with it when it is made through genuine hard work.
Yet Jesus asked us to store up our riches in heaven where moth doesn’t eat and rust doesn’t corrupt. It points out the uncertainty of riches in this world. And the permanence of what is sacrifially given away out of compassion and love for others.
Let me conclude. When God is promising you such great treasures of darkness and riches stored in secret places, will you settle for less?
The world has seen a very small microbe Covid 19 become a giant global showstopper. Life itself is a big question mark to millions. Economy has slowed down. Man’s busyness has taken a back seat. Death has wrecked havoc in countless homes. We are disrupted in every way.
Now there is every reason to fear. At the same time I would like to encourage you to keep up hope. And not to lose courage. These are times when we need to cling to God and seek his help and ask for his mercy to be shown.
This is a time to hope and to value our loved ones; to keep them close to our hearts and be thankful for the loving relationships that make our life on earth meaningful.
This is a time to hope and to review all our activities and let go those that are simply stealing away our time. Instead focus on those few that will make a meaningful contribution to others.
This is a time to hope and to prepare for the unseen future. It is going to be tough. Jobs might be lost overnight. Prices of essential commodities might soar. Travel might continue to be restricted. Save by minimizing expenses.
This is also a time to hope and not to get lost in the tsunami of social media posts. The time people lose in scrolling from post to post is enormous. True, there is much that is useful and entertaining. But it can make you lose perspective and make you lose initiative.
Let me conclude by asking all of you to be thankful to all in government authority, medical personnel and law-enforcing people who are selflessly working day and night to fight the Covid threat. Let me remind you once again that when fear of what the future is going to be hits you, this is a time to hold on to God in hope.
There are moments in life when each one of us feels the need of God to come and stand alongside with us as our Helper, Comforter, Guide, Counsellor and Friend. Listening to these songs can make God be real to you.
1. God Will Make a Way — Don Moen
2. Every Tiny Star That Twinkles in the Night Sky
3. O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
4. God Will Take Care of You –Michael’s Children Home
5. 10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Sou) — Matt Redman
6. The Love of God
7. “My Life is in Your Hands” sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow — Virtual Choir
9. Softly and Tenderly — Sounds Like Reign
10. Love Lifted Me | Acoustic | Encounter Music
11. Take My Hand Precious Lord — Jim Reeves
12. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
13. Just a closer walk with thee – Patsy Cline And Willie Nelson
14. One Day at a Time — Lynda Randle
15. It Is Well With My Soul
16. The Lily of the Valley
17. May the Good Lord Bless You and Keep You
18. Count Your Blessings
19. Create in Me a Clean Heart
19. Whispering Hope — Willie Nelson
20. Jesus Loves Me This I Know — Joey + Rory
21. Fear Not I Am With Thee
22. O God Our Help In Ages Past
23. Showers of Blessing
24. Faithful One — Cliff Richard
25. Your Love Broke Through — Keith Green
26. Virtual Hymn “The Comforter Has Come” by Melharmonic Virtual Choir
27. Blessed Assurance Christian Worship Song (with Lyrics) written by Fanny Crosby
28. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Stuart Townend
29. Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding
30. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
31. Love from Heaven Born Tonight — A Lovely Christmas Song for Children
32. Abide with Me — Abide With Me – Beating the Retreat 2020 – Republic of India
33. Nearer My God to Thee — André Rieu (live in Amsterdam)
34. God be With You Till We Meet Again (Russian version)
Two, hope is what you need to hold on to. When you look at the hopeless situation you are in, you might have every reason to despair. But remember if you fall into the water, the first thing to do for survival is try to keep your head above water until help comes. Hope is that attitude.
Thirdly, get up out of dead-end thinking. What does it mean? Despair often comes when your thinking happens along the same lines again and again. Try to think creatively. There will be more options to solve pressing problems than you think.
Above all do not act out anything when your emotions are like a swirling current. Let this night pass. Just hold on. Tomorrow is a new day.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” — Jesus Christ
1. Thine Be the Glory — Virtual Choir 2020
2. Risen — written by Shawna Edwards
3. Easter Song — Keith Greene
4. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed (Live at the Gospel Coalition) – Keith & Kristyn Getty
5. Up from the Grave He Arose — Daniel Thornton
6. In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found
7. Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow
9. Matt Redman – One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) (Acoustic)
10. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today — Brookwood Praise Choir
11. Awesome God — Michael W. Smith
12. All Heaven Declares (with lyrics) – Martin Ball
13. All Glory Laud and Honour — First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska
We look at photographs and see a moment that was captured. It is a reminder that the train of life has moved on from there. Therefore we need to learn to move forward in life instead of living in the past.
Often you and me get comfortable with our past triumphs. A new day brings new challenges and new opportunities. We need new plans and new strategies. Living in the glory of the past can blind our eyes to changes that are much needed to achieve success.
Therefore forget the success of your past. Instead adopt and adapt new strategies.
Beyond forgetting success and failures you need to tackle hurts people dented your heart with. Life will always have an element of friction when you deal with people. It cannot be avoided. Sometimes we are at the receiving end. It is painful. It hurts. But do not allow that to make your mind sour. Not easy. But with God’s help you need to keep your mind strong.
Therefore leave your baggage of hurts somewhere. Do not carry the luggage on your head while you sit in a moving train.
Finally, have hope. There is a moment when the grip of the past on your life will be broken. It can happen in spite of the hopeless circumstances you are in.
The train will move on. But the driver has changed. No longer are you in control. Leave it to him. He will do something new. It will take time. Be patient. Endure through tough times.
So look ahead and see the new thing God will do in your life. Believe it.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” — Isaiah 43:19 Bible.
Jesus walks into your life even when others have rejected you. He understands you perfectly because he himself had faced rejection by his own. He can give strength to you to face the negatives that people throw at you. He can be your joy, courage, and peace when your emotions are rocked by the railings of men and women. Even when others walk out on you, he will stay with you.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love for you is everlasting. Even when others label you a failure and as good for nothing; God sees infinite value and worth in you. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross is the greatest and ultimate proof of his love for you.
When your life is clouded with despair, just call out to him. The Name of Jesus is powerful. He will listen to you cry and answer you. Do not be disappointed with delays. He will come to save you and help you at the right time. Do not give up because people reject you. For you are his beloved child; loved and accepted just as you are. Not for a moment are you forgotten. So cheer up even when people reject. For what does it matter when God has accepted you!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
—
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
Rejection is a fact of life. There is no need to be shocked or surprised about it. Instead learn how to face it.
When someone rejects you should it make you feel inferior or like a failure? Absolutely not. What you need to realize is that you have a life ahead of you. If you keep working towards worthy goals without losing heart, a day will come when people who rejected you might find you promoted.
However, a fairy tale ending is not always guaranteed. Again, if at all you are rejected, have no thoughts of revenge. It is foolishness. Each person has a right to choose and say no to you even as you have every right to ask for acceptance. Respect others freedom to do so.
Rejection sometimes is not a one-time affair. As often thought, it is not limited to rejection of proposals–personal or business. Instead it can be a daily affair within marriage relationship, parents rejecting children to spend time chatting, and adults rejecting the elderly in the sunset years of their lives.
Rejection can also come when you fail to live up to expectations. One thing you need to realize is that you have to be true to your calling in life; you need to maximize the talent and potential God has put within you; and you need to do all that you can to excel in life. But even when you do so, you may not be dancing to the tunes others are playing for you. And it is natural that others will reject you.
Rejection therefore should fuel in you a desire to achieve something worthwhile in life. Well, just think about some great works of literature that might never have got published if the authors stopped writing when they got a few rejection notes. I just chose this example but examples are not limited to this field alone.
Therefore the right approach to rejection is to keep a positive attitude and frame of mind. Do not keep your eyes on the closed door. Other opportunities will come. Do not miss them by brooding over the past.
Let me encourage you by saying that whatever rejection you face from others there is Someone who accepts you the way you are right now. His estimate about your life is not based on your beauty or wisdom or riches or positions achieved in life.
God loves you. And you are of infinite worth in his eyes. About Jesus, who loves you, it is written: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Again, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
There is no need to be ashamed that you’re passing through a period of depression. It simply means that you’re finding it more than usually difficult to handle some disappointment that came your way.
So accept your depression as real for the moment but it is a phase in life that will pass.
Do not believe the lie, “Everybody is against me and no one cares for me.” During depression self-pity will be at its peak. Do not fall for this trap. Even if no one cares for you, God does. His resources are infinite and he will bring people to you who can help you. Be also encouraged for these are the promises of God:
“Can a mother forget the baby at hear breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” “Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you.”
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
“The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Thereofore never lose sight of your dream.
“Yet there’s not much to do, but to bury a man
When the last of his dreams is dead.” So wrote a poet*.
So you should never lose sight of your goals and dreams just because the going is stormy at the moment.
Those who are in depression often think about giving up on life. It is a mad and murderous thought. It is important that you open up and talk with someone whom you trust. You need to know that life is worth holding on to in spite of all the struggles you are passing through right now.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
*William Herbert Carruth, from Each In His Own Tongue: and Other Poems (1908). Ghosts of Dreams.
Bible Quotes: Isaiah 49:15, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 54:10. Psalm 34:18 (NIV).
Some hurts in life keep hurting for long.
Some hurts can never be shared. You bear it all alone.
Some hurts come because of our own fully.
A few others because some others did something bad to you over which you had no control.
It is difficult to forgive or forget.
It is still difficult to erase memories.
It is most difficult to get over the feel that I am not good enough.
We all need help. Sometimes we have friends to stand along with us. But they cannot fight the waves of negativity that dump trash and garbage of the past into our minds repeatedly.
Rejection, abuse faced as a child, being made fun of by others, financial difficulties, unfair comparisons, negative labelling, failure in exams, and plenty of other reasons contribute to inferiority complex.
Now let me try to specify a few attitudes that can help:
The first one is that your life is precious. It has a purpose. If you believe that you can make a difference, you still can.
Secondly, do not try to get rid of inferiority complex. I doubt whether you can fully get rid of it. But instead of thinking of it as an enemy let us try to utilise it creatively. It can give you a killer instinct to win in life.
Thirdly, forget the past. It does not help you in any way to recap all the bad episodes time and again. Instead look forward with hope.
Finally, seek God’s help. You might be having anger against God for allowing all those negatives in your life. Agreed, you have every right to feel so.
But he is still standing there to help. Therefore ask for help. He will use all that darkness in your life to build character in you.
Beyond all this, if you allow it, God can bless others through the brokenness in your life. It might take a long time, but he will also make the burden of your memories light!
In conclusion, let me tell you that inferiority complex is not a problem that is solved in a moment’s time. Sometimes it can be a lifelong battle. Those who are suffering from inferiority complex need not lose heart if the struggle seems too long drawn out. There is yet hope. Do not despise yourself. But be thankful that you can still make a positive and creative difference in the lives of others in spite of struggling with feelings of inferiority!
Most of us worry constantly. We worry about our health, our finances, our marriage, our careers, our children, exams and interviews, and our future. Many, if not all, worry about their appearance as well.
Why are we constantly worrying? Even though we know that worry accomplishes nothing positive, for some strange reason people do not stop worrying. Neither you nor me! Why is this so?
Fear and insecurity might top the list of worry-causing factors. We fear almost everything. Starting from fear of the dark and strangers, it can move to fear of failure and rejection and many more of the like.
It is easy to say, “Get rid of worry.” Practically it is difficult to achieve. But it is important that we try.
Most of us worry about tomorrow.It is such a killer disease. That is why Jesus asked us to learn a lesson from the birds of the air. He said that they don’t sow or reap or collect food in barns. Yet their heavenly Father takes care of them.
Yes, through this example, he was trying to get our attention to the fact that it is a complex daily process, worldwide in scope, that God is seeing to everyday without fail.
But that is not all. He asked a question, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” This is another way of asking, “Don’t you know that you are my child and you belong to me because you put your trust in me? Will I fail to meet your life’s daily needs when I’ve taken care of your eternity?”
He also asked us to look at the grass of the field and consider how God has clothed them. The point he wanted to make was that your heavenly Father knows your needs even before you ask him. In another context he said that even a sparrow sold for a small amount does not fall to the ground without your heavenly Father knowing it. Even the very hairs of your head are numbered. Therefore do not be afraid.
The point is that God who does not forget the sparrow will not forget you or any of your needs. Let me conclude by saying that the one way to get out of the habit of worrying is to trust in your heavenly Father’s care. He knows you by name. He knows your inner struggles, conflicts and despair.
What if you knew that he is not pointing an accusing or condemning finger at you! His arms are opened wide. If only you would come to him! It takes time, a lot of time, even a lifetime to learn to trust God’s leading in one’s life. But God is patient. He waits for you to learn to trust him. He wants you to be glad and without worry!
That in no way means life is going to be easy. That in no way means there won’t be sickness, hurt in relationships, or financial difficulties. That in no way means you won’t face any difficulties in your career. But what it means is that your Heavenly Father knows what your are going through; his watchful eyes are on you; and he will provide what you need at the right time of his choosing.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
This post is based on Matthew 6:25–34, Luke 12:6, 7. Bible
“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him”
— 1 Peter 5:7 (Bible, Contemporary English Version)
“And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure”
— Psalm 94:19 (Bible, Contemporary English Version)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6, 7.
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” — Corrie Ten Boom
Life is a journey.
However hard we try there is no way to reverse the journey and start from the beginning again one more time.
So what about mistakes made?
What about opportunities lost?
What about relationships that turned sour or broke apart?
Who is to blame?
If we put the blame on others, however true that might be, it is not going to help in any way at all. The best thing to do is to own responsibility.
Now, what does that mean?
It simply means that we decide to accept the reality of all that happened.
It means to refuse to give up.
It means that we refuse to bow down to negative circumstances.
It means to get up and make the best of the rest of our lives.
Is that easy? I don’t think so. Our emotions come to play. They often try to move us to self-pity. They make us feel we are helpless victims and hopeless failures.
Emotions keep us tied to our past hurts and don’t allow us to think of creative solutions. Never for a moment yield to the lie that you are not good enough. The truth is that the Bible says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”* See, God has placed immense value on you even with all your cracks and faults and shortcomings.
Therefore take command. Order your emotions to stay behind. They are the servants to your will. Keep your emotions chained; that however much they bark they shouldn’t be let to run loose to bite.
Now it is time to do three things:
One, trust God to lead and guide you.He cares for you. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you* even as you trust in him.
Two, lift up your head and look around. You will find that there is much left in the journey of life for you to enjoy. So many of us are just concerned about the destination. It is more important to travel hopefully, joyfully and enthusiastically the different stages of the journey. Be like a child seeing the world around for the first time.
Three, pick up the broken strands of relationships. Wherever possible tie them back together and have a fresh start in life. Forgive as much as God gives you the grace to forgive. Let not your emotions decide what is love, but let your decision to love make your emotions feel the same.
Not one of these steps is going to work like magic. It takes time to repair the dents and repaint a car that is badly hit. How much more your life!
But be patient. Persist in thinking good. The journey is still a long way to go. It might be that before the sun sets the skies will paint a glorious canvas just for you!
Then your tears will be wiped away. Your faith will be rewarded. Many will also have found life to be worth living because you struggled, prevailed, and won at the end of it!
Even in our earthly existence we know that all our tomorrows were shaped by what we all did yesterday; isn’t it? If all those actions had consequences; then definitely life when it moves beyond death is going to feel the impact of all your choices made today.
The one thing that can shape your tomorrows is whom you trust your tomorrows with? Some prefer to trust their tomorrows with their Banks; some others with people close to them. But some choose to trust God. This is often made fun of by others. Yet in the end, trusting God proves the wisest of all decisions you can make.
Some people make elaborate preparations for journeys. We don’t find people travelling long distances without making plans and arranging for a comfortable stay. But so many wait too long to prepare for eternity which stretches timelessly ahead. For those who delay to make a decision; tomorrow will spell darkness, no hope, no return, and no end to misery.
But to those who hope in God today, life becomes meaningful; because in God they find the LORD of their tomorrows. They realize that tomorrow is in God’s hands. And nothing can separate them from the love of God; not even death. Those who hope in God lose sight of tomorrow; instead they see the One who knows what tomorrow brings.
Teens, not surprisingly, is a time you commit many mistakes. Some of them are painful, some others embarrassing. Do not worry too much about what others think about you. Know that you are significant and have great value in God’s eyes. Some of his best selections are those who are failures in the world’s estimate. So do not despair.
Teens, is a time of yearning to be loved and respected. Love is mostly a feeling, an emotion, a sudden unexplainable connect with someone for most teens. Yet love is more than anything of these. Closely associated with love is respect. A safety line that can be drawn is not to trust anyone who does not respect your private or personal space.
Love that makes demands, love that manipulates,
love that tries to control, love that puts pressure on you to yield,
love that compares you to someone else,
love that demeans your dignity as an individual
and treats you like an object, exhibit or commodity,
love that bargains to make deals—these cannot be called love.
They are a cheap imitation, and at its worst, deception.
Teens, for some at least, is a time of heartbreaks. Broken promises, lies and deception, the luring world of instant messaging, cheating, rejection, having someone dump you are all sadly common. If you have been at the receiving end, do not think about yourself a failure. It is time to focus, have new dreams, and start working towards worthy goals in life.
Finally, if no one else is there to listen to you, God is there. When you feel worthless, when your thoughts like wild horses on the gallop uncontrollably go, when thoughts of suicide come, when others forsake you, make fun of you, and give up on you, you still have God. Teens, God loves you You will find acceptance with him just as you are. Always. God is near, much nearer to you than the breath you breathe.
Hi friends, today I would like to speak a few words on hope.
First of all, hope is what makes life go forward. It helps you forget the past. It makes you feel that the best is yet to be. In short, hope looks ahead to a better tomorrow.
Secondly,hope looks up. It is when the night is dark, that stars shine the most. Hope looks up to God when all earthly help fails. In short, hope believes in miracles.
Thirdly,hope helps people to hold on. When life is tough and bad things happen; it is hope that says, “Do not give up.” It is hope that helps you to fight one more round.
Finally,hope rises in our hearts as we listen to promises. When parents tell us, “Next birthday, we will be buying you this gift,” we rejoice in the hope of getting it, When God says, “I will not leave you nor forsake you*,” we get courage by his presence with us.
Let me conclude by saying, hope is the stuff life is made of. So live in hope. Overflow with Hope
It could have been the mistakes of the previous day or the seeming hopelessness of a present situation that weighed you down then; perhaps even this day. I do not have any easy solution to your problem. But I can point you in the right direction.
The Bible declares that God’s compassions never fail; they are new every morning.*
This can be the basis of your hope. You can lean heavily on the compassion of God. Each day it is supplied afresh. The one thing you need to do is not to look at what is going happen tomorrow. His supply for tomorrow will not be lacking; that is all you need to know.
Well, you might be hesitant to come to God. You might feel like a beggar in tattered clothes standing outside a big mansion where a wealthy merchant is giving a feast. You feel unworthy.
But then if that is the picture you have in mind about God, you are thoroughly mistaken. Jesus made it clear that he came to call sinners to repentance (and not the righteous). He also said that it is the sick who need the doctor (and not the healthy).*
He is compassionate to you today. He is calling you. He simply says, “Come to me.”* The invitation is to himself and not to any agenda, programme, or even a Church.
God has not forgotten you.
He will not forsake you.
He will see that your needs are met.
He is gently whispering peace into your troubled mind.
His love does not ask questions about your failures; he simply asks you to come to him.
Will you just ask God to help you?
It can even be a prayer in your heart.
No words are required. When you cry out, “Help me O God,” he will.
But first, he will answer your heart with hope. He will put courage in your heart.*
No two people are alike.
No two people succeed alike.
And it follows that no two people fail alike.
Now if you have fallen, whatever it be, there are two choices for you:
One is to stay defeated. Choice number two is to rise up.
Now if you choose to rise up, there are several possibilities.
You can stand up on your own or you can ask someone to help you. Beyond all this you can trust God to lift you up.
Again, defeats can make you feel good for nothing;
it can make you focus on yourself which ends in self-pity;
it can make you angry at others and cause you to curse circumstances;
and it can even make you resign yourself to whatever has happened.
None of these attitudes does anyone any good; the least of all to you.
So embrace light instead of wooing darkness.
Be honest with yourself.
The simplest thing you can do is to stop telling excuses.
Accept responsibility for your fall.
Make a commitment to try once more.
There is no magic formula for success.
If I know one, it is perseverance.
That means you keep on doing what you are good at in spite of all defeats,
failures, shortcomings, mistakes and predictions of doom.
At the same time you can hold on to God in hope.
Here is how Prophet Micah expressed this.
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light (Micah 7:8 Bible).”
So dear friends, let not your defeat discourage you. Avoid distractions and focus on the task ahead. God loves you not because you succeed all the time.
He knows what is in your heart.
He knows what your motives are.
He knows that you tried your very best; but failed.
The way he calculates points is entirely different from the way we evaluate and judge our own performances. His final analysis is about whether you loved him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. If you tried and failed; he still accepts you.
Now if you are looking for one word of assurance, one word of encouragement that will lift you up from your bed of despair, this is it. God is telling you,
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands
–(Isaiah 49:16 Bible).” To be engraved means to be remembered always. To be engraved means to be held by the mighty and strong hand of God. To be engraved means to permanently belong. To be engraved, again, means that no one can snatch you out of God’s hand.*
You are his, precious child of God.
Do not let defeats and failures throw you down.
Stand up. And move on.
Accept the forgiveness of God. Rise up to succeed!
When Jesus was born he was called Immanuel meaning God with us. Can God be so ordinary? Can God be human? Incredible!
Yet God chose to humble himself to be a servant of men. This is one meaning of God with us. God stood with us in our brokenness. Well, some of you might think we are OK. Really! Is it true?
Just look around you. The kind of broken hearts and tears you find everywhere. God came to experience all this firsthand. No longer can you tell God, “You don’t understand!”
Yet he will point you to a Man lifted up on a hill between earth and sky, naked and bleeding on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head. An inscription above his head read, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
And God will say to you that there he carried your sorrows and was broken for you. Looking at that Man you will find peace. For the punishment of your sins that should have fallen on you fell on him who was innocent. He carried it all for you.
It is at those moments that you look for someone who has passed through such trouble to come and be with you. Perhaps speak an encouraging word. For only those who have experienced what you are going through can offer any help.
It is at this point our burden-bearer stands at life’s difficult hours and crossroads. The man who “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering!”1
Not only does he understand pain and grief, he knows what it is to weep. He knows what it is to carry the greatest burden of mankind—the burden of sin and its accompanying guilt and shame.
He calls you his friend. More than that, he calls you, “My brother, my sister.”
He who carried the cross will willingly carry your burden as well. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”2 That is his call and invitation.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens” — Psalm 68:19
Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” — Hebrews 13:5, 6.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” — Hebrews 4:15, 16.
[Quotes from Bible, New International Version 1984]
