Weathering the Downs of Life
We all know that Life is full of ups and downs. And I am quite sure most people don't like downs. Nevertheless, somehow, Life deals to everyone a fair share of ups and downs... which leaves us with Hobson's choice: we gotta learn how to weather the downs of Life if we want to be happy for the most part of our lives.
In the 32 years of my life, I've realised a strange phenomenon: Life tends to deal successive downs within a short period of time, like a determined boxer throwing fast successive critical blows to knock out his opponent. Hence, if we hope to survive such skirmishes, we need to be ready...
I happen to be at one of the downs of Life at this very moment. My father just suffered a massive stroke; my skin problem relapsed; my workload at the office was at its peak; my church website project ran into some problems; my application for a maid (for my father) was driving me nuts because of red tape.
But I survived till this very moment and could sense that Life is slowly phasing in the ups:)
There was a point when I was despairing and didn't know how to carry on. It was then my preparatory work kicked in; I was ready for this decisive moment; With God's grace, I turned away from Despair and looked up to Him.
All of sudden, I remembered all that I've read, studied, prayed and experienced - I shouldn't waste my sufferings but unite them with Christ's suffering and offer them up for my father, for the conversion of hearts and for the reparation of my sins. Miraculously, in that instant, a huge burden was suddenly lifted from my shoulders and my spirit soared once again with youthful vigor.
How to weather the downs of Life? Here's my take: prepare yourself spiritually during the ups of Life.
In the 32 years of my life, I've realised a strange phenomenon: Life tends to deal successive downs within a short period of time, like a determined boxer throwing fast successive critical blows to knock out his opponent. Hence, if we hope to survive such skirmishes, we need to be ready...
I happen to be at one of the downs of Life at this very moment. My father just suffered a massive stroke; my skin problem relapsed; my workload at the office was at its peak; my church website project ran into some problems; my application for a maid (for my father) was driving me nuts because of red tape.
But I survived till this very moment and could sense that Life is slowly phasing in the ups:)
There was a point when I was despairing and didn't know how to carry on. It was then my preparatory work kicked in; I was ready for this decisive moment; With God's grace, I turned away from Despair and looked up to Him.
All of sudden, I remembered all that I've read, studied, prayed and experienced - I shouldn't waste my sufferings but unite them with Christ's suffering and offer them up for my father, for the conversion of hearts and for the reparation of my sins. Miraculously, in that instant, a huge burden was suddenly lifted from my shoulders and my spirit soared once again with youthful vigor.
How to weather the downs of Life? Here's my take: prepare yourself spiritually during the ups of Life.
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