Shalom stories

We must recognize that hardships are a necessary part of our journey at every stage. We can, however, conquer them if we are spiritually equipped and rooted in God's word. We can't run away from them, but we have been given the ability to face them. Without some form of suffering, you'll never be able to grow spiritually and become who God wants you to be. We must learn that God works, sometimes in greater ways, through human suffering than through any other means. You'll quit griping and crying about anything once you realize this. In the midst of life's challenges and persecution, it will require a genuine person to remain faithful.

Struggles are a part of life, just as good, pleasant, and joyful times are. However, if we face our challenges with faith, we will be rewarded abundantly! When life throws a brick at you, get down on your knees and ask the Mighty One to intervene. Struggles aren't meant to kill us; they're meant to strengthen our faith by enabling us to rely on God for the strength and boldness to face difficulties.  In moments of doubt, remember who God has always been and recall his promises. Even if you're full of doubts and uncertainties, if you keep going to Him, he'll reveal Himself to be trustworthy over and over again.

The psalmist addressed this inquiry to God (read Psalm 10:1). The psalmist felt as if God was hidden somewhere, unable to observe the suffering of the righteous in the hands of the wicked. As Christians, regardless of the extent of our spiritual maturity, it’s possible to reach a point so low that we literally feel that everyone, including God, has forgotten us. When we are confronted with circumstances, we may begin to question God's availablility. That was David’s desperate circumstance when he wrote Psalm 10. Our questions, our wrath, and our doubts are not too big for God to manage. He sometimes uses hardship to discipline us for our own good (Hebrews 12:7–13).

God demonstrated his love for you and me by sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Jesus took our sins upon himself in order for us to be forgiven and reconciled with God. Jesus arose from the dead on the third day and he ascended to God's throne, where he now reigns supreme over his kingdom. He also sent the Holy Spirit to us to instruct and guide us in the life to which he has called us. The resurrection of Jesus means that those who believe in him have been raised from the dead because they are in Christ.  This is God's generous offer of eternal life to anyone who repents, believes, and confesses that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.

We need God in our weak points because our flesh may fail us and our hearts may deliberately mislead us, but God is the strength of our hearts and portion forever (See Psalm 73:26).  Weakness allows God to work profoundly in our lives. The more we acknowledge our own imperfections, the more God can reveal his power through us. When the enemy believes he has trapped us, God can and will help us.  When we trust in God in our weakness, His strength emerges in us in a number of ways, allowing us to be delivered from even the most difficult situations. God is patiently waiting to provide us with strength in our time of need. Do not be afraid to pray for God's strength to be bestowed upon you!

In most cases, people are ignorant because they lack knowledge, understanding, or facts about something. Others have preferred ignorance over knowledge, which leads to a life of distraction.   Ignorance has the potential to cost us far more than we realize. Many people have lost their lives, their assets, their families, and much more as a result of ignorance. God frequently communicates with us through visions, dreams, and riddles (Numbers 12:7-8), yet we still tend to depend on our own understanding.

The story of the poor widow's teaches us several lessons. There’s a reason Jesus pointed it to his disciples. And the reason for this could be that his disciples were applauding those who had given large sums of money. People who gave large sums to the temple were undoubtedly noticed. And Jesus here changed their approach by saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury, for they all put in out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had, her entire livelihood.” This means that our giving is measured based on our faith, motives, and willingness.