Overcoming Anxiety and Receiving Strength

Many of us readily seek God and praise Him during happy times. However, when stress and anxiety start to come our way, we forget that He is more powerful than our strife. Instead of seeking refuge in Him, we count on ourselves to carry the burden. Lately I have been slacking in school due to the myriad extracurricular activities I participate in. In addition to being Vice President for Beta Theta Omicron, Skyline College's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, I am also a member of the Earth Day Committee, Online Chair for Relay 4 Life San Bruno 2012, Public Relations Coordinator for the Environmental Club, a volunteer at the Pacifica Community Center, and tutor to Nancy, a visually impaired student. Although small duties when looked at separately, they stack up when combined. I know it is always better to help. Nonetheless, spreading oneself too thin does not benefit anyone either.

2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds me that: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." He promises to give me more than what is sufficient to fulfill my responsibilities, I just have to ask and petition for strength from Jesus Christ. He will not give me obligations that I cannot handle, or work that I cannot use to glorify Him.  When God blesses us with wealth, whether in the mental, physical, material, or spiritual context, He expects us to use these to give back to others.

Tonight, I only pray that God chisels me into becoming more Christ-like. What is the purpose of serving others if I complain about my lack of time and turn bitter in the process. God wants us to "Do everything without grumbling or arguing" (Philippians 2:14), simply reiterating that when we do good, we have to do so with a willing heart. All our endeavors need to be God-centered in order for us to reap most out of what we sow. As pursuing what is human desire will wear us out, whereas "to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In closing, I feel a different energy and exuberance as when I began writing this entry. I was overwhelmed and ready to give up at first, but now I am filled with ease that Jesus will walk and lead me through my busy schedule. I put my complete trust in Him, that His grace and mercy will sustain me and I will overcome this temporary adversity. God is able to keep us from falling, and He is able to provide. God definitely does not give us a problem-free life. But once we are sober and realize our necessity to have His will overrun ours, the world becomes easier to manage. God's plan for me is perfect, and I will continue to honor Him through thick and thin.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6-7

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"An Evening to Remember"

Philippians 4:4 (NIV) states, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" So rejoice we did at SCFC's "An Evening to Remember". I do not remember feeling so at peace and happy as I had been last night. It was not the fact that we played a role in contributing to the show's success. Rather, it was the spiritual community that we were able to build, not only within our Christian Fellowship Club, but also with the audience, and fellow performers, the Point Loma Nazarene University Choir and the Mountian International Dance Academy. God was with us.

The Skyline Christian Fellowship Club

The show was a combination of various acts taking different artistic forms, all aimed at glorifying God. God has blessed us with so many talents, so it was our honor to give back our praises to Him. The performances were all clearly well-rehearsed. There were skits, a dance, a chorale, and video presentations. Each and every one fired up, moved, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. And we are so thankful for God's sustenance. He keeps our spirits alive, even when we are physically exhausted from preparing for the event. The program began with praise and worship, followed by a short skit entitled "The Heart Department". The skit was originally by the Skit Guys, portrayed this time by SCFC's Timothy and Anthony. The skit is very British and humorous, conveying a holy message about the heart   Jesus Christ is the only way to make it live.

"The Heart Department"

"God's Chisel", another skit by the Skit Guys, came after. This time, the original clip was shown on the big screen at the theater. "God's Chisel" depicts the believer's walk with God, and the struggles we experience in trying to renew our ways. The chisel represents God's disciplinary action, and His attempts to shape us into better versions of ourselves. This process is a difficult and painful one for most of us, as we all have that secret sin we refuse to give up. We are all beautiful, but we are blinded by sin. When we decide to let go of our control and let God do His work, we will be surprised to see the masterpiece that we are in God's eyes.

 

Mountian International Dance Academy was also such a great addition to the evening's performances. They presented a diversity of cultural and ethnic dance pieces. They were a mixture of modern and traditional choreography. The audience were in awe of their talent and dedication to the art, and we felt even more blessed that they are dancing for God. I enjoyed all of their dance numbers. They performed quite a lot, but my favorite is still the Chicken Dance by a solo female artist. She has my utmost respect.

The Chicken Dance

The show was also served as a venue to building and revisiting friendships in Christ. Strangers who we used to pass by without greeting at campus became our brothers and sisters, because of the bond that we share with God. I can never thank Him enough for blessing me with these beautiful people to share His walk in the light.

Meeting acquaintances and building friendships during intermission

In addition to "The Heart Department", SCFC had another skit we have been practicing for awhile. If you have read my previous post, our dedication and hard work to the "Lifehouse Everything" skit will be very apparent. "Lifehouse Everything" has been renditioned in different churches and Christian congregations all around the globe. Below is a video recording of ours.

"Lifehouse Everything" illustrates the experience of the typical Christian; battling the temptations of lust, wealth, addiction, fame, and depression. We all go through our downs in life, but "Lifehouse Everything" reminds us that we are not alone. In spite of our constant shortcomings, Jesus Christ continues to come to our rescue. He shoos away our demons, and deliver us from darkness. When we lift up our sins to Him, they stop being a burden, and become our testimony. Walking with God is not easy, but He is always there to help us through.

God's love is redeeming, self-sacrificing, and perfect.

For the final act, the Point Loma Nazarene Choir performed a repertoire ranging from sacred classics to contemporary gospel music. Both genre soothing to the ears anyway. The Point Loma Nazarene Choir is comprised of high-class singers of different majors. They are based in San Diego, and travel yearly for their nationwide tour. SCFC's "An Evening to Remember" was their first stop for the 2012 tour. We know God will open more doors for such an achieved, but humble group of singers. We are so grateful for the time and effort they put in for the glory of God.

The Point Loma Nazarene University Choir

"It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that by its soundness and well being he may be enabled to labour... for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ."
- Martin Luther

We are one big happy family!

We praise God for the privilege to be used for His glory. This is only the beginning of our larger mission: To share God's Salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16), to live Holy Lives (1 Peter 1:13-16), preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), and share God's Love (1 John 4:7-21). We will gather as brothers and sisters as one in Christ to offer prayer and worship to our Almighty God (Matthew 18:19-20). After we have offered God the best of us, He will give us back through His Holy Word. Through Bible Studies or Sermons, His Word will minister our Spirit, Soul, and Body (Hebrews 4:12-13). We will also have fellowship with each other (Acts 2:41-47). We are God's Ambassadors to be examples and lead students to the way, the truth, and the life which is Jesus Christ.

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Everlasting Solution

Feeling empty and stoic about my life, I remind myself that: "We can lack nothing, because Jesus died so we can have it all". My brother Freddy texted me these words some time ago. The message is brief and simple, yet its content impressive and powerful. I have known the reality of God's love since I was officially saved in 2002. Unfortunately, like many Christians, I tend to forget the significance and value of His truth. We have been blessed with the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ, by the grace and mercy of God. Yet we incessantly count on ourselves to fix situations, when He has already provided us a permanent, everlasting Solution.

A lot of things have been boggling my mind lately, random thoughts and questions about circumstances that are out of my control. These although do not involve me directly, hurt me, because I see my loved ones suffering. I take the problems into my own hands instead of lifting them up to God, and this has not helped me or restored the issues at all. I communicated my advice and opinions about their broken relationships, marriages, and teenage misbehavior management. However, without consulting God's Word first.

I was overwhelmed with unease. Hence, I tried to find immediate resolutions myself, when I should have sought for God's answers. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus." Oftentimes, we fail to remember God's love and grace. When faced with strife, we react impulsively, and take action on our own. While God is only waiting for us to approach Him.

Jesus is inviting everyone who is weary and burdened to come to Him, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). We can easily be stress-free if we choose to surrender our worries to God. But the ball is on our court to give up our cares or not. Troubles are inevitable, but when we leave them with Him, they become less arduous to handle. As a matter of fact, we may even stop feeling the whole weight of the tribulation.

I am still concerned about my loved ones' well-being. However, I have decided to relinquish my concerns and distress to God in prayer. At this point, there is really nothing I can do. The reasonable and better choice is to trust in God and leave the driving to Him. I am uncertain as to where my loved ones' predicament will lead to, but I believe God's will will prevail above anything. And with Jesus Christ, the everlasting Solution on my side, I am assured everything will turn out fine in His time. Like Freddy said, "We can lack nothing, because Jesus died so we can have it all". Letting go and letting God.

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