"I HEARD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHISPER,

'TRY TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME.'"

From: Ching Co Cebu City, Philippines email: ching@gsilink.com Tuesday, July 10, 2001

July 9, 2001

WAVES OF EMOTIONS SWEEPING OVER US

The past few days, I felt overwhelmed by wave and wave of emotions sweeping over me. These are mixed emotions. It is very similar to that feeling we feel inside when you are about to perform in the stage and the curtain is about to rise. It also feels like a knot inside your tummy while waiting for an important result or appointment. It is also similar to what we feel when we are in the doctor's/dentist's office awaiting our turn.

STRUGGLING WITH BEING STILL

Memories of the past and anticipation for the future come sweeping over and over again like strong waves against our soul.

News that we've heard, letters that we've read, events that happen within our walls and around the nations further add pressures to what we are feeling.

WHAT AM I ---WHAT ARE WE--- SUPPOSED TO DO???

I was finding myself desperate for answers-- how to keep my head afloat in the midst of all these things.

LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME

While swimming in the midst of these emotional turmoils, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper these words to me.

"Try to live one day at a time."

I felt the Lord's reassurance that nothing is wrong. These emotions are part of the process. But in order that we won't be overwhelmed by them in a negative way-- We must seek to focus our attention on today.

NOT ALLOWING THE PAST TO FRUSTRATE US

We must not let the past frustrate us, we must not allow the future to overwhelm us, because our God is the God of the past, the present and the future. JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. (Hebrews 13:8)

Whatever has happened in the past has already happened. If we have erred and overlooked something, there is nothing we can do, but we can trust our God to work these out for good according to His promise.

The future is beyond our control. But God is in control and despite the seeming impossibilities of the situation facing us, we have pondered about the vision that God has given us and we just cannot- by ourselves-- tie together all the pieces and visualize how all things can be fulfilled.

We often drain ourselves trying to figure it out. But our God has the detailed blueprints in His hand and it is His job to bring every part to completion.

WE ARE NEARING MOUNTAIN TOP

Many have labored and climbed their spiritual mountain. We are nearing the top. we sense that in our hearts. But we no longer have the strength left to climb further. Many times, we find our faith being shaken and we often wonder if the problem lies with us.

WE MUST SPEAK TO OUR SOUL

Like David, the Lord wants us to speak to our soul. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

Below is one of my favorite prayers and I felt led to share it with you today. May these words bring encouragement to our hearts. . .

PRAYER BY LOUISE BECKER:

"May you live, truly live each day so it is a full day, a useful day, a day of joy and fulfillment. If you do this, happiness is sure to follows.

Try to forget yourself and think of others and serve them and happiness will sneak in through a door that you did not know you had left open.

May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you steady; enough sorrows to keep you human; enough hope to keep you happy; enough failures to keep you humble; enough success to keep you eager; enough friends to keep you in comfort; enough wealth to meet your needs; enough enthusiasm to look forward; enough faith to banish depression; enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Help us Lord to live one day at a time. Let us plan for tomorrow and hope for the future, but not live in either. Help us to live this day well, knowing that tomorrow's strength will come tomorrow."

Amen!

Blessings to all,

Sis. Ching Co Cebu City Philippines