One of my favourite songs……. is “God of the mountain”, sung by Lynda Randle. Lyrics of the song are very practical. Have you noticed your behaviour when you are going through your ‘high points of life? We are flippant, and really quick in judging others . But during our ‘lows’, it’s very irritating to hear someone give us lectures on how to ‘be happy’, or happy people make things work’ or ‘praise the Lord for your bad times, anyways! You are learning much….praise be to God’ ……”

Those are hard times, and we like to be left alone, our emotions hurt and bruised, minds confused, probably trying to understand…’where did we go wrong? Rather than lectures during these times, our hearts long for someone to come up with some comforting words of God, share how they dealt with problems, and assure us, that everything will be alright.

Proverbs 2:1-5 teaches us about the necessity and rewards of understanding. (another way of looking at it….’what to say when’). Helps us in dealing with our relationships more maturely, handling our finances well, behaving responsible in our careers, approaching life in a more balanced way, to name a few.

No matter how highly qualified and educated we are, we wouldn’t be wise, until and unless God matures us, and seasons us. It wouldn’t take the world’s entire collection of books to make us wise. But it would take a disciplined life of reading the ‘word of God’ daily, to be really spiritually wise. And trust me, your half the battle (of life) is already won, if you make an effort in studying the word of God and use it ……practically to every area of your life. Because that kind of wisdom, is never ‘acquired’ with worldly knowledge, but we simply grow in, with faith and walking with God.

God’s word teaches us how to be “understanding with compassion.

In fact, the book of Proverbs 9:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of our Holy God, results in understanding (‘good judgement’ as per New Living Translation).

In our own strength, it is absolutely futile to claim ‘we understand’.

It would be vain to claim that we understand everyone’s lives.

But the process may begin, with ‘receiving God’s word and treasure up His commandments within us’ ( as Proverbs 2:1 says).

I remember, before I was saved, whenever I would meet someone, and they would share anything with me, I would hear myself saying ‘I understand’.

Without even having the slightest knowledge of what the person has gone through in his/her past, or going through during that specific period.

Life offers us enough experiences. We meet so many kinds of people, as they cross our paths. Be it as guests, friends, relatives, acquaintances or even passers -by. Nothing is written on their faces. But God only knows what they must be dealing with in their lives. Is it really possible to empathise with them?

But once God filled me with His spirit, I refuse to be vain. It is not humanly possible for me to understand everyone’s challenges and circumstances, until and unless God fills me with wisdom. Now I never hear myself saying, ‘I understand’ or ‘I know’. I prefer keeping quiet and listen out to what the person has to share with me. At times, my heart really goes out to some of them, going through seasons of hurts and pains, with no promise of healing. I feel like reaching out to them and telling them….’hey, I have been where you are today. I know how it feels, what you are feeling today. But do you know that my Savior set me free? And my Savior can get you out of your mess too?”

The whole world needs a Savior. The entire world is in a mess.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace’” Ephesians 1:7

Unfortunately, they don’t know that they need a Saviour. When I was living the worldly way, even I wasn’t aware that I needed my Savior! I was going about my own way……until, my Lord called me, clothed me with His love and anointed me as His own. So why blame anyone?

We live in societies, with different kinds of cultures, practices, faiths and religions. Ironically, people prefer to be bound in shackles of religious bondages, generational rituals, and continue in pain and agony of heart and spirit, but too rigid to call on His name. They keep God as their backseat driver and God cannot intervene and heal them, or set them free from their respective bondages, since they are too busy in their own things. And wise enough in their own eyes. And they definitely don’t have time for God. Because they are not ‘too old’ yet to call on His Name. Those things are for old age, when they have enough time, right?”

So in a society like this, our good gestures would be judged wrongly, if we aren’t careful with our words and actions. So, what am I left with, to do?
Colossians 3:12, ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”.

As Lord’s child and the compassion and understanding that He filled me with…….I CAN PRAY FOR THEM. I can simply put my concern to my precious Lord, He will know when and how to intervene.

A believer’s life is all about aligning self to God’s purposes, knowing His will, and working in the direction He leads us to. We are not to force our own interests and make them look like God’s purposes. No they are not and they wouldn’t be. We have to tune ourselves to what God wants us to do? And for that, sincere prayers (behind closed doors, and not exactly to show people how spiritual we are), are required. Go deeper into prayers, ask His will and that opens doors for us to work in unity with God and walk in His grace as we go about reaching out to others.

I see insensitive people all around. They can spend endless money on superficial lives, parties, kitties and own comforts, but ask them to help someone, they can come out with endless excuses for not helping out. But that’s how people are! (We surely don’t want to be those kind of people, right. We want to have Godly understanding and compassion, that we are effective in reflecting Christ through our lives. )

But God! He is so loving, so merciful. Calling out on His Holy Name, can make such a huge difference in our lives. He is ever so compassionate. He is all knowing, loving and kind Heavenly Father to the ones who call on His Name.

(Isaiah 65:15) “………The Lord God will call His servants (the ones who serve Him wholeheartedly) by another name (as much greater than the former name as the name of Israel was greater than the name Jacob) (Gen 32:28, Jer 29:22)

(Isaiah 65:17, 65:21-24) “For behold, I create new heaven and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:1). They shall build house and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build and another inhabit, they shall not plant and another eat ( the fruit). For as the days of My people, and My chosen and elect shall long make use of and enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bring forth (children) for sudden terror or calamity, for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall be that before they call I will answer , and while they are yet speaking I will hear (Isaiah 30:19, 58:9, Matt 6:8).

“This is the man to whom I will look and have regard, he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and he who trembles at My word and reveres My commands (John 4:24, Isaiah 66:2)

Let us empty ourselves and prepare ourselves to receive more of wisdom and grace and be filled with His love.

(“”The writer has been a Cover page Model for various fashion magazines , anchored various musical shows for youth Channels and a (short film) filmmaker for Discovery Channel. Currently busy writing her own book””)