RICH LIFE SERIES: 6 | KEEP CALM

Each of us strive to make our lives richer – capture moments of joy, experience new things, and spread love to people we connect with. This is what this series is all about: despite all your major problems, you can still make your life richer and better. Kapit, kapatid, it will be a fun ride. :) NOTE: IM A WORK IN PROGRESS«« Perfection not achieved yet. :)

RICH LIFE SERIES: 6 | KEEP CALM

I was never a beach person, and in my 22 years of existence, I've never really travelled far on water. This long weekend, I decided to go with my HS friends to Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines. The enjoyment I had with long-time friends and rekindle stories of friendship and immature pasts is another story, but for this Rich Life Series entry, we'll focus on the thoughts I had while riding the waves. :)

For today, kapatid, we'll look at the most common (I think) story related to the sea that we can get from the Bible, that is, when Jesus walked on water (Matt. 14:22-33) and when he called out Peter to try it... (v.29). Another passage references to Jesus being obeyed by the waves and winds as He calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41).

Having traveled during both a weather disturbance and a good weather, I must say the sea is never calm... The waves may not be huge, but I've never seen it still and calm. So I could just imagine the disciples' astonishment when Jesus said "Be still!" (v.39) and the winds stopped and the sea was calm. 

Life is never calm and still... there are waves and winds and storms... surely, it will, at times, be smooth-sailing, but it's never perfectly still. Sometimes, the pains of the past, the ghosts of our wrongdoings, the memories of sins, the guilt, and even the worries for the future–– they contribute to a worry-filled life. Minsan sobrang busy rin ng buhay, wala ka nang panahon to be still, calm, and just relax. The world teaches us to fast-track things so we can do more and be more than who we are.

"And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?" said Jesus in Luke 12:25.

He has preached about worrying, too, if you will remember the famous comparisons to the birds and flowers (Matthew 6:25-34).  What did He say in v.32? Your Father knows you what you need! What we all need! So why worry when God was already taking care of birds and flowers –– aren't you more valuable than these? You are His child. You are loved, and you are a huge reason why He had to give Himself up to the cross to pay for your sins and debts. You've been redeemed by Him, therefore, His eye is on you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

What do you worry about? 

Wala po akong partner in life. I have no one else to keep me company...

I don't know how I can survive all my meetings today, tapos bukas andami rin gagawin...

Hindi ko na alam how to handle my finances, andami kong babayaran next week...

I'm worried about my loved ones, malayo sila and I am bothered thinking about their safety...

and there a lot more, some are very much reasonable, others, hmmm... a bit too much overthinking. 

1 Cor. 10:26 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains."

He's got you, and your hair, and your money, and the air you breathe, 

your loved ones, your work, your everything –––

God has the whole world in His hands.

Surely there are storms and calamities in life, and we will look into that some other time. But at this point we should at least be able to figure this one out: life has many challenges, but God will see us through. As Charles Swindoll writes, "Worry is assuming responsibilities that you cannot handle. The truth is, they are responsibilities that God never intended for you to handle, because they are His." Sometimes our problems seem so big we can't handle them... Pero baka kaya they seem too big kasi this is something that we should not be worrying about anymore. Let go. Let God.

Worrying only stops us from enjoying what we have. It distracts us, it stops us from making our lives richer.

Try to commit everything to God. Seek Him and His righteousness first (Matt. 6:33) and all these things shall be added unto you. It may not be what you want, but it is all you will ever need. The challenge is to shift your perspective from what you desire to what God desires for you. His will is always for your own good. 

³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So as I have said to myself during those boat rides, Tiwala Lang. Keep calm, and pray... and commit... and worry less. Go on and enjoy all the troubles you have for today, as God works His way to see you through. Seize the day. Stop thinking about things beyond your control. Our God commands the waves of life to keep still, but when they are not still, our God is also telling us something... Baka naman tayo ang dapat pa-kalmahin. Tayo ang dapat matutong sumunod at mag-tiwala. Listen as Jesus commands you to be still, and just focus on what good He wants to bring into your life. It is always the best thing for you. :)

RICH LIFE ADVICE:

Not my will, but Yours be done. This is the level of commitment a worry-free life needs. And frankly, it seems quite impossible. We realize there are things in life that would bother us... But don't let the waves of doubt and winds of worrying consume you or your day or your entire life. Know that God is there to help you out, and that God will only give enough troubles for a day to refine you, and teach you how to hold on firmly to your faith and to his undying grace and mercy. Worry less, and pray more. God knows what's best for you. And when problems get too big, remember, you have a BIG God who is bigger than all your problems. :) So Keep Calm, Kapatid. :)