Seeing Everyone As Opportunities to Bless

The big question of the day, or rather… this post, is how do you see people? How we see people determines a lot about what others see in us. That is why I making the goal of this post to convince you to start seeing everyone as opportunities to bless. You will see improvements in your life, in your relationships, in your reputation, and more, if you take this wisdom to heart.

Distorted Perspectives

The first thing you ought to know is that our perspective on others may indicate something about us. If you’re really honest with yourself, you’d see how easy it is to judge others, to rely upon baseless biases, and more.

The point is that we’re not perfect. And the last thing we should do is claim to be perfect. We’ve been trained by our culture, by our family, by our traditions, and more, to think in ways which don’t make sense.

Mark 7:9 World English Bible (WEB)
He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

Now, the Bible is pretty clear on the cost of such worldly traditions, too.

Proverbs 14:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
    but in the end it leads to death.

Did you catch that? If you didn’t, let me point it out to you. The scripture above states that the ways of man which seem right, lead unto death.

That’s a bit frightening. And it is as true as it is terrifying. The wrong thinking and the wrong perspective can lead you in the direction opposite to the blessings and life which God has in plan for you.

Racism is an all-too-common example of the ramifications brought upon mankind when a deadly mindset is accepted.

Racism is a way in which arrogant people view others as inferior due to a difference in skin colour, and so, this mindset leads to the mistreatment of others as well as the darkening of one’s own soul. And racism surely has led to death every single time it’s been accepted by human beings.

A manipulator who cheats on their spouse is another example of distorted perspectives. When one sees people as opportunities to please one’s self and doesn’t understand the value of faithfulness, their life is headed towards destruction.

A Transformation of Perspective

So, there needs to be a shift in the way you think. For so long, we have based our values, perspectives, and ideals on what our world has given us.

But, the Bible clearly points out that the world’s standard of good is not God’s ideal. Our world was never supposed to be based on slogans like “survival of the fittest,” or “winning the rat race.”

We were never supposed to view other people as subjects of manipulation or exploitation. The thought of taking advantage of vulnerable people never came across the most precious mind of God.

Yet, it’s a thought that repeats itself within the minds of those who embrace the world’s standard of good. That is why there is so much corruption, injustice, and evil that persists in every nation.

Romans 5:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

But instead, how does God want us to treat people?

Mark 9:35 King James Version (KJV)
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Lord Jesus Christ said we ought to serve others, to love them, and to treat them well. This doesn’t mean we need to be a doormat for others to exploit. Instead, Lord Jesus means that we’re supposed to respect and love others as God loves us.

How do you know that God loves you? He showed His love to you on the cross. God came down in the flesh as Lord Jesus Christ and people hated His ministry of compassion, so, they, with all the religious teachers decided to crucify Him.

Seeing Everyone as Opportunities to Bless

Yet, this was all part of God’s plan so that through Him bearing your punishment, you would no longer suffer hell because of His sacrifice. Therefore, you only need to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as a way of accepting His love as well as transformative grace.

Romans 10:9-10 King James Version (KJV)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I talk more about God’s salvation plan for humanity in this post.

Ask God for the grace to start seeing everyone as opportunities to bless. God calls us to be generous, to give unto the poor, to always be helpful to those who are in need of aid, and more.

We ought to follow the example of Christ. There should not be any hint of selfishness as selfishness is what leads people to throw others under the bus for their own benefit.

John 13:15 World English Bible (WEB)
15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.

Furthermore, we were all headed down the path to God’s fierce judgment and wrath as God is holy and must rightfully punish people like us for the things we’ve done wrong. However, God is a God of love. He decided to let Himself be destroyed that we may be made alive.

Therefore, place your faith in the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ. Diligently read the Bible and see Christ’s example to us as we learn to serve others and be a blessing to everyone we meet. Fix your eyes upon Lord Jesus; you’ll start seeing everyone as opportunities to bless.

Giving Thanks To Our Heavenly Immanuel

I’m sure that if you’ve read the title of this, some questions are bound to arise. To clear things up, this post is meant to point out three conduits by which giving thanks to God is possible. And in the title, I mentioned God as our Heavenly Immanuel. The reason being so that we can remember the title given to Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:23, which is “Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God with us,’ and since we’re going to thank Him, we should remember who He is. He is with us.

Giving Thanks Through the Heart

Firstly, thank God in your heart. All deeds start with the heart and appreciation does not violate that expectation. Whether you bless or hurt someone, the intention starts within your thoughts.

Colossians 3:2 World English Bible (WEB)
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

And so, I urge you to thank God in your heart. Just think to yourself, “Wow, God you’re so good, thank you for loving me.”

Now, I can imagine if some grow skeptical of what I’m saying. But, here’s the thing, you just need to remind yourself of who God is.

God is the one who came down to Earth as a human. He came as Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, since you and I have erred, we’ve done things that forever separate us from God, who is utterly perfect.

So, He let Himself be tortured and crucified by angry people who could not stand his life-giving miracles, jaw-dropping wonders, and breathtaking healings. Lord Jesus Christ bore the cross to give you an opportunity at another chance.

A chance to trust Him with all your failures and destruction as He suffers your punishment on the cross. Therefore, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

You’ve just got to remember and believe what He did for you, and no matter what state you’re in, you’ll feel a sense of gratitude.

His love for you means that if you’re currently in a state of bliss, His love is to thank for. Or if you’re in a season of disappointment, let the love of God console and comfort you.

The main point of this section is to make you understand that it doesn’t matter where you’re standing, God loves you deeply. Therefore, feel your heart’s drive to thank God for His meaningful love.

Romans 8:27 World English Bible (WEB)
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

Thanking God Through Words

Next, use your words to express your appreciation to God. God is real. And it wouldn’t hurt to tell Him that you’re grateful for all He’s done. Like any other person, God should hear you speak to Him.

When you express gratitude to a friend, family member, anyone else for that matter, you tell tell them, “thank you.’

In the same way, say “thank you,” to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 World English Bible (WEB)
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GodAnd the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

The scripture above says to thank God as you pray and inform Him about your situations.

And although your immediate situation may not look the best, things will change. That’s a promise from God.

Matthew 6:34 World English Bible (WEB)
34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Plus, being anxious about nothing as you thank Him for taking care of it solves the issue of anxiety. Once you’ve done everything you could such as setting up your business, or teaching your children what’s right and wrong, thank God as you place your desire in God’s hands.

Thank Him for being with you. Giving thanks to Him verbally is not going to go unheard. Your words will not fall to the ground, instead, they’ll ascend to the ears of God like a sweet aroma.

Proverbs 16:1-3 World English Bible (WEB)
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
    but Yahweh weighs the motives.
Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
    and your plans shall succeed.

He’ll take care of the rest. After all, His hands are bigger than yours.

Giving Thanks Through Actions

Finally, giving thanks to God through your actions is something that you must never forget. Your actions show God where your heart is.

For example, a person who lies constantly shows everyone that his/her heart is in a place of confusion and deception.

On the other hand, a person who lives in honesty regardless of its consequences upon one’s self shows everyone his/her heart is in a place of integrity.

Colossians 3:17 World English Bible (WEB)
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

Therefore, God sees whether you appreciate Him or not through what you do. And the choice to do what you want belongs to no one else other than the person reading this post. That’s you.

But, how do you show gratitude to God through your actions? You show appreciation by allowing His Spirit to enter and transform your life.

Romans 12:2 World English Bible (WEB)
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

And His Spirit will convict your heart to do what pleases God. You can please God by avoiding evil no matter how tempting the proposition.

Also, you can please God through charity in Lord Jesus’ name and being a reliable neighbour to those God placed in your life.

Mark 12:30-31 World English Bible (WEB)
30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’Deuteronomy 6:4-5 This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’Leviticus 19:18 There is no other commandment greater than these.”

To tell you the truth, only you know where God is leading you. And so, thank God by obeying Him through your actions.

Galatians 5:25 World English Bible (WEB)
25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.

In conclusion, thank Immanuel, Lord Jesus Christ for His love for you. Hold onto His love and thank God through whatever means possible.

By Andre Wijesekera.

How to Fear the Lord According to the Bible

The word “fear,” has an predominantly negative connotation in today’s world. And what I mean by that is that if someone was to randomly scream the word, “fear,” in a room with people, some negative image will come to the minds of every person in that room. But then, what does it mean to fear God? And how to fear God? This question will be the focus of this post, so continue reading.

Who is God?

Does the fear of God mean to be terrified by Him? Before I tackle this question, let me clarify some things as I don’t want to cause any confusion in this post.

The God I’m talking about is the God of the Bible. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the God who came down to Earth 2000 years ago as Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ healed the sick, freed the demon-possessed, and performed miracles, too many to count.

John 21:25 King James Version (KJV)
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

And how did the people of that time treat Lord Jesus Christ? Well, the religious leaders got jealous of Lord Jesus and they used the people’s herd mentality to pressure the ancient Roman government of that time to crucify Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 23:23 King James Version (KJV)
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

But, do not think for a second that this event was unforeseen by God. No, on the contrary, God knew that people are corrupted, and He allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified by His own people.

The reason for this is because you and I have all sinned. We’ve all messed up somewhere in our lives. And since God is holy and perfect, He cannot let us into Heaven because we are imperfect.

Thus, we need atonement. That atonement is Lord Jesus Christ dying on the cross for you and me. When He bore hell on Earth at the cross of Calvary, we can accept His sacrifice, and forfeit the destruction awaiting us in our afterlife. He is the God I am talking about and the only God who I know. So, if you haven’t already, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

John 14:6 World English Bible (WEB)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

Terrified by the Lord?

Now, to actually deal with the question, what does it mean to fear God?

Genesis 20:10-11 World English Bible (WEB)
10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean to be terrified or petrified by Him! I mean, look at the first time this phrase is used in an English translation of the Bible.

The first time this phrase was used in the Bible was in the above verse, where Abraham hid the fact that he was Sarah’s husband to Abimelech since Abraham thought there was no fear of God in Abimelech’s domain.

Does this mean that Abraham was scared to tell Abimelech that he was Sarah’s husband because Abimelech was not terrified by God? No, it means that according to Abraham, Abimelech did not care about God’s laws or respect God.

But, let me get this straight. If there’s anyone you should be terrified of, it’s God, and God alone. Now, I want you to read this slowly, otherwise, you will get really confused.

God does not want you to be terrified of Him. God does not want you to see Him as a danger. But, if you should be scared of anything or anyone, God is at the top of the list, not the devil. And that is because God is the most powerful being to exist.

So, if you’re thinking of going against God or doing something evil to another person, prepare yourself for the consequences. God looks for everyone’s best interest, and He will stop evil through whatever means necessary.

Matthew 10:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

This should give you confidence because if God is on your side, then there’s absolutely no one to fear. Even after death, Heaven awaits you.

Continuing on, the fear of God is when you respect Him as your God. When you respect Lord Jesus Christ as your God, you will have convictions that restrain you from doing things He does not like.

Deuteronomy 10:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

How to Fear God

So, how do you fear God? You fear God by respecting Him and obeying Him.

Psalm 33:8 World English Bible (WEB)
Let all the earth fear Yahweh.
    Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

To fear God means to stand in awe of Him. By standing in awe of Him, I mean to be in a state where you marvel at the goodness and love of God.

To fear God means to honour His love for you, and turn away from evil. Don’t do bad things because they benefit or pleasure you, turn away from them because God loves you!

Proverbs 3:7 King James Version (KJV)
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Furthermore, God blesses those who fear Him. When you decide to respect God, God will make sure that you lack nothing in your life.

Psalm 34:9 World English Bible (WEB)
Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
    for there is no lack with those who fear him.

And another thing that comes with fearing Him, is wisdom. Once you commit to honouring God above all else, God will give you the wisdom that is relevant in your situation.

Psalm 111:10 World English Bible (WEB)
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
    All those who do his work have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

So, what’s the conclusion? Fear God by honouring and respecting Him. And turn away from ways which you know aren’t right because ultimately, God loves you.

The Importance of Convictions and Boundaries

Our world seems to encourage the abandonment of moral boundaries and convictions. And this lack of convictions and personal boundaries within people often leads to violations of the conscience or issues with mental health. That is why in this post, my goal is to teach you the importance of convictions and boundaries within one’s life if one wants to live in the best way possible.

Where’s Our Convictions and Boundaries?

Let’s face it. Our world’s losing its grip on absolutes. We like to muddle our picture of morality and expand upon the boundaries of what’s right and wrong.

For example, according to the Star, gun violence in Toronto, Canada has increased 13% since last year as of May 12, 2020. I can only see this fact as an apparent reminder that our society is forgetting what it means to hold moral convictions.

And if we don’t hold moral convictions, how can we hold spiritual convictions?

John 3:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

I find it heartbreaking to witness a person find themselves in hell on Earth after violating all of our God-given boundaries. God gave us guidelines to protect us from the evils of our own self-destructive natures.

Jeremiah 17:9 King James Version (KJV)
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

But, many people drive themselves into all sorts of addiction and sin. This ultimately leads to issues like depression, trauma, and more. There are all sorts of evils which a person can do, I don’t need to name them all.

Ezekiel 33:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Therefore, take a deep look at where you’re at, in your personal life. And if you realize that you’ve lived without convictions or moral boundaries, now is the time to realize the importance of moral convictions.

The Importance of Convictions and Boundaries

Now, the point of moral convictions is to remind one’s soul if you or someone else is violating a moral law. Furthermore, stealing is a violation of morality and you should have the convictions to tell you that.

Ephesians 4:28 World English Bible (WEB)
28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

Even more, moral and spiritual boundaries tells us what lines to not cross. We should know our boundaries and not demean our worth to God by forgetting our personal boundaries.

For example, sexual immorality often occurs because people do not know the boundaries of marriage, and this leads many lives to devastation.

1 Corinthians 6:18 World English Bible (WEB)
18 Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Know your boundaries. If you don’t know your own boundaries, you forget that there’s something to protect within you. And if you don’t understand your own worth, then read this post.

So, again, realize the importance of boundaries and convictions. Go down the straight yet narrow path, and ask God for the grace to lead you down that ever-so good path.

Matthew 7:13-14 World English Bible (WEB)
13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. 14 How[a] the gate is narrow and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are who find it.

Where Do I Find My Convictions?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 World English Bible (WEB)
16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and[a] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

If there’s anywhere I’d find convictions and moral boundaries guiding me as to what’s right or not, I’d find it in the Bible.

Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV)
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

And do you know why? It’s because, without God, there are no boundaries. There are only boundaries if there’s something worth protecting and without God, where’s the worth in you?

The God of the Bible is the only one to declare that you have value because you were created in His image. And I will stick to that justification of intrinsic human worth because it’s the only one I’ve got.

Genesis 1:27 World English Bible (WEB)
27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.

Reach out to the God who created you in His image, and let Him begin a new work in you. Whether you’re in the gutters of damnation or a pristine neighbourhood, God wants you to accept His saving help.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 World English Bible (WEB)
26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.

That’s why He came to Earth as Lord Jesus Christ and died on the cross to suffer the penalty for your sins. After 3 days, He rose again, victorious over death. So, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, He will not disappoint.

By Andre Wijesekera

Is Yoga Really Effective in the Long-Term?

Discern!

To those who’ve bothered to read this post, my guess is that you’re here to find out if yoga is really effective in the long-term scenario. And so, I am going to talk about yoga in this post as I look at it from a Christian perspective, a mental health perspective, and a practical perspective. My goal is to go into the depths of analysis as I deal with the question and I hope you find something helpful from this post.

Stretching One’s Self for Mental Peace? Is Yoga Really Effective in the Long-Term?

For those who don’t know, yoga is a series of stretches and breathing exercises originating from the East (India). Interestingly enough, the West (America & Canada) actively embrace yoga.

And what does yoga promise? Rather, how do gurus and yoga instructors mass-market yoga as? Well, they say “yoga is good for your mind, it eases the muscles, and reduces stress.”

I mean, sure, it’s an exercise that eases the muscles, but, why do people idealize yoga so much? So, in the next subsection, I’ll be taking a closer look at what it means to do yoga. As yoga protrudes beyond the boundary of exercise and into the territory of spiritual matters.

Why the Hype?

Ever wondered why yoga is so popular right now, especially in the West? Well, I think I’ve found the reason why. It’s because it’s foreign.

There’s a part of human nature that loves things which are foreign. People crave something unknown and that’s why advertisings of healthy protein shakes or perfumes always mention some tropical fruit or ingredient foreign to the Western climate.

But, aside from its physical risks, yoga poses spiritual risks often too grim for imagination. Remember, I said that it originates from the East?

Well, it originates as a practice meant to yoke with the so-called “gods” or “universal consciousness” of Hinduism. As a matter of fact, the word “yoga,” comes from the Sanskrit word “Yuj,” defined as “to unite.”

And just take a look at the meanings behind poses in popular types of yoga such as Hatha yoga. One pose is the Warrior pose which embraces the story of a Hindu deity’s son known as “Virabhadra.”

Another pose is the Corpse pose, a pose where one stretches with their back touching the floor. This yoga pose intends to prepare one for death. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to embrace death in any way or manner.

Psalm 118:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Continuing on, this craving for the foreign is exactly why Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

Genesis 3:6 World English Bible (WEB)
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

The Bible says that Eve saw that the one tree which God told her not to eat from as visually appealing and it promised her wisdom. Yoga is similar to this forbidden fruit in that it is visually appealing to many with its foreign, Eastern charm and promise of peace.

The tree Eve ate from was unlike any of the trees which God had made for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. So, she disobeyed God and ate from that tree.

Both Adam and Eve disobeyed God but obeyed the devil which tempted them to eat from that tree. And this disobedience allowed sin, death, sickness, injustice, and more to enter the world of humans.

Romans 5:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

Bearing the Yolk of Lord Jesus, Alone

At the end of the day, yoga is endued with many spiritual implications. It is a result of Hinduism and is saturated with various Hindu concepts and spiritual meanings.

I know people who’ve practised yoga, and if anything, it’s made things worse for them. But, I’ve seen the transformative power of God’s love in Christ Jesus which changed the lives of various people who I know.

As a Christian, it is spiritually wrong to practice yoga. If you want mental peace, calmness, and no stress, then ask God. Ask Christ Jesus for the peace and grace which He promises to those who trust Him.

John 14:27 World English Bible (WEB)
27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

Lord Jesus Christ is God who came down to Earth in the form of a human being and He bore the punishment for your sins on the cross and sacrificed Himself for you. Three days after dying, Lord Jesus Christ rose again, conquering death in your place, which I talk more about in this post. Now, when you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you can enjoy a relationship with God, Himself.

Romans 5:15 World English Bible (WEB)
15 But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Trust God for the peace that surpasses human understanding, and read His lovely word, the Bible.

Pray to God, and tell Him about the things that trouble you. He will take care of you and make everything turn out for your good.

Philippians 4:6-7 World English Bible (WEB)
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

In the end, yoga follows the principles of Hinduism, by nature. If you do yoga, you are embracing a worldview contrary to the Christian worldview.

1 Corinthians 10:21 World English Bible (WEB)
21 You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

And Jesus makes it clear in His Word to only bear His yolk instead of doing yoga and yoking with spiritual beings.

Matthew 11:28-30 World English Bible (WEB)
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Benefits of Forgiveness in a World of Grudges

Why forgive? What’s in it for me? These are questions that I’ll be dissecting in this blog through a spiritual and mental health lens. The questions spring up from a common mentality within humans from all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, upbringing, or any other classifying factor. So, continue reading to learn of the benefits of forgiveness and if one should forgive others.

A World of Grudges?

Yes, our world is mainly a world of grudges. Our world is not in its prime state and people often struggle with forgiving those who do wrong. We often find ourselves saying things like “Don’t get mad, get even,” or “I’ll show you a piece of me.” And sadly, this is what the world considers as “natural,” or “normal.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The Bible drives home the fact that many in this world are blind. And the Bible says that the “god of this world” has blinded them.

This title is just another label for the devil, a being whose wickedness and bitterness blinds the hearts of those who have not yet witnessed the love of Christ.

However, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who made this world and designed your very DNA, is the one who loves you.

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He came down in the flesh as Lord Jesus Christ and was led to crucifixion by jealous, hypocritical religious leaders who hated Lord Jesus for healing the sick, loving the scum of the earth, and saving the damned.

Furthermore, your hell met Jesus Christ at the cross so His Heaven could meet you when you allow Him into your life as Lord and Saviour. And after three days in burial, Lord Jesus Christ rose again, victoriously conquering death in your place.

The Benefits of Forgiveness

Accepting Lord Jesus Christ means He forgave your sins, so why not learn from Him how to forgive your debtors.

Colossians 3:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Plus, it’s not like forgiveness is without benefits. Forgiving others does benefit you and that’s the truth.

One might ask, “Well how does forgiving the rascal help me?”

Here’s how…

Forgiveness allows you to preserve relationships that might turn out helpful in the future.

Psalm 133:1 King James Version (KJV)
133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Forgiveness pleases God as God is forgiving.

Colossians 3:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Forgiveness grants you the chance to imitate your Heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:1 World English Bible (WEB)
5 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

Forgiveness relieves you the burden of bearing a grudge, and grudges are an opportunity for the devil to harm you.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 World English Bible (WEB)
10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Remember, the benefits of forgiveness I just listed are only a fraction of the many reasons to forgive others. I just listed the ones I could think of at the moment. Nevertheless, I hope that the last reason especially caught your eye.

As the truth is that holding grudges is an opportunity for the devil (Satan) to wreak havoc in your life.

That is why in the above Bible verse, Paul decided to forgive everyone. This doesn’t mean you have to trust people you’ve forgiven which I talk about in this post. But, Paul did not want the devil to take advantage of any unforgiveness.

Motives of the Heart

So, if someone hurt a loved one of yours, or embarrassed you in some way or manner, just let it go. Also, I am not belittling their mistakes or your loss, but, I am recommending forgiveness for your sake.

Again, this does not mean you need to trust the person you’ve forgiven, it just means you need to let go of the grudge you hold against him/her.

And, now, I want you to change the way you think. If you’re forgiving others for your own benefit, that’s good, but, if you’re forgiving others because you understand God’s love for them and you want to share with that lost person the forgiving love of God, that’s admirable.

1 Corinthians 16:14 World English Bible (WEB)
14 Let all that you do be done in love.

However, whatever the motive behind your forgiveness, the main thing is that you forgive the person. I was just offering a tidbit of advice if you’re ready for it.

2 Corinthians 3:18 King James Version (KJV)
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore, relieve others of the sins they’ve done unto you and make the decision to forgive others. You don’t need to feel anything out of your forgiveness, you just need to decide to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 King James Version (KJV)
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Life is Unpredictable in a World Where Anything Is Possible

The scary reality of the world is that life is unpredictable. And this is because our world is constantly changing. Nothing ever remains the exact same unless you’re talking about gravity, wind, or any other natural force. But, in this post, I’ll be talking mainly about how your life can change rapidly and it is my goal to touch upon how one should face this ever-changing world.

Is Unpredictability Bad?

Unpredictability seems to have a negative connotation. I mean when someone says the word, “unpredictable,” the majority of people think of something negative such as unemployment, bad people, messy situations, and more.

And it indeed has become a worry to many people, today. This agitating fear in the hearts of people is apparent when people ask themselves questions such as, “How am I going to face the future?”, or, “What if something happens and my life is turned upside down?”

These statements are common questions which depict a sense of fear of the unpredictable. People often fear the unexpected, and this can be a genuine worry for many.

Proverbs 12:25 World English Bible (WEB)
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
    but a kind word makes it glad.

Even the Bible talks about how people worried about what will become of them in the future. I modified the verse below in that I omitted some words from the beginning for the sake of emphasis. But I will quote this later in its full context.

Matthew 6:31 World English Bible (WEB) (Modified Verse)
31[…] saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’

But, why not think of unpredictability in the opposite sense? What if unpredictability could bring something good into your world?

Yes, life is unpredictable, but with that comes the possibility that things can exceed your expectations in a good sense. What if life is unpredictable in that your boss promotes you in your workplace, you find a new restaurant to eat at, or something else happens which is good.

And I believe Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of this in the Bible.

Why Life is Unpredictable

Before I get to what Lord Jesus Christ says about the matter, let me answer the question of why life is so unpredictable. It’s because God doesn’t give a guarantee that life will be predictable.

Instead, He tells us this.

Romans 8:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So, God never promised you that all things will be predictable. And yes, that does mean tough things may come your way. You might face challenges that make you feel like yanking your hair out.

But, He does give us a guarantee of blessings. God tells us that whatever comes our way, predictable or unpredictable, will work as part of His plan to prosper you in any way possible (physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and more).

Now, let’s take a look at what Lord Jesus Christ said about how people should deal with unpredictability.

Matthew 6:31 World English Bible (WEB)
31 Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’

HE SAID TO NOT GET ANXIOUS ABOUT THE UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE! And do you know why?

Matthew 6:32 World English Bible (WEB)
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

God knows you need clothes, food, a job, and all of that! He knows what you’re asking from Him, and He is not oblivious to your needs. You’ve got to trust Lord Jesus Christ and do your part. By doing your part, I mean to do what’s right, what’s wise, and what’s efficient.

If bad health surprises you, try your best to live healthily while asking God for His healing. Or if you’re struggling financially, try your best to earn more income in an honest way while asking God for a financial breakthrough. However, let us go more in-depth in the next post.

A Helping Hand in an Unpredictable World

Lord Jesus Christ’s instructions regarding worries of the unpredictable future are the following.

Matthew 6:33-34 World English Bible (WEB)
33 But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Seek God’s kingdom first and His righteousness. How do you seek God? Well, first, you’ve got to accept Him if you haven’t already. And the way to do that is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ, being God, came down to Earth in the form of a human being.

He died on the cross in your place so that all your sins and evil gets punished through Jesus Christ, and now you can live a life in His grace. I talk more about it in this post.

Philippians 2:5-8 World English Bible (WEB)
Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.

Now, getting back to the topic of unpredictability, Lord Jesus instructs us to not be anxious concerning our challenges. He says to take life one day at a time, and He will provide you with all that you need.

Therefore, I urge you to not worry, just thank and praise Him that He will make sure you end up in a good place. And if you want some encouragement, just read the Bible. I’d recommend that you read chapters 37 to 50 of Genesis in the Bible. You don’t have to read it all at once, just try to finish it before next week and you’ll see how Joseph faced so many unpredictable situations, both good and bad, with God’s strength.

Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God Does Care About Your Mental Health

Jesus is Life

Mental health and Christianity make up the backbone of this blog. But, are these two topics even relatable to each other? Based on what I’ve learnt about both topics, I can easily say that both sides have a great deal to do with one another. And I believe that God does care about your mental health. So, continue reading to find out as to how they connect with each other.

Your Mental Health is More Complex Than You Think

The mind you possess is intricate and almost impossible to entirely fathom. Your brain is like a computer that no human engineer can ever fully understand. And the entirety of your mental health is as mysterious and as incomprehensible as it can get.

The reason for this is because your brain is the most complex organ in the human body. There ain’t a thing in the human body more complex than what you’ve got in your noggin. Why?

Well, it’s because your brain is the computer for your body. Everything that you do is a result of the instructions coming from your brain.

So, for such a thing as complex as the brain, there should be a designer. And that designer is God, Himself.

Hebrews 3:4 World English Bible (WEB)
For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.

And I think the person who fully understands you at the moment is God. I cannot understand you, your parents cannot understand you, your best friends cannot understand you, your pet cannot understand you, but God can understand you.

God can understand your weird ways because He’s God and He is the one who oversaw the making of your DNA, the sculpting of your brain, and the experiences you’ve endured.

Psalm 139:1 World English Bible (WEB)
139 Yahweh, you have searched me,
    and you know me.

Furthermore, if you’re facing anxiety, He knows why you’re anxious. If you’re struggling with depression, He knows what’s making you feel that way. And if you’re facing anything which is against your mental health, He knows how to fix it.

Psalm 139:16 World English Bible (WEB)
16 Your eyes saw my body.
    In your book they were all written,
    the days that were ordained
for me,
    when as yet there were none of them.

God Does Cares About Your Mental Health

I need not say much more to convince you that God cares about you. And because He cares about you, God does care about your mental health. Lord Jesus Christ did not say he came to heal you only physically, He said he came to heal you entirely.

Luke 17:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Moreover, you must exercise faith in God to stay mentally healthy. Ask God to heal you of your depression, anxiety, food-eating disorders, and whatever other condition makes you less than mentally fit. Trusting God is the way out of your crisis.

For example, if you are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, ask Lord Jesus Christ to heal you of it. Ask God for His forgiveness and strength to overcome your horrific memories. God understands the traumatic things you’ve gone through if He remembers the number of hairs on your head. I talk more about PTSD in this post.

Luke 12:7 King James Version (KJV)
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

So, be aware of the fact that God cares about you and that He does not intend to leave you in a broken, mentally-sick state, especially when you trust Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Therefore, humble yourself before the cross of Christ and put your pride away. Trust God that He will keep His promise to heal you if you allow Him to do so. Let Him restore your mind to its ultimate state and wash you in His tender love.

He Suffered More Than Just Physically

Now, as we draw to the end of this post, I want to leave you with one more point to support the fact that God does care about your mental health.

He suffered to restore not only your physical health but your mental health also. At the cross, Lord Jesus Christ endured anxiety, trauma, abandonment, and a bunch of other crises while being beaten to death.

He wore the crown of thorns as a symbolization of the stress and pains he had to endure.

Mark 15:17 World English Bible (WEB)
17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.

Furthermore, Lord Jesus Christ felt abandoned and alone as He bore the weight of mankind’s sin.

Matthew 27:46 King James Version (KJV)
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Lord Jesus Christ suffered a lot on the cross. And the stress wasn’t only hurting His body, it was hurting His mind. But why?

The answer to that question is you. God came down to Earth in the flesh as Lord Jesus Christ so that legalistic people, being the crafty creatures they are, would pressure the Roman government to crucify Lord Jesus Christ. This crucifixion was unjust but it was all part of God’s plan so that when He suffered your hell, you would experience His heaven.

Now, when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you become His beloved child. And as a beloved child of God, you have His mind, the mind of Christ Jesus to live life for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 2:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

The Symbol of Hope, Peace, and Salvation

This world is saturated with symbols. Symbols are a reoccurring thing and they appear almost everywhere. They appear in literature, movies, culture, and more. Moreover, symbols act as memorable reminders of bigger ideas. Examples of symbols include the statue of liberty which is a symbol of freedom in the United States while the butterfly is a symbol of transformation. But what is the symbol of hope, peace, and salvation? To find out, continue reading.

Hope and Its Symbolism

Hope is such a magnificent and scriptural virtue. I talk specifically about hope in this post. But, when you hope for something, you aspire to what will be coming to your hand. So, if you are collecting money to buy a new car, you are working and hoping for that new car.

Some of you are hoping to have a child while others are hoping to buy a house. The thing with hope is that it requires you to set a goal and to work for that goal until it becomes reality.

The Biblical version of hope is when you aspire to what God is going to do in your life. Furthermore, the Bible clearly states that God is willing to help you.

Psalm 54:4 World English Bible (WEB)
Behold, God is my helper.
    The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.

For me, the thing that really symbolizes hope is the empty tomb. When I recall that the grave could not hold our precious Lord Jesus Christ even after He died on the cross for me, my heart jumps in joy.

And when you hear that Lord Jesus Christ is the God of the Living, your dream ought to come to life. He introduces Himself as the God of the living because He conquered death, and He wishes to give you a life worth living.

Mark 12:26-27 World English Bible (WEB)
26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven’t you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? Exodus 3:6 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”

So, when you make plans and set goals to accomplish, God will bless those plans. He will make sure that your plans come to fruition as long as they are good plans. If they are bad plans which will ultimately harm you or someone else, then, God will lead you to something better.

Proverbs 16:3 World English Bible (WEB)
Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
    and your plans shall succeed.

The Symbol of Peace

Moving onwards, peace is another thing that the Bible talks about. Peace is such a vital part of life. If you do not have peace, you are restless. And being restless is not fun. It is actually quite stressful.

But, what if I told you that you can have peace even in a stressful situation? You do not need to be restless because of your situation, you need to calm down and receive the peace of God.

Philippians 4:7 King James Version (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God’s peace is the assurance that all things will end up good for you because Lord Jesus Christ will take care of you. And to remember this assurance of peace promised to you by God, remember Holy Spirit. In the Bible, Holy Spirit is often symbolized as a dove.

But, the symbolization of peace is not just any dove, it is Holy Spirit. And Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God living in you. Jesus Christ’s spirit is Holy Spirit and I believe He is the symbol of peace.

In the chaotic turmoil of everyday life, Holy Spirit lives in you. God’s kindness, God’s love, God’s power, and God’s peace resides within you.

So, when life brings its challenges to your doorstep, you just need to put your faith in Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-2 World English Bible (WEB)
Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christthrough whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

You have peace with God because you are justified by faith. And this faith is the trust you have in Lord Jesus Christ. So trusting Him is the means by which you attain the peace that surpasses all understanding. You don’t need to understand His peace, you need to believe and experience it.

The Symbol of Salvation

Finally, we come to the symbol of salvation.

Salvation is when you know that you’re safe and sound. This applies to your body, soul, and spirit. All three things need salvation, and I believe Lord Jesus Christ answers all of them.

Lord Jesus Christ provides salvation through the cross. And I can think of no symbol greater than the cross of Calvary. The rugged cross Christ Jesus bore on His shoulder is a symbol of suffering to Christ, and yet, a symbol of salvation to us.

1 Corinthians 1:18 World English Bible (WEB)
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The cross represents the suffering our Lord Jesus Christ endured on our behalf so that when God suffers in the flesh as a human being, His blessings come unto us. Now, His sacrifice ensures that we live a life belonging to Him.

But, to accept His sacrifice, I urge you to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, if you have not already. As soon as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, your life is under His leadership and you’re name is written down in Heaven.

Galatians 2:20 World English Bible (WEB)
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

We are no longer bound by the grasp of sin or the torments of guilt, rather, we are the blood-bought children of God Almighty. Hell no longer expects our arrival as our names are sealed in His heart.

Now, remember that Lord Jesus Christ did not stay dead, in fact, He rose again after three days. That is why the empty tomb of Lord Jesus Christ is the symbol of hope. It is a hope that since He is alive, we are alive.

And when Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the cross, He dealt with our sickness, our sin, and our guilt. Therefore, Lord Jesus Christ gives us the blessings He deserved in all His perfection.

A Brief Introduction to the Man of War

In this post, I would like to introduce you to a rarely used yet Biblical way to see God. It is a view often not taken yet genuine, nevertheless. If we are to expect God to accept us as the way we are, then we ought to take a closer look at who God truly is! So, I urge you to continue reading and to witness the true God of the Bible, the renowned Man of War!

A Hero to the Defenseless

God is a man of war. That may be hard for many of you to take in, but, it is true. The Bible associates God with war. And many people seem unable to reconcile that view of God with His love.

However, I urge you to not take my word for it, take the Bible’s word, which is in the below scripture.

Exodus 15:3 King James Version (KJV)
The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Now, the way in which I reconcile this side of God as a warrior with the sweet, precious Lord Jesus Christ, is through understanding that whatever He does, He does for a reason.

God doesn’t get violent unless it’s for a cause. But, if God sees something which is evil and someone in a vulnerable position, you better know that God will lift His sleeves up and do what’s necessary. God will fight for those whom He loves and for those who trust Him.

Proverbs 31:8-9 World English Bible (WEB)
Open your mouth for the mute,
    in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
    and serve justice to the poor and needy.

God is the defender of the helpless. When God was given the title as a man of war, He was defending a helpless people. He was defending Israel as they tried to leave slavery in Egypt.

The Pharaoh (leader of ancient Egypt) wanted to annihilate the people of Israel before they even had the chance to leave.

Exodus 15:2-5 King James Version (KJV)
2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

An Example from History

Yet, the Pharoah did not understand the God of Israel. He did not understand that the God of Israel is real and alive. The Pharoah did not accept the ten warnings that God gave to Pharoah to leave Israel alone.

Instead, Pharaoh in his pride, ignorance, and wickedness mocked God by asking Moses one question.

Exodus 5:2 King James Version (KJV)
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

The Pharaoh of Egypt wanted to kill the children, women, men, and everyone else as they attempted to waddle to safety. Israel was harmless at that time and this man out of his stubbornness dared to destroy this people.

God could not and would not let such an injustice occur on a people He promised to keep safe. So, God stopped Pharaoh along with all his army with pillar of fire, and He split the sea wide open so that His people may pass through safely!

Then, when Pharaoh attempted to chase the people of Israel to their ruin, God let the sea wash over Pharaoh and his army. At that point, I bet you, Pharaoh realized who is the true Lord. God answered the man’s question right then and there.

Exodus 15:3 King James Version (KJV)
The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Now, what does this all mean for you? This means that in whatever the situation you’re in, God is the Man of War. If you put your trust in Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him as your Lord and Saviour, He will save you.

Acts 2:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Man of War

God came down to Earth as a human being as Jesus Christ and He died on the cross for you and for me. We don’t have to face hell any longer because He faced hell for us. The jealous religious leaders pressured the Roman Empire of that time to scourge, beat, and crucify Lord Jesus Christ. I talk more about it in this post.

1 Corinthians 2:2 King James Version (KJV)
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Nevertheless, God could have stopped His own suffering at any time, but, He chose to go through with it because it was the only way to save us. He could have called legions of angels to terminate any trace of human existence, but, He chose to save us.

Matthew 26:53-54 World English Bible (WEB)
53 Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”

His love is the main factor in all His decisions. And when you trust in His love, you will understand that despite the challenges of life, His love will save you from them all!

Many of you out there have your own story, your own struggles, and your own challenges, but, there is one God who is your Heavenly Father. Your Heavenly Father loves you. He knows you more intimately than anyone else could.

So, God will deliver you out of your financial struggles, your illnesses, and all the things that worry you. Just entrust all your cares to Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one solution.

1 Peter 5:7 King James Version (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

He knows you from your first heartbeat until your last heartbeat. He is the God who cares for you, defends you, and trains you. But remember that your enemies are not physical human beings.

The angry person in front of you is not your enemy, rather, it is the devil and his demonic spirits which influence people to do evil. So, pray for the person, but understand at the same time, that God will keep you safe, just trust Him.

Matthew 5:44 World English Bible (WEB)
44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

Ephesians 6:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In conclusion, let God deliver you out of all your pressures and challenges. Be faithful to Him and let the love of God lead you.

1 John 4:8 World English Bible (WEB)
He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.