In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

- 1 John 3:20

          Just a while ago, a friend asked for some advice about this “Discernment” issue. The funny thing is this topic has been running around my head since yesterday, so I finally decided to write something down about it since everybody seems to be having some issues with this (guilty @_@). About yesterday, Rai and I had a small talk before we went home. Somewhere in that conversation I mentioned something about decision-making and prioritization. Yes, I am guilty of having poor decision-making and time management skills, and being not-so-good at prioritizing as well. I could think of countless instances from where I experienced different kinds of consequences just because of wrong choices.

          I can still remember being reprimanded by my father because I always put my friends first before them. “Ang barkada nawawala din yan pagtanda mo… Hindi mo naman sila magiging asawa. Panandaliang saya lang yan.” Though I didn’t totally agree with his statement, he had a point. There are friends who are worth for keeps, but family comes first all the time (of course with the exception of God being the ultimate priority of us all). I so love my friends – Uno, Alain, Jeck and Geb, to name a few. Friends make you happy when you’re down; they make you enjoy things in life; and you can share your deepest secrets that you don’t feel telling anybody else (even to your family). Surely camaraderie is somewhat important in our lives because they offer you a FACE:

·         Freedom (parents yell at you)

·         Acceptance (parents are sometimes manipulative)

·         Company (parents always at work, busy making money)

·         Experience (parents so strict, they wouldn’t let you do this and that)

That’s why most resort in clinging with friends because they can’t find these reasons in their own family. Freedom of doing what to do, acceptance of what you really are, having a group of people surround you at times of need, and experience whatever you want to experience. However, it’s different in my case. I’d never really find a FACE in my own family until I tried understanding them. I thought they were manipulative, strict, narrow-minded and selfish; but they were the opposite. They guided me to have the freedom I dreamed of; accepted me for who I really am despite all my flaws; stayed on my side AT ALL TIMES; and most of  all let me experience life to the fullest (whether good or bad).

Kazoku (My Family)

It really is amazing yet mysterious on how the Lord works. He uses your pain for the betterment of the majority. Considering that, I felt guilty and that made me realize how much they loved me. Ha Ha (mother) took care of me for almost 9months inside her womb and endured the excruciating pain of delivery. Chi Chi (father) sacrificed his personal happiness, put his life on the line for almost 20 years and worked far away from us just to give us a better future. And how many times Ane (sister) gave me surprise gifts and treats just to see me happy? That is why I promised to myself that I won’t be a pain-in-the-ass anymore. Loving is just like a Nursing Care Plan – individual first, then family, then the community. One should learn to love himself and his family first, before loving his neighbor.

          This kind of wisdom comes from above and is given to us through four primary avenues – God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Providence and God’s people. In other words, to ensure good decision-making habits, we must be people whose minds are consistently being renewed by God’s Word. We must also be people who walk in step with the Spirit of God, paying attention to his promptings and leadings. We must watch carefully and understand how God works providentially in our circumstances. And we must live in community with other faithful believers (http://bible.org/seriespage/decision-making).

I cited this paragraph because I believe this, in its most basic sense, explains on how we are going to make good decisions in life - PUT GOD IN THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE. Everything came from God. He knows everything that’s happening and will happen to us since He is the omniscient one. Our lives have been written already before we were even born. That’s why he already knows what we are going to choose in every choice we make. So whatever choice it is, just think that Jesus is with you and will never leave you. You don’t have to be afraid of making a choice, because Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.




Testimony: Jesus let my family feel the pain for me to understand their importance.
Life Lesson: Jesus uses your pain for the purpose of your life or to the others.
Godly passion: Good choices come from God
Good News: God Knows Everything