TODAY'S RHEMA 1 Peter 1:6-7a In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes
Recently, Amy had been feeling so devastated. She's been stuck with piles of work, her parents' constant quarrels, and a failed engagement. She decided to visit her grandma who lived in a small town as she could not bear all the pressure. When she arrived, her grandma was gathering materials to make olive oil. Amy helped her right away. The first step was pounding the olive fruits in the container. Apparently, she felt just like those fruits: being beaten, battered and formless like congee. After pounding it for a while, the mash was wrapped in a cloth and pressed hard until the oil came out.
When they were bottling the oil, her grandma asked her what she knew about olive oil. "In the past, this oil was called golden fluid due to its multifunctional use. Besides cooking with the oil, it also helps to maintain a radiant hair and skin, as well as prevent many diseases." Then her grandma asked her to taste the raw olive fruit that has not been processed. She spat it with disgust because it tasted very bitter, and rough. Responding to Amy's reaction, her grandma smiled and said, "That's why olive fruit needs to be battered and processed to become the good, multifunctional oil."
Just as the olive fruit, you must go through life's processes in order to lead a meaningful life. There are areas of your character that stings others without you realizing. There might be bitterness, which needs to be cleaned up. You will definitely feel broken, but those hardships are needed to enable God to shape, remold, heal, and purify your heart, character, as well as faith. With this, there will be a release of your potentials that will be useful for His kingdom. This is the real victory that you can gain from walking with Him. REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, God is able to bring forth His great purpose for you and in you when life's pressures strike. APPLICATIONS 1. What are some of life's pressures that you are experiencing now? 2. Why does God allow you go through them? What are the benefits you can derive from the process? 3. How can you allow God to process your life? TODAY'S PRAYER "My good Father, I come humbly to You. I believe that there is no test that You allow beyond what I can bear. You are the source of our strength when I cannot bear it anymore. I know You have prepared an extraordinary life beyond my imagination for me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. "
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