CuteTails

https://youtube.com/shorts/G5J9WvE8VhU?si=C_nueY-t2MBJ2d_4

https://youtu.be/p0H8sXNW2BA?si=mYjfnPk8WP8qymAy

If anyone wants something extra: 
            
            John 16:33
            
            https://bible.com/stories/36789

Here's some extra verses for Holy Week that I encourage anyone reading this to see for themselves, whether in a physical Bible, a Bible app, or just simply searching online: 
            
            Matthew 21:18-19
            
            Mark 11:12-14
            
            Luke 13:1-9

That day, God taught and reminded me that "He is not with us here, where we cower, but out there when we face our fears" (from House of David series on Amazon), we just have to trust Him with our battles, any fears, any anxiety, and any struggles; for "the battle is the Lord's" (I Samuel 17:47). Depend on Him for strength with whatever it is you're facing now, and remember that He is here with you, no matter what happens. Speak God over your life. God bless you and have an amazing day everyone (again)! 
            
            https://youtu.be/O9ajtA9psIQ?si=fwZNRDwpHvT1OHI7 
            (I know I posted something like this before, but God put this on my heart again.)

Recently, the Lord reminded me of this verse and testimony, especially before going on this simulator ride with my family yesterday that I was afraid to go on. I had the chance a few years ago to go on it with my dad and younger brother, but we got off last minute because I was too scared of it. To where my dad said that I was hyperventilating. What scared me especially was that it was supposed to be a very realistic simulation of a space shuttle, and I didn't know what was going to happen (and hearing what astronauts say they experience when exiting the atmosphere). When my family and I (this time with my mom) went back to the same place, I felt like I received a second chance to go on it and the Lord helped me decide to face my fear this time. He even blessed us by allowing us to make it to the ride with only a few minutes to spare (after being in a tour for some time) and be part of the last group entering it before the place closed for the day. Although not saying it really loud, I mouthed out/whispered Psalm 56:3 and prayed "Lord, please help me to face my fear and not to back out of it this time. Please be with me as I do this". Repeatedly, I was asking for help before going on the simulator, and I believe that God spoke though my mom when she told me to take a deep breath, relax, and that "I am here with you", with her hand over mine the whole time. Even though I was a bit shaky afterwards, it turned out to be not as bad as I thought, and I found it very thrilling and fun. To where I probably wouldn't mind going on it again, if the Lord wills it.

There's this book called "Anxiety: Calming the Fearful Heart" by June Hunt where as an intro, a testimony was told about a friend of the author suffering from anxiety and fear of the dark ever since a traumatizing childhood experience. The remarkable part is when the author told her Psalm 56:3 and to notice that the verse says "when" not "if", that we would all experience fear and anxiety in our lives, but we must "not be consumed by them". After saying this, she told her friend "Every time you enter a dark room and feel anxious, say Psalm 56:3 out loud. Think about each word as you say it. Say it over and over, as many times as you need, until you feel your peace returning. I want you to speak God's Word over your fear and anxiety". Then after ten days, her friend started losing her fear of the dark.

Cry out to God in times of pain and hardship, praise Him while in pain and after He heals you (which He will), pay close attention to the events surrounding you while in pain (even in your mind), if it feels like your thoughts are running wild say "Jesus" (there is power in His name), and remember that Jesus loves & cares for you. What is the Lord revealing to you because of your pain? 
            
            Have a blessed week, everyone! And have fun for those on Spring Break right now! Thank you for taking the time to read all of this, if you did.

Yesterday, I went to this marathon event with my family and my mom's friends, which was meant to raise money to feed the elderly. We had the option to run and compete for a cash prize or enjoy the walk. We chose to walk since we hadn't exercised in a while, but after some time, I was already getting tired, and at a certain point, I was about to pass out. Although many different thoughts ran wild in my mind, I prayed to God, asking for the strength and endurance to finish this race. I think I even mouthed or thought the words "Lord, help me". My mom and her friends helped me recover, comforted and encouraged me to continue throughout the marathon. Eventually, after falling behind a lot, we made it to the finish line. I remember feeling relieved and fulfilled because "I had fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful," as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 (even though I regretfully cheated by taking a shortcut with my mom & her friends before nearly fainting). God reminded me of that verse after we crossed the finish line and healed me of the exhaustion and pain in my legs. It's still a little sore, but it's much better than when walking, and I'm not as bad as my family is right now (please pray for them). And God used that experience to teach me something: "Life is a race". We may stumble, fall, walk away from God for some time, or lose the strength to continue. But what matters is to keep going and finish the race no matter what, repenting and going back to God, keeping your eyes on Him and not on the storm around you, and relying on His strength that works best in weaknesses, that makes us strong when we are weak (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Although how you make it to the finish line may not look pretty, as long as you make it to the end, the prize will be so worth it and better than you can ever imagine.

Have you ever noticed that we encounter God in the midst of our pain? And not just physical pain, but mental, emotional, and spiritual too. Why does God allow this to happen? With a variety of opinions on this topic, many people can give many different answers. It could be that God wants to test us, humble us, to see if we'll remain loyal to him even in pain. It could be a test to prove our character. It could be to teach or show us something. It could even be to gain our attention and redirect it towards God, and see our need for Him. As my pastor had said, in your house, you would only look up when the roof is torn off. When in times of pain of any kind, that's when you should let go of your pride, dignity, and fear of shame or embarrassment, and cry out to God by saying (whether by whisper, shout, mouthing, or thinking), "Jesus, help me."