A Deserving Salute

For all those who are struggling with life's troubles, you know who you are. This post is a tribute to you.

The closer you try to get to God, the more problems you will face. Really. But keep that smile up. Don't let the devil know that you are depressed. Why? Because you aren't. The Bible says, "The joy of Lord is my strength." And for those of you, let me tell you something. The Lord is smiling down on you.

Sounds kinda sadistic right? Your family is giving you big problems. Your dad is acting funny. Your mum doesn't seem to care. Your siblings depend on you for moral support, or have probably given up too. Your friends are acting weird. They seem to be so superficial, so unreal. Your teachers also seem blind to your troubles. Your grades are falling faster than an elephant dropped from a plane. Church sermons don't seem to speak to your heart. Youth services would be seemingly perfect if not for the obvious gloomy cloud hanging over your head even when you try to smile. And worst of all, you trust that God hears your prayers, but for some reason of another, He doesn't seem to be listening.

The prophets that Elijah killed seem to have resurrected. And this time you go first. You pray, but nothing happens. You shout, but nothing happens too. You scream, and they laugh at you. Your tears are falling fast, but there's still no fire from Heaven. You even cut yourself, and your blood spills to the ground. Still nothing. It's their turn. And their arrogant faces look at you haughtily, before they snap their fingers. Suddenly, you seem to see a distant spark like a fireball far away descending down on the sacrifice. You're doomed.

You know you've been praying regularly, worshiping with all your heart, and have placed all your trust in God. You've tried to discipline yourself to do QT and more, and there was even once you felt like you've gotten closer to God. Closer, and closer. You decide to make a commitment to Jesus despite all the opposition around you. And you knew it was the right choice.

Well, the devil is not happy you know. He doesn't like to see people coming to God. Especially those dedicated to him by their parents. And he's striking back. Don't be afraid. Smile always. Let him know that there's nothing he can do to separate you from Jesus.

I see you. For some of you, I even know you. I feel your pain, but I honestly cannot say I understand it completely. But I do know what it is like to feel left out by God. I know what is it like to say, "God, where are you when I need you most?" For those of you feeling this way, there's a poem called "Footprints in the Sand". It was just a cute, lovely poem to me when I was younger, but the moment I decided to dedicate my life to Christ, this poem was my life.

For those of you out there suffering for the sake of Christ, I salute you. For those of you who have been suffering from day one, hang on there. Keep on praying. An entire encampment of angels is watching over you. No evil spirit can harm a prince/princess of the Kingdom of Heaven. They will try, but they will eventually fail. I can't wait to see the amount of decorations and medals you will have on the Last Day.

Lastly, I'm proud of you. And I'm sure God is too. A lifetime on earth is a mere second compared to His everlasting promise. You can do it. I know you can. After all, it is God whose hands are holding you. And when it's all over, let them know that you did it so that they will see the path to salvation.