Time to do exploits

As I discussed with the hotel manager concerning business in the hotel, she confessed that things had changed recently. She could not explain the sudden drop in customers or why it seemed clients no longer used the conference rooms in her hotel. She wondered if competition was doing something differently. I left her speculating.

I could only assume. The ripple effect. The oil price dipped. Budgets were revised. Many were out of jobs. Cost cutting/reduction became the order of the day. Nice-to-haves were shelved aside. Frivolities were suspended. It started with the oil industry but pervaded through some other parts of the economy. People and businesses were affected directly or indirectly.

There are homes where husbands and wives found themselves out of jobs. There are some where the breadwinner or supporters were affected. There are those who were hoping to get lucrative jobs once they finished school, only to be hit with the news that there is a freeze on recruitment for the time being. There are so many scenarios of the ripple effect.

But should one lose hope?

This post is for you who might be in despair. Your dreams will not crumble. Your life will not be shattered. The macro and micro "things" may happen...

...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits [Daniel 11:32, AKJV].

The Lord foreknew these things, and He knows there is a way out. He is the God able to sustain you one day at a time. He is the one who is able to open your eyes to see new opportunities. He is the one who is able to restore you even to positions better than the former.

It is time for you to do great exploits, much more that you ever thought you could do. As you get to know Him more and more, attune your ears to His voice and align your heart with His, He will direct your steps. 

Remain Blessed.

The September Gift

My dearest people, apologies for my long hiatus between Dec 2012 and August 2013...plus my inability to respond to comments on my blog or leave comments on my fellow bloggers' blogs. Please bear with me.

 

In one of my previous posts, by faith I posted about a "September Gift" (all those posts were scheduled). Please read below (long post alert!!!) the story behind the September Gift. I hope someone is encouraged by this post.

 

I had 2 consecutive pregnancy losses between August and October 2012. In November, I had to travel for training in the US. My husband then insisted that I should do a follow up test to ensure the evacuation procedure (for the 2^ndpregnancy loss) was done properly, and to check if there was something wrong causing the recurrent pregnancy loss. Reluctantly I obeyed. I did a couple of tests and to my greatest shock, the Dr pronounced me to be diabetic and immediately put me on medication. She said that the high sugar level was the cause of the pregnancy losses, and I should tell my doctors in Nigeria not to let me get pregnant again until the sugar level was under control.

When I got back, it was not an issue of pregnancy anymore. It was sugar level matter. I was in the hospital once a week for all sorts of tests and follow up. I did some research and found out that someone who is diabetic and gets pregnant is considered high risk. The person will be taking injections throughout the pregnancy, etc. I discussed all of these with my husband. He then said we should pray about it. After one of his personal quiet times, he told me when I go back for the tests, there will be no trace of high blood sugar level.

When I went for my next appointment, the blood test results came out. The sugar level was on the lowest side that the doctors (Physician and OB/Gyn) became confused. They said they had to stop me from taking the medication, because I was on a low dose yet it had the effect of reducing my sugar level too low. However, they could not stop me abruptly. They said I should take half the medication and come back one month later for checkup.

In January, I missed my period. I did a pregnancy test and it came out negative. I then became worried that possibly the medication for sugar level given to me in Nigeria had done something to my menstrual cycle. It was very early in the year (festive season) so I could not reach any of the doctors who knew my history to complain. I was eager to see my period so that I could probably start ovulation induction, since my blood sugar was considered normal. When I did not see the period and unable to reach my doctors, I just went to see any doctor in Lagos at the clinic where they were monitoring my blood sugar level. They did a blood test and found out I was pregnant. Then I became scared because I had no pregnancy symptom. For the last 2 pregnancies, when I lost them, I had no pregnancy symptoms as well. I began to panic. The doctor I saw did not know my history so he did not know why I was worried. He just told me to take folic acid and come back in 2 weeks. One week later, my obgyn was back so I went to see him. After I complained that I had no pregnancy symptoms, and I was scared that history will repeat itself, he put me on a weekly hormonal injection. On the 2nd week of the injection, I started bleeding.

I rushed back to the clinic and they did a scan. To my dismay, the sac was empty. At 6 weeks, one would expect to see a yolk sac and a fetal pole, but this one was empty. I saw it with my eyes. At the same time, the owner of the clinic walked in because he wanted to use the scan room. He looked at the scan and said, "this is an impending miscarriage. The sac has collapsed and we have blood all over. If by next week you have not finished bleeding, come back for an evacuation!" In my file they wrote "Anembryonic something something..."

I wept. I was devastated. I could not eat after that news. I stopped taking all medications including the folic acid. My husband then said we will go ahead with the evacuation, and then go for a vacation. He made all the arrangements for the vacation.

Because I had done a procedure in October, I was not keen on another one. So I decided to go to the Dr to ask for an alternative i.e. if they had a medication I could take to end the pregnancy since it was very early. When I went to the clinic, he said he would like to do a scan to know if the medicine would work or if we must do a procedure, because it depended on the amount of “tissue”that could be left behind by using medication. Lo and behold, there was a baby with a very strong heartbeat in the scan. I could not believe my eyes and ears. The Dr was in shock. He said this can only be God. That I should say thank God.

Well, my family and I went on the vacation a few weeks later, travelling around US, when I should have been resting. When I expressed some fears, my husband said, "It is not about what I do or do not do. It is God that is watching over the child".

By my week 10, I woke up one morning and I was soaked in water. I knew I did not urinate on myself. I do not sweat normally, so it could not have been sweat in that cold weather. Then my mind went to amniotic sac had ruptured. That was the same day I was to travel from Baltimore to Atlanta. I called my sister and asked for advice. Due to weather conditions, she said I should wait till I arrive at Atlanta before seeing a doctor. That though this is an emergency situation, doctors will not be keen on preserving the life of the child since it was quite early, and so it will end up in a procedure. So I should bear and get to Atlanta that night and go to a clinic.

It was not easy. I felt that if I had known, I should not have travelled. I was far away from medical attention and I felt disappointed that God allowed me to see a baby with heartbeat, only to take the baby at week 10. My hubby prayed but I was in panic mode. Finally I settled down and prayed. I asked God for only one word. He gave me more than a word. He said, “With Me nothing is impossible. Even if the amniotic sac has ruptured, which has not happened, I can fix it. So my daughter, do not worry”. From then on, I became the one consoling my sister and my husband that everything will be alright.

I got to the clinic in Atlanta around 6pm. After all the checks, they could not find a trace of leaking liquid. The scan showed a healthy baby enjoying and not having a care in the world. I was discharged but told to treat for yeast infection.

By week 14, when all worries and fears about losing the baby should have been gone, I started bleeding. I went for a scan and my doctor said he suspects a degenerating fibroid, which he showed me. He scheduled me for a detailed scan with the radiologist. When I went for that scan two days later, not only had the bleeding stopped, the radiologist could not find any trace of a fibroid. As I look back now, it is possible that God had worked another miracle there.

The pregnancy itself afterwards was very smooth. I was so energetic and I looked forward to the birth of my baby.

My baby’s due date was 7^th of September, 2013. 3 nights before that, I was woken from sleep by a contraction. This was the same experience I had with my first baby whom I had a few hours after I was woken up by contractions. I remained awake to monitor the intervals of contractions. It was 30 minutes apart. So I rested and expected that by morning, the intervals would have reduced and I would be much closer to active labor. To my disappointment, by the time I woke up in the morning, there were no contractions. The same thing happened the next night. I had to read online and some people mentioned “painful Braxton-hicks” while some others called it “pre-labor”and that the longer the pre-labor, the shorter the active labor. On Friday night (6^th of September), the same thing happened. This time, I could not even go back to sleep. Yet the intervals of contractions were 20-30 minutes apart. On the 7^th morning, I told my sister I would like to go to the clinic – she actually saw me going through one of the contractions. So she accepted to drop me at the clinic.

As we started our journey, the contractions stopped. I told my sister to please turn back, that it was “false labor” and I did not want her to get to the hospital (45 mins drive away) only to be told that I should go home. She refused and said not all labors are the same. That she will prefer to have me see a doctor. I reluctantly listened to her.

When we got to the clinic, I was checked. The doctor said I was only 2cm dilated, I was not contracting, and my cervix was not ready for birth. However, they said they will monitor me, and also run some tests to see if I had some infections that were causing painful Braxton-hick contractions.

I was on the hospital bed with the monitoring devices (contractions and fetal heart rate) feeling very bored. My sister had left. I was lamenting that I should not have wasted hers and my time that morning. I had just sent her a text that I will talk to the doctors to let me go home soon, and I will come home to prepare lunch, when suddenly a group of medical staff rushed into the room where I was. One of them explained to me that I am being rushed to the theatre for an emergency cesarean section, because my baby’s heartbeat had dropped very low. There was no time for further discussion, I saw myself being wheeled to a theatre. I was prepared for the operation. However when they monitored my baby’s heartbeat, it had normalized, so they said they were going to induce me to have the baby via vaginal birth. I was then wheeled back to my ward.

I was induced and was being monitored. However, I was not dilating as they expected yet baby's heartbeat was fluctuating. The epidural they gave me began to wear off. I then called on the anesthesiologist to come and look into it. When she turned me to my right side for a refill, my baby’s heartbeat dropped so much that I was rushed back to the theatre. They told me they could not wait for the effect of the epidural to set in and so I had to go on full anesthesia.

I woke up, I saw a baby in my arms, who I breastfed for about 2 minutes. I recall sending out message to my husband and sister telling them I had had the baby, and I think I went back to sleep. I woke up again and I was in a recovery room. I asked for my baby but no one could tell me where my baby was. I became scared. It was almost 7 pm. My sister came to check on me. She wanted to see the baby too. The nurses said they could not bring the baby to the recovery room. I kept praying that everything was okay with my baby.

I finally saw my baby by 10pm. She was born around 1:40pm. She weighed 2.6kg. She was the smallest baby I had ever seen. But when I held her in my arms, looking down at her nose so exactly like her father’s, I could only thank God for yet another full term journey He had taken me on. It was a journey of revealing another part of Himself to me. He that promised is faithful.

Today, when I hold her in my arms, I remember that she was called “an impending miscarriage, an anembryonic sac, degenerating fibroid…” but God had the final say. She is Nwachi Grace, and I love her so.

 

Remain blessed.

Dealing With "Pharaoh"

Waiting on God in any capacity is not easy. It is only Him that can give the strength and the hope to keep going on. But there are times when during your waiting period, there is a tangible thing, most likely a person, whom you are "waiting on" or who is holding back the physical manifestation of what God has done for you. This can be worrying.

I liken such a person to Pharaoh who did not want to let the Israelites go. I guess with each sign and wonder to affect the Egyptians, one would think Pharaoh would change his mind. Instead his heart remained hardened until the 10^th plague [Exodus 6-12]. With each plague, time was passing by. If I was one of the Israelites, I would wonder why things were taking time and why God could not just do the 10^th plague in the beginning and save all the time.

God is a God of order, perfect timing and infinite wisdom. With Him, there is no mistake. Every period of waiting gives rise to a testimony. He uses the opportunity to reveal Himself in a way unique from how He has shown Himself. God is a God you can put all your trust in and not get disappointed. Above all, He makes everything beautiful in its own time.

If you are waiting on God and it seems there is a “Pharaoh” on your case, please heed the voice of Your loving Father today. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God [Psalm 46:10]; You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you [2 Chronicles 20:17a]; The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still [Exodus 14:14]”.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turns it wherever He will [Proverbs 21:1, King James 2000 Bible]. Bring your “Pharaoh” to God in prayer.

Pray for wisdom on the next step(s) to take. Pray also that God will bless this “Pharaoh” such that in his joy and happiness, he will desire to make others happy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to his remembrance your case. Just as King Xerxes remembered Mordecia [Esther 6], may your “Pharaoh” be awakened to the fact that you are a covenant child of God. May honor and recognition also follow as your “Pharaoh” lets go of your blessing.

In Jesus name, Amen.

As you wait on God, remember that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them [Romans 8:28, NLT].

Remain blessed.

All scripture are taken from the New International Version (NIV) translation unless otherwise stated.

I Testify Of God - He Has The Heart Of Kings In His Hand

I and this beautiful blogger, who is sharing her testimony today, started interacting when she was believing God for a job. How she finally got a job proved to me that God is more than a miracle-working God. Her testimony gave me faith to trust God during my pregnancy (for I was scared I would have a miscarriage like in the past).

Some time afterwards, she faced a certain challenge in her life, which is why we have this testimony today. I had lost hope that she will ever come out of this challenge. But we kept praying. I prayed simply because the bible says we should pray without ceasing but deep down in my heart, I wondered how God would do it.

As I prepared to post this testimony this morning, I recalled that about a year before her breakthrough, God has revealed that she would have this breakthrough. We were so caught up in the challenge that we completely forgot that God had seen the end, even showed us the end, and was going to remain faithful to His promise. If only we can really trust in Him! Anyway, this blogger was always positive when I spoke to her, and today she is sharing her testimony. For the purpose of this post, she will remain anonymous.

I Testify of God - He Has The Heart of Kings In His Hand

God's greatness in my life has been an eye opener for me. My story is a common one but my Jehovah turned my testimony to an uncommon one.
I met Ogbe when I wasn't looking to go in to a relationship. So when he started talking marriage I was shocked because he came to meet with my aunt with whom I was staying with to inform her.
Then, I had begun to develop feelings for him and it continued to grow and it never for once occurred to me that there was any other way.
Earlier, I had made a vow to God to abstain from sex till I get married and when I met Ogbe and after we started dating, it became increasingly difficult to keep my vow to God. I finally rationalised that since we were getting married, there was no harm in indulging and giving in to his demands for sex. I gave in, then I got pregnant.
I was happy when I found out I was pregnant and rushed to give Ogbe the 'good news'. When I gave him the test results, he just studied it and said nothing. He said nothing for two days until I had to ask him. He simply said to give him time to think about it.Well, I gave him as much time as he needed because,I felt he just had to get himself together for us to start planning our marriage.

I was dead wrong.

He said he couldn't father a child at the moment.That the fact that we discussed marriage didn't mean I should go get pregnant. It was like a film trick to me because nothing prepared me for what I was hearing and I just couldn't handle it. He then said I should get rid of the pregnancy that we would have more babies when we were ready. I refused and he abandoned me to my fate.

I was thinking time will make him change, but he instead became stoic in his resolve.So resolute was he that when he went back to the UK, he stopped taking my calls till as he said, I get back to my senses. I thought hard, but I couldn't see any solution to the dilemma I was in. I wondered at how I allowed myself to be in this situation. Remember that I had not even informed my parents or even my aunty.
I started looking for ways to leave my aunty's house and the opportunity presented itself. I had to move to another town for a job and I jumped at the opportunity; to say the truth I had not started thinking ahead as to whether I would keep the pregnancy but I just felt this inner conviction that I must see this pregnancy through.

Three months went by and still no change from Ogbe and my parents who I went to pay a visit began to notice a change in me.  Then I had to move to my place. I then informed my aunty and then later my mum, who then told my dad. As I tell it, it sounds so simple but it sure wasn't then. That was when  my ordeal started cause the more efforts were made to contact Ogbe, the more it was looking impossible.

I had resigned myself to fate when my aunty called me at about 6am in May 9th, 2011 that Ogbe had come with his people saying he wanted to come and meet my family formally. I was shocked but relieved. Just when everyone had written my issue off God compelled him to come form England for an introduction that I had not even planned with him.
I never planned my introduction. Infact, he wasn't talking to me, would you believe that? But, it happened in May 17th or there about. He went and did it although I was not in attendance.

I thought my problems were over but then, I was wrong. I never saw my would be husband even if for one day all through when I was pregnant. He always gave one excuse or the other.
But as if it had become my way of life, I just kept on believing, hoping and having the faith that I would see light at the end of the tunnel.
Then, reports started coming that he was always ill and during the few times he would call or I call him he was always having bed rest or in pains. Finally, I found out when I was 8months that he had prostrate cancer and had to undergo an operation.

Even though he had wronged me and made me go through a lot, I refused to believe that report and petitioned God to give me testimonies. I didn't want my baby to be fatherless. Never that!
Finally, he underwent the operation and it was successful. 2 weeks later when he came back to Nigeria, I gave birth to a healthy boy and despite indications that I would deliver through CS, I delivered normally.

As if my miracle wasn't enough, Ogbe came, saw my baby and I, and asked for forgiveness. He wanted to do everything for us and kept apologising. Before I knew what was happening, 2 and half months after I gave birth, I was getting married without even lifting my finger.

I tell you when God wants to do something, He doesn't do it in half measures but like I always keep repeating from the scripture as it represents my belief, ''He is able to do exceedingly and above that which we have asked of Him''
When it is over, that is when God begins His work and plan for you, if you can just hold on and believe.

Dear Anonymous Blogger, thank you for responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share this testimony. God loves it when we keep our promises, and I know you will have many more testimonies to come. I am thankful that you did not abort this great man you have brought to this world. I pray someone is blessed by your testimony. In everything, there is room to give thanks to God. Love you...

Busy At Night

I can recall that while I waited on God for my job [you can read about it here], those months seemed so long and I felt I was passing through a "night" in my life. The uncertainty and the delay was really worrisome. Yet I was comforted. The Word of God says, "...All that night the LORD drove the sea back...[Exodus 14:21, NIV]". This word referred to the night before the great miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. The scripture confirmed that God neither sleeps nor slumbers [Psalm 121:4]. The real work of God for the children of Israel did not happen when they awoke that morning to find they could cross the Red Sea, but it happened “ALL that night.” i.e. throughout the night. Similarly, it was when I received the letter for my job that I realized God had been working behind the scenes, all through my "night", to give me a miracle.

You may be at a point in your life that seems like night or darkness. You may wonder, "what is going on?" or "when will this night be over?" I just want to drop a word for you today to reassure you that there is a great work going on in your life though it seems the night prevails. You may not see the evidence yet, but God is at work. God was just as much at work “all that night” as He was the next day, when the Israelites finally saw the evidence. The next day simply revealed what God had done during the night. Your "day" will come, and you will see evidence of the work God has been doing during your night. You will see His miracle in such a manner that no one else can take the glory. Wait expectantly on Him because the night will surely give way to the day.

 

Remain blessed.

 

Culled from "From The Heart Of A Loving Father - Working All Through The Night".

 

The Sack Letter

October 2011. I was in the general office when my manager called a colleague and I out to a secluded area. She handed us a letter. As I opened mine, it read, “your services are no longer required by the organization…”. My colleague also had a similar letter. I was shocked. I called my husband and told him. He said it must have been a mistake. I told God that if it was His will then it should be done. That I would pursue other interests. But I got a nudge in my spirit that I should speak to my mother.

Then I woke up. It was all a dream. But I was sweating, cold and scared. I knew from experience that my organization could “right-size” at any time. If they did and they did not find me relevant at that time, I could be affected by the “right-sizing”. I woke my husband up and told him, “I just dreamt that I was sacked!” He shook his head and sighed. “Go back to sleep. Stop worrying. You cannot be sacked.”

His words were not encouraging at all. Not for me who knows how to worry. Then I remembered that in the dream I had a nudge to speak to my mother. It was 5am. I called her and expressed my fears. I told her if it was God’s will, I will accept it because there must be other things He wanted me to focus on. But she said, “you know what, let us pray about it. Both of you will receive letters, but it will be promotion letters!” Then we prayed and closed the matter.

November 2011. I got to work like any other work day. Around 2pm my main manager came to my office and called all those that report to him into a room. He said, “something has come up. There’s been some reorganization. You will hear it in the webcast that is about to take place…” My mind quickly went to the dream. That is how I attended the webcast only to hear that effective January 1st 2012, my job function will cease to exist in the organization. Provision for new jobs had been made for others with job functions similar as mine. There I was without a job effective January 1st. The timing of the announcement was not favorable for me because it was close to December. Organizations don’t often recruit then. Then I began to worry. I was also desperate at that time and was looking to do anything so as not to be fired. But all doors seemed to be closed towards me. December entered January. January to February. I heard there was a position they had for me that I would resume effective March. March came and went, no letter.

While waiting, I realized that I needed to pursue my interests. I realized that the job may not always be there but what was unique to me will always remain. My passion to write had not died but I had to awaken it from sleep. I decided to review my novel “Against The Perfect Will”. It was then I made all effort to get it published. Within 2 months, the book was published.

It was as though God wanted me to get that book published because it was only after then did a letter show up. This occurred in April. It came with a promotion but did not meet all the terms that I expected. At this point, I was no longer desperate. If they did not accept my terms, I was ready to pursue writing full time.

Well, to cut the long story short, by end of April I received a letter that came with a promotion, exceeded my expectations, and it was for a job that I am totally passionate about. I am too thankful to God for His faithfulness.

Lessons Learnt:-

1. “Bad” dreams do not always have to happen as dreamt. Prayer can help to change the course of negative things that want to happen.

2. A delay does not mean denial. God is always working behind the scenes in our favor, if we let Him.

3. While waiting on God, there are things He would like us to do. Let us not be too overwhelmed by our situation to ignore what He wants us to do.

I lift up anyone who is experiencing delays in a prayer that is already answered. May the physical manifestation of your answered prayer come very quickly and may all forces delaying your answered prayer let go immediately, in Jesus name, Amen.

Note: The other guy went through similar challenges but got his promotion January 2012. Thank God for prayers.

Mr. Rita said he believes I am very valuable and hence cannot be sacked, that is why he did not worry. SMH. Now that I look back, I realize that there was no need to worry. But then, I am human :-)

Thank you to Jhazmyn, Enkay, Writefreak and Chacha for lifting me up in prayer when I was tired of praying. God bless you.

He Cares About Every Detail

I like it when I receive an apt word of encouragement, especially when I am waiting on God and I have alot of questions. I was reading the bible when I stumbled upon "The LORD your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little..."[Deuteronomy 7:22a, NLT]. I was concerned. We are speaking of a God who can wipe out a nation in one second. We are speaking of a God who had parted the seas, and had provided manna and quail for His people. I wondered, why couldn't He drive out those nations in one go to enable the Israelites have rest once and for all?

The verse went on as follows: "...You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you..." That was when it all began to make sense. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save. He was more than able to drive out the nations ahead of the Israelites,but He did not. In His love, wisdom and foresight, He did it little by litttle. God cared so much for His people that He did not drive out the nations occupying the promised land all at once knowing that if He did that, the wild animals would grow in number and would threaten the safety and livelihood of His people.

 

There are some times when you may wonder why God is allowing a challenge to remain. You might be wondering why there are delays in seeing the physical manifestation of the answers to your prayers. It could be a small or a big issue, but you know God can handle it in one second if He chooses to, yet He has not done so. The passage today is a reminder that God cares about the details of our lives. He does not want the presence of the "wild animals" to interfer with the promised land, nay, the answer to the prayer we have brought before Him.

Do you desire something that God has not given? Are you praying yet it seems God has not answered? God has a perfect timing and may be concerned about the "wild animals", such as unforgiveness, unresolved issues of the past, self condemnation, double-mindedness, or some area of your life He needs to refine. Or He just may be waiting for the appointed time when the testimony will be ripe, while blessing you in preparation.  But no matter what may be the cause of the delay, He loves you and cares about every detail of your life. And He will not give you more than you can bear.

Remain blessed.

The Legend of the Kolar Gold Fields

The Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) constitute the second deepest mines in the world. There are a couple of legends associated with the discovery of gold in KGF, but I would like to share the one documented in Wikipedia. It comes as folktales in the mouth of some old villages.

Hundreds of years ago when the Chera dynasty ruled the south of India, a poor Shepherd (Kuruba Gowda) was walking in this region and a very violent wind blew to raise the dust from the callous dry ground of this hilly rock region. Unable to see anything the Shepherd tumbled on a rock and when the dust settled down the Shepherd found a treasure lying in front of eyes, the treasure was huge enough to make him a king. The Kuruba Gowda then named his kingdom as Kolar.

According to this legend, it was a storm that led to the discovery of the gold mines. There are many people who can testify that after passing through a very stormy time in their life, they discovered something precious. It could be the priceless mines of the unfailing love of God. It could be the indescribable grace and faithfulness of God. It could be the simple yet profound knowledge that indeed there is God.

Some things that are most precious to us today have come to us through “storms”. Periods of trials have taken many to a life of spiritual greatness and personal revelation of who God is. Difficulties challenge our energy and our perseverance but bring the strongest qualities of the soul to life. These storms that many pass through are catalysts to our faith and holy service.

This message is specific to someone going through an unexpected, unimaginable and prolonging storm in his/her life. You have so many questions, and doubts as to who you really are as a child of God. Beloved, what lies ahead of you is more than a gold mine, though you cannot see it yet. The dust of pain and sorrow will settle to usher in rest and restoration. And when you remember this storm, you will not remember it for the pain you passed through, but for the joy it brought you for yourself and in Christ Jesus. You will also be amazed at how what almost made you give up will be an inspiration to someone else.

In that day you will proclaim, “This is my God! I trusted in Him, and He saved me! This is the Lord, in whom I trusted. Let me rejoice in the salvation He brings!” [Personalized NLT version of Isaiah 25:9]

None that wait on God shall be ashamed [Psalm 25:3].

Disclaimer: The legend has no proof; it just comes as folk tales in the mouth of some old villagers. Souce: The Legend of the Kolar Gold Fields.