Pastor's Corner
January, 2001
It seems like it wasn’t too long ago when we had to content with the Millennium bug, and by the time you read this newsletter, Year Two Thousand is history. Whether you had a successful or failing experience, last year is a thing in the past. Since there isn’t any "crystal ball" that see clear into our future, we probably won’t have any idea what is awaiting us in the future. Year Two Thousand One is a mystery. Therefore, we step into this new-year with very much the same attitude we had last year—don’t really know what to expect.
One thing that may help us go through times of uncertainty is to maintain a "level-head." In order to do that, we try not to let past successes go to our "head," nor should we allow defeat master our "mind." Either approach would lead to a roller-coaster type of emotion, pending our circumstances. If you had successful encounters, you should thank God for His gracious provision and timely guidance on top of your smart decisions. If you felt defeated, you should face the reality with courage and try to learn from it. In life, there are always lessons to be learned. When we cease to learn, we cease to grow.
Another way that may help us go through times of uncertainty is to maintain a positive attitude. Since we don’t know the immediate future, there is no reason to think negatively. It will only lead to depression. People are emotional beings. The more negative a person is, the less motivated he becomes. When people are in this kind of mood, they would look for trouble, even if there were none in sight. When problem does arise, they would not have any energy to work through it, let alone overcome it. Then, negative psychology confirms the false believe—bad things always happen, and you can't do anything to battle it. That is a wrong approach in life.
A verse came to my mind. It was a personal experience from the one whom we think was "Mr. Tough." He was a spiritually strong man and had gone through many difficult obstacles, but still maintained a "level-head" and a positive attitude. He was the Apostle Paul. He told us to embrace weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. Paul said, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Cor. 12:10) This is our Christian’s approach of overcoming uncertainties. If you are going through life with Christ, there is nothing "you" can’t handle!
Before I sign off, I would like to remind you that the Bible is a wonderful book. Not only is it the "key" to unlock the mystery of Salvation, it is also the "key" to life on earth. Therefore, don’t forget to read it if you want to have a better handle of your life. May this be your New Year’s Resolution!
Pastor Larry
