When we are faced with suffering and hardship, we may find it difficult to let go and forgive. But when we allow our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to work through us, when we look to Jesus and give our despair, anger and resentment to Him, when we pile our burdens on Him, He will give us the strength to extend grace and mercy and to forgive those who have harmed us.

Our challenges and hardships will sometimes seem insurmountable, but Jesus commands us to “take heart.”  To “Take heart” means to gain courage or confidence. To have joyful hope because we know our hope is in Christ, who is the only one who can deliver us from all our troubles.

Our thankfulness to God for what He has done in our lives and the blessings He has bestowed upon us should inspire us to be generous toward others. Our generosity might be the catalyst that brings about transformation in the lives of those we bless.

When we seek God’s face, we come with a repentant and humble heart. We seek His forgiveness and ask Him to cleanse us from things we have done that go against His Word and His will for our lives. We ask Him, as David did, to “remove our transgressions from us and to create in us a clean heart” (Psalm 51:1-11).

Just as hummingbirds are uniquely designed to fulfil their purpose, so are we. God has designed us with purpose. We are not a mistake. Every one of us has been uniquely designed to fit into God’s purpose for His creation. Even before we were conceived in our mother’s womb, God knew exactly what His plans and purposes were for our lives. Therefore, we cannot be a mistake. In fact, God is perfect in every way and does not make mistakes. All His promises for you are true (Psalm 18:30)

The refining fire is never easy. But when we allow God to have His way in the fire and we open our hearts and yield to Him, we will come to know Him in a deeper way. We will desire to stay in the vine, the true vine, Jesus Christ and bear fruit. Fruit for His kingdom. Jesus says in John 15:4-5,