A promise in a constant struggle...

I was wondering why to some people, life is a constant struggle? Would it be because there are particular sins that are mentioned in God's Word that hindering once prayers. Sins that are unrepented ones. Let us go back to the scripture which we know that we can apply to own heart and life and find what grieves God.

In Psalm 66:18, he says that "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

I think He did not say that if I have sinned or if at this moment there is any sin in the life, He would not hear me. For if He had then God could never hear a human being pray. For all of us have sinned. All of us have sin in our lives not only once but all the time. When I was praying, I was wondering if I can still get my prayers answered even if I am a sinner.

Yes i am a sinner, but I think as long as I will not love my sin and as long as I ask forgiveness for my sins, not just a simple forgiveness but a wholehearted repentance that is turning anything away from all the things that is offensive to the eyes of God. Otherwise, I know my will to change is dead. Personally, If keep any secret sin in my heart, my conscience will not allow me to pray anything in the name of Christ, or ask Mama Mary's intercession, since my self will not allow me to believe that God will bless me.

Therefore, If I want God's blessing on my total life, then I should let my heart cry out loud to do anything that will please Him, serve Him,and honor Him. And the only remedy for our sins is CONFESSION! For it is His promised that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

So, I realized that even if i am a sinner it doesn't mean that God will not hear my plea or I have to struggle in my everyday life. I even sometimes need struggles. Since, If God allowed us to go through our life without obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been.

I therefore say that we are the ones who benefit from the trials of life. We may claim a firm belief in Christ or our God. Or will follow His commandments or might say that we already entrusted our life in His loving care. We may think we would follow Him no matter where the road may lead. But I think until we have to stand with Him in the face of severe trials, we cannot be fully sure of ourselves.

Struggles and trials are never easy or enjoyable. Maybe we can view them as opportunities to show where we stand and we can learn from them where our weaknesses are. As it God is purifying us not to make us suffer but to prepare us for something wonderful...

From this very day, I promise myself to be....