Faith Story by Francis Hew
A couple of weeks ago, I was very caught up with work, and was literally working from 9am – 4am for almost 2 weeks straight. This was because my colleague had recently resigned and I had to pick up their work.
During those weeks, my wife and I had a very serious talk about my working lifestyle, asking, “What can I learn and improve from it?”
So, I began to quiet myself down and think deeply. I began to ask, why am I such a workaholic? Do I really enjoy working that much?
Then I realized why I worked so hard. It was because I was afraid,
I feared that…
– I will not be able to provide for my family, with the responsibilities on my shoulders.
– I feared that I would not be needed, be obsolete, or be replaced in my work.
– I feared that I would not be able to find any job with better offer over here in Sabah, one that would provide the same or even better income.
And all these fear keeps me on the edge, making me perform my best and even beyond.
When I realized that fear had such a strong hold of my life, I realized I needed God more. Instead of letting fear take hold of my life, I want God to take hold of my life, and I want to change. I wanted to set my priorities in life right, by putting God first – then family – then only other things.
I’m so grateful for this revelation that God showed me. Now I can amend and improve from this.
You see, life can so easily draw us away from God. The reasons can sound very noble e.g. “I’m working so hard, and doing all this for my family”
But not to the point that we totally forget about God. We cannot think that our plans are better than God’s? There a better way.
If I had not realized this now, it would only be a matter of time before I fall back into the same
cycle. When the busy season comes by again, I would be busy again, to the point that I forget everything and everyone. I would be running on that same hamster wheel again. Worse, I would be thinking that I’m correct, when in fact. I have been so blinded by my own pride, searching for what I thought is best, when God has an even better plan.
Today, whatever you are going through now, may you know that God knows, and He still cares. There isn’t anything too small for God to go unseen, nor anything too big for God to handle. You might not have all the answers now, but God has.
Let faith arise again, lift your hands to believe again when you pray. God is our refuge and strength. God is faithful forever.
Psalms 46:1”God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.* (NIV)
Today, choose to consecrate your life and make this conscious decision to come back and seek God and put God first. The Lord will speak to you when you seek Him.
Francis Hew