Ex-Hostage Ordeal

REFLECTION

(Ex-hostage describes jungle ordeal)

There is no such thing as perfect life. We all experience hardships and trials. We all encounter problems. Everyone is facing each own struggle. Problems come in different forms and different level of complications but I think the best way to cope with is just simple, call Him and the solution for your problem will come soon.

God's presence is very evident in Gracia's story. And her story is an inspiration for us all. My trials and hardships are not even as complicated as Gracia's but I sometimes end on giving up without even trying to deal with it. Her experience is too much for a person but God is really creative that He gave this kind of trial to a person who could handle it. If I would be the one to experience Gracia's experience, I think unitl now, I will not still be able to move on. Before I heard this story of Gracia's, I seem to hate problems. I hate the feeling of thinking on how to deal with my problems and I sometimes, I run from it. And now, I realized that there are still so many things that I need to learn. Running from your problems is not a solution at all, and to think that those are only petty problems, i'm so ashamed of myself. I think i'm still immature at this point in my life. Hearing Gracia's story makes me realize many things on how good God really is. And it makes me remember this quotation, "God breaks you to make you." Everybody go through hardships and trials. But these are just God's way of testing our faith and at the same time, teaching us. Anyway, God will never give us something that we can't handle. Gracia's story also had made me realize that everything that happens really has a purpose. We might not see it at first, but eventually we will be able to discover it at the right time. God's plan is always the best. The process maybe painful but in the end you'll realize that everything is worth it. God knows what's best for us. So whenever we are in trouble and everything goes wrong, it's just God working on us to make us strong. God tests us not to punish us but to help us meet tomorrow.

"No one is more secure than the one who is held in God's hand. Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God." (Anonymous) So just have faith in Him and everything will turn out fine.