TO KILL, OR NOT TO KILL

I interviewed a couple in Pathways Radio and they had a wonderful story. It happened when they were still living outside the Philippines several years ago. During that time they were not planning to have another child. They already had three and raising another one in a foreign country will be difficult.

One day, she found out that she was pregnant. This was further confirmed after undergoing another pregnancy test in the hospital. 

They had mixed emotions but they considered the baby a blessing. She had to undergo the mandatory pre-natal screening to determine if the baby is prone to any birth defect. The surprise of having this 4th child was nothing compared to the shock they got when the screening results came out. It showed that the baby will have a congenital disorder called Down syndrome. They were still in disbelief with sad news when the hospital personnel offered a solution - “Why not terminate the baby? By law, you are still allowed to terminate it at this stage."

There was awkward silence in the room. The husband did not know how to react. The wife was speechless. The hospital staff waited for their "yes". But for this Christian-Catholic couple abortion was never an option. They said a short prayer and replied - “Sorry, we will keep this child.” The hospital staff cannot understand their decision. The couple signed a waiver to release the hospital from responsibility from the decision they made.

Trials in life are unavoidable but destruction is optional. Life is precious and should be valued at whatever stage. When you are facing a difficult situation your CHARACTER should be bigger than your CIRCUMSTANCE. You cannot always control what happens but you can always choose how to respond. Always choose what is right. Choose what is pleasing to God. Always choose to keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of your situation.

Now, back to the story. She gave birth after nine months and this is where their story becomes wonderful. She gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby! Let me repeat that just in case you missed it. She gave birth to a normal, healthy baby with no Down syndrome! Truly, God rewards those who put their trust in Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus 

- alvinfabella@yahoo.com

HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR MOUNTAINS

Did you ever face a problem that looked so daunting?

It was too intimidating that you did not know how to react. These problems either make us stop in our tracks or force us to retreat back. We want to avoid the problem or the “mountain” before us. We think that we cannot do it. It is normal to be afraid but is this how we are supposed to handle “mountains”?

You always have a choice. You may retreat or you may overcome the mountain. The Israelites were in battle with the Philistines when they were confronted by this "mountain" by the name of Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:⁴ A champion named Goliath of Gath came out from the Philistine camp; he was six cubits and a span tall. ⁵ He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a bronze breastplate of scale armor weighing five thousand shekels, ⁶ bronze greaves, and had a bronze scimitar slung from his shoulders. ⁷ The shaft of his javelin was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron head weighed six hundred shekels. His shield-bearer went ahead of him.

Goliath stood about 9 ½ feet tall & wore a bronze armor that weighed 5,000 shekels (approximately 125 pounds). His whole armor alone weighed close to 200 pounds. This warrior was MASSIVE! The problems in our lives may appear as MASSIVE. They may look invincible. Maybe you have a friend who was diagnosed with cancer and you say to yourself - “my friend cannot survive this”. Maybe you are buried in financial debt and you think – “I cannot pay this off!" These trials are your mountains and they will frighten you. That's how the Israelites felt in the presence of Goliath. 

1 Samuel 17:¹¹ When Saul and all Israel heard this challenge of the Philistine, they were stunned and terrified.

There are several points in this story that will teach how us to overcome our mountains. But for this write-up let us focus on this single point - "Review your life and recall how God has been helping you". When you do this you will find the courage to overcome your mountain. 

Imagine a job interview scene. This is how the next scene transpired with King Saul as the interviewer questioning the applicant David. King Saul was afraid for David. But David assured his king that he was ready.

1 Samuel 17:³² Then David spoke to Saul: “My lord should not lose heart. Let your servant go and fight this Philistine.” ³³ But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

David told King Saul about his past accomplishments like any applicant would do in a job interview.

1 Samuel 17:³⁴ Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, ³⁵ I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.” 

David then told the king his character reference to further boost his credentials. He told him that God has been his backer and God will continue to back him up.

1 Samuel 17:³⁷ David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.”

David’s experience and his Divine backer got him the job. The story ended in a good note as David slew Goliath and the people rejoiced! He conquered the mountain and offered the victory to God.

Are you facing mountains in your life now? Do not worry and panic. Review your “work experience” and trust in your Divine backer.

I once joined my friends in a hiking trip to Taal volcano. We had to take a boat ride first. Upon reaching the docking area our group had to walk. We walked for 15 minutes then we walked again. We took a 5-minute break and then walked again. And after all the walking we had to walk again. Oh, by the way, did I say that we walked? We were so tired but we trusted our guide to lead us to the peak. We reached the peak after almost an hour of walking. Personally seeing the crater and the awesome view at the peak was more refreshing than the water that I drank along the trail. Our lives may be tiring. Yet, at the end of it all we can appreciate the awesome place that God has prepared for us. To overcome the mountain, we need to have faith in Him who created all things.

Mark 11:23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.

May you overcome all the mountains in your life! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com