“But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail, they will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Oh Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.” Jeremiah 20:11-12 (NIV)
A friend called me up one morning. She was concerned about my state of health and well being, which includes my emotional health. She asked, “How are you faring along? I’ve read the latest issue of the “village noise” and saw your monkey-like face. How can you take all these articles written about you? Even your picture is already an insult in itself!
I assured my friend that all is well with my soul! I am too busy to search for the tabloid much less to read it if I find one. I’ve been inured by the writings of this individual who has relentlessly written innuendoes and baseless accusations against me as Chair of the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) in 1997-1998 and again when I was elected as President in 2003-2004 and now as immediate past president of this organization. I even assured her not to worry about my picture. It really doesn’t bother me. What matters most is how you feel about yourself.
After a lengthy conversation with my friend I ended up sharing the Scriptures from the Book of Jeremiah which I happened to be reading that morning, “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail, they will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Oh Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause”.
I was told by one of my readers who happen to be a “minister of God” that I am using the Scriptures out of context as I share my personal testimony in this column. As a lay person without training in Homiletics or Theology, I read and share the verses that inspire me, those that respond to how I feel at the moment I am reading them. I have held on to the Word of God and to God’s many promises as written in the Holy Bible. In my seventy-two years of existence, God has never failed me. God is the source of my strength, the source of my wisdom and courage as I face every challenge in my life.
I am very thankful to God for the many blessings He has showered upon me – blessings of family, blessings of good friends, blessings of meaningful work, and blessings of good health.