More from Jether Ann F. Rizaldo

I never expected that the devotional that I wrote almost two years ago would be exactly what I need today. The beauty and wonder of God’s word never fail to amaze me, along with the twists and turns of this life.

I wish I could say that my life got better from that day, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. Life spiraled me into a whirlwind trip, and I had to cling to any string that I could find—no matter how thin and short it was. After that first solo trip I encountered many firsts, which sadly led me to an emotional breakdown. At that time, I was grasping for my sanity and faith while pretending to be fine and all-smiles to the people I met.

Then I stumbled upon a question that I had to answer during my journaling: “Who are you?” And it dawned on me, in those times when I never went out to meet my friends, refrained from attending social invites, and faked a smile when I met somebody, as well as in the bleak night in my bedroom . . . Who am I? 

I admit that for many years, I lived my life as a people-pleaser. I sought validation from people’s words and clung to their advice as if it were the antidote to my problems. I never realized that I also had my own thoughts to consider, a voice within that I had turned a deaf ear to, and a faith of my own, not one shaped by others’ collective thoughts on what my faith should look like. A faith that has always been waiting for my attention and longing to bloom.

Since then my answer to the question, “Who are you?” has been, “I am Jether, a daughter of my God.” With this proclamation that I made within, I encountered more challenges, more disappointments, and even more setbacks in life—and they didn’t cripple me. Instead, I became wiser, stronger, and I felt closer to my God, knowing that these battles aren’t for me to face alone. It’s my Father and I.  He restores my strength when I am weak and sits with me when I need to cry; his presence is enough, and God always reminds me that he is with me in every way and every day. I read somewhere that being a Christian does not erase all the problems and troubles of this life. But it is a life filled with meaning with a God who will never leave nor forsake us as we face the battle.  And this is the kind of life that I choose to live.

Now, no matter how tiring life may be or how uncertain the way it may seem, I always remember this word: Immanuel.  If you think that your silent cries at night aren’t heard, your prayers aren’t answered, or that your requests to God go into the abyss, remember this—Immanuel. God already knows all these things before you utter and feel them. God is that close to us.  And trusting in God, things will soon fall into their perfect place—in God’s time and way. So together, we take heart in God’s presence.