Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

What an amazing thing feet are.

According to the Internet, each of them has 26 bones, which make up 33 joints, and are joined by more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Our feet can support several times the weight of our body, withstand heavy falls and impacts, and transmit all the strength of our legs without the slightest problem.

A normal person who walks a couple of hours a day in their daily activities, can walk on them between 80 and 120 km per month, and take about 150,000 steps.

Y eso sin contar que, al margen de ello, puedas dedicarte a correr o caminar un tiempo extra cada día.

That is why it is important to take care of them and wear comfortable and healthy shoes.

As I was saying, the feet are incredibly powerful.

The adversity

But a few days ago I was walking around the house barefoot when I suddenly stubbed my toes with a box.

And, Lord, how it hurt.

The foot still had all the bones, ligaments and muscles, but I was unable to take a step.

It is in situations like these that you look around you and look for the culprits to blame for your woes and vent your grumbling.

The problem, in my case, was that I was the one who had left the box there. So I couldn’t get it off my chest.

But when you sit down, and the pain goes away a little, you can think.

And then you realize the inappropriateness of such a reaction.

Because it is very easy, and common, to fall into the temptation of thinking that if something hurts us or goes wrong it is because the universe has conspired against us. Or that it is our enemy who is sowing tares against us. Or that they are raising storms in our lives.

Now, have you ever stopped to think about what it means for you to think this way?

To think that supposes recognizing that God does not have the capacity to protect us from the attacks of others, be they physical or spiritual beings, or from circumstances.

Looking for someone to blame for what happens to us means thinking that our life should be placid. And we forget that we are in a war. Spiritual, yes, but a war.

And in war, life is anything but placid and calm.

Give thanks in everything

So, what should our attitude be? For God’s answer is found in the 1st epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 5 and verse 18:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When we surrender our life to Christ, when we accept Him as Lord and Savior, our life becomes His responsibility.

He is our shepherd, who leads us where we need to be, and he is our protector. God will not allow anything outside of His will to affect us.

So, if we walk in obedience to Him, nothing that happens to us will be beyond His control.

If we are aware of this, then the only correct response to the problems and adverse circumstances that befall us is to thank God for them.

Because if God allows something adverse in our lives, it is for our growth and strengthening. So that we can stand firm until the end.

So the next time you’re going to put a box down, or cross a street, or whatever else you do in your life, do it with caution and attention.

But if you nevertheless take a hit, thank God. For it is not the Universe that is rising up against you, but God is perfecting you for victory.

God bless you.

Cover phot by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

En el Valle de Sombra de Muerte

A lo largo de nuestras vidas, todos vamos a pasar por valles de oscuridad y dolor.

Pero la Palabra de Dios da ánimo, y nos muestra cómo seguir adelante en dichos momentos, y vencer.

Quiero saber más

La entrada Give thanks in all circumstances (to God) se publicó primero en David Gómez.

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge (Psalms 94:22)

We have had a difficult few years.

Pandemics, volcanoes, wars, heat waves, uncontrolled inflation, rising mortgages, droughts, floods…

And this in general, because, then, in particular, each one has had his or her own problems, work, health, accidents, family losses…

To use a Spanish saying, it would seem that all mankind has been looked at by a one-eyed man.

But the truth is that no visually impaired person is to blame for this.

In some cases we are faced with the consequences of living in a world separated from God, and all that this represents in terms of evil, lies and selfishness.

In other cases, they are the consequences of our own limitations and shortcomings when making decisions.

And in others, they are situations that God allows or propitiates for our growth and maturity.

So now that 2022 is over and we look back, why deny it, what many of us see is a time of difficulty and pain.

But, if we look closely, in the midst of that darkness, there is something that has never been missing. And that something is God.

It is true that, at times, situations become very uphill and that there are tunnels that seem to have no end.

But always God’s presence has been made real. Perhaps not as we would like, as a wave that carries away everything that prevents us from moving forward, but as that peaceful whistle that brings us peace and hope.

Something that King David also experienced. Thus, in Psalm 94, after crying out for God to intervene in his situation, he states in verse 22:

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Yes, David was having a hard time. He was having a very hard time. But it was always clear to him that God was his refuge.

And, as it happens to all of us, the psalmist would also have liked God to put a quick end to the pain or injustice he was experiencing.

But David was not afraid of what might happen, because he knew he was in God’s hands.

So yes, 2022 will not go down in history as an easy year. But what we will be able to affirm, with joy, when we remember this year, is that God has always been with us.

And, if we remain faithful to Him, He always will be.

Happy 2023 and may God bless you.

Cover photo by Marcus Woodbridge on Unsplash

La entrada But the Lord has become my fortress se publicó primero en David Gómez.

Have you ever been approached on the street by a stranger to congratulate you and give you a gift?

But a real gift, not one of those promotions whose objective is that you end up buying something from them.

For me, at least, no.

Nor is it usual for someone with whom you have a terrible grudge to approach you to give you gifts. And if it does, before you open them you x-ray them. Just in case.

And that happens because we give gifts to people we love and know.

People who have helped or taught us in a selfless way. People who have granted us the privilege of their friendship, their time, or even their resources.

It is these people whom we honor with gifts, and whose achievements we congratulate and recognize.

But the rest of the population often remains invisible to our eyes. Because we understand that they have done nothing for us, nor are they anything for us.

At most, we make a donation to an NGO. But sometimes it is more out of remorse than out of true altruism.

And this is so because, by nature, we are selfish. Even, in some cases, these gifts are a way to “maintain a relationship” that, perhaps, we are neglecting.

However, Jesus shows us the true nature of the attitude of giving. Thus, in the Gospel of Luke chapter 14 Jesus speaks about a wedding, and tells his host that when he holds a celebration he should not invite friends, but the poor and needy.

Because friends could return the invitation and repay the favor. But the needy could not, and that is what God would value and reward.

In fact, that is what God did with us.

Although God loves us, for many He was a perfect stranger. At most someone we had heard of, but with whom we either had no relationship at all, or our relationship was one of hatred or contempt. But, in all cases, we lived outside their ways and their will.

And in spite of that contempt, God gave us the best of gifts.

Let’s see what Luke’s Gospel tells us, chapter 2 and verses 10 and 11:

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

God had no obligation to us.

We had done nothing to reciprocate.

In fact, we had earned his back.

And yet, his love for us, a genuine and selfless love, impelled him to give us redemption and eternal life.

He paid the price for our sins, for our rebellions, for our indifference against Him. And in Christ he gave us eternal life, granting us the right to be his children.

It doesn’t matter what our attitude toward God is. He looks at us through His mercy and wants us to recover the perfect relationship that we human beings had with Him at the beginning of Creation.

And that is why he sent Christ to rescue us. No strings attached, no fine print. A gift of love.

But like all gifts, you can only enjoy this one if you accept it and unwrap it to use it.

So this Christmas I invite you to accept the gift that God offers you, because no other gift will transform your life as Christ will.

And if you already have it, remember to share it with everyone else, known or unknown.

Because, as valuable as the things you can share are, Christ is the only gift that will bring them life.

God bless you.

And a very Merry Christmas.

Cover photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash

La entrada The best Christmas gift se publicó primero en David Gómez.

When we receive a summons from a court, or a letter from the tax authorities, we start to tremble.

Because, usually, the news is negative for our interests.

We have become accustomed to the fact that most of the time when a stranger approaches us spontaneously to offer us something, what we discover is that they are looking for their own personal benefit.

Therefore, it is very common that, when you share the gospel with someone, they are wary of your possible hidden intentions. And even more so when you tell him that it is a gift from God for anyone who chooses to accept it.

It’s something you’ve probably been looking for, because we all yearn for a full and meaningful life. But it sounds too nice to be true.

It is easy to think that it is like those promotions, where you go to pick up a gift and end up buying a timeshare apartment on the Persley Island.

Satan has done his job very well.

It has accustomed the world to evil. And it has done so in such a way that, when the salvation of Christ is presented, they reject it, because they are afraid of suffering the umpteenth deception.

At first glance, there is no way to tell the difference between a thief and someone who is not a thief.

In fact, many wrongdoers are tremendously affable and pleasant people when dealing personally with strangers.

Because if they look nice it is easy for others to think they are good. This makes it easier for them to let their guard down and take advantage of them.

Abundant life

Therefore, it is not surprising that in the Gospel of John, in chapter 10 and verse 10, Jesus gave us a promise with a warning:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Throughout our lives we will meet many strangers. People who need to receive Christ as Savior and have the abundant life that Christ gives to those who receive Him.

And we are here with the mission to tell the world that Christ has come for them to have that life.

But, to have a chance of being heard by the world, we have to make a difference to the thief.

Because they need to be able to see that we are not coming to steal their freedom or destroy their lives.

And it’s not about looking nice. It is a matter of leading a Christian life that demonstrates emphatically that Christ’s offer of an abundant life is real.

I am not saying that we should have a life of abundance and continuous laughter.

I am saying that our lives should manifest the joy and peace of God.

That is very easy in the midst of joys, but where it shows most is in the midst of difficult moments. And there is no need to hide these.

Because to achieve victory, you must first live the battle and fight to the end. Then we can speak with the authority of the Holy Spirit.

And for this, there is nothing better than letting Christ be the true Lord of our lives, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within us.

In such a way that, when they look at us, they do not see us, but see Christ through us, so that they can then make their decision.

For it is impossible to mistake Christ for a thief.

God bless you.

Cover photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

En el Valle de Sombra de Muerte

A lo largo de nuestras vidas, todos vamos a pasar por valles de oscuridad y dolor.

Pero la Palabra de Dios da ánimo, y nos muestra cómo seguir adelante en dichos momentos, y vencer.

Quiero saber más

La entrada So that they may have life se publicó primero en David Gómez.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This is often a classic question in selection processes.

It is used to assess whether a person knows how to set goals, or whether he or she is ambitious, farsighted or a planner. And, by the way, to see how he handles unforeseen events and pressure. Because it is not a question that many people ask themselves.

And it’s interesting, because when you do it you can realize what’s in the other person’s heart.

They usually tell you that they want to progress professionally or academically, that they want to be responsible for a team, that they want to take on new challenges and the like.

But what is important is what they do not say.

Hardly anyone tells you that they want to learn to work in a team, that they want to start a family, that they want to increase their collaboration in an NGO or a church, or that they want to be a better person.

Perhaps for fear that they might think that all this will take up your time or that you are acknowledging that you are not a “good person”.

But the truth is that what it shows is that you are your own goal.

That you do things thinking about your own interests and what benefits you.

Your goals clearly reveal who you serve, who controls your heart and mind.

When we live apart from God we have a heart full of desires, and our mind full of rebellion against Him. First me, then me, and later me, and then, maybe… but better me too.

And yet, none of this ends up giving us true happiness. Because when something fails, and it will fail, or when another “I” takes what we consider ours, we are filled with resentment.

Therefore, one of the first things God does, when we accept him as Lord of our lives, is to transform our own nature, so that we can live a full life at his side.

Let us see what the apostle Paul tells us in the second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5 and verse 17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The new is here

When the Holy Spirit enters our lives He changes our old approaches to life, and our values are changed by the life and freedom that God gives us.

And when this happens, our goals will also change. Goals that will now focus on fulfilling God’s will.

And mind you, I am not saying that a Christian cannot have goals in his natural life. But they must take into account what God has for your life.

Because we have changed our Lord. We no longer have a heart full of desires, but of gratitude.

For our sins have been forgiven, and all the old things, our old way of being, have gone, have been forgotten.

We no longer have a mind full of rebellion against God, but our thoughts seek Him continually.

Of course all this is a process, that our old self must gradually die.

But it is something in which we must put all our efforts, since we have changed our kingdom and this implies a change of essence.

If you do not become a fish, you will drown, but if you allow yourself to be transformed, a new world will open up before you.

God bless you.

Cover image by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash

La entrada The old has gone se publicó primero en David Gómez.

We will all face difficult times throughout our lives. And we will all need shelter and refuge at such times.

In fact, years ago, there was a very curious advertisement that touched on this point..

It showed some kids bullying another one, but then he called his cousin, a Zumosol orange juice drinker who was really strong, and solved the problem.

This concept of the cousin of zumosol was funny, and hence when someone had an important problem, the expression “go to or call the cousin of zumosol” was used.

The truth is that we would all like to have a cousin to turn to when things go wrong.

Disqualifications, contempt, abuse, defenselessness and other similar situations would be much easier to resolve if we had the help of such a cousin.

This is one of the reasons for the emergence of all kinds of associations.

Associations of patients, professionals and trade unions, are a positive sign of this desire to count on the help of other people who are more prepared or more experienced than us.

But here too we have a dark side. Thus, we can see the proliferation of gangs or anti-establishment groups of one sign or another, who encourage, prepare and help their members to be more destructive and violent than their adversaries.

And this, with the mistaken belief that with force they will be able to impose their proposals, or that they will be able to benefit from violence and coercion. And they do not know that their path of violence is a path of death for themselves.

Christians, for our part, have the church. A community in which we can feel safe, welcomed and protected from the outside world, and to which many come in search of that shelter.

And this is very positive, because that is one of the functions of the Church.

Now, the Church is a community, not a place where we can live.

And it is a help, a very important tool for our growth, but there will be situations in which, for one reason or another, we will not be able to count on it.

Abraham had to leave his home, David had to flee to the land of the Philistines, even Jesus was left alone in Gethsemane, even though he was surrounded by his disciples….

And then what?

The answer is found in the first two verses of Psalm 91, which read as follows: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Of course, God has left his Church to serve as an umbrella for those who seek refuge in it. But we must be aware that protection, the real protection, comes from God. And even if this umbrella, which is the Church, is blown away by the wind of the storm, we can always be sure of finding shelter in God.

For He is shelter on cold and stormy days, when loneliness wounds us and darkness surrounds us; and He is shade when the sun of trial beats down on us and dryness leaves us without strength.

And it is hope in the midst of problems, even if at times this hope is as faint as mist. But it is also a castle, tall, solid and firm, which surrounds us with its walls to protect us from any attack from our enemy.

So don’t envy the world when it brings out its “zumosol” cousins, and don’t be afraid of them when they come against you. For they are but modern “Goliaths” who, like the former, will be defeated by faith.

While you will be safe dwelling in the shelter of the Most High remembering the words of the epistle to the Romans chapter 8 and verse 31: “…If God is for us, who can be against us?”

God bless you.

Cover photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

La entrada Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High se publicó primero en David Gómez.

There are two things that bother most of us terribly, having to wait and having to ask for help.

If we analyze our behaviors we will realize that we have less and less patience.

Nothing makes us angrier than arriving at the doctor’s office or a restaurant and having to wait. And even more so if you have booked an appointment.

Books have fewer and fewer pages and the most watched videos on social networks are less than three minutes long. Even Aliexpress is working to deliver orders, to anywhere in the world, in less than three days, because, otherwise, sales slow down.

And if we go to surf the Internet then the issue is already incredible. To give an example, if a page takes more than 10 or 12 seconds to load, the vast majority of people abandon the site.

And even if the paragraphs are very long, people skip over them.

And as for asking for help… we’re not doing much better either.

We always like to look our best and give the impression that we are winners, because being a loser is frowned upon. And because admitting our need for help implies recognizing that we are not so much masters of our lives.

I recently switched phone companies and had to go to a store to return the router; and in the time I spent in that store I saw something very interesting. Every customer in front of them always asked for the highest-end smartphone they were offered.

They may not have a place to drop dead, but if they do, they will do so with a state-of-the-art cell phone.

And if we add the problems caused by Covid-19 to this tension to make us look like winners, we get a devastating cocktail.

Spain is among the countries with the highest growth in cases of depression in Europe. And it has the highest per capita consumption of antidepressants.

Terrifying.

But God has the answer to this situation.

An answer that fills us with hope and that we find in the epistle to the Philippians, chapter 4 and verses 6 and 7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul teaches us that there is only one way to keep anxiety and worry away from us, and that is to present our needs before God and thank Him for His decision and provision, whatever it may be. For only in this way can we find his peace.

Because God wants us to learn to rest in Him. And not because he wants us to become indolent beings, but because it is only when our hearts and thoughts remain centered on Christ that we will be able to defeat adversity.

But this will only happen when we accept that God has His perfect time to show us His answer and has a perfect plan for our lives. Although at first we may not understand it.

So, if you are struggling to achieve your dreams soon, and to do it by your own means, and if you are seeing how anxiety or depression is taking over your thoughts, stop and turn to God, and decide to trust him.

Because only when you strip yourself of your pride and arrogance, and decide to ask for and accept his help, you will feel how your life is filled with his peace, you will discover his plan for you and you will see the power of God working in your life.

God bless you.

Cover image by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash

La entrada Do not be anxious about anything se publicó primero en David Gómez.