Many of our negative emotions are actually rooted in fear and shame. We all have different coping strategies to deal with our emotional pain. In the beginning God created everything and finally Adam and Eve. All creation was very good . Garden of Eden was a place of beauty and there was a wonderful community of three people . Without any shame or fear( Genesis 2:25) they had a perfect and satisfying relationship. After believing the lies of Satan fear and shame entered into their lives.( Genesis 3:7-10). Response to fear and shame is covering and hiding. Disconnecting ourselves from God and others. God doesn't want to leave us in the place of fear and shame but want to cover us with his grace( Genesis 3:21). The story of the lost son reminds the same thing.( Luke 15:20-24) . Father wanted to give honor,dignity and value to his son when he felt unworthy. God wants to have fellowship with us and cover us with his everlasting grace and that's why he sent his one and only son Jesus into this world. ( John 1:14) Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ ( John 1:17). When grace and truth take control of our lives we move to a new place of security and a wonderful relationship with God and with one another. The impact of shame and fear may last long if we don't detect and deal with it. When we bring it into light and embrace grace and truth we experience true freedom,peace,joy and intimate relationships. I have my own battle of fear and shame which I am confronting with the truth in the Bible and I want to be secure in his grace( 2 Corinthians 12:9).God's power is made perfect in my weaknesses. We can all be faithful stewards of his grace.(1 Peter 4:10)

During this season of uncertainty we need to make more efforts to stay more connected to God, family and friends. Invest time for the important things ,make it your priority and be committed to it. We need to take initiative in loving people because God took the initiative to love us. ( 1 John 4:7-12). One another relationship is about giving as well as receiving. Pay attention to your needs , ask for help and persevere. Jesus invited people into his life during his time on earth . He was very vulnerable and honest about his emotions with his close friends ( Mathew 26:36,37). He had women followers who took care of his needs( Mathew 27:55-56) . Two are better than one ( Ecclesiastes 4:9,10)Let us not be alone especially during this season. Let us pray for each other. I am praying for you.

We need close friends who can encourage us and keep us close to God. (Hebrew s 3:12,13 )Building close friendships may be difficult but is possible. It is like a good investment . We need to be intentional because it won't happen naturally. Jesus prayed all night and chose the twelve to have a close relationship and also three closer friends. We need to carry each other's burdens ( Gal 6:2). We may become busy taking care of others and miss out on taking help for our own lives. Some times ignorance,pride or fears may stop us from connecting on a deeper level.

We want to be safe during this time and we take different measures for that. But what about protecting our hearts? Heart determines the course of our life( Proverbs 4:23) It is important to guard our hearts. Heart is compared to soil( Luke 8:11-15) . The fruitfulness of our Christian life is determined by the condition of our hearts. Jeremiah 4:3-4 talks about breaking up unplowed ground and not sowing among thorns. Are we becoming more and more like Christ? More loving,more joyful more peaceful and more patient? Proverbs 28:13-14 talks about confessing our sins so that we will be blessed. Confession is a gift to prevent our hearts from hardening. We can come to light and stay in the light 1 John 1:5-9

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves Do what it says. Are you watching your life and doctrine closely? (1 Timothy 4:16,2 )We need to be trained in righteousness with the help of God s word (2Timothy 3:16,17. ) We need to meditate on God' s law and be careful to do everything ( Joshua 1:8) We should not forget what we heard but do it(James 1:22-25). Our Christian journey is about realising who we are and then becoming who God wants us to be .What way you want to be a doer of the word?

This week I want to talk about the importance of listening to the voice of Jesus while we may get carried away by many other voices. Only when we know the truth we can realise about the lies that we may be holding on. Jesus is the good shepherd and his sheep listen to his voice and follow him. He will meet all our needs and will give us a life to the full when we follow him. Scripture reference: Psalms 25:4,5 . Mark 9:7, John 14:6, John 10:27, John 8:31&32, 2Timothy 4:3,4, John 17:13-17

Making time to be still in the presence of God is very essential for a godly life. Jesus was crowded with people but he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Mark 6:45,46. God gives strength to the weary- Isaiah 40:29. He gives rest to the weary and burdened-Mathew 11:28