It's easy to get scared when we think about the Book of Revelation. We tend to imagine all the terrifying things that could happen. There will be a lot of suffering, of course. But actually, this book is a blessing to us. It tells us that our suffering will not last forever. The Lord Himself will see to it. Why do we believe this?

Some people do not see the value of training in the Christian life. But it is essential. We need to train ourselves to be godly.

We need to be strong through the grace of God to thrive in these difficult times. Otherwise, we will not overcome. That requires having specific attitudes that would ensure victory rather than defeat. One such mindset is to be like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. But what does it mean? We need to reflect on this to understand its meaning and implications.

Do you sometimes feel that you cannot handle this prolonged pandemic anymore? Where will your strength come from? It will not come from you for sure. It will come from God through His grace. But how can we avail of that grace? Although grace is a gift from God, there are certain things we can do to posture ourselves to receive it.

Except for a few negative people, most people have some kind of hope. But not all hope is the same. Most people are just hoping for (or wishing for) a better situation. They are just hoping that the virus would go away and we will be able to finally go back to our normal way of living. But the longer it takes, this kind of hope often leads to frustration and eventually hopelessness. What kind of hope do we truly need? It's the kind of hope that the apostle Paul calls "the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-5) What does it mean?

We are living in difficult times. Many are being tested beyond their capacity to endure. Although there is no declaration yet from the government, sometimes it feels like we are in a state of calamity. But, through faith in Jesus Christ, these times can also be our greatest opportunity. How can we live in such a way that people will ask us about our reason or reasons for hope?

Is it really possible to overcome our fears, worries, and anxieties? Are these just given realities that we cannot escape? The apostle John tells us otherwise. According to him, we can overcome our fears, worries, and anxieties only through God's perfect love. How does that happen?

There's pain, suffering, and death all around us because of the pandemic. But now it's getting too close and personal. Some of our loved ones and close friends, and even some of us, have been infected by the virus and are now in the hospital fighting for their/our lives. Some have died already. We can't help but feel fear, worry, and anxiety creeping into our hearts. So, we ask ourselves, "What if it happens to us, to me, to my loved ones and friends?"

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15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... (1 Peter 3:15)

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To hear God clearly, you need to focus on the movements of your soul in the presence of the Lord.