My grandfather once told me, “Faith is not something to seize, it is a state to grow into.” Taking his advice, I began to develop a value system of beliefs, a personal credo. These beliefs have become an influence on my actions for a while, and I’ve tried to follow them for years to come since the information that comes with them is useful for me if I want to attain success in the coming future.
Life has given me many challenges that I could not control. However, I did in these situations, control my reactions and kept a cool hand. When my grandfather was attacked with a stage 4 aneurysm back in 2007, my life as I knew it would be forever changed. My family was greatly affected especially since our faith was put to the test. There were many rough days, particularly because this happened during my freshman year of high school. There were many times when I would question God out of anger, asking Him why he would allow something like this to happen to my family and me. There would be many nights where I would have dreams about my grandfather’s recovery only to wake up to the reality that his condition was still the same.
In other less serious events of my life, they have been times when I’ve been disrespected and put down. And even though I may have wanted to retaliate and handle these situations to where I felt better, I decided to take the high road and walk away. In the end, walking away and letting God handle the situation has better benefits than taking matters into my own hands. I will continue to follow this belief of self-control because I have found that it leads to more positive results than just reacting and thinking about what I’ve done afterward.
The growth of a Christian is the same as that of the plant. When we begin our journey in the Lord, we are small and defenseless. But planted in the soil of the word of God, we become rooted in the scriptures. As time gradually moves on, we will begin to sprout through the Word and the Holy Spirit as He rains down on us with the living water. We then, with the help of sunlight, can steadily grow in the God’s grace until we are strong enough to stand on what we have been taught. Nonetheless, just like the plant will become weak without leaning upon the sunlight and water for support, we too will also become fragile. We need Jesus, the living water, to supply us with what we need to assist us through life’s greatest struggles.
As I stated earlier, My grandfather has been sick with an aneurysm for five and a half years since October 4, 2007. He should have died when he fell on that cold hard floor while his brain was being attacked. But God and His infinite mercy, spared my grandfather’s life. Well one day, the 4-H Club at my high school and I went to my grandparents' house to minister to him through music.
After we sang our first selection, I was given the opportunity to give him some words of encouragement. I told him of the time when we were working outside, pushing a stump remover up a hill. He was in the front pulling, and I was in the back pushing. I was pushing so hard that I slipped and was about to fall down the side of the hill. In desperation, I cried to my grandpa, “Pops save me!” And he quickly reached out and grabbed my hand, saving me from getting hurt. I then told my grandpa that just like he reached out to save me, God reaches out His hand to save us. We only need to be willing to let Him save us.
Up until this point, my grandfather’s advice has made a very positive influence in my life. It has helped me shape my personal credo, which helps me make wise decisions. Through developing Christian character and self-control in my reactions to uncontrollable situations, I am able to navigate through this insanity I call my life. These beliefs will be my influence for years to come and will aid in leading me to be the successful person I am to become.
