Forgiveness – perspective from Vannessa

Forgiveness is a debt cancelled, letting go of your right to be angry or vengeful

I always thought of “forgiveness” as a gift, to be able to forgive and forget. The world wouldn’t be what it is today. I, myself, have issues involving forgiveness. I have always found my way around forgiving someone. You just don’t want to give someone the satisfaction/or pleasure of your hurt and pain. Not being able to forgive has side effects and they can begin to effect you emotionally and physically. Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. This is what we go through because of one’s negative input or wrong doings.

As it says in Luke 23:34: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I go by each day not knowing who seeks forgiveness from me. So this eleven letter word has really been an eye opener for me. Instead of expecting forgiveness, we should also give forgiveness because we are also sinners.

We all have a perfect role model (God) who has forgiveness of us for our sins. I see forgiveness as a godly solution. He doesn’t involve vengeance like we do.

Anger – Perspective from Alicia – CWJC

My topic today is “Anger.”
Definition of anger is a feeling of being very annoyed and wanting to fight back at a person or thing that hurts one or is against one. Anger is the general word for the feeling of displeasure mixed with a desire to fight back.

Now about myself:
When I started coming here, I had so much anger about so many things especially towards life for so many mistakes. I felt that God was not there for me when I needed him the most. But I have learned that He has been with me all the time.

Most of my anger started when I was at the shelter. Seeing so many women beat up with black eyes. Kids hurt or raped by their own father. That’s when I said to myself that is not going to happen to me or my kids. So I learned to defend myself without thinking or knowing my wrongs, especially when it came to men. If I would have been asked to write bout anger before I started coming here, I would have pages and pages about all of the anger that I had inside of me. And I am happy to say “had the anger,” because part of that that anger is gone.

My anger was to the point of hurting verbally, physical and throwing and breaking whatever it was in my way. I once threw a punch to a mirror and broke it with my fist. My kids were so scared and they started crying and I promised them that I was going to look for help. But at the same time I didn’t feel I needed help without realizing how much I was hurting my kids and how much I was hurting myself.

There are so many reasons for having anger inside of us. But it is not worth it. Having this anger only takes us into depression, low self-esteem. It makes us feel sorry about ourselves, not wanting to do anything.

So, it is time to leave this anger behind. I have learned to control my anger, how to say what I have to say without hurting the other person. If that doesn’t work, I just pray to God to help me to release my anger and to help me think before saying anything. I am accepting God back into my life. It is sad to say, that I had left God behind me a few years ago, but now that He is back into my life, I feel great. I feel peace in my heart and from now on, no matter what, I will never leave my God again.

So for each one of us, please leave your anger behind. It does not help you in anyway.

Commitment – Perspective from Michelle

It may seem like an easy topic, although in the past I didn’t understand its significance. I now see the word “commitment” in a new light even though I stuck my neck out by choosing this topic. If you think about it a lot of honor goes with the feeling of someone who commits to someone or something that is worthy. Sometimes the concept is overwhelming for anyone. But maybe that is because we’re too are on ourselves. I know I still am.

For me, commitment is a realization of one’s responsibilities and the will to carry them out. A lot of times, I don’t feel strong enough or smart enough, but then I’m sure that is where God comes in. You see, a year and a half ago, I was warped with depression feeling unworthy to even live. But God gave me the strength to stand up when standing is hard. I’ll never stop needing Him.

A good example of commitment is motherhood. A mother commits to taking care of her children, her home and going to work. Now, that’s what I call a full-time job. Commitment requires dedication and to me that means through rain, sleet or snow; good or bad. Another example is the Christian Women’s Job Corps and their students. Since we have committed to this cause, I know God will see us all the way to completion.

The last example is a broken commitment. As I have experienced, any time marriage vows are broken or someone lets you down or betrays you, it can take a long time to get over. It can sometimes change your whole outlook on life. Just give it to God!

In conclusion, you must see your potential despite your past failures. Nobody’s perfect, no not one. So just because we have unfulfilled commitments in the past doesn’t mean we can’t fulfill our commitment for the future.

Worry - Perspective by Reina - CWJC

This is the beginning of a worried life. It all started when I was a little girl, age 8. I had to grow up so quickly that I became a mother to my younger siblings, newborn up to age 5-6. That’s when life began all my worries. Cleaning diapers, bottle feeding, bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, even ironing clothes and doing my school work. But more importantly, I worried about the children getting hurt or crying, because I would also get in trouble for them crying or getting hurt. Then at night I worried about my mother getting beat up by my drunken father. I worried if I had to run and hide with the children. I also worried about my mother if she had a chance to escape or if she was badly hurt. As a child, life was full of worries. It wasn’t even funny.

My worries would even bring me down into tears and anger. I t made me vulnerable, worthless. It drowned me and made me bitter and sour. It also made me feel old, weak and incapable of fixing the problems. Years have past and that part of my life stayed as memories. Not it’s not my siblings or my mother that I worry about; it’s my children. I worry about them getting hurt, sick broken bones, their safety, getting in trouble and even about death. I always felt a need to worry. I worried about things around me, people around me, my finances, money problems, fears and danger.

Then one morning in mid-August I went to CWJC to put in an application and was welcomed as a student. I was also excited and never felt happier. Doors began to open and I told myself it’s time for a change. I stopped worrying about when I was going to get the money to pay for my next cigarette and beer. I stopped worrying because I quit smoking and drinking and I feel proud of myself, because I started doing right. That was just two of the first things I wanted to change. Then I thought to myself, “Why do I worry if life is still here and so am I?” So I took a deep breath and told myself, “Listen to your hear and relax. Just put faith in Jesus and things will become better.” So they did.

I stopped worrying about everything. The Lord made them – the worries – disappear. I take life day by day. Now I have faith in someone whom I thought never was there to listen. He made my worries run dry because He guards my heart, mind and spirit.

That’s why I don’t worry anymore!

Patience – perspective by Lorena -CWJC

May God give me patience for I know in my heart that is what I need.

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  Patience for circumstances when things get tough and that I may have the knowledge to figure things out without feeling frustrated or mad.
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  Patience when I seem to be failing no matter how hard I try. I ask that He somehow encourage me and doesn’t let me give up.
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  Patience for what seems impossible to accomplish, for it may take time to handle my troubles each day as they may come.
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  Patience to stop and care for my children, to show them unconditional love, to listen to their innocent little hearts, not feel anger, but instead talk, patiently wait until they become calm.

God is patient. He has hope for me, for He loves and knows that I am not perfect, but in His eyes, He sees no imperfections. We are all His children, His creation, His beautiful masterpiece.

Healing – perspective by Kay – CWJC – September 2009

God’s Healing Hands

He has hands that will carry you like the wind. His touch is soft as a napkin. He has arms that will hold you so tight. His hands will heal the nation’s body and soul.

Pray to God and with His unchanging hands he will heal you. This is healing where your body is free from pain or any disease.
Healing comes with a touch of God’s healing hands.

Lay hands on yourself. Ask God to take control. Using blessing oil is a way to connect with and ask God for healing.

He will heal and restore your health.

Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Destiny by Gloria

CWJC - September 2009
Destiny – It’s God’s purpose and His plan for my life.

Fulfilling your destiny is not for your enjoyment. That’s what makes you a part of God’s greater plan.

Destiny will mold your life into a work of art and a beautiful showcase for His Glory – not yours. God’s destiny for you is to work out your thoughts here on earth.

It is the abilities God give you and the desire he stirs up in you. There are certain things and people He brings along to you. Destiny is anything God leads you to do.

God is your final destination! He knows the plans He has for you so he will lead you toward your purpose with people who cross your path.

Listen for His voice, ideas and dreams so that no matter what you will remember them.

It’s like God calling your name and saying “Come be with Me. I have something to tell you….”

So, I say to my sisters, “Invite God into your life today. He knows your plan and purpose. He is the Destiny.”