Photo by RODNAE Productions
Wendy Veronica Lisare’s The Other Side of Fear presents a way that is often ignored in conversations about spiritual awakening, and that is speaking words of blessing about oneself.
Although I am a devout believer, I have never considered myself much of a religious person. I’ve always done my part according to Scripture and regularly attend mass. But reading Wendy V. Lisare’s The Other Side of Fear had me thinking. It is not enough to believe and do as I should. To possess a genuine relationship with God and act accordingly to his will, it is crucial, deeply so, to be actively faithful.
Now, what does that mean?
2 Corinthians 5:7 instructs that “…we live by faith, not by sight.” This phrase tells us, rather straightforwardly, that faith is something we, as believers, should deliberately incorporate into our daily lives, consistently placing God in our hearts and minds with every step we take. And that starts with opening up and speaking words of blessing about oneself, creating the self-esteem to properly follow the path the Lord has laid out for each of us and reaching it towards the end.
Where Can We Find Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem, or confidence, is built from having a firm sense of security and purpose. When we were younger, many of us sought these two from our parents and friends. Later, when we grew older, we searched for them in our partners, work, and accomplishments. But these are temporary things. We can lose our parents, friends, partners, work, and even our accomplishments will feel hollow given enough time. If that is the case, how can we develop the needed self-esteem to follow God’s plan with the proper conviction?
Of course, the best source of security and purpose is God Himself. God has seen our worst qualities and knows what sins we have committed, yet His heart is still open and overflowing with infinite love. It is no coincidence that He sent Christ after all. Was it not so that we were given the way to be absolved of our imperfections and allowed to become better than who we are?
How Can We Establish a Relationship with God?
Learning from the Biblical Canon
Regularly opening the Bible and meditating on its words for valuable insight is not just something a priest should do, but everyone who calls themselves a believer. Simply dedicating an hour to deep contemplation of God’s words is more than enough to immerse oneself in His vast wisdom and glory. It is more so a reminder of the rewards of pursuing His infinite love and eternal warmth. Scriptural reading is also a very flexible activity you can conduct with yourself or others. Unlike mass, reading the Bible is an act that can be done almost anywhere, provided you have a pocket bible or have downloaded an app on your phone.
By regularly opening the Bible and relishing in its knowledge, one remembers their place in the world and God’s plan, strengthening your trust in Him and yourself.
Giving Grace and Thanking the Lord
An excellent and undemanding way to consistently exercise one’s faith and showcase devotion to God is through prayer. There is a stereotype among believers that we only pray when we ask for something. Still, it is easy enough to evade those pitfalls and be firmly focused on praising and thanking God for His blessings and the opportunity to be an instrument of His most divine will. A reasonably actionable routine could be a prayer after waking up and before sleeping, each time thanking God for the chance to do so and the good things that happened prior. Similarly to passing the time simply by talking with someone and developing a more solid relationship, praying to God does this also.
Embodying the Virtues of a Good Christian
Beyond reading the Bible and constant prayer, the most effective way of establishing a solid relationship with the Lord is directing that faith outward and encouraging others to engage with their faith as well. Remember, we are not alone; it takes a community to spread God’s love. What is more, anyone can do this in several ways: conducting charitable works, participating in church gatherings, volunteering in community outreach, and even just being there for other believers can be a vector for profound change.
The Damsel’s Files 