This self improvement article about spirituality is appealing for those interested about this topic


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However you felt when you woke up this morning, the fact that you woke up at all is a minor miracle of rebirth. Our God-given ability to "sleep it off" means that no matter how much punishment you gave yourself yesterday, today is your hope of restoration.

When you went to sleep last night, even if only for a few short hours, perhaps your brain was racked with all sorts of problems and seemingly insoluble situations. But a new day gives you the chance to put those worries behind you. God has built into the system of life a restart programme which can erase everything that has gone before.

The key to this is Jesus. The Son of God has already suffered every possible torment on our behalf. There is no ailment, no concern, no wounds that you can have this morning that Jesus has not already endured and expiated. He even visited hell before His resurrection, just so that no torture experienced by man could be hidden from him.

What is on your mind? Business failure, redundancy, financial problems - none of these are new to man. There is nothing here that could faze God, or even stir Him from His throne, neither should they you. Be strong and steadfast, pray as you always do, and wait for the storm to pass.

Or perhaps health is an issue with you? The doctors have given you a poor prognosis
and you are unsure about the future? Nothing could be as bad as the sufferings of Christ. He has already been through unimaginable ailment, as have thousands of Christian martyrs before you. Be proud that you are joining the ranks of the most hallowed in creation, because the more you suffer for your faith, the higher your seat in Heaven. When relatives visit you, don't let them feel sorry for you, but embrace them with a smile. A first class ticket has already been booked on your behalf.

Or is it a loved one you mourn for? You are experiencing the bitter taste of loneliness for the first time? There isn't a loneliness in the world today that can compare with the loneliness Christ felt as he was handed over to the Roman authorities. Although He had done nothing wrong, an entire state turned against him and there was not one person to stand up for him and save him. Even Jesus on the cross was driven to ask "Lord, why have you forsaken me?"

But there is no question of forsaking in God's kingdom. Each morning when you open your eyes to prepare for another day, remember Isaiah 65 v16-17 "For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered."

Milton Johanides is a retired businessman, church elder, writer and artist. He has been featured on BBC TVs Songs of Praise, owned numerous art galleries and once ran an award winning picture framing business in Scotland. The views expressed in these articles are his own. Web address: http://www.x-ibit-it.com