Month: September 2025

Trusting Life’s Traffic Lights

Recently, I read Matthew McConaughey’s book, “Greenlights”. Yes, the American actor who made the famous line, “Alright! Alright! Alright!”. He wrote this book based on his many years of journaling. The green lights were moments when his life seem to flow effortlessly. In contrast, he also had red lights and yellow lights – when there were delay, setbacks, and slowdowns in his life.

The question today is this: What if these green, yellow and red lights are God’s ways of directing our paths?

Red Lights – God’s Protection

We tend to see red lights in our lives as failure or rejection, but often it is God protecting us. We are so sure of our own ways, or we want things in our timing, that we don’t see the red light stopping us from crashing into a busy intersection in our lives. In hindsight, we can sometimes see God’s protection revealed from what we thought was a missed opportunity.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps

Yellow Lights – God’s Preparation

Many a times, we feel frustrated when things are on hold, when we are stuck, or our plans are thwarted. We feel disappointed, even at God. In wisdom, we will later find out that it was a season of preparation, growth and testing of our patience and perseverance.

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Green Lights – God’s Provision

Have you ever go through a green wave – a series of green lights driving through a stretch of street? Green lights in our lives feel good – when doors are open, prayers are answered, and we are moving forward. Green lights remind us that God is faithful in blessing us and that He is a God of Abundance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: (1) be patient and trust God in the red lights, (2) prepare yourself and seek growth during the yellow lights, and (3) praise and thank God for the many green lights in your life. Let us always surrender to God’s timing for every red, yellow and green lights in our lives.

Unwinding Anxiety: Finding Peace Beyond the Craving Mind

We live in an anxious age—restless minds, racing thoughts, and hearts burdened with “what ifs.” Dr. Judson Brewer, in his work The Craving Mind and Unwinding Anxiety, explains that much of our anxiety isn’t random. It’s a habit loop, a craving cycle:

Trigger: We feel fear, uncertainty, or stress.

Behavior: We worry or seek quick relief (distraction, scrolling, overworking).

Result: Temporary comfort, but anxiety grows stronger.

Anxiety, then, becomes a habit. The good news? Habits can be unwound.

The Bible already spoke to this long before neuroscience confirmed it: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7).

God doesn’t just command us not to be anxious—He gives us a replacement habit: prayer, gratitude, trust.

3 Ways to Unwind Anxiety, Biblically and Practically:

1. Notice the Loop

Anxiety often starts subtly. Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34). Pause. Name what you’re feeling. Awareness is the first step in breaking the cycle.

2. Shift the Focus

Instead of fuelling the loop with worry, redirect it to God. Peter reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Prayer is not about ignoring reality but handing it over to the One who holds it.

3. Practice Loving-Kindness & Gratitude

Dr. Brewer suggests a simple but powerful exercise: silently repeat phrases of loving-kindness—first toward yourself, then toward others:

“May I be well.”

“May I be free from suffering.”

“May I be at peace.”

“May others be well.”

This practice breaks anxiety’s self-focused grip and expands the heart outward. Scripture mirrors this: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Gratitude and love not only rewire the anxious mind, they align us with God’s heart.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: be intentional in noticing the habit loops in your life, then shift the focus to God, practicing loving-kindness and gratitude.

The Sacred Art of Savouring

Recently, I read Chris Bailey’s “How to Calm Your Mind”, and what struck me was the concept of savouring – our mind’s ability to attend to and appreciate positive experiences. He talked about chronic stress and burnout, and one of the ways of overcoming them is savouring our moments and being engaged – instead of always pursuing and achieving more. What’s the point of our achievements if we don’t savour what we have and what we have achieved?

Savouring isn’t just a productivity hack; it is deeply spiritual. The bible reminds us: “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). When we savour, we awaken to God’s presence in our everyday lives.

Savouring shifts our focus from busyness to Presence

Our current obsession with busyness has robbed us of joy. When we savour, we shift from rushing to noticing, observing, enjoying. Whether it’s the warmth of the sunlight, the aroma of a drink, the smile of a loved one, we become present – and in presence, we meet God, and His beautiful creation.

Savouring strengthens Gratitude

When we savour, we stretch moments instead of letting them slip away. Gratitude naturally follows because we savouring highlight’s God’s gifts, which we might easily miss or take for granted. Paul’s reminder to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) becomes easier when we savour the ordinary.

Savouring is a Spiritual Discipline

Far from being indulgent, savouring is a discipline. It’s choosing to slow down enough to see God’s hand at work in our daily lives. We notice and appreciate the small and meaningful things in our lives – the laughter at meal times, the friend who called or messaged or came over, the spouse who helped with chores. This practice trains our hearts to remain rooted in joy, even when life feels uncertain.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you: savour all the big and small moments in your life, and savour the presence of God.

Beyond Comfort: Trusting God’s Greater Plan

Most people think they are in pursuit of happiness, but in reality, they are actually in pursuit of comfort. However, if we look at Scripture, we will see that God rarely called people to stay comfortable. Instead, He calls them into the unknown – into spaces that stretched their faith, tested their trust and revealed His glory. Think of how God called Abraham to leave his homeland, or Moses standing before Pharaoh, with nothing but God’s word and His promises.

God’s Plan isn’t always comfortable – but it’s always Good

We often confuse comfort with peace. Comfort is about ease, but peace is about God’s presence. Jesus promised that we would face trials, yet He also promised His peace in the midst of our trials. When we cling to comfort, we risk missing out on the deeper work God has planned for us.

📖 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

Growth happens in the Stretch

Like muscles that only grow when stretched, our faith deepened when we step into the unknown and unfamiliar. Peter had to get out of the boat before he could walk on water towards Jesus. If we never leave our comfort zone, we will never experience the miracle of God meeting us in the impossible.

📖 “‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29, NIV)

God’s Glory is Revealed in our Surrender

The greatest testimonies often come from people who dared to leave behind safety. Joseph endured slavery, slander and imprisonment before stepping into his destiny. When we surrender our comfort and control, we make space for God to display His amazing power in ways we could never imagine ourselves.

📖 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: leave your comfort zone to step into God’s amazing plan for you, so that He can lead you to greater faith, deeper trust and lasting impact.

The Battle is Not Yours, but God’s

Every day, we face countless battles. They may not look like armies marching against us, but they come in the form of anxieties, health struggles, financial stress, strained relationships, or uncertainty about the future.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a vast enemy army surrounding him. He was in a hopeless situation. Yet God gave him this message:

”Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” – 2 Chronicles 20:15

Seek God First

Instead of feeling panic or despair, King Jehoshaphat brought the battle to God in prayer. His first step is to turn to God – to fast and pray.

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah – 2 Chronicles 20:3-4

Stand Firm in Faith

God told Jehoshaphat’s people they didn’t need to fight – just stand firm and trust Him. God promised to be with them and to show them His great deliverance.

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you – 2 Chronicles 20:17

Worship Through the Battle

The army of Judah didn’t go out with swords first, but with songs of praise. When we worship in the middle of our struggles, we shift our focus from the size of our battles to the greatness of our Almighty God.

“Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him… saying “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:21

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: seek God first, stand firm in your faith and worship God with praise and thanksgiving. Then watch God win the victory for you.