Author: Sue Wilson

Sue’s Views

One of the greatest blessings that comes with belonging to Gods family ….. is being led by the a Holy Spirit. He is Gods representative on earth and He is with us all the time. We can walk and talk with Him continually ….. and He helps us in all sorts of practical ways as well as spiritually. A couple of weeks ago ….. I had the urge to buy extra groceries and spent a couple of days cooking and baking. Little did I know at the time that we were about to come down with Omicron as well as many other family members and friends. It’s easy to ignore those little ‘nudges’ He gives us ….. but they are there for a reason. I’m so thankful for this wonderful friend who knows what’s going to happen ….. where the best bargains are ….. and all sorts of other information that I lack.

Sue’s Views

It’s been a tough week and I’ve been thinking about Psalm 73. The psalmist was struggling with the fact that the wicked always seemed to prosper. His people had suffered many losses ….. and like us ….. he wanted to know why! 

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 

They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.”

But after getting it off his chest ….. God showed him the answer from His perspective. He showed him their end! 

“Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.”

We always need to look at the bigger picture. Life is a series of battles. You win some ….. you lose some! But losing a battle is not the same as losing the war. I much prefer true life movies to those romantic ‘happy ever after’ movies. True life is never predictable ….. but God has already written the ending!

Sue’s Views

2 new words that have been added to our vocabulary lately are ‘misinformation’ …..and ‘disinformation’. Apparently one letter can make a huge difference! Misinformation ….. according to the dictionary ….. means wrong information given by mistake or misunderstanding. It is not designed to mislead but does anyway! Disinformation has a rather more sinister connotation because it deliberately gives false information. It may add to the truth ….. subtract from the truth ….. or completely make up a ‘new truth’. You may recognise these concepts from your childhood. What did we used to call them? Oh that’s right ….. LIES! One thing we all probably learned from it is that the truth always wins in the end.

Sue’s Views

If you are tired of the struggle of trying to be heard ….. maybe you are speaking to the wrong person. The person you are appealing to has their own mindset ….. and mindsets are not easily changed. Sometimes it’s a matter of pride ….. no one likes to be told they are wrong! Try appealing to God who has the power and authority to bring down arguments and false beliefs. He alone can shift those stubborn mindsets and bring truth and understanding. Whether it’s about law changes ….. or international intervention ….. It’s always good to go straight to the top.

Sue’s Views

I was listening to the news last night about mental health being addressed in primary schools. It’s so sad to think that little kids ….. who have their whole lives ahead of them ….. are dealing with anxiety and depression. More than anything they need to be assured that they are safe and loved. I can’t help thinking that the antidote is to bring back Bible in Schools. It’s removal has made way for all sorts of philosophies to bring instability and confusion. The Bible not only speaks to the problem of wrong thinking ….. but also gives the answer.

Sue’s Views

In yesterday’s church service ….. Ps Sunia challenged us to think about how we would like to be remembered at our funeral. Such a good question! And one I’ve been thinking seriously about. You don’t often hear negative remarks in a eulogy. They usually focus on the best qualities and memories. But I don’t want to be remembered as a ‘nice person’. I guess I would want to have made a difference! I would hope to have inspired people to live their best life ….. to be the best version of themselves they can be ….. to see themselves as God sees them ….. so they can in turn help others to do the same! I realise that ….. starting today ….. I can decide what will be written on my tombstone. And so can you! It’s the moment by moment decisions we make that determine the words that will define how we influence others.  But the words I would most want to hear are these from my Heavenly Father:

Sue’s Views

We all have days when we feel fragile whether it’s physical ….. emotional ….. or mental. Those are the times we are most susceptible to temptation. That’s when we need to draw on Gods strength ….. not our own! If that’s you today ….. here’s a word from the Lord for you.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

Sue’s Views

Summer is almost over …..  but what a summer it has been! How will you remember the summer of 2021/22? There has certainly been plenty to complain about if we so choose. But the good news is that we do have a choice! Challenging times are always opportunities to reprioritise our lives. To focus on the blessings ….. to magnify the things we are thankful for. Some of the things on my list would be family ….. health ….. deepened friendships. But above all ….. I am so thankful to know my Heavenly Father ….. without whom none of these things would be possible. Because He is at the helm ….. I am excited about the future no matter how bleak it may look. 

‘Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sue’s Views

Last week ….. my calendar was very full. As I contemplated the days to come ….. I began to feel overwhelmed but each event was out of my control. I prayed for strength and help ….. and the week turned out to be nowhere near as demanding as I had thought. So much of our stress comes from the anticipation rather than the actual! We are complex creatures! Spirit ….. Soul ….. and Body! The three work in conjunction and affect one another. Many physical illnesses are a result of our mental processing. But it’s also true that much mental disease is a result of our spiritual health. When God is at the centre ….. everything else will take its rightful place. Who you worship will determine how you think ….. and what you believe will determine how you treat your body! My prayer for you today is:

‘Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.’ 3 John 1:2

Sue’s Views

With more and more people being exposed to Omicron ….. many are having to discover a whole new way of living. Isolation is so foreign to most of us. Some are better than others at being in their own company! But knowing there are others in the same situation should help combat the loneliness. Take the opportunity to rest! For those who have families to look after ….. I pray God will provide the peace and protection of your household. Remember ….. this too shall pass!

‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18