We naturally try to avoid situations or people that might cause us pain and sufferings, because by nature the human soul is destined to experience happiness and bliss.

However in this world pain and sufferings seem to be inevitable. But in reality they are a vital part of the human experience.

We must therefore acknowledge our pains, hurts, disappointment and our emotions. In doing so we must avoid asking 'why' has this happened or 'why' must I go through this? We must instead ask 'what' can I make of this? 'What is this current situation revealing about my character? What can I change within? What is this here to teach me?

The 'why's' will only invoke feelings of guilt and condemnation, the 'What's' are the stepping stones to spiritual growth and development.

We must change the way we perceive something in order to overcome it. Painful situations remind us that we are only humans and to be fully human is to fully embrace our human nature. Unless we do so we will not realize our divine nature.

This is why it is important to allow yourself to 'feel' how a particular situation has affected you. However this must be done without judging yourself or anyone else. Then it is equally important to surrender your feelings to God in Silence and let Divine Mind, justice and love be in control. Don't worry you may have to do this several times and this is perfectly ok. Then you need to seek divine guidance as to what to do next. In the meanwhile commune incessantly with God as you surrender and trust in his divine power to work all things out for good.

This spiritual practice maybe difficult at first because the tendency is to worry, doubt, and become fearful by assuming the worst possible outcome. But you must press through and make yourself be still and wait on the Lord.

Maybe you or a loved one is going through a challenging situation or are experiencing some kind of loss or sickness. Perhaps someone you have trusted and loved has caused you some disappointment, Maybe you are experiencing some kind of misfortunes or regrets.

A lot of the things that you are experiencing are the effect of the negative world system. But you must take heart for Christ Jesus has overcome the world and has taught us how you can too. Therefore let the same mind which was in Him be also in you. Christ dwells within your heart. It is your superconscious mind and your access to freedom, divine love, guidance and intelligence. It all begins in the mind.

Challenging situations are opportunities for change. Change your mind, change your world. That is where the real power resides, within you. Nothing outside of you has any real power to affect you. If you change the way you look at your current difficulties they will disappear. And like Florence Shinn says they shall go back to their native nothingness for they are from your vain imaginings.

I know that every time we experience some kind of pain, loss or suffering the tendency is to look without instead of within, which usually results in self-pity, disempowerment and sometimes depression. We often blame God or others for our own misfortunes because the false ego likes to point fingers to judge and condemn. This is the way to perdition and to experiencing more darkness. Won't you come to the light and allow its brightness to lead you to true enlightenment and happiness today and forevermore?

Remember you are in control of your world, if you let your world controls you, then it will be so. However you have the option to take charge and ownership of the direction of your life through your intentions. You can choose to instead speak to those mountains (adverse thoughts, situations or conditions) and tell them how big is your God today! You can arise above the seeming challenges. There is a way out, it has always been there within your own consciousness. The question is are you willing to change? That is the true lesson our challenges are here to teach us; an opportunity for change. Therefore be the change and take control of your life now.

In Him,

A. Danielle Dagba