Hazel

I cannot believe it. Up to now, it still feels like a dream. Hazel, my dear friend, who leads us to a faithful discipleship of the Lord had experienced a major setback in life. And it's even more painful because I witnessed everything. Tears just keep pouring down my cheeks, that I don't think I could ever get well. But then again, I know there's always a shoulder that I can cry on, that is of course, The Lord.

Hazel lost a huge amount of money. Something that she had worked really hard for, but which disappeared in an instant. A result of carelessness, it could be. A result of failing to see and think right, probably. So many reasons that in a godless perspective, could have resulted to an outright renouncement of faith.

Though something terribly wrong happened to Hazel, it did not shaken her trust in God's authority. It shouldn't.

I remember when my visa application was denied, I asked for her spiritual advice because I was too burdened by the fact that I know I did my best for the application, yet I got rejected. What she said afterward really created a huge impact on me. Hazel made me understand that faith in God is not just about learning to accept blessings from Him, but accepting even trials, problems, setbacks. For He can never test our faith by just giving us wonderful things. The state of the heart will be tested in times of crisis. This, I guess is a test on Hazel's trust in the Lord. Wonderfully, she has passed God's test though in all honesty, she's still struggling to fully understand God's reason for such misfortune.

I've always admired Hazel. Her faith is unequaled. And now, I admire her even more because despite everything that happened, she is able to think clearly. How many people can see light in darkness? She could have blamed anyone and everyone but she chose not to...Though it pains her, she humbled herself even more and surrendered all her problems to the Lord.

But I still believe that despite everything, Hazel is still blessed. She has friends who would give their life to her if she only asked them to. The girl possesses a strong spirit that cannot be broken easily. A defeat is not necessarily a downfall, but a way for her to move up, to soar higher.

That's the Hazel that I know. That is why I admire her. I wouldn't be the person that I am now (though I still struggle to be good) if it wasn't because of her. I know she can overcome all these and still carry on a humble and compassionate heart.

I pray that tonight, she finds peace in her heart. That the Lord will comfort her and make her feel even more loved. I'm sure that would be easy...knowing how pure her heart is.

Hazel will triumph over any obstacles because God is good and just. He will never give us a problem He knows we can never overcome.