Hi Steem-ians,

I am trying to write as fast as I can without using the Most Dangerous App as I have to quickly run off and resume work When inspiration comes, you got to write it down. I didn’t want to leave it till the end of the day in case I forgot.

Procrastination sometimes will lead to Dory’s memory loss (like @elizacheng likes to quote it haha)

So today I just want to write it down as a testimony and encouragement to those who had a very hard time wondering their tough journey in life especially as a Christian; a born-again believer more so!

I do not know how many times I have quoted this scripture (ever since my pastor prophesied over me):

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

But it is true, when you know you are instructed deep in your heart, in your gut you are to follow His instructions but yet you keep seeing road blocks or you feel isolated, you are like...

WTH !

(What the heck? #$%^&*$@#$^)

... most of the time in your heart, your soul.

You see others enjoy their life as if they surf through life without a glitch, or you used to enjoy that very same life and now you are called out to something totally uncomfortable; and you felt you are imprisoned from being free.

Why?

 
Because a little off 2 years ago God convicted my heart that I MUST be debt free.

I wanted to be debt free but half of the time I slide back into spending because of sales or just enjoying a good time with friends.

But during that moment, through one of the sermons I heard, in my spirit I know I didn’t want to have anything to do with owing the bank too much unnecessary money (through credit card or hire purchase) anymore.

It was hard, to listen (from your heart) His instructions; and then be totally isolated, ridiculed being anti-social and gossiped about me by the people I trust (in or outside church).

Many times I want to give up and just run back to the flow of crowd.

But I held on.

I remember when I first became a Christian, the first verse that was blessed upon me by my fellow sister in Christ and fellow cell member was:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

That kept me going on whenever I keep encountering mockery by others on how I chose to live my life.

And now, fast forward to this day:

I received my CCRIS (Central Credit Reference Information System) report to check whether I am clear to apply mortgage loan, and this is my result

Every single result is 0 (best result) and there is no outstanding banking summons at my end.
(before that, there were some “scratches” in previous years)

I have a totally clean record that is superb for me to apply mortgage (and other important applications)

Basically, the Central bank of Malaysia is super happy with my result.

Even my mortgage consultant was super happy and surprised.

I guess not many people these days could keep a 2 years strict discipline record.
Even though I have not started shopping for a housing loan, but this already represent half the battle won (to apply for a housing loan)

So right now, I need to get ready for a 3.5% earnest (non-refundable) deposit before I could actually start applying for the loan for the place I can finally call my own.

All the pain going through 2 years of discipline paid off to lead me to the need of acquiring my own place to house me and my parents.

 
So what’s the “lesson of the day” I have learned?

• Sometimes, flowing with the crowd may not always be the best thing in your life, especially when you know you are pretty much wasting your life with it.

• You don’t need a Starbucks daily when you can do good with your own little cheap coffee machine at home.

• You don’t need to chase after the latest tech / fashion for the hype of it.

• Fast food or eating luxuriously at a restaurant daily is not necessary, and home cooked food is sometimes healthier than outside food.

• Weekly over the top expenses with friends are not necessary. If they think you are anti-social just because you want to save up a bit and refuse to eat something expensive with them to share the experience together weekly, you should really re-value your friendship with that person.

Last but not least,

- God will always provide

 
And all these painful restrictions, with God’s wisdom and instruction, even with occasionally extra expenses to help home and to repair my car, still enable me to save up some and be ready for this greater task at hand in my life.

So if you are going through a hard time right now (especially getting out of the toxic consumerism lifestyle), you might be in for a GREATER treat in the months (or years) to come!

And to end this with a bit of a different notch on how one sees a restriction as if it is a crisis here is something I just saw @kokuryo shared in our discord as a great reminder:

Every crisis is an opportunity

 
I hope you have enjoyed reading this sharing as much as I have enjoyed preparing them.

Thank You for Your Time

Please click on the logo to read why I have this project of 1000 SBD at the first place.