5 Verses that Have Inspired Me

I am not one to "flaunt" my religion like most people. It's not something that I really think about unless it happens to come up in conversation. Yes, when it comes to my dating life, I find it important for me and my significant other to understand each other's belief system and to not put down the other and come to some sort of understanding. I have an interest in both Christianity and Paganism, so I don't "follow" just one religion but for the sake of this article I am going to talk about a few Bible verses that have inspired me and that I have stood by for several years.

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

This verse has helped me so much over the last few years, I always think about this verse when I feel like I can't do something. When I went to Grenada for my first mission trip, I was afraid because I had never been away from my family for more than 3 days. So I felt so alone and that I couldn't do it. So as I prayed, God kept giving me this verse to lean on. So ever since then, when I'm going through something, I think about this verse.

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Now, this is a verse that everybody knows and it seems so cliché, yet it is the most misunderstood bible verse out there. As kids, this verse was pounded into our heads but we never REALLY think about the meaning of it. I say this is the most misunderstood because people skip past "For God so loved THE WORLD." Not just "Christians" but THE WORLD. God gave his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON to save THE WORLD. It really confuses me when people are out on the street corner doing a protest with signs saying "God hates Homo's" or anything hateful that says "God" hates someone or something. When in fact, God LOVES EVERYONE, it's the sin God hates, not the person. There is a big difference. In my mind, this verse proves that God loves EVERYONE, no matter what sin they have committed. Nobody is perfect.

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." Take Courage.

This verse I find most difficult to stand by sometimes because like most people, I want to fit it but I have to force myself to think about what is important to me and what I think is right. This verse constantly reminds me of what I believe and what I stand by.

1 John 4:18"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casted out fear ..."

I don't think that this verse really needs an explanation. God is love and when someone truly loves you, there is no fear in the relationship. Unlike in an abusive relationship, the abusive person SAYS they love you, but the person continues to hurt you. Is that really loved?

Psalm 34:18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

No matter how hurt you are, God is always going to be by your side to comfort you. Even if you think "Oh God is too busy to comfort me," you're wrong. God is bigger than our little brains can fathom and he can comfort you day and night, no matter what. He is always there for you. If it wasn't for God, I wouldn't have been able to get through some of the trials that I have faced in the past.