My 15th blog

The Good Friday Journey: Dying to Self, Rising in Faith

 

For me, Good Friday isn’t just a marked occasion or a date on the calendar—it’s a daily journey. Each day, I wrestle with uncertainty, yearning to understand God's will and surrender to His divine plan. In that surrender—through the struggle—I uncover the heart of Good Friday: a call to trust, to sacrifice, to walk the path He has set before me, and ultimately, to learn what it means to die to myself.

 

Looking back, I see the weight of my choices. Twenty-five years ago, I turned away from God's voice, choosing my own path—a path that ultimately led to the unraveling of my past relationship. Pride clouded my vision, and humility was a virtue I struggled to embrace. There were moments when I was hurt, misjudged, and criticized. I let my sensitivity take over, especially in my relationships with friends. But instead of responding with grace, I fought back—like a fierce tiger, unwilling to yield, guarding my pride at all costs.Perhaps dying to myself was never the real challenge. Perhaps the hardest part was letting go of the person I thought I had to be.


They say, "As you make your bed, so must you lie." And I did. I bore the consequences of my choices, a price that came with deep pain. Even now, as I have learned to accept my reality, I still wrestle with uncertainty, struggling to see the shape of the future that lies ahead. But Good Friday reminds me that surrender isn’t about loss—it’s about transformation.

 

Good Friday is not the end—the resurrection assures me that new life follows surrender. Dying to self is not just for one sacred day—it is a lifelong journey. There’s a call to embrace humility, faith, and renewal in my everyday life. The question is, what is one thing I need to surrender to God today?

 

What about you? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
1st blog Rediscovering Beth:   From Legal Notes to Baker's and Traveler's Notes   About Me Hello and welcome! My name is Carlyn, but most people know me as Beth—a paralegal, online English instructor, corporate secretary, and passionate baker. Life has taken me through winding roads, and I’ve emerged not only as a breast cancer survivor, but also as a woman embracing change, purpose, and creativity. Today, I step into a new role: a budding blogger. Creating this blog is my way of sharing my story and connecting with others who are navigating their own turning points. It’s a space where I reflect, encourage, and grow—alongside you. 🌿 My Journey Life hasn’t always been easy. My civil annulment in 2018 and church annulment in 2021 were two of the most challenging—and ultimately liberating—experiences of my life. Those years taught me the power of self-reinvention, and they led me back to the things that bring me peace and purpose. In rediscovering who I am, I’ve fou...
Read more
Image
2nd blog From Vows to Verdict:  A Walk Through the Civil Annulment Process It all started on a fateful day in October 2000, when I walked down the aisle with dreams of a blissful future. But life, in its unpredictable ways, had other plans. Out of respect for my ex-husband, who cannot respond to this blog, I won’t delve into the specific reasons behind my decision to file for annulment. Despite the heartaches and tears, I refuse to see those 18 years as wasted. Every trial was a test of faith, courage, perseverance, and self-love. Over time, I gathered the fragments of my shattered dreams and carved out a new direction. All is not lost; I have emerged stronger—and ready to begin again. Right after our marriage, my relationship with my husband became turbulent and rocky. Almost every day, we found ourselves embroiled in arguments. If my memory serves me right, it wasn't until 2016—sixteen years after our wedding—that I finally decided to file for civil annulment. For the longest tim...
Read more
Image
My 17th blog: A Whisk and a Wish: My Journey in a TESDA-accredited Baking Class After the Holy Week, I decided to take a short break from blogging to embark on a new adventure—a TESDA-accredited baking class. Looking back, I can confidently say it was worth every moment. Why, you ask? They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too, but this experience proved otherwise. It’s a win-win—I’m picking up invaluable tricks from our outstanding chef, Ms. Gee, to refine my baking skills, all without spending a single cent (or perhaps just a minimal amount). What’s not to love?  As someone who thrives in solitary pursuits, I initially approached this baking class as a practical stepping stone—a straightforward opportunity to learn, grow, and master the art of baking, all while minimizing the need for interaction. Working closely with others was not something I anticipated with enthusiasm, especially given my tendency to struggle under close supervision. Yet, as the days passed, this class ...
Read more