Ourthing: For Love’s Sake

Hey friends,

This season gently calls us back to remembrance. To the moment God chose nearness.

Every time I sit with the story of Christ’s birth, I am undone by the humility of it all. That Jesus, fully God, agreed to enter humanity at its smallest point. From zygote to embryo.
From womb to baby. Limited. Dependent. Held.

He was born into conditions that made no sense for a King. A manger. A borrowed space. A childhood lived under threat. He grew, learned, waited, endured.

And knowing the end of the story, He still chose the Cross.
All of it. For love. For YOU.

As we remember His birth, may we not stop at the manger.
May we remember the love that carried Him from heaven to earth and from earth to the Cross.
And because of His finished work on the Cross, we now boldly come into relationship with our Father.
No fear. No veil. No distance. Just love.

What a gift. What a love.

Merry Christmas from itsOurthing.

Jesus still remains the reason for the season.

Scripture References
John 3:16
John 1:14
Philippians 2:6–8
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 4:16

Ourthing: The Bigger Teddy Bear

On my way to watch a play recently, I took a bottle of water with me just in case I got thirsty.

Halfway through the ride, we got stuck under a traffic light. The Uber driver mentioned he wanted to buy water, but before he could, the light turned green and we had to move.

That’s when a small battle began inside me. Should I offer him my water and stay thirsty until I got back home from the production, or should I just keep it?

The Holy Spirit was on my case for a solid three minutes.
Eventually, I gave in and offered him my bottle, secretly hoping he would reject it because it wasn’t cold.
But he gladly accepted it and thanked me. I was a little bummed.

When I got to the amphitheatre, I was greeted with bottles of water for free. And for some reason, everyone kept asking if I needed more water even after I had already taken one.

It was a sweet trust moment for me.
I actually felt warm inside, like a hug.

It reminded me of that picture on social media where Jesus is asking a little girl to give Him her small teddy bear while He is holding a much much bigger one behind His back.

I realised that if I had not given my water away, I would have missed out on the free gift of water God had already prepared for me.

Most times we wrestle with obedience and listening to the Holy Spirit because we do not trust enough that His plans for us are far better than our own.

God has big things for us and He only asks that we trust Him with the little we have even when it feels like so much to let go of.

He always has a much bigger teddy bear waiting behind His back if only we will trust Him.

I am learning to trust Him daily and truly knowing Him comes from spending time with Him in His Word.

I hope this encourages you to spend time with Him too and to trust Him at His Word.
He always has much more to offer when you trust Him.

With love,
Jaziel 💜

Scriptures to Consider

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Isaiah 55:8–9 (NIV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Ourthing: Drink Water, Think About Jesus, and Sleep

Growing up, I used to have these silly little headaches. I’m not sure why, but after school, almost every day in primary school, I’d come home and pop a paracetamol like it was part of my after-school snack. Eventually, my mom noticed and to be honest, I think I had become slightly addicted. Sometimes, I’d take it just in case the headache would come. Preventative vibes😅

My mother being my mother, promptly confiscated every single paracetamol in the house. From that day, her prescription changed:
“Drink water, think about Jesus and sleep. It will go.”

At first, I thought it was punishment. But that phrase became her anthem every time I complained of a headache. Sometimes she’d say,
“Forget about it. Don’t think about it. You’ll be fine.”
Or
“Think about Jesus.”

This used to really annoy me. I remember once as a teenager I said to her, “You don’t care about me. Every time I complain, you just say drink water and sleep or stop thinking about it. Think about Jesus.”
Mama, I am sorry Okk 😅

Don’t get me wrong, if I was seriously unwell, we went to the hospital. And it turns out a lot of those headaches were from eye strain. I used to break my glasses a lot. A story for another day 🤭

But here’s why I’m telling you this.

That phrase — drink water, think about Jesus and sleep — stuck with me. And even though I didn’t like it, it worked. Maybe not instantly, but eventually. Whenever I shifted my focus to something else, especially Jesus, the headache would ease up.

Years later, I was in church when my pastor shared a scripture from Romans 4:19 to 21. He talked about how Abraham, though his body was basically as good as dead, did not consider it. Instead, he held on to God’s promise.

And I had this aha moment.
That’s what my mother had been saying all along.

Here’s the thing. When we’re going through something, pain, confusion, heartbreak, disappointment, it’s so easy to be consumed by it. It becomes all we think about. It starts to define our days and occupy our thoughts. And without even realizing it, we push Jesus to the very back.

But the more we focus on the problem, the bigger it becomes. That’s the enemy’s playground. He’ll magnify it until it feels like the only thing in your life. But the truth is, God is infinitely bigger than whatever issue you’re facing. And He’s still doing other amazing things in your life. You just might not see them because your gaze is fixed elsewhere.

So maybe today’s reminder is simple.
Take your eyes off the headache.
Whatever that headache is for you — emotional, spiritual, physical — shift your focus.
Look to Jesus.

Forget the shame, the pain, the weight.
Forget what didn’t work out.
Forget the fear, the sin, the endless what-ifs.

Let your gaze be on Him and Him alone and watch everything else lose its grip.

“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Consider Not the issue.
Consider Him.
His promise.
His faithfulness.
His love.
His word that cannot lie.

With love,
Jaziel 💜

Scriptures to Consider

Romans 4:19–21
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your burdens on him because he cares for you.”

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Hebrews 12:1–2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Philippians 4:6–7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Ourthing: God, Fried Rice, and other Trust Matters

A lesson on trust

Hey friends,
I know you haven’t heard from me in like 2 months. Don’t worry—I miss you too. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to write… it’s just that I’ve been learning. A lot. And sometimes when you’re learning, you don’t even know what to say yet, you know?

But anyway, let me share something I’ve been learning:


GOD CAN BE TRUSTED.

Yep, that’s the lesson.

And before you scroll past thinking, “Yeah, yeah, we know that,” pause.

You might remember—somewhere around November 2024 or maybe the start of the year (honestly, time is a blur)—I shared how I thought God lied to me. Yeah. That. I remember saying it and feeling so conflicted. And if you’ve followed me for a while, you know how that season went.
But looking back now, I realise one reason I didn’t trust Him was simply this:
I didn’t really believe He could be trusted.

I know that sounds wild. But hear me out.
Trust doesn’t just fall from the sky. It’s built. It’s gained. And it’s gained when you know someone—like really know them. Their ways. Their voice. Their character. Their silence.

Growing up, I believed anything my parents said. Especially my dad. If I asked him for Fried Rice (yes, capital F capital R), I believed he’d bring it. And he always did.
I didn’t care whether he had money or not—my child brain didn’t factor in budgets or bank accounts. All I knew was:
This is my father. He said he would. So he will.
Because he had done it before. Tried and tested. Fried Rice was my proof of trustworthiness.

Now I know this sounds like a whole Fried Rice sermon, but stay with me.

The point is, trust is easier when someone has a track record.
And guess what?
God has a track record.
The only reason I know this now is because I’m learning to look for it—in His Word.

The Bible isn’t just a book with hard-to-pronounce names and rules. It’s a record. A storybook of flawed human beings who lived on this same broken earth—and how God came through for them, over and over again.

Noah.
Abraham.
Hagar.

Hannah.
David.
Ruth.
Mary.
Peter.
Paul.
You.
Me.

Story after story. Page after page.
Tried and tested.

And just like how I knew I could trust my dad to bring Fried Rice because I knew him, I’m learning that I can trust God because I’m getting to know Him more deeply. And when you know someone, really know them, you start to trust not just what they do, but who they are.

And God?
He’s good.
He’s kind.
He’s faithful.
He’s consistent.
And—He’s trustworthy.

Maybe you’re in a season where trusting God feels hard. Maybe you’ve been waiting so long, it’s easier to believe He forgot. Or maybe, like me, you’re just beginning to really learn who He is again.
Wherever you are, let me remind you:
You can trust Him.

Because He’s not just good when it’s easy. He’s not just faithful when it’s fast.
He’s faithful. Period.
Tried. Tested. Trustworthy.

And if you need a reminder, think about Fried Rice. 😂
If an earthly father can be trusted to deliver lunch,
How much more… your Heavenly Father?

With love,
Jaziel 💜

Scriptures to Hold On To:

• “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”
— Psalm 145:13b (NIV)


•“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
— Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)


• “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
— Numbers 23:19 (NIV)


• “Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
— 2 Timothy 2:13 (NKJV)


• “Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
— Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

Ourthing: DO IT AFRAID

Hey friend,

Happy New Year once again! Yes, I know—it’s been a while since you heard from me. But I’m here now, and I truly hope that 2025 has started strong for you.

The new year usually starts with all the hype—resolutions, vision boards, fresh goals or even registering with the gym to get in shape.
But here we are, almost through February, and if we’re being honest, some of us are still standing in the same place we were in 2015!.

I’ve been there too—writing out all these plans and goals, feeling excited for a while, then suddenly… nothing. No action. No progress. Just vibes.

And you know one major reason why?


Fear.!
Yes, Fear.

It creeps in so subtly, especially after you set your goals. Maybe it’s the fear of failure, so you’d rather not try at all. Or —plot twist—the fear that you’ll actually succeed, and you don’t feel ready for what comes next.

Fear is a Master at keeping people stuck. It stifles growth, kills progress, and ultimately stops you from stepping into what God has already prepared for you. And let’s be clear: fear is not from God.

The enemy does not want you to move forward, so he throws fear at you to paralyze you. And sometimes, it shows up in the weirdest ways. Look at the Israelites—God did crazy miracles to deliver them from Egypt, literally split the Red Sea for them, yet when they got close to the Promised Land, they froze.

Moses sent spies to check out the land, and instead of focusing on how good it was, they focused on how small they felt. “We look like grasshoppers compared to them,” they said. Imagine that! Because of fear, they almost gave up on a land that was already theirs.

And that’s exactly what fear does. It makes you doubt what’s already yours.

But here’s the thing: this is a new year. A fresh start. And you are not about to let fear keep you stuck again. So whatever that thing is—starting the business, going back to school, serving in that ministry, applying for that job—

Do It Afraid!

Take the step. Even if your hands are shaking. Even if your voice is trembling. Even if you don’t feel ready. Just take the step.

And here’s the best part? Fear melts away in His love. The more you walk with God, the less fear has power over you.

So, here’s to 2025—a year where we refuse to be held back and we Do It Afraid.

Until the next blog, stay blessed and move!
Hugs 🤗,
Jiji

Scriptures to hold on to:

  • 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
  • Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
  • Isaiah 41:10– “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  • ⁠Numbers 13:31-33 &
    Numbers 14:1-4

Ourthing: When Words Broke the Glass

It was almost like every other day on campus. The only difference was that I was a year older.

I got a lot of text messages from my friends that morning. Even those who hadn’t reached out in ages sent their wishes. Then, I got a call: “Madam, you have a delivery waiting for you.”

Confused but intrigued, I hurried downstairs from my student hall, wondering who could have sent me something. To my surprise, it was a cake.

I asked around to find out who sent it, but no one seemed to know. With no answers, I decided to keep it until later. When my roommate came back and saw the cake, she suggested we cut it and invite a few friends over. What started as a simple gesture soon turned into a casual “drink-up” situation.

Now, I was notoriously clumsy with fragile items like glasses and plates. My roommate, knowing this, teased me relentlessly: “I know you’ll definitely break the glass.” I laughed and played along: “Yes, o! I feel it too. This glass is going to break.” We kept joking about it throughout the evening.

When the night wound down, I went to the sink to wash the dishes. That’s when it happened. I picked up the glass, and it shattered in my hand—without much effort, as if it had been waiting for that moment. My roommate didn’t believe it was an accident, but for me, it was a striking revelation: the undeniable power of words.

That day, I made a firm resolve: Words are powerful, and I must be careful what I say.

But as the years passed, life happened, and that resolve began to fade. The incident lingered in my memory, but the urgency to guard my words slipped away.

You’d think someone who had experienced such a vivid example of the power of words would go through life declaring positive truths and victories over themselves. But honestly, this remains one of my greatest struggles.

It’s easy to speak what’s obvious—what you see or feel in the moment. And let’s be real: life often serves up more negatives than positives. Speaking life into difficult situations can feel almost unnatural. Strangely, I’ve also found it easier to speak positively about others than about myself.

There have been dark moments when my mind was filled with negative thoughts—lies I knew weren’t from God but from the enemy. Instead of resisting them with the truth of God’s Word, I stayed silent. And in those moments, the lies grew louder, pulling me down.

Here’s what I’ve learned: the enemy’s power lies in his suggestions. He has no authority unless we agree with him through our thoughts or words. When we align with his lies, we empower them.

The opposite is true with God. He has already spoken good things over us—unchanging, undeniable truths. But He needs us to align with Him by speaking His Word, not just thinking it.

The Bible says in Zephaniah 3:17 that God sings over us with delight. His melody heals, soothes, and restores. But we must join His harmony by declaring His truths out loud.

The bottom line? Silence is not your ally in the battle of your mind. You must speak. The enemy’s lies may persist, but we tear them down with the truth of God’s Word.

This is a reminder to immerse yourself in God’s Word and build a relationship with Him. After all, how can you speak life if you don’t know what to say?

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Life and death both bear fruit. Choose life. Speak life.

Scripture References

  1. Proverbs 18:21
    “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
  2. Matthew 12:36-37
    “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
  3. Proverbs 15:4
    “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
  4. James 3:5-6
    “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
  5. Ephesians 4:29
    “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
  6. Zephaniah 3:17
    “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Ourthing: Did God Lie To Me?

I’ve been thinking… have you ever felt like God let you down? Like, you thought He said something would happen, but it didn’t?
That happened to me not too long ago.

During the COVID lockdown period (when some of us became very spiritual🤧), I was convinced I’d heard God’s voice.
In that moment, I remember God telling me to pray concerning the matter, but like most of us, I started.. and stopped along the line.

In that season, I had very interesting dreams supporting what I heard. A lot of people I trusted to be spiritual also confirmed it. I even told my sisters because I was so excited for this upcoming episode of my life.

But as always, things didn’t happen like I pictured it in my head (you know how wild my imaginations can be” )

“God, didn’t you tell me?”
I felt betrayed, like God had lied to me…that He broke my heart.

Fast forward mannnyyy years later (let’s say 3years 🥶), I went to church (after months of not going 🌝) and in the middle of the sermon, My Pastor said “God did not lie to you”.
How did my pastor know? I hadn’t told a soul about how I was feeling. (Because truly, how could I say with my Ghanaian Christian mouth that God lied to me😞). My heart started to race as he kept speaking, like he was somehow putting words to the things I’d been keeping to myself. With every line of the sermon, it felt like he was gently peeling back layers I didn’t realize were so visible.

I found myself tearing up—I felt truly seen by God. It was as if He was gently addressing the unbelief I’d been wrestling with all this time, letting me know it mattered to Him.

Later, I decided to re-evaluate the situation instead of just tucking it away like I usually do.

1.⁠ ⁠Did I truly “hear” God or was I desperate?
2.⁠ ⁠Did my “hearing God” align with Scripture?
3.⁠ ⁠Did the opinions of people sway my thinking?
4.⁠ ⁠Did I actively apply the word I had heard? Was I obedient?
5.⁠ ⁠Was I putting my own timelines on God’s promises?

It was hard answering these questions. After some time, it hit me:

1.⁠ ⁠God never lies; He’s not human that He should lie.
2.⁠ ⁠God never speaks outside of His Word. (The Bible).
3.⁠ ⁠The devil distorts God’s character. He does his best to misrepresent God to His children and vice versa.
4.⁠ ⁠Prophecies are for spiritual warfare. We can not assume that a prophecy it will automatically come to pass!

5. A day to God is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. God’s timelines are different from ours.

It hasn’t been an easy pill to swallow , but with good teachings and guidance, I have been able to grasp these truths.

I am sure most of you want to know exactly what the gist is, but that is for another day 🤣.

The bottom line is,
God doesn’t lie! He’s always True. HE IS TRUTH!

Until next time…
Stay blessed and Keep trusting!

Hugs 🤗,
Jiji

Bible Reminders

  • 2 Peter 1:19 (KJV) – God’s word is the Sure word of prophecy 
• 1 Timothy 1:18 (NKJV) – Wage war with prophecy!
  • Numbers 23:19- God is not man that He should lie!
  • ⁠ 2 Peter 3:8, (you can add vrs 9 😉)- God’s timelines.
  • ⁠Genesis 3:1-5- the devil distorts word and character
  • ⁠Revelation 12:10- the accuser of the brethren is defeated! Hallelujah!

I am back…Kind Of🙊😅

Hey friend!

Long time no talk! I know, I know, it’s been ages since I last posted on “It’s Our Thing.” Life got busy, but I’m back!

I’ve missed sharing my thoughts and experiences with you. You know how life can get crazy? But one thing remains true: with Christ, life makes sense.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share some stories from the past few years and some scriptures that have inspired me. No promises, but I’ll do my best!

Thanks for sticking around! Stay blessed, and keep trusting!

Hugs,
Jiji

Our Thing: You can count on Me

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, But we will remember and trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“You who [reverently] fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Father teach us to trust You with all our hearts. Teach our hearts to believe in all that you have in mind for us.

Keep us steady and let us not be swayed away in our faith.

We know we can Trust You because of who You are…

That’s OurThing. We can trust You.

Our Thing: I love You💜

Hey Love,

“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity];

I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Because you are precious in My sight, You are honored and I love you, I will give other men in return for you and other peoples in exchange for your life.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:1-2, 4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We are precious in His sight. HE LOVES US and that’s OurThing.