Sensitive Issues

For once in a very long time, I thought I might as well make a serious post regarding a couple of issues:

• Memory loss
  With age comes this problem. It takes a toll on working adults like me and it is torturous to remember a gazillion usernames and passwords, the names of all the people I work with, important knowledge and facts, etc. On the bright side, people like me tend to be happier and more forgiving because we forget the anger and hurts more easily. As the saying goes, "ignorance is bliss". To the people who harbour revenge and hurts for a long time, let me remind you that it is unhealthy for your mind, especially if you are up against forgetful people, because the only one who suffers from your unforgiveness is you, not the happy person who doesn't even remember what he or she did to anger you. Bottle all that rage up over some time and you're bound to "snap", perhaps even going to extent of breaking the law. Learn to forgive and let go. Move on.
  
  
• Freedom of speech
  Where I come from, we are generally not entitled to free speech unless we support the vision or mission statements of the government or important ministries or organisations linked to the government. We can't make our views heard unless we are willing to lose our careers, financial assets and homes or unless we hold a significant market share to influence the local economy. So what you can do to air your opinions somewhat safely is through these methods:
  - Be vague. Do not name them. No one can accuse or sue you of pointing them out if they do not know who you are talking about. The intended recipients would get the hint. Unintended recipients may probably feel guilty if they have ever offended you in such a way and change their actions next time.
  - Code your message. Express your opinion creatively through art, poetry, music, stories, videos, drama, etc. It not only gets your creative juices going, but it is a beautiful and classy way of letting your anger out yet wow people with it. Think "Gangnam style".
  
  
• Gun laws
  
  I live in a country where citizens are disarmed and I am grateful for that. In all my childhood years, I have not worried about whether someone would forcefully enter a place with a gun, neither have I seen nor experienced such horror. To the people who think that they need the right to be armed, I say this: guns only have one purpose - to take a life. It is wrong to kill. Period.
  
  Having possession of a weapon like that is a double-edged sword. It is a safety risk to the children. Anyone can use it even if there's a safety on. Then again, a James Bond/MacGyver/Chuck Norris could break in and turn your own weapon against you.
  
  Next, a gun can't protect you against natural disasters or a giant atomic bomb.
  
  The shooter does not benefit from pulling the trigger. The shooter gets the guilt and faces judgment from God, traumatises his or her family with the experience, the victim gets injured or dies and possibly finds peace earlier.
  
  To the Christians, I ask, what would Jesus do? Grab a gun? He would probably have said, "Father, forgive him/her, he/she knows not what he/she does" and died for him/her anyway.
  
  Have faith, dear siblings in Christ, have faith in Christ, the Lord God Almighty, who has the power to calm storms, heal the sick and perform miracles without a gun. His Word is our mighty sword.
  
  
  Hebrews 4:11-13 (NKJV)
  The Word Discovers Our Condition
  
  11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
  
  
  2 Timothy 3:10-12 (NKJV)
  The Man of God and the Word of God
  
  10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
  
  
  2 Thessalonians 1 (NKJV)
  Greeting
  
  1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
  
  To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
  
  2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  
  God’s Final Judgment and Glory
  
  3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,[a] because our testimony among you was believed.
  
  11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.