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“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” – Psalm 119:71 As of January 9th, only four days after returning from rest and coming back to work, I found myself facing a situation I believed would never happen to me. In fact, a few hours before I was fired, I had just told a friend that I would never get fired because I was valuable at work – I was part of different projects, so they couldn’t let me go even if they wanted to. That’s what I thought. But God had other plans. The Slow Creep of Arrogance It wasn’t only that instance. Slowly, I had become arrogant, believing in myself instead of God. Mind you, I didn’t even get the job I had because of my skills. I started humbly as a gardener, and God lifted me and gave me my first job as a junior web developer through recommendations, without any interview. My employer was so good to me that even when things were not going well, he never let me go. Payment would come late sometimes, but he always made sure I was paid. After working for him and gaining real experience and learning practical skills, I was introduced to my next employer, who, by God’s grace, liked me on the day that we met. I told them my story – that I was self-taught, and even without a visa, they gave me an opportunity as a contractor with no interview. The first year, I was so committed. I did above and beyond, and enjoyed the growth. That continued for some time into the second year. But the second year is where entitlement kicked in. When Confidence Became Pride I believed I had become so valuable. I did not trust in God anymore but became confident in my nonexistent skill. Yes, I’m not lazy. I can build websites, create workflows, and build AI agents. I can learn anything and master it quickly with enough time. But that is all because of God’s grace, not my own skill. I became entitled and started relaxing at work. Of course, there were situations and injustices that happened in the course of the year that made me lose interest at times, yet my employer was still good to me. He liked me and always looked out for me. But deep down, I thought I was entitled to more. I was not happy with some of the projects we did as they went against my values. I know we can’t always get away from such things as Christians, but my spirit was never at peace. I started lying and taking advantage. The intentions for my lies were good, but like they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. What I Lost (And What I Found) In these past two and a half weeks that I have been unemployed, God has opened my eyes. With His mercy, He has given me help and peace and brought me back close to Him. He has made me realize what I lost—not the job. I don’t regret losing the job because I was going to quit in six months anyway, according to my plans, not God’s. Through the course of the job, especially toward the last 3-6 months, I had lost my peace. I was so frustrated. I became complacent and stopped learning, and when I’m not growing, I feel frustrated. I started living in lies. In my personal life, I was already fighting addictions partly fueled by the stress from work, and it was getting worse. At church, it was about the work of God, not about my relationship with God. My walk with God had become non-existent. I struggled to pray or fast. That is what I can think of at the moment, and I know there is more. Truly, It Was Good Through this season of affliction and reading Psalm 119, I finally understood the words of David: Truly, it was good that I have been afflicted. “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” – Psalm 119:71 I am expectant of the new season. I am proud of the person I have become in my season of affliction. I have never been depressed—not because I am strong, but because He kept me in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). He has surrounded me with loving people who stood with me in this time. He has rekindled my relationship with Him through NSPPD by Pastor Jerry Eze. Things are working out because of His favor and mercy upon my life. Again, it is good that I have been afflicted. To anyone reading this who finds themselves in a similar season: God’s grace is sufficient. His afflictions are not punishments but redirections. Trust the process, even when it hurts. Continue Reading: John TholeJohn Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations. johnthole.co.za

This is more like bulleting news, not a normal post but I thought it was a good idea to let you know about the upcoming changes and plans. Life is a journey full of ups and downs, triumphs and trials, laughter and tears. At Beyond Salvation, we’ve always strived to reflect the reality of our Christian walk – celebrating God’s grace, confronting life’s struggles, and seeking deeper freedom in Christ. Today, we’re thrilled to share a transformative update: we’re evolving from Live, Love & Learn to Laugh, Cry & Live. This new chapter is more than a name change; it’s a fresh expression of our mission to be real, raw, and relatable. It’s an invitation to journey with us, experiencing the joys and challenges of faith in a way that connects, inspires, and transforms. Why Laugh, Cry & Live? As Christians, we’re called to “weep with those who weep” and “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). Faith isn’t just about smiling through the storms or pretending everything’s perfect, it’s about embracing life in all its messy, beautiful reality. The Heart of Beyond Salvation At the core of our work is a commitment to authenticity. We don’t sugarcoat the challenges of faith or gloss over the hard questions. Instead, we share our Christian experiences—the good, the bad, and the messy. Faith is a Journey, Not a DestinationJust like Pilgrim in The Pilgrim’s Progress, we’re all on a journey. For some, it’s about overcoming addiction or grief. For others, it’s learning to trust God in uncertain times. Wherever you are, our goal is to walk alongside you, offering encouragement, biblical insights, and a reminder that you’re never alone. Real Struggles, Real VictoriesFrom personal testimonies to reflections on Scripture, we dive deep into what it means to live out faith authentically. We talk about the victories that make us shout for joy and the struggles that bring us to our knees. A Vision Beyond Words Beyond Salvation isn’t just a blog or a community—it’s a vision for the future. Our ultimate goal is to build a nonprofit organization focused on rescuing victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Inspired by Isaiah 61:1, we believe we’re called to “proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” There’s no greater mission than bringing hope, healing, and freedom to those who need it most. Through prayer, action, and faith, we’re committed to making a tangible impact in the lives of those who are bound. Every post, every story, and every interaction is a step toward this greater purpose. Join the Laugh, Cry & Live Movement We want Beyond Salvation to be more than a website—it’s a space for connection, growth, and transformation. Here’s how you can be a part of it: What’s Next? In the coming months, you’ll see new series, deeper reflections, and practical guides to living out your faith. We’ll be exploring themes like: This is a space where we can laugh together, cry together, and ultimately live out God’s purpose in each of us. Final Thoughts As we embrace Laugh, Cry & Live, we’re reminded that faith isn’t a perfect, straight path. It’s filled with twists, turns, and growth moments. But through it all, we serve a God who loves us, leads us, and brings beauty out of brokenness. Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s laugh, cry, and live out our faith with boldness and joy. A special thank you to our readers who have left comments, and reached out through our contact form. Without you dear reader, Beyond Salvation wouldn’t not be what it is today. God Bless You and Your Family. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. – 3 John 1:2(NIV) John TholeJohn Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations. johnthole.co.za