Building Resilience Weekly Newsletter Theme: When Life is Hard, God is Near

A Christmas Reflection: Hope, Faith, and Redemption

As we approach Christmas and celebrate the Nativity of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, I’ve taken time for profound reflection.

This season marks the second year I have the blessing to celebrate Christmas reunited with my family after five long years of captivity.

It is a moment filled with gratitude and faith, but I know this time of year can also bring challenges.

For many, the weight of struggles can feel heavier during this season, and the pressures of life can lead to feelings of anxiety or even depression.

That’s why I want to share a message of hope, faith, and redemption with all of you.

The celebration of Christ’s birth reminds us of the infinite mercy of God and His power to bring light to the darkest moments of our lives.

My prayer is that the blessings of this holy season and the presence of the Holy Spirit fill your heart, bringing you peace and strength to overcome whatever you may be facing.

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1. Reflection: Life is Hard, But God is Near

At the height of my career, I thought I had it all. But on November 21, 2017, my life changed forever. A routine business trip to Caracas, Venezuela, became a nightmare of wrongful imprisonment. Along with my colleagues, I was held hostage for nearly five years, accused of crimes I didn’t commit.

During those dark years, I discovered a powerful truth: Life is hard, but God is near. When everything seemed lost, my faith sustained me. Even in moments of despair, God’s presence gave me the strength to endure and the hope to believe in a brighter future.

2. 5 Ways to Build Resilience in the Face of Adversity

1. Anchor Yourself in Faith: Let your relationship with God be your foundation. Prayer and trust in Him can carry you through the toughest times.
2. Focus on Hope: Choose to believe that better days are ahead. Hope is a light that shines even in the darkest moments.
3. Lean on Love: My wife’s unwavering love and faith were my lifeline during captivity. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you.
4. Find Meaning in Struggles: Remember that every challenge has a purpose. Look for the lessons and growth opportunities in your hardships.
5. Share Your Story: Use your experiences to inspire and support others. Your journey can become a beacon of hope for someone else.

3. Case Study: Letters of Love in Captivity

During my years in prison, my wife and I exchanged over 1,000 smuggled letters. These letters became a symbol of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable bond of faith and love. They reminded me that no matter how hard life gets, we are never alone.

4. Authority Figure: The Nativity of Christ

The Nativity reminds us that even in humble and difficult beginnings, there is great hope. Jesus Christ’s birth brought light into a world of darkness, showing us that God is always near, especially in our hardest moments.

5. Conclusion

This Christmas, as you reflect on your own journey, remember: God is near. No matter the struggles you face, His mercy, love, and grace are endless. Lean into faith, embrace hope, and allow the spirit of the Nativity to renew your strength and resilience.

Call to Action

I invite you to read my memoir, From Hero to Villain: My True Story of the Citgo 6, and join me in spreading a message of faith, hope, and redemption. Let my story inspire you to overcome your challenges and find purpose in life’s trials.

Get Your Copy Here

Amazon link to buy "From Hero to Villain"

Join us this Monday for a special holiday conversation in the LinkedIn Audio Room and Facebook Live Talk Show via HOD Radio Word Network.

Link to this Monday December 23th at 8 am CT Live Linkedin Show

Together, we’ll explore how the blessings of Christmas can renew our strength and resilience.

Warm regards,

Jose Pereira

Leadership & Resilience Coach

CEO, joseconnect.com LLC

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About Jose Pereira

Jose Pereira, a former oil company executive with thirty-five years of experience and the former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, was unjustly detained and held captive in Venezuela as a member of the CITGO6, a group of six Americans employed by Citgo.

His wrongful captivity, based solely on his American nationality, lasted for 1,775 days, from November 21, 2017, to October 1, 2022.

Since returning from his five-year detention, Pereira has reconnected with his family and written his memoir. He stands up for Americans unlawfully detained overseas and strives to modify US laws concerning these crimes.

Pereira continues to leverage his experiences living and working in multiple countries to engender compassion in individuals of all ethnicities and across all cultural and political considerations to bring hostages home.

He empowers others to make positive changes in the world as he works to re-acclimate to society and is passionate about joining his voice with others intent on raising awareness.

WEB PAGE

www.joseconnect.com

SPEAKING AND COACHING PAGE:

linktr.ee/jose_angel_pereira

https://www.youtube.com/@JosePereira-nz4ps/videos

BOOK PAGE

Pereira's book "From hero to Villain"

book webpage

It is a riveting account of the events leading up to and during the imprisonment of the CITGO6. Notably, during most of his detainment, Pereira and his wife engaged in a death-defying act reminiscent of Anne Frank secreting her diary from the Nazis. They smuggled letters to each other, which boosted his morale to keep living another day and inspired this book upon release. These carefully written words served as a vital resource for Pereira in outlining his memoir. The determination and bravery embodied by him and his wife in preserving these letters under such punishing duress add a remarkable layer of depth to Pereira’s story.

When you read his accounts, you are there with him in the gritty cell, enduring the agony of fellow prisoners, then finally rejoicing when he hears the news he is going home.

Pereira’s story has since evolved into a movement: changing the narrative of what it takes to bring the wrongfully detained home. This is a work unlike any other. The advent of critical change is making a difference not only in the lives of prisoners; it is transforming global politics around these cases. Sometimes, it is the quietest voice that influences and alters our trajectory. Also in the works: a guidebook providing recommendations to returning detainees to enable their successful reintegration into society—the only publication of its kind.

if you want to know more about of the book, go book web page here

:FROM HERO TO VILLAIN-THE TRUE STORY OF THE CITGO6

NEVER GIVE UP!!! NEVER LOSE FAITH!!!

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