We all face challenges
in life that slow us down. It is easy to despair and throw our hands up in the
air. But great rewards wait for those who learn to push through life’s problems
and overcome them.
Our attitude
towards problems, obstacles and difficulties determine how high we’re going to
rise in life. When we allow small problems to affect our day in a big way, we’re
losing grounds. Don’t let a phone call, email or traffic on the way to spoil
your day. Take it on a stride and push through the obstacles.
The other day I
had to leave town for Houston in order to get a visa for my fourteen-year old
daughter Sabrina. We’re planning to go on a missions trip to India and Nepal
end of this month. The website for the visa application kept hanging up so I
had to try for at least ten times to fill up the form. When I went to get a paper
work notarized at the bank, the lady was off duty. We had to drive to another
location. We had passport size photos for her but I couldn’t find them. She had
to take new set of photos. Before I left town, I called for an appointment but
the recording machine kept saying, “We’re
busy. Please call back later.” When I got to the visa office the
receptionist said, “Sorry you don’t have
an appointment. You cannot get a visa today sir.” I told her politely, “I tried to make an appointment but I couldn’t
get through. I want to talk to a visa officer.” She motioned me to sit at
the back of the room. Long story short, I met the visa officer and got our
paper work submitted. Everything is on schedule now. My point in telling you
this story is push through the obstacles. Several times I was tempted to give
up. I wanted to cancel my trip. I thought of going back another day. However,
pushing through the obstacles paid off.
Many times we give
up when we come to a brick wall. We think this
is not for me. We turn back at the first negative response. If we don’t learn to push through difficult
situations, we’ll not accomplish much in life. If you have a difficult boss
at work, instead of complaining about the same problem, learn to deal with a
difficult person. If you’re easily offended at people’s remarks, learn to not
be so easily offended. If you’re short in paying your monthly bills, adjust your
spending habits and be disciplined. Problems
are sure to come but how we deal with them will determine how peaceful and comfortable
lives we live.
One way to look at
problem is to realize, great oppositions only come to people with great
destiny. The size of your problem is an
indicator of the size of your destiny. In the Bible, Paul is a great
character. He wrote much of the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 11:25 Paul
starts to describe some of his struggles: “Three times I was
beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and
a day I was adrift at sea.” This
is only a small list of mishaps in Paul’s life. What I love about Apostle Paul
is his tenacity to keep preaching the Gospel in spite of struggles and
opposition. Paul knew how to push through obstacles. He not only had a wish-bone
but also a backbone to keep pushing forward.
Same intensity of Apostle Paul is seen in
many of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. We work with them
on a daily basis. They are beaten,
persecuted, imprisoned and even killed for their faith. However, they keep
moving forward with a good attitude. They’re ready to stand up and be a martyr
for Christ. We need to pray for them.
Friend, no matter what you’re facing today,
push through the obstacles. Nothing
happens to you, everything happens for you. Not even a bird falls to the
ground without the knowledge of our heavenly Father. Don’t you think God knows
what you’re facing and how to get you out of it? In the heat of the battle, don’t magnify your problem, instead, magnify
your God. Stay determined and expect God’s favor to move in your negative
situation. God is at work. Like Paul,
and my visa experience, push through some hindrances. God loves you and He cares about your needs. Be bold, be confident. God
is fighting your battles for you. Will you do your part to push through
your obstacles and stand firm in His promises? I’m praying for you and I
believe in you!
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD
delivers him out of them all”
(Psalm 34:19 ESV).
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