Perspective: the challenge of viewing difficulties as opportunity rather than opposition
Have you ever set a goal? Have you ever encountered a trial that demands your perserverence? Have you ever lost massive amounts of blood, sweat and tears, dropped to your knees and admitted defeat?
Friends, I am right there with you. I have done all three. And this is what I've come to learn: it really is all about the journey. Each negative thought is baiting you to give in and begin to believe you aren't able or capable. Battle it. And don't battle it alone - battle it with God. Because this is who my God is - mighty to save and fiercely loves his children.
I have come against enough trials to know that my God isn't about defeat. There's a reason his thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Because it conquers all. You want to be a conquereror? Look your challenge squarely in the face and defy it with God's law. When you match your free-will with God, suddenly the climb is much less treacherous and the view is so much worth the work.
A warning to you: perhaps the most deadly trap of all is thinking that once we get to the top of our mountain, the challenge is over. Wrong. That particular challenge might be over, for a time, but that was a lesson you needed to learn, wisdom you needed to acquire and charactertistics you needed to instill. The best thing about that climb? Sharing it with others. Because that's what the Body of Christ is all about - climbing hills, encouraging each other when we stumble, shouting from the mountain tops and teaming up with God to accomplish his purposes.
It's all about perspective -
Enjoy the climb.
Encourage someone.
If you're weary, admit it. Ask for help. It doesn't make you weaker. In fact, it will make you stronger. Proven.
If you're strong, give thanks. Bow in your heart and your life.
Give what you are able.
Keep going.
When you get to one top, rejoice!
Rest, reflect, and soak in your learned lesson.
Ask for more direction.
Start again.
Relish in the sweat, tears and testing of your limits. Learn what your limits are and then defy them by defying your trials in the name of Jesus.
Nothing is too big, too fierce, too intimidating or too anything for him.
And if you need some encouragement, stop back here. It is a privledge and honor to pray for you.
As you are reading this, I pray Ephesians 3:16-19 for you over this day:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Go conquer some mountains!!
