"Problems always bring opportunities, and opportunities always bring problems."

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-10-08) from his book, Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn:Life's Greatest Lessons Are Gained from Our Losses (p. 156). Center Street. Kindle Edition.

There is a reason why God gave us a brain. He gave it to be used. For some Christians the knees are all they use. Prayer is very important but so is thinking. Problems give us so many opportunities to learn and grow. They also give us the opportunity to soar.

John give a tremendous illustration of this in the way an eagle meets the challenge of turbulent winds. He says, “Turbulent winds cause the eagle to fly higher… Turbulent winds give the eagle a larger view… Turbulent winds lift the eagle above harassment... Turbulent winds allow the eagle to use less effort… Turbulent winds allow the eagle to stay up longer... Turbulent winds help the eagle to fly faster.”

Think about how you can solve the problem and how you can use it. The problem that I have had in gaining weight has gotten me to step out of the rut that I had gotten into. I have changed my way of doing things and found a better more challenging way to live my day. I had gotten away from my extended times of walking and not listening to podcasts from great speakers. I am now being challenged again. I am stretching and learning and losing and enjoying. The problem kicked me out of my rut.

My Dad had a sermon whose theme was that God sends contrary winds that blow us to His designed destination. I have remembered that and striven to live by that for over fifty years.

Those turbulent, contrary winds in your life have a purpose behind them. Use your brain and your knees to find the reason for them.

What is the reason for the problem you are facing today?

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“God does big things with small deeds.”

A thought by Max Lucado (2011-05-02) from his book, Cure for the Common Life (p. 115). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I don’t know how you feel about what you are doing and how it can make a difference. You may feel that it is so small and not even worth the effort. Max says, “Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane. “On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded. “Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive cha...

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"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

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