Skip to main content

“Faith gives us a confidence in what we cannot see so that we can accept that life is difficult.”

A thought by Kyle Idleman from his book, Don't Give Up (p. 75). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

It seems that confidence and difficulty may go together, at least in the handling of difficulties!

Kyle says, “That kind of faith gives us a perspective on our current struggles. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves now because we have confidence in what awaits. Faith understands that our best life isn’t now; our best life is yet to come. So we don’t grow weary or lose heart.”

He goes on, “Not only will we choose not to feel sorry for ourselves because of our circumstances but we will also choose to overcome our circumstances.

“Instead of feeling like a victim, we choose to use what’s happened to us as a springboard propelling us to greatness.”

Kyle says, “Sound overly optimistic? A little too Tony Robbins for you?

“It’s not. This is the power of God in your life. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:19–20 that the same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us. The power that overcame death can help us overcome our circumstances. Our confidence to overcome is not a confidence in ourselves but in the power of the Holy Spirit, who is in us.

“The truth is, life is difficult for everyone. Some choose to be defeated. Others choose to overcome. Interestingly, it’s often the people who have faced the most difficulty who succeed the most wildly.

“For instance, did you know that two-thirds of British prime ministers, at the peak of their empire, and almost a third of all US presidents lost a parent when they were children? And did you know that about a third of successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic? That could all be some wild coincidence, but I don’t think so. What would happen if you began to view your struggles as a springboard to something incredible?”

That is a really good question, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life.   It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed.   Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life.   Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you.   You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good.   Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because God is good He will use e

"Jesus comes in the midst of the torrent."

  A thought by Max Lucado from his book,  You Are Never Alone  (p. 60). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)   We all have storms in our lives, don't we? Max says, "No one gets through life scot-free. At one point or another the sky will darken, the winds will rage, and we will find ourselves in a modern-day version of the Galilean gusher." John 6:16–18 (NIV) says, "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough." Max goes on, "The hearts of the followers began to sink as their boat was certain to do. Their skin was soaked, throats hoarse, eyes wide. They searched the sky for a break in the clouds. They gripped the boat for fear of the waves. They screamed their prayers for help. But they heard nothing. "If only Jesu

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident.   In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose.   In other words you are not an accident.   I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth.   In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man.   And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ”   Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like?   Like that characteristic is a curse or something.   Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God.   Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Jesus did answer the question about the blind