What Doesn't Kill You Only Makes You Stronger

Have you ever encouraged your child to play ball against his older, more skilled brother to help make him a better player? Or maybe you remember as a kid playing pick-up games at the neighborhood playground with some players whose skills were more developed than yours. You knew the purpose was to make yourself better by giving you tougher competition. Yet many of us have failed to translate that into our adult lives.

If you get a new coworker who outperforms you, do you get frustrated and discouraged? Or maybe your company's competitor comes out with a new product or service that you feel puts your company to shame. Do you feel defeated? In these tough economic times, perhaps your spouse was laid off and you were forced to cut your budget and watch your spending... maybe even get rid of some luxury items.

You could easily view any of these as setbacks, or you can welcome them as challenges that only serve to make you better. If that coworker outperforms you, step up your game. Evaluate your current standards, and then work hard to improve them. When your company's competition trumps what you offer, put on your thinking cap and come up with something new and unique to entice your customers. When money troubles arise, learn to appreciate the finer things in life and to do more with less.

Throughout the Bible, God tells us to not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 proclaims, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” In Joshua 1:9 we are told, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

For further reading, check out:
Deuteronomy 1:20-22
Deuteronomy 31:7-9
Joshua 1:8-10
Joshua 10:24-26
1 Chronicles 22:12-14
1 Chronicles 28:19-21
2 Chronicles 20:14-18

Overcoming Roadblocks

In the book of Genesis, Jacob sought the approval of his brother, Esau. Determined to earn his praise, Jacob gathered a host of gifts for Esau, and he set them on the path before him en route to his brother. After hearing that Esau was on his way with 400 men, Jacob was scared. He divided his men and livestock into two camps. At night, he ushered his wives, maidservants and children across the brook to safety, but he remained behind. A man wrestled with him all night. Jacob did not give up because he wanted to earn the man's blessing. By daybreak, the man was tired of wrestling with Jacob, so he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint. He asked Jacob to just let him go. Jacob continued to wrestle, determined to not let the man go until he had blessed him. The man asked him his name, and when he responded with, "Jacob," the man claimed, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler); you've wrestled with God and you've come through." And he blessed Jacob.

Even after a painful injury, Jacob was so determined to earn the man's blessing that he persevered until he achieved it. His determination was rewarded. God says that He will "fight this battle for you" (2 Chronicles 20:15) and "equip you with divine power" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Roadblocks are bound to happen. Often times, they will pop up when you least expect them. Regardless of what you are struggling with right now, if you will put your faith in God, He will "be your power in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). He can turn mountains into molehills, and He will do it if you are following His plan and guidance. Nothing is too difficult to overcome when you have Him by your side.

Motivation of the Day

"Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you."

~Denis Waitley