There are greater dreams, greater happiness and greater victories ahead
Awhile back, I heard a fictional story about a woman who had ongoing problems. One thing after the other had gone wrong in her life; and with everything she had experienced, she turned bitter, and lost her faith, her hopes, and dreams.
One day, she felt the need to talk to someone about her past struggles. So, she made an appointment with a wise sage whom she trusted. In the meeting, her despair over her problems tumbled out and for over an hour, she explained her adverse circumstances, and told how she just couldn’t get past the unfairness of it all.
After listening carefully to her plight and nodding sympathetically, the wise sage shifted in his seat and then reached for a large brown paper bag with a handle, and handed it to the woman.
Quite surprised, she shrugged her shoulders and asked, “What is in the bag?” The sage replied, “It is a bag full of packets of seeds.” The woman questioned, “What do you want me to do with these packets?”
Next, the wise counselor instructed, “I’d like you to go around your neighborhood and town, converse with your fellow citizens, and give a packet of seeds to every person that you talk to who has ‘no’ problems.”
The woman followed his instructions and a few weeks later, she returned to the sage’s office. Holding the brown paper bag full of seeds, she told the wise sage that she did not give away a single packet. “Every person that I spoke to had some sort of difficulty,” she said, softly. Moreover, she learned that problems come into all of our lives. And although the trials we face are never easy, they can build within us a stronger faith, develop our character and allow us to have more compassion for others, thus, helping them in times of need.
Are you struggling through a problem and grasping for answers? How should you act in response to what you are facing? Respond with faith, for God is at work in your life, even when you may not recognize it or understand it.
In the Old Testament, it tells that Joseph did not understand why his brothers mistreated him or what was happening when he was imprisoned unjustly. Yet, Joseph trusted God and responded with steadfast faith. And in time, God’s purpose became clear, and Joseph was brought into view with the victory. “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7). In this Bible story, what first appeared to be a huge problem was actually God positioning to advance Joseph on to something far greater.
You may be experiencing problems today, but remember, you control the doorway of your mind. For example, when I get into my car, I lock the door before I drive to my destination. In the same way, before you start your day, lock the doors of your mind, so you’ll have no room for worry, regrets or discouragement. Rather than replaying negative thoughts over and over again and listening to self-dialog that might say, “I can’t achieve my goals,” “This problem is going to defeat me,” and “It is not going to work out,” conversely, stand strong and utter, “I am not going to let one or even a series of problems or setbacks, steal my God-given destiny,” “Wonderful things are going to happen to me today,” and “I am grateful for everything that is good and right in my life.” Then, make up your mind to turn your attention on God and all the possibilities He has for your future.
God’s plans for you are for good. So each morning, embrace the attitude that believes, “This problem is not going to stop me; it is going to advance me,” “My situation may look impossible, yet God will cause me to triumph over it,” “I may have spent years in this adverse circumstance, but God is restoring the years that were stolen.” “My hands may be tied with this problem, however, God’s hands are not tied and a solution is on its way.”
Recently, a friend of mine called me and began to describe all the problems she has been up against. After listening to her dilemmas, I told her that I read in four places in the Bible, where Jesus fed the multitudes. “But, here is the key,” I said, “before He could multiply the five loaves and two fishes to feed over five thousand people, the food had to be placed in His Hands.”
Even now, that is what we need to do. Let’s place our problems and concerns in His mighty Hands. We must not let the challenges of life get us down. All that we’ve gone through in the past is preparation for the good that God is going to help us to accomplish in our future. God wants to do so much more for us. And as we trust in His plan and purposes, He will guide and lead us to new joys and unprecedented opportunities.
There are greater dreams, greater happiness and greater victories ahead. Therefore, be on the look-out, for one day soon, God’s blessings will ‘hunt you down and overtake you.’ (Deuteronomy 28:2)
And you will live blessed every day!