Try one more time

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison.

A while ago, I heard about a public speaker who was addressing a large audience at a business convention. The speaker began his talk by asking the group, “How many times do you think a person tries to achieve a new goal before they give up?”

One man in the audience, called out, “Ten times!”

Another person in the crowd replied, “Five.”

A few people mumbled, “Three or four times?”

The speaker shook his head from side to side and said, “The answer, on average, is just once.”

God has entrusted you with extraordinary gifts and talents with which to bless the world. You have unique abilities and the inborn strength to achieve your goals and fulfill every God-inspired dream that is in your heart. God made you for a purpose, to accomplish something great and He wants you to maximize your great potential, and move toward the divine purpose He has for your life.

Although, through the years, disappointments, mistakes and negative circumstances, perhaps, have taken their toll. Plans do not go as expect. We fall on hard times. And mounting problems seem to overtake us, until we’re pushed down and down and down, ‘til we just give up.

But, even if the odds are stacked against you, don’t abandon hope. Try again, for God is not finished with you yet. No matter how tough the terrain, shake off discouragement and step up to advancement.

I’m reminded of a parable told about a farmer who owned an old mule. One day, the mule accidently fell into the farmer’s empty well and the farmer thought the animal didn’t survive the fall. So the farmer asked a few of his neighbors to help him throw in mounds dirt, to bury the old mule right there in the unused well.

An hour later, the group began shoveling into the well heaping loads of dirt. Yet, when the dirt landed on the mule’s back, the mule woke up! The animal had survived the fall. And with each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the mule would tenaciously shake off the dirt and take a step up. The mule didn’t quit. When dirt landed on his back, he’d shake it off and take a step up.

Before long, the mule “stepped up” triumphantly over the brick wall of the well to safety. For what seemed like it would bury him, actually ended up blessing him, because the mule was tenacious in turning his problem into a stepping stone.

Likewise, if we persist, our challenges may actually be opportunities that boost us to an exciting, new-found place. So, let today be the day that you shake off everything that is trying to hold you back. Shake it off, take a step up, and go at it again!

Maybe you were rejected. Shake it off and take a step. Something better is on its way to you. “God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20.

Perhaps, someone you trusted let you down. Shake it off and take a step. God has new friendships, new relationships and new joys in which to bless you. “The path of the righteous shines brighter and brighter.” Proverbs 4:18.

Possibly, you had a bad start in life. Shake it off and take a step. Where you came from and where you are going, are two different places. “God will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten” Joel 2:25.

Don’t settle for less than what you truly want for your future. Keep striving, following your heart, and allowing your faith to press you forward. Scripture says, “According to your faith, be it unto you.” So have faith in God and enough confidence in yourself and in your bright future to keep on going after your good aspirations. You have come too far; you’ve worked too hard, and sacrificed too much to give up on the desires of your heart now.

Remind yourself daily: “I will not allow a setback to hold me back,” “I’m not going to quit,” “I will prevail over temporary troubles.”

God bless you, as you take a ‘step up’ to the divine destiny that He has in store.

Like a letter we address, stamp, and then bring to the post office to send out to a friend, send out your words in the direction you want your life to go. Positively declare, “Step by step, God is guiding me to victory,” “I will conquer this challenge,” and “Opportunities are coming my way.”

Reader, Rosi Velez wrote, “Behind every successful person there are many struggles, some failures, too. But right around the corner is success if you never give up on your dreams or goals. Most importantly, you must lean, not to your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge God and He will direct your path. Just trust Him.”

Hence, whatever you may be going through, don’t ever give up on yourself. One day’s adversity can become the next day’s opportunity to achieve new success—perhaps in a manner you’d never even imagined. Remember, God loves you, treasures you and is guiding you. And I believe He is going to use you in a miraculous capacity this year, and will help you to make a difference in the lives of others.

God bless you, as you take a ‘step up’ to the divine destiny that He has in store.