The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Anything is possible ... if you dare to ask
Years ago, a friend of mine read the book entitled, “The Aladdin Factor.” The author wrote about the laws of probability. Whereby, the more times you ask for what you desire, the greater the odds of getting what you want to come to pass. There’s a Scripture that tells us this in Matthew 7:7,8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” So keep on asking! In the Bible, I read about King Hezekiah. It described how Hezekiah became very sick. Next, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah to put his affairs in order, for the illness would soon take his life. After Isaiah told Hezekiah the catastrophic news, at first he was struck with grief and anguish. Yet, instead of sitting back and accepting this fate, Hezekiah stepped up in faith, turned his head to the wall, asked and prayed. He reminded the Lord of all the good that he accomplished in faithfulness in His sight. Hezekiah honored the Lord by trusting in Him, while he prayed for healing and asked that the Lord would restore him back to health. Almost at once, the Lord answered Hezekiah’s plea. And before Isaiah had even left the palace grounds, he went back to see King Hezekiah with a new message. Isaiah informed Hezekiah that the Lord heard his prayers, and that Hezekiah would indeed recover and would live another 15 years. You may find yourself in an impossible situation. But never give up hope. No matter what kind of obstacles you face, your circumstances can be turned around. And similar to Hezekiah, instantaneously God can reverse the unfair situations, the setbacks, and the struggles. “…For I will cause the captivity of the land to be ‘reversed’ and return to be as it was at first, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 33:11). Dry your tears and release the fears, the anxiety and cares to God. Remember, He is with you and He is greater than anything that can come against you. God is directing your each and every step. So keep your mind on thoughts of faith, hope, joy and expectancy. See the possibilities; see solutions. It’s not too late. Don’t let anyone or anything drag you down. Think about only what you’d like to experience and speak words that you want to see manifested. Then, be on the lookout every day to share yourself, your gifts and your blessings with others. I recall a story I read a while back about Danny Thomas. He grew up very poor; and with a heart of compassion. He saw children in his neighborhood pass away from many illnesses. Thomas faced difficulties, rejections and seemingly hopeless situations. As a starving, struggling actor, his despair grew. At times, he wondered if he should give up on his acting dreams. But rather than quitting, Thomas dared to ask. He prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. “Show me my way in life,” he implored. Next, he made a sincere promise in prayer. Thomas vowed that if he found success so he could provide for his wife and family, he’d open a shrine dedicated to St. Jude. Soon, he began finding work. And little by little, he enjoyed career success. Never forgetting the pledge he made to St. Jude, Thomas and his wife began traveling the country to help raise funds to build his lifelong dream. His past struggles prepared him for the victories ahead. The shrine turned out to be the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The hospital has brought hope and healing to families. It provides a place for children to be treated who are battling health issues, and thus, saving the lives of many children everywhere. Like Danny Thomas, everything you’ve gone through has prepared you for the breakthroughs to come. For God’s great plan for you far exceeds a transitory, tough time. And as you persist and let love and service be the driving force in your life, you will experience true and complete joy. Moreover, you’ll help countless people in the process. “God loves with great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible.” William Booth. No matter the circumstance, regardless of what stage of life you are in, despite past struggles, God is not yet finished with the great plan He has for you. Therefore, don’t be regretful of what you might have done or could have been. Think well of yourself. Move beyond self-imposed boundaries and see the worth in yourself that God sees in you. A reader wrote via email, “I have asked God to help me live with purpose and to utilize the gifts He has given to me. I have faith that He hears my prayers, and He is with me every single step of the way to fulfill His good plan.” Today is a new day. So wake up each morning and thank God for everything He has bestowed upon you. Ask for the desires of your heart. Ask for the new doors to be opened for you. Ask for health and healing. Ask for your needs to be met. And ask for new, strong relationships to be formed. Pursue your dreams and never give up on them. A new chapter begins now, and it is only the start of wonderful things for your future. God’s favor is on your life. Remember, anything is possible...if you dare to ask. So ask… and God will answer.