There’s something that is bigger than you think in your future

For thousands of years, wild blueberries have grown naturally in rocky hills, tough terrains and fields. Wild blueberries are much smaller in size than cultivated berries and vary in color from different shades of dark blue to almost black. Often found in Maine and Canada, the berries grow in extremely rugged conditions. Adapting to fridge cold temperatures and harsh climates, wild blueberries have the ability to thrive in such trying, difficult surroundings. The hardiness it takes to survive these climates makes them naturally richer in anthocyanin than cultivated berries. Amazingly, wild blueberries grow on their own. There is no one there to plant them. And, as they grow in the rocky landscape, low and wide, randomly covering the fields, harvesters have to kneel down on the ground to reach them.

It was purported that the Native Americans observed, “When wildfire occurred, the only thing that would grow in its path afterward were wild blueberry plants.” Wild blueberry plants can be damaged, broken or burned to the ground, and they would come back stronger and healthier than ever before.

Do you sometimes think that you don’t have the strength to prevail over the challenges by which you are confronted? Maybe you’ve enduring bitter disappointments, emotional wounds, an unfair situation, or perhaps, nobody seems to understand what you’ve been through. And now you feel like quitting and surrendering to defeat.

Yet, I want to encourage you to never give up. God created you to be resilient and brave, and you can overcome anything that you come up against. For you will not only survive what you face, but similar to the wild blueberries, you will thrive and come back stronger than ever before. Keep going, there’s something that is bigger than you think in your future.

I’m reminded about a great motivational teacher and writer, Napoleon Hill, who made a careful study of successful individuals. This was his conclusion: “Most people have achieved their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.”

Most often, setbacks are chances to come back even stronger. You can rise above whatever is trying to push you down and claim the highest goals that you set for yourself. Dream on the largest scale possible, because anything is within your reach if you are willing to work for it and strive for it with constant effort. God has given you everything you need to fulfill your calling. Nothing can hold you back from making your dreams a blessed reality. Where you start doesn’t matter. It’s where you finish that counts. Trust God. Go to Him in prayer; because right now, God is guiding your steps. For, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

So, if life has knocked you down, stand up on your feet and try again. Do not dwell on the obstacles before you. See beyond where you are now, to where you desire to be. There is greatness in you. Hence, you must not allow words of defeat or negativity to come out of your mouth. Quiet the inner discouraging voices. Just keep speaking words of faith. Take care of your emotional and physical health, and move forward, expecting the best possible outcome. Your time for success is coming.

Sometimes after dinner, my girls will make Edible Cookie Dough for dessert. I am one of those people who would prefer to eat the cookie dough rather than the actual cookie. My girls happen to be the same way.

My daughters start by mixing in a large bowl softened butter, brown sugar, salt and vanilla together until well combined. Next, they mix in one tablespoon of milk. Slowly, the girls add in flour, one tablespoon at a time until they have a nice cookie-dough texture. Finally, my daughters add in delicious, dark chocolate chips. Then, they mix it until it’s well combined, and soon, we have scrumptious edible cookie dough ready to enjoy.

Now, here’s the key, if my daughters didn’t add even one ingredient, the dough may have turned out poorly. They needed all of the ingredients to make the perfect, mouthwatering edible cookie dough.

By the same token, God is using all of your past experiences, as my daughters used their perfectly measured ingredients, to create something special in your life and in the lives of others.

Accordingly, do not stop short of success. One of the most important things you can do if you get pushed down, is to get up again. This is how you build your resiliency for whatever life may bring your way. And, as you persevere onward, you may discover the hidden gift that the setback can bring to you. Michelangelo once brought home a piece of marble. People teased him and said the marble was unattractive. But Michelangelo persisted and chipped away at the stone, replying, “There is a masterpiece trapped inside, and I must set it free.” Little by little, with tenacity of purpose, patience and care, that marble became the most famous statue of Moses.

Michelangelo proved what God did when He put each of us on this Earth. With the right attitude, each blow we receive from the difficulties and disappointments of life will reveal the masterpiece of God within. God does things in such a remarkable way. Before long, you will look back and see how beautifully He orchestrated confusing situations, and you’ll say with wonder, “That’s only something God could have done!”

Dear readers, stand strong. And believe in God’s better, bigger and brighter plans for you. This is a new day. There are new joys, new friendships, and new blessings ahead. Gaze out into the days and weeks ahead and go confidently forth. You’re going to fulfill the best plan that God has for you. So, don’t give up. Keep trying. It is only a matter of time before God changes circumstances in your behalf. And you will live the extraordinary life you were created to live.

There’s something that is bigger than you think in your future. Like the wild blueberry, you will come back stronger and healthier than before!