Perserverance

"We will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"Perserverence" means (1) Suceeding because you're determined to, not because you're entitled to. Achievers don't sit back and wait for success because they think the world "owes them". To develop perserverence as an aspect of your character you must adopt the attitude of the man who said, "We are determined to win. We will fight until hell freezes over, and if we have to we will wear ice skates!"

"Perserverence" also means (2) Recognizing that life is not one long race, but many short ones in succession. Each day has its own challenges. You have to get out of bed each morning and run again, but its never exactly the same race. History records that Christopher Columbus faced incredible difficulties as he sailed west in search for a passage to Asia. He encountered storms, experienced hunger, deprivation, and extreme discouragement. The crews of his three ships were near mutiny. But his account of the journey says the same thing over and over: "Today, we sailed on." The result: he discovered the New World!

The key to your success is running your race each day (see Hebrews 12:1-2). Allow perserverence to be developed in your character!

Dealing With Disappointment, Part 5

Life 101: Disappointment In Life Is Guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as "when expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness, and discouragement."

This week we're addressing common disappointments and sharing ideas to consider:

5. YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH YOURSELF.
This one is tough - I know first-hand! Disappointment with yourself is potentially the most debilitating kind of disappointment! Why? because it can throw you into a downward spiral that's hard to recover from. Peter had a sworn, undying love and loyalty to Jesus. In Matthew 26:33-75 he said "Lord, everybody else may abandon you, but not me! I'm yours till death!" And he meant every word of it. But under the pressures surrounding Jesus' crucifixion he gave in and denied knowing Jesus, not once but three times. Peter was heart-broken by his failure and went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).

Peter failed to meet his own expectations and crumbled. But Jesus wasn't shocked. He was well aware of Peter's flaws when He called him into ministry. He also knew that His blustering, outspoken disciple had a tender and sincere heart. When Peter failed, Jesus extended grace to him rather than remove him from office. When Christ gave post-resurrection orders to "tell His disciples and Peter" (Mark 16:7) to meet Him in Galilee, He reaffirmed His choice of the failed disciple. The rest of Peter's story is New Testament history!

When (not if) you confront failure, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Don't add insult to injury by letting disappointment turn to dispair.
2. Humble yourself, confess, and repent (turn away) from your failure.
3. Receive God's grace and forgiveness by faith, not feelings.
4. Get whatever help you need to get back on track sooner, not later.

DO NOT let yourself, other people, or Satan convince you that you're case is beyond God's grace!

Dealing With Disappointment, Part 4

Life 101: Disappointment In Life Is Guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as "when expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness, and discouragement."

This week we're addressing common disappointments and sharing ideas to consider:

4. YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THOSE YOU'VE INVESTED IN.
Let's again check in with Moses, the founding pastor of the First Church of the Critical & Ungrateful... a congregation of former slaves delivered, blessed, and en route to the Promised Land... but without a shred of loyalty, gratitude, or appreciation for the man who put everything on the line to make it possible. Fresh out of Egypt, the people of Israel turned on Moses, accusing and blaming him (see Exodus 14). Do you think Moses was disappointed and hurt?

However, each time Moses wanted to quit, he discussed it with God, prayed for his complaining congregation, received fresh orders from headquarters, and returned to work. It's what God-called men and women do when they're disappointed and feel like giving up... they remain faithful!

Dealing With Disappointment, Part 3

Life 101: Disappointment In Life Is Guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as "when expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness, and discouragement."

This week we're addressing common disappointments and sharing ideas to consider:

3. YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THOSE YOU WORK WITH.
To succeed in life, you need other people; you can't make it without them. When those people fail you it's painful. Imagine Moses' diappointment. He leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he attends his summit conference with God to receive the 10 Commandments. When he returns, he finds Israel in anarchy, idolatry and rebellion against God. Where's Aaron? Leading the rebellion! When Moses needed him most, Aaron failed miserably.

But watch Moses - true leadership shines in disappointment! Moses confronts and corrects Aaron. He takes the mess to God for resolution and prays for forgiveness for Israel. God listens and reminds Moses of his assignment: "[It's disappointing Moses, but] go lead the people... my angel will go before you..." Disappointment will challenge you to be a better leader and give you an opportunity to grow in grace toward others. When the people you depend on fail you, keep leading! Continue doing what God assigned you to do!

Dealing With Disappointment, Part 2

Life 101: Disappointment In Life Is Guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as "when expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness, and discouragement."

This week we will address common disappointments and share ideas to consider:

2. YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THOSE YOU LIVE WITH.
If anyone wouldn't let you down, it would be your family? Right? Wrong! Ask young Joseph./ When GOd promised him a big promotion he thought his brothers would celebrate. Instead they responded with jealousy, resentment and hostility. They sold baby brother into slavery. Far from friends and home he languised in prison for a crime he didn't commit. What an invitation to bitterness!

I'm sure Joseph was tempted to reherse the wrongs done to him. I'm sure he was tempted to plot some form of revenge. Instead, he allowed God to vindicate him, using his circumstances to position, prepare, and promote him to be Egypt's Prime Minister. He refusted to become bitter and chose to forgive those who mistreated him. Whe he later had opportunity to exercise vengence, he showed mercy instead. That's how you deal with disappointment!

Dealing With Disappointment, Part 1

Life 101: Disappointment In Life Is Guaranteed!

Webster defines disappointment as "when expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness, and discouragement."

This week I'll address common disappointments and share some ideas to consider:

1. YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THOSE YOU LOOK UP TO.
(1 Samuel 1-4) Samuel's mother entrusted her son to Eli the Priest, confident he would mentor and prepare him for God's service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak, passive, and permissive parent who stood by while his son's abused their priestly privilege, bringing shame and disrepute to God's work. Eli had absolutely NO backbone!

Who would have blamed Samuel for taking a nose dive when the man he looked up to failed? But he didn't! He dealt with his disappointment and kept his eyes on God. The Bible says Samuel "grew and the Lord was with him." He became one of Israel's greatest prophets! A friendly reminder: when you're disappointed by people, keep your focus on God!

Use What God Gave You

"...If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ..." - 1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)

When God gives you an assignment, He gives you all you need to fulfill it. If fact, by studying your core competencies you can actually discover an important part of God's will for your life. Winston Churchill said, "To each there comes in his or her lifetime a special moment when they are tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted for their talent".

You can't always be what you want to be, but you can be everything God wants you to be. That's because He assigns and directs us "each according to [one's] own ability" (Matthew 25:15). What do you love doing and do consistently well? Is music your forte? Crunching numbers? Working with children? Paul says "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving" (1 Corinthians 12:7). That means some of the things other people find broing, will actually energize and enrich you.

The Bible says there is a place for each of us in His grand purpose in this world. Knowing this dispels the misconception that you're not valuable beause you don't have the same talents/abilities you admire in others. It also defines your responsibility by doing away with the myth that you're supposed to do everything. Your goal should be to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for you. No talent is small or insignificant. Instead of apologizing for the skills you don't have, discover the gifts/abiliies God has given you and put them to work for His purposes. You'll discover that nothing is more fulfilling!