What do you do when you’ve run out of options? We all have times when we feel we have no options. However, we can learn how to face these crises by remembering the children of Israel.
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.”– Exodus 14:21 NIV
Moses knew that the way of victory was through trusting the Lord (Hebrews 11:29). Note his three commands (Exodus 13:13-31): “Fear not” for God is on your side; “stand still,” for you cannot win this battle in your own strength; “see the salvation of the Lord,” for He will fight for you. It is important that we stand still before we “go forward” (Exodus 14:15), for unless we are standing by faith, we can never walk by faith. Moses lifted his rod, and God began to work.
The children of Israel faced a stormy sea to the front and Egyptian soldiers to the rear. Talk about having no options…they truly had no way out! But, if you’ll remember, God led them from desperation to complete victory. The believer cannot go ahead in the strength of Christ until he has learned to stand still in his own helplessness. God can then place Himself between us and our circumstances and wonderfully deliver.
So what’s the point:
When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: You haven’t.
There is no lasting defeat for children of God; He always gives us the option of allowing Him to lead us, teach us, and build our faith. If He parted the Red Sea for the people of faith, then through faith, no situation is hopeless.
Again I ask, What do you do when you’re out of options?
Oh, today I don’t feel like doing anything. I just want to lay in my bed.
Let’s face it – some days it’s harder than others to drag ourselves out of bed & jumpstart our day. I call it winning “World War Me.” It’s the ongoing battle of the will within us to overcome that internal naysayer that says “just forget about it and stay in bed.”
What motivates you? What makes you wake up every day, rush to work irrespective of various problems, challenges, and setbacks?
It’s MOTIVTION!
Intrinsic Motivation
People are motivated either internally (Intrinsic Motivation) or externally (Extrinsic Motivation). People who are motivitated internally have internal desire which fuels their passion. For them, play is work and work is play. Ask someone who’s motivated internally “why do you do what you do,” they’ll tell you “it’s because I love what I do.”
Extrinsic Motivation
Just as some are motivated internally, some are motivated by external factors. Every four years the world watches the very best athletes compete for a gold medal while representing their respective countries. That’s why atheltes work hard and push their bodies to the limits hoping to win a World Series, NBA Champtionship, or the Super Bowl. The idea that he or she is the best in the world, and has the endorsements – and bling in the form of rings and medals to show for it – is the reward that comes at the end of a hard-won battle.
Are you looking to get (and stay) motivated? To get you on the right track, consider Lifehack’s following tips: (more…)
Sometimes life is lonely and filled with pitfalls, discouragement and rejection. When those dark days roll around and I need a boost, I open my praise file & remember what God has done for me.
Instead of keeping failure and negative files, keep a praise file. Refer to it often but don’t get lost in past glory— keep it around for when you need the lift.
Boring is predictable. Boring is no fun. The boring slot is already taken so go ahead create something that will make the world awesome!
Stop blaming your circumstances on others. Stop whining. Stop complaining. Stop blaming others for the decisions you’ve made. As Dr. Mike Murdock says, “never complain about what you permit.”
Your present circumstances are existing with your permission. Your toleration of them breathes life and longevity into them. Intolerance of your present will create a different future. Nothing will really change in your life until you cannot tolerate the present any longer.
Thanks Kid President – you encouraged me & I’m paying it forward and encouraging others.
Today’s TV shows don’t compare to “old-school” TV shows. If you were to search the gazillion cable channels, what you will find are reality shows depicting sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Growing up, one of my favorite “old school” TV shows was the Lone Ranger. He was a fictional character, a masked ex-Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion, Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. Although I loved the show, I was somewhat puzzled by the show’s title – The Lone Ranger. He wasn’t alone he had Tonto.
Go figure.
If the Lone Ranger had Tonto assisting him, why do most people try to figure out life’s problems on their own? Why do some insist on taking the “Lone Ranger” approach to solving life’s most difficult challenges? Since life’s filled with many twists and turns, it’s wise to recruit other wise people to help you conquer life’s challenges.
Wise People Never Attack Difficult Problems Alone
One of the greatest resources we have is the people God places in our lives. If you ask around, I’d be willing to suggest that someone in your circle has “been there, done that.” I can’t imagine going after a problem without the advice of the wise men & women God has placed around me. The next time you’re faced with a difficult problem, don’t attempt to solve it alone. Instead, ask: “Who can I recruit to help me solve this problem.
Over the next few weeks, congregations will be taking up love offerings (hint, hint) and gifting their pastors with nativity-scene Christmas ornaments, sweaters, neckties, baked goods, and framed pictures of the church building.
Some pastors have no problems articulating their Christmas wishes (I’m one of them). However, some may be sheepish about their requests or feel awkward sharing their wishes.
But what do pastors really want for Christmas?
I thought long and hard about what I would like for Christmas and here’s my list:
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