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There comes a time in our life when things go wrong, when setbacks
discourage our hearts and when our shortfalls make us want to just give
up. It is in these moments of doubt that we remember God's promises and
the many times that He has delivered us in times past. We should always
remember that we will fall short in life, we will fall flat on our face at
times and we will suffer heartache and pain, but that doesn't mean that
our story is finished or that our life ceases to have meaning. Actually,
the opposite is true. That is when we are at our strongest because we can
come to the Lord and ask for guidance and direction. In the moments when
we don't know what to do, we can seek the Lord who knows the best path for
our life. He is the leader, director and sustainer of those who trust
Him. No setback, no failure, no shortfall will be able to keep us down.
We simply must have the mentality of starting again and be determined to
succeed. There is a quote I like that says “failure is not an option”
which to me means that no matter what happens I will rise again and strive
to reach the goals, dreams and desires that are evident in my heart.
Be encouraged to be determined in life. Be determined to see your dreams
come true. Be determined to never give up and never give in. You may
stumble, you may fall, you may feel like getting up, but never give in to
those temporary emotions of discouragement. With God by your side, all
things are possible. Have the mindset of the Victor and not the victim.
The trials that come your way strengthen your resolve, they give you wisdom
and knowledge and they equip you with an unwavering determination. Always
remember that the past is where you learned the lesson and the future is
where you apply the lesson. Don't give up in the middle. Know that your
past serves a purpose; it made you who you are and now you can use all
that you have learned to better your life for your future. Believe in
yourself again and know that your life has meaning and purpose that only
you can bring to its fullest fruition.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that one
must be determined no matter the setbacks and no matter the trials. The
one who persists is the one who will receive the victory.
WARM WORMS
You may have heard the old story about the world's most dedicated
fisherman. He had out-fished his companion all morning long. They used the
same live bait, the same equipment and fished together in the same
mountain stream. But he had almost caught his limit of fish while his
friend had yet to catch even one.
“What's your secret?” asked the friend. “I haven't even gotten a bite!”
The angler mumbled an unintelligible answer, causing his companion to ask
again.
The successful fisherman emptied the contents of his mouth into a cupped
hand and replied: “I said, 'You have to keep your worms warm.'”
Talk about dedication. But did you know there are at least three types of
fresh water fishermen (or fisherwomen, if that fits better)?
First, there are those who fish for sport. They like to “catch and
release,” quickly throwing their catch back into the water. For these
anglers, it's all about recreation.
Then there are those who fish because they like the taste of fish. They
are selective. They only keep the fish they will someday eat.
Finally, there are those who fish because they are hungry. If they don't
catch, they don't eat. It is important for this group to succeed, and they
are fully dedicated to what they do.
Whether or not we fish or even eat fish, there is a lesson to be learned
here. We are most likely to succeed when we approach a task fully
dedicated. Especially if the task before us is difficult or there seems
little likelihood of success. Whether we want to patch a relationship,
build a new business, write that first novel, kick a drug habit, or go
back to school, we should see how willing we are to do what it takes -
even if it means keeping the worms warm.
There are two important questions I ask myself to see just how dedicated I
am. Question number one: “How much do I want this?” When some people fish,
if they don't catch, they don't eat. Some things are too important for me
to risk failure. So how much do I want to succeed at this relationship,
this career or this dream?
The other question I ask is similar: “How hard am I willing to work?” If
'success' only comes before 'work' in the dictionary, I may have to work
harder than I've ever worked before. But if I want it enough, the hard
work will be worth it.
“Always bear in mind,” said Abraham Lincoln, “that your own resolution to
succeed is more important than any other one thing.” And that is where it
always begins: with a whole-hearted resolution to succeed - in a task, in
a calling, in a life.
How much do I want this? And, how hard am I willing to work? Start there,
and great things can happen.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:11-15 “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the
fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days,
that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking
guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes
of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore
choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: MESSAGES TO REMEMBER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem110.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: OUT OF DARKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony103.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
