Overcoming Obstacles

“The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4 (GWT)

Any attempt to achieve a positive change that leads to our destiny will require overcoming obstacles. Obstacles aren’t fun to deal with. They come to delay our plans and keep us from moving towards the dreams and desires God has placed in our hearts. If we allow them, they will even prevent us from seeing any future possibilities.

The sad thing is that many people will spend a great deal of time trying to overcome obstacles in their own strength. Perhaps they are highly intelligent, logical, or over-analyzers. Yet for certain obstacles—our futile attempts to deal with them in our own strength—only renders us powerless. We must learn to depend on God for the strength and wisdom to overcome.

Obstacles not only remind us of our weaknesses in and of ourselves, but they are also a reminder of God’s strength. He is never in a frenzy by our problems or situations. As we rely on His strength, we’ll find renewed strength to overcome. And in the process of overcoming, we will become better equipped to help others overcome.

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A Life of Fulfillment

“Then Jesus explained: My nourishment comes from doing the will of God.” – John 4:34 (NLT)

What is my purpose in life? Why was I born? Why am I here? Have you ever asked these questions? If you haven’t, you may not be serious about finding your purpose and living a life of fulfillment.

If you want to be fulfilled, content, and experience inner joy and peace, it’s critical that you learn how to discover your purpose in life. Your life’s purpose serves as the compass to guide your thoughts, decisions, goals and actions.

Identifying and acknowledging this purpose is perhaps the single most important discovery you can make. As you take time to understand what you are here to do, you will be empowered to pursue with passion and enthusiasm all you were destined to achieve.

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Stand

“That you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13

The Word of God exhorts us to stand—stand still, stand fast in the faith, stand fast in the liberty, stand fast in the Lord. And, after we have done all we can do to stand, we must continue to stand!

To stand means to take up or maintain a specific position. Since God’s Word is victory ground, we can maintain a strong position of faith during testing times. Maybe you are standing for the restoration of your family or loved ones. What about your total healing and peace of mind? Perhaps you are facing issues on your job or in your community that require you to stand.

When the storms of life come blowing your way, you must have your feet firmly planted in God’s promises. The only way to endure a storm is to become rooted and grounded before the storm hits.

God intends for you to be victorious in every way. So refuse to allow the pressures and adversities of life to move you out of faith. Stand and continue to stand!

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Is Your Oxygen Mask On?

“No one ever hated his own body. Instead, he feeds and takes care of it, as Christ takes care of the church.” – Ephesians 5:29 (GWT) 

If you have ever been on an airplane, you know that the flight attendant will always tell you to put your oxygen mask on if the cabin loses pressure. They will also tell you to put yours on first before helping others.

It’s a message most of us frequent fliers have learned to tune out, but it’s critically important nonetheless. This is a basic principle each of us can apply to our lives. If we want to be effective in helping others, we must learn to take better care of ourselves. We cannot help others when we are depleted and defeated.

Too often, we do everything for others and very little for ourselves. By not taking care of ourselves, we cannot take care of others. Making sure you are well and thriving so that you can better respond to and nurture those in your care should always be a top priority.

So whether it’s your mental, physical, or relational health, be sure to put your oxygen mask on, first.

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