Thought for the day... Courage

Have you ever been in a situation where you realize that you have to try harder than you already are - even if you thought you were already trying hard?

I had that happen to me this week. I've been dealing with a situation for a long time now and trying to do everything right. I've been using advice from others, giving it lots if thought, and trying to put the best solutions I knew to fix it. But somehow, it just wasn't working. I finally passed my problem onto the next person in line who had a simple solution - and one I agreed with! So I thought my problem was finally solved.

But, it turns out that instead of the simple solution, it eventually ended up back at me. That's right - it was now my problem again and I was told to not take the simple way out but to somehow "make it work"! I was even asked "so, what's the next step"?

I was stunned. I thought I had already taken the next step and passed it on. I didn't know what to do next! So I prayed about it. And I thought about it. And I talked about it. And I prayed about it some more. Then, the answer hit me...

Get in the ring.

See, what I had been doing this whole time was similar to what a boxing manager does. I was telling the people closest to the problem how to handle it. I was giving them advice, telling them to use their jabs and stay on their toes. I was giving them water and stitching their eyes. But they were tired, so I threw in the towel. I figured it was time to leave the ring. The problem won.

But now I realize what I had been doing wrong. Instead of throwing in the towel, I need to give them a break and go in the ring for them. I need to go in and lead by example. I need to help knock the problem down myself. I can't just give up and let the problem beat me.

So I accepted the challenge and have a new outlook. I know that if I do what is right, I should not fear anything. Sometimes in life we all have to face something that we know is going to hurt. We know its going to beat us up. But we fight for what is right, we do what is right, and in the end we will win. No, GOD will win!

Romans 8:31 - "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

May you all be blessed with courage!