Success and Failure Blog

Successful People Learn How to Overcome Adversity

“Sometimes the worst things that come at you are opportunities to grow. If you can interpret the pain as dues you are paying to get to the other side —  be it happiness, a promotion, a greater sense of compassion, or whatever it is that we desire or require — that will help you have the guts to hang on.”

– Bill Boggs in his book, Got What it Takes? : Successful People Reveal How They Made it to the Top

Are there areas of your life that seem difficult or do you have a problem that you don’t know how to solve?  When have you been caught between a rock and a hard place? Read the Scripture below. How did Paul deal with the rocks that came along during his journey through life?

2 Corinthians 12:7, 9-10 (The Message)

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Can you learn to take your limitations in stride? Are you willing to let Christ take over when you are at your weakest?

The Lord answered his (Paul’s) prayer, not by removing the thorn, but by giving grace to bear it, and by the assurance that Paul’s sense of weakness, caused by it, fitted him to receive the divine strength —  his infirmities fit him to enjoy the power that Christ bestows. What was true of Paul is true of every saint. It is when we feel our weakness that God strengthens us.

the above is from Barton W. Johnson’s Bible Commentaries

The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer.

If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.

the above is from Matthew Henry Concise Commentaries

Many Christians are dealing with abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks, family dischord, financial problems, death of a loved one, or other personal hardships.  Quit focusing on your problems and let Christ’s strength move in on your weakness.

Isaiah 43:1-4 (The Message)

But now, God’s Message, the God who

made you in the first place, Jacob,

the One who got you started, Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.

I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place,

it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you:

all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That’s how much you mean to me!

That’s how much I love you!

I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,

trade the creation just for you.”