Success and Failure Blog

Life is full of problems. Ask most anyone these days. There are few unique people who have no problems to share. To dwell on the negative, the pain and sorrow, the challenges….can be easy indeed. After all, that is what Satan would have us do. He goes after our weaknesses, prides himself on our downfalls, thrills himself with our misery.

The upside to any problem is the Lord. We can go through our problems and misery alone, or we can hold God’s hand and tread the dread knowing our Savior is with us all the way. There are times when we feel as though we are hanging on by a thin thread, for sure, but the important thing is to not let go. So it’s a thin thread, it’s still a thread and it’s still there.

If life is a dance, would you rather do it alone or with a partner? Even when we feel we are dancing alone physically, God is there holding us up spiritually. I am a clutz when it comes to being led on the dance floor. I step on toes; I trip over my own feet; I get confused as to which way my partner is trying to lead me. But even then when I am embarrassing myself, God is quietly guiding me. He gives me the choice: laugh at myself and have whatever fun I can, or hide in a corner alone and watch everyone else.

To share joy is one of the greatest feelings on earth! God brings us joy even in the bleakest of times. But we must be willing to receive that joy. We want our earthly partners (our husbands and our wives) to help us when we are down. We sometimes practically beg them to give us a reason to smile. We even cause them to walk away disheartened at the efforts made. Then we ask God why He isn’t helping, and the answer is there all along. He might as well shine a big sign in our faces that states, “I am, child, open your eyes, your ears, and your heart.”

Some days it’s as though we have to grab a snow shovel and dig down deep to find the blessings. We don’t even have to do that alone. Grab your Partner, God, and pray while you dig. It’s helpful on days like this to take a pen and paper and sit for just a few minutes. Go over your day from the time you woke up and purposely seek out the blessings you missed. You may be amazed as the list grows. There is always something to be thankful for, even in the worst of times.

Need examples? Think of someone who has a worse situation. Believe me, there IS always someone who has or has had it worse no matter how bad it is for you. Want another angle? Put that Google search partner to work and find people who have suffered tragedies and came out better for it. There are articles online every day about winners who were born with jaw dropping disabilities and learned to conquer their challenges.

Does it mean we are silly and stupid when we get down and out and feel like life isn’t worth the effort? Of course not. God gave us emotions. We’re supposed to experience them. It’s not a sin to be angry, lonely, depressed, or whatever the case may be. It’s how we handle that emotion that’s important. It’s okay to allow the feeling, but to allow it to take over our lives is another matter indeed. Each emotion has a time and a place to be used.

We have probably all read that email that pops up from time to time about people coming into our lives for a reason and a season. So, we have many partners really. God gave us every one of them! He brings people to us when He knows we need that added physical support form. We get teachers, an ever-changing list of friends, parents, children, club members, prayer warriors, pastors, and many more partners along life’s path. Each of these is a gift from the Lord. If the only partner you have at the moment is the Lord, rejoice and remember all the other partners He shared with you over the years! When it’s time, He’ll bring you more.

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (New International Version)
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

David proclaimed victory in God’s name before he even defeated Goliath.

I remember hearing the words “I proclaim victory in God’s name and satan has no power over me(you).” from a born again friend of mine. She was the wife of my boss at the time. I was not saved at the time and did not understand these words. And sadly I have forgotten these words until reading my devotion today.

She told me all those years ago that she would continue to pray for our (myself and my husband at that time) salvation. We would giggle. We were so young and dumb. We thought these radical born agains were just too much. Well her prayers were heard. Myself and my ex-husband have both been saved and love the Lord. And now I know why she was so radical. I am proud to be so radical about God the Father. And I thank you, Father God, for bringing Darlene into my life to pray for me.

So remember no matter how big or small that problem seems to be. You already have the power to overcome it. You are one in Jesus Christ the Lord. Proclaim your victory over your Goliath today in the Lord’s name.

I pray for myself and all of you for your victory over your Goliath. Satan is a defeated foe and we have victory in Jesus Christ. Amen!

God Bless you.