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The Devotional Diva - The D-N-A of Challenge
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The Devotional Diva - The D-N-A of Challenge
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
Last week, we talked about meeting challenges face to face and face to faith. I thought I might take a few moments to discuss the issue further.
In Florida, we are entering hurricane season. It’s something Floridians live with year after year. Year after year in June, we take time to check our battery and bottled water supply. To be hurricane smart, you are hurricane prepared.
Unfortunately, challenges are not relegated to certain seasons. However, it still behooves us to prepare for them by making some advance decisions on how you will handle them, when they arise. Here is some information I have accumulated in the past twenty-five years and I hope you will find it useful. A friend aptly named them the “DNA” of challenge.
Let’s start with the “D”. In my vast experience, I have discovered there are three ways people generally handle conflict or challenge.
Denial. I had a boss who claimed that after being fired, he continued to come to work day after day. It took a week for him to admit there was a problem. To this day, I find the story humorous. On the other hand, I know someone else who lost precious years of her life, refusing to acknowledge her particular and painful situation. There was nothing funny about her problem. Bottom line, to deny an issue only stunts your growth and wastes valuable time of living life to the fullest as God intended. This is not healthy.
Destructive. Do I really need to explain? How many people face a difficulty by lashing out in anger, blaming anything or anyone for their present circumstances? Okay, in all fairness, after a sudden onslaught of challenge, even the mildest of creatures can get upset. Yet some people choose “live” in destruction-mode. Self-destruction mode. Obviously, this is not healthy either.
Discerning. At last, there is a healthy way to meet challenge. This is where we move quickly past the shock of the circumstance and get to the part where we ask, “Okay Lord, what do you want to do here?” “What is my part?” “How do I work for your glory in this?”
That takes care of the “D” and now we can move to the “A”. The “A’s” are three ways to help us take the discerning path to meeting challenges.
Attitude. I know we can be carried away with the “power of positive thinking” but there is great potential in a great attitude. During surgery, people with positive attitude can experience less pain and shorter recovery time. Sounds like a deal to me! The Scripture tells us we can have the mind, or attitude of Christ. In fact, I think it encourages it.
Aptitude. Just to make sure we are clear on the definition of aptitude, it simply means one’s ability and/or capabilities. Truthfully, we each have certain abilities that enable us to do a great many things in life. However, when it comes to challenge, sometimes we require a bit more strength or grace than we have naturally. During those times, we need to couple our aptitude with the aptitude of God. God possesses ultimate strength and power. Who better to turn to than our heavenly Father for strength during a time of crisis?
Action. There are some unfortunate occasions where there is absolutely nothing we can do. Only God can intervene and handle the situation. Then again, there are times when we actually have to rise up and do something! We can’t leave it to someone else. We can’t hide. We must take action. We must defend a child, take supplies to those in need, we must get up and get going! How do we tell the difference? God will let us know.
If we stay prayed up and pour over His Word, Christ will direct our every step during times of trial and even in times of peaceful living. What a God! What a Savior!
There you have it, the D -n- A of Challenge. I pray you find this information useful in any challenge you face.
God does not allow challenges to cross our path to trip us up intentionally. God is not out to get us – well, at least not that way.
He does desire us to face our challenges by turning to Him, having a healthy attitude, rely on His aptitude and be willing to do our part when He reveals it to us.
Love in Christ,
Barbara
Divinely Inspired Victoriously Active
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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