There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. - 1 Corinthians 16:9 NLT
George Washington won the Revolutionary War and founded a nation. However, the first President of the United States lost two-thirds of all the battles he fought in the war.
Thomas Edison launched over 1,000 successful inventions, but thousands of his inventions failed.
Babe Ruth was considered one of the best baseball players of his day. He hit 714 home runs, but he struck out 1,330 times. He once said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from taking a swing.”
R.P. Macy failed seven times as an entrepreneur in retailing before he opened the first Macy’s department store in New York City.
The Bible is filled with hundreds of people who failed. Ironically, we now refer to many of them as “heroes of the faith.” No one becomes truly great until they overcome something that looks insurmountable.
What are we to do when we feel opposed on every side by the pressures of life, the people we encounter, and the responsibilities we shoulder? Scripture reminds us that even the enemy is working against us. (1 Peter 5:8)
In today’s verse, Paul reminds us that doors of opportunity always come with significant challenges. Think about it. If success came quickly and easily, everyone would be successful. And if everyone achieved success, it wouldn’t be something to be praised.
How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? By overcoming the cocoon, which is an essential part of the growth process. One would think it would be easier to stay in the warmth and comfort of the cocoon. On days when the caterpillar struggles to get out, I would imagine he would agree. But deep down, the caterpillar knows the price of freedom.
To find and enjoy all the success that God has in store for us requires struggle, development, faith, and then finally, His breakthrough. There is no other way!
Why did Jesus send His disciples into a life-threatening storm in Matthew 14? To teach them to trust Him in all of life’s situations. He was using every experience to prepare them for their future.
What are you struggling to overcome right now? Instead of complaining and asking God to remove the struggle, see it for what it is—valuable preparation. And if God is currently opening doors of opportunity for you, be prepared for challenges, because you can’t have one without the other.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
- What’s one obstacle you’re struggling with right now? How do you think God might be using that obstacle to prepare you for what’s next?
- What’s one step you can take this week to help you embrace what God is doing right now?
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