Well just as I suspected 2017 has already started to give me what I’ve asked of it; an opportunity to develop a well of internal joy despite external circumstance. Of course I know that you can’t develop a virtue or practice without being exposed to learning opportunities and some planned simulations. I just did not realize that I’d be dropped right into some real life sh#$ to expose just how much work is needed to maintain a steady state of joy. Have no fear, God is with me and I know that there is no test he won’t help me to turn into a testimony. So, if you started this year with the gloves up and you need a little encouragement to face your giants, let’s get our game plan laid out.
Take some time to really understand the challenge in front of you. Sometimes we misjudge what the experience is coming to teach and we bring a gun to a knife fight or vice versa. Spend time connecting with the Divine. In the quietness seek direction on how to fully engage the experience so that you can make timely adjustments to successfully overcome.
Let your inner circle know what support you need from them during this time. Don’t be afraid to leverage their support. So many times we underestimate just how willing and able our inner circle is to help us make it through challenges. I think it was Tony Evans who said, “Don’t deprive others of their need to give.” If you don’t have an inner circle use this situation to help you develop one. After all, “No man is an island…”, John Donne.
On a daily basis only make the decisions you have the data to make successfully. Or, the ones you must make to avoid a crisis. In other words, don’t become overwhelmed trying to plan next year or the year after when just getting out of bed today is a challenge. Work on rising with joy and counting the blessings in front of you. Pray for the ability to have a sound mind ready to meet this challenge flat footed. Oftentimes when we can put our challenge in context we understand that the there are countless others who have successfully faced this challenge. Somehow learning that we are not alone helps us to get some perspective.
If you are facing a challenge that no one before you has faced (e.g. first African American President, First Man on the Moon, etc.) know that you have been Divinely ordained for this hero’s journey and the road to success is already written within your DNA. You just need to stay connected to the Divine and walk by faith not by sight to accomplish the task set before you. You will be successful.
This week’s sound track is “Superheroes” by The Script because this training we are in is teaching us to fly and to turn pain into power!
And when your training is over, The Script believes you just might find yourself in “The Hall of Fame.” Go get’em Champ!
Until next week,