“THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE STRUGGLE”:
HOPE, BELIEVE, continue to DREAM and then CONQUER!
from a TV address by New Zealand pastor, Tak Bhana
We all need to learn how to handle times of struggle and darkness, so we come out stronger.
“God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. If I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-92)
6 positive things we can learn in the “valleys of life”:
1. Struggle can press you into finding your destiny (as evidenced in the lives of David, King of Israel, Moses, Joseph in prison).
Later we can all see the unmistakable hand of God . Look for the hand of God in your time of struggle
2. Struggle can lead to a new direction (critical) in your life, like with my writing.
Listen to the voice of Spirit (Holy)
Even when nothing seems to be happening and you are stumbling around in the darkness, God is always up to something, something good. Later, you will be able to trace the hand of God in your life, directing each step along he way. Just TRUST. God is with you in the midst of the storm!
3. Struggle develops qualities of greater effectiveness – you become stronger in learning new coping strategies. Most importantly, it builds character.
Studies have shown that 95% of great achievers have had to overcome incredible hardships in their lives. Strength is being forged in the “crucible of life”. Like the caterpillar having to struggle, to fight its way out of the cocoon, so as to be able to fly!
“When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.”
~Patrick Overton
It’s in the struggle, the transformation that God is working a miracle in your life. God has created something, new – something that can fly…high! The struggle strengthens us, fortifies us to fly higher, like the eagle.
4 In the valleys we discover more about ourselves through the struggle. We learn things, qualities, like the ability to change and extend ourselves, perseverance, faith, Most importantly you (we) discover OURSELVES- who we really are…and perhaps what our “mission”, our calling truly is!
5. Struggle exposes the pessimists in the crowd, the “grass-hoppers”, the “nay-sayers” (though well-meaning), who say “it’s impossible” , “it hasn’t been done before”, “it won’t work” (they should step aside to make way for those who say “it can be done- it IS possible!”.
In the valley of life you soon discover your true friends, who will support you
God DOES supply
and finally.
6. Struggle qualifies you to help others through their struggles. Once you’ve conquered, you can help someone else in the “valley of life”. Because you’ve learnt to get up yourself (off the canvas) – because you’ve “been there”, you can say: “You WILL get through this valley, fight the battle and overcome your problems, conquer your giants.
Getting through your own struggles (how) can be a beacon of hope to others.
Always remember: God will see you through to eventual victory.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” *
*
Always remember, the struggle doesn’t last forever… and can even be the making of us.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”
Even the depths of winter you can’t stop the coming of the bright spring. So look forward to the future and be happy.
Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder)
“In the midst of darkness, light exists and persists.”
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the seemingly difficult path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”
– craig
“Trust in the Lord with your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him
and he will make your paths straight.”*
– Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
* and/or “direct our path and make the right way through life for you”
“‘For I know the plans I have for you:, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be fond by you,’declares the LORD.”
– Jeremiah 29:11-13
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
– Romans 8:28
“If you can’t see His way past the tears, trust His heart.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon *
* Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England’s best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. He was to nineteenth-century England what D. L Moody was to America. Although Spurgeon never attended theological school, by the age of twenty-one he was the most popular preacher in London.
You can click on:
There’s Something in the Struggle (by Tak Bhana)
Also from my brand new e-book The Victory Lap already available at http://www.amazon.com/Victory-Yellow-Helmets-Greatest-ebook/dp/B00BD9HLC2
HOPE, BELIEVE, continue to DREAM and then CONQUER!
WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 
Reblogged this on Sharing Some Thoughts on Jesus Christ.
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Thanks for the follow/link/like/reblog/comment and/or kind thought(s))
Hi
CAN’T KEEP UP…BUT THANKS FOR THE “THANX”
I’ve had many hundreds of thousands of comments on my various other WordPress blogs at https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-updated-sept-2011/
in recent years …true!) …obsessive or WHAT! Am really pleased you are enjoying my writings, as the reason I write is to share. However I am unable to keep up with the comments and was spending entire days just on replies on my various blog pages.
Though I’m rather “driven”, I still get really, really fatigued (there’s a few books there). so sorry can’t reply individually to all you good people scattered around the planet, but DO try to read as many as possible daily (and even moderate a few when I get a “mo”), I got swamped with comments on my various blogs, so have had to close them off on all of my blogs, except for one or two of particular interest to me – sorry and hope you can understand.
* “Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
~ Franz Kafka
I do really appreciate your liking, linking to and/or following this blog (and “writing in”), so “thanks for the thanx”
“As we live and move and have our being, so from this vision, we create heaven in our own lives… and perhaps even heaven on earth.”
– craig (as inspired by Acts 17:28 and the words of Felicia Searcy)
“Aim at the earth and you may not get off the ground.a
“Aim at the stars and you may reach the moon.”
“Aim at heaven and you’ll have earth thrown in…
and you may even hit the stars.”
– craig (as inspired by the famous quote by CS Lewis – 24th May 2012)
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
When (or if ever) you arrive in heaven, let faith, hope and love be the wings that carried you there.”
– as adapted from the inspiring words of Jonathan Edwards, former minister in New England, Massachusetts
“The Greatest Race: Living by (with) faith, hope and love is the highest podium any person can reach, God’s podium that anyone stand on.”
– c
“Having pursued the goals, the dreams set before us and run the race with persistence and endurance, after giving it all. Then one day standing on the summit of life, breathing in the pure sweet oxygen of achievement, totally satisfied in running the greatest race, the race of life one that ANYONE can run and win.”
from http://racetothechequeredflag.wordpress.com/
and http://www.godandformula1.wordpress.com
“If a man is called to be a street-sweeper,
he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted,
or Beethoven composed music, or
Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well
that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say,
here lived a great street sweeper
who did his job well.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
PPS
Instead of trying to reply to each one of you, I’ll just keep on writing
“If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I’d type a little faster.”
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=%22craig+lock%22&sitesearch_type=STORE
http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
as it’s already tomorrow in scenic and tranquil ‘little’ New Zealand
PPS
“I wish you well on a rainy day
I wish you rainbows to brighten your day
To feel your quiet moments with a special kind of warmth
to remind you that happiness can happen
when you least expect it.
I wish you rainbows to make you laugh and smile
to show you the simple beauty of life
and to give you the magic of dreams come true.
I wish you rainbows
I wish you well.”
– Larry S. Chengges
”Since I can never see your face,
And never shake you by the hand,
I send my soul through time and space
To greet you. You will understand.”
– James Elroy Flecker (1884-1915)
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