| Oprah Winfrey was told from her TV producer that she was “unfit for television news.”
The late Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, the company he co-founded.
J.K. Rowling was fired because she spent too much time “daydreaming” on the job. (Um, I’d say Harry Potter was a profitable daydream!)
Walt Disney was told by his editor that he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
What’s the common denominator?
Each of these persons embraced opposition.
Each pressed on and explored new opportunities.
Each used their trial to create something to make the world better. (Hello, Disney–the happiest place on earth?!)
Each developed new character as a result of adversity.
Grit.
Resiliency.
Steadfastness.
Determination.
Humility.
Fortitude.
I don’t know about you, sunshine, but I could use a little more of each of these in my life.
Confession.
It has been the darkest season of my life to date (and believe me, I’ve had several,)
but it wasn’t until recently that this concept that I could choose to create an opportunity in the midst of my time of opposition began to really sink in.
I began shifting my focus and instead of questioning, “Why is this happening?!” I began asking, “What is it You want me to learn?”
And in typical God-like fashion during this time of revelation, God took me by the shoulders and shook me.
When are you going to look beyond yourself?
This isn’t about you.
Boom.
For real?
This really hurt because it was then that I realized how self-absorbed and accustomed to playing the victim I had become.
I don’t know what you are going through today, sunshine.
An unwanted divorce.
Unemployment.
Infidelity.
An unfavorable health diagnosis.
Bankruptcy.
A prodigal child.
A betrayed relationship.
But I do know and believe from firsthand experience that God can and will use this season to refine you and reveal His love to you–if you allow Him.
My prayer is that you remain steadfast in the midst of whatever opposition you are facing today. I pray the you choose to see the opportunity and learn the lesson as you allow God to refine your character as a result of your willingness to embrace this season of adversity.
And I invite you to pray, too, sunshine.
God, help me trust that the trials I am enduring are essential to becoming the woman/man You want me to be. I embrace these trials as opportunities to draw closer to You and in return, help others and love and trust You more. I ask that You give me discernment, peace and patience while I wait for Your plans to be revealed and that I am strengthened as I wait for Your will to be made manifest through these circumstances and in my life. Amen.
With love for a fruitful season, |
