“Outside were fightings; inside were fears. Nevertheless, God . .” 2 Corinthians 7:5 KJV.
Face facts, even if daunting, until you find truth that is empowering.
My thoughts and comments today are that “problems present possibilities.”
Success begins with a proper perspective. Some look at problems deciding they’re unsolvable. Others look beyond the problem, seeing possibilities worth their time and effort. Some people just focus on problems; successful people study possibilities and strategize ways to succeed.
Does that sound at all like any problem you are facing right now? Any problem will be accompanied by voices suggesting you are not able. Sometimes, it is others’ voices you hear; often, it is your own. Paul described one occasion when, “We were troubled on every side. Outside were fightings, inside were fears. Nevertheless, God . . comforted us.” 2 Corinthians 7:5-6. The truest meaning of that word involves the concept of restoring faith or fortitude. Just don’t forget to consider and expect, “Nevertheless, God . .” Never leave God out of the equation.
Newly crowned as King, David faced a problem. An old enemy inhabited a fortress critical to his occupying Jerusalem, the nation’s capital. Read 2 Samuel 5:1-10 NIV. The Jebusites occupied Zion, confident their fortified walls were impenetrable. The walls were high, the enemy powerful, and the voices intimidating. This stronghold stood in the way of his success. They taunted David and his soldiers, “You’ll never get in here. Even the blind and lame could keep you out.” How wrong they were.
Including God in your situation introduces unforeseen opportunities. David looked at his problem, then studied possibilities. Rather than attacking the walls that were strong and heavily guarded, David strategized that his soldiers could enter the city through a water tunnel, outsmarting the city’s defenders. David faced the facts that seemed daunting, until he found a truth that was empowering. Facts can change; truth is ever true. Where walls discouraged others, David discovered tunnels. “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion!” Every possibility has a problem you must face, solve, and overcome. Every problem hides a possibility, if you will seek it. That’s problem solving at its best.
In his 1968 presidential campaign, Robert Kennedy adapted a quote, “There are those who look at things the way they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and ask, ‘Why not?’” (George Bernard Shaw, 1925 Nobel Prize for Literature). Consider possibilities rather than problems.What problems do you face? What stronghold blocks your achievement – a losing battle with old habits, loss of confidence, previous failures, frustration, fearfulness, lack of faith? In every problem, there are possibilities.
Use your head but also listen to God in your heart. God is equal to any opposing stronghold, knows the way through every obstacle, and possesses everything you ever need. “We use God’s mighty weapons . . to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT.
My prayer for you this day is that you look for God’s possibilities in every difficulty.