Sorry to interrupt your adversity…
by Michelle Pearson
We interrupt your adversity and interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast, err, blogcast, to bring you a special announcement…
It will get better!
Ever feel like you have one “test” after another? Or do you feel like you are constantly in the refiner’s fire? Except the “dross” is all you see instead of the gold? Or that the giants are all around you, mocking?
Well, grab your five smooth stones and take aim! The giants are about to fall.
I was sitting down to write today when the doorbell rang. At 7:50 in the morning. There stood a woman to tell me, “I was praying for my daughter in the car before she goes to school and I ran into your mailbox.” She said to me, “I told the Lord, ‘I can’t believe I have to go tell someone I was praying and I ran over their mailbox!’ ”
Sigh. I have a hugely challenging day today with a real Goliath on the horizon. That is why I was up until 1:30am last night and am already working at 7:50 in the morning. And what is this? One more thing to handle. You have to be kidding. Do you know how much that special over-sized mailbox cost? Do you know I poured that concrete pad myself?? Do you know I have that for my business?
My mailbox. Your daughter. Hmmm.
My heart responded instead of my head, (Thank God.) I smiled at her to lift her spirits and replied, “It is not a problem at all, don’t think about it one more second, your daughter is what is important, not the mailbox, I’m so glad she knows you are praying for her. Go on and have a good day now.”
And in my heart I said, “None of these things move me. I have five smooth stones…“
Real victory comes when you stop thinking you can (or have to) do this yourself, in your own strength, effort, or will power.
Friends, the plain truth is… we all struggle sometimes. Old, young, strong, weak, men, women, short, skinny, fat, tall, handsome pretty, plain, blonde, brunette, grey, or even pink… challenges come to us all. Some really big challenges, some really small. As we go through life, they come. If you aren’t having any now, you can expect to encounter at least a few somewhere along the line. That’s not a bad confession; it is the nature of the world that’s around us. But whether now or later, don’t despair!
It is not a lack of faith to encounter challenges. (Just like temptation is not sin.) It can only take you out if you let the challenges get you sidetracked or make you paralyzed. The best way to overcome is to encourage someone else, especially when you want to have your own pity party! Well, pity is not invited to nor entertained in a champion’s party life!
Have you read the first post on our new website, “Pardon our dust, we’re expanding.” But it should be titled, “Does your life need a facelift?” It says God who promised is faithful. God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. When you completely surrender to the Lord in trust, not desperation, and you rely on Him for the power to make right choices, His power is made perfect in you.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
I hope this encourages you today in whatever you are facing. Know that God sent you this love note to tell you grace and strength will come to aid you. You can delight yourself in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties; even boast when they come your way! For it is in our weakness that His power is made perfect!
Will you do something for me today? Step out of your comfort zone, stop “examining your own navel” (where it is all about “me”), and show someone else an act of encouragement. You, too, have five smooth stones! Be the encouragement someone else needs! It is the way out of your challenge.
I’d love to hear back how you do that today. Click on “Comments” below and tell me how you plan to or are able to inspire and encourage others today.
Know someone who is struggling with discouragement or health problems?
Of course you do! Please share this with them.
Choose. Activate. Achieve.
Dr. Michelle's mission is to educate, activate, challenge and equip others to live a full, satisfying life, ever-growing in the Kingdom of God.
Michelle is a mountain-taker in all expressions of her calling. Sometimes it is on literal mountains leading ladies on spiritual adventures in faith. Other days, it is consulting with Kingdom-minded businesses and ministries to develop professional website platforms and social media strategies. Still other times, you will find her training mountain-takers to possess their physical land - their health, spirit, soul, and body - teaching classes and doing wellness evaluations for churches and corporations large and small, as well as providing "secret service" concierge wellness services for other speakers and ministers.
Wherever the call of God takes her, she firmly believes it is time for Christian businesses, entrepreneurs, and ministry leaders to be diligent to ‘write the vision and post it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may be able to read it easily and quickly as they hasten by.’ And then ACT on the vision.
Read more About and Experience here: http://thepictureofhealth.com/michelle-2
- Great Faith Adventures - August 15, 2020
- Great Faith Adventures – Video Gallery - March 10, 2018
- 2016 Annual Year End Ministry Report - February 4, 2017
Michelle, I see that I commented on this post once before. I want to say that today, it gave me different "information" than it did before. Also, to encourage you, I want to tell you that a friend of mine from work is turning 40 this year. She has asked that instead of gifts for herself she would like for folks to do random gifts of kindness for others in her honor – not that the recipient knows that information, but you are to let her know. I think that is a wonderful idea to improve the atmosphere everywhere! Blessings to you and the family! Be encouraged and continue to train for the climb! Eileen
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for the encouragement. The day you wrote I had the opportunity to pick up a friend at the airport and encourage her after the loss of her father. That night God had positioned me to encourage some of the city officials and local folks who needed an ear to listen to some of their concerns.
Love,
Patricia
Today I listened to my son when he was having a difficult time and offered my support to him. I also posted beautiful inspiring Christian music on my brother and sister-in-law's face book wall to encourage the family since he passed away last Sunday evening. I prayed for my son and my brother's family today. Many Blessings to you today. Thanks for your encouragement.
Deb
Finished with Day 2. No excuses.
Got to encourage a mother to establish Godly ways in her home. She felt completely hopeless when we started but by the time we were done she felt complete trust in God that He made her an overcomer in this situation. Love you and great word. Thanks:0)
Sowed extra time with peolpe eventhough circumstances occurred that would normally cause me to rush through to catch up. So glad God helped me stay at peace and listen to His leading.
Hmmm…I have to admit – I don't think I would have handled that situation with the mailbox with as much empathy and grace as you did. But that does cause me to think, "How can I be an inspiration to someone today? Thank you for this article.
Beautiful! Today I will find a way to serve those who struggle more than I.
Michelle,
Thanks for being an encourager and ecouraging us to be the same!!!!!
I had not completed the reading of these words of encouragement before offering some to an administrative secretary whom has had opportunities of overcome this week at work. I was unaware of the struggles at the time since I work extended hours fewer days per week. This in not normally someone who seems to need encouragement, so it was nice to be able to offer it today. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am doing as well as I can with meeting today's "marching orders" while I am at work.
Thanks for this! Was much needed today. I encouraged some friends earlier this morning in various areas, cooking dinner for a super busy friend…and I'll be on the lookout for people in need as I am out and about at the CC fair this evening. A smile, a hug, kind words….everyone needs them!
Quotes from a daily devotional that I receive via email were forwarded early this morning to someone who I thought could use the encouragement found in those particular quotes. A quick "thank you" to a beloved relative was sent via text message for a gift she had given me for no particular reason–no birthday or special occasion.
Today's technology makes it easy to send such thank-you's or notes of encouragement via texting or email without having to buy stationery and stamps and make a trip to the Post Office. Personally, I like to send hand-written notes most of the time so I try to keep on hand little note cards of encouragement to send as the need arises. However, there are those times when electronic media provides us with an immediate way of expressing our gratitude or encouragement. Both methods are acceptable to my way of thinking. :o)
Thank YOU, Michelle, for taking the time to write the words of encouragement you sent out this morning! Your words remind us that we can be encouraged and be an encourager, NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances are, when we truly trust the Lord!
Michelle your words of encouragement. Praise God for the wisdome He gives you.
I wanted to let you know I am doing the challenge I just get on last night and tell you. Sorry about that.
Praise God, I am going now and drink my green drink and then I will be done.
Have an awesome day.
Praise God I was an encouragement to someone before I read this 🙂 I took time to "make small talk" with someone when normally I would have been in a rush on my way to do good. I am growing up!