Trials Build Character

Trials, temptations, disappointments -- all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fibre of a character, but strengthen it. Every conquered temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.
- James Buckham

Temptations are brought about because of Satan or ones-self. The Bible says that, "God tempteth no man but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts and enticed." If you can overcome temptation then you will be stronger.

Facing Deficiencies

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.
- Helen Keller

EVERYONE you will ever meet has a deficiency or a weakness. Some hide them better than others. When someone points out that deficiency in your life, acknowledge it, and face that giant. A wise man once pointed out to me that God allows our deficiencies to surface not to embarrass us or to cause us to give up, but more appropriately to allow us to fix them, so we can be more like Him. You don't have to be weak to have weaknesses, but do not let them have control.

Helen Keller knew about weaknesses and deficiencies, but overcame them and became a great orator, author, and developed several foundations. The order of the Southern Cross was conferred upon her because of her charitable work. It wasn't always this way. Up until the age of 2 years old, Helen was a perfectly normal child. Then at the age of two years old, she contracted a very high fever that left her both blind and dumb (speechless). She began to throw tantrums because of the frustration that she faced because that she was now unable to communicate. It wasn't until Anne Sullivan came and made her realize that these disabilities did not make her worthless. These deficiencies caused her to learn patience, allowing a new insight about the value of not letting weaknesses to overcome her.

Even if life starts out normal, and takes a terrible turn, we can make it! We need to be aware that trials come to make us strong. The Bible says, "Greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world."

Courage and Strength

Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.
- Anonymous

Next time you are faced with hard times, you should realize that the Bible says, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind." You have the power, through God, to push back anything that comes against you. The Church is being called to the strength and courage she knows. God wants to use us more now than ever before to bring about miracles, signs, and wonders. Push your fears aside and step into the courage and strength that God has provided for the Church, even if you are in the midst of most difficult times.

Within You

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
- William Morrow

Truer words have never been spoken! If you have the fortitude you can face any storm or adversity with the utmost confidence. It isn't what you face that makes you! It's what you do with what you face that changes you! Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world, according to God's Word. You have the greatest potential to be anything you want to be right inside you. You already possess the power. Use it! Become! Change your world! You have the power within!

There is a Time

Charles Dickens began his book, “A Tale of Two Cities”, with these words:
“IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,”…

Mr. Dickens penned those words in regards to the year 1775; they express how he felt about that particular time.

We, like Dickens, are living in "the best of times," and "the worst of times." There has never been a better era in which to live, but the world has never been more wicked than it is now. It is your choice as to which side you will live in. Will you choose to live in "the epoch of belief" or the "epoch of incredulity?" The world and it's violent ugliness has created a time so bad that it is unprecedented in the history of the world. We are, however, living in the greatest, most powerful time the church has ever known.

Happy Busy People!

"The happiest people are those who are too busy to notice whether they are or not."
-William Feather.

An idle mind is the devil's workshop! I have heard this comment for years and believe it to be true. No I am not talking about resting. Everyone needs rest sometime. When you just sit around however, your mind becomes a playground for mischief. I have often heard quoted, "If you want to get a job done, ask a busy person." These people often have a better outlook on life, and see life as a journey and not a destination. Hence, their whole life is consumed with keeping themselves occupied and making forward progress. We all derive satisfaction when a goal is accomplished and done well. This makes us happy. Therefore, most happy people are busy people.

ARE YOU HAPPY?

Happiness is a Choice

Our greatest happiness in life does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.
- Thomas Jefferson

Happiness is a by-product of living well, and with a good conscience. Living well with a good conscience comes through living for God. Being happy is a choice. I can either be happy or miserable. When worries try to overwhelm us, and they will, we need to poitively make a choice to smile through the pain and laugh through the sorrow. I have made a choice that I will not go through life miserable.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy!"