Skip to main content

Why am I stuck here?



Today, while conducting a training session on leadership for some teen girls, I found myself talking about experiences at my old job.  Relaxed, happy, and enjoying life, how far removed I am today from the stomach-knotting, headache-inducing days in that torturous job.  If you have ever worked for a bully, you know what I'm talking about.

That being said, I must confess that I was able to say that I have no regrets about the experience. I suffered much, but learned more, and the things that hurt me the most made me stronger and more aware of myself and others. 

I was teaching from Titus 3:1, where Paul was giving instructions to be related to their church leaders. "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men."

The word teaches us that obedience and respect are not subject to change, based on our circumstances or environments.  We are equally accountable, across all levels of hardship or ease. Whether our boss could be best characterized as Mother Theresa or Cruella DeVil, taking God's Word to heart can make all the difference in our attitude, which, in turn, manifests in our actions.

One valuable thing I learned--and pass on today--is this: When people or things provoke you, instead of asking, why me?, ask, Lord, what are you trying to teach me?  It's that simple.

Don't see the problem, see the opportunity to learn something--about yourself, or others. This is the key to getting out of that foxhole with a sound mind and body.  The truth of the matter is, God has a "no child left behind" policy. This is why we find ourselves "looped" through the same lesson over, and over, and over---retaking the test we've failed until we get it right.  In the end, this works better for us if we go into challenges with eyes wide open, with a heightened sense of awareness, an open heart, and a teachable mind.

Try it. It saved my life.

PS Diet day two--I made it without cheating :)  I've lost two pounds so far.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#INSUFFICIENT Part 3...Running on empty

Every day, in some way or another, we seem to come up short. Our output exceeds our income, and we are "in the red" when it comes to so many things, such as time, energy, money...even enthusiasm. Being tapped out seems to have become the norm, as we chase every opportunity, pursue countless friendships, enlist ourselves in every new cause, and rack up accomplishments, jam-packing our resumes, calendars, and Facebook friends list until we don't have a single spare moment to ourselves. From the outside, it looks like a "full life;" on the inside, it feels pretty empty. How can something so empty feel so heavy? First of all, "more" isn't necessarily "better." Have you ever been behind a group of tween girls ordering their drinks in a coffee shop? They like the fru-fru girly coffees, with lots of sugar, calories, and every possible option, extra this, extra that...Aside from taking FIVE-EVER (I just learned this term from my daughter-...
1 comment
Read more

Obligations

So, you made it through Monday, presumably... How many days have we wished away, that could have been significant in our life--or the life of another--if we had only "exerted ourselves," as Jane Austen so beautifully described it? So many things we know we should do--yet we don't. Yesterday, my husband traveled hundreds of miles for a 30-minute funeral, but I had encouraged him to go. It was important to the family, overall, but especially meaningful to the immediate family of his great uncle, who passed away.  Many times in our lives, we have these opportunities. Sometimes we take them; sometimes we do not. I have found that I always regret NOT going, rather than the reverse. It made me think -- it's time to look at our social and familial obligations in a different way. Once I read something written by a life coach who encouraged the philosophy of taking each day more deliberately--especially in the way we verbalize it. Instead of "I have to go to the st...
2 comments
Read more

#INSUFFICIENT, Part 2: The underdog.

I think we all experience those moments when we feel like a big fat fraud (not intending to allude to my weight struggles, here, honestly). Those moments when you turn around from your accomplishments and accolades to face your fears and failures, and there you are--just a girl. Nobody special. The underdog. Long before King David was king, he was a ruddy little forgotten youngest brother. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, you can find an account of the day when the illustrious prophet arrived at Jesse's house to anoint the next king. One by one, Jesse proudly lined up his big, strong, handsome sons--educated, accomplished, well-trained for battle...if they had been sons in this day and age, the proud dad would have certainly had racks and racks of towering, gleaming trophies lining the walls of his man cave--scores of monuments to the big strapping boys' accomplishments. One by one, the prophet Samuel looked them over. One by one, he declared, "No, this is not the one."...
1 comment
Read more