Don't Cut Yourself Short

There are many times I have found myself in the middle of a serious problem that I wished and prayed would either vanish or conveniently find its solution immediately. While that satisfaction would alleviate my burden and allow me to continue with my life, there are some productive outcomes that result from embracing our challenges.

I have felt and seen in the lives of others the truth that if we don't firmly grasp our issues, they will not only firmly clinch us, they will likely dominate us. So, tackle the situation before it tackles you - if you can. If the circumstances took you by surprise, then respond don't react to the invader. Reacting is a sudden, knee-jerk, immediate action done due to some stimuli. Responding is the deliberate acknowledging of what is happening and planning of the necessary reply.

I never said this was going to be easy and it often is not, especially in a heated and difficult situation. Although I do not wish problems on anybody, the more problems you don't ignore and meet head-on, the more you will develop a strategy for beating them. 

Complications, obstacles and trouble in life are a given certainty. Life is what you make of it. Problems, issues or challenges in life can develop better integrity in us, if we allow it. Camaraderie among friends, family and co-workers can result from assistance with our problems. And the joy of seeing the challenge through and solution met is always satisfying.

Through life, problems will come and go, but you, God and hopefully your support group are your constant. I have heard and read of many who have given up in their fight of whatever situation they are battling and they choose suicide or death as the way out. There is no Player 2 or respawn point in real life. Life can deal a nasty hand at times, but God says to -

1. Seek Him first (Matt. 6:33),

2. Cast all your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7),

3. Trust in Him and submit your ways to Him and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Knowing that everybody experiences problems, and going through a challenge of grief over a friend I lost recently, I wanted to encourage you. Whether your issue is on the lower end of the managing scale or much higher - first, turn to God and then meet that monster or mountain head-on and - Don't Cut Yourself Short.