Daily Diary - June 24th, 2016

Life’s Lessons

When we talk about sports in the sense of its value we begin to gain perspective.  Team sport is the greatest teaching tool in America to teach our youth about life. 

As parents we can conclude that sports is a place to show acceptance for our children in the world.  It brings us pride for their success. This is good and bad, especially bad if our pride in our children outweighs the potential lessons that prepare them for life as adults.

We need to take a step back and look at the value of competition and how we handle failure and success.  On the field we see our youth fail by striking out or making errors and our human nature seems to want to make excuses for their mishaps, when in reality having to face this adversity is a great lesson that teaches them how to overcome and respond to difficulty with character. 

I have learned that there are 2 types of people.  The first are those people that are responsible for their own future.  They are patient and take full responsibility for their situation and will not allow outside forces to dictate their outcomes.  These types of people are most often overcomers that will stay the course and learn throughout difficult situations, allowing for the highest level of growth in character.  The test and the trial are good!  They are the only things that truly allow us to reach our potential.  If not, we flat-line and expect to improve based on false intentions that have no chance of helping us improve.  Working harder and earning their way is their motivation.  They will achieve more and grow the most to become adults that will succeed in life.

James 1:3-5 Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

The second type of people, are those that look for the bail out if something is difficult.  They believe the world is determining their future and they are submitted to dealing with “its” results.  This is a mind-set of living by “Chance” and not by “Faith”.  Chance says your lucky or you can manipulate situations and they will create a path for me.  This type of “Luck based mind-set” is based on worldly outcomes that are derived in manipulation, deception and even intimidation as its playing field.  None of these come from God, but rather from the enemy’s plan found in Galatians known as the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

We will all fall into this type of deception and blame the world for our struggle.  We need to realize that God is a good father and He overcame the world.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

It is true that we perish by lack of knowledge.  We must understand that to grow sometimes it requires us to stand the test.  To push through and hold on in faith that we can achieve great things in God’s timing.  Press in and work harder to overcome difficult situations.  God is a good father and chooses to bless those who seek him. 

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Question:  Which type of person are you?

Father God, give us the wisdom to understand what makes us grow in character.  Help us to look at adversity as an opportunity.  We trust you and walk in your plan for our lives in Jesus name! Amen.