Overcoming Adversity

I grew up in a little town that boasted a large community pool. My mom would sit on a towel, slathered in baby oil, sizzling in the summer sun reading a book while I would splash around in the freezing cold spring-fed pool or play on playground equipment that is probably illegal now.

Don’t picture colorful plastic structures with safety rails and seat belts.

The 14’ slide was a narrow piece of metal pitched at a (nearly) 90 degree angle.

The swing set shuddered and lifted off the ground as we built momentum. 

The teeter-totter was so long and high that if you were on it with a mean kid, you could get launched into next week or dumped on your keister so hard it knocked the wind out of you.

And we had metal monkey bars.

The kind with two ladders and a crossbar. Conquering those monkey bars was a rite of passage.

When you could make it all the way across without falling or stopping, it meant you were a big kid.

At first, I couldn’t even reach the cross bar from the ladder’s top rung.

Mom would have to lift me up and I’d dangle there screaming until she lowered me down or I dropped to the ground.

Eventually, though, I got myself up and with practice, traversed from end to end without assistance or plummeting to the asphalt below.

Without the positive peer pressure, incentives, and practice I would never have made it, cuz I would have quit trying. 

You get that, right? 

Monkey Bar Moments

My life is still full of monkey bar moments…

• I reach for dreams and goals seemingly too big and lofty to attain.
• I fall and fail at relationships and employment opportunities.
• I howl and cry over busted ministry ventures and weight loss flops.

Yet, I press in and press on with my Creator to build the muscle, find the confidence, acquire the skill sets and obtain the wisdom to meet the challenges and make the changes necessary to overcome. 

Following Jesus requires us to look toward heaven even when we can’t feel him, to hold tightly to Truth even when life seems unfair, to keep moving forward even when we are tired or terrified, and trust that if we fail, He will pick us up so we can try again.

Not sure what you are facing, perhaps a time of adversity with health or finances or relationships.

When I am overwhelmed, I go to the Bible to find my peace, joy and smile again.

Psalm 23 for comfort:

• • God will guide me. 
  • Protect me. 
  • Be with me. 

2 Chronicles 20 for reassurance: 

• • Gather with others. 
  • Worship the Lord. 
  • Do what He says. 
  • Watch Him fight for me. 

Matthew 25 for direction:

• • Get ready! 
  • Use your gifts. 
  • Serve intentionally.

Maybe, like so many women I talk to, you have a call on your life to speak, to share your story of overcoming. You know you want to and you know you could make such a difference but you just don’t know how to start or can’t quite muster the courage to try.

If that’s you, I have 3 ideas for you.

1. Join my Free FB group for speakers.
2. Go to the Speak Up Conference – either in person or virtually.
3. Set up a quick call with me to tell me about this call on your life to speak. I’ve trained hundreds of aspiring speakers to share their story or teach the Bible and I’d love to help you, too.

FREEDOM

We are coming up on the 4th of July — Independence Day –a day when FREEDOM was proclaimed and now celebrated. 

What freedom from adversity do you need today and how are you pursuing it?

Leave me a comment.

I’d love to know I’m not the only one who deals with this stuff and I want your ideas for overcoming.

Verse:  “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, this life is hard. We face adversity at every stage of life. Fill us with courage and wisdom. Put people in our lives who will cheer and guide. LORD, remind us you are with us and that we can do hard things.