Strategies for Growth

Who says it can’t be done? 

"Rise up; this matter is in your hands...take courage and do it." Ezra 10:4 NIV 

Until 1954, all the leading medical journals said that the four-minute mile was not humanly possible. Doctors warned athletes of the dire consequences of attempting it. Coaches encouraged their runners to do their best, but to forget about achieving it. Yet, that same year, Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile! Forty years later, Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland did it too – at age 41. Not long after that, Kip Keino of Ethiopia almost did it – at age 55. Who says it can’t be done? 

Dr Gerry Lynch says, "When you believe you can, you activate motivation, commitment, confidence, concentration, and excitement -- all of which relate directly to achievement. In reality, whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right!" (See Proverbs 4:23.) Does that mean it’s easy? No! The path to personal achievement is uphill all the way. 

Furthermore, if you don’t learn to see failure as an acceptable part of success, you won’t even get out of the starting gate. Whether it’s athletics, academics, business, ministry, sales, or anything else, keep this in mind – airplanes and kites rise faster when they fly into the wind! You grow stronger physically, mentally and spiritually only when resistance and opposition test you. That’s why the Bible says, "Blessed is the man that endureth...for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown" (James 1:12 KJV). 

Prayer point:

Father, the Bible is full of examples of people You enabled to do the impossible. Thank You that nothing is impossible for You – and that You are with me and for me. Help me to persevere at what You have called me to do. I look to You for help every step of the way.