Problems: Finding the Hidden Gems WithinIsampula

Day 4 - Problems are tied to your legacy

Your problems are often tied to your legacy - the impact that you leave behind long after you are gone.

The Bible says this in Ecclesiastes 1:4, "Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever."

In Isaiah 43:18, God says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

As you look at the legacy of great leaders throughout history, you will see that they often faced significant problems and challenges.

One of my favorite leaders is Winston Churchill, who once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

During World War II, Churchill faced one of the greatest challenges of his time as the Prime Minister of Great Britain. He faced the daunting task of leading his country through a brutal and devastating war, and he did so with great courage and determination.

But Churchill's legacy is not only about his leadership during the war. It is also about the way he faced and overcame his struggles.

Throughout his life, Churchill struggled with depression, which he referred to as "the black dog."

He once said, "I don't like standing near the edge of a platform when an express train is passing through. I like to stand right back and if possible get a pillar between me and the train."

Despite this, Churchill refused to let his struggles define him or hold him back. He kept moving forward, and in doing so, he left a powerful legacy of courage and perseverance.

I love what Pastor Craig Groeschel says, "The most powerful thing you can do is to be a light in somebody's darkness."

Like Churchill, you have struggles and challenges to face.

But as you look to the future and consider your legacy, remember that your struggles do not define you.

They are an opportunity for you to leave a legacy of courage and hope for future generations.

Take a moment now and reflect on the problems you are facing. Can you see how they can influence your legacy?

What about past problems? Can you look back and identify how those problems have created the person you are today?

What if you saw those problems as blessings?

You can learn a lot from Churchill's legacy, and be inspired by his example. You can choose to let your problems hold you back, or you can choose to face them head-on and leave a legacy of courage and determination.

When I look back at some of my past failures, it actually encourages me.

Some of those problems I wish I handled differently, but some of them I handled with great wisdom and poise.

I can think back to losing a job with three kids on one income. It was hard, but that problem was a huge opportunity that built me into a better husband, father, and man.

Problems are prizes. Find them. Open them and discover the treasure inside.

I want to challenge you to be the light God created you to be.

I want to challenge you to see your current state and look forward to the legacy you are building.

God is for you. God is with you. God is on your side.

God bless.