After being Tested,Shaken-Remain standing

The sternest tests awaken unknown strengths when faith comes matched to the trial. Two realities come enjoined, as if stars aligning, when challenges, conflicts, and controversies combine with the inner patience of grace to remain unbuckled under the weight of the burden.

The only way we can prove we have any strength of character is when we are tested. No one ever enjoys being tested, not if they’re being both honest and humble, but there is a pleasant irony in being tested. There is a crown to be earned in being tested where we are found worthy of the test. During such times we require composure; the courage to sustain an even-keel attitude, with the situational wisdom to show restraint against an emotional response.

Being stirred up by people who wish to upset us, or being shaken by a disturbing, grief-laden event, or being tested by an unrelenting season of life; these are as predictable in coming as they are in their ferocity. We need courage. We need several forms of courage. We need wisdom of the sort that reflects courage. We need to apply faith which is truly the application of courage together with the discernment and decisiveness of wisdom in remaining steadfast.

Courage is required in the instant. If we are prepared to enter the fray courageously, that step of faith will be rewarded. Courage is the momentary application of trust – in God, in the moment to redeem itself upon our understanding, and in the willingness to delay judgment. We cannot be strengthened if we haven’t been previously weakened. There is a necessary testing that must come as a precursor to strengthening. Being strengthened occurs as a product of a testing time in combination with an insightfully wise response.

Being stirred, shaken, and tested are opportunities and not just challenges. If it wasn’t for such things there would be no impetus for strengthening; for the sort of growth our characters need to mature. Again, we don’t thrive on being stirred, shaken, or tested, but there is a crown of blessing for having endured it. Endurance is our key. And anything that will help that end should be considered, but only the things that support virtues like patience, wisdom, faith, and courage should be applied.

If we are prepared to enter the fray courageously, our step of faith will be rewarded. Courage is the momentary application of trust. Trusting God is a worthy response. Courage, faith, and trust: these three reflect wisdom and they ensure we are strengthened.

Success is achievable

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die”. These are the opening words of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. It serves as a reminder to man that death is inevitable. It is the way every living being will go. Do you realize that your lifetime is the only time you have to do whatsoever you wish in life? Many people live their lives as though they are oblivious of this fact and so attach little or no seriousness to their lives.

This failure to realize early that life is a one-time thing is in part responsible for so much mediocrity among men. A lot of intelligent and smart guys die without maximizing their potentials. Not because they did not have enough time to optimally exploit life, but because they fail to use their time optimally. They are only remembered and talked of by close family members and friends when their names should have been indelibly stamped in human history.
Men like Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, King Gillette, Henry Ford, Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, etc. who distinguished themselves all have the same physical features like every other human being. The blood that runs in their veins is not different from that that runs in you. Some of them did not get the best of education, but they were exceedingly successful. Others didn’t come from wealthy homes and some others like Albert Einstein were dullard early in their life.

You are too loaded to be a failure. That is not who you are created to be. To walk the earth and die without leaving a strong indelible mark of great positive achievement is not why you are here.

Success is a possibility that starts in the mind and eats up a person showing in his attitudes which forms his habits and attributes. It begins with a possibility thinking and mindset. Do you think you can succeed? The first step to becoming successful in life is to have a mind full of success oriented thoughts. If the men mentioned above can succeed, you too can succeed. Success is possible for.

Wake up from your slumber. You have slept away enough time. It is not too late yet. You can still hit your business, academic, career and spiritual targets if you are determined.