Reflection: God blesses us with the faith we need to tackle every obstacle in our lives. May we continually grow in this faith and be open to receiving the grace we need. When we do things with love and live for the Lord we cannot go wrong and will not be led astray. Have bold obedience and try to always keep in mind, "not my will but yours be done." God has planted a seed of faith in each of us. He wants us to grow daily. Our lives are filled with challenges on a regular basis. One perspective is to view these as obstacles that make us question God. If God really loves me why would he allow me or my family to go trough this? If God truly ares about me why does he not help me out of this situation and change these circumstances. Know friends that God does want to help you and at times we cannot explain the "why?" However, what we can do as believers is to ask God for help and think this way: What can I do with the cards I have been dealt? When we take this approach and positive perspective God will see that we are turning challenges into opportunities for growth in our faith. We water our soul and spirit this way and will bloom into something even more beautiful. Do not let the enemy cause you to doubt the one who made you and knows what is best for you. God pays attention to our effort.
Stay Strong: A story comes to mind that I heard last football season. Chuck Pagano, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts woke up one day and things were not quite right. After things worsened he went to the doctor and tests were done. Low and behold he had cancer. Chuck who was just promoted to head coach of the Colts, a thriving football mind, husband, and father now was facing an uphill battle. He kept his faith, but circumstances still worsened. After chemo and other treatments the days looked number for Chuck. Football was now the furthest from his mind and he just fought to physically survive. Though his endurance, his faith, the many prayers of others, and the loving support of his family, friends, and the Colts, Chuck fought on. God blessed Chuck and began to heal him. Today, Chuck Pagano is back on the sidelines calling the plays for his football team. The thing that amazed me most about this story was coach Pagano's faithfulness, determination, and positive attitude. He could have thought "why me?" and maybe he did for a short time, but radical faith propelled him through the fire of life. At the national news conference after being released from the hospital and treatments were finished, Chuck spoke. His words were filled with thanksgiving to all the fans, family, and friends who prayed for him and visited him. He thanked the Colts for their love and support as well. The thing that stood out the most however was when Chuck talked about life throwing us challenges. He said that each of us will face things that we wished we did not have to tackle, but urged people to view them as opportunities for growth. He stated, "Circumstances don’t make you. I talked about it a long time ago. They don’t make you, they reveal you. There are things that go on in the National Football League, around our communities, in our neighborhoods, around the world, around the country and around our city. You just shake your head at and you ask and say ‘Why?’...For a second there, you might sit back and say ‘Why?’ Again, circumstances don’t make you, they reveal you." In saying this Coach put on his helmet and was mindfully ready to tackle cancer. He had a team of supporters around him who helped him, this being God who loved and cared for him through others. Remember, Jesus did not even carry the cross alone-Simon of Cyrean helped him. God won't let you carry your cross alone either. Chuck proved that circumstances reveal character and he is an example to the world through both his actions, his words, and his gratitude. I admire and aspire to be like Coach Pagano. Instead of allowing "Why me?" and self pity to take over, he did the opposite and grew exponentially in his faith. He also used his fame as an NFL coach as an avenue to inspire millions and witness to the Gospel of Christ in a bold way. May we have this approach and may we not allow life's circumstances to make or define us. May we use challenges as opportunities to reveal to the world who we are as Christians.
Prayer: Father God, help me today to have a more positive outlook on life. When challenges come my way whether great or small help me to view them as opportunities for growth. May I never allow circumstances to define me, but instead to build me up in my faith and my character as a disciple. Lord, help us through and allow others to assist us in carrying our crosses and give us the strengthen to help our brothers and sisters with the crosses they bare. May we be an example and know that you are always by our side. Amen
To read more about the Chuck Pagano story and to read the full press conference transcript see the links below:
http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyId=8603500&src=desktop
Read more: http://fox59.com/2012/12/24/full-transcript-of-coach-chuck-paganos-statement/#ixzz2kuMyAe3a
Read more: http://fox59.com/2012/12/24/full-transcript-of-coach-chuck-paganos-statement/#ixzz2kuMZgZk1
Prayer:
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