Posted on 08/13/2003 7:42:25 PM PDT by Tigercap
I'm a Manager at an Automotive Engineering/Manufacturing company. We have a mentoring program for which I am a "mentor". I really enjoy it; it's a great experience for the mentors and the mentored. It revolves around leadership. We meet every 3-4 weeks. At the last meeting, we were discussing problem-solving. A friend of mine was making a point about how issues/problems are inevitable, and it's all about how these problems are dealt with that makes the difference. Within his speech, he mentioned that the Bible states something that is counter-intuitive: "Consider it pure joy when you face problems of many kinds". I think I've heard something like that, but wasn't sure. The point of the verse being that God doesn't give you more than you can handle if you lean on Him, and you come out of these times stronger and wiser (times of learning) afterword able to attack larger problems more effectively. ok. cool.
During this time began the toughest 3 weeks of my career. It has been one problem after another - frustrating stuff out of your control. I've been doing my best to hang in there, and have been working a lot of hours and spending my nights gritting my teeth during my sleep. Anyway: I couldn't sleep the other night thinking too much about the issues. Usually when this happens I grab a Sports Illustrated or National Review. This night I decided to page through my Bible. A book I haven't really touched in the past several months. I paged through the NT and thought about what would be good to read: I really like the NT letters because they're filled with wisdom. I also like the gospels because of the awesome words in red (Jesus'). A shorter book was definately in order, so I chose James. I can't recall reading much of James, ever. I read the page 'introduction' about who James was, who he was writting to, why, etc. Then, I paged to Chapter 1. I about fell out of bed when I got to James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." More at peace since then.
I told my friend about my experience. He nodded and said, "that's what non-believers call 'coincidence'"
D'oh! Thanks, for the reminder!
Don't ever forget
JAMALY =
J-Jesus
A-and
M-Momma
A-always
L-love
Y-you
It glorifies God and that is reason enough to post it.
God loves to be glorified, he's really into that.
"...The light at the end of the tunnel...has been turned off..."
There is no sense in being pessimistic - it wouldn't work anyway........FRegards
When they are beyond believable, it really hits home how much the Lord loves us. I swear there have been a couple "signature" episodes in which I could almost hear God say, "touche"!
Sometimes, when I think I've got it all worked out, I get a gentle reminder. I've been on the receiving end of bold corrections, as well, but He always does just enough it seems for me to have to keep leaning on Him.
There's a narrrow gate at the end of the road we travel, and The Good Lord is just keeping me towards the dotted line -- right down the middle.
To human eyes, too much of light
Is blinding as the blackest night.
And this is so, too, of the mind,
In total ignorance it's blind.
But more truth than it can absorb
Will overwhelm the mental orb.
So, lest our vision burn to ashes
God shows us truth in bits and flashes,
White revelations that the brain
Can comprehend and yet stay sane.
And we, poor fools, demand truth's noon
Who scarce can bear its crescent moon.
-- "White Revelations," by Georgia Starbuck Galbraith.
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