Facing Tough Times

Facing Tough Times

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7

When I know I’m on the right path but I’m discouraged with how things are going, I remind myself of this story: A worker wanted to know the secret of success, so she went to the remote home of an expert in her field. She knew he was known for terse answers, so she quickly expressed her longing and asked, “Where do I find success?”

He didn’t speak but pointed to his right. She hurried toward that area only to be met with a mud hole. Splat—in she fell!

She pulled herself up, limped back to the expert, and said, “I must have misunderstood. Let me ask again: Where is the success I seek?”

Again he merely pointed toward the right. This time the mud hole was bigger. Splat! She tried to stand up. Splat! Splat!

Now she dragged one foot as she went back to the great professional. With tears running down her face, she said, “Please talk to me. Twice I’ve asked you where I can find success. Twice you’ve sent me off that way. And twice I’ve met nothing but splat. I must know. Where is the success I seek?”

This time the expert looked at her for a long moment, then said, “All you seek is just beyond splat.”

So remember: If we are in the right place, what we seek is often just beyond the tough assignment. —SANDRA

Lord, this is a story to which I can relate because I know that mud hole all too well. Help me to move past the “splat” areas of my life and into your victories. Help me to realize the setbacks are temporary. Encourage me to keep going when I’d rather just whimper and quit.

Every moment of our lives we are faced with spiritual hazards, and at the same time with spiritual opportunities. —ELISABETH ELLIOT, MISSIONARY, AUTHOR, AND SPEAKER