Stars can’t shine without darkness: Changing your perspective on challenges
How can you measure the brightness of a star? A star’s brightness is measured by the amount of darkness that surrounds it. The greater the darkness, the brighter the star shines. Now imagine that you are that star but instead of being surrounded by total darkness, you are surrounded by challenges.
My philosophy is that challenges are unrecognizable opportunities that are commonly missed. Although challenges appear as unwanted difficulties that momentarily interrupt our lives, they serve a unique purpose that’s often misunderstood. You might think of challenges as obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your goals, but they are meant to move you out of your comfort zone and closer towards achieving your goals. We all have things that we are believing for. We all have dreams that we want to accomplish. Most of us have businesses that we want to start. It’s easy to get discourage when we encounter obstacles and setbacks. But those hard times are meant to better you not break you. I know that eventually you will get through whatever obstacle you are facing but you will come out of the situation different. You can go through challenges and come out bitter or you can come out better. That choice is up to you. It’s easy to give up but that challenge is an opportunity for you to grow and get better. Think of it this way, if it was easy than anyone could do it. The challenges in your life serves a purpose but it’s up to you to realize that.
The greater the darkness the brighter the star shines. For what is the purpose of a star without darkness? The same ability the star has to shine in darkness also hides within you. How can you realize your full potential without a challenge?
Trust God during your storm!
As he looked towards the sky with tears in his eyes he said these words, “Father, will my troubles ever end? I am constantly faced with many obstacles each day. Although, I know my purpose is worth fighting for; I begin to wonder if it is worth all that I have to endure. You know I don’t want to give up but I have no more strength left in me. I’m tired and these burdens have become too heavy to carry. Father, I can barely survive another day. I feel as if I have been in this storm for far too long. I need your help.”
Jesus came to bring you hope in the midst of your troubles.
“But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.” – Matthew 14:24-25 ASV
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (“Courage”); it is I; be not afraid.” – Matthew 14:27 ASV
Life gets hard sometimes but don’t give up. It’s confusing and complicated when you can’t see your way through your troubles but God lives in trouble water. The troubles you are facing right now are only moving you out of your comfort zone and closer to the promise of God. Anytime God promises you something look out for trouble.
Beware of distractions
““Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried. At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”” – Matthew 14:29-31
We can become so distracted by what’s behind us and around us when our focused should be on what’s in front of us. How often do we allow our circumstances to distract us? Your circumstances and problems are only distractions. They are only there to distract you from what’s in front of you. Just like many of us I find myself distracted by my problems and not trusting God especially when I can’t feel his presence. Sometimes we feel as if God has left us during our storm but really we allow our distractions to lead us away from Him. Don’t be so focused on your storm that you lose sight of God.
Do you think God will take you through a storm just to leave you? God knows we can‘t go through our storms alone. He knew the challenges you would have to face in life. He knew the pain and suffering that you would have to go through. He knew the toxic people who would mistreat you. More importantly, He knew that no matter how hard they tried to keep you down, that they could never hold you back. He knew the difficult path you would have to travel in order to fulfill your destiny. He knew all that your journey required of you. He knew that you couldn’t accomplish your purpose by yourself. He knew that you were going to need Him at some point. God is waiting on us to realize that we can’t go through the storms in our life without him. Did He not tell you that He would be a shelter from the storm and that He would fight your battles? Key word “would” because your battles have already been won. Stop trying to figure it out when God has already worked it out. Listen, no matter how impossible your circumstances might seem, no matter how hard your trials are, no matter what situation you face in life, never forget you serve a God that’s bigger than your problems. He trusted you with your troubles now it’s your turn to trust Him. I encourage you to trust God. Give all of your problems to Him and He will give you rest. Will you trust God during your storm?
“Can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.” – Psalms 91:2 GNB
It’s not the load that breaks us down, it’s the way we carry it.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”– Matthew 11:28-30 GNB
Broken Crayons Still Color
Posted on May 9, 2019 4 Comments
I never knew how strong I was until being strong was my only option. Someone once told me that I can reach more people from my brokenness than I ever can when I’m whole. Since then, my perspective on brokenness was never the same.
In the beginning I couldn’t appreciate the wisdom of the philosopher words because her words didn’t resonate with the reality of my current situation. Truth is I didn’t understand because I was so broken. My problems overwhelmed me and although I tried to overcome them – I still failed. I couldn’t push myself beyond my brokenness. I was being pressed on all sides of life. My back was against the wall. I had done all I could do. The real truth is that I came to the realization that I had found my breaking point. That was the moment everything fell apart. I felt myself start to panic as I collapsed to the floor.
I asked myself, “What was I to do with my broken pieces?” The answer soon became clear as day. It was a tough pill to swallow because Jesus told me that I had to explore my brokenness. Which meant I had to relive the pain and hurt all over again. So I started to write and write and write until there were no words left to write. This is what I’ve learned from my brokenness and I pray that it helps you.
Dear Broken Me:
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. You must be ready at any moment to sacrifice who you are for who you could become. Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness and still become something beautiful.
Maybe this life is more about unbecoming everything that isn’t really me, so that I can be who I was meant to be in the first place. Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may be falling into place.
Your pain has a purpose. Your purpose is found in your brokenness. When you begin to appreciate the agony of your struggles then you will begin to understand why there is purpose in your pain. What if we were meant to be broken just so that we can be pieced back together again as a new person?
~Jesus pain had a purpose.~ He was broken on the cross for you. His purpose was to save you.
I believe that we sometimes allow the world to shape us into someone we are not and so we become an image that’s of the world. But through Christ we become a new creation. I learned that being broken reveals what’s truly on the inside of you – which is your purpose. For these reasons, I encourage those of you who are broken and those of you who have felt like a piece of yourself went missing. Keep moving forward with your broken pieces. Because when you look for the beauty in your struggles then you will soon discover the unseen purpose in your brokenness.
“Broken but not destroyed, shattered yet I’m more of myself then I have ever been.” – Fredrick D. Thompson
Thank you for reading Own The Moment. I pray this blog reaches those who need an answer to their brokenness.
Writer: Fredrick D. Thompson
“Life is but a dream”
Posted on February 20, 2019 Leave a Comment
The dreamer asked “Why go on dreaming in a false world where nothing but reality exist?”
“You, he said, are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.”
Beneath the surface of desire
the dreamer cry.
Stuck between sight and dreams
For nothing at all was the way it seemed.
Once lost in space where time didn’t exist.
Now rushed with every second the clock ticked.
And Moments of forever disappeared in the end.
Reality was the only poison to the dreamer’s dreams. And Fear never existed until then.
I write because you exist.
Posted on December 13, 2018 2 Comments
I write because..
I know you are out there and I know you need someone to inspire you. I know you need someone to encourage you; to motivate you to push forward when the road ahead gets tough. So I write to encourage you. I write to tell you that you can and you will overcome the many obstacles in your life. Even if you shall fall down, you will get back up again. It’s not over until you win. You will find your purpose, you will accomplish your dreams and you will achieve your goals. Sometimes you just need someone to believe in you. Especially when the road ahead gets rough. When your journey leads you into unfamiliar struggles and it’s taking everything inside of you to not give up. So I write because…. I believe in you. I write to tell you that no matter how hard life gets just remember you have something inside that’s greater than the pressures of life. I write because you need to hear this and I pray that it reaches the stronger person that’s inside of you. I encourage you to continue to strive for greatness. Because my friend you have greatness inside of you. It’s a long road ahead and I pray that the light within guide you through these dark times. And if you shall ever feel alone…. I hope my words and prayers comfort you.
I know you are out there somewhere. When I think of you I see me.
⁃I write because you exist.
Thank you for reading OwnTheMoment!
Author: Fredrick Thompson