Toughing it out

Robert Schuller wrote, “tough times never last, but tough people do!” Life isn’t always easy. At times it can be extremely difficulty.

Health problems, financial problems, family problems, relationship problems, marriage problems, can all present incredible challenges. They challenge our resolve, our attitudes, and our future.

Jesus wrote, “In this world you shall have tribulation.” Job said, “Mans days are short and full of trouble.” While it is true that life can be tough and full of difficulties and trouble, it is also true that things don’t have to stay that way. There is always a way out of the difficulties you face in life. Listen to what David said, “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Just because trouble comes doe’s not mean that we have to allow ourselves to be destroyed by them. While the Bible is full of passages that warn of trouble it is also full of admonitions for overcoming them.

The following principles will help you victoriously overcome life’s difficulties.

Have faith.

Believe that things can and will change. Expect God to do what He promises in His word. Believe in healing, deliverance, provision and protection.

Renew your mind.

Change the way you think. Get rid of negative thinking. Refuse to think thoughts of doubt, unbelief, and destruction. Fill your mind with the promises of God’s word.

Watch your mouth.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. What you speak in life is what you can expect to have. This is a spiritual principle that cannot be nullified. Paul wrote, “confession is made unto salvation.” Begin to speak what you intend to see, not what mow is. It is a true statement confession leads to possession.

Positive actions.

Choose to do your part to change the way things are. Become a doer not just a hearer of the word of God. The prophet Jeremiah said, “if you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land.”

Surround yourself with winners.

Your associations are important to hanging tough. Don’t run with gloom and doom thinkers. The last thing you need when facing tough times is to be around people that are down and out. By running with winners, in tough times, they will encourage you to keep on keeping on.

See the end result.

In order to hang tough in trying times, you must be able by faith to see beyond what now is to what can be. Faith sees beyond the present circumstances.

Don’t stop.

Quit should be a word that you remove from your vocabulary. “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” The race isn’t to the first off the line, or even to the fastest runner, it is to the one who endures to the end.

Overcoming Adversity

No one is immune to bad times. We all go through them. Winners know how to bounce back for them. In this lesson we will seek to learn the qualities needed to over come adversity.

The Bible says we will face difficult times.

Jesus said "in this world you shall have tribulations, but the of good cheer, I have over come the world." (John 16: 33) the David said, "many are the affliction of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of the all." (Saw 34: 19) notice that in both Scriptures it is the assurance that although we will encounter hard times, God promises to deliver us from them.

Pray. Ask God for assistance.

Enlist his ability on your behalf to overcome the adversity you’re facing. Ask God to lead you to the right people, to give you the right idea or information you need to bounce back. Jesus said "what things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive than you shall have them." (Mark 11:24)

Believe in your ability to bounce back.

You have what it takes to bounce back. It is amazing how much inner you have. The of apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Make the plan for recovery.

The key to winning over any of life’s difficulties, is to strategize for victory. Determine what needs to be done and now to do. Having a workable plan is half the battle.

Make the most of the situation you are in.

He added in the adversity is an opportunity to do something different. When given a lemon, make lemonade. The apostle Paul said, "all things work together for good." (Romans 8)

Enlist the assistance of others.

Allow friends and family to help you during difficult times. No man is an island. We all need each other. God's intention is for us to help and be helped by others.

Persist until conquer your adversity.

Don't give up, or stop short of total victory. Be totally committed to victory. Always remember that victory comes to those who don't quit.

Organize Your Time

Do you ever feel, at the end of the day, that although you were busy all day you didn’t really accomplish much? Do you at times feel like you are on a vicious treadmill, active but not going anywhere? Before you allow frustration to set in, and stop you, take control of your time.

You can manage your day. You can organize your time. Here’s how:

Identify your priorities.

Determine what tasks are really important to accomplish. What needs to be done that is in line with your overall purpose or objectives? What are your long-range goals?

Schedule your priorities.

Develop a timeline for doing the things that are important to your overall objectives. Refuse to get caught in the trap of doing the urgent instead of the important. Set aside a reasonable amount of time for each task of importance. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted.

Work from a daily “to-do” list.

Make a daily list of the things you intend to do on a given day. Although they take time to put together, lists are highly effective for being productive. Make a “to-do” list, everyday.

Prioritize the items in your list.

A simple plan is as follows: Put an “A” beside the tasks that are first in priority. Put a “B” beside the next most important tasks. Put a “C” by the least important tasks. Next number the “A’s”, “B’s”, and “C’s” according to which you need to work on first, second and so on. Example: A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2.

Give prime time to prime tasks.

Do your “A” list when your energy and focus are at their highest. When you are at your best (this varies from person to person. Some people are morning persons and others are night persons). Do your “B” list when less focus is needed, and when you have finished what is on your “A” list.

Finish the “A” tasks first.

Focus on getting the highest priority tasks completed, before moving on to something else. The sense o accomplishment will give you the needed boost and confidence to tackle the “B” and “C” lists!

Cross off each completed item.

Each crossed off task is a sign of accomplishment and productivity!