Daily Power #310

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:18)

One time a young boy named Billy stepped into his back yard, clothed in his favorite baseball team’s uniform. With dreams of playing in the big leagues one day, he fantasized about future greatness.

Billy grabbed his favorite bat, choked up on it slightly, taking a couple of practice swings before picking up a ball. Preparing to toss the ball up in the air and hit it across the back yard, Billy shouted enthusiastically, “I’m the greatest hitter who has ever lived!” With that he tossed the ball slightly, swung with all his might, and missed.

Undeterred, Billy followed the exact same ritual. Grip perfect. Stance just right. Tongue slightly to the left. Again he exclaimed confidently, “I’m the greatest hitter in the whole wide world!” Another swing and a miss.

The third time was exactly like the first two. The declaration. The swing. The miss. Without missing a beat, the young boy declared, “Wow! Who would have ever thought? I’m going to be the greatest pitcher in the whole world!”

When life doesn’t go your way, God often has something totally different for you. Be careful not to despise what you don’t have or what you can’t do. Embrace all that God has given you. You are exactly the way he wants you to be. God knew what he was doing when he made you. And you have everything you need to be everything God wants you to be.

Power Lift

When things don’t go my way, Lord, help me to trust you for something better—your good and perfect will for my life.