Dave Ramsey – “Helping other people better their lives is way more fun than obsessing about bettering your own.”
You know those times in your life when things are not going the way you think they should? The times when you say, “This is not at all how I expected it to be!” Times during college, dating , marriage. That moment when you bring your child to the doctor…for the 8th time in three weeks. The moment when you discover your spouse has an addiction (porn, booze, shopping, etc.). The times when it feels like nothing is going right and your whole world is crashing down around you. An accident. Financial ruin. Betrayal. Illness. Death.
In those moments, what do we often hear from people? What words of “comfort” do they offer? The words you don’t want to hear.
“This is all part of God’s plan for your life.”
“He is allowing you to go through this so that you will be stronger on the other side.”
Ugh. Horrible words. No comfort at all.
I recently made a discovery about these well meaning words. They are all true.
This is not to say they should always be given to your friends and family during times of trial.
What I mean when I say “They are all true” is that I have found the place in my own life where they are suddenly true for me.
I’ve spent years and years wondering when all the crap in my life would be helpful. I never imagined it would come so soon. I’m 42 years old. Doesn’t this need to stew and simmer for a couple of more decades? Nope. God is telling me the time is now. Now is my time to help others. He has uniquely prepared me for “such a time as this.”
I have been extremely fortunate to have received guidance from people have gone through those tough times you mentioned. It doesn’t mean those tough times could not creep into my life, but it was great to hear about it from someone that has been through the fire. Keep up the good work! We younger people need to hear about what does and doesn’t work in life. I love to hear the great amazing things that people accomplish, but the people that have had the greatest impact on me have shared the times that they failed so that I could avoid that area all together.
Justin – This is exactly why I need to be more consistent with posting. My wife emphasized to me this past Sunday that I need to “tell my story”. People want and need to hear the words I have to say. There are lessons that have been learned and they need to be shared. I look forward to sharing more with you. Have a great day!