“God does not give us overcoming life – He gives us life as we overcome.” Oswald Chambers
My son began climbing rock walls a year ago. There was a route he wasn’t able to do initially, but he tried multiple times to ascend it. He watched others do it. He picked a portion of it, projected it, and tried various ways until he conquered that section of it, and committed it to memory. Then he tried different approaches to climb up the next segment till he surmounted that too. He continued this process till one night he shared how he successfully scaled the whole route. I am proud of him for not giving up!
The next morning while doing my quiet time, I reflected on the skills it took for him to conquer that particular route. I realized they are exactly what I need to overcome my struggle with writing a book on emotional healing and intimacy with God. In fact, they are the same traits we all need to possess to triumph over anything in our lives.
First of all, he had patience and perseverance. He was willing to try it over and over again until he got it. Unfortunately, living in a microwave society, we don’t like to wait for something; we want it now.
David had determination and worked hard to achieve his goal. He was resolute that somehow, in some way, and at some point in time, he would achieve his goal. His dad is the same way. It was John’s purposing in his mind and heart, as well as his sacrifice and labor, that got him into medical school and helped him finish Ironman races.
Strategy and having an engineer’s mindset of numerous ways to solve a problem, were also to David’s advantage. He loves the challenge to come up with an assortment of solutions. All of these qualities helped him work it till he could complete the route.
Likewise, patience, perseverance, determination, hard work, breaking it down in smaller pieces, and strategy help us become overcomers. The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:37, adds one more ingredient to the recipe in how to conquer the obstacles we face in life. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God’s empowerment, along with the other character traits, encourages us to overcome the roadblocks we’re currently facing. The most difficult challenges we confront may be the ones that reside within us.
What are you waiting for? Strap on that harness, put on your rock climbing shoes, and dust your hands with chalk. Get ready for the climb of your life and become an overcomer!
“If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God because He immediately gives us the power of life.” Oswald Chambers
Relevant Reflections: 1. What current obstacle do you need to overcome? 2. Which of the components in the ability to conquer, do you need to apply to your life?