From Pressure to Promise
Theme of the Week: Attitude Adjustment
Friday, February 27, 2009
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28). Bonus Reading: Romans 8:29-32
One week after the birth of my third child, I walked into the vice president's office at Dell, Inc., and told him that the weight of my new job had become unbearable. Four months of obstacles, unforeseen expectations, and ongoing criticism, had led to dis couragement, sleepless nights, and depression. I wanted out.
To my surprise, the veep asked if I believed in God. As a Christian himself, he said, he didn't believe Christians should be quitters. He urged me to take the rest of the day off to pray.
I did. Self-examination revealed that as pressures had heated up, my pessimistic attitude—driven more by self-reliance than the promises of God—had bred fear and hopelessness. I'd become ineffective around my customers and those I was supposed to lead.
The optimism of strong leaders isn't Pollyanna-like. It's based on a firm belief, expressed in [today's Key Bible Verse], that God will turn even the toughest challenge into something good.
When times are hard or we fail, it's difficult to see the good. But an eternally wise God may be maturing our faith in him, preparing us for bigger challenges, or using us as an example for others.
—Ray Tong in Devotional Ventures
My Response: A disappointment that God turned to good was …
Thought to Apply: Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out. —John Wooden
Adapted from Devotional Ventures (Regal, 2006) by permission.
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
Help me, Lord, to cultivate a positive attitude that makes belonging to you look attractive.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
