Overcoming Life's Challenges: Betrayal

Myopia is defined by dictionary.com in the following way: 'a condition of the eye in which parallel rays are focused in front of the retina, objects being seen distinctly only when near to the eye; nearsightedness.' I am not sure that I could spot someone with the medical condition described above. I am, however, certain that I could spot someone who lives life with a 'nearsighted' or 'myopic' perspective. In fact, I would venture to say that many of us have lived life from this perspective, at least from time to time. In fact, if you want to know just how myopic your life might be take a moment and complete the following highly scientific test (that I am making up as I write):

1. Do you often find yourself thinking that you deserve better than you are getting?


2. Do you often ask yourself, 'God, where are you' or 'God, why have you abandoned me?'


3. Do you often envy someone else's situation, position at work, family, status, life?


4. Do you find that you are still bitter over something that happened years ago?


5. Do you find that you still carry guilt over an incident that is, perhaps, decades old?


6. Do you live your life through your children, pressuring them to succeed where you have failed?


7. Do your failures define you?


8. Do you quickly and arrogantly take credit for your successes?


9. Do you use the following (or similar) phrase often: 'I sure got dealt a sorry hand in this life?'


10. Do you find that your are often a 'negative' person in your thoughts and your words?

Okay, there you go. Tally your results (yes or no only, please). Now, if you answered yes to any of the above, then chances are you are struggling with the all too common human condition of 'myopic living.' You know, there have been times in my life when I answered yes to many of those questions. Not one of us is exempt from living from this perspective. Our goal in life, especially if we are going to be someone who Overcomes the challenges we face, should be to move beyond myopic living.

Of course, this is not as easy as it sounds. After all, how can one see down the road or envision different circumstances if one's present situation is overwhelming, overbearing or discouraging? You can't just 'will' this kind of sight into being can you? Nope, I do not think you can (though many try). In fact 'far sighted' living is a gift that God alone can give and one that can only be developed and realized through the eyes of faith. It is the eyes of faith that helps keep our problems in the right perspective.

James says it this way in 1:2 - 4, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. " I love the phrase your 'faith life' in this translation. This phrase captures the heart of what it means to overcome our challenges in life and also reveals the goal of all challenges: to make us stronger, to build maturity and to equip us in every conceivable way - to help us live a LIFE OF FAITH!

Over the next several weeks we are launching a new focus called: Overcoming Life's Challenges. There are three important realities that I am going to come back to time and time again during this series!

1. God is in Control! This is the first thing we forget when we encounter challenges too big for us or problems we cannot solve. As we explore the remarkable life of Joseph we will see again and again that this story is far more about God's control over his life rather than Joseph's success in life. It is true that Joseph ends with success, but the pathway he took to get there could have been designed only by God and God alone. Time in time again we will encounter the presence of God in Joseph's life and realize such presence is the difference maker between Joseph and everyone else. My hope is that His presence will mark your life and mine more and more as we go through this series together!


2. God Doesn't Waste Anything! Often times we wonder why we have to endure some things that life throws at us, or that God allows and even orchestrates. This series will help us see that in the midst of every one of Life's challenges there is also opportunity and purpose. In fact, what God is doing in you now He will do through you later to help someone else out on their journey. This second truth will help us take heart and hope no matter what.


3. We Must Keep Our Eyes on Him! This third truth is critical because this is the truth that develops our faith and helps us overcome doubt. We will see time and time again in Joseph's life illustrations of him making moment by moment decisions to keep his eyes on God. Joseph refuses to give into temptation or succumb to bitterness throughout this story. Rather, He focuses on God in trust and hope that one day things will turn in his favor!

I am very excited for this series and believe firmly that it is one we all need at this time in our lives! Join us and bring some friends with you - after all, we all face challenges in life!

Overcoming Life's Challenges!

Biz