The Christian Youth: Learn from Samson and take stock

I pray you are well this week. Once again thank you to all who are getting in touch, the feedback is really humbling.
To all those engaged in exams, we pray you excel. Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” Do your part and believe God to see you through the rest.
It is always surprising to see how quickly time flies by. I was surprised the other day to see an advert talking about the festive season.
Many people had grand plans for 2015. maybe things have not gone the way you wanted.
Your ability to continue in adverse circumstances is key to you achieving your destiny.
A lot of people believe in get-rich-quick schemes. Hard work has been thrown out. Many young people are choosing short cuts and bribing their way out of situations.
Consider the Scriptures and observe how men and women of God rose and stood to be counted. There was a lot of sacrifice involved. Difficulties and obstacles are the norm. I am of the belief that God uses life events to chisel the rough edges in our character to make us better people.
Sometimes these obstacles result in very painful failures. Unfortunately some are not able to handle the pressure.
Let me tell you that pressure and challenges are part of being at the top. Most of the people who commit suicide or engage in substance abuse do so as a way of dealing with the pain or the pressure of the issues in their lives.
I have to give the unfortunate example of someone many young people look up to as a role model.
Lamar Odom is famous for being married to a Kardashian and being an NBA star. Many of us saw the news headlines about him this past week.
Life gets to all of us. I pray you never find yourself in his situation.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
Failure and hardships are part of life. They should be expected and anticipated. It is very good for you to have a vision for the future and to work as hard as you can towards it. However it is not the end of the road when hurdles come.
Samson is a classic example of this. Can you imagine having an angel announce your birth and your future? That was the case for Samson. He had it all going: money, girls, status and image.
I believe this is why God allows us to face hurdles because sometimes when everything is going so smoothly, we tend to forget the source of all that is good.
Samson went against everything he was taught. He ate from a dead animal (unclean), married a non-Israelite girl, and ultimately revealed to her the secret of his strength when he had been told not to tell anyone.
His enemies had a party. They chained him, poked his eyes out and humiliated him.
The turning point came when Samson accepted his situation and came back to a point of humility and dependency on God.
He was honest with himself and took responsibility for what he did and did not have a pity party. He got his head down and put himself to the task. And when Samson prayed one last time for God to restore his strength, God heard him and answered.
You need to take an honest look at yourself and where you are. Square your shoulders and put your hands to the plough because nothing that is valuable ever comes easily. We fail because of poor planning, incompetence, pride, lack of practice/preparation,situations out of our control, lack of understanding, incapacity, fear, excuses and giving up easily.
The list is obviously not holistic but I’m sure you get the picture.
If any these have resulted in your plans being side-tracked, stay calm.
I came across an article in Forbes suggesting the following:
Don’t make it personal
Take stock, learn and adapt
Stop dwelling on it
Release the need for approval of others
Try a new point of view
Psalm 145:14 says, “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”
Failure and difficulties are a part of life. However, God does not intend for you to be downcast. Rise and prosper in all you do. Play your part and trust God for the rest.
God bless.