DiscernmentSample

Path of the Strong

The Bible and management principles alike are concurrent on the theme of meeting obstacles. The common philosophy advocated is that obstacles helps us to grow, become strong and attain resilience, for the accomplishment of our goals in our personal and professional lives.

‘When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it’, said Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor company and a pioneer in the assembly line technique of mass production. He was articulating the same idea that Peter has put forth succinctly in the verse above. Wise people and judicious managers know that the obstacles they face are nothing but tools used by God to help shape their character and managerial skills for achieving real and lasting progress.

I know a lady who stands tall after having fought all kinds of odds, meeting the toughest of challenges and enduring several problems and obstacles in her life. She had six children to raise at a young age and often worked hard from the wee hours of the morning till late in the night, trying to meet the needs of her family. Obstacles came in several forms and many times, she was left despondent. Yet, she remained firm in her faith, believed in herself and was persistent in her efforts towards living the best life. Today at 80 years, she has several accomplishments to her credit, including the biggest glory of having raised all her children in strong faith and Gospel values. She attributes her eventual triumphs to the problems God allowed in her life that helped her turn all challenges into victories. I know that she is absolutely right, for this great lady who had the right attitude to the obstacles in life is my mother!

Thomas Carlyle, the Scottish essayist and historian said it well, ‘The block of granite, which is an obstacle on the path of the weak, becomes a stepping stone on the path of the strong’.

Lord, may we see all obstacles, not as problems, but as pathways towards accomplishments. Amen