I am reading a beautiful book by Zig Ziglar and Julie Ziglar Norman called "Embrace the Struggle." Zig Ziglar has been one of Jon's favorite motivational speakers since he was a young adult. Zig came to know the Lord in his 40's, and incorporates his faith into his motivational messages. Over a year ago, Zig fell down a flight of stairs and lost his short term memory, which makes it hard to public speak. I am sure this will not be the last time I quote from this book. I am not finished yet. These paragraphs stuck out this week as I was reading while at City of Hope.
Because I have accepted Jesus, when I face a struggle, the hill is not as steep and the climb is not as difficult. Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and when you really think about that, when you've got that to hang on to - a Lord who loves you and gave His life for you, a Lord who is on duty twenty-four hours a day - it's such a comfort to know that you don't have to solve all your problems by yourself. I don't have to have all the answers. I rely on Him completely in every way. I ask for guidance, and He gives it to me. I get into His Word, the Bible, when I need help. I pray for His help, and I am always asking for wisdom, guidance, and direction so that I'll make the right decisions and do the right thing. I pray that you, too, have the comfort and joy of knowing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. (pages 30-31)
If we stay riled up and in turmoil, always questioning "why" and visiting the "if" questions, we relive the pain of our emotions again and again. We get mired in the wallowing hole of self-pity or self-doubt, and our attitude becomes lace with fear, regret, and resentment...I trust God with the unknown...If we approach human misery from a human perspective, it will make no sense, but within the spiritual context of faith God produces the ability for us to embrace the struggle because He will be glorified when we do. (pages 32-33)
-Zig Ziglar
"When you embrace the struggle, you embrace the Master." - Gene Archer
