Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones?
Challenges do come with the call! Successful believers and successful ministers have no problems with challenges. They aren't afraid of them. They look at challenges and problems as stepping stones rather than as stumbling blocks. They never let problems become excuses to give up and quit.
Many believers and ministers fail because of this one reason: They allow problems to shipwreck them.
Challenges and problems come in all shapes and sizes. Life is full of them. You can't conquer reality by running from them. You must meet and deal with them and learn what you can. You profit by facing challenges, problems, or mistakes squarely. Then keep on going.
Man's nature is such that he instinctively will try to rationalize things away if he can. That way, he loses. He succeeds, however, if he faces the challenges.
William Branham is a good example of someone who stared challenges down. Once when he was ministering in Africa, all the witch doctors were mad at him because their businesses were going broke. People who used to go to the witch doctors now went to Branham's meetings. And they were getting healed free of charge.
The witch doctors got so upset about it they sent Branham a letter telling him they were going to destroy him. They told him they were going to cause a storm to come up and kill him one night in his meeting. Branham just went on with the meeting. He never let it faze him.
Even though storm bulletins were posted, he went to the meeting and preached.
Fourteen witch doctors showed up at that meeting! They surrounded Branham's tent. The storm came up just like they'd predicted. Some people got worried and tried to convince Brother Branham to leave. They said, "Mr. Branham, we've got to get you out of here. Those witch doctors aren't fooling around. They mean business. That storm is destroying everything in its path."
Branham politely said, "I come in the Name of the Lord. I don't need to be afraid of anything or anyone. God will protect me."
Branham knew God had called him to that part of Africa, and nothing was going to stop him. The storm came to the edge of the tent, but Brother Branham just stood there and prayed, "Father, protect us." He bound the evil spirits, and the storm detoured around the tent! The canvas didn't even shake in the wind. There was total peace inside because of one man's prayers. He didn't allow the challenge to overcome him. He faced it and refused to let it get him down. They had a revival that night, you can be sure!
Trust God. He will pull you through any challenge you face. God's a big God. He can take care of all our problems, whether big or small.
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