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Think and Grow Wise

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Grow in Wisdom

Another week has come and gone, and we are continuing to conquer our giants as I wrote about in our previous Wisdom Note. I am thankful for all the experiences and opportunities that God has weaved into my life. Even the very difficult one’s life Hazel’s diagnosis of Leukemia. Yes, it is overwhelming at times (okay, most of the time), but it is through the challenging times of daily life that we gain and grow in wisdom. Wisdom is obtained through years of proper thinking and experience. That is why today’s Wisdom Notes is titled “Think and Grow Wise.”

As we continue our trek of life each day, consider this: To become a wise person, you need to gain accurate, perceptive insights into human behavior and understand how this is integrated into everyday situations. You need to practice what Christ’s half-brother James wrote in his letter in Chapter 1, verses 19 and 20, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” You will need to be observers of human nature and master psychologists with excellent emotional intelligence.

You have to be willing to learn from real life experiences, not just academic study. This may mean that you keep what you know to yourself but are willing to share what you know with certain individuals that are ready to think and learn.

You need to have discernment and give advice to open-minded learners. If you desire to become wise, you will learn the talent of asking questions that lead to new understanding. This practice will bring a consciousness to yourself to communicate what you know when the situation is right and with those who are ready and willing to learn.

If you are to become wise you need to think about what you do and don’t do. You need to have a strong inner frame reference built on your integrity for your actions and statements. You need to learn to “read” situations well and understand others accurately to see through the obvious and to trust your intuition.

You will need to think through life issues and gain a sense of the hidden motives behind the actions of others. This practice will allow you to become less vulnerable to cons, threats, criticism, and manipulation. If you are able to learn this trait, then you can handle pressure and threats with humor. You will be able to remain stable and sustain self-control in times of turmoil. You will desire and expect things to work well. This will allow you to feel optimistic and self-confident when coping with rough situations.

A valuable way to understand this wisdom is to define what it is not. What is the opposite of wisdom? Here are 8 things that show a lack of wisdom:

  1. Speak or act in stupid ways, and then blame others for what happens.
  2. Speak or act in ways that cause difficulties for people or groups important to you.
  3. Speak or act in ways that lead to an unnecessary loss.
  4. Not learn from mistakes and make the same mistakes.
  5. Be out of touch with what is happening.
  6. Be bitter about the past and cynical about the future.
  7. Be outspoken about what others are doing wrong.
  8. Act in ways contrary to one’s stated values and goals, and not realize it.

How do you acquire wisdom? Here are four practical, yet simple ways:

  1. Develop life-long, child-like curiosity and a playful spirit.
  2. Be happy rather than hostile, no matter how badly life has treated you.
  3. Ask questions, explore, and desire to know how things work.
  4. Learn valuable lessons from difficult experiences.

Gaining wisdom can be defined as a three-part process:

  1. Gaining information or the raw data is the first step. Look for the kind of data you can find in books, in the research, on the internet.
  2. Knowledge through thinking is knowing or learning how to apply the information gathered.
  3. True wisdom is knowing when and under what circumstances the information and the knowledge are appropriate, or useful, or even true. And when and how and even whether to apply the knowledge you have gained.

I believe that personal wisdom begins with knowing who—and whose—we are, which allows us to live by a value system consistent with that understanding. Through this, we are able to see and appreciate, the unique gifts that God has given us. These are our personality traits, opportunities, and abilities to impact the lives of others. Appreciation is an integral part of wisdom, for we know that wisdom does not come to us naturally. It must be cultivated and nurtured through proper thinking.

If you desire a blueprint for becoming wise, one of the best ways is to study the book of Proverbs. In Chapter 1 it lays out the plan in verses 2-7,

“Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Part of growing wise is to realize that events happen in our lives that we will never fully understand . As with our granddaughter Hazel and her leukemia, we don’t understand why, but we do have faith that God will work His will through this challenge. May it all draw us closer to God and help to conform each of us as His image bearers. While she is responding well to her treatments and the doctors are encouraged with her progress, the chemo treatments are starting to take their expected toll on her little body. I would appreciate continued prayers for Hazel and her family.

#basilforhazel
basilforhazel.org

Conquering Your Giants

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Overcoming Giants in Your Life

What a difference a week can make in our lives. I was scheduled to travel to Mesa, Arizona last week to work on our construction project there. The day before I was to leave our lives changed forever.

A little over a week ago, Hazel, our 2 ½-year-old, red-headed, spunky, precocious granddaughter, who is so full of life, was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. A week ago on Saturday, we found out that our sweet little Hazel was diagnosed with pre-b acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Of course, our hearts are broken, and it rocked our foundation to its very core.

Since it was detected early and she is young, the prognosis for recovery is good, but the thought of Hazel having to suffer through two years of chemo treatments is difficult to grasp and consider. It certainly will be a major change in our lives and especially in the lives of her parents Elizabeth and Nat Miller and Hazel’s three older siblings Paul, Gideon, and Aurora. It is hard to process, especially for one so young, but we are certain that God is in control of this situation as He is in all of our lives. We will be much more involved with Elizabeth, Nat, and the grandkids’ lives as we assist and we all adjust to a life that is no longer what our normal was.

Fortunately, Nat’s parents also live locally and are very involved with the grandkids. We would ask you to pray for Hazel and her tribe, and also for us as grandparents that we would have the wisdom, insight, and understanding to make prudent choices and be able to help wherever it is needed.

Both sets of grandparents spent all of the last week cleaning and sanitizing their home in preparation of Hazel’s return after the first 8 days of solid chemo treatments. We finished just a few hours prior to Hazel’s return.

I had the privilege to speak at church this past Sunday and had chosen the topic of “Conquering Your Giants” about a month earlier, since there were several in the church that are going through difficult health issues along with other struggles. Little did I know when I chose this topic that there would be such a huge giant in my own life. This week’s Wisdom Note includes some excerpts of the message from Sunday. I trust that you can apply them in your own life.

In Numbers 13 shortly after the Israelites left the bondage in Egypt during the exodus, they were about to conquer the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Moses sent 12 spies into the land to assess the situation. Two spies came back ready to move forward, which were Caleb and Joshua, the other 10 were scared to move forward and disagreed with them.  In Numbers 13:31-33 they said, “But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. ‘We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!’ So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: ‘The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!'”

Some 425 years later we see a small 15-year-old shepherd boy David had the opposite view when he attacked and killed the Philistine giant leader Goliath with just a sling and a stone.  In 1 Samuel 17:48-51 we read, “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.”

In the Bible passages above the Israelites faced literal real giants, but the true giants that they needed to conquer were not the external giants that they could see, but the internal giants of fear, doubt, and lack of faith in a good and gracious God.

We all have giants in our lives, not literal 10’ giants but they are just as big, just as real, just as scary, and we feel like grasshoppers when we see them. Those giants can take the form of unemployment, financial pressures, drink, drugs, pornography, relationship issues, personal health issues, or even health issues of someone we love.

So let me ask you – what is your giant? More importantly though is the question, how can you conquer your giant?

When I chose this topic several weeks ago, little did I know that just a week ago our family would be facing a giant that would rock our world to its core. A situation that would set into motion an upheaval in our lives, which will impact us and change our lives from this point forward.

It is one thing to see the giants that others are facing and think, yes, that is big but really not grasp the magnitude of just how big that giant is to that person. It is quite another thing to be facing the giant yourself and feeling that you are just a grasshopper in its sight, especially when that giant is not a 9.5’ behemoth but is a set of microscopic cells that are out to destroy the life of your 2.5-year-old fiery red-headed granddaughter who is so full of life.

While the prognosis is very good the word Leukemia or blood cancer strike a real fear in our hearts. Especially knowing that it is a long, at least two year, treatment regimen that will further destroy her little body before restoring it to health. Observing this and knowing what she is going through will be very difficult and she will not understand.

When our grandson Kip was told that Hazel was in the hospital because she was ill, he was told Granny and Gramps were going to be there also. He thought about it and told his mom, Hazel Basil will be okay, Granny & Gramps are there. For me, one of the worst things is to realize that there is nothing that Gramps can do to fix her situation.

Many of you are facing your own giant issues daily and you do feel like grasshoppers in their sight. That is exactly what the evil one wants you to feel. Hopeless, helpless, defeated.

We do live in a world that has been tainted with sin and decay. It is great to know that we have a God that is greater than a 10’ tall giant and microscopic cancer cells.

As we travel on this trek of life together, we must realize and understand that the odds are against us. Sooner or later death will be a reality for all of us. This life, whether many years or few is just a drop in the ocean of eternity. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our biggest giants that we face is not the situation that we are currently in, but fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of financial destruction, fear of sickness and fear of death. We become fearful when we take our eyes off of God and focus on our giant that we need to conquer. When we allow ourselves to become grasshoppers instead of holy children of God. The opposite of fear is faith. Faith that God will see us through the darkest nights because He is the light. 1 John 1:5 tells us, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”

Even when our faith falters, and it will at times, God will give us a chance to continue on and move forward as he did for the children of Israel when some 40 years later Joshua led them in. Joshua still faced the same giants in the Promised Land, but he moved forward to victory. An interesting point though is, even after spending 40+ years with Moses and seeing all of God’s miracles, God had to encourage Joshua with these words in Joshua 1:6-9 6, “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

What was God’s solution for Joshua to overcome fear? Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you.

This is the same solution for us when we face our giants, even if they are microscopic. We need to spend time in God’s Word and obey everything written in it so that we can be strong and courageous.

We can live with less fear and discouragement for the Prophet Isaiah chapter 41:10 tells us.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

We need to focus on God, NOT giants. We need to conquer out giants by meditating on God’s Word and obeying Him. We need to have a faith that will conquer our fears. We need to stand strong regardless of whether our giants are as large, or larger than Goliath of Gath, or as microscopic as a cancer cell. God will give us the strength and courage to conquer our giants through faith in Him. As the writer of Hebrews tells us in Chapter 11, verses 1 through 3, faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Jesus taught us what our attitude towards life should be when the giants of life overwhelm us in Luke 12:22-31.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

The whole matter may be summed up with the following couplet:

Focus on giants – you stumble.
Focus on God – your giants are conquered.

You are not a grasshopper – Lift your eyes, giant slayer. The God who made a miracle out of David stands ready to make one out of you.

#basilforhazel

Dealing with the Major Obstacles of Life

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Overcoming Obstacles

In this Wisdom Note we want to determine, the best way to take huge and overwhelming tasks or goals and break them into manageable segments. Or the question we will ask today is, “How do you eat an elephant?” And the answer is always, “One bite at a time.” Let me assure you that no actual elephants were harmed during the creation of this newsletter.

Most of us have heard this saying, probably many times. But that does not lessen its value. I know I have used it with my children throughout the years. Even now that they are all adults, when they come to me with a huge issue that they are facing, I always remind them, “Just eat the elephant one bite at a time.”

Although I have used this phrase hundreds of times, like probably most of you, I often fail to apply this lesson in my life, as I am sure you do, too. If you view the elephant as one giant obstacle or goal that your whole life depends on, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. As we trek through life each day, we need to learn to enjoy the small bites along the way. Let’s break this into three segments.

1. It’s not just about big goals or huge obstacles.

Many people make a major mistake in being entirely overwhelmed by a huge obstacle, or focused on big goals. To keep with our hiking analogy, let’s say your goal is to become a Colorado fourteener, which is to hike all of the 53 Colorado Summits that are 14,000 feet or higher. To look at this goal all at once would be a very big obstacle to overcome, but if you strategically plan to accomplish this goal over a period of months and years, one summit at a time, then it becomes doable. If you plan on becoming a fourteener in a matter of a few weeks or months, then you are probably in for a great disappointment.

Long term goals are great and even huge obstacles can be exciting because of the challenge. For every long term goal you have or for every major obstacle you face, you want to have many short and medium term goals or tasks.

2. The beauty of small goals.

When you have small goals or minor tasks, there are a couple of advantages. First, a small goal or minor task gives you something concrete to focus on. You can easily be overwhelmed by huge tasks. If you don’t know specifically what to do or how you are going to handle it, you’re only going to get frustrated. As time goes by, you notice over and over that your goal or task still hasn’t been achieved, yet you’re not sure what to do about it. When you determine a course of action to overcome that obstacle or to complete that goal, you’re much more likely to take inspired action.

Second, you enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishing a task or achieving a goal and enjoying the benefits. Even if it’s a small task or goal, you feel good for checking it off your to-do list (whether it’s on paper or just in your head). You also get to have something that brings a little satisfaction right now. This will give you a sense of accomplishment, even though you have a long way to go to your ultimate goal or overcoming the entire obstacle.

3. Life is a journey, not a destination.

Your life satisfaction will probably be a lot higher if you view your life as a series of many small milestones instead of one huge milestone that you may or may not ever achieve. This is not to say that you shouldn’t have big goals or face major obstacles, only that you should also have smaller ones to focus on along the way.

If you want to lose 40 pounds, great. But, don’t just focus on that one huge goal. If you do, then every time you get on the scale, you’re only going to notice that you haven’t achieved your goal yet, and so you continually reinforce failure in your mind.

Instead, break it down into smaller goals. There are plenty of goals you can try to accomplish even before losing 1 pound. Maybe you want to read a book about weight loss, or find a support group, or learn a new healthy recipe. A series of small accomplishments will keep you on track and make you feel good about your life, whether or not you eventually go on to accomplish your ultimate goal. If you end up eating the whole elephant over time, that’s wonderful. But don’t forget to enjoy the bites along the way. In fact, when it comes to losing weight, small portions are a requirement.

I have to admit, the past few weeks have been a bit overwhelming for me. With the business issues I faced and the overall ramifications of the projects I am working on, all I could see was the entire elephant in front of me. I have to pause several times throughout each day and remind myself, “One bite at a time.”

This also led me to the letter to the church in Corinth that the Apostle Paul wrote when he was faced with some major obstacles. 1 Corinthians 1:8-11 reads, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”

When you are faced with major obstacles or are trying to accomplish huge goals, think about what Paul endured and draw your strength form the prayers of others. Learn to rely on God.

The Mountains and Valleys of Life

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Trekking through Life

In this Wisdom Note, we will compare how taking a hike or trek has so many analogies to our daily trek of life.

As we consider this analogy, most often it comes to our minds that we want to be on the mountaintops all the time and avoid the deep valleys at all cost. What we may fail to realize is that in order to reach the summit of a mountain, we have to traverse upwards on many rough and winding trails. Once we do reach the mountain tops, if we desire to continue on with life, then we must move forward, which will require that we head back down into the valleys of life.

Climbing high mountains in life can be just as difficult and challenging as when we feel we are in the lowest of valleys.

Most of us do tend to associate difficult times in our lives with the idea of being in a valley. Maybe it’s a time of depression or despair. Maybe you’ve lost your job or are struggling financially. Maybe your job performance is just suffering. Maybe it’s a relationship that is broken and appears to be shattered.

I prefer to look at life more as seasons than mountains and valleys. Each of us experiences the upward climbs and the downward slopes, sometimes multiple times each day. There are seasons of life that are hard, terribly hard. During the difficult times, it seems our world is pitch black, and we are stuck in the valley of despair. We don’t know if a new day will dawn, or if the sun will ever peak above the next mountain. How should we handle these situations?

I realize there are some that have been mired in the valley for years, but that is usually the exception. One personal practice that I try to remember when times are difficult is to ask myself the question, “What crisis was I having or what was I worrying about last year on this same day?” Usually, I have no clue. Then I remind myself, so shall it be next year. The momentary crisis of today will pass like the storm in the night, and soon we will see a new day dawning with all of its glorious radiance.

One truth that we tend to forget is if we want to reach the summit, climbing the mountain is also challenging. It may mean that we indeed need to make that difficult climb in order to see the sun.

As we travel between North Carolina and Ohio many times each year, we pass through the entire length of West Virginia. While the mountains in WV are not nearly as tall as the Rockies, there are ravines between the mountains that are so close together they receive very little sun. So, if you live up one of those hollers, then you do have to climb the mountain to see the sun. So it is with life. If you find yourself in constant shadows, you may need to make the difficult choices and change your circumstances so that you will see and feel the warm sunlight on your face.

If you find yourself in a valley and at the base of the mountain, start climbing. But, realize that in order to reach the top, you will have to put forth more effort to climb than to remain wallowing in the mire of the valley floor. Be resolute. Be prepared. And, keep climbing. You will never see the beauty of the mountain peak unless you are willing to put in the effort of the climb.

The times of success and ease in your life, when it appears that God’s blessings are being showered on you, can be just as challenging as the times in the valleys, just in a different way. The upward climb is actually much more difficult than heading back into the valley, but it is so worth the effort. If you learn and gain wisdom from each mountain top and valley experience, then each climb will take you a little higher, and each descent into a valley will not be as deep.

The truth is whether you are climbing the mountains or descending into the valleys, life may be difficult. The times when we get to rest on the mountain tops can be grand, so learn to relax, enjoy, and celebrate those times. The times when we are in the valleys are just as important, so learn to reflect, enjoy, and learn from those times.

Mountains and valleys are the realities of life. This challenges an immature line of thinking that many of us cling to – that life one day will be easy. If you learn from and apply the lessons of life, there may be seasons of rest and enjoyment, but if you are waiting to move onto easy street permanently…if it is your life’s ambition to find ease and comfort, you’re going to be waiting a long time.

Winston Churchill put it this way, “Mountaintops inspire leaders; valleys mature them.”

As a follower of Christ in times of difficulty or ease, I go to the source of all wisdom, The Bible, for strength and peace. Today let’s look at a Psalm that King David penned. Psalm 121 helps us on our trek of life.

“I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.”

This passage allows us to realize that we are not on this trek alone. In addition to having each other to assist, we can depend on God to have our best interest in mind.

Regardless of how high your mountains or how deep your valleys Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday!

12 Trails of Courage – Part 2

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Infusing Your Life with Courage

This week in our Wisdom Note, we are exploring the final 6 of 12 trails of life that will infuse us with courage. Hiking these trails on your trek of life will help you become and remain much more courageous.

7. The Trail of Taking Bold Action

It takes courage to take bold action, but nothing changes if nothing changes. Have the guts to step boldly from your comfort zone to make the changes and take the chances that call you forward to fulfilling the potential within you. Courage allows you to trade procrastination and excuses for a commitment to being a person who is willing to do what it takes to live life abundantly. Whatever the risks you face on your trail of life, it is a much greater risk not to do anything.

8. The Trail of Perseverance

It takes courage to overcome the setbacks and failures that present themselves on the way to your goals, ambitions, and dreams. Perseverance and reaching those dreams is what brings the greatest sense of achievement. Face your challenges with a deep determination to stay the trail. When the trails become rough and the obstacles seem insurmountable, resist surrendering in the face of adversity. You can continue to climb, for any goal worth pursuing will require its share of determination and perseverance. Plug into the dreams and ambitions that make your spirit soar, and remember that it matters not that you reach the summit but that you had the guts to try. It is through perseverance in the face of adversity that the ordinary become extraordinary.

9. The Trail of Saying No

Sometimes we need the courage to say no to the good in order to make room for the great. Every time we say “yes” to a request or offering, we are automatically saying “no” to some other choice. However, finding the courage to say “no” first requires being clear about what you most want in life so you can say “yes” to the right choices. This practice will help you set boundaries in the midst of conflicting directions and requests. It will also teach people what you will and will not accept. Saying “no” when you need to may not be easy, but the price you pay for not doing so far exceeds any momentary discomfort.

10. The Trail of the Open Heart

It takes courage to be open to experiencing life’s pain as deeply as its joy, and yet this can be life’s richest fulfillment. Opening your heart fully to the depths of emotion that come with a life lived abundantly takes great courage, but it is the only way worth living life. It takes courage to let down your defenses and make yourself vulnerable to the anguish that life can sometimes bring so that you can experience the joy that comes from connecting with others openly, intimately, and compassionately. You need to learn to drop the barriers that are creating distance and isolating you from others. It is okay to reveal your humanity and make yourself available for others to know, to love, to care for, and to connect with. Nothing is more nurturing to the spirit.

11. The Trail of Letting Go

We all like to feel in control. However peace of mind only comes through giving your best to life. It takes courage to detach yourself from the outcome of your efforts, knowing that everything in life has a purpose. Put your faith in the wisdom that developed you. Have the courage to know that who you are is not defined by the outcome of your efforts. You need to trust that all you need at any moment to take on the challenges of life is already present in you. You will need to give up fighting what you cannot control, begin focusing on what you can control, and start living in the present moment. Finding the courage to let go will not impede your ability to achieve what you seek most from life. It will enhance it.

12. The Trail of Leading Others

Leadership is not a position; it’s a choice and courage to take action. Every day you have opportunities to be a leader. The essence of leadership is inspiring people to move in a direction they may otherwise not have gone, to impact others in a manner that will enable them to accomplish more than they would have otherwise, and to lead them to accomplish and to grow into someone they may otherwise not have become. By choosing the path of integrity, personal responsibility, and courage, you will automatically shine your light so brightly that it will reveal to others the splendor of their own. Ultimately only by living with courage and being the leader yourself will others find the courage to lead the world into a future filled with possibility. “Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself,” Thomas Watson.

In our  Wisdom Notes last week, we saw that Gideon was faced with fighting 135,000 trained warriors with only 300 men. How could Gideon muster up the courage to do so?  Those are not good odds. God realized that Gideon would be very apprehensive as we pick up the story in Judges 8.

“The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. That night the Lord said, ‘Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.’

So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, ‘I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!’

His companion answered, ‘Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!’

When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, ‘Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!’ He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.

Then he said to them, ‘Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’’

It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’

Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.”

What a victory! And, this is what courage can do for our lives. Look for ways this week where you can move forward against the odds with a life infused with courage.