I recently received an early morning phone call.  On the other end of that call was what I would typically call a positive person.

A positive person is not one who never has a problem, but a person who has learned how to handle their issues properly.

As you know, many people believe that happy people are problem free.

That is certainly not true. He shared several complicated situations. The struggles were everything from financial to marital and more. These were very challenging.

Facing several challenges in a short time frame has a way of knocking us off center, and test our faith. I am reminded to never allow life to force us to grow weary. That verse is very testy for me.

It was awesome that he decided to reach out and get some advice and prayer. Most men fail to do this.

So let’s learn from someone who Reached OUT!

    1. Share your struggle

My caller did the right thing.  He called an advisor and began to share his deep-seated feelings and how his faith was being tested. He was emotional.  He was challenged and off-centered to what normally stabilized him. But he made the call. Important!

     2. Find Encouragement

It is imperative that you know where to find encouragement when you need it. Mentors and close friends are vital. We were never designed to go through life alone. All of us need to know we have people in our corner.

     3. Renew your mind

Negativity is a force to be resisted.  When life over-challenges us, then negativity tries to take us hostage.  We must continuously re-frame situations and shift them from stumbling blocks to stepping stones.  We must also practice the discipline of renewing our mind by remembering how we overcame similar challenges in previous seasons.

     4. Remember former seasons of victory

I reminded my friend of the previous things I saw God do for them. I also told them of past days when I witnessed them display great courage in life. I encouraged him to refresh his memory of the many times God had answered his prayers. Let’s all be reminded that life throws curve balls and fastballs.

Certain days require more faith than others.

Let’s also be reminded we are not alone.  If God is for us, who can be against us?

Proverbs 18:24…A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 24:16a…For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.

Always remember, if you cannot get up alone, reach out to someone who will pick you up.

Someone is THERE!

Just be courageous enough to reach out.