What Does It Take to Stop You?

What Does It Take to Stop You?
Saturday, November 09, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:15–18

Irving Berlin was one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in history. He wrote dozens of hit songs, produced award winning Broadway musicals, and wrote the music for some of the best-loved movies of his day. His song “White Christmas” remains one of the best selling pieces of music in the world, and continues to be recorded by new artists year after year. But in 1962, Berlin’s new musical Mr. President was a complete flop. The reviews were negative, and many suggested that Berlin had lost his touch. From that point on, Berlin stopped producing music publicly, though he continued to write for more than twenty years afterward. He simply refused to submit his music to the judgment and criticism of others.

There is nothing worthwhile that is ever accomplished without struggle and opposition. The fact that we are having difficulty, often is the best indication that we are on the right track. If Paul had not been doing a great missionary work, he would not have faced such harsh opposition. He would have missed out on the beatings, the imprisonment, the stoning, the shipwreck, and more. But he would have also missed the opportunity to spread the gospel across the Roman Empire. He knew that what he was doing was worth the sacrifice.

Today's Growth Principle:
If we allow our circumstances to stop us from serving God, we will miss our opportunities to glorify Him.