Climbing the Ladder of Success

One of my favorite quotes (by an unknown author) was recently discovered on a friend’s Facebook page. “Some people dream of success, others make it happen.” There are so many good things that I have achieved in my life that others have only wished (and hoped) for.

I have always wished to be a published author. That has happened three times to me with the assistance of PublishAmerica (America Star Books). My books have not been New York Times best sellers (though that would have been marvelous).

I created all three of these works with an encouraging voice to them. If someone has read my books, and was blessed or made a positive life that is the best thing I could ever ask for.

In December 2014, I realized my life goal need to be encouraging others. I am so thankful the avenue of blogging on Encourage Me has provided me with the visible means to do that by discussing important topics those friends, family, and strangers should consider. The Heavenly Father knows how much writing is part of who I am. How wonderful to be able to do that as much as I need to (through Facebook).

I must believe God has a purpose for my life. I got my second chance at life when God healed me of Lymphoma with my last chemotherapy treatment in March 2010. (I know how blessed I am as others with this form of blood cancer have not been so fortunate.) I tried to have a positive attitude through the whole challenge, but ultimately the Almighty provided the success story.

I consider my immediate family a victory in my life. God always knew what I needed in a wife (though it wasn’t what I thought I wanted at the time). Bobbi has been a blessing (and an inspiration) from our courting time for thirteen weeks over the phone (long distance) to all these years later.

Life with my adult daughter, Allena (adapted from my middle name, “Allen”), has been a roller coaster of both emotional highs and lows. With the many positive attributes, Bobbi and I have instilled in her (along with God’s assistance) I have high hopes for a bright future (in whatever she desires to achieve.)

Of course, there are things in my life where I desire success, but have not worked to achieve it. What am I actively doing to have a better marriage (and a happier spouse); bringing our household debt down (with small achievable goals); or find the correct career path (that gives me a sense of the real me).

Apathy (that things will never change) keeps me shackled down many times to my worse self doubts. It keeps me from venturing out into a world of uncertainty to exhilarating possibilities. Educator, author, and orator Booker T. Washington summed up accomplishment this way: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”

I always find the Bible has the most logical advice on any topic someone needs advice on. This topic is no exception. James 2:14-25 delves into the area of faith being useless without actions.

If you’ve read the story of Rahab (Joshua 2 ,6, Matthew 1:1 ,5) and Abraham (Genesis 15, 21: 1-7, 22:1-18, Matthew 1:1-2), you know that they both of these people experienced their own unique life crisis’s. When they were uncertain as to what God had in mind (for their ultimate success), they were still obedient (with results that were beyond their wildest imagination).

Did you know that God wants you to do the best you can in achieving a successful conclusion? The results of your labor must be left in a loving Heavenly Father’s hands.

He needs to be the one to decide the ultimate outcome that is best for you. He wants you to love the wonderful creation that you are (Philippians 4:11). Does it frighten you to give up control for something that could turn out to be something amazing far beyond what could ever be hoped for?