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We are born with innate strengths and weaknesses that can help us ‘succeed’ in life according to the world’s definition of success.

Some people are naturally more focused…more calm…more assertive.

Some people are naturally more driven, and others are naturally more, well how can I put this…LAZY.

The fact is that some people must force themselves to do what is necessary. Some people are natural procrastinators.

I don’t think think a strong work ethic is necessarily learned. And here’s my anecdotal reason why…

Three children can be born into the same family and raised in the same house with a father and mother who modeled a strong work ethic. Both parents could have demanded a strong work ethic by forcing all three children to do numerous chores. They may punish them harshly for not doing their assigned tasks or reward them greatly for doing the well. No matter how much those parents enforce and drill a strong work ethic into their children…one or more of those children may still struggle to keep a job or do the things necessary to maintain their lives once they grow up.

Have you ever seen children raised in the same family with strong work values but have one or more grow up to be lazy or underachievers living beneath their potential?

Think about it.

Some things can’t be taught.

That’s why we have to constantly ask God the specific prayer to help us and bless us beyond our individual innate weaknesses… in other words, the weaknesses He gave us.

Remember, His strength is made perfect in weakness. GOD IS GREATER THAN THE WEAKNESSES THAT HE GAVE YOU…

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV)

⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

ROCK BOTTOM…SOME PRODIGALS DON’T COME BACK

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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I’ve heard and seen this so many times, verbally, on social media and in the comments of blog posts… Someone responds to a comment with , “DO. YOUR RESEARCH!”

The level of arrogance inferred and implied in that statement is amazing to the point it’s almost comical.

To tell someone “DO YOUR RESEARCH” implies three things…

1. You assume that they haven’t already done their research.

2. You assume that your research is superior to theirs.

3. You assume that your sources are more credible.

People love to research, discover and present the FACTS that support their desired narrative. One of the things I learned after years as a Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 company and years in the radio industry is that research, information and ‘facts’ can be manipulated to support a desired narrative.

This is why in a court case, you will find an ‘expert’ witness for both the prosecution and defense telling two different stories.

Of course, there are some sources that are more credible than others. However, filtering through our biases and perspectives is the real challenge.

Besides, my desired source is to study the word of God, and the history and culture necessary to put in all in proper context and perspective.

Remember, we represent God in how we reason with one another. If God has offered to ‘reason’ with us, then we should be willing to reason with one another with respect.

Isaiah 1:18  (NKJV)

¹⁸ “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.

BE BLESSTIFIED!