Test with Stress for Success

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart” (Proverbs 17:3 NLT).

Most often, we don’t consider stress as a positive.  Stress can impact us physically, mentally, and emotionally.  But, stress is also a great indicator of how well we can perform.  If we can’t handle the pressure or stress that we are facing, we cannot move forward.

In the Bible, Daniel was a great example of being put under stress to see if he would be successful.  God allowed Daniel to be captured and held as a prisoner of war and was quickly identified as healthy, knowledgeable, and perceptive.  The King who captured Daniel tried to “brain wash” Daniel into becoming one who denied God and followed his rule.  As you read through the story of Daniel, he withstood the pressure and stress and did not submit to the rule of the King and continued to be a great and faithful follower of God.

If God’s going to use us, he’s going to test us first. What is the purpose of the test?  To be sure we’re ready to handle the power, blessing, influence, or whatever else he wants to give us.  Here is an important point to remember—even in the fire, God is with us helping us to succeed. While being tested, it’s sometimes hard to understand if God is even with us.  But, he is and we must rely on his Spirit to lead us.

Proverbs 17: 3 points out that fire tests the purity or how good silver and gold is.  For us, our fires are our stresses—how pure or strong is our heart, soul, and mind to handle those stresses?

God wants to know if he can trust us with success. So, expect to be tested with stress.  Then, expect success on the other side of the test!

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Credit given to Rick Warren-Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

Work To Please

If we work to please, who do we please?  In officiating, we can look to please a lot of people:  Supervisors, Observers, crewmates, coaches, fans, commentators.  But, who is the most important?  Most would say Supervisors because they hold the key to the games we are assigned.  Pleasing our crewmates is important for crew unity and performance on the field.  We may not work to please coaches, but our communication with coaches is important to have a “pleasing” game.  Truth is, not everyone is going to be pleased.  So, in officiating, how do we work to please?

The apostle Paul teaches we are “working for the Lord and not for people.” No job is too small nor is it too big; no job is too menial; no job is too insignificant nor is one more important than another when you have the right motive and perspective. Our thought should be “I’m doing it for God; I’m doing this job as if I’m doing it for the Lord.”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23).

How do I know if my work is for the Lord? Two characteristics will show up:

Excellence and Enthusiasm.

First, if I’m doing my work, not for the boss but for the Lord, I do it with EXCELLENCE—being the best I can be. That means I give it my best shot. I do the best I can because I’m not doing it for anyone’s approval, except God’s.

Second, I do my work with ENTHUSIASM. I’m working for God; therefore, I do it with a cheerful attitude. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11 NLT).

Think about this…..When you are working with all your heart, motivated by Christ, your work is transformed into an act of worship for God.

Credit given to Rick Warren-Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope (5/21/14)