Of the many pictures I viewed from the typhoon damage in the Philippines from 2013, one captured my attention. It drew me in.
It crushed me and inspired me at the same time.
One man, surrounded by devastation, death and destruction refused to be defeated.
He would not accept a fate that was not his.
When all seemed lost, and it certainly appeared to be, he did not see the end, he saw a new beginning.
He began to rebuild as soon as the storm passed.
A man like that with a spirit like that is contagious.
A man like that can change a city, a nation, a world.
You may be surrounded by devastation and rubble in your own life.
By negativity and bad news everywhere.
It may not be actual concrete and wood.
But the effects are as if a typhoon blew into your life and leveled everything to the ground.
And it may have.
However, I would encourage you to view this picture again and again and again.
Like this man, you must not give up.
Say to yourself as many times as you need to, “We cannot be defeated.”
Rebuild your life and let those around you be amazed at your defiance and reliance.
Your defiance of the enemy and your reliance upon God.
“We have troubles all around us but we can not be defeated.” 2 Corinthians 4:8
This is awful, what has happened and is happening to those folks. BUT….the picture tells a different story indeed. This young man is an “OVERCOMER”. So am I. My best friend of over 41 years tells me something everytime a challenge comes my way or when trials, tribulation and problems hit me head on when I am trying so so hard to gain at least one step. She tells me “CatMann, your mansion is getting gaudier and gaudier”. Mandisa sings a song called, “Overcomer” and everytime I hear that song I get filled up with more strength to keep pushing on. It’s God telling me tat I am His and I am an “Overcomer”. I might be down for a moment, feeling like it’s hopeless. THAT’S when He reminds me that I am indeed an “Overcomer”.
Thank you again John, for a wonderful topic!!!!!
Mandisa’s “Overcomer” video http://youtu.be/b8VoUYtx0kw