Faith and your fork in the road

First let me begin by stating how grateful I am to have been lead to this group. Leaders and christian, what a combination.

Now for the question.I remember making the decision years ago to launch out into the deep and build a business for myself, and I remember the fear that I felt in the early years. I vividly remember those lonely nights wrestling with god because I was sinking fast and faith was being tested way beyond my then comfort zone. I remember a moment during my then trials where it felt that I was on the potters wheel being broken and molded and it hurt so bad I wanted off, I wanted to quit and return to the comfort of a regular paycheck, when I was offered an opportunity to take a high paying position as a trainer which would have made all the pain go away. But although I felt that I could take no more, I felt a quite voice in me saying "trust me". Well you can guess what I did, I turned it down because I knew his voice and I knew his promises. The good news is that with in a week it began to rain, and the showers of blessing continues to this very day. I have shared this story in greater detail when I am counseling someone on the verge of giving up because they are going through their season and the messenger of misery has visited their home.

The question that I have for the group is what was your fork in the road experience where you had to trust him? What can you share that someone who like me years ago can read and hold onto while they are going through their season. I know that I am new to the group, but I felt that someone out their needs to know that they are not alone and that our father is still in the miracle business.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kurtis Smith on October 5, 2011 at 10:48am

Steven,

Thank you so much for sharing, I will dig in this evening and get back to you.

Stay Blessed.

Permalink Reply by Sally Whitesell on October 5, 2011 at 5:44pm

I too had a fork in the road. The day I closed on my dream house my previous employer made me choose between an overly stringent non compete contract or my job. I was an independent contractor so there were no guarantees and I knew I had to walk away. Then the challenge began of building my own training programs and everything that comes with starting up a new business. I had never really had a desire to have my own company, or develop new skills and material until there was no choice. I guess you could say I had become very comfortable which is usually when God decides to shake things up. What a blessing it has turned out to be. I have grown so much in the last six years and it spills over into every aspect of my life. Sometimes God has plans that we know nothing about and can't even imagine! I am so thankful he has a better vision for us then we do!

Permalink Reply by Kurtis Smith on October 6, 2011 at 12:26am

Sally that was Awesome!

It seems that when we add action to our conviction, the mustard seed effect takes over.

Great Story.

Sally Whitesell said:

I too had a fork in the road. The day I closed on my dream house my previous employer made me choose between an overly stringent non compete contract or my job. I was an independent contractor so there were no guarantees and I knew I had to walk away. Then the challenge began of building my own training programs and everything that comes with starting up a new business. I had never really had a desire to have my own company, or develop new skills and material until there was no choice. I guess you could say I had become very comfortable which is usually when God decides to shake things up. What a blessing it has turned out to be. I have grown so much in the last six years and it spills over into every aspect of my life. Sometimes God has plans that we know nothing about and can't even imagine! I am so thankful he has a better vision for us then we do!

Permalink Reply by Jim Leman on October 6, 2011 at 5:18pm

Kurtis - Great question. I faced similar doubt and challenge when I started my business in '92. I think we all come to this fork every day in many ways in our Christian walk. Receivables are down, so do I pull back my giving? That piece of business over there looks exceptionally lucrative, but the people are very worldly and something internally says stay away; do I pursue the money or stay true to my beliefs? The new woman in accounting is very pleaseant to look at and I find myself wanting to make more trips than usual to the water cooler to catch a glimpse of her. Do I realize I might be lusting and being disobedient to God or do I shrug my shoulders, tell myself it's innocent fun and everyone does it anyway? Do I start my day in quiet time with my Savior or itch to read the overnight email? Forks, every day, along every path. As for me and my house, I choose....(you fill in the blank).

Permalink Reply by Kurtis Smith on October 6, 2011 at 5:26pm

Jim,

What I find interesting about your response is how your experience comes shining through. It is easy when we are young to say that I can handle it or it will never happen to me, but as hindsight has proven over and over again, but by the grace of god, we chose left vs right.

Jim Leman said:

Kurtis - Great question. I faced similar doubt and challenge when I started my business in '92. I think we all come to this fork every day in many ways in our Christian walk. Receivables are down, so do I pull back my giving? That piece of business over their looks exceptionally lucrative, but the people are very worldly and something internally says say away; do pursue the money or stay true to my beliefs? The new woman in account is very pleaseant to look at and I find myself wanting to make more trips than usual to the water cooler to catch a glimpse of her. Do I realize I might be lusting and being disobedient to God or do I shrug my shoulders, tell myself it's innocent fun and everyone does it anyway? Do I start my day in quiet time with my Savior or itch to read the overnight email? Forks, every day, along every path. As for me and my house, I choose....(you fill in the blank).

Permalink Reply by Bobby Compton on October 9, 2011 at 10:57pm

There's a video from Zig Ziglar called share your faith http://www.dealerelite.net/video/zig-ziglar-share-your-faith#.TpJcF...

I too have faced that fork in the road you speak of, - "I remember a moment during my then trials where it felt that I was on the potters wheel being broken and molded and it hurt so bad I wanted off, I wanted to quit and return to the comfort of a regular paycheck."

It's kind of like starting out looking for our first job as a kid, it just takes time and figuring it out!~