episode 20. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

who do we follow? thelawdsway

For many of us, we're at the end of another academic stage, whether that be GCSEs, A-Levels, Apprenticeships, Undergrad, Degree Apprenticeships, Postgrad, PHD and more.

For me, I am now a Masters graduate. To tell you that it was an easy ride of me getting to this stage of finally acquiring my Masters would be a lie. Nevertheless, and by God’s grace, I am at the end and can now say I have my LLB, PGCE, LLM!

I think the journey of a process greatly influences the outcome. This is for a general context, whether it be personally, academically, professionally and/or other.

TV Show: The Big Bang Theory

Side-tracking here, but I wanted to quickly discuss about a quote from the show The Big Bang Theory before we go any further.

Season 12, Episode 10. Sheldon and Amy were just informed that their super asymmetry theory had been disproven by scientists. Throughout this episode, we see the decline of motivation and determination by both characters as they feel that all of the hard work that they had put into their theory ended up amounting to nothing. Sheldon had a video of his younger self he recorded in a case of emergency where he felt defeated, and Amy played it for him in their apartment to try and get their confidence and motivation back up. Though, Sheldon’s dad had recorded over the video with one of the football school games. In the recorded video he said:

“You learn as much as about who you are and what you’re made of from failing as you do from success. Maybe more.”

Hearing of this phrase, Sheldon and Amy discussed over what it meant, and they realised that just because this failure had occurred, it doesn’t mean the end, and for them the end of theoretical science. They found a way to re-review their super asymmetry theory through alternative mirrors and resubmitted their paper. (SPOILER ALERT) As the show progresses, they later find out that they were nominated for the Nobel Prize, and in the last episode of the season and the show as a whole, they receive their Nobel Prize as winners.

Message

You learn as much as about who you are and what you’re made of from failing as you do from success. Maybe more.

One failure doesn’t mean the end of the season; it may only just mean the end of game no ‘x’ and we still have a lot of practice and games to win for the season if we keep at it.

If I took the time to outline the journey it has taken me to get to where I am in pursuing my legal career, we would be here for a while! But I will tell you for free- it has not been easy. There have been many times where I could have thrown in the towel and give up. It has been actively 4 years in the making, so far, with the goal first being known to me 19 years ago, and I am nearing the end with the achievement within reach.

I just have to keep going.

I am about to enter the final stages, the final ‘game’ of the season and by the end, I will be a qualified Barrister.

The win is within reach, and I just have to keep going.

Maybe this is the same position for you? We reflect on past games and where there has been an unbalanced ratio to our losses and wins, we feel that the only thing left to do is throw in the towel. We hypothetically look through the lens, ignore the choice of the option of ‘overcoming obstacles’ and are left with the option ‘overflowing oppositions.’

We have the choice to decide how we deal with situations.

We have the choice to decide how we are to narrate our story.

So, we need to choose to overcome the obstacles and keep going.

To overcome doesn't always necessarily mean that we will be done and over with the situation. This may be scary for some as it opens up an avenue of having to remain in a constant state of having to bear and overcome whatever the situation may be. With this, it makes it valid to feel like sticking with the oppositions as you've already dealt with it the first time, so you know how the story goes. You know, in a way, it provides a sense of comfort.

But why remain in a state of comfort that doesn't actually help you to grow and heal? Just because the environment provides you with comfort, that doesn't mean it's a right place for you to dwell in. Some games are harder than others but it's in that game or play of the season that provide you with both the ability and capability to push you further into the place you both need and want to be. In doing so, you have overcome the obstacles that used to be a barrier and are in a better environment for growth. It may not bring comfort to you, in the first instance and that's okay. Environments are places to grow in so, in time, such comfort you may be yearning for will come to you, even when you least expect it.

So, keep overcoming the obstacles and watch how everything will fall into place, just as it was supposed to.

BIBLICAL REFERENCE

1 John 5:5 CSB Because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

It’s not always easy to overcome the things of the world by our own strength. We are only human after all and so there is a humane limit on what we can do. However, when we live in Christ, anything is possible. In knowing this, any obstacle, challenge, issue, problem or situation we may face, we know that we can face it head on as with God on our side, we will overcome it all. Trust in God and turn to Him for strength and He will make a way.

Remember, Trust in the Lord, Love like the Lord and Walk with the Lord. TLW

who do we follow? thelawdsway