Dear People Who Keep Company With God,
I believe focusing our attention on what we do have, what God is doing, what God has done and being thankful has powerful impact on our lives (Col. 2:1-3). At the same time, we must not stick our heads in the sand and act like bad things are not happening.
What are some things we can do to walk in faith, full of hope, while facing the troubles of the times? In the business book, “Good to Great”, the author Jim Collins says we must practice what he calls “The Stockdale Paradox”. He gets that name from Admiral James Stockdale, who was the highest-ranking naval officer held as a POW in Vietnam. The paradox is this:
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” Adm. James Stockdale.
Surprisingly, Stockdale said it was the optimist who did not survive as POW’s. They would not deal with the brutal facts of their reality. That may have made it easier in the short-term, but when they were eventually forced to face reality, it had become too much and they couldn’t bear it. Stockdale said they died of “heartbreak.”
Denial, sweeping problems under the rug, and hoping they go away never works. We must deal with them, but at the same time, cultivate faith that we will ultimately prevail. Isn’t that what Jesus taught us to do (Heb. 12:2-4)?
Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Nelson Publishers shared a practical strategy to implement “The Stockdale Paradox”. I have doctored it up for my use and it has helped me.
1. Acknowledge what happened. You can’t move past the setback or failure if you don’t. This is the first step. Faith does not deny facts of reality, it just sees something better and greater and reaches for that.
2. Empathize with those who suffer. Failure hurts. No one enjoys it. It should be mourned. But don’t get drawn into a pity party. People don’t need pity they need grace & hope. If you are suffering do not fall into self-pity, it just makes it worse.
3. Put the setback in context. There is always more to the story. We can’t allow one setback—or even a series of setbacks—to define us. Failure is not the end unless you quit. Hope deferred does make the heart sick, but that is not the end. Delay is not denial. When desire comes true it is a tree of life is the end of the story (Prov. 13:12).
4. Point out the positive. It sounds trite, but it’s true: every cloud has a silver lining. There is something to learn, something that even failure makes possible. This is key, look for it. Ask God to show it to you. Remember Joseph’s words, God meant it for good (Gen. 50:20).
5. Keep moving forward. The difference between overcoming and failure is not the number of setbacks you experience. We all experience setbacks. The difference is in whether or not you get up when you fall down and keep moving forward. Paul calls it pressing on to the upward call of God in Christ (Phil. 3:14).
Many Blessings, BW.