Day 41

How often do we back down from challenges in life?  Do you avoid uncomfortable situations?  Do you run away from chaos?  Do you stay in your safe space?  I have learned when we do those things it keeps us in the first 40 days.

 If you read the bible at all, you are bound to have read a passage involving 40 days.  There are a bunch but some of the most notable are as follows:

Noah’s Flood (Genesis 7:12), Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18), Goliath’s Challenge (1 Samuel 17:16), Jesus in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:2), and Jesus post resurrection (Acts 1:3)

God flooded the earth for 40 days and 40 nights.  Moses spent 40 days and nights on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days before he started his ministry, and Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection.  My favorite was Goliath’s challenge because he taunted Israel for 40 days before David defeated him.

Biblically 40 days represents how long the tough times, or struggle will be before our breakthrough.  Sometimes that 40 days may be a year, maybe longer.  To me the same principle remains regardless of the timeline.  A breakthrough or win will always come after a trial.

The idea behind Day 41 is that it is your day of victory.  It is the day when you can look back at the prior days and see the reason you had to go through them.  Day 41 is the start of something new and good.  We all should strive for day 41!

If you have been reading these posts for a little bit, you know I have had some struggles in the last couple years.  I have wins, and good times mixed in, but it seems I am in a constant state of trial, challenges, or issues.  I just seem like I am always just one small thing away from a breakthrough.  I feel like giving up my dream at times, but I know that would be extremely foolish.  If I were to give up, all the struggles and work would be for nothing.  I don’t lock in losses; I use them to propel myself to victory.  Some of the things I am working on are still in progress, but I am still striving to receive my victory over the situation. 

I have written it before, but it seems as though when you are pushing hard for something great, that Is when things seem to go sideways even more than normal.  Look at the challenges as an indicator that you are on the right path.  It is easy to see it from a negative perspective, but in reality it is most likely a response to you making positive changes in you life. 

The prospect for Day 41 should be the goal in all our hearts.  It could make the difference in your whole life if you have the victory at the end in your sights. 

This week, I suggest you reflect on what your Day 41 looks like.  Maybe write it down or just take it to heart.  Keep that at the forefront of your mind and heart.  Stay focused and make it happen, whatever it takes.