Your greatest breakthrough is just beyond your tallest barrier
Can
I be vulnerable with you right now? Things have not been so sparkly
lately. The struggle of life has made itself quite real to me these past
few months. And, as I sit here, eating dark chocolate chip ice cream
from the container, I wonder how much of it I need to consume before I
stop feeling overwhelmed. Lately, my husband and I have faced some
unexpected doctor’s bills, car problems, and, just recently, something
very personal and valuable was stolen from me. I don’t say this for
pity, I simply want to be real with you. Because, beyond the posts of
smiley pictures, beyond the crown and the sash is a life that isn’t
always fabulous. Lately, I have found myself asking, “Ok, what's next?
Can I handle one more thing right know?” But, something I have come to realize is that I don’t have to be strong enough to
handle it. Life will throw things at me that I can’t handle sometimes.
But, I believe that my strength comes from God. When I am overwhelmed, I
trust that he has a purpose and plan for every situation - even the
really tough ones. When I can’t always see was lies ahead, I can always
trust that God knows all, sees all, and has my situation under control.
And, you know what else?
Your greatest breakthrough is just beyond your tallest barrier.
Sometimes, the moments we feel we can’t take anymore are the very moments we must
keep going. Many times our victory is just beyond the struggle we are
currently facing. It’s not easy, I have to work at it every day.
I
remember when my car broke down 15 miles from home on that cold January
evening. This was the night before I was set to compete for Mrs. North
Dakota International and I wasn’t even sure how I would make it to
rehearsal the next day. As my husband and I sat in the negative 20
degree weather waiting for a ride, we didn’t feel so amazing. Our only
good car at the time had just died on us and I was worried that the cold
was going to make me sick. But, my husband looked at me, told me to zip
up my jacket over my face to keep warm and assured me that everything
was gonna be ok. Despite the current circumstances, I trusted that
everything would work out exactly as it was meant to. That’s what faith
looks like. Faith gives perspective- the ability to realize that today’s
battle is tomorrow’s victory, even if we don’t have a battle plan just
yet.
The
next day, Jake borrowed our church van to get me to rehearsal. Not only
did I make it through the weekend without being sick or missing
anything, I succeeded in the pageant too. I kept a smile on
my face during the competition and remembered why I was there, why I
wanted to make a difference. I didn’t let the troubles of the weekend
phase me, I had bigger things to focus on.
The key to overcoming barriers is how we choose to respond to them.
Angelina Yarbrough
Mrs. North Dakota International 2017
Turning Moments Into Movements
