We’ve all had problems in our lives which may have tempted us to give up on our dreams, or even give up on a calling to which we used to feel sure God had called us.
Many times, when I’ve been tempted to give up on trying to market my writing, (although I had felt convinced God had called me to write his messages of love and mercy, as one of his spokesmen), then I’ve reminded myself that God is holy and just. He would not ask his children to do something which is impossible for them to do.
God wants his children to be happy, not constantly frustrated. Yet, one of the most important lessons he wants to teach us is to depend on him, and this lesson sometimes comes through trials. We cannot fulfill our callings unless we ask for and accept his help. We need the humility of knowing we can’t do it on our own. I think that’s the reason for a lot of the trials that come into our lives.
This week I read and reviewed a book which encouraged me greatly because this man’s problems were extreme and yet he was not overcome by them. Here is the review I put on Amazon.com for The Excuse Assassin by Jeff Grillo:
“Having gone through monumental problems before age 30, Jeff Grillo has gleaned wisdom he shares in The Excuse Assassin. His pleasing conversational style brings encouragement such as: “…you are somebody incredibly special, well-equipped and capable of not only facing challenges, but literally hunting them down, and eliminating them one by one until you stand alone atop a heap of dead lies you now call obstacles!” (Intro.p. 5)
“The purpose of The Excuse Assassin is to help people believe they can live through and overcome formidable enemies. We can “assassinate” the obstacles we’ve used as excuses, which have kept us from reaching our goals in life. Realize “challenges are not curses, but blessings in disguise” (29).
Jeff Grillo’s refreshing attitude makes this book an enjoyable, as well as inspiring, read. May we all learn from him.”
Grillo’s first book, Power in Perseverance, describles his struggle against his first enemy (or obstacle) —blindness. After an experience of discrimination because of his white cane, he says, “I made a decision to not allow the weaknesses of others determine my self-worth,” (14) Then he goes on to show how he “found a way to fulfill my divine purpose on this earth” (45). Now he spends his time offering “encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to hurting frustrated people like I used to be.”
Grillo says a crisis can become a blessing to help others. “the greater the struggle, the greater the reward.” However, we need to “have a plan or you are destined to mediocrity at best.”
After a fascinating description of luxurious yachts, he says, “Decide what is your ultimate, reasonable, attainable goal. Then break it down into bite-sized goals” (40).
“The starting point is understanding and accepting the fact” of your limitations. (44) We need to adopt tenacity. Then we need to set clear objectives, get wise council, and set up accountability. Also, “Be willing to adjust your sails when adversity comes” (51).
Grillo likens a person to a “soldier on a mission…fulfilling your purpose and overcoming…enemies, which we call challenges.” (79)
Failure can be our teacher, or a stepping stone, puzzle piece, connection to another human. It can help us so our “gifts can finally shine” (90).
It is like when we are in a fruit orchard. We reach for the fruit, but there are obstacles. Whether or not we overcome the obstacles depends on how hungry we are (91-98).
Jeff Grillo’s “Ultimate Secret Weapon” is his relationship with Jesus Christ, without whom there’d be no hope for him; (99) I can certainly relate to that.
“The blessing in disguise which was hidden in the loss of sight resulted in me seeking His face all the more as I could no longer see my own.” Jeff leaves us with the encouragement to “Set your goals on things eternal” (page 105).
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