When you play cards, you can’t control the cards that the dealer gives you. A good card player can win regardless of the cards that they were dealt. In life and in ministry, we are all dealt different cards. Sometimes, we can prematurely fold, or give up, because we feel the cards we were dealt will not allow us to be successful. In life, maybe the bad card you were dealt was that you grew up in a poor dysfunctional family. In ministry, maybe your bad card is your small budget or time seems to be working against you. I had an old boss that used to say you have to learn to play with the cards that you’re dealt. You can win, you can be successful with the cards that you are dealt. It’s really all about thinking outside the box. When an obstacle comes, instead of quitting, figure out how to work around it.

Many times the only thing that is blocking our success is our thoughts. We can be too busy believing the lie that the grass is greener on the other side that we give up. No matter where you are in life and in ministry, there will always be elements missing, resources that you do not currently have, but really need. I’ve come to the conclusion if I can learn to use the resources that I do have and be successful, I can be successful anywhere no matter what odds are against me. There will always be obstacles, learning to work around them is key.