I just heard a whale expert say the most fascinating thing. He said the whales are smart enough to realize they can’t get out of the enclosure. They could sulk at the bottom of the pen or just stay away from the trainers. But they don’t. They let themselves be trained (let that sink in.) They LET themselves be trained and make the best of the situation. I could preach on that for 2 days straight. Now I know some of you are thinking “I feel like I’m stuck in a cage in my job or my life right now.” I got news for you: that’s a good place to be. What! Are you insane Dayne? No. Let me finish. I’m preaching to myself as much as you so stay with me. These whales have enough primal, animal instincts to know its better to adapt to their situation and make the best of it than to butt their heads up against a 5 foot concrete wall for two weeks until their noses explode. But isn’t that what we do? Don’t we butt our heads up against a situation or a person until our nose is bloody, our energy is zapped, and our pride is long gone? I know I have. Make yourself sick you’ve run through the scenario so many times and don’t see a way out. Run yourself crazy you’ve calculated the numbers so many times Houdini can’t find a solution. Christians don’t like to admit it but sometimes God puts us (read: on purpose) in situations that are hard. Yes let that sink down into your theological mind. Ed Young’s often quoted line is: change. Conflict. Grow. I have come to realize first hand. You won’t grow without change. And you won’t change without conflict. I’m dealing with a schedule change that would make Franklin Covey get on his knees right now but guess what? I’m growing. I’m having to rearrange every part of my life for a night shift and guess what? I feel like a million bucks and no I’m not speaking by faith. I really am beginning to like this. Why? Because its a change. No matter what people say change is good most of the time. Now if you’re changing wives every quarter that’s a problem. I mean good change. Change that is God ordained. Change that is meant to make you grow. What are you dealing with today? What is throwing your system out of whack? Give it to God. Submit to Him. Watch Him take that valley and make it into a mountain top. See Him make a way where there is no way. Learn your lesson now so you don’t have to spend 40 years in the wilderness going around the same mountain like our beloved Israelites. God has your victory in waiting. It won’t be this hard for long if you trust Him. He’s not in the breaking down business. He’s in the building up business and business is booming for those who do it Gods way.