Motivation for success Arthur Marara: Determination always carries the day Saturday, 14 April 2012 16:39

What we desire in life is not always going to happen automatically, even though we might haveapplied our energies towards our goals.There is a need to develop an attribute called determination.

Determination is the willpower that will keep you going even though things might not be goingthe way you want them to go.I found one inspiring story from the Gospel of Mark and I believe that it will inspire you inwhatever you might want to pursue in life.The story goes as follows: “And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it washeard that He (Jesus) was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there wasno longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they couldnot come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So whenthey had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesussaw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” [Mark 2:1-5].

The general context of the story is the healing and deliverance ministry that was beingconducted by Jesus in Capernaum. Some four people heard about the news and decided to give a new lease of life to theircolleague who was bedridden.Upon reaching the place, there was massive congestion. They had to find a way into whereJesus was. What happened later is contained in the portion of scripture. There are importantlessons which I believe we can all benefit from.

Challenges will always be there in lifeThe four people wanted to have their friend assisted but there was a huge crowd. This wasobviously a challenge. In each and every way of a great person there will always be challenges.These are necessary and will always be necessary. Life without challenges is not motivating.The world is here today because of people who overcame the challenges in their way.

Your breakthrough will become a breakthrough for many people. The true measure of a person lies not in the number of accolades they have but in the numberof challenges they have had to go through in order to attain them.

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Motivation for success Arthur Marara: Determination always carries the day Saturday, 14 April 2012 16:39

It’s always too soon to quit The sight of the enormous crowd could have been a prima facie inspiration to quit the quest.The four men realised one thing: challenges are not always the end of the road but they presentan opportunity to try things differently.

What have you tried in your business or personal life? What challenges have you faced? Haveyou ever thought of giving up? Do not give up on your dream because there are obstacles.

You can turn obstacles into stepping stones. When you see challenges, step back and giveyourself time to think and reflect. There are many times where giving in appears to be lucrative instead of enduring the pain. Many times people give up when they are inches away from their breakthrough.

Thomas Edison left us the bulb after 10 000 attempts.How many attempts have you done thus far?Think as if there is no box

It has often been said think out of the box, but I want to encourage you to think as if there is nobox. Think in terms of your advantages instead of your disadvantages. Do not be bound by theconventional way of doing things.The conventional way was that the door was supposed to be the entrance.

These people had to use the roof in order to reach to where they wanted to go. Learn to thinkand to think differently.The brains are supposed to be put to beneficial use A lot of people have sent their brains on vacation.

They do not want to use them. Even if you go to church you still have to use the brains. Thereare some Christians who believe that they do not have to think because God will do that forthem.

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Motivation for success Arthur Marara: Determination always carries the day Saturday, 14 April 2012 16:39

Napoleon Hill once noted that:  “Think and grow rich”.Instead of waiting for opportunities to be created, create opportunities for yourself.Determination always carries the day

A lot of ideas die at the hands of people who are afraid to give failure another shot. Sometimesyou must be prepared to wait two more minutes longer, an hour longer, a day more, a yearmore before you can achieve what you want to achieve.The Miriam Webster dictionary was a product of 28 years of work. Today we can access it in asplit second and obtain definitions of words. Will Horton once said that: “Success is

measured in terms of reaching your goals, dreams, and expectations. Your success isdetermined by hard work, persistence, and determination. If you are going to be a

success in life, it is up to you. . . it is your responsibility.” God is moved by your faith Your determination and faith will never go unnoticed. What moved Jesus was the determinationof these four people. Exercise your faith and go for your dreams. The paralytic jumped thequeue and managed to get his healing before other people who were waiting in the queue.

This was due to the determination of the four people who carried him there. God will raise people to help you The Gospel of Luke does not tell us the names of the four people. From nowhere these peoplemade the case of the paralytic their case and partnered to help him.

I believe that God can raise people who can contribute meaningfully in your life. You are nothopeless and do not ever allow yourself to believe that you are. It does not matter that yourbusiness is not doing well and your company might be winding up. Or you may be facing insolvency. God will send the right people into your life.

- Arthur Marara is an attorney, author and motivational conference speaker. Pleasesend your feedback to info@greatnesstrust.com or join him on Facebook or follow himon Twitter @ArthurMarara.

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