One day, my daughter was working on her math homework. She had really been struggling in the subject...making guesses as to the best way of going about finding the answers. She had done the same in a recent quiz that she did not do well on. As I saw her struggling, I sat down and assessed the situation. I recognized she was trying, and although her teacher had shown the process to the class, she needed to see it a little differently in order for her to develop the skill necessary to find the answer.
As I sat down with her, I knew how I could help her because I know the way she thinks. At first she was a little stubborn, telling me "I know how to do it...I know dad." I explained to her she wasn't getting the concept just yet, but that she was certainly capable once she just listened. The problem was "order of operations." She had been correct in the basic math, but kept arriving at the wrong answer because she didn't know in what order she should perform the mathematical functions.
I then explained the process in a way that I knew would make sense to her. I showed her there was a specific order to keep, and when everything is organized correctly...you will arrive at the answer every time. I never once gave her the answer, but I gave her just enough information to figure her way there.
In life, we have struggles. Some are so difficult we just get overwhelmed and don't know what to do. Sometimes we can even become stubborn and think we know exactly what to do when we don't. And sometimes, we just want help.
Life is meant to be that way. We are capable of so much. Our potential is just waiting to be unleashed, and it's such challenges that open the door for it to happen. If someone were to just give us the answers we would not learn to think. Just like my daughter, we would not learn the processes which help us arrive at the answers.
Too often when we struggle we just want the answer. We want someone to step in and do things for us. Some even lose faith in God for abandoning them during their times of struggle. Things couldn't be much more the opposite. God wants to be there for you. God wants to inspire you the best way of going about things. Both through your mind, and through other people who are a positive influence in your life.
Don't ever mistake God not giving you the answers for abandoning you. God is interested in developing your character. He knows exactly how you think, and can present things to you in such a way that will allow you to develop and grow using the powerful mind and heart He blessed you with.
When you are overwhelmed by challenges and looking for answers, drop your pride and ask for inspiration. You don't have all the answers, and you don't need to be given the answers. You just need to be inspired as to the best process of arriving at the answers. Ask for inspiration and the awareness necessary in order to recognize and work toward a solution. People will enter your life that can help you. You will be given inspiration as to how you can overcome your challenge. Act upon this inspiration.
In my life, I have felt God's interest in my development. However, he has seemingly been very much "hands off" when it comes to just dropping blessings in my lap. Although challenging, I'm thankful for this. It has taught me to use the mind I've been given, and to see the bigger picture. Life isn't just about me. It's a team effort. Just as people can be my inspiration, I can be that inspiration to others as well. I'm thankful to have reached the point in my life where I recognize the basics of the bigger picture. God expects us to seek inspiration, think, and act in order to develop our character and assist others who are in need of the same.
God utilized my daughter to show me truth in a way I needed to see it. It later inspired me to write this. She did listen, gained confidence, and now knows she can arrive at the answers on her own. All it takes is a little patience, awareness, persistence, perceptive eyes, and listening ears.
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