Janet Perez Eckles

What happens when we get on that stage, ready to deliver a dynamic message, but way deep in our hearts issues of life weigh heavy?

What can we do when inspiring others is our task, but we’re the ones who need inspiration?

Recently, life was going fine, no glitches or major challenges. Then, without warning, no hint it would happen, it did.

I came home from a trip, and eager to sift through the hundreds of emails, I pressed the power button on my trusty computer. Then rather than the usual soft humming sound, a moaning, cracking sound wafted from the machine. It growled as if to say, “bad news.”

And indeed it was bad news. A major malfunction needed a tech rescue. The repairman came promptly, and after trying to get it started he said, “I’ll see what happened, but no guarantees it will be repairable.”

He unplugged it, and in his arms he took half my brain. The computer with its software to read the screen is indeed part of my brain.

I was left technically naked. No computer, unable to read the Bible for my usual spiritual food. No way to check emails, to write thank you notes to the people who hosted me as their speaker, no way to write blog posts, no possibility to post on Facebook.

But rather than panic, I smiled. A long, long time ago, I learned that each setback, challenge or glitch of life adds power to my talks and flavor to my illustrations.

Here are three applications to the computer glitch:

1. With no computer, silence reigned. God is jealous—for our time, our efforts, our contact, our passion and work. And when we’re too caught up in the wrong things, He makes a way to bring us back.

2. Life’s unexpected glitches are a great contrast to God’s ways–constant, solid and trustworthy.

3. Often life’s setbacks that are out of our control are an effective way for God to regain control of our attention.

As speakers and writers we have the privilege to mold each experience into our message and our writing. But the added bonus is that when crafting the application, the circumstance turns strangely positive, valuable and edifying.

So, what stories that spell gloom in your life ended up shining a powerful illustration for your audiences?

Janet

Simply Salsa, Amazon Best-selling book

Cheering you on to experience life, harvest its lessons and share their outcome.