The stops on the ladder (II)

Last week, we dealt with the introductory part of the topic. I explained that “stops” were impediments encountered while climbing the ladder of greatness. I also pointed out that they could dampen morale and upset your plans.

However, I equally explained that God’s angels were always climbing up and down the ladder to help you move to the summit with them.

The Lord told Jacob, “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” (Genesis 28:12-15).

Today, we shall look at some of these “stops” so that you may identify them and be prepared to overcome them whenever they come your way as you climb the ladder to greatness.

The first “stop” is called disappointment. Disappointment can pose a danger to ladder climbers if they don’t manage it properly. It could be that somebody promised to pay your school fees but has not fulfilled the promise, leading to your being sent home by the school authorities.  This or other forms of disappointment can come from anybody at any time. But as a determined climber, be prepared for such, so that you will not be taken by surprise when it happens.

The second one is delay or denial.  Either of these two is part of the challenges you may face as a child of God while climbing the ladder. You may be seeking admission into any institution of higher learning and the it may not come as expected due to the fact that you missed the cut-off mark. It could even be that you missed it because of just three points. Delay or denial could create stops as you climb the ladder.

The third hindrance is distress.  Life’s challenges that could cause distress are many. Distress takes away one’s strength or focus if not properly managed. When distress comes, just relax and rest; energy and encouragement will come shortly as you look up to God, your Maker.

The fourth stop is discouragement.  Discouragement is a tool in the hands of the devil.  He tells you to give up the climbing task and step down from the ladder.  You need to shake off discouragement because very soon darkness will give way to light.  All those things trying to stop you will soon pass away in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Another impediment is disease. Diseases cause uneasiness with the sole purpose of slowing you down. Once in a while, you may experience something like a little headache and body pain which could make you feel uneasy. You may lose the appetite to eat sometimes, because of the uneasiness. These unhealthy conditions are stops on your way as you climb the ladder; but they last just for a moment. You will get up, even though you stopped climbing for a while because of the disease.  Thanks be to God that your “Iight afflictions” will not last long.

There are also the demons.  Demons target those climbing the ladder to attack them in order to deter them from climbing further. The Lord has overcome all demons on your behalf, so don’t be afraid when they come knocking on your door.

The next stop is doubt.  The moment you begin to doubt yourself, you may start to say, “Can I pass again?  Can I succeed again?  Will I ever make it again? Am I totally and permanently defeated?  Am I not crushed beyond recovery?” Don’t doubt God’s faithfulness to His promises to you.   God is faithful and is concerned about your situation.

How do you overcome these stops?  The answer is in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Apostle Paul faced a lot of challenges while climbing the ladder, but he made up his mind not to be shaken, not to be dissuaded or derailed. He did not look at those challenges, neither was he discouraged. Like a true soldier, he kept moving on.

Champions are stable and solid.  Always remember that disappointment is temporary, not for a long time. Delay is temporary, not permanent.  Distress is temporary, not permanent. Discouragement is temporary, not permanent. Disease is temporary, not permanent. The demons’ attacks are temporary, not permanent. Doubts cannot bring you down because your faith in God will clear it away. Remember, “the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  You will succeed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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