I grew up in the tropical islands of Trinidad and Tobago where the average temperature ranges from 70 to 86 degrees all year. Winter there is just the rainy season. My first winter was when I visited the University of Delaware on a National Student Exchange program.

I still remember that it was September and it got down to 60 degrees. I thought, “this is ridiculous.” My leather jacket came out as I tried to keep warm. To my amazement as I walked around campus, there were other students in shorts and tank tops playing basketball – outside! They were just as aghast as I was because they were staring at me like I was from another planet. I didn’t care though. I was not going to walk around in temperatures we get in our fridge in the Caribbean, without clothes. My friends broke it to me that it was going to get much colder in the winter. Now I was in despair as I thought, “I’m not going to make it.” Sure enough, the temperature got down to 20 degrees later in the year.

One early morning during the winter, I peered out of my dorm room window and witnessed the snow falling. “Oooo” I thought. I bolted outside down the stairs and held my hands out with my palms up. I was touching the white stuff. I couldn’t believe it! Interestingly, after hearing a message on fighting through your circumstance, I decided I wasn’t going to allow the winter to keep me cooped up. So, the next day I donned my sweats and went out for a run. There was snow on the ground and a chill in the air. When I returned to my room, I felt like I’d conquered.

What is the “winter” you need to face and conquer? Do not allow fear of that cold challenge to keep you cooped up and away from your destiny. According to Paul who wrote in the book of Romans, “…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Brian Tracy in his blog article entitled Overcome Your fears, get Unstuck, And Fuel Your Success, said, “all fears are learned. No one is born with fears. Fears can therefore, be unlearned by practicing self-discipline repeatedly with regard to fear until it goes away.” One of the ways he advises to overcome your fears is to confront them immediately. “Your ability to confront, deal with, and act in spite of your fears is the key to happiness and success.” You got this!

Before Roger Banister broke the four-minute mile, it was thought to be impossible. It is said that he visualized his success. Before the 12 Special Forces soldiers entered Afghanistan weeks following the 9/11 attacks the odds were against them. However, they won a series of battles, partly on horseback, to overcome the Taliban regime. This is portrayed the movie, “12 Strong.”

What is your impossible situation today? I don’t know if Roger or the soldiers knew God, but they overcame what others could not imagine. Common between both groups was they believed it could be done. Fortunately, I know and believe in someone who specializes in the impossible – you may know and believe in Jesus too. The bible gives countless accounts of His miracles but what does that mean to you? Well, how much do you trust Him to come through for you? What does that trust look like? Pause and pray. Thank Him for what He has done for you, then ask Him to intervene in your situation. Thank Him for the answer. Believe that He will answer you according to His will. Trust that whatever the result, He has the masterplan.

Let’s pray…

God, I thank you for the person who is reading this right now and what you have already done in their life. You know what he/she is going through, and you have heard their plea. You know what they have done on their own to obtain a favorable result, yet the situation seems to not be changing. Maybe, this person is at a crossroad now. I ask you to provide peace in their heart that you heard them, and you will answer according to your will. Remind them that you are in control, no matter how raging the storm may appear. Dispel their despair, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 (NIV)