Two weeks ago I was excited to receive the first shipment of my new book, Purpose Through Perspective. It was less than 24 hours before I was scheduled to leave for "She Speaks" and I needed those copies to bring with me to the conference.
The good news--the books arrived on time!!!
The bad news--the printing press accidentally made a mistake in the perforation of the books:( So now I have 11 boxes of defective books and my company is delayed in being able to get the message of Purpose Through Perspective out there.
I ordered perforated books. I paid for perforated books. But sadly I did not receive perfectly perforated books.
It has been 14 days since this mistake was reported to my printing press with a request for a reprint, and I am still waiting for a resolution to take place. It would be easy to get mad and seek my own justice solution to this problem . . . but I know a secret that I would like to share with you. Actually, it's not a secret--it's more of a revealed truth told to us in God's Word:
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12 NLT)
No, we don't always get what we pay for in this life. Who ever said life was fair? When we trick ourselves into thinking it is, we will be surprised and get angry when things don't go our way . . . as if something strange were happening to us.
Instead of becoming bitter, I CHOOSE to practice fruit of the Spirit and embrace the great joy!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:2-4 NLT)
I know that this printing mistake and delay in the correction of my book is GOOD. Because if I patiently allow God to work through this trial, something bigger than a reprint will happen. It is through our troubles that we grow and show others what our mighty God is capable of!
Think outside of the "box of fairness." Need help visualizing? Look at the 11 unfair boxes sitting in my dining room:)
Can you think of a situation in your life that is unfair--Are you bitter or better because of it? How can you allow God to use this situation to strengthen your faith?
