Preparation: Getting Ready for Success

Preparation: Getting Ready for Success”
My then, middle school son, brought home a bad grade. I was surprised, since his grades were always good to excellent. Immediately as he handed me the test and its score, he began to defend himself. He said,“ dad, I did my best. I really tried hard, I don’t know what happened.” I questioned, “ you did your best? Well, I replied, that’s all I can ask. ‘ However , it immediately occurred to me that the night before the test, he was over at a friends house, then straight to bed when he arrived home. I brought this up and ask him when he studied for the test. He replied, I didn’t study, but I promise that once the test was handed out I tried real hard.”
Preparation is vital for success.  Henry Ford once said, “Before anything else, getting ready is the secret to success” Every task needs preparation to be successful. Bot what about the inner life, the character of the person?
When I have a task before me, I like to make a list of what needs to be done, prioritize the list, develop a strategy and then place the plan into action. When God prepares a person for significant accomplishments, He prepares them by molding their character.
Character development comes in 2 basic ways (Here is the list)
       1.  Internal pressure- That which comes through the Scriptures, Prayer, and fellowship with          others.
      
        2. Exterior pressure- That which comes through the trials we experience in life.
Romans 5 teaches us “ And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance , proven character:”
The trials we face are used by God to prepare us for great things.
God knows that it takes a strong character to keep on succeeding and to handle success with all humility and grace.  Only God can build this within us as we surrender to Him. Let’s submit to Him ,that He will do a great work within us as He does a great work through us.