Overcoming Obstacles While Rising to the Top

Preface
One can compare “Overcoming Obstacles While Rising to the Top “to climbing Mount Everest which is, one of the tallest mountains in the world. At first glance, you may ask yourself, “How am I going to climb this mountain?” To climb the mountain, you must have faith, courage, and determination. Have you ever wondered what was on the other side of the mountain? Well we won’t know unless we climb it. We become fearful, complacent, and stuck just by the mere sight of it. We develop what is called “Analysis Paralysis,”we analyze the situation so long that we fail to take action. We become held in bondage by what our parents and friends have said instead of what God has said about us. Ask yourself “What is the worst that could happen if I overcame my fear of climbing the mountain and actually climbed it? What is holding me back from living the life I desire?” Could it be the fear of the unknown or what people may say? Could it be procrastination, or a lack of confidence?
Just imagine that on the other side of the mountain are your hopes, dreams, future, and legacy. When you get the courage and strength to climb the mountain, you will experience true freedom.
In junior high, I had the desire to write a book, but I did not know what to write about. I thought my life story was no different than most. I thought to myself “What would make my story so special?”
The idea for this book came to me in the process of my pursuit for seeking purpose in my life. As I was driving one day, frustrated with the current rut I was in. I knew there was more to life than going to work, and paying bills, with no direction and purpose. I began to pray and ask the Lord to give me direction and a sense of purpose, to help me use my talents to bring people closer to Him. At that instance, He gave me the name of this book, and all eight chapters in the order that they are in.
I believe that the obstacles we overcome are used to teach us a lesson, and to help others identify and overcome their own obstacles. During my pursuit of writing this book, I was faced with several obstacles that I had to overcome in order to fulfill my God-given purpose, including two devastating deaths that occurred only four months apart. These were the death of my husband’s childhood friend, Jerry Mathershed, and the death of my mother, Renee Applewhite. The night prior to my mother’s passing; the Lord told me that His grace was sufficient for any and every situation I may face in life because His power is made perfect in my weakness. I received the revelation in peace, not yet aware that it would be tested hours later. The next morning I found out that my mother had stopped breathing. Experiencing the death of my mother taught me an important lesson: time waits for no one. We are put on this earth to make a difference and we must spend every waking minute making a difference in the lives of others before our time runs out. So, what are you waiting for? Your time is NOW!