Do you want to get . . . sober? Solvent? Educated? Better? Do you want to get in shape? Over your past? Beyond your upbringing? Do you want to get stronger, healthier, happier? Would you like to leave Bethesda in the rearview mirror? Are you ready for a new day, a new way? Are you ready to get unstuck?

In what circumstances do you struggle to trust God's purposes? Do you feel that God is fair in asking for a pure response like Paul's? Why or why not? What keeps you from fully believing that God is a good Father who cares for every detail of your life? Take the time to bring these obstacles before the Lord and pray, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).

Joseph's story just parted company with the volumes of self-help books and all the secret-to-success formulas that direct the struggler to an inner power (dig deeper). Joseph's story points elsewhere (look higher).

2. David majors in God. He sees the giant, mind you; he just sees God more so.

Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today.

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.

You may encounter many defeats. But you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from and how you can still come out of it.

You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.

If you did not have that person or problem in your life, what would you be doing with your life that is different from what you are doing now? How would you be feeling and behaving? Spend a few minutes visualizing yourself living your life, feeling and behaving that way—in spite of your unsolved problem.

Struggling is okay. Back-stepping is okay. Small bits of progress are not only okay, they're admirable.