Monday, October 6, 2008

Risk or Risky Are You Willing??




To have hope we must take risks. To have hope we must take action. To have any outcome worthwhile we must take risks.

When you really think about it, our every action is at risk because there aren’t any guarantees. What I’ve learned is that the more risks we take, no matter how small, you’ll accumulate enough faith in yourself to plow through most challenges life offers every single day!
Let’s talk about risk. You will risk an awful lot to act on the things that are most important to you. If someone you love were drowning, you might risk your life to save him or her. Or if you believe strongly in justice, you might risk ridicule to stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly. All risks,…reaching out, testing yourself, trying new things, accepting challenges- involve putting your values on the line.


Sometimes the greatest risk may not be climbing the steepest mountain or sailing around the world, alone. It may be more risky to tell someone you care about that you are lonely, or to say, I’m sorry. There are many kinds of risks in life,….emotional, and physical. The IMPORTANT ones are those that help you grow and express your values.

Here are risks we should learn to take in order to challenge ourselves and discover who we really are. For example:

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. (so what!)

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. (do it anyway!)

To reach out for another is to risk involvement. (Go for it!)

To expose feelings is to risk rejection. (Know where you stand!)

To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule. (Who cares? Its’ your life!)

To love is to risk not being loved in return. (Its’ a two way street!)

To live is to risk dying. (Its’ inevitable!)

To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure. (Can you imagine if all the great leaders didn’t?)

Remember, that risks must be taken because the greatest tragedy in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing to look forward to, therefore is nothing. Oh yeah,…you may avoid some suffering and sorrow, but you can’t learn, feel, change, grow or love.

Only a person who risks is free!!! God Knows when you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried. When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears. If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you. When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... God is by your side. When you think you've tried everything and don't' know where to turn... God has a solution. When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you. When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you. When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you. When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing.
God Knows

14 comments:

Nicole said...

Wow, what a beautiful and true reminder to take risks! Thanks for spurring me on in this area!

Love,
Nicole

Michele Williams said...

You are so right! Thank you so much for reminding me to risk...

debrah said...

Great Post! Thank you- I will keep this in mind as I prepare for Saturdays "women of the bible discussion/breakfast"...the role of facilitator/leader in bible discussions is a new one for me...Sharon you are such an encourager...such a blessing...I love how you see things from a heavenly perspective...thank you for reminding us that God is Faithful...and that we are to be faithful and take those risk and leave the results to Him...It's great when we see immediately that are risk are beneficial to others...but how many times do we hear years later that the way we handled a circumstance blessed someone...sometimes it's the way we handled "Failure" that emboldens someone else to take a risk...thank you for cheering us on to take risk and live that authentic life.
Be Blessed,
In His Love,
Debrah

Paula V said...

You are so right. Life is full of risk and the best things come from risk. Hoping and praying for something can be a risk but a risk worth it when the Lord is involved.
Love,
Paula

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

This is so very true! Life is a risk and we can find comfort knowing that God is holding our hand and walking us through it! I just took a huge risk by going camping with our church youth group. We even went hiking up a mountain! But it was well worth the risk. Glad I went.

Thanks for this post,
Sonya

From the Heart said...

A great post. Thanks for reminding me that taking a risk can have it's rewards. Sometimes we wonder if we did the right thing or if we should have just not taken that risk. It's always in God's hands and prayerfully and hopefully the risks we take turns out to be for the good.
AliceE.

Debra said...

Hi Sharon,
I love reading your posts, and I always leave with something to think about. I think this one was a message God has been trying to send me. I think I'll listen.
Love, Debra

Amy said...

~God Knows~

Two very comforting words. Thank you for sharing this encouraging post.

I needed to hear all of it!

God Bless,
Amy:)

God Chaser said...

thanks for this wonderful post- that last paragraph was awesome for my spirit. God knows- risks are scarey but staying where I am is even more scarey. I needed this my sister.

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Sis..
I love this, I never really looked at risk in this way before..much to ponder and digest ..boy talk about food for the soul *smile*. Wow I'm telling my sistah's how awesome it is to finally be able to sit and visit now that the retreat is over. I've missed my visits with you all.

HUgz Lorie

Shanita Waters said...

Hi Sharon! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm enjoying your blog and I'll be back again soon.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Shanita Waters said...

Hi Sharon! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm enjoying your blog and I'll be back again soon.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Deanna said...

As someone who isn't a "step outside the box" type person... this was a very appropriate post for me! Thanks so much!

Technonana said...

Great Post for these uncertian days!! Our Father is always in control!!