The story is about a young singer getting ready for an important audition. As she sits alone in her hotel room, far from home, she feels both excited and scared of failing. She keeps reminding herself that she might never have another chance if she does not get the job.

Have you ever felt nervous before a job interview? You might think that if you don’t get the job, you may never find another one. We’ve all experienced discouragement, unable to see other options that could work out. The good news is that the young lady found a way to overcome that thinking.

On the day of her audition, she picked up a magazine during breakfast and read about one of the best Soviet chess players. He had a month-long chess match against the world champion, Anatoly Karpov. Karpov was losing, but he didn’t give in to the pressure. He fought hard, regained his ground, and won the match.

That article inspired the young singer. She believed that if Karpov could succeed, so could she. With newfound confidence, she stepped onto the stage that afternoon and gave it her all, singing passionately. That audition led to her first of many jobs, and she found her career.

The story never revealed who she was, but we can learn something from it. It’s easy for us to lose faith in our ability to succeed, especially if we listen to the world’s mindset, including the American Dream of 'bigger is better.' If we pause and look around, we might find others who have triumphed against the odds. In every place I’ve ministered, I can tell you about at least one person who beat the odds. We’ve all beaten the odds if we’ve trusted in Jesus for our salvation, haven’t we?

But even if you were unable to find that one living example of fear and failure overcoming difficulties in your circle, we can find one in the Word of God. There, we easily find stories of men and women faced with what seem to be insurmountable odds, yet they came through their tunnels of fear and failure with the help of God’s guidance. Let their examples inspire you; I’m sure that is one of the reasons God has put those true-life stories in there for us.

Remember, God is the same God then and is the same God NOW!  Let’s take to heart the old hymn and "Trust and Obey!" There’s no other way to find joy in Jesus than by trusting and obeying! Let’s keep this in mind as we go about our days! 

Let me close with one Bible verse from a person who knew trust and obedience: Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Blessings on your faith journey,

Gene