Improbable Does Not Mean Impossible

Roger Banister was the first person to ever run under a four-minute mile. In 1954 he broke the record that no one believed was possible. In fact, the doctor’s at the time told runners that the human heart would explode if it ever exerted the amount of energy it would take to run under four minutes. Banister ran the mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.

What is amazing is that after he beat the four-minute mile, other runners began beating it over the course of the next few years. Now, you have to run under that if you want to compete. What was considered impossible became possible because of one man’s effort. Once people saw the possibility of running under four minutes it became a standard.

What we believe is possible is the very faith it takes to make something a reality. If one believes something can’t be done, chances are it will never be done by them. However, if one believes something can be done, chances are they will do it in time. As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”

Improbable does not mean impossible

Just because we don’t know how something will work out, doesn’t mean it can’t. We have to remember, as followers of Christ, we serve a God who is in the business of making a way when there seems there is no way…and there is always a way!

Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

For with God nothing will be impossible.

Whatever situation you are facing right now apply the following wisdom:

1) Invite God Into Your Situation

If God is going to do the impossible in your life He needs to be leading it. God should not be our last resort, He is should be our first response. Turn to Him, invite Him into your situation. It’s amazing how many times we try to go to work figuring something out without taking time to allow God’s presence to invade the scene. Ask for His guidance, spend some time getting in alignment with His heart. Make sure you are reflecting a faithful response when situations pop up in your life.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

2) Stand Firm In Your Faith

Things may get worse before they get better…what are you going to do? Standing in faith means to be unshaken by the waves around you. It’s not standing in faith if you jump ship at every bump in the road. When I was teaching my youngest daughter how to ride a bike she would jump off at the slightest tilt. She would scream, “I’m BAILING!” and immediately jump off the bike before she crashed. However, after much coaching and her being committed, she finally learned that when the bike began to tilt she could just shift her balance to get it back in alignment. She learned you can’t bail at the first sign of discomfort. We too, need to be like my daughter and learn how to spiritually stand firm and be committed in faith.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

3) Practice Faithful Patience

Theologian Karl Barth said, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” When you stand firm you have to keep standing. Don’t get discouraged by your timeframe. Remember, God is on a different timeframe than you. He knows what’s best and when it’s best. Right now God may have you in the middle of a test and you are thinking about giving up. Do not be discouraged, but allow the hope and power of God to fill your life so you can fulfill His purposes. Begin to accept where you are, believe in your potential, and ask God for supernatural wisdom to accomplish your mission. Saint Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”