Catch 22

Catch 22 dan skognes motivation speaker teacher trainer coach educatorMany years ago there was a book and movie called Catch 22. Not that many people remember the movie (unless you are really old…LOL), but it coined a phrase that most people have come to understand, remember, and often quote.  Catch 22 has come to mean a no win situation…where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

We have all had times where we felt we were in a Catch 22 situation. Here is the little secret that you need to know: there may be a viable solution that you have not thought of!  The problem with stress is that when we become fearful, we simply don’t think of the options that are available to us. Fear tends to maximize the worst case scenario and limit our options. It does not have to be that way.

When you find facing a Catch 22 problem, try doing this:

  • Ask two or three close friends what they would do if they were in your shoes. Just make sure they are positive, can-do people that you can trust to give you solid advice.
  • Get help from an expert. If you are facing legal problems, talk to a Lawyer. If it is health related, talk to a Doctor. If it is spiritual, talk to a Pastor. If it is financial, talk to a qualified Financial Planner. Get the picture? Talk to someone that is an expert in the area in which you need help. Friend’s advice is good, but expert advice is critical.
  • Don’t let pride keep you from letting people know what your circumstances are. I am not suggesting you air all your dirty laundry, but let folks know what struggles you are facing. It is OK to be human. We all have our problems to overcome. Just be willing to admit it.
  • Finally, pray about what you are facing and ask God to give you direction. The key to this point is to TRUST Him for an answer….and then listen and obey Him. If you don’t have the faith you need, ask God for it. He WILL give it to you. Hearing and trusting God is something we should be doing on a daily basis. What you are facing did not catch God off-guard! He knows what you are going through. He knows what you need to do and He will help you if you ask Him and fully trust Him. Getting into God’s Word (the Bible) is a must if you want to hear from Him. It is one of the most powerful and clear ways that God talks to us. Read your Bible. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

I hope that you will not give up when you are in a Catch 22 situation. When all the doors are closed that you are knocking on…look for the open window. The answer might very well be right there in front of you. Be open to going through the window, finding the key to one of the doors that are locked…or creating a brand new door to go through.

P.S. If you have a gut-check about doing or not doing something, listen to that. While it might be fear based, it very well could be God tapping you on the shoulder to take a different direction. Take the time to figure out which it is. If it is fear, ignore it. If it is God, stop and re-direct your efforts.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

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