Is Survival an Option?

Here is a blog from my heart, a guy who lives every day to accomplish something before the next day arrives. This is not coming from a Pastor's mind or a person who is a great spiritual leader etc, this is coming from me, Ryan Peters. Too often people expect pastors to be people who do not mess up who do not live life in the same world as others do, but that's not true. We are temped just as much if not more, we screw up prob just as much hopefully not more :). But the fact is we are human and have all the feelings anyone else would run into. So I say all this to ask a question; is survival an option? We go through so much in life whether it be our careers, our goals and dreams, our families, and our spouses. Wherever we live we are fighting a battle, and the victor of the battle is often decided by who ever has the most stamina and patience to hold out to the end. You say Ryan it would be so much easier to call it quits and move on and past that career goal, to move on beyond the relational struggle and call it quits and start somewhere else. But I ask is that really what you want to do? I would venture to say no that really is not what you desire to do in life. What the problem is-is that you are tired and get in moods where fighting doesn't seem like something you can do any longer. So is survival an option for you? Are you willing to hold on to that dream and not let go no matter how tired you are? Are you willing to hold on and nurture that relationship and continue to give it all you have to make survival not an option but the only thing?  It is easy to look at other people though and say oh friend just stay strong it will get better. When in all reality the person you are talking to is saying would you shut up and just be there for me. :) There is hope friends no matter what it is you are going through. Don't give up on your dreams because the road is bumpy and doesn't seem to be going in the right direction. Hold on tight and think about what you can do to make your career more profitable and enjoyable. Hold on to that relationship and be proactive in making it not only survive but thrive in the world we are in. No matter what we do we have to try and keep our heads up because there are a lot of people out there watching us and they will be effected by how we react to certain situations in life.
I myself have been going through some trials in life. Not everything I am a part of is perfect, not everything I am I am working towards is easy. But what I can say is I am extremely (here is a word I learned from my friends in Davao) MAKULIT it means stubborn in Tagalog. But I am extremely stubborn and will fight to victory no matter what it takes. One of the aspects of life I am going through right now is I am in the middle of a job change. It is extremely bitter sweet. I am excited to be able to move in to a position and do something I love and will get paid a wage that I can support my family on. I cannot wait when it comes to that, but with every opportunity there is always a challenge just as big to overcome. I am leaving a job that I love now and friends that I have acquired over the last two years. I believe that things happen for a reason and the people I have met and built relationships with were for a reason and this does not mean the end but a new avenue to connect on. To be honest it sucks, I am not excited about leaving the people I have grown so close to. This is something I do not often talk about because you often look weak in the eyes of people when you say this stuff but it is true. I have built a friendship with my boss that has been beneficial in many ways. I have build relationships with people who at one point said I was on their sh!t list. :) I have also built relationships with our team in Davao all of them over there are great my heart go out to the people of Davao. I love them all so much and I know that there was a reason I met you all and will continue relationships with you all. I know for sure that there is a reason I had the opportunity not only to work with you but to meet and hang out with all of you. Although it would be alright if I never had to see John dance ever again. :) But in all honesty is it extremely hard leaving those relationships that I have daily. And I don't want to do it to be honest. But I know this is a season in my life where the snow is melting and a new season is upon us so like the weather I will walk in to the change of the wind and say to myself there is no question on whether survival is an option, because I know that I am blessed and walking in His presence He will guide me in to rivers of plenty and to the direction my family and I need to follow. So is survival an option not it is not an option it is the only thing.
You can survive anything in life if you are willing to live longer than the opponent. I once talked to a Pastor who was complaining about his church and he told me Ryan there are a few options, kick the ones causing trouble out, resign, or out live them... how true you must out live your demon and gain the victory. So if you are battling yourself, your job or your spouse remember you can survive and thrive. With your job think of ways you can gain happiness, with yourself just shut up and get over it :) with your spouse work together to find peace and excitement once again. Victory is not for quitters but for the bold and strong at heart. Be strong and know that failure isn't an option!