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Hot stove, cold stove

We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid.

She will never sit on a hot stove lid again and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
~ Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Do you ever squeeze a lesson too hard?
Overcorrect a failure by refusing more attempts?

We’ve all done it and seen it done.

  • Leaders who squelch all new ideas after a negative reaction from one
  • Spouses burned once who never risk trusting again
  • And ____ [fill in the blank with your own experience]

chef boyardee pizzaI once threw up after eating a Chef Boyardee pizza.

The lesson I learned? Never eat another Chef Boyardee pizza!

But I went too far; it was the wrong lesson to learn. It took years before I got brave enough to try another pizza like it. But I’m glad I finally did.

We all experience failures, we all have fears, we all want to succeed despite them, but it can only happen if we keep going back to the stove.

For God to prove strong through our weaknesses, we have to move forward through our weaknesses, not shrink back because of them.

What’s in it for us?

More challenges to be sure—we WILL get burned again.
But also more opportunities for building faith.

And ultimately a more fulfilling life—the abundant kind Jesus came to give, the kind that shows off how great the Father is.

So grab your potholders and keep cooking.

* * *

What fear do you want to work through this week?

13 comments:

Saleslady371 said...

You make a good point! We just can't judge based on a bad experience one time. Have a great weekend.

Joan Hall said...

Great analogy, Lisa and I love the Mark Twain quote. (He always had some witty sayings.)

You are so right - we have to keep moving forward, pressing on...

Blessings,
Joan

Julie said...

Thanks Lisa...Right On the Button! I did work through a fear last night...talking to hubs in Iowa til 2 am about it. Love that man....Hugs to you bloggy sister!!!!!!! Great post as always.

Cathy said...

A neat post, Lisa ~ funny, I have a picture of a little cat I had who cuddled up in a pan on my new stove. Of course it was off. Blessings ~

Nikki (Sarah) said...

great analogy....to never stop trying....thanks Lisa....your words always hit home.

Renee said...

This is a great post, Lisa...the analogy speaks so well of our desire to not get "burned" again or repeat a bad experience! I love the question at the end....it has been a week of God talking to me about my fears and this just goes along with it :)

Janet Benlien Reeves said...

I like this. Thank you! Have a beautiful day.

Karen said...

I hear you! And I know I needed this lesson! God bless you

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

We have to move forward through our weaknesses; that is so true.
Blessings,
Ginger

Anonymous said...

I have to laugh! Love the way you shared this message...
Happy Spiritual Sunday!

Barbara H. said...

Very insightful. I've done that -- overreacted or overcorrected.

Pamela said...

Opportunities to build faith...I never want to miss even one. Life lessons are hard, but using them for the good of our hearts will build faith.

Blessings,
Pamela

Charlotte said...

We learn these lessons very early in life. I got sick eating chili when I was very very young and for many many years I did not want to eat any chili. I finally got over it.
This is a very interesting insightful post. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

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