How’s each day of your life going?
In whole, how’s your story so far?
Are our lives becoming a story of inspiration for others to see, one that can touch hearts and lift spirits up?
I’m sure we all want that. And that kind of life goes beyond even if we have already fulfilled our purpose here.
I’m sure we all want that. And that kind of life goes beyond even if we have already fulfilled our purpose here.
At the end of the day, what matters is how you lived your life and who you have become entirely.
So, who are you in your story?
In his book Hero on a Mission, author and orator Donald Miller identified four characters of a story: the victim, the villain, the hero, and the guide.
He described these primary characters further:
“The victim is the character who feels they have no way out.
The villain is the character who makes others small.
The hero is the character who faces their challenges and transforms.
The guide is the character who helps the hero.”
Think of any story you have encountered, and you’ll realize that these characters are always present. But it’s interesting to note that we can be any of these characters.
Donald Miller points out:
“If we play the victim, we’re doomed to fail.
If we play the villain, we will not create genuine bonds.
But if we play the hero or guide, our lives will flourish.
The hard part is being self-aware enough to know which character we are playing.”
Do you have an idea at this moment about your current character in your story? It’s time to step back and assess.
If you are a victim, you may need to leave behind the pain you’ve been dwelling on for long. You may find yourself stuck there and not want to get out.
If you are a villain, you may be strong in fighting against the hurt you’re feeling. But you may find yourself doing things that bring out the worst in you.
If you are a hero, continue to fight the good fight. Don’t get tired of doing good even if it takes a lot of your patience being stretched. Take every opportunity to do good. Don’t give up, for the fruits of our labor will come at the right time.
If you are a guide, continue to fight for goodness and impart the lessons you need for people who need to learn it.
It’s not wrong to feel pain, hurt, suffering, struggle or difficulty. We’re all human. But you’re not the only one who is going through these. There are other people who are going through them, and you may find theirs heavier than yours.
If you realize this, you’ll see a big picture and know that you play a small part in the grand scale of things. This shouldn’t allow you to become petty. This means having to accept the hard realities even though they hurt. They will forever leave a mark, which badly hurts. But the way forward is to heal from the pain, find the comfort that things will be dealt with accordingly, and learn to find life beyond the pain. You can take it gradually but make sure you’re doing it progressively.
This prompts us to find the light amidst it. We can rise above them and overcome them. We’re not conquered by evil, but we’re conquered by good to fight against evil.
It’s been said, “You are the hero of your own story.”
Isn’t it nice to hear? Isn’t it great if we can embody that? But let’s make sure that we embody that in the right perspective. The life stories of great heroes bring a message of a great strength in them that impacts others.
So, how do we bring a great story where we can be heroes in our own lives?
1. Be willing to embrace the furnace.
We all don’t want that, but it’s needed. The furnace can afflict us, but it can also benefit us and develop us. It produces perseverance where we can mature.
It can also keep us thoroughly hot with zeal to fight in life. The burning we endure can give light to us. So whatever trials that come our way, may we be willing to say “Bring it on! I’m ready to take you.”
If we can overcome the furnace and come out strong, that’s a great impact for others to see.
2. Know there’s a greater fight and endure it.
Life is more than the trials we face. There’s a race of life we need to endure and finish. Let’s continue to fight and win in life as long as we’re living so that we can inspire others to win and run well in life.
Great tests can bring out great testimonies. Great trials can bring out great triumphs. Great fights can bring out great stories.
3. Seek friendships in your journey.
There are friendships that can get a great deal out of us. There are friendships that are what we call “useless”. But surprisingly, these “useless” friendships are needed.There are those that even if they can't get much from us, they just love us. They choose to love us and serve us unconditionally.
This is a perfect balance for the people we need in every furnace of life we go through.
If your story continues to be written beautifully, I wish you well moving forward. If not, perhaps the story so far looks like a hopeless one, all darkness. all brokenness, anything but beautiful. You may go through sickness, depression, shame, guilt, emptiness or meaninglessness. But know that it’s okay. All is well.
Whatever phase you are in life, always remember that there’s always a chance for you to redeem yourself. As long as we are alive and breathing, the story’s not over yet. Something good and beautiful will come out of it. Keep on.
Let’s make our goal to live a beautiful story despite what we’re going through.
So, who are you in your story?
In his book Hero on a Mission, author and orator Donald Miller identified four characters of a story: the victim, the villain, the hero, and the guide.
He described these primary characters further:
“The victim is the character who feels they have no way out.
The villain is the character who makes others small.
The hero is the character who faces their challenges and transforms.
The guide is the character who helps the hero.”
Think of any story you have encountered, and you’ll realize that these characters are always present. But it’s interesting to note that we can be any of these characters.
Donald Miller points out:
“If we play the victim, we’re doomed to fail.
If we play the villain, we will not create genuine bonds.
But if we play the hero or guide, our lives will flourish.
The hard part is being self-aware enough to know which character we are playing.”
Do you have an idea at this moment about your current character in your story? It’s time to step back and assess.
If you are a victim, you may need to leave behind the pain you’ve been dwelling on for long. You may find yourself stuck there and not want to get out.
If you are a villain, you may be strong in fighting against the hurt you’re feeling. But you may find yourself doing things that bring out the worst in you.
If you are a hero, continue to fight the good fight. Don’t get tired of doing good even if it takes a lot of your patience being stretched. Take every opportunity to do good. Don’t give up, for the fruits of our labor will come at the right time.
If you are a guide, continue to fight for goodness and impart the lessons you need for people who need to learn it.
It’s not wrong to feel pain, hurt, suffering, struggle or difficulty. We’re all human. But you’re not the only one who is going through these. There are other people who are going through them, and you may find theirs heavier than yours.
If you realize this, you’ll see a big picture and know that you play a small part in the grand scale of things. This shouldn’t allow you to become petty. This means having to accept the hard realities even though they hurt. They will forever leave a mark, which badly hurts. But the way forward is to heal from the pain, find the comfort that things will be dealt with accordingly, and learn to find life beyond the pain. You can take it gradually but make sure you’re doing it progressively.
This prompts us to find the light amidst it. We can rise above them and overcome them. We’re not conquered by evil, but we’re conquered by good to fight against evil.
It’s been said, “You are the hero of your own story.”
Isn’t it nice to hear? Isn’t it great if we can embody that? But let’s make sure that we embody that in the right perspective. The life stories of great heroes bring a message of a great strength in them that impacts others.
So, how do we bring a great story where we can be heroes in our own lives?
1. Be willing to embrace the furnace.
We all don’t want that, but it’s needed. The furnace can afflict us, but it can also benefit us and develop us. It produces perseverance where we can mature.
It can also keep us thoroughly hot with zeal to fight in life. The burning we endure can give light to us. So whatever trials that come our way, may we be willing to say “Bring it on! I’m ready to take you.”
If we can overcome the furnace and come out strong, that’s a great impact for others to see.
2. Know there’s a greater fight and endure it.
Life is more than the trials we face. There’s a race of life we need to endure and finish. Let’s continue to fight and win in life as long as we’re living so that we can inspire others to win and run well in life.
Great tests can bring out great testimonies. Great trials can bring out great triumphs. Great fights can bring out great stories.
3. Seek friendships in your journey.
There are friendships that can get a great deal out of us. There are friendships that are what we call “useless”. But surprisingly, these “useless” friendships are needed.There are those that even if they can't get much from us, they just love us. They choose to love us and serve us unconditionally.
This is a perfect balance for the people we need in every furnace of life we go through.
If your story continues to be written beautifully, I wish you well moving forward. If not, perhaps the story so far looks like a hopeless one, all darkness. all brokenness, anything but beautiful. You may go through sickness, depression, shame, guilt, emptiness or meaninglessness. But know that it’s okay. All is well.
Whatever phase you are in life, always remember that there’s always a chance for you to redeem yourself. As long as we are alive and breathing, the story’s not over yet. Something good and beautiful will come out of it. Keep on.
Let’s make our goal to live a beautiful story despite what we’re going through.
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