Learning How to Tackle the Impossible

In review of Proverbs 23:23, I read that I need to “Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get..” (TLB)

This verse reminds me to get the truth, buy it if I must and then never let it go or reject it. Getting wisdom, discipline and good judgment, are things worth paying for, and way too valuable to ignore.

So what do I do when someone is asking me to do what seems like the impossible or too big for me to do? Begin by considering where to start.

First, don’t panic.

Follow the pattern of Daniel. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar went to his astrologers with a desperate need for them to interpret a dream. When they couldn’t do it, he ordered that all his advisers be executed, including Daniel and his friends.

When Daniel heard the news, he tactfully asked Arioch, commander of the king's bodyguard, “why the king had issued such a harsh order. So Arioch told Daniel what had happened. Daniel went at once and obtained royal permission for more time, so that he could tell the king what the dream meant. Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. He told them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy and to ask him to explain the mystery to them so that they would not be killed along with the other advisers in Babylon. Then that same night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he praised the God of heaven …” (Daniel 2:15-23 TEV).

Instead of panicking, Daniel learned all the facts and sought to understand the motivation behind the king’s request. When someone asks me to do the impossible, I need to understand why. I need all the facts.

The king was scared to death. When people are panicking, they get emotional. They start making illogical requests. I need to understand why before moving ahead.

Proverbs 23:23 says it this way: “Get the facts at any price” (TLB).

So if I’m asked to do the impossible, don’t panic. First, get all the facts.

In summary, get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense I can get. When I'm asked to do what seems like the impossible or too big for me to do, begin by considering where to start. Then don’t panic, but follow the pattern of Daniel and tactfully ask why. If time permits, share this with others you trust and ask them to pray for assistance and the course of action to take. In essence Daniel learned all the facts and sought to understand the motivation behind the request. When someone asks me to do the impossible, I need to understand why. I need all the facts to help understand why before moving ahead. So don’t panic. First, get all the facts I can.

When emotional and stress occurs, from the one asking and even myself, it clouds judgment forcing rash actions or requests. Understanding the motivations behind the request helps bring about more information or deep down reasons for the request. Understanding the problem goes a long way to beginning to address it.

Today, I’m reminded to get the facts first and not be emotional or take rash actions or requests. Father, I pray this morning that with help from the Holy Spirit that I keep this in mind as I face my day and immediate future. Thank you for providing your Word and speaking to me. May I embrace this and accomplish that which you put me here to do. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus Christ's name, Amen.