A
fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The
CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three
numbered envelopes.
“Open
these if you run up against a problem you don’t think you can solve,” he
said.
Well,
things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn
and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit’s end, he remembered
the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The
message read, “Blame your predecessor.”
The new
CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the
previous CEO. Satisfied with his comments, the press and Wall Street responded
positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.
About a
year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined
with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the
CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read,
“Reorganize.”
This he
did, and the company quickly rebounded. After several consecutive profitable
quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. The CEO went to his
office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said,
“Prepare three envelopes.”
What do
you do when things go wrong? Who do you blame? How do you react? Imagine for a
moment that the apostle Paul has prepared three envelopes for you when life
gets tough.
The
first envelope contains 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (make sure you don’t read it until
you really need it!)
The
second envelope contains Philippians 1:19-21 (only read it if things are
getting worse!)
And the
third envelope contains 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (save this one for extreme
situations!)
May
God’s Word give you the strength you need to meet the struggles of life this day
and every day.
Have a
great day
Alan
Smith
