Focus on the SOURCE and not the Situation

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:35-37, NIV).

Now more than ever, this passage of Scripture rings true. This pandemic season has been one of the most difficult challenges we have faced in recent history; and we may feel overwhelmed and defeated. However, to quote Maya Angelou, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it”. I believe this requires you to focus on your SOURCE and NOT your SITUATION. For context, let’s look at what “source” and “encounter” mean. Your source is a “person, place, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained”. You encounter something when you “meet with or contend against unexpected experiences, difficulties, or opposition”. It denotes the experience of combat or battle. Thus, while in the midst of your encounter, focusing on your SOURCE rather than the SITUATION will ensure that you “know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it” better and stronger than you were before.

Your SOURCE has five main parts: 1) hope, 2) joy, 3) knowledge, 4) strength, and 5) support. Let’s reflect on these five parts. First, your source of hope. What person, place or thing provides you with a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, or even a feeling of trust. While facing a challenge, are you able to see your desired and most beneficial outcome? Second, your source of joy. What person, place, or thing provides you with the feeling of contentment despite your present circumstances? While facing a challenge, are you able to find the “silver lining”? Third, your source of knowledge. What person, place, or thing provides you with accurate and helpful facts, information, and skills? While facing a challenge, are you learning from your experiences and acquiring the tools necessary to tackle the “new normal”? Fourth, your source of strength. What person, place, or thing provides you with the capacity to withstand great force or pressure? While facing a challenge, do you have the stability to bend but not break? Finally, your source of support. What person, place, or thing provides you with the assistance you need to function or act according to what you are called to do? While facing a challenge, do you have a “village” to empower and uphold you?


As believers, our "person" is Jesus Christ, God made manifest in the flesh; our "place" is His comforting omnipresence; and our "thing" is our faith in His saving power. Thus our SOURCE, “person, place, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained”, is God the LORD Almighty. By always focusing on our SOURCE and not our situation, we are able to “encounter your defeats” and overcome them. This all begins with our relationship with God as our LORD and Savior. If you have yet to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and LORD and do not know Him as your SOURCE, I encourage and invite you to pray this prayer of salvation:

"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come boldly before your throne of grace thanking you and praising you for your love and forgiveness. I recognize that I am a sinner, and because of my sinfulness, I have been separated from you. I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on my behalf to pay the penalty of death for my sins. I thank you and praise you for raising Him from the dead three days later, with all power and glory. Your Word states in John 6:40 that "my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” , so today I confess that Jesus Christ is my LORD and Savior and thank you that I will now live an eternal life with you. I declare that, from this day forward, I am your humble servant and you are my SOURCE. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."

By saying this simple prayer, you have embarked upon a new journey. An Illuminated Journey. You are now a disciple of the LORD Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. I encourage you to cultivate your relationship with God by spending time with Him in prayer and quiet time. Read, study, and apply His Word to all aspects of your life and He will will transform your heart, mind, soul, and life.

I look forward to sharing this time with you! God Bless!

Tonya Craft-Perry, M.Ed., M.A.

Founding President & Lead Minister

Illumination Comprehensive Development