39 responses so far ↓

• 1 Raul dela Rosa // Feb 4, 2010 at 12:12 am

  One of the hardest thing to do is move forward when someone hurt you and even forgive the person….but that’s the best way for breakthrough.

• 2 Susan Davis // Feb 4, 2010 at 12:38 am

  John,

  I just experienced one of those setbacks in my life and I am choosing to look at it as an opportunity to do what I have always wanted to do. And in the same breath, I am scared to death as I only have myself and God to rely on. I loved my job and feel I was wronged, and it is hard to get over that that completely knowing what kind of jeopardy that has put me and my children in.

  I am choosing to make the best of the situation and try to live into my dreams. So I choose to work towards a breakthrough!

  Live Full Out & On Purpose,

  Susan

• 3 Dan Rockwell // Feb 4, 2010 at 12:52 am

  John,

  I went through one of the 3 to 9 turning points about 2 years ago. The result is new direction, new passion, new vision, new meaning.

  The moments just before innovative breakthrough are hopeless. I just wrote about it at http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/

  Thanks for your work,

  Leadership Freak
  Dan Rockwell

• 4 Misty Basco // Feb 4, 2010 at 12:54 am

  Forgiveness is difficult for the weak. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

• 5 Peter G. James Sinclair // Feb 4, 2010 at 1:15 am

  Life is certainly a conundrum – and all I can say is this – that the truth that I have found urges me to love God and to love others as I love myself. This love is most profoundly demonstrated through forgiveness.

• 6 Eddie Howden // Feb 4, 2010 at 3:15 am

  How true. The problem often is that we do not possess the strength of will to always choose the path to healing! This comes only by devine grace

• 7 Lourdes Antonio // Feb 4, 2010 at 3:47 am

  The message is so timely, it makes me realized to be more understanding than hold on to grudges with those people who are trying to put me down. I will reread again your book Failing Forward, I already read that 4 years ago… and i guess a regular review of that book is a must for me. Let the healing power of God prevails and peace of understanding be in my heart always, with God’s grace.
  Thanks for the reminder Sir John Maxwell.

• 8 Dominick Stanley // Feb 4, 2010 at 7:13 am

  I think that your article is a wonderful description of what happens to some people and that is a critical forces them to stop taking action. I think it is about never getting to place where you limit your actions you take.

• 9 Liza // Feb 4, 2010 at 8:13 am

  I have always ultimately come to understand that visits in the valley of life are tremendous opportunities for learning & personal growth. After a difficult year, I am gradually rebuilding my way back towards a peak. Gratitude & humilty are at the heart of a happy & fulfilling journey of life.

• 10 maryjane.zavala-padron // Feb 4, 2010 at 9:17 am

  2001 I went through the loss of my sister, Rebecca was 47 , she was murdered. In 2005 I went through the loss of my mom we were very close. 2006 my nephew passed away in a terrible accident. 2007 my brother- in-law passed away fighting a 5 yrs battle with ALS,. 2009 my dad passed away peaceful in his sleep, but I had already lost him one year ago, with alzheimers.–And last year 2009 my brother -in-law passed away due to a health illness.— Grieving the loss of your loved makes you see life, in a different way. Grieving gives you inner strength, — Like the bible reads, life is a vapor… here for a moment and gone in second, so let’s enjoy life to the fullest;-)) Let’s take road that leads to the path of strength, joy, and peace.

• 11 Mindi // Feb 4, 2010 at 9:32 am

  Thanks for your insights. It appears I am at one of those forks.

• 12 Rachel P. // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:35 am

  I experienced a turning point in 2008 with the birth of my daughter. Doctors recommended that we abort her because she had numerous problems in utero. We chose not to and turned it over to God. And, our little miracle was born healthy. That experience began a journey of self-reflection that led me to realize that we all have a story to share to help others. So, with a friend, we launched a website to encourage other women in their lives. It is at http://www.afterthemiracle.com and has shown me how we all must recycle our adversity into ministry.

• 13 Mary Ballard // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:42 am

  John,
  Thank you again. My mother died when I was 40 years old and that was the first loss I truly experienced of a best friend and what I learned from a preacher that I had growing up in a small country church was to set the example for my children that my parents had set for me. I believe if we all live by the examples that Jesus set for us we would be so much happier. Love one another.

• 14 Sharon // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:57 am

  You know. Honestly. EVERY decision you make is “a fork in the road.” Each new step either keeps you going forward, backward, or turned from your path. And we’re headed in the direction we’re taking…. whether they be big steps or small ones. I think it’s often the bigger decisions that are easier to see and that we contemplate more carefully. It’s the smaller ones that go unnoticed, often undetected, and we drift before we realize it and without us meaning to. It’s a slow fade that is the scarest danger to me.

  Great post though! Despite what I said there is great truth in what you did!

  I love the wisdom you share! God bless!
  sharon

• 15 Tonette Mitchell - Dallas // Feb 4, 2010 at 11:10 am

  John,
  Im a young woman who has had some turning points in my life. I am in a health turning point. Going from doctor to doctor, er to er, physician to physician….. And they all say I’m too young to experience what I’m experincing! I’ve Bern through rough spots before, but this is a tough one. I’m a teacher and coach, and I sense the Lord tugging at my spirit! Ive always found myself in some leadership position and I know God has a mighty plan to use me to affect millions of lives,,…. To catch many fish, this turning point is hard to get around. Thank you for all your books, quotes, and inspiration! It’s always aon time. Enjoy Gods Blessings!

  There’s no ressurection without crucifixion!!!!

• 16 ed~win / SAN JOSE, CA // Feb 4, 2010 at 11:50 am

  2002, I beat leukemia and hepatitius C in the same year.
  2008 I had a stroke, on my road to recovery.

  It is all about having faith, a support system.

  BELIEVE, HAVE A PLAN, TAKE ACTION.

  http://www.edwincomer.info

• 17 David Johnson // Feb 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm

  I’ve always taught my children that life will not always be fair, that people don’t ALWAYS have their best interest in mind but it’s how they handle those situations that define who they are.

  It’s at those times that the depth of our character really shines!

• 18 Pastor Don Kesner // Feb 4, 2010 at 3:06 pm

  Pastor Maxwell,
  I have experienced both, breakdowns and breakthroughs in my 57 years. It was not until my later years that I realized that breakdowns could be turned into breakthroughs. I had to get beyond what the world, the church and I, myself, thought of me, and realize what God thought of me. He showed me that his calling is definitely without repentance. Thanks for all you good work and encouragements to so many. God Bless.

• 19 Unknown // Feb 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm

  Registered Sex Offender since 1998, moving forward doesn’t seem possible. I’ve tried over and over again but the past keeps knocking me down. I made a mistake at 19 and it seems people aren’t forgiving and don’t have any mercy or grace. The church family are the hardest on me, they have out-casted me and rejected me.

  No Job, no way to keep a job even though I work hard, extra hard, and am good at what I do. People can’t get past it. I read and I read and I try to keep forging forward and trying new things and believing that God still has a plan and purpose for my life despite my mistake. He wasn’t surprised by my sin, so I choose to believe He still has a path of blessing and purpose for me to glorify Him and do something for eternity! I’m thankful even though people that call themselves Christians can’t obey the Bible and give someone a second chance and help them heal, that Christ did die for my sins and has forgiven me and saved me and pours His love and mercy on me.

  Thank your for your books, Bro Maxwell, and this post!

• 20 Janice Halton // Feb 4, 2010 at 3:23 pm

  It is very hard at first, I could not believe forgiving could really heal me in many ways. You know, I love seeing it God’s way. The circumstances now cause me to appreciate life the way God sees it. Not having a job and money, I would look at the worst of things. I am facing this circumstance now, but I am releasing the joy of the Lord to the world.

  Thank you Mr. John for being a part of the healing for the people.

  God is forever with you,

• 21 Yvonne Green // Feb 4, 2010 at 8:03 pm

  Forgiveness brings freedom. Until a person can forgive or ask God to help him/her forgive. The person reamains in bondage. Freedom comes from God. Oppression comes from Satan. Until a person can forgive you are giving Satan control over you. The question is who do you want to have control God or Satan? Remember God has never given up on Mankind verses Satan never had John 3:16.
  You see once I was a rape and abuse victim.
  Now a volunteer for Mercy Ministries
  “For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD plans to prosper you not to harm you to give you a hope and a future.”
  My Bible tells me that “Every good and perfect gift comes from God”
  If its not good tear it down and replace it with God’s word. God has given us His word.
  Thank you for talking about a subject that is not mentioned much– the power of forgiveness.

• 22 david seow // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:09 pm

  Hi John and all,

  Happy Chinese New Year

  Overcome breakdown, learn from breakdown and will lead to breakthrough.

  It is similar to failure and success. Overcome failure, learn form failure and will lead to success.

• 23 Rachel // Feb 5, 2010 at 12:07 pm

  Dear John,

  You have no idea how much of an encouragement this is to me. Ten months ago, I disappointed people who have love me and believe in me. Till now, the phobia of hurting them because of my failures is causing me to stay a distance away from them. I want them to be happy, but I guess the greatest happiness they’ll have is to see myself stand up again and walk into what God has called me to be.

  Thank you so much.

• 24 Mike Anderson // Feb 5, 2010 at 12:21 pm

  John – this was a fantastic post. I have said that when we come to forks in the road, on occasion we take the wrong one, moving us away from the path we were intended to take. But later, we will be presented with more forks, and additional opportunities to return to our correct path.

  Thank you for reminding me.

  Mike

• 25 paul donnan // Feb 5, 2010 at 2:05 pm

  No matter how hard you try, you can not insulate yourself or your family from ever experiencing a tragic life moment. “If only” is an uninhabitable place, don’t even go there. A tragic event or poor life-choice doe not define a life, God is way bigger than that. A life of repeated poor choices can define a course. That said, there are those perhaps like the rich young ruler, who believe they have managed to keep every letter of the law. For them, strike one means “you’re out”! While no one save Jesus Christ ever fulfilled every detail of the law, a self-righteous mindset discounts the Grace of God. No one can write “the end” on a life but the author and finisher. I choose to grow in Grace. Thanks for the good post John.

• 26 Angie Van De Merwe // Feb 5, 2010 at 2:29 pm

  Moving on is as much about knowing oneself, one’s values and where one’s boundaries are. Forgiveness is a word that Christians find useful, but what is really at stake is personhood, vision, and focus. Resolution of these will bring release from past injustices, because one can come to accept that possibly others just have different values, than you do.

• 27 Richard Whitehead // Feb 5, 2010 at 3:25 pm

  Been there done that!! I had one of these moments a few years ago. I found it similar to riding a horse…. IF you get bucked off you get back on and go again, and again, and again. Sometimes I feel like the gentleman that started Kentucky Fried Chicken… but I determined not to stop until I reach my goal.

  Thank you for what you do.

• 28 Isabelle Alpert // Feb 6, 2010 at 1:09 am

  Understanding and accepting ‘turning- points’ as an inevitable part of being on a successful path that you have chosen is crucial. Viewing it as a set back will only serve that purpose and hinder your “growth”. The power your emotions have on an event will hinder or help you; possessing the ability to have the strength to overcome will allow you to move forward.

• 29 Anonymous // Feb 6, 2010 at 12:17 pm

  Iwas a single mom looking for a father for my son, I married a man who promised to be that dad. I told him I wouldn’t marry him unless he adopted my son as his own, and he promised me. But year after year it was another excuse. Money, or an argument, we had another child together and it still never happened. Well my son turned 18 in October and moved out. And since then I have been filled with a since of failure, disappointment, and hate. I hated my husband for lying to me all these years. I had hope evey year and never gave up. Now its over, it never happened.
  So then at my breaking point I called out to God, WHY? Then God told me, “How do you think I feel, when I have hope that people will accept my son, to adopt them in their lives, for me it doesn’t stop with an age of 18, or just one person, but my torment goes on forver” . I feel God let me experience this pain, to see what he feels like when we don’t accept his son. A lot of of promise they will, even year after year, even up to their death beds, but never do. God has to bear that pain, day after day, year after year, thousands and millions of times.

• 30 ym // Feb 6, 2010 at 12:17 pm

  it is not easy to do.. but i pray that God will give us the strength to do what is right, and forgive the person

• 31 Humilicissism // Feb 6, 2010 at 12:34 pm

  I have to agree with what Sharon said… as someone who did the hurting, I have an extremely tough time forgiving myself and being around those that I hurt. It feels paralyzing at times.

  The one saving grace that I have (besides my relationship w/ Him) is that I’m in a MUCH better place than where I was when I made my mistake(s). Every decision either puts me closer to Him and farther away from the person I used to be or vice versa.

  The person I have to thank most is the one I hurt the worst – my wife. She has been extremely loving & forgiving and been a real partner and friend. I thank God for her every day.

  So, even if you hurt someone else, no matter what other people’s perceptions and/or treatment does to you – remember His desire for us;

  act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

• 32 Tina // Feb 6, 2010 at 12:52 pm

  Thank you for posting this, it is very helpful to me.
  God Bless = )

• 33 Mark Sturgell // Feb 6, 2010 at 1:23 pm

  Turning points, or significant and noticeable changes in our circumstances, leave us with the same three choices we have in any circumstance:
  1) We can allow ourselves to be victims based on “how the world is”, not learning and just bounce along to the next circumstance. We all have the potential to allow ourselves to be victims; 2) we can take new action based on the “how the world is”, with the goal of producing new results in the future. This is how m0st of us learn most of the time. We may mistake these for being far greater turning points than they might have been; and finally 3) we can “see the world in a new way” – that change in perspective that provides real breakthrough learning, when God reveals new possibilities that moments earlier didn’t seem to exist. These new possibilities lead to new actions that can produce results we might have never before conceived. These are rare glimpses into God’s perspective, and when we open ourselves to His leadership we may just find more than 3 to 9 experiences of them in a lifetime.

• 34 Jonathan // Feb 6, 2010 at 8:43 pm

  John,

  Thank you for your comments and encouragement. I must go on to what God meant me to be, no matter what’s in my past. I choose this day to let it be and move on. Moving one step closer to my destiny means I do what God tells me to do after listening to His still, small voice in me.

  Grateful,

  Jonathan

• 35 Shawn Thornton // Feb 7, 2010 at 3:50 pm

  What a great word today. I have just sat in my pitty pot for three days. I am seperated from wife and kids. I still don’t have a job after a year. That is why we moved from San Diego to Nebraska so I could work. We have been here three yrs. Anyhow I have just been thinking that I am the same person I was 16 yrs ago when I gave my life to the Lord. Today is a new day and I don’t have to listen to myself or others. Only God and do my best to please him. Thanks for the. Encouragement.

• 36 Eddie Howden // Feb 8, 2010 at 1:55 am

  My history held me back for 15 years! Yes, 15years. It is ignorrance of self, I think, which is our greatest enemy. But thank God that we are never to old to start on a journey of self-discovery and enrichment!

• 37 emmanuel // Feb 9, 2010 at 9:38 am

  this article really talks about choosing how you respond to things around you. being responsible 100% for your decision.thanks John Maxwell for this one. it’s great

• 38 Toni Lyn // Feb 12, 2010 at 6:22 pm

  I really need to find your book online now! I need to do a book report by 2morror, Sat 2/12/10 and I need to find a site if there is one online where I can read Leadership 101 in its entirety. Do you have a site online where I can go to read the short book? Thanks

• 39 Sarah // Feb 16, 2010 at 7:56 pm

  too often Christians look at their problems with the martyr mentality and let themselves be defeated. i think that we let this happen because it relieves us of a responsibility to be who God created us to be, to be everything we can because we’re afraid that if we try again we’ll fail but if we don’t try then we won’t have to face failure. the problem is God created us to be warriors not martyrs.