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."

Paul has prepared three envelopes for you!
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.