When was the last time you’ve allowed your dreams to fall along the wayside? When they didn’t come true, did you troubleshoot or did you allow them to become a thing of the pass?

Sometimes we don’t do enough troubleshooting when dealing with failed dreams. We make excuses for why they don’t come true and sometimes we point fingers everywhere but at ourselves.

Why do we give up on our goals?

1) We Become Overwhelmed – Overwhelm is one of the number one tricks that the enemy will use to convince us that we’re in over our head. Remember, God wouldn’t put more on you than you can bear. I encourage you not to give up when it seems like you’re in over your head.

Now that you know it’s a trick of the enemy, next time you feel overwhelmed, that’s a great time to exercise your faith and speak life into your dreams. Pray that God gives you the right path to take, and the wisdom and strength to overcome that major hurdle, called “overwhelm.”

2) Lack of Ability to Move Forward – James 2:20 – “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

I think about, Peter, while he was out on the boat facing the treacherous storms and raging seas. Peter, was bold enough to step out on the waters and walk toward Jesus. Granted, when he saw that the winds were boisterous, he became afraid and began to sink, but one can only think, what might have happened if he had not taken the first step toward Jesus?

My friend, Jesus is the ultimate provider. You can have all the tools available to you but you can’t obtain success without moving forward.

3) Lack of A Strong Foundation – If you don’t write down your goals, or the “why” for your goals, then you don’t have anything to focus on, once you loose inspiration. During the interim of obtaining our goals, we loose the excitement and motivation that we had when we were first inspired to achieve our goals.

If you write down a well thought out “why” for your goals, then your why should be enough to keep you motivated when you loose inspiration.

4) Listening To The Wrong Voices – Whose voice are you listening to? A wise man once said, “Behind every successful person lies a pack of haters.” This is unfortunate but it’s true. Don’t allow others to convince you that you’re wasting your time. Don’t listen to the voices of defeat. The bible tells us that we’re more than a conqueror. We are victorious. If you’re not strong enough to combat the rebuttals of the haters, then they will pull you down.

5) Negative Thinking - This is an answer that I used pretty often in my bullet-ed articles because your mind-set is key to whether you are successful in achieving your goals. I encourage you to take a look at my previous articles, How to Change Your Negative Thoughts, 25 Positive Affirmations – Take Control of Your Mind and 50 Positive Affirmations To Live By.

These articles give great insight on how to change your negative thoughts. I also provide a list of positive affirmations that are critical in changing any negative thought pattern that you may have.

6) We Don’t See Results – Zechariah 4:10 reminds us not to despise small beginnings. When we get excited about something and we want to pursue it, it’s natural to want to see the results now. If we don’t see the results that we want to see, when we want to see them, then we sometimes loose passion for pursuing our dreams. Lack of patience can be the death of our fate.

It’s better to keep pursuing our dreams even when we don’t see results, than it is to give up and throw away our great future.

7) We Loose Focus and Become Side-tracked – A couple years ago, when I started blogging, I lost sight of my dreams because wasn’t focused enough. At the time, I was looking to the left, to the right, and I was even looking behind me. I was looking everywhere except straight ahead where I was going.

It was because of my lack of focus, that I began to allow my passion for writing to dwindle away. In hindsight, the lesson that I learned, was that no matter what comes before me, I will not loose focus. I will always pursue my dreams. I want to encourage you, just as I encouraged myself, to take a personal oath that no matter what, you are in it to win it.

No matter how long it takes to reach that pinnacle of success, keep pushing. Adversity may come, and even if you have to take a break to recharge yourself, keep charging forward as you go through your life journey.

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A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. – Luke 6:45 KJV

A wise man once said: “An idle mind is the devils workshop.” I believe this is true. I always say if you don’t fill your mind, then the devil will fill it for you. The enemy will try to convince you that you’re not good enough or that you’re not physically able to do something. He’ll even try to convince you that you’re loosing your mind.

Don’t allow the enemy to get into your mind and convince you that you’re worthless. You can have so many trials coming at you left and right but remember, Ephesians 6:12 tells us: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

You make your trials worse than they really are by the thoughts that you think in your mind. Our biggest battle is the battle we have in our mind. My friend we have to take control of our thoughts and actions. Below, I have devised a list of 25 positive affirmations, that will help give you a more positive outlook on life:

1. The sky is the limit to what I can have.
2. I put all past mistakes and failures behind me; I delightfully look forward to a new day and new opportunities.
3. I am what God says I am, I can do anything He says I can do.
4. I choose to exercise patience as I go along my daily journey.
5. I live one day at a time, I do not worry about the future.
6. I commit adequate time daily to praying and studying the Word of God.
7. I set realistic goals; I write them down and I put a plan of action in place to accomplish them.
8. I choose to set a positive environment for my loved ones, circle of friends and other social environments in which I interact.
9. I remove all limits off myself, for with God, I can excel to a new dimension in my life.
10. I think positive thoughts at all times and I accept the confidence I feel because of it.
11. I love the balance I get from weekly fellowships with my friends.
12. I am inspired because of the great strides I’m making in my career.
13. I devote time to myself daily because I know I deserve it.
14. Because I take pride in what I put in my body, I engage in eating 3 healthy meals a day.
15. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind.
16. I choose to operate in peace and love.
17. I thrive off of my past failures for they inspire me to succeed.
18. I immediately seize every opportunity and open door as they are presented to me.
19. I refrain from putting unnecessary pressure on myself and do my best in everything I do.
20. I value my relationships and I delight in reaching out a helping hand.
21. I value difficult challenges for they provide opportunities to improve my weaknesses.
22. I accept myself for who I am, and I also accept others for who they are.
23. I make wise decisions that are beneficial for me in the present day and in my future.
24. I create balance in my life. I devote adequate time to myself, family, and my career and I keep them all within perspective.
25. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

It may be helpful to say each affirmation out loud 3 times to yourself. This is something you can do while you’re in your car on the way to work or before you lay down at night. I also encourage you to study the word of God more. The word of God is full of affirmations.

Don’t let the enemy convince you against what the word of God tells you. The word of God tells us that we are more than a conqueror. It reminds us that we are victorious. My friend if these two affirmations alone aren’t enough to get you excited and fired up then I don’t know what is. Take control of your mind starting today as you go through your life journey.

Related Posts

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Perhaps you’ve been hit by the downfall of the recession. Maybe you’re out of a job or perhaps you’ve had the unfortunate experience of having your home foreclosed on. You may be tempted to get down in despair but I want to encourage you that God has your best interest at heart. He knows how much we can bear and He won’t let us down.

Life is full of ups and downs; it’s not easy, no one said it would be. However, remember when you’re facing a terrible storm in your life, that’s an indication that the Lord is about to shower down blessings on you. He’s about to take you to a new dimension in your life. It’s up to us to have the faith that we will overcome the trials that we face.

I do believe that our faith determines how God operates in our life. Look at the storms in your life as an opportunity to exercise your faith. I always say that the greater the storm, the greater the harvest.  After all, If we’ve never been through a storm, we would never appreciate the sunshine.

It is times like today that we really need to look to God in prayer. Remember my friend that the battle is not yours, it belongs the Lord. We know this because the Word of God tells us in the latter part of 2 Chronicles 20:15, “…Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

I do believe that when we get worried and fearful about the storms in our lives that we are doing ourselves a disservice. I want to encourage you that your latter will be greater than your past. We can’t get to the next level in life when we’re looking behind us.

I think about the great athletes of our time and how when training for the big game they are taught, not to focus on whats behind them but to keep their eyes fixated on the finished line. They don’t see the obstacles as a hindrance, they see the obstacles as an opportunity to strengthen their game.

A wise man once said, “obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off the goal.” Another said, “obstacles are opportunities in disguise.” Let’s not view the storms in our lives as a hindrances, but rather view them as an opportunity in disguise.

Hold on to the promises of the Lord, He will work it out. The Lord has great things in store for you my friend. I want to encourage you to keep the faith because your breakthrough is on the way. Be prayerful, stay in the word of God and stay encouraged as you go through your life journey.

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Sometimes, what we want for our life isn’t in God’s ultimate plan for our life. I talk a lot about fulfilling goals and aspirations that we have for our lives and I think it’s important that we understand that there is a difference between God’s will and your will for your life.

Many times we have aspirations, or things that we want to become or accomplish in our lives, and I believe that’s okay. God is open for us to come to Him and ask in His name for things that we would like to achieve in our life and it’s up to Him to allow that goal to come to pass in your life.

When we’re talking about God’s ultimate will for our life, we’re talking about being obedient to what God commands us to do in life. When it comes to God’s ultimate will, we don’t have a choice, we must be obedient.

I’m reminded of Moses, and the Burning Bush experience. God commanded that he go back to Egypt and deliver the Children of Egypt from Bondage. Moses questioned God and doubted himself. He told God that he was slow to speak.

God told Moses that he must go back to Egypt and do as God commanded. He told Moses to stretch forward his rod and God will work a miracle. Moses Didn’t have a choice.

How Do We Know What God’s Plan Is For Our Lives?

I believe that many times God’s plan for our life is associated with our spiritual gift. It may be something that we were born to do, such as a skill. You may have the gift of serving others, or you may have the gift of outreach.

Sometimes we don’t always know God’s ultimate plan right away. We discover it in our latter years of life rather than something that we develop from birth.

I truly believe that God’s will for our life is something that’s closely associated with what we’re passionate about.

I think the best way to determine God’s will for your life is to constantly intercede about it. Many times you will get a nudging in your spirit when God is speaking to you about something.

Whether you have a goal or you’re fulfilling God’s will for your life, know that you can go to God and ask Him to give you the strength and the courage to go forth boldly and do what you’re called to do. As long as you put God first in everything you do you can never go wrong. Let God order your steps as you go forth on your journey today!

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They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, (Romans 1:29 ESV)

There may come a time, if you haven’t already faced it, when you come across haters in life. The sad thing is, everybody that you make acquaintance with are not always going to be supportive of you.

I encourage you to stay motivated, regardless of the haters that you may face. Friend, it may help to know that when you have people hating on you or what you’re shooting for in life, it just means that you’re doing something good. When people hate on you, it also means that they don’t have confidence in themselves to do the things that you’ve done or accomplished in life.

Next time you face someone who looks down on you, or tries to convince you that it’s worthless to dream big and set goals, that is a time to pray on their behalf.

A wise man once said, “Let your haters be your motivators.” Friend, when you come across haters in your life, let that motivate you to press on and do what you’ve set out to do. Don’t let forces of darkness kill your dreams. No. Press on regardless of what those around you are telling you.

Sometimes you will find in life that people won’t like you, just because. You may have done nothing to be disliked but people won’t like you simply because either you have something they want, or you are someone they want to be.

When you come across  those types of people, love on them regardless but be mindful of how you associate with them. If you don’t watch it, they will talk you out of your dreams and goals.

Associate with those who are building you up and who are supportive of what you want to do in life. It’s important that you develop a strong support team of those who will support and encourage you through the thick and the thin.

Even when the day seems dark, listen to those who are encouraging you to press on. In the end it all comes down to whether you succeed, not the haters who you’ve faced along the way. You are more than a conqueror and you can do great things in Jesus name!

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“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16 NKJV)

The favor of the Lord is beyond comparison. There is no love out there that is like our God.

I was studying Matthew 20:1-16 and it describes the kingdom of heaven as a landowner who hired laborers for his vineyard. And the laborers entered into an agreement for a denarius a day.

After the agreement, the landowner sent the laborers into the vineyard. After the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace and sent them into the vineyard and told them whatever was right they will receive a denarius.

At the sixth, ninth and the eleventh hours, he went out into the marketplace and saw laborers standing idle and sent them into the vineyard also and told them whatever is right they will also receive a denarius.

At the end of the day, the landowner paid all of the laborers a denarius for the whole day’s work. However, the laborers who worked from the early morning complained that the laborers who entered into the vineyard around the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hour received just as much as the laborers who toiled all day.

The landowner said to them that he is not doing them wrong, for they agreed for a denarius. He commanded them to take what is theirs and go, he wishes to give to the last man the same as to the first man.

Friends, we serve a just God. The parable paints the picture that we are all equal in God’s eyes. The bible describes the kingdom of heaven as liken to the landowner and his laborers. The scripture says the last will be first, and the first last.

I hear many stories of people who think that they are not worthy of talking to God out of fear that He won’t hear their prayer. They think that they’ve lived a life that is too shameful in the eyes of God.

God sees us all the same. Men may see our faults but God looks beyond our faults and sees our needs. He looks at our heart, and if we have a desire to seek after Him, then He honors that.

Friends, no sin is too much for God not to forgive us. The favor of God is upon you. We are the same in God’s eyes no matter who you are, where you came from or what you’ve done. Know that God has great things in store for you.

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An affirmation is something that you repeat over and over to yourself whether it’s a good thought or a bad thought. As I’ve stated in previous articles, there is power in the thoughts that you think. Our thoughts are based on our habits and what we are preconditioned to think.

Maybe you were raised in a negative environment and your parents raised you to think that you would never amount to anything. Maybe they didn’t say it directly but their actions communicated that you weren’t worthy of achieving greatness in your life.

Friends, know that negative thoughts are almost directly connected to our emotions and the way we feel. When you wake up in the morning, start the day off with a positive prayer.

Talk to God and thank Him for simply waking you. You should be thankful that you do have the mind of Christ. No matter what the enemy brings your way, declare greatness and prosperity over yourself.

It’s never too late to change your negative habits and negative thoughts. It takes time to change your thoughts. It won’t change over night but there’s a railroad effect, over time you will notice a difference. As you continue to think positively, you’re training your mind that there’s a positive side to every situation.

We know this because the bible tells us that “weeping may endure for night but joy cometh in the morning.”

The bible is full of positive affirmations. Take Philippians 4:13 which states “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

That is a familiar passage of scripture that most Christians know and have heard often throughout our lives.

How Do We Apply Affirmations To Our Lives?

Notice that if you repeat Philippians 4:13 over and over again to yourself, over a period of time you’ll notice a change in how you view yourself.

If you continue to think, “I can’t get anything right,” or “I’ll never amount to anything,” you’re teaching yourself that this is true.

When you get a family pet and you first give that pet a name, it doesn’t respond to that name right away because it hasn’t been conditioned to respond to it.

However over a period of time as you continue to call it by name, you’ll notice that it responds to the name that you’ve given it because it’s becoming conditioned to hearing the name that you’ve given it.

Simply make positive statements over and over throughout the day. At first it may seem a little strange especially if they’re statements that go against what you believe.

How Do We Develop Affirmations?

When we make a new habit it takes time to get used to it. Therefore, start by making a statement in present progressive term. For instance if you have a tendency to get sad easily, instead of simply saying something like “I am happy,” say “I am thankful that I am developing the joy of the Lord more and more every day”

Another example would be, if you are preconditioned to think that you will never achieve success, instead of simply saying “I am successful in everything I do,” say “I am thankful that I am steadily developing a successful mindset more and more everyday and in time I will achieve greatness like never before.”

Continue to make positive statements everyday to yourself and you will notice a difference in how you view yourself and how you feel. As time progresses you can change the affirmations from present progressive term to present action.

I would also suggest studying the word of God because the bible is full of affirmations and parables that will encourage and motivate you as you go through your journey in life.

Stay tuned because I will release an article of affirmations that will help you in changing your negative mindset.

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