Archive for Growth and Maturity
Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out
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By nature, we all desire to progress forward in life. We all have hopes, visions and dreams. But for many, its the same day in and day out, year in and year out.
For some, traditions are holding them back. Others fall prey to the barely-get-by, lackadaisical mindset. But know today that we serve a God who makes all things new. He doesn’t want you to be stuck in a rut. He wants to bring you into increase, promotion, and a higher dimension.
If you’re going to come into your God-given destiny, you’re going to have to leave the old mindset behind. Don’t fall prey to that toxic mindset that says, “I’ll never achieve that dream” or “I don’t have the talents to be an achiever.”
Don’t say what you can’t do, say what you can do. Don’t be stagnant, make positive declarations that will catapult you into your destiny.
I’ve heard it said that you believe more of what you say, than what anybody else says about you. If you’re going around saying, I’ll never break this bad addiction… I never get the right breaks… I never come into the right relationships, then that’s all you’ll ever acquire. Like the Children of Israel in the Bible, you’ll be stuck in a rut. You’ll be circling that same mountain over and over again, day in and day out.
In order to progress, you’re going to have to break bad traditions. If you’re going to stretch forth to the next level, you’ll have to change some things.
Instead of saying, I don’t have the talents, say I have everything I need to do anything I could imagine. Instead of saying, this relationship will never work, your Read More→
It’s All in the Attitude!
Posted by: | CommentsToo often, we allow the circumstances of everyday life to take our joy away. So many go around with the mentality that says, “I’ll smile, when I have a reason to smile.” And what’s even worse, is that sets a bad example for others who need to see a positive light.
Many have made a habit of going around with a sour attitude. We’re on the edge. We’re on the defense. We allow the doom and gloom to set in and bring us down.
Instead of being affected by the negative circumstances, we should make a decision to be a positive effect. We can choose to be a light in a dark world.
When you wake up in the morning, your goal should be that no matter what happens, you’re going to operate in the joy of the Lord.
Friend, it’s not God’s desire for you to walk around sad, discouraged, doom and gloom. No, the scripture says you’ve been anointed with the oil of joy more than your companions. That means that as ambassadors for Christ, we’ve been chosen to set an example for Christ.
I heard an interesting statistic. When you smile, you’re communicating to your body that everything is going to be alright. I’ve heard it said that when you Read More→
It’s by no Coincidence
Posted by: | CommentsYou weren’t just birthed into this world by chance, God has had a purpose for your life since the very beginning. Your life is divinely orchestrated by God, and He has great things in store for you!
Too often, we find ourselves being tossed back and forth in the wind. Many people feel a since of no purpose. We’re just taking chances hoping for what the world calls “luck.” But with God, there’s no such thing as luck. No, you’re not here by chance. There is a method to His madness. You’re not doing what you’re doing by coincidence. Your steps are ordered by the Lord, and He has every step planned out for you.
Maybe you didn’t have the same upbringing as your peers. Maybe you’ve had it rough all your life, and you’re tempted to think that God has deserted you. Well know today that what you’ve been through is not by chance. Jeremiah 1:5 says that “even before you were born God knew you and He set you apart.” And Jeremiah 29:11 pretty much answers this when it says, “God knows the plans He has for you. He wants to prosper you and give you a future full of hope!”
The seemingly insignificant things that you partake in day in and day out, could be the very things that lead to the next major opportunity. It’s no coincidence that Read More→
Take Bigger Risks
Posted by: | CommentsToo often we fall prey to contentment and complacency. And in the end, all this does is bring stagnation and hinders our growth.
But do you know that it’s better to take risks in life than to end up short changing yourself? When you play it safe and take the comfortable road in life, you end up holding the short end of the bargain.
Know today that God wants you to go above and beyond the call of duty. It’s easy to get comfortable and lackadaisical, but you should know that when you go out on a limb, God will carry you the rest of the way.
In order to grow, you have to stretch your abilities. Take risks in life. Do the unexpected. Do the things that you’ve always feared.
When you set out to achieve things that are outside of your comfort zone, you’ll be surprised at the outcome. The good thing is that the outcome will give you the confidence to take even bigger risks in life.
When you venture out and take more chances, you’ll start to see your dreams come alive. You’ll start to see your goals being fulfilled. You’ll start to notice more doors opening. But when you play it safe and do the same expected things day in and day out, you end up forfeiting your growth.
I’m reminded of what Luke 19:26 says in the Message bible. In this passage of scripture Jesus says, “That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get Read More→
Don’t Limit Yourself
Posted by: | CommentsThere are times when we end up shortchanging ourselves. Too often, we judge our strengths and abilities based on past experiences.
We forget that everyday is a new day. Today we’re stronger than we were yesterday. We’re wiser and better than we were yesterday. And when we place limits on ourselves we limit our growth. We end up falling into a rut.
I want to encourage you not to place limits on yourself. Don’t measure today’s strength by yesterday’s strength. Don’t judge the talents of today based on past abilities.
Today I was at the gym and I was doing an incline bench press. Normally I do less weight on an incline bench press than I do on a flat bench press because the incline press is harder. But this week I unintentionally put the same amount of weight on the incline press that I put on my flat bench press. And it turns out that I was able to bench the same amount of weight on the incline press than I can on the flat press.
The lesson I learned was that I was limiting myself. I assumed that just because the inclined press was harder than the flat press that I would need less Read More→
Enjoy The Journey Along The Way
Posted by: | CommentsToo often we say to ourselves, “if i can just get this in order then I’ll be alright” or “if I can just get to this point in my life, or get through this semester in school, life will be better.” Does this sound familiar?
Well, I don’t think that God’s plan for our life is that we go through life stressing over everything. I believe that His ultimate will for your life is for you to live a joy-filled, peaceful life full of happiness, and wholeness!
The truth is that if you keep looking to the future for things to get better then you’ll never live a stress-free life. The enemy will always be planting more attacks in your life that will constantly cause stress and anguish.
John 10:10 says, “The thief (the enemy) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they (you and I) might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.”
In actuality, you should learn to enjoy the present moment in every area of your life. If your job is stressing you out or that class is overwhelming you, then you should look to God as a source of peace in your life.
I believe that one way to enjoy the journey along the way is to make positive declarations. In other words instead saying, “once I get that new Read More→
Don’t Hold On To The Pain
Posted by: | CommentsIn the natural, we have a tendency to put up a wall when others do us wrong. As a result we may find ourselves retaliating in many different ways. Some may use offensive words as defense, some resort to physical acts, and others may stir up mess against the wrongdoer.
However one of the worst things that one can do is hold in the hurt. When someone does you wrong, talk to a close friend or relative. You may want to seek further counsel such as a spiritual adviser or a counselor. If the wrongdoer is a close friend or family member, you might want to consider sitting down with them, after you’ve calmed down, and talk the situation out. It could be a total misunderstanding.
Whatever the level the misunderstanding is, don’t hold it in. Small misunderstandings can escalate to bigger ones over time. And the longer you hold onto past hurt, pain, or disappointments the more unhealthy they become for you.
Don’t let hurts of the past plague your future. I once heard a wise man say, “you can’t move forward while looking in the rear view mirror.” When someone has wronged you, do everything you can to release the hurt and forgive them. When forgiving someone you’re doing it for your benefit. You see, when practicing forgiveness you’re making an effort to bring peace back to your life.
A wrongdoer may not even be aware of the offense, therefore they’re Read More→
Dealing With Difficult People
Posted by: | CommentsEvery once in a while, you may run into people who are particularly hard to get along with. Whether it be family, friends, or people you’re confronted with when you’re out and about, there will come a time when attitudes, anger, bitterness and egos get in the way.
You may be dealing will someone who wants to be intentionally difficult or someone who difficult and unaware. One main thing to remember, is that people will be people. In other words, no one is perfect. No one has hit that mark where they’ve arrived.
If you’re dealing with a friend who is hard to deal with, try taking a peaceful route. Try making peace and talking the situation out. Know that you don’t have to agree with their ways but instead remember that they are human and let be an Read More→
Be Effective Not Affected
Posted by: | CommentsDo not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
One of the most difficult things to do when living the Christian life is being in the world and not of the world. There are so many opportunities to conform to the ways of the world. Many opportunities to be led astray. But I believe that God wants you to be the light that this world needs to see.
Instead of trying to fit in and be who the world wants you to be, try to be the positive and refreshing change that the world needs to see. Too often were told to that we can’t go out with friends and have fun.
But know today that you can hangout with friends and be effective and not affected. Set a tone that is positive and light. Let them know that you can have fun and be Read More→
Keep First Things First!
Posted by: | CommentsOften times, we put material things and people at the forefront of our minds. We may focus on that new friend that we discovered we have many things in common with. We may put that new job, house or car first in mind. We may even live in reach of that vacation time that’s six months ahead of time.
Although it’s good to keep our natural priorities in order, let’s not neglect the most important priority of all, God!
He keeps you as His priority. You were His priority when He was given the option to come down from the cross. You were his priority when no one else would give you a chance. You were His priority when it seemed like all else failed. Why not give Christ a few minutes of your day to meditate, worship and show your gratitude for everything.
When you put God first, all other things will fall in line. When He’s a priority in your life you will find that the Read More→
