Think about your life. Your job, your finances, your health, your relationships. Do you ever wonder what brought about the conditions of each area? How much of it was God? How much of it was other people? How much of it was you?
I believe in the law of attraction. Jesus said, “Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them” (Mark 11:24). The conditions you are in are not by accident.
This concept goes pretty deep and I don’t claim to have all the answers. All I know is what the bible says and what I draw from my own life experiences. I have had some real tough times in my past, and probably just like you, I made excuses and cast blame on God and other people. I played the role of the victim and rendered myself completely helpless in many situations.
One day it hit me when my pastor said something in a sermon. It caused me to finally admit to myself that I had made some bad decisions. I don’t even remember exactly what he said, but it doesn’t matter. It was a “God thing.” Many times, God speaks through people and this was one of those times.
It was only until I took full responsibility for my circumstances when positive change came about. I then became empowered and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, I definitely made some bad decisions, but was eventually able to get things straightened out. They say good judgment comes from previously having poor judgment. How true!
I challenge you to take an inventory of your life and see where you may have been missing it. Let down your pride and ask yourself, can any of this be my own fault? You might be surprised and discover new strength and power.
If you are facing some challenges in your life right now, rejoice! “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
We all know that athletes need endurance training for physical stamina and mental toughness. When game time arrives, he or she will be ready to do battle and will have a greater chance at victory. If the athlete does not go through the necessary preparedness, he or she may not even be allowed into the game.
Do we really think we can just ask God for some great position in life with out any preparation? Not hardly. Read Psalm 107. This chapter tells us that God sometimes brings storms into our lives to accomplish a purpose in us. And that purpose, I believe, is to prepare us for greater things.
If you’re facing challenges today, ask God to hold you up, strengthen you, and help you learn what He is trying to teach you. “Blessed is He who endures” (James 1:12).
Keep in mind that not all storms in our lives are from God. Many times, we can create our own storms by making poor decisions. The best thing to do in these cases is to ask God to help you learn from your mistakes.
God can use your own storms to teach you things and use them to bring you increase. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”
I find that most people go through life, just enduring it. They find themselves living from paycheck to paycheck, often feeling overwhelmed, tired, worn out, in debt, and no enjoyment in what you do.
They’ve become numb to their problems. Things are just uncomfortable enough to complain, but do nothing about. Joyce Meyer has a saying that says, "Complain, and remain." I don't know about you, but I did not want to remain in a dead end job, poor health, lousy marriage, endless bills, and everything else that wanted to steal my joy.
You might be like a lot of people that I have encountered that make excuses. All excuses are the same and one is no better that an another. Excuses are completely useless and only render us helpless.
Making excuses and casting blame only make us out to be the victim. There is absolutely no power in playing the part of the victim. I know! I've been there and done that. And, no one could beat me at the blame game. I was the blaming king and felt like the ultimate victim. I would say things like, “Why did life deal me such a poor hand? Why does everyone else always get the breaks? If it wasn't for you I could be successful.” Even at one point, I went so far to say that someone put a curse on me.
I eventually took full responsibility for my shortcomings, but it was only after I acknowledged where I was and why. The truth hurts. I had to admit, to myself, and everyone around me, that in some fashion, I caused this. I admitted that I was making excuses and casting the blame. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. But, it was worth it. I am free!
The answers to most complicated problems are usually quite simple. Not all, but most. I understand that there are things that are completely out of our control. But, those things are just life and we must deal with them with the best attitude we can muster.
As for the majority of our problems, the first step is to acknowledge our situation. You can never solve a problem in your life until you can first acknowledge that you have one.
Have you thought about where you will be in 5 years? In 5 years you will be the sum total of the books you’ve read and the people you’ve associated with. What books are you reading and what kind of people are you associating with?
I have a friend who is into a particular soap opera and he says it doesn’t affect him emotionally. I disagree very strongly. I know this soap well, for I was addicted to it myself! After watching it every day, for about 6 years, I was usually left in a paralyzed state of mind. My friend is so accustomed to his state of mind that I know he doesn’t even realize it.
We have to be very careful what we subject ourselves to. Everything has an influence! I believe we must protect our minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life."
I believe what we focus on is attracted into our lives. For example; sometimes, if a woman is reading romance novels, it may be because she may view her real world as lacking romance, therefore, attracting more lack of romance. Harboring thoughts of lack is not good!
The same with watching scary movies. These shows leave a person with a sense of fear. The Bible says over and over, “Fear not!” I believe fear is nothing more than faith in the devil.
Jesus said, “According to your faith, so be it unto thee,” for “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Matt 9:29, Prov 23:7). Where is your faith and what are you thinking?
Our thinking comes only from two sources of thought; that which we generate ourselves and that which is external stimulus. Both are in our direct control and we have a responsibility to control them. Again, Proverbs 4:23: "Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life."
In 5 years you will be the sum total of the books you’ve read and the people you’ve associated with. In other words, you will be the sum total of what you have allowed into your mind. If what you are allowing into your mind on a regular basis is not jiving with your 5 year goals, please be advised.
Do you have a vision for your future?
Most people that are asked that question don’t have an answer for it .
I believe every one of us is here to do something special. It is our job to discover what that something is, and fulfill it.
It has taken me many years of questions, trials, and errors to get my own purpose clear. Once I got clear about my life's purpose, I became clear about what I needed to do on a daily basis. I now feel confident that I am contributing to society.
People must absolutely have a vision, or a dream, for their lives. Your dream is what will cause you to jump out of bed in the morning instead of waking up with anxiety or dread for the day ahead.
Personally, when I first wake up, I immediately begin to focus on my dream. If I don't, I find it very easy to become discouraged and start complaining about things. This is definitely no way to start your day!
You will never be at your best if you don't have a dream because you were born to dream. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Without a vision the people perish."
So many people without a dream will get out of bed tomorrow and do the same thing they did yesterday. Doing the same work, seeing the same people, and complaining about the same things. And then the next day, the cycle repeats itself. Day after day, week after week, year after year, and all of a sudden… life is over.
I believe that inside of each person there is a God-given dream and that dream is meant to come true! God is a dreamer and He has created us in His image and with the ability to dream. God is also a creator and He has given us the ability to create (not on the same level of course, because He alone is God).
In order to live an abundant and prosperous life we are to use our ability to dream as a focal point, as we take action by implementing the ideas God has given us.
I believe God gives everyone ideas, but why are some people not pursuing their dreams? My theory is they may have had their hopes and dreams crushed too many times so that now they are fearful of dreaming any more. They have just adopted this attitude that says, “This is as good as it's ever gonna get, so let's just accept it.”
Are you like that? Maybe you are afraid to get your hopes up in case "it doesn't work out." If it doesn't work out you will still be disappointed. You might as well get your hopes up and believe! Jesus said, "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). Keep in mind that "All things being possible" is a conditional statement because it is dependant on your belief. You must believe!
So how do you start dreaming again? Since a dream is nothing more than a thought, or a series of thoughts, you begin there, by controlling your thoughts (you must control your thoughts or they will control you). Stop thinking negatively and begin to believe for great things.
Search deep down for what it is that gets you excited. Find it, believe in it, and confess it. Get clear about your vision for your future. You are here to do something special with your life. Discover what that something is, and fulfill it.
It is vital that once you establish what it is that you want, that you back it up with words. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "He who believes that those things which he says shall come to pass, shall have whatsoever he says."
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