Cold, Hard Truth

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My mom recently challenged me to make some changes in my life.  To be honest, it wasn't really a challenge.  It was
more like one of those if-you-don't-do-this-now-you'll-never-get-anywhere kinda talks.

Truthfully, her words hurt.  Bad.  But sometimes--probably most times--the truth hurts.

When she got up from the couch all I could do was sit in my chair and stare at the couch.  She left and went on about her business and I sat there wanting so desperately for her words to not be true.

Maybe not all of them were true.  Even now I think she "missed it" on at least a few points, but there's one that she pinned right on the head.

I choose my future.

I am the gauge for what will happen.

We all choose our own future.  

I am a Christ follower and I've dedicated my life to service for Christ, but it is still solely my decisions that either leads me in God's will or away from God's perfect plan.  Further, I have the power to create a new future.  Even if I mess up, or even if someone else missed The Plan I don't have to be paralyzed forever waiting in history staring at the past wondering when God's going to change it all.

It's not God's plan for us to ever stand still feeling hopeless and alone.  Not by a long shot.

So how do we break out of this rut that keeps up from being completely who God has created us to be?

First, recognize, acknowledge, believe that you are not a victim.  We live in a fallen world.  Bad things happen in this fallen world.  We mess up and sin in a fallen world.  Terrible situations happen, but we cannot let those situations define who we are.

We are defined by what God says about us and that's found in the Bible.

The Bible says...

...I've been bought with a price.

...I am a new creation.

...the old things are gone and the new has come.

...that God is love and that He loves me and gave His life for me.

...that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.

...that He is with me always even unto the end of time.

...that He will complete His good plan in my life.

...that He has good plans for me.

...that I am His child and a joint heir with Christ.

Now, if you've accepted Jesus as your savior and if you are living for Him, these promises are for you.  And they are all from the Word of God.  This knowledge has to come from somewhere other than your head.  This is something you have to believe in your heart.

You are not defined by anything that the blood of Jesus has covered.

Secondly, change those thoughts. 

This is probably the most difficult task for me.  I remember the times I failed miserabley.  I remember the times I have let other people down.  I remember the discouraging things people have said to me about me and they just run over and over again like a playlist on repeat.  But I have to stop the self-degrading dialog inside my head.

Have you ever been around a negative person (besides yourself)?  They're no fun to be around.  They see everything as terrible and they definitely lack joy.

If you don't like being around a negative person then I'm sure no one else does either. 

Change your attitude by spending time in service to others.  Change your attitude by spending time in prayer and worship.  Don't let that nasty negativity eat you up.  I know this is a difficult habit to break because I'm working on it right now, but I've got to break free from this poisonous disposition.

Lastly, get moving.  Get active.  Go out with friends.  Do something new.  Start enjoying life.  Whatever you do, just do something.  Eventually your feelings will catch up with your actions.

My sister, Dalayna, and I have at several time started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  If you've ever done the Shred you will remember that days 1-3 are murder.  I'm not exaggerating.  They are terrible, but once you get thru day 4 it's as if your body can actually do the work outs.  After practicing the Shred consistently for about 1 1/2 weeks the results start kicking in.

Now, leading up to those result you do a lot of hard work, but eventually your body start responding to the work and you an physically see those results.  The same is true with our spirits. It may seem that all that Bible memorization or service or praying isn't paying off or telling yourself to shut up isn't paying off, but give it time.  It will.

Living in a perfect world?  Nope.  That isn't going to happen.  It's an impossibility   But we don't have to live life curled up in the fetal position just hoping nothing else terribly bad happens.  That's not how we are called to live.  We are victors and nothing can stand in our way!

Enact these points today and before long you'll see results.  In the meantime, I'm moving.