Would you like a future filled with hope & prosperity?
If you are currently walking thru the valleys of life with no hope or solutions in sight, I have some good news for you.
History can teach us a great deal about the future. When the Jews were taken captive in Babylon for 70 years because they ignored the prophets and continued to worship idols, and because they owed God 70 Sabbath years for misusing the land for 490 years, God still loved them. Here is what the prophet Jeremiah wrote to those who were in captivity: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
No matter what stronghold is holding you captive, God will always give you a way out. You just have to be receptive to that which may appear counter-intuitive at the time. For example, when we think strength is the answer, it can actually be weakness and humility that leads to success: 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
It's not just about goals.
Growing up, the idea of goal setting was paramount. As I look back on that principle, I sense that there was a degree of deception to that mindset. What I have learned is that what matters is not the goal or how quickly you reach it, but the process of getting to your goal is far more important. In other words, it's about what you learn on the road to achieving a particular goal that matters. The reason this is the case is because I believe some flexibility is needed. If your blinders are on, you might miss some useful information along the way that could help modify or improve your journey.
If we discipline ourselves to look at our circumstances thru a spiritual lens we will sometimes find that while we are waiting for God's miracles, He is waiting on us. He will many times wait to see how we react to the trials and temptations He allows to happen in our life. Do we choose the good path or the best path? Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
For me, the above verse tells me that this journey is a process, not a one time event. It also points to End Times. This is a marathon, not a sprint. The process can yield more fruit than just achieving my goal. It's a battle between the flesh and the spirit. It's not about what I can do for God's kingdom, it's about what He can accomplish thru me and you. If the drain in your sink is plugged up, no water flows thru the pipes. If our spiritual self is overcome with our flesh, it becomes difficult for God to use us for anything of value to Him. We need Him to unplug that which is plugging up our spiritual life.
It has been said that only God can take a crooked arrow and hit a bullseye every time. The formula for success is very simple in my opinion. To finish strong, spend time with The King!
Getting back on track.
Shame and guilt can be devastating spiritual strongholds that wreak havoc in our lives. When we fall, satan would have us believe that we have to go all the way back to the starting line and begin over. If you have ever bought into that lie, you know that can be exhausting. There is a better and simpler way.
When we fall, we just need to repent, get up and dust ourselves off. From there we move forward making small steps in the right direction. Small steps are the key. Don't try to do too much. Time is not against you. (There's something about how to eat an elephant that applies here.) Do not be deceived. There's no need to go back to the starting line.
Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
