So you are in a slump. You had a bad day, week, maybe even year. You got hurt, betrayed, disappointed by another. You were criticized, talked about, belittled. You disappointed yourself. You messed up, you did something stupid that hurt you or those you love. So how do you move on?
The first step is to welcome yourself to the human race—to recognize that to err is to be human, to sin is to need grace, to suffer is to share in Jesus sufferings.
As David recognized in the Psalms, the pain will refine you…let it. Go over your past behavior, look over your regret, examine your betrayal and choose to learn from it. As
John Maxwell says, “if you are going to fail, fail forward.” (not an exact quote, but close)
Then get up, and get moving: Literally… go for a walk, a jog, a good, hard workout. Get out your Bible, read of Gideon stepping up, or Moses seeing God use him after his failures, or David taking on Goliath. Then do the same. Make a new plan. Put yesterday behind you. “Take up your cross then follow me” as Jesus said.
Today is a new day. Your future is brighter than your past. So focus on your future, put your past behind you and remember… What you focus on, you get more of. Focus on the pain, you get more pain. Focus on the lesson, you get more future.
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
I'm 49 yrs old and have always been spiritual but never was able to bring myself to go to church steady or actually choose a faith. I am going thru some changes in my life now but I went on line looking at churches and somehow BAF was just there in front of me. I went on the 19th and was overwhelmed at the feeling of finally connecting at a place where I feel comfortable with God...Long story short.I'l be there every sunday now..probably in the shadows but I'l be there. And it might not mean much but I quit smoking That day..and I'm done ! It's time to fight for what I want ! Thanks..I'm so alone but I have God..
Posted by: Skip L.. | April 22, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Big struggles are the prelude to big successes!
Posted by: Dave Cotham | April 23, 2009 at 02:03 PM