There are
critical moments in a game when our mental preparation or our mindset becomes
the deciding factor in whether the team or even us as individuals win or lose.
It may be time for that one last shot or one final pass where the player(s) has
to make good use of their experience, skills and position to overcome the odds.
The opposing team (or even life for that matter) may not be willing to
acknowledge what you have within yourself; determination to overcome!
When victory
is achieved in those gut wrenching games or challenges it’s such a joyous
moment when the accolades can be shared amongst all the individuals involved or
the team as a whole. But what do we do when we find ourselves situated on the
other side of victory and we now have to watch others celebrate what could’ve
been for us? Lose focus, stop trying or just give up. Of course not, we are
going to win some and lose some but what happens next after the loss or
disappointing situation. There were many times in Joseph’s life where he made
winning plays or should I say winning moves but yet found himself losing in
life (Genesis 41). He had to overcome jealousy from his family and betrayal by
those he worked with and worked for.
Once we
reach a place in our lives where we are ready to face our challenges head on we
can now tap into the greatness that is within us. Joseph (a dream interpreter)
was able to use what was inside of him to assist someone who could bring him to
a higher place. It’s to our advantage when we are fully aware of who we are and
how our abilities can bring about success in any season of opposition.
We must
motivate ourselves to go beyond what people may write to determine what is actually right. Take time to train your thoughts to overcome discouraging
words you may hear and understand the
greater purpose of why you are here. There
is no better person to invest in than you when it comes to wisdom and
understanding. Because who is going to be the blame when you become the world’s
prey because you chose not to find
some quiet time to simply kneel and pray.
So stay mentally locked into those critical moments by:
Being mentally prepared (a daily practice)
Being dedicated (stay consistent in your efforts)
Prioritizing things of importance (keep focused on what is going to make you a winner)
Remember, as
the play clock (or time in general) begins to wind down make sure you are
focused and understand what is involved so when it’s time to make that winning
play; you are more than ready!
Have you ever stepped on a scale to check your weight only to find out you are heavier than what you realized? Wouldn’t it be nice if you took one leg off the scale and that would represent your true weight? Sometimes we seek the easiest and most convenient way to resolve our problems. If the desire is for a long-term solution, then we need to make use of our entire “body” and not do things halfway. Your latest efforts could’ve been focused on consuming less calories, exercising more and staying discipline in other ways. Yet the scale has revealed something that was unexpected. This particular situation could make a person feel somewhat defeated or unmotivated to continue striving for physical improvement. This same thought pattern could be in affect when looking at the journey taken by Daniel and his three Hebrew friends. Although the circumstances they were faced with were not advantageous for rebellion against the one that held them captive; they made a faithful pledge to God to prove whose authority was greater (Daniel 1:8-15). These young boys committed themselves completely and wholeheartedly for an everlasting solution and not one that would bring temporary relief.
Is there a situation you are facing at this moment that is causing you to wonder which direction to take? It is easy to roll over to the other side of the bed once the mattress begins to lean or drop down due to the wear and tear. But what side of life do we lean to when difficulties arise? Daniel and his friends chose to lean on God’s provision.
Now there are numerous ways to achieve peak physical fitness
whether it’s through certain dietary practices, workout regimes, or just simply
being disciplined with our body. Ultimately, we must remain steadfast and
motivated to overcome what may be trying to weigh us down as we find our way in
life (James 1:12). Obviously, there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy
body through obedient health practices. But there are even greater benefits to
be gained by staying disciplined and orderly…
Peace of mind. This is such a valuable blessing to have in our daily
walk through life. When our minds are cluttered with the negativity and
self-condemning ways of the world it’s so hard to focus and enjoy our life.
Joy to be around. It is great when we are a magnet of happiness and
delight for others to draw from. When food spoils it transforms into something
that smells and brings about an undesirable “product” that has no good purpose
for man.
Encourages others. There is no special skill or amount of money needed
to simply have a positive disposition. Things are not going to always go the
way we would like but how we respond to those unfavorable situations can inspire,
motivate and give understanding to that watchful eye around us (there is always
someone watching).
Be mindful that just because the mattress is starting to
lean on one side it does not mean you are too heavy. It can be viewed as a time
to either flip the mattress or simply roll over on the other side and get more use
from it. As we continue to get usage out of something there will be wear and
tear that occurs. However, there is still plenty of enjoyment that can be
received from the very thing that may not have the original wrapping. Remember
it is not necessary to allow feelings and conditions around us to “weigh” down our
emotions and behaviors in the wrong way. So, be encouraged to know we can still
enjoy what life has given us.
I have realized
that my journey, just like Daniel and his friends, may require more sacrifice
than that of others but the inner peace and joy that it brings is far more
comforting to rest upon.
Just
recently I was driving on the highway and I noticed a lamp shade lying on the
ground. Obviously, it’s normal to just see a variety of discarded or lost items
scattered on the roadway. But what crossed my mind is how the lampstand that
goes with the now missing lamp shade is going to emit more light without it.
Sometimes that missing possession that we’ve become attached to can bring about
a better appearance but we sometimes fail to realize is we can still shine
brightly regardless of whether its present or not.
In life,
there are some attachments with people or things that make our journey or pathway
smoother. However, this does not mean the ability to move forward is no longer
a possibility without this particular attachment in our life. The essence of
“mankind” is living life in a fulfilling way while there is an opportunity to
do so. So, if we remove a “man” does that hinder us from still being “kind”. Or
if we are no longer “kind” how will “man” navigate through the roadway of life
(Job 4:17).
This three
letter word called man is so important to the foundation of life. Obviously,
God thought man was such an important creation otherwise why would we even
exist? It is not mandatory for anyone to live in a specific way as we each have
our own free will to act accordingly. If we removed “man” from the word
“manage” we would be left with just “age”. What is age without a man? The way
we manage ourselves will go a long way in determining how much we are able to
succeed in life. So, whether you are a
man or woman do not minimize your importance to this world. Please protect and
guard your inner man because there is a manhunt out there to take the manpower
in any manner to leave us all man-less and trapped in a manhole or rather
mantrap while removing our very manhood rendering us in the condition of a
mannequin.
Thus it is manwise that we keep improving our mannerisms in order to manifest a more manicured mantra that will allow us to maneuver to a mansion that is not manmade but is designed for well-mannered people according to God’s holy manual. So, when you started this day what was your plan? Did it begin by acknowledging man’s true manufacturer? No matter the answer; it’s mandatory we acknowledge the divine manager in this life.
When I was growing up the kids in the neighborhood would engage in various competitive games and challenges. Something as simple as competitively flipping coins against the wall or playing a physical game of what we called “murder ball” (an intense individual based variation of the American game of football) all came with rules and conditions to keep the competition fair. Now we as kids understood the concept of playing fair in order to minimize confusion and arguments. Obviously, with us being kids there were still the petty arguments and disagreements that came about because we all wanted to win. But what remained in place after each game, competition or even battle for a lack of a better word we still remained friends.
Fast forward to life as an adult and the competition or challenges are still in existence but the battlefield has changed a bit. The dictionary defines battlefield as an area of conflict or disagreement. So, the ability to navigate through conflict or hostility is essential in maintaining peace and keeping one’s composure. There are battles (emotionally and physically) that take place on the job, in school, church or even in our relationships and daily interactions with people that require attention. In addition, there are some battles that are not destined to have a winner or loser but are meant for a more significant purpose. Unfortunately, the purpose gets lost or hidden because “self” wants to be acknowledged first and foremost. We should strive to live and walk in an atmosphere of peace. And this is a process that takes time to understand and carry out (Romans 14:19).
Typically, in a battle there are actions taken to ensure victory is accomplished and everything done is not always fair. Should we even care if a fair battle takes place? There is a popular idiom that states “all’s fair in love and war”. And this can be taken to mean basically a person should do whatever it takes to win and it’s expected to be understood by all those involved. However, when we know what is right why not just do what is right. Simply because this battlefield has made us believe we have to win at all costs. But our existence should be structured in a way to where we want to create a harvest of peace and do what is good for each other (James 3:18). Yes, it’s a nuisance to deal with the negative attitude(s) or actions of those on the job, businesses we seek service from, or even in our homes. Does that mean we still cannot deal with these circumstances in a positive manner?
King Saul according to the Bible was originally pleased with David but later found displeasure in him due to his jealousy of David’s ascension and growth as a man. David chose to live with peace and respect within himself by not seeking to engage with Saul in the battlefield of jealousy and resentment. If for example, you have a coworker that does not speak to you for no apparent reason but speaks to others that can grow from a seed of annoyance to a large battlefield of resentment. The question that comes forth is what do I do in the present moment? If we desire peace in our inner and outer space, then how we proceed within the battlefield of life is a key component that shapes the outcome (Psalm 18:39). David had natural strength and courage but his use of the Spirit of love and power was crucial in overcoming those around him on the battlefield. For each of us seeking peace or some other positive aftereffect and going against our fleshly instincts is the initial step in creating fairness on the battlefield. And from there our willingness to seek after spiritual guidance or grow a greater positive understanding while being considerate of the thoughts of others will certainly strengthen the core foundation within our inner man.
What does being stuck really feel like to the average person? Is it being on a job that has become repetitive and uninspiring, lacking challenge and unrewarding to say the least. Or is it similar to being in a relationship that has a lack of love, commitment and trust. On the other-hand, maybe it’s like being a part of a church that lacks growth, vision and unity amongst the members. Possibly being stuck just feels like a meaningless existence in a world where you are overlooked, unappreciated and simply not knowing where you belong.
Have you ever watched a balloon float away into the sky above? That balloon has no idea where its final destination will be. All we know is, either it will “pop” or “deflate” and come to a resting place in some strange location. For many of us, this balloon is a representation of our life’s unfolding journey. At some point we must grab hold of the “string” that controls the balloon (our individual life). Taking control of our life before it gets away is a key step to becoming unstuck. This is evident in 2 Timothy 1:7 which validates the inner strength we already possess. And this can and will lift us beyond our present circumstances. So, once you identify which aspect of your life you want to address first then it must be determined what is it that needs to be changed for the better.
There is no
magical or perfect solution or path to rescue us from being or feeling stuck.
The inner and outer struggle is an indication we want a break-thru. First, we
need to be still and trust ourselves enough to have a willingness to change our
mindset as well determine how we will hold the “string” controlling our life. For
example, if our goal is to improve a particular relationship then our role has
to be defined. Looking at one’s self first means understanding what positives
have I brought into this relationship and what areas do I need to improve upon.
Finally,
after doing all that is possible do a review and ask yourself the following
questions:
What did I learn from being stuck?
Do I want a real change?
Who or what can help me?
There is no
set time to becoming unstuck but it will take a persistent effort to be loosed
and freed from the existing situation. So, those in jobs, relationships,
churches or just living life that are feeling entrenched or stagnant should
remain steadfast and inspired because even the turtle reaches its destination
in the allotted time. Right now it’s time to begin with some positive
affirmations to initiate the process. This means we should first “speak” that
which we hope to accomplish into existence (Isaiah 55:11). We can exercise
power through our words. Be mindful, that this is not a “speaking” of
self-centered miracles but a declaration of faith. Next we must “believe” on
that which has been spoken. Our belief system gives shape to our life and then we
are able to see the growth spring forth. And ultimately there should be action
taken to carry out the inner beliefs. Simple steps to becoming “Unstuck”: Speak
it, Believe it and Act on it.
Recent Comments