Have you ever received the advice or heard the phrase, “use failures as stepping stones to reach higher heights?”
In my INBOUND 2015 Bold Talk for Hubspot, I shares stories of how stuffing the pain of failure can inhibit true growth and ultimate success.
This morning while reading my devotional, there was a mention of us having become “convicted of sin.”
I thought to myself, how grateful am I, to have felt that conviction, and how blessed I am to still feel it today.
To live guided by a standard, birthed by the Holy Spirit, and to be continually redirected towards heaven’s standard is not a normal position.
In my perspective, all I see are men and women, whether on the news, TV or in the streets, only acknowledge earth. Individual human needs and desires are the sum total of reality.
But a simple concept of sin to me is powerful and needful.
In God’s hands, sin becomes a tool that reveals the chasm that separates our best efforts to His standards.
In God’s hands, our sin becames an opportunity to express unmerited grace and extravagant love.
When there is no recognition of sin, man serves himself, becomes his own god and answers to no one.
Sin is not just an ethical error. It’s a spiritual term. It points to a standard not of earth, but of heaven.
Today, man’s concept of self thrives by answering to no authority higher than himself.
But the revelation of sin and the love of Christ go hand in hand providing something beyond earthly, thin self-serving comprehension.
We are invited into submission, reliance and an interdependent relationship with an unseen, all-seeing, loving God.
The world is constantly suppressing the reality of God by containing all virtues to the walls of man, earth and science.
But personally… I appreciate when God keeps me from making myself my own god. Like a loving father he discipline those he loves and normally uses good things to lead us to repentance.
This Thanksgiving, more than every earthly, familial blessing I have, I am thankful for the reality and Spirit of God in my life.
He’s the reason for this season too!
Create a Great Day!
When you are critical and judgmental.
When you recognize and acknowledge every fault and intention.
Even if what you see is true, this ability to bring it to the surface of your attention will initiate destruction.
But none of this is the worst part.
The worst part is that you never speak any of this aloud.
This conversation, this talk, dwells completely in your mind.
Plus. It’s likely you are aiming your criticism at one of two people.
Either it’s someone very close. Someone you know well. Maybe a spouse, a parent, a coworker or your boss.
Or even more often, the conversation is with yourself.
For who knows you better than you?
Who can size you up and tear you down, better than you?
This conversation needs to stop.
Honest criticism about yourself or those around you deteriorates the very foundation of trust.
And you need to trust yourself. In order to make plans, goals and commit to keep them.
You need to trust those closest to you. In order to love, and grow, and journey together.
[Tweet “The worst conversations happen within the recesses of the mind and undermine the integrity of an individual.”]
So choose today, to do this:
[Tweet “Take control of your thoughts like you would a rabid dog coming near to an infant child.”]
Or as Paul puts it:
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Or as Joyce Meyer says:
“Don’t reason in the mind just obey in the spirit.”
Create a Great Day! – AC
Proverb 27:7 – One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Love not the world.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Love not sleep
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Pro. 20:13
Love not money
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim 6:10
Love not wine and pleasure.
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Prov. 21:17
In your daily sketches you find the motifs for your greatest art.
In your daily blogs you develop the substance of your book.
In your daily acts of affection, she finds the building materials for your house of love.
Don’t put off the small stuff.
Don’t refuse the momentum built from doing what’s important – daily.
Create a Great Day!
Everyone struggles…
Some for survival,
Some for revival,
Some for approval,
hoping they are useful.
Some to make difference
For people in the distance…
Blind to the times and needs
in their presence.
And I’m not any better,
just vocal with my letters,
We’re all seeking something,
Or some kind of answer.
See referenced post: Personal Tenacity
[Tweet “Don’t try to be an original, just be yourself.”]
Originality is a relative term. Meaning you’ll have to compare yourself to others in order to know whether or not you’re different.
But why should you take extra effort comparing and differentiating when you can just be you?
The most impactful you can be is by doing what’s natural. Even if it’s similar in style and appearance to another, whatever proceeds from your authentic self will always be a trademark and can never be duplicated.
Create and Great Day!
[Tweet “Whatever proceeds from your authentic self can never be duplicated.”]