August 13, 2013

Growing From Failure

Failure is not fatal unless you refuse to grow from the experience.

We all go through a pruning process. God will prune our lives so that we can bear much fruit. To “prune” means something is cut away, something is removed. In other words, maybe a good friend that you counted on moved to another city. Maybe a business shut down that you were connected to, or a relationship went a different direction. God knows what you need in your life in order to grow and flourish. Sometimes when things happen that we don’t understand, we have to just trust that He is working behind the scenes preparing you for increase, preparing you to go to another level. Don’t put a question mark where God has placed a period. When you’re going through transition, don’t get bitter. Don’t get down and think it’s the end. Don’t start thinking that you’re a failure. Have the attitude, If you will accept the change and stay in faith, God will open new doors. He will bring new opportunities, new friendships, and take you to another level of His glory. Are you growing from your failures?

June 8, 2013

Changing

People need to change to grow, and can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to live their lives to the fullest.

Change is one of the most difficult things for people to face; however, change is inevitable. In fact, Mark Twain once said, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” One reason people don’t like change is because they get comfortable with where they are in life. They get used to their friends, job or the place they live. And even if it’s not perfect, they accept it simply because it’s familiar. However, when we are not willing to change, we get stuck in life holding on to what God did in the past instead of growing and moving forward into what God wants to do in the future. Today, I encourage you to be open to the new things God has in store for you. Always remember that just because God has blessed you where you are doesn’t mean you can just sit back and settle there. God wants to do something new in you and through you. He wants to see you grow, prosper and flourish. Get ready and keep your heart focused on Him. Embrace change and see the blessing God has in store for you! Are you changing and growing today?

June 4, 2013

Failure and Pain

Failure and pain are the entry fee for trying, the foundation for learning, the price–and proof–of living fully alive.

Some people only learn from failure and pain. These two aspects of life can be excellence teachers, but the key is for you to be an excellence student. Learn from them, but don’t stay with them. If you are trying to live a life of purpose then you will experience failure and pain. They are what qualify you for your destiny. Don’t let the failure and pain you experience cause you to stop learning and growing. Stay the course. Fight the good fight of faith.  Never allow the negative aspects of failure and pain to prevent you from your best day ever. To be fully alive you will have to go through these areas. The key is don’t stay there. Get what you need to get a move forward. Are you learning, growing and moving forward from what you have learned from failure and pain?

May 1, 2013

Facing Challenges

Everyone faces challenges in life; some people run and hide from them; while others embrace their challenges.

When trials and challenges come, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. You may feel lost or uncertain about the future. That’s when we need to turn our hearts and minds to God because He has promised that no matter what we face, we can have His perfect peace. We can feel His perfect love. We can have confidence because He has already overcome the world. The key is that we have to keep an positive perspective. We have to know that the trials that come our way are only temporary. We may experience tragedy or loss in this life, but with God on our side, we have the ultimate victory in eternity. We may have seasons of grief or sadness here on earth, but He is our comforter, and in the end, He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Remember, when difficulties arise, focus on the fact that you have the ultimate victory. Don’t let fear paralyze you; instead, put your faith and hope in God. Those things that the enemy meant for evil, God will turn around for your good. He’ll lead you out stronger, wiser and more alive than ever before. How are you dealing with challenges today?

April 9, 2013

Belief in Your Process

The single greatest difference between process, growing people and those who aren’t is the belief that they can learn, grow, and change.

Too often, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same thing the same way over and over every day. But if we are going to live at our absolute best, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day because when you stop learning, you stop growing. When you stop growing, you stop living. What are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don’t get trapped into thinking that “good enough” is good enough. You were created for more than just average. Today is a new day, and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you’ll rise up higher and higher. You will stand before leaders and rulers, and you’ll live the blessed life God has in store for you. Are you learning, growing and changing?

April 4, 2013

Building Up Others

Improving others is the best way to show love.

Love always looks for a way to be constructive. In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else’s life. Love brings out the best in other people. Don’t just get up in the morning thinking about yourself or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else’s life better. Ask yourself, “Who can I encourage today?” “Who can I build up?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He’s put in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends. Are you improving the lives of those around you? Are you pouring confidence in them? Why don’t you ask the Lord to give you creative ways to bring out the best in others? As you sow into the lives of others, God will send people along your path that will build you up so that you can embrace every blessing He has in store for you. Who will you show some love to today?

March 21, 2013

Inside Story

Continual growth and good results are the result of aligning the inside and the outside of our lives. Getting the inside right comes first.

God is always looking to take us to higher levels. He wants us to grow and increase in every area. Change is often a catalyst for growth in our lives, and it keeps up from getting stuck in a rut. To help keep us on our path toward our destiny, God will supernaturally open and close doors of opportunity. He will “stir us” out of comfortable situations and stretch us because He loves us too much to allow us to live in mediocrity. Do you know how an eaglet learns to fly? That mother eagle will take her eaglet to the very highest point—way out of its comfort zone—and then she just releases it. As the eaglet falls, the mother swoops down and picks it back up again. She does this over and over until the eaglet spreads its wings and soars through the air. That’s what God wants for you today. He wants you to soar in life! You might feel like that eaglet learning to fly, but know that God is right there with you! He is bringing you new times and seasons so that you will rise higher and embrace the very best He has in store for you. Are you ready for change and growth in your life today?

March 19, 2013

Easy Does It Blog/Podcast

Don’t force the issue; just let it happen.

Click to listen to podcast

I have a friend who has developed several top college quarterbacks who have gone on to play in the NFL. One of his favorite sayings is, “Quarterback is too hard to play hard.” In other words, when someone is doing too much or doing more than his process can handle–and thus is forcing something to happen, as opposed to letting it happen–then it never happens. You name it–marriage, parenting, teaching, stock-brokering–all are too hard to play hard. All you have to do is get your process in front of you and let it happen, not force it to happen. In other words, play easy. Truly successful people have an ease and grace about the–they make it look easy. After you declare your process, “it” should all be “easy does it.”

March 17, 2013

Keep Abiding

Character growth determines the height of your personal growth.

In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation where our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong. God doesn’t want us to be living life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you. How is your character growth coming along?

March 16, 2013

Growth Through Pain

It’s sometimes very difficult to see the opportunity in the midst of the pain, but it’s there. You must pursue it.

Too often, people spend so much time and energy dwelling on the past, dwelling on mistakes, or dwelling on disappointments. They don’t even realize that their focus is keeping them from moving forward in life. But in order to fully experience God’s blessings, you have to let go of those past hurts; you have to forget the former things to make room for the new. God has a new beginning in store for you, and the way you prepare for it is by getting rid of the old. Don’t spend time focusing on where you’ve been; spend time focusing on where you’re going. When you “forget the former things,” it means you’re not worried about the past anymore. You don’t allow it to dictate your future. You may remember past events, but you don’t feel the pain like you used to. You’ve opened your heart to receive God’s healing. Begin today by declaring that your past is over! Forget the former things and receive the restoration and victory God has in store for you. Are you ready to move forward today? Can you see the opportunity in the pain?