What's Working?

When I was growing up, I experienced many things that shaped the way I viewed myself and others.  We've all experienced our ups and downs.  What I've learned along the way is that mistakes strengthen us. Failures aren't all bad.  In fact, I believe that rejection is really another word for redirection.  Doors close for a reason.  Jobs end.  Life changes.  New chapters begin.  All of these experiences that God allows us to endure are a part of our journey, which allow us to help others who are experiencing difficulties.  These set-backs are useful in God's eyes.

Many times in my life, I've taken steps backwards.  Once I may have looked at those set-backs as wasteful, but now I view them more as an opportunity to take pause to evaluate my life.  Not a bad place to be if you think about the power you have in that place.  Those pivotal moments can either change our course in a positive direction, or too often become a pitfall that keeps us stuck.  When I'm hit with a set-back, I've learned to ask questions:  What's working?  What isn't?  What led me to this place?  Where do I go from here?  What can I do differently?  What is God's plan for my life?  We all need selah moments that cause us to stop and really think deeply about our next steps.  Sometimes we need to rest before we jump into the next thing.  Other times, God's plan comes into focus as a result of the very thing that caused us much pain.

I want to encourage you to stop thinking about what you could have done or should have done. Stop living in those "if only," "if my life were this," "if I married this person," "if I'd stayed single," and "if, if, if, if..." moments.  The "shoulda,""woulda," "coulda" and "if, if, if" mentality is a waste of time.  That thinking stops us from living life now.  Take every opportunity to make the best of where you are, and believe that every step backward is really a step forward. Every step we take is useful and brings us closer to attaining our dreams and to experiencing a discovery about oneself.

Live Confidently.  Take ownership of your life.  Don't wait for tomorrow to make changes.  If something isn't working, ask God to give you clarity and confirmation for what you are sensing in your heart.  God knows where He is leading you.  Most of us would never leave for a long trip without planning out our steps to our destination.  God is the map-maker.  Why leave home without Him?!

Take Aways

Pray for wisdom and help from the Lord.  Ask Him to reveal the things you cannot see about yourself.  Don't be afraid of the answers.  The point is to take an honest look at what's working and what isn't in your life.  This first step is not a "go" to give up on important relationships, such as a marriage or friendship.  Don't ask God to show you what isn't working in another person with whom you may be having trouble.  Ask Him to show you what He wants to develop and change in you.

Turn the negative tapes off in your mind.  These tapes stop you from taking steps to move towards your goals and dreams.  How do you do this?  Take an inventory of your life by writing down the areas that you want to change.  Identify your road blocks.  Write down steps that would move you pass the road blocks.  Begin mapping out a plan to reach your goals.  Let go of the "what ifs" and "if only's."  Those phrases aren't profitable.

Wipe the slate clean.  We can't change anything from our past.  We can only take what we've learned and apply those lessons to our steps forward.  Release yourself from the prison of hate, unforgiveness, anger, defeat, and failure.  Those emotions will keep you focussed on nursing your wounds rather than focussed on improving yourself.  Those emotions are road blocks.  Remove them from your life.

Scriptures to Remember

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies" (Philippians 4:8-9, The Message).

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life" (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT).

"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13, NLT).