There is an art to embracing the future. For starters, you can’t be stuck in the past. I know, I’m a genius. For real though. If there is bitterness, self doubt or hurt that keeps you from heading toward a God given goal in your life, you won’t be capable of charting a new course for your life. Here are a few things that help me when I feel stuck.
Pick Something that Matters – There are a ton of things that you can pour your time and efforts into. Pick something that matters. Since I am a Christian, I try to find something that God has gifted me to do and figure out how I can use that thing to impact His kingdom. Find something that you are gifted to do, that will be a gift to others. Then make plans to do it!
“Frozen” it – This is a common saying in my household. My kids hate it. My daughter hates it because she loves the movie “Frozen” and my son, because he hates it. Here’s what I’m saying “Let it go”. Now you hate it too. Think about it though. What is that thing that is holding you back? Is it self doubt? Isn’t God bigger than you? Is it pain? Invite God into that and ask Him to heal it and move forward. Is it loneliness? Find a group of people that will encourage you in this endeavor. Is it past failures? Remember, God has forgiven you of those things, if you have asked Him, and calls you to walk in the victory that He has provided.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is – Be willing to put the hard work in to get it done. If this REALLY is an important goal for you, you will sacrifice for it. That means time, effort, creativity and money. If you aren’t willing to give something up for your dream, it isn’t worth doing. It is merely a passing feeling. Be willing to fail big and get ready to pick yourself up again, dust yourself off and keep moving forward.
Brace Yourself – The last one is this, get ready for the criticism. People will think that your idea is stupid. Others will try to convince you that you won’t be able to do it. Be careful, there are times when you should listen to people when they tell you not to do something and other times when you should completely ignore them. I always think of American Idol when I try to discern the difference. Remember the try outs? Remember all of the people who should have known better than to try out? They can’t sing but they “can’t sing” with a lot of passion.
So there’s that, then there are the people who had the gift, passion and perseverance to get to the final rounds. Be the girl or guy that makes it to the final round. Don’t listen to the people who have attempted something great and then failed and then decided that they were too wounded to keep attempting great things. They are jaded and they quit at some point. Don’t quit. Forget the past failures, move forward and press on!
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
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