We dream of what we would do IF… if I had a better education; if I wasn’t tied down to this mortgage; if the economy was better; if people treated me better; if God would come through for me; etc. Notice the common thread of failure: IF.
CHANGE IT TODAY:
1. Drop the “IF”. Stop waiting for things to get better, before you make them better. Give up the excuse of “if only.” “If only I had this, or if only I had that.”
2. FACE life as it is. But don’t ACCEPT it as it is. The four friends of the paralytic couldn’t find a way in the house, because of the crowd (Mark 2:4). So they went up on the roof. They found a way, where there was no way. They didn’t accept life as it was, but faced life as it was, and experienced the will of God.
3. Recognize YOU HOLD the power to do something with your life, regardless of the economy, your upbringing, your past mistakes. God has given you SEED to plant (your words, your choices, your money, etc.). Begin each day sowing a seed of faith, joy, love or hope. You have a smile—use it. You have a mouth to speak God’s Word; to declare His praise—do it.
4. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions. Ecclesiastes 11:4 “He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.” Don’t wait for the stock market, or real estate or the media to get better, before you do what you know to do. Make your life better by sowing the right seeds, beginning TODAY. Make good choices TODAY.
5. FORGET NONE OF HIS BENEFITS. Focus on the good you already have; what God HAS already done. (Psalm 103:2-4) He forgives all. He heals all. He redeems us from all destruction. The old hymn says: “For He has done great things. He has done great things. Bless His Holy Name!”
THINK IT & DECLARE IT
I don’t need things to be different before I succeed. I will make them different. I have the power to sow the seeds of a better life. I will not just accept whatever life brings. I will face it with faith and find a way through it. I will remember what God has done. He pardons all my sins. He heals all my diseases. He crowns me with victory. He satisfies my life with good things so that my youth, vitality and outlook on life is refreshed and renewed.
Amen…amazingly, the thoughts of “what ifs” passed through my mind, just today!
I agree, forget the what ifs of the past and focus on the what ifs of the future…I thank God that I am alive and well to witness the new year with my family & friends, I am surely blessed in the Lord. Looking forward what He has in store for us in this year…Thank you Jesus
This is a phenomenal article. I really do look forward to reading the rest. I believe the mind determines the action and habits we have. if we would apply what we read here, I believe our lives would be different. Thanks Pastor Tim
Thanks Pastor,
It helps us build healthy thought patterns! I have the power to change the way i think and act, in Jesus Name!
Amen! Our God is bigger than all the ‘what if’s. Love the devotionals.
PS> those using smartphones can subscribe to the feed of this blog using your phone…
Thank you Bro. Tim!
This thought provoking words are really encouraging in this New year. Let the ‘what ifs’ not be our weaknesses in serving the LORD. I will pray to make a new beginning.
And once again wishing all the TJ family A Happy and Prosperous New Year !
Wonderfully clear and true. Ghandi once said, “We must be the change we desire to see in the world.” Trash the “What-if” and bring on the “What’s next?” Keep the good articles coming!