It is hard. I want to quit. This is too difficult. It isn’t worth the effort because no one notices anyway. I wish things were different. I have been a failure my whole life, why is that going to change now? Success is for other people, not me.

Many of us have had these thoughts at one time or another in our life. I would dare say that many people live in an attitude of defeat. Jesus doesn’t want us to see our lives as a disappointment, worthless, or unworthy of His sacrifice.

We deceive ourselves into thinking “other” people have it “all together” when the reality may be just the opposite, and it is the image of the person you are seeing that is “holding it together”.

This is your time, and I challenge you to dare to live free. Free from stereotypes, free from prejudices, free from guilt, shame, doubts, and past failures. I dare you to live your life viewing others and yourself from the eyes of Christ as He hung upon the Cross. There the ones He loved spit on Him, cursed Him, gambled for His shredded clothes, and mocked Him. Then there were those who weeped for Him because they loved Him.

In every generation, there are two groups of people. Which do you belong?

But I digress, back on point, let us look at scriptures so we can see others and ourselves as He is cheering each of us onward towards our goals:

1. Isaiah 50:7 The Lord God helps me, so I will not be ashamed. I will be determined, and I will not be disgraced.
2. Ephesians 3:18-19 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love – how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.
3. Zechariah 4:6 Then he told me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord All-Powerful.”

Reading, reciting, and remembering the words of Christ allows us to defeat, maim and destroy our enemy because we are not acting in and of ourselves but in the name and might of the mighty One who lives within us.

As you go through your daily moments, remember that this is building who you are moment by moment and ask yourself, Would your actions be pleasing to our Father? The very Father who is in cheering you on in your pursuits?

If the answer was yes, then great; however, if the answer is no – do not worry. You see, the grace of God is big enough to cover all mistakes, any mess-ups and His love extend to places you can’t even see. It is an Agape type of love.

So if you are off track, what does it take to get you back on track? Refocus. In a world full of noise, renew your mind daily. Allow your heart to hear and to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks love, joy, peace, encouragement, and gives guidance. Search yourself and accept chastisement towards yourself gently. Allow yourself to dare to live free from everything that has been holding you back from becoming the man or woman that God intends and expects you to be.

As Pastor Todd Nelson from Christian Faith Center in San Angelo, Texas, has stated often, “The only reason for failure in whatever you pursue is broken focus.” Renew your mind in the Words of Christ at this very moment in time and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you in whatever you are pursuing today. And may the race that you are running be a testament to the Living and Holy God, and when your race is finished, may it leave a heavenly legacy. 

Blessings,

K-Trina