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Monday Motivation #4

motivation

This is the day (and life) that the Lord has made….for YOU. 

Don’t waste it watching and comparing what others are doing. It’s OK to not be plugged in all the time, to not know what everybody else is up to. I know it’s so easy to get sucked into, but you won’t miss anything huge or important, I promise!

I want to encourage you today to spend a little more time in your own life. It will be SO worth it! Let your mind wander. Let yourself breathe and relax a little. Focus on you….better yet, focus on Christ and what He has done for you! Let that determine how you want to be (and what you do) today.

“Therefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
~Philippians 2:12-16

Monday Motivation #3

believe in God

I see so many things about how I must “believe in myself”, but wow, if it’s all up to me, that is SO. Much. Pressure. So I don’t. 🙂

I believe in the strength, sovereignty, and grace of God.

I’m not saying we just get to sit back and wait. We are absolutely called to act and take risks and to do it without fear BECAUSE we believe in something much bigger than ourselves! Because we can trust the outcome to the One who knows what’s best for us and promises to do just that.

I know that’s hard to do, but think about it for a second….if you had gotten everything you wanted at 16 or 21, would that really have been what was best for you? No way! But God…. he sees the whole picture. Not only does he want what’s best for you, he KNOWS what’s best for you. So he says, trust in me and I will act.

Tim Keller says “never ever think that God’s not working, no matter how much it seems like he is absent. And at the same time, never think you’re going to be able to figure out what He’s up (at least, for a very long time). God’s guidance is not something He gives, but more something He does. If you’re frantically searching for it, know that you’re already in it! We are standing in the current and it is moving us along.”

God has got you. So be motivated to go out and live fearlessly! Do your best and leave the rest to Him.

Forget “believe in yourself”. Believe in God instead. 🙂

Monday Motivation #2

motivation

What is your hope in and how does this affect motivation?

I dunno about you guys, but I lived a large part of my life being paralyzed by fear. What I finally realized was that this fear came from placing way too much of my hope and my identity in the outcome.

So if the outcome was good, I was worthy and acceptable. But if the outcome didn’t turn out the way I wanted, I was a worthless failure who sucked at everything.

With such high stakes as that, the outcome had the ability to crush me. I think this is the case for many of us. Therefore, we end up just staying in our comfort zone or doing things for the wrong reasons (like for the approval of others or even our own self acceptance).

HOWEVER, if Jesus is your hope, if you believe that your identity lies in him, if you seek the approval of God and not men, then you are motivated by freedom….
Freedom to act without fear of the outcome because you know that whatever the outcome it is for your good.
Freedom to enjoy the process because you know that Jesus is working in you through the process and his timing is perfect.
Freedom to not worry because you believe that He will give you enough grace to get done what needs to get done.
Freedom from an identity in anything that is as temporary as beauty or wealth or approval of others.

Pray this with me today friends….

Lord, as we begin another week, may our hope and our identity be in you alone. For we know that without you, we can do nothing. You have given us a spirit of love, power, and self discipline. We ask you for the grace to throw off every hinderance and be the people you want us to be today. May we trust you, and believe your promises, so fully that it leads us to act unhindered and without fear of the future, then be at peace with whatever the outcome. May our choices reflect our hope in you and not our fears. You are the great helper and healer. Thank you for another day to live for you. Amen.

How does this apply to your life? And specifically your health journey?
What is hindering you? What are you placing too much hope or identity in?