Don't Misjudge Potential

 All people to varying degrees identify success by the possessions they acquire and by their profession or job. So many people misjudge their ability to excel by blaming their underachievement on a lack of opportunity or on others. Is what you aspired to be or do far below what you are capable of accomplishing?

Hope builds a bridge for conquering challenges. Hope that ensures success is dependent on the freedom God is given to motivate your heart and mind to achieve. Can you imagine the failure Joshua would have experienced if God had been restricted to a minimal influence in the plans to conquer the Promised Land?

While it's appropriate to grieve over failures and losses, continuing to rehash the past builds a bridge to depression. The apostle Paul gave this alternative: "One thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me." This can be your hope and confidence.  

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For you are my hope; O Lord God, you are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence.

~Psalm 71:5 Amplified Bible

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Next week on December 21-25, KHCB Radio will celebrate Christmas by providing alternate programming, the Five Days of Christmas, with only Christmas music and short devotionals. Accordingly, AttitudesAnswers will post a short Christmas blog post and podcast each day this week. Merry Christmas!

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Success OR Failure: Engage Self-Control!

Self-control determines our success or failure. Many individuals are tempted to give up when engaging in powerful habits and tempting distractions, blaming their lack of willpower to stay focused and faithful. Self-regulating is a difficult test Christians will encounter in their walk with Christ Jesus.

 

Listen to Romans 7:21 as the Apostle Paul struggles with self-control: “It seems a matter of fact that when I want to do what is right, I predictably do what is wrong. I love to do God’s will; but there is something within me that is at war with my mind and makes me a slave to sin." Does this mean he lacked the strength to resist?

Evidently not. Paul also declared, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of the high calling in Jesus Christ."  Yes, it took endurance and self-regulation which were imperfect, but still he stayed focused on God’s purpose for him. The fruit of the Spirit is self-control, so engage it each moment of each day as you seek God’s purpose for yourself.  

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For when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

~James 1:3-4 The Living Bible