Persistence Pays Off

Sometimes in life, when life happens and things aren’t going well, the only thing we have left to do is persevere.

Weather the storm:

Whether it’s a business, marriage, or a workplace situation, we need to keep going forward and to hang in there. We have to learn to weather the storm and never quit. Quitters never win or succeed. Those that persevere and keep going and keep pushing look for ways to make it work and obtain the prize.

Overcome obstacles:

So many people have a habit of quitting and giving up as soon as they encounter an obstacle. They see obstacles as a “no” or too hard to overcome. Webster’s Dictionary defines persevere as: to continue in some effort, course of action, or pursuit in spite of difficulty or opposition.

Practice perseverance:

This is how we should adjust our attitude: by attaining perseverance instead of quitting. Some quit way too soon, and this is a reason why, for some of us, nothing seems to work out for us. It’s not that things couldn’t work out — it’s that sometimes people quit on a dream, a job, or a marriage way too soon.

Let’s purpose to develop habits that will help us, not defeat us.

Just a thought,

PSS

Where Is Your God?                       

Who or what owns first place in your life? It should be an easy thing to tell if someone observes your words, your actions, and where you spend your time. 

In the government?

Too many people are transferring their allegiance from God to the government. This is dangerous, not just as individuals, but also as a nation. God said if He holds the first place in our lives, He will provide the things we need to live (Matthew 6:33). We ought to seek Him and His ways and His line of thinking. 

In the trunk?

There are those who put God in the trunk like a tire jack and get Him out only in case of emergency. No one likes to be treated like that, and yet that is how some people treat God. He is either first or not. If He is first, everything falls into place. 

In the driver’s seat?

God loves you, but He will lead you only if you allow Him into the driver’s seat. Whatever you are the most passionate about, or where you spend most of your time and money, will be first in your life.

I believe that, as you take inventory of your life, you will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that God has been given His rightful place on the throne of your heart: first place.

Just a thought,

PSS

William Burroughs once said, “Desperation is the raw material of drastic change.”

From analyst to catalyst:

Webster’s defines desperate this way: driven to or resulting from loss of hope; offering little chance for improvement; hopeless. To become so desperate can either be a good turning point or can become a point of destruction in our lives. When we become so downcast that we realize something has to change, and we become sick and tired of being sick and tired, only then will we decide to make good changes in our lives. 

From destruction to construction:

It’s actually a good thing when we discover that some of our behaviors are creating destruction and hurt. That’s when we can adjust our thinking and our attitudes. We shouldn’t allow circumstances to get so bad that we make foolish decisions out of desperation. The bottom line is that sinking so low that you become discouraged may not be the best place to be, but if viewed from the right perspective, it could be the catalyst to cause long-lasting transformations in our lives. 

Let’s continue to grow and develop our character and our way of life so as to live peaceably with ourselves and others if possible.

Just a thought,

PSS

Distractions will always keep us from doing the most important things in life.

Good distractions:

Distractions will basically cause us to miss the mark, the goal. There are good distractions as well as bad ones. We can get distracted doing good things — maybe helping a charity, volunteering at fundraisers for good causes — whatever they are, if they keep us from the most important stuff in our life, then they can become harmful.

Bad distractions:

A distraction is something that takes your attention away from what you’re supposed to be doing. If you just can’t keep from checking your email every ten seconds, that’s a distraction that’s going to interfere with doing your work. It will cause you to be late, miss deadlines of getting your work done on time. So, we need to eliminate distractions where we can to be able to focus on the task at hand.

Eliminating distractions:

One way to eliminate distractions is by turning off smartphone notifications. Begin to do the most dreaded duties first thing in the morning. Eliminate or minimize negative people in your life. Take a break, get up and stretch, walk. Then get right back to the task at hand.

Just thinking about eliminating distractions, and doing a few things, can help you be more productive and stay focused. 

Just a thought,

PSS

Change is something so many resist, but change is necessary for growth.

Change is inevitable:

Change the way you think. Change the way you do something. It’s inevitable; without it there will be no progress. When something is not working, we have to be open to change so we can make the necessary adjustments to be productive again. Change may occur when you find a better way — a more proficient way — to do something. Sometimes change is forced on you. A spouse dies, an illness happens. So, change is a part of life for all who want to continue to grow and develop, to keep living productively.

Enemies of change:

Some of its enemies are being too comfortable, settling for less, or thinking, It is good enough. Too many of us settle for average instead of pursuing greatness and growth. When I started working out, I had to change my lifestyle. I had to make workout times a priority. I had to come to the conclusion that they were important. Then, as I began working out, I started liking it — liking the results. But getting me there took a long time. I regret that. Regret is so awful. It means I should have done, or not done, something.

Change is constant:

As you serve the Lord, there is constant change. The way you talk, the way you think, the way you act are all being renewed. So, let’s purpose to be open to change, and be aware that a lot of times we resist it only because it’s change.

Change can be a good thing — it could mean you are growing, developing, and becoming more successful.

Just a thought,

PSS