Have you ever met someone who’s manner of speech is negative? I know a few, and it’s frustrating to be around them. These folks do not receive encouragement or help, and others around them avoid them at all cost.

Speaking negative causes one to be depressed, anguished and stunts any type of creativity.

The enemy’s main attack is in our mind with thoughts and lies, hence the battlefield really is in the mind.

He likes to whisper lies telling us we are not worthy, not good or smart enough, not qualified, and before we know it, we begin to believe it and worse yet, act upon it.

These lies affect our emotions, way of life and cause bad habits. It’s a chain reaction.

The enemy and his minions are trying to discourage and stunt our growth and much more. His desire is to steal, kill and destroy anything of value to us.

Don’t believe the lie

Who do YOU think you are?

Do you think you will be speaking in front of a group or people, sharing your message?

Do you think you can start your business?

Do you think you can write that book?

Do you think you can minister effectively in wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him?

Do you think you can run that marathon?

Most of all, do you believe you can fulfill your hearts’ desire?

I trust you answered yes to at least one of these.

If you have a burning desire inside of you to fulfill your dream and calling, and nothing is happening, there may be a big hurdle to overcome.

Yourself

Perhaps you have believed the lie you can’t, but God says you can. He has the final say. Allow Him to surprise you.

It’s time to reverse the damage, and begin believing that you are great and you can. You are valuable to the kingdom of God, and it’s time to prove it.

Practical exercise

Take some time out and write on a piece of paper our desires, your secrets. Remember, they will say positive things about you. Not only write it out, but begin to say it out loud, and believe it. As you begin proclaiming these truths, something will happen inside of you. The programming will begin to reverse, and you will set in motion the accomplished, successful person you were meant to be.

Start casting off the negative thoughts that oppose you, and begin to fill your mind with positive faith filled words.

Declare your own truth: running a marathon, being an excellent father or mother, having your business, great inventor, actor, athlete. It really is right there, in the power of your words.

My husband was working on an excel spreadsheet for a project he was in charge of. When I asked what he was working on, he replied, “The Critical Path.”

I did not understand what this meant. He explained the project has many particulars, and the spreadsheet helped him plan the path needed to take care of those details.
He was organizing steps required to achieve a goal in a timely and orderly fashion. He could not miss anything critical, hence the name, Critical Path.

The spreadsheet camebefore he started the project.

How many times have you started something without knowing what steps were needed to achieve your goal and failed? I have many times.

While you may not use the term, Critical Path, the concept is the same. Planning and goal setting.

What goals and plans do you have? How are you going to accomplish those goals, and most importantly, what steps and sacrifice are you willing to make to achieve those goals?

My mindset of housewife, mother, and duty to my family began to change. For many years I denied myself the ability to dream, and sadly I did not believe that I was worthy of anything great.

You can say I am a very late bloomer, but I bloomed! I grew up with my parents telling all six of us to finish high school, get a job and get married. In that order.

The dream of a higher education, travel and dreams were not spoken of growing up.

Then a desire began to burn inside of me I cannot shake. I began to have goals, aspirations, a longing to travel and a hunger for reading and learning.

Goal setting, planning, and sacrifice are needed to accomplish any dream.

What are my dreams?

Continue with my spiritual growth. This will never stop, as God always surprises me with something new and exciting.

Prayer life to grow and continue to develop.

A writing career. Like my spiritual growth, this will continue to develop and grow.

Travel. There are many areas of the world that I desire to visit.

I want to encourage you that it is never too late to dream. With God, nothing is impossible and yes, your goals and aspirations can be achieved.

With Jesus, our path is not critical, but a blessing. Let him guide and fill out your spreadsheet, and enjoy receiving His surprises for you.

I remember a challenging phrase I came across that read, “Is your writing an interest or is it a commitment?” This quote jumped off the page and stayed with me.

I have been writing on and off for years, and when I tried to get back into it fully, I was stuck. I had this deep desire to write, but nothing was happening. I knew something was off, and I was committed to finding out what was wrong. In my search, I broke through.

I have started back up and am energized.

Being committed can apply to many areas of our lives. If you are committed to Christ and to growing, there are a number of things you can do. The main thing is prayer, read His word and spend time in His presence. Also being faithful in your home church and joining cell groups is valuable.

Are you committed to your marriage? How about your personal life, to continue learning and growing in areas that may be new to you?

With writing, I am enthusiastic to pursue this walk, career and life journey. It won’t be easy, but I am willing to pay the price.

It’s the same with my relationships, specifically Jesus. I give credit to Him as the desire to write came from the Lord.

I continue to learn, grow and change. A friend once said to me, “The day I stop learning, helping and growing, is the day I’m dead.”

Is there an area in your life that needs to be recommitted, grow, change and learn?

Perhaps it’s a calling you left by the wayside, something you wanted to pursue but allowed fear in, or you just don’t know how or where to begin.

Where do you begin?

I challenge you to start right where you are. Do something to start your journey to success. Take hold of your future, and soon the pieces to the puzzle will fit and before you know it, you will be on your way.

Some ideas to consider:

Read books from those that have gone before you

There are a number of online courses that are available for your growth

The information you seek is only a click away

Change your habits, say no to distractions (television is a great example)

Set boundaries on yourself, learn when to say yes, and when to say no

As the puzzle begin to take shape, you will be motivated and encouraged as you see yourself progressing towards your goal.