Depression, addictions, and a lack of confidence in God’s word are things that rob us of life. But we don’t have to take it anymore.Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can flip the script on life! By talking to God aka “the author of life” we can have a fantastic life movie that reflects his glory. However, there are some things that the Author of life has already told us do in the Holy Script in order to flip our lame script into one of greatness!
#1 Stop Being Lazy
“ Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
Ecclesiastes 11:6
“ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
Colossians 3:23
When you know you have something to do, don’t sit around, and sulk… like Nike says “ Just do it!”. If you need to get up at a certain time, don’t mope , and drag your feet. Corba Kai that mess “Strike first, strike hard…” Whatever you need to do, attack it with a passion, and take notes! Don’t procrastinate, worrying if it was the right thing to do, take notes, and if it wasn’t right thing, then improve on it the next day. Do what you need to do, so you can do what you want to do.
#2 Stop Being Bitter
We all get smacked dead in the face sometimes, and our initial response is to hate the people who do it to us. But to remain bitter at those people, and try to get back at them is a total waste of our joy. If you really want to get back at your enemy , be happy, and don’t let them control your joy. Do nice things for them, and you will always be seen as the bigger person in the situation.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Jesus, Luke 6:27
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21
#3 Stop Being Covetous
“ You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. ”
Exodus 20:17
Just because someone else has something does not mean you need. Learn to celebrate other people’s successes, and increase your joy by rejoicing with them. When we realize that God has created us for our own success, then we grow in contentment.
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Jesus , Luke 12:15
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Timothy 6:6-11
#4 Be Strong and Courageous
Life is not going to be easy! Let me say that again, life is not easy! But there are good promises for those who preserve. Jesus says in John 16:33(NIV) “ In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
When you don’t give up on doing good, you win, no matter the odds! Fix your eyes on Jesus “ the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12: 1-3) .
Jesus went through mess, and you will go through mess too.Yet the point is to go through it... and not stay in it! If you mope around in it, your attitude will stink, and your life will stink. Push through the mess, keep a good attitude, and remember those who have persevered through mess so your test becomes a testimony!
Conclusion
Stop being lazy, stop being bitter, stop coveting what other people have. Be strong, and courageous fixing your eyes on Jesus. Push through this mess!
Invoke the Mighty Warrior! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Malan Jones