6 Ways To Stay Motivated (part 1)
The Christian life is not always an easy one. Although for some of you this is obvious, others might be discovering this for the very first time. So, how do you keep moving forward when it seems like everything is working against you, instead of in your favor?
#1 – Remember That Feelings Are Unreliable
Feelings come from a variety of sources; past, present, future, others, relationships, physical issues, etc… Our feelings will often lie to us, based on what we perceive our circumstances to be, not necessarily on reality.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. – Pro. 3:5 NRSV
#2 – Remember That Life Is A Series Of Opposite Actions
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven…A time to plant and a time to uproot…A time to tear down and a time to rebuild…A time to keep and a time to throw away… – Ecc 3:1-6
We love the times of planting, building, and keeping, but we don’t want to have the opposites. The truth is, God is continually developing this cycle in your life. Not to bring you pain but to make you better, stronger, and more focused on Him.
#3 – Remember That “Dry Spells” Are Times For Building Character
When God released the children of Israel from Egypt 400 years of oppression He immediately sent them into the wilderness. The wilderness is often a picture of wandering or dryness spiritually. Of course, God’s purpose was to get them someplace where they would be free from distractions and competing agendas, so He could fully reveal who He was to His chosen people. But, because they relied on their emotions the Bible says, “They did not listen to the voice of God.”
We are warned in the Book of Hebrews to not be like them, but to use these times to draw closer to the heart of God.
Do not harden your hearts…during the time of testing in the desert. – Heb 3:8
I’ll see you next week with steps 4-6!
