Stepping Back Isn’t Staying Back

Sometimes you find yourself in places you know you left behind. 2015 was a tremendous year of transition, trials and triumph. Now we have set in place further goals as we begin the year of 2016. With that being said, when we have set these goals whether they are easily attainable or require hard work you may find some stepping back into the old.

Maybe it is disappointing, maybe it is trying you further, maybe it is not the progress you want to see happen rapidly but we must remember beyond the moment is the mandate. It is our eternal weight of glory that will make the difference.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Maybe you set to focus on better health and haven’t entered the gym yet.

Maybe you set to improve relationships and find yourself in one that worsened.

Maybe you set to improve finances and are up to your neck in debt.

Maybe you set to work on your attitude and you already had a blow out.

Maybe you were up to move in the work place and find yourself doing tedious assignments.

Maybe you are up to graduate and one little course threw off your timing.

Whatever the situation is, just know that it is a light affliction and will only last a moment. What you do for the rest of the time is what counts the most. A setback or a step back doesn’t necessarily mean that you will stay there. It is just one light thing and we don’t have to isolate and remain there. No sense in taking out a tent and staking a landmark RIGHT there in a moment that appeared to hinder your progress.

Keep the goals…keep going…you are going to reach it.  The first thing we tend to do with setback is identify the entire situation as a huge defeat.  It is not. It is one little thing that we have a tendency to magnify greater than what it really is. It is not going to throw off the whole goal or plan. This just pushes us to think further, try harder and move in better direction and timing. That all matters.

Let’s try this again. How…explore your options. Think things through. Think outside the box.

What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Why are you repeating it? What can you let go of? What can you do without? Adjustments have to be made in any which way to get closer to your goal. Prayer and fasting helps all that.

We have pulled the whole church into a fasting opportunity. They didn’t all have to take it but the opportunity is there. We lead by doing it. We spend less time off the medias, less time with stuffing our faces, less time fussing and more time seeking the face of God through prayer time and fasting. Our time is devoted to seeking the pages of holy scripture. For some that may have been a goal and you haven’t even picked up your bible yet except on Sunday when scriptures were referenced by the pastor.

With any stepping back–don’t stay there. Don’t keep repeating the same bad steps. It is only going to hinder your progress. Start again. Be strategic. Set reminders. Every day is a new opportunity to try things better. As for myself, I did log in a couple of times to share something meaningful with the online community and that was this… “How about I start a revolution. Let us follow each other on the Holy Bible app! We can like our bible posts there instead of how many selfies we can put up. So follow me HERE!”

With our noses in the word. That is real food for the soul. We are not being edified by seeing everyone’s lunch, shopping sprees, random sports thoughts and vine video jokes… that is what you will primarily find on the average news feeds of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchats. How many selfies can one really take without realizing way too much unnecessary detail of an individual.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 10:23 NKJV

Let’s challenge each other. Use applications that will less divert your attention from productivity and positivity. Not all things edify. Maybe that feed isn’t always necessary. Maybe you don’t need to have that conversation. Maybe you don’t need to view all those photos. Maybe you don’t need to go with that friend. Maybe you don’t need to answer that call. Maybe you don’t need to make that investment. And so on…

We have to make better decisions. That will happen best when we are at God’s rest. Seek Him this year. Enough of seeking everything else that only dilutes that precious time that should belong to Him or more meaningful things.

And if you slipped back in a lazy or ill pattern–GET BACK UP and just try it again…the year isn’t over. There is plenty of time to do it right. Then you can really see the type of person that you are IN Christ.

You will and can do all things when you put your mind to it.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…
Proverbs 23:7a NKJV

Today I found myself back in my old work space. After having a great move to the new place, I learn I will have to remain here some days for “knowledge transfer.” It may look like I am stepping back, but I am not. This is only temporary until I gain the knowledge I need that can only be done in this location. Sometimes being in that pit of a spot can actually teach you something very meaningful and profitable for your future position. And I get excited. The plan that is assigned for me is HUGE. So this little step back, is actually a huge step forward that will propel me into a higher role within my field of work.

See the bigger picture. It is not over for you. There are so many chances and opportunities for you to learn. This is an amazing year for us and it is only the beginning. Keep confident that what has just begun is the fresh start for your future!

There is an exit sign at that “stepping back.” The new place is hanging by an open door. You will walk through that.