This is the last blog post for 2012, and the fourth challenge blog of this series. Due to this fact, we will review the final challenges that were given this year. As we enter 2013, take some time to review your progress on all the challenges. The only way to know where you are going is to know where you are. We would like to wish you a Happy New Years and congratulations on your progress.
Self-Control
This week we need to persistently work on developing self-control. This can be accomplished through praying the Word of God. When we do, we will feel a connection with God that will develop the self-control we need in our lives. This self-control also comes through thoroughly examining our lives and getting rid of any areas that are out of control.
Here are a few questions that we need to ask ourselves:
- Do I get angry every time I don't get my own way?
- When I do get angry, do I instantly react to what made me angry?
- Do I have any control issues with substances or things that are not good for me?
- Am I constantly getting in trouble with others for my attitude at work or home?
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Am I able to make decisions calmly, or are my decisions knee-jerk reactions?
If we said yes to any of these questions, we need to work on self-control. This isn't something that we should be ashamed of, but, instead, understand that we are a work in progress. As we work on self-control, we will see a difference in our level of joy and in the ability to get closer to others. The walls that are put up by self-destruction will begin to crumble and we will be able to live life to the fullest.
The People Blog
"Clothe yourselves therefore as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-behaved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long suffering, and has power to endure whatever comes with good temper].
Be gentle and forbearing with one another, and if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
And above all those [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness (which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]."
Colossians 3:12-14
Our challenge this week is to find the right people for our lives. Not everyone will be our best friends. We need a few extremely close friends that will supply support for our purpose. Usually these people will have similar purposes and be on a similar road to success. Even some people that we like and have a great personality may not be in our inner-circle of friends, because they are on a different path. There are people in my life that are merely casual friends or acquaintances.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul tells us how friendship is supposed to work. In my opinion, it really tells it all. We need to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, first. Once we have Christ in our lives, we need to gently care for one another and work out our differences by forgiving one another. This causes a bond with each other that will help us grow individually and together. Our heavenly Daddy, wants us to love one another and live in harmony.
What does this all mean? We need to find the right friends for support, and we need to build our friendship skills to support them back. This type of friendship is a must for anyone to truly succeed. Most successes are not achieved with just one person. Companies can't gain success with just the CEO coming into work every day. It takes a team of people to get everything done and done correctly. When we are burned out or discouraged, we need our team member there to help us, of course, but we also need them encouraging and supporting us throughout our life so we don't get discouraged or burned out.
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a progress; working together is success."
Henry Ford
Discouragement Blog
This week we need to study and understand discouragement. Discouragement is a part of life, but it is only an emotion that will come and go. Successful people get discouraged, but they never allow discouragement to stop them from dreaming and growing. As long as we are getting better at handling discouragement and seeking ways to get back on track, we are on our way to great success.
God has given us strength to pursue success in our lives. He wants us to succeed, because we are His examples and witnesses to the world. If we succeed and give Him the glory, others will be more willing to listen to our testimonies and we can introduce them to Christ. We need to let God empower us and infuse inner strength into us. It will be beneficial to our lives and others around us.
Other Discouragement Scriptures
"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."
Psalm 3:3
"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
Psalm 30:11, 12
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I cam that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
John 10:10
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]."
John 16:33
"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."
Romans 8:28
"We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;"
II Corinthians 4:8
"Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day."
II Corinthians 4:16, 17
Leaving Perfectionism in the Dust
This week we need to leave perfectionism in the dust. This means we need to start using determination, diligence, and patience to start and complete all our important projects. We need to challenge ourselves, but not expect perfection. What we need to keep in mind is that we will get better as we learn from each project.
In the last year, I have worked on my own perfectionism. Now, I am able to work on my writing without fear of failing. Even though I am not where I want to be, I am so much further than I was a year ago. Every day, my writing gets better, because I am determined, diligent, and patient with my progress.
"The habits of a vigorous mind are born in contending with difficulties."
Abigail Adams
Temptation Blog
"Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]."
James 4:10
This week, we need to write down our temptations and make a plan to combat them. When temptations arise we need to work on studying and applying the Word to our lives, praying every day, keeping focused on dreams and goals, resisting the devil, overcoming evil with good, and standing firm. Temptations will arise, but we have a choice about how we can handle those temptations.
One thing we need to do is not hide the temptation. At one point in my life, I tried to sweep my problems under the rug, but, now, I am very open about my issues. This had done wonders for my support system. When temptations arise, I am able to freely talk with others and get help from those who care about me.
Note: There is one thing I want everyone to know about me. In the past, I have let my depression go without getting help. Finally, when I was twenty-seven, I attempted suicide. This is when I actually started getting the help I needed. In addition, I was put on anti-depressants that helped me at that time. If you feel the temptation is too much for you to handle, please seek help. My blogs are no substitute for professional counseling. Don't ever feel a shamed; we all need extra help from time to time.
Joy in the Midst of Trials
This week, I want us all to find joy even in the midst of our trials. There are positive events in our lives, but, sometimes, we are so focused on the negative events that we miss out on the positive ones. Seeing the good and bad, or negative and positive, in our lives is all perception. We choose to see the good or the bad. If we focus on positive aspects of life, we will experience a more positive life. On the other hand, if we look only at the negative, we will experience a more negative life. My prayer is that we will all choose a positive life, so we can have joy whether we experience trials or not.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
II Timothy 1:7
Praying the Word over Fear
We need to study God's Word daily and meditate on it, so we can get His Word in our hearts. Praying God's Word is a great way to meditate on it and discover the power we need to conquer fear. Fear does not have to control us, but we can cast out fear and live in victory. At first, you can use the above scriptures to pray God's Word concerning fear, but, after awhile, you need to step out and find your own scriptures to meditate on.
Praying God's Word can be used in all circumstances. There are times when I need peace, so I pray the Word for peace. Other times I need self-control, so I read and study all the scriptures I can find on self-control. God's Word is a great way to get through tough times and past trials and tribulation. God's Word is true and should be trusted in all circumstances.
"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…
We must do that which we think we cannot."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Mentoring Blog
The first thing we need to do is learn from a mentor. That way we can grow from someone more experience than us. Once we are able to grow on our own, we can help others grow. It is a cycle that can be repeated over and over.
Some other things that we need to remember about mentoring is that it will require us to give others the materials they need. There are books and other materials that will help reinforce what you are trying to teach. My husband, Brenton, has given tons of books away. He gets some of his books in a box, and gives the whole box of books away.
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill
Weariness
This week's blog is short due to all the work that has gone into painting and rearranging my home, but it was a lesson that I learned during all the painting. It is a lesson I want us all to think about. This week's challenge is to find peace in stressful or tiring circumstances. If there is no peace, then we need to ask God to give us peace. It is amazing what God will do when we seek Him.
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."
II Timothy 1:7
For additional information on some of these topics, please check out the following links:
Self-Control
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/11/self-control.html
The People Blog
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/11/the-people-blog.html
Discouragement Blog
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/11/discouragement-blog.html
Leaving Perfectionism in the Dust
Temptation Blog
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/10/temptation-blog.html
Joy in the Midst of Trials
Praying the Word over Fear
Mentoring Blog
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/09/mentoring-blog.html
Weariness
http://mymondaymaptosuccess.typepad.com/my-monday-map-to-success/2012/09/weariness-blog.html