This is chapter ten of the Quit Giving Up ebook. You can get the whole thing in our shop now!
One of the biggest barriers to motivation is the stuff outside of our control. Whether it is our past or future, we do not have control over these points in our lives. The only time we can change is right now. Unfortunately, when we are stuck and do not have the motivation to continue, the present is typically the one point in time we are not focused on.
Our past can haunt us. Remember how many times you failed? Remember the worry you struggled with of being able to balance work and home life? It was so overwhelming. And you want to do that again? Our future can paralyze us. Will this be a success? Can I actually do this for a living? What if I’m not good enough? Will I ever be good enough?
Be More Present
We can certainly learn from our past and plan for the future, but it’s a fine line between planning and predicting it. Honestly, the only power you have to make any change is right here, right now. That’s exactly how God would want it.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-34 (NIV)
It is in this passage we see where we must focus on what is present. Imagine being so stuck in your ministry that you miss the joyful text from your spouse, the milestone of a coworker, or the story of how your ministry deeply and everlastingly touched the life of someone. The angels in heaven are singing, yet you are here worrying about replying to all of your emails before the end of the day.
What one small moment can you hold on to today? Why is it important to remember?
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