Making excuses and having an “I’ll get round to it” attitude can cause us to miss the season and timing God has for us and what He has planned for our lives.
To live without regret and to cast aside excuses means taking a step forward, drawing a line in the sand of the years that have already passed, breathing deeply and saying, “That’s enough; I’m done procrastinating. I will go out, seek God for His plan and look to live my best life. I may have a million excuses, but I will begin anyway.”
Here are some steps to help you stop making excuses and to begin:
1. Take responsibility - stop blaming others for your present situation – it’ll only keep you in your past. Your future is up to you. (Proverbs 1:5)
2. Reflect on the lessons you have learnt – when we look closely at our mistakes and experiences, it helps us to determine what may have gone wrong and stop blaming others. Successful people always look for the lesson and apply it to future decisions. (Psalm 145:14)
3. Face your limiting beliefs and renew your mind by spending time with Jesus and learning what He says about your life. He says all things are possible and that He has a plan and purpose for your life. (Philippians 4:13 NIV)
4. Change the narrative – we can have a narrative and story playing inside our heads full of the past, disappointments and why we can’t or shouldn’t try to do things. Cast all that off and give it to Jesus and ask him to take the pen so that he can write you another story which will be exceedingly more than you could ask, think, pray for or dream of. (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)
Let Him start to write your story rather than allowing your limiting beliefs to dictate what is possible.
5. Have a vision – Get the blueprint for your life. What do you want? What has God placed on your heart? What talents and abilities do you have that you could work to make skills? What do you want your life to look like? Write these things down and then start to see that life. (Habakkuk 2:2 NIV)
6. Make some goals – Once you have a vision of your life and know that it lines up with God’s best for you, set some SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed. Then do something every day towards achieving those goals. Start small and set achievable goals. As you build confidence and have some wins start making bigger goals. (Psalm 20:4 NIV)
7. Have your cheer squad – one big key to stopping making excuses is to hold yourself accountable and to have others around you who will keep you accountable and cheer you on to do what you have set out to do. Find a mentor, get support from a friend or partner and keep running. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)
We may feel initially relieved and happy when we make excuses and avoid discomfort or pain. But in the long term, excuses only rob us of fulfilment, the joy of accomplishment and cause us to be anxious or depressed.
8. Stop overthinking and decide – There is wisdom in wise counsel regarding any change of direction or big decision. It’s also wise to take time to pray, reflect and examine our position and the steps to move forward. However, once you have done these things, stop overthinking and take action. (Colossians 3:23-24)
God’s best for you is that you know and walk in the things he has planned for you. He knows his plans for you, and he has created you to shine, so today, I encourage you to take the steps needed, stop making excuses and begin - “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
“To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8)
Prayer: Lord, please help me to quiet my heart and mind so that I can hear the dreams you have placed in my heart. I don’t want to live a life of making excuses so that I never actually live the life you have for me. Please help me to seize the day today! In Jesus Name. Amen.
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