Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9
Today is the first day of February. I wonder how many of us have already given up on our resolutions for the year. It’s so easy to get discouraged when we fail, yet again, to achieve our goals that energized us mere weeks – or even days – before.
So I have a better idea, one given to me from many of my blogger friends. Rather than trying to remember a list of resolutions, just choose one word. This is a word that will keep you inspired throughout the year as you aim to better yourself.
I read numerous blogs at the beginning of January stating the word each author had chosen, and I struggled to come up with one of my own. I almost gave up until I read Beth Vogt’s blog in which she enthusiastically encouraged her readers to join her as she pursued her one word for the year. I realized the wisdom in this because of the ability to narrow our focus. I don’t know about you, but lately I feel as if I’m lost and distracted in all of the ‘good things’ I’m trying to achieve.
I had almost decided at the end of 2012 to give up on becoming a writer. After all, I had already invested 16 months, two expensive conferences and two writing classes and didn’t have any published pieces yet (I can hear those of you who are writers laughing at me right now). Why keep wasting my time and everyone else’s?I thought. I’m just spinning my wheels. No one even cares what I have to say. I don’t even know what my platform is, for heavens sake!
Then, as I was reading my devotional on January 8th, from the book Letters From God by Ivan Tait, this is what it said:
I will take you from the place you are now, and I will transfer you into a place of amazing influence. Your abilities to help people are about to increase… Yes, it is time for you to see My mighty power work on your behalf.
Wow! I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me as I read this saying Don’t give up. There is so much more for you to learn and do.
Well, if God wasn’t going to give up on me, then I at least needed to give my best and persevere in my writing and speaking, as well as other areas in my life. So perseverance has become my word for 2013.
I’ve already had numerous times to try it out, like when I didn’t want to get out of bed to go to my yoga class, or before I sat down to write this blog post, trying to tell myself I have more important things I need to be doing.
I know my word isn’t a fun one. It’s right up there with words like discipline and endurance. But I believe it will make a difference over the next 11 months as I discipline myself to persevere.
Reba J. Hoffman’s blog, Magellan Life Coach, says this about discipline:
It puts you ahead of almost everyone else in the world. The only thing separating successful people from non-successful ones is that person kept going after most lacked the discipline to see it through to the end.
Although I’ve said yes to persevere in several situations so far, there are more times than I care to admit I haven’t followed through. But I’m not giving up. I may never become a great writer or look forward to going to yoga class, but at least I will have tried. I want to be able to say that I did my best and didn’t give up until it was absolutely necessary. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to stick with this perseverance thing into the year 2014 and beyond.
As I was thinking about all of this, one of my favorite songs, We Fall Down by Bob Carlisle, came to mind. It basically expresses how saints (or Christians) are just sinners who fall down but keep getting back up. I can relate. I know I fall down a lot. But hopefully I’ll get back up and continue to follow God’s plan for my life. And I hope you will, too.
It’s not too late for you to choose your word. After all, you still have 11 months to go!
How about you? Is there a word that has come to mind for you to focus on for 2013?
If so, please let me know by leaving a comment.
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Love the quotes you shared in today’s post, Carol. There’s nothing easy about discipline but it certainly is rewarding. Or at least that’s what they tell me. 🙂
Seriously, it seems like when I discipline one area of my life, another undisciplined area raises its ugly head — but I won’t give up because the Spirit resides within and with Him, all things are possible.
Have a great weekend!!!
Hi Carol! Thanks for your post and for not giving up or in!! I have considered that thought too so your blog was an encouragement to me. I really like your idea of choosing 1 word!!! I can really appreciate your choice of words – perseverance. I think that may be mine too.
The quotes you’ve chosen are so encouraging and am blessed by your transparency!Thank you Carol!
Keep writing and keep persevering!!
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!