9-7-2022
Let me remind you of something critically important: God is far more interested in your future than He is in your past. Many think that God is fixated on your past. That’s not the case. Like you, God knows your past, but He’s far more interested in your future. That’s where you’re going to spend the rest of your life. So let me help you with some steps to make your future brighter.
First, plan ahead. The number one reason we fail in life is we don’t plan ahead. We make decisions without considering the consequences. The Old Testament book of Proverbs 20:7 says, “The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.”
Jesus spoke often about the importance of planning. He said there was a guy who goes out and starts to build a tower but he can’t finish it because he doesn’t have enough money. He failed to plan. It’s an old cliche, but true, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Start planning now for a brighter future.
Second, seek wise advice. Let me emphasize the word WISE here. When we think we have everything figured out, we don’t want to hear other advice. Proverbs 15:22 (NCV) tells us, “Plans fail without good advice.” You need to get all the advice you can.
Many people ignore the advice of other people because they think they don’t need it. It’s called pride. Ego. Ego stands for “Edging God Out.” When you think you know more than God and you push Him out of your life, you’re on an ego trip and that’s a trip that leads to a dead end. For a brighter future, seek wise advice.
Third, refuse to give up. Proverbs 24:10 (NCV) says, “If you give up when troubles come, it just shows that you are weak.” Failure is the path of least persistence. The problem is that often during trying times, we stop trying. We give up.
If at first you don’t succeed, welcome to the human race, you’re normal. Very few people make it on the first try. Oftentimes, we give up just when success is around the corner. It’s always too soon to quit. You’re never a failure until you give up.
Finally, stop making excuses. Admit when it’s your fault and get on with life. I’ve discovered that people who are good at making excuses are rarely good at anything else. They spend all their energy thinking up reasons why they can’t do what they’re supposed to do.
Proverbs 28:13 (LB) says, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confess and forsakes them he gets another chance.”
Your future is bright……not because I say so, but because God says so. So keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead. There’s a reason the windshield is larger than the rear-view mirror. Keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead. Plan ahead. Seek wise advice. Refuse to give up and stop making excuses and watch God do some great things in your life.