Choosing to succeed

Reading this morning in Changing Wanderers into Worshipers and the book of Numbers…

The story: Twelve Israelite men were sent to spy and check out Canaan. All saw the same things, yet only Joshua and Caleb looked at the possibilities, instead of seeing defeat. Ten saw insurmountable obstacles, two thought about strategy to make it happen.

The lessons:

• “When you focus on the obstacles rather than the objective, fear will eclipse your faith.” Only Joshua and Caleb remembered the goal, kept the vision and approached the situation asking how they would accomplish the mission, not if they could.
• “When you compare giants to grasshoppers, intimidation will replace confidence.” Instead of looking at what they did have (God on their side), they focused on what they lacked. Too often we compare ourselves to others and fail to realize our own strengths. In doing so, our confidence in our true abilities is replaced by an attitude of fear and defeat.
• “When you allow emotion to run rampant, your desire for relief will weaken your courage.” This one is a killer! Anxiety heightens with ‘what-if’s’, we think only the worst could happen, and we forget the victories we’ve already accomplished. Emotions take over!
• “When you desire instant gratification over character cultivation, disaster awaits.” Quick fixes to problems, pride, lack of trust, and comfort in the familiar can all derail us off our path. Compromising for today can so easily lead to regret tomorrow.

So what can we do?

• “Focus on the objective, not the obstacles.” Write down your vision and your goals. When it’s written you can go back to it, maintain focus, and brainstorm how you will accomplish them!
• “Refuse to compare.” God equips each of us with gifts and strengths to do what He calls us to do. Use yours! We can (and should) learn from others, but comparing leads to either pride or insecurity, both taking our eyes off the goal.
• “Trust revelation over emotion.” If God is leading, He will get us there. Keep a journal of the times He has gotten you through situations you never thought you could. Write down how you felt before, what happened, and how you felt after. Be honest about your attitudes or habits that trip you up. When emotions begin to paralyze, pull out the journal and remind yourself to trust.
• “Choose character over comfort.” We are never promised that this journey will be easy. Again, write down what you will not give up and the lines you will not cross. Revisit these often as temptations to take the easier road or compromise the vision begin to creep in.

Succeeding is often choosing not to fail. Prepare for tough times and be intentional about the plan and how to stay focused on the vision. Write down where you want to be and how you’re going to get there. Consider the ‘what-ifs’ but instead of letting them limit you, use them to strategize!

“You don’t hear boys named Gaddi or Ammiel or Sethur replying to roll call in first grade. However, you might see a Caleb scaling a jungle gym or a Joshua playing soccer with his friends.” Twelve went out, which one will you be?