Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything that has (or hasn’t) been happening lately? Sometimes, the world feels like it’s falling apart. After the mass shootings occurring in Texas and New York, I want to remind you that there is hope. Hope and promise that can sustain us here and now even as it seems as though all has been lost. I pray this post will encourage you during this time of uncertainty.
How do you motivate yourself when you are overwhelmed in life?
Beautiful, the only true and lasting hope is found in Christ alone. In a previous post, I wrote about how to balance work and life as a busy mom building a family, herself, and a business. As I wrote, I realized that many of you may struggle with feeling like there’s no point in putting in the work. Not with the current state of the world or with the signs pointing to Christ’s return. My advice? I would encourage you to keep looking up as you continue to grow and be fruitful here and now. As Jimmy Evans would say, “Plan for Christ’s return, but do the right thing today.”
3 Tips to Help You Stay Strong and Motivated
Here are three practical tips you can put into action TODAY. As you do so, it is essential to remember that –
God is the source of all hope.
He is the source of all peace.
He is the source of all love.
He is the source of all comfort, strength, and wisdom for this world we live in today.
#1 Maintain A Biblical Perspective
It’s crucial to maintain a biblical perspective when mustering up the motivation to keep going. This means being aware of the greater mystery at work.
Here’s how this may look in practice:
First, you must understand and accept that we are God’s, not gods. Our current culture puts so much power into the hands of man. While it is true that we have been given authority and grace, these are gifts from God. We have to hone in on whose we are and whose battle this really is. Society has convinced many that the battle is theirs to carry. This leads to confusion about who the real enemy is and what we have to do about it. This isn’t a battle between whites and blacks, Republicans and Democrats, or any other Earthly matter we could argue about…
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT
#2 Be realistic about the things you can control.
The second step to staying strong is being realistic about what you can and cannot control. You can’t change the past, but you can work on making sure that your future will be better than your past. If something wrong happens, don’t waste energy trying to figure out why it happened or who is responsible for it (we already know!). Instead, think of ways that you can make a positive impact. Changing your focus from blame and anger to proactive problem solving frees up mental resources that you would otherwise spend worrying about things out of your control.
#3 Take Action
Two of my favorite words are – TAKE ACTION.
What good is it to anyone if we fix our mindset, hone in on the Truth, and even put energy into ways we can make an impact yet still do nothing? As a wife, mom, entrepreneur, daughter, sister, and friend, you have the opportunity (and responsibility) to spread love and Truth daily.
Every day, make a point of doing something that will help other people, whether donating blood or giving money to charity. If you have to, start with something small, like writing a letter to someone you care about or volunteering at your local animal shelter. A good friend has also encouraged me to put my money where my mouth is—support and shop from businesses whose values and missions align with yours. Try not to focus on what others are doing; instead, focus on yourself and how you can use your time, resources, and gifts wisely.
While the current world circumstances attempt to drag us down into a place of despair and complacency, I believe we just got the green light.
Push that business like someone’s life depends on it, because it does.
Raise those babies like they are the next generation of leaders, parents, and physicians, because they are.
Step out in faith like you are the salt of the Earth, the light this world desperately needs, because you are.
Occupy until He comes
If we want to find the necessary strength to endure the world, then we must seek God’s presence in our lives. He is the one who will give us peace and help us face our fears. When we look at His promises for us, it helps put things into perspective: it reminds us that He has good plans for us, and these plans are not meant to harm or hurt but instead are meant to prosper. From this steady foundation, we can go out into a dying and desolate world and speak life into it. Regardless of current events and circumstances, remember that God is always with you.
He can and will get you through anything!
Alright, let’s talk. This week has been incredibly tough. Let’s motivate each other in the comments! How are you, really?
XOXO JD
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