Lies I Believe

"Failure deserves to be punished."  This lie can result in criticism, judgments, fear of failure, procrastination, unwillingness, to take risks, the fear of punishment (Taken from Be Transformed: Discovering Biblical Solutions to Life's Problems).

When I don't live up to my own expectations, I feel like I have failed.  I hate failure, but feel like I do it all the time.  I believe that I have bought into the lie that failure should be punished, and I do experience many of those results mentioned above.  I dislike failure so much that I play it safe out of fear.  When I do fail, I tend to avoid dealing with it.  I give up until I am motivated enough to change.

My 21 day routine challenge has not gone the way I have planned, but I am more aware of my routines.  I know that making my lunch the night before and having my uniform clean and ready makes my morning routine go a whole lot more smoothly.  I guarantee you that I have had to learn that the hard way sometimes.  

It is time for me to exchange the lie about failure for the truth.  Failure is a learning opportunity.  Failure is where we grow.  If you can't make mistakes, you can't make anything.  We must turn to the One that never fails in order to experience true freedom in failure.  Jesus bridged the gap between failure and freedom.  On our own, we can never truly be free.  In our failure, we realize our need and must be willing to trust Him and be set free.

"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
~John 8:31-32, 34-36

Believe,

Thank God for Another Day

Routine tracker I use ~ from Scattered Squirrel

I feel like everything has fallen apart since posting my story.  I want be held accountable, but I still make poor choices.  I have an AM and PM routine that I begin to implement and a few days to a week in I get lazy.  I have noticed how my PM routine prepares me for my AM routine like making my lunch, doing laundry (and folding it) the night before.  It helps my mornings run so smoothly.

SO I am committing to a Routine Challenge for the next 21 days.  I will complete my AM and PM routine everyday for 21 days and report my results.  I am learning to be a doer and not just a planner.  I can plan, but often I fail to implement my plan consistently. I then wallow in self-pity for failing, and give up.  No more giving up.  I "plan" to ACT.

For God's Glory,

Failed...

My Morning routine

You just shared your results and determined to document your journey, sounded through my mind.  The guilt of giving in to pizza the night before was gnawing at me.  Then suddenly right after that thought, I hear, "There's a war between guilt and grace..." float through the speakers. "And they're fighting for a sacred space/But I'm living proof Grace wins every time.  I whisper a prayer of thanks, and forgive myself.

I am so grateful that God's grace forgives my many failures.  I do realize that this is NOT a license to choose whatever I want and ask for forgiveness later.  Monday was an excellent day up until my cheat meal of four delicious (at the time) slices of pizza.

Shake Prep for Thanksgiving

Tuesday was an awesome day.  I had my shakes.  I turned down pasta and garlic bread at a staff meeting at work, and came home and made an amazing egg and veggie skillet meal for dinner.

My morning routines are getting better allowing me to be more efficient with my time.  I am about to head out for Thanksgiving with aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I have packed my shakes, and plan to not overdo it on Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is one day.  Have a happy one and be truly grateful.

To Resolve or Not to Resolve?

I have this weird theory about New Year's resolutions. The years that I made resolutions; they always failed within the first month. This last year I made no resolutions, and have found my calling, was "lucky in 'like'," been blessed with more friendships, and grown closer to the Lord who has so richly blessed me.

So what I was thinking, I would resolve NOT to resolve this year. There are a few things that I will keep my eyes on but not make any real resolutions. When I make resolutions, I set myself up with certain expectations. Then I have a fear of failure, so when I don't reach the goals I set I beat myself up, and it discourages me. So to avoid all of that frustration, I don't make resolutions. Then any amount of progress becomes a success rather than a failure.

So in reality, it becomes a mind game. I have unwritten resolutions and plan to see what happens in this year that I resolve NOT to resolve.