Why Live Life Empowered?
What Happens Inside You
Elise Robinson said, “Things may happen around you and things may happen to you, but the only thing that matters is what happens IN you.” In the midst of chaos, you have to brace yourself, build your faith, feed your mind with positive materials, and seek opportunities you’ve never considered before. Who cares what the rest of the world is doing? You should be getting stronger, smarter, and strategizing to launch a new life, astonishing everyone with your success and tenacity.
In May in 2004, after a near death auto accident, my life changed forever. I was on my way to work when out of nowhere a brilliant white object appeared heading straight for my car and my head. It crashed into the windshield sending glass everywhere in the car and then surprisingly disappeared. When I looked up there was a gaping hole right in front of me. I truly believe it was by the grace of God that I survived this accident. That day I rededicated my life to follow the path and life Christ taught me to lead. Little did I know, God was preparing me to face the greatest trial and challenge of my Christian life?
Blessings in Disguise
Personally, I experienced some of the greatest opportunities when I was in despair. When I had to resign from my job as an education program manager, I felt betrayed and angry. I still wanted my job back, regardless of the fact that while I was at that job, I faced constant oppression and abuse from management. Resigning turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If I had not resigned, I might still be there today, and might never have discovered my true voice, talents and impact.
Dr. Robert Schuller said, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Make no mistake about it, times were tough, but I was tougher. In the last few years I’ve faced debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, depression, and joblessness. The Spirit of God has made me resilient beyond my wildest imagination. I had to stop looking at the circumstances around me and say I will “Live Life Empowered.”
I hear you; it’s easier said than done, right? Well, maybe. See, I found life so uncomfortable when I was leading an average life. But, it’s never easy to do something different, something outside of your comfort zone. In fact, people run and hide from challenges. I was one of them until I let the Spirit guide my life. To make my point easier, remember the story of Jonah and the Whale?
Jonah hid in the belly of a whale to avoid living up to higher expectations! How easy was that?
One African Proverb says, “If there’s no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm.”
Les Brown says, “We should get out of our own way; simply put, Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Greatness.”
Finding Your True Self
Lastly, find your true self. We live within the conversations in our heads and the recommendations of others. For years, I lived a mediocre life! I lived paycheck to paycheck; rarely taking risks, always accepting what I could get, and never dreaming big. Today my core foundation is about empowering the spirit within me and challenging myself to lead a life of my own design, rather than one scripted by society, environment or anyone else.
Again, Live Life Empowered. Mediocrity set low expectations for my life. How many negative voices do you have floating in your head? Here you are – extremely talented, but someone told you to “be realistic” when you shared your goals. I can’t say it enough; empower your life! Forget about those doubts, obstacles, and fears; create a strategy.
- Take an hour a day to program your mind for success. Remember, information costs, but it pays for itself.
- Write down goals that will take you outside of your comfort zone.
- Read something positive every day, particularly in the morning. How you spend the first 20 minutes of your day will decide the flow for the rest of the day.
- Finally, upgrade your relationships. Dr. Dennis Kimbro said, “If you are the smartest in your group of friends, get new friends.”
These are very simple tips on getting ahead.
Make it happen and make a difference!
Live life empowered,
Scott
Scott Waterhouse
Hi, Scott and friends!
I like this post. It has some very solid insights.
In many ways, this is like the sermon series that I am finishing up on Sunday morning at TRINITY. (3umc.com) The concrete recommendations you make at the conclusion of the post are exactly the things that I encourage people who are interested in following Jesus to do.
1. We need one another and we need God. We need one another and God for encouragement and acceptance. Christians call this grace – an avenue of love. We need one another and God for grasping the truth about our true selves and creation. Christians are challenged by God to tell the truth in love.
2. We need to read God’s Word. We turn to the Bible to fill our hearts and minds with the good stuff of life. The idea that we are special and have tremendous potential because we are created and filled by the Holy Spirit to do the great things that God is waiting to do through us.
3. We need to spend time in prayer. This is a time to both relax in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and to test our dreams and desires against God’s – to trade in the mediocre for the supernatural.
In my estimation, these are the three key “spiritual disciplines.” Practice these and you will be well on your way to “success.” Beware! It’s hard work. But, the benefits are amazing.
Dave
Scott:
Good job. I like the website. Keep me informed on your business. I am interested.
Jim
Scott,
Thanks for the insight. I like the info and appreciate you thoughts.
Royal