One of the things we talked about during our small group sessions at the Bright Lights Conferences was how to stay strong in the Lord when we go home! If you've been to any conference before, you probably know the "emotional high" that can come over you when you're around so many inspiring Christians, speakers and/or material, etc. and although it's good to make commitments and everything, the real test begins when you get home and return to every day life.
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So how do we ensure our success? Proverbs 29:18 tells us that without a vision, people will perish. Don't hinge your success on the emotional roller coaster - everybody has times of discouragement and failure, but a just man falls and RISES again 7 times. If you sit down and map out a vision for your future, it can carry you through the ups and downs of emotionalism as you determine to persevere with the path God has laid out before you - no matter how you feel about it.
Remember, too, that your praise or criticism of other people often determines who they become! The power of expectation is huge. If we expect our siblings, friends, or others to fail, and if we focus on their weaknesses, we can crush their motivation and cause them to believe lies about themselves that cloud their vision. However, if we build up those around us with praise and affirmation, they will rise to meet it and continue to develop God-given abilities!
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
Proverbs 23:16
Labels: CHARACTER, DETERMINATION, PERSEVERANCE, POWER WEAPONS FOR VICTORY, PRAISE
