Question #4: What Sacrifices Do You Need To Make?
What sacrifices do you need to make to live out your calling?
If it is important then it is worth the sacrifice!
When we are willing to make sacrifices, we are better able to re-calibrate our hearts with God’s heart for our lives.
We need to take personal responsibility to do the hard work it takes to become who we were created to be.
Are you willing to give up whatever is keeping you from moving forward in your calling? Are you willing to take a risk to do what you know you should be doing?
Some of us lack the courage to try something new. Some of us lack the character to stay and work to make where we are better.
To be proactive means we hear and act on what we hear.
Are you a proactive person? Or are you more reactive?
“Proactive” means “acting in advance to deal with an expected difficulty; anticipatory.”
Synonyms include aggressive, ardent, banzai, can-do, eager, energetic, enthused, enthusiastic, fanatical, fired up, and intense.
A proactive person doesn’t remain a victim no matter what they may face. A proactive person doesn’t complain about something they are unwilling to do anything about!
To be proactive spiritually requires trusting God fully.
Only those who trust God obey Him.
Obedience has negative connotations in our society, but think of obeying God as being invited by someone to your surprise party. You don’t know why they are asking you to do what they are asking, but you know you can trust them. The result of obeying them (even though you don’t want to) is a fantastic party (even if it wasn’t totally a surprise).
Are you familiar with the 5 love languages?
Created by Gary Chapman, this tool has helped many people learn to love others the way they receive love and help people communicate better what they need. For example, some of us express and receive love through words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, quality time, quantity time, or giving/receiving gifts.
WATCH VIDEO: My Mr. T Necklace
God’s love language is trust. When we trust God by obeying Him, we express our love to Him.
John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.
When it comes to obeying God, you may struggle. For some of us we get stuck because we don’t know what to do. Others of us struggle because we don’t want to do what we know we should do. Some of us struggle to stop doing what we know we shouldn’t do.
Just as we need to go to God for help for guidance in what He wants us to become, we need to go to Him to help us get there and how He wants us to make a difference.
When God calls you, you can do it. I have seen people use this process to overcome addictions, work through major issues, breakthrough areas where they’ve been stuck for years, or move forward faster towards their God-given destiny.
We need to be ready to declare: I am not going to be a victim to circumstances. With God’s help and the help of friends and community, I am going to live out the life He’s always wanted me to live.
Choose to live by this mantra: Don't complain about something you aren't willing to do anything about!
Are you willing to take personal responsibility for your future?
What is God calling you to do? What are your next steps for making progress in your marriage or family, in your career, in your relationship with God to become a healthier person and to have healthier relationships?
With God’s help and help from others, are you willing to make the sacrifices to move forward? It will be tough, and it will be worth it! Don’t give up!
Don’t miss the moments God has for you. Act.
You only have one life to live, so maximize your life by trusting God every step of the way and in every area of your life.
When you do, not only will you be transformed, those you love will be transformed as well.
Answer the following questions:
For more on overcoming rebellion or getting unstuck, read the Becoming Proactive Snippet (coming 7/16/14!).