The Hardest Work You will Ever Have to Do

When we think about success and our success in life, one of the greatest challenges that we will have to face is…

Ourselves!!

One of the most challenging things that we have to do is face ourselves and the flaws in our lives and character that are holding us back. It is very easy to look at others and notice the character flaws in them but when we look in the mirror and start to examine ourselves, we often turn away from that image very quickly.

Why is it that you think that we may shy away from looking at the flaws in our character?

I think the reason we are so quick to turn away is because it requires us to change. When we honestly look at ourselves and see the things that are not flattering about us, we would rather look away then recognize the fact that maybe there are some changes in our lives that we need to make.

Here are some things to consider when looking at our own character:

1. We are not perfect and never will be – There was only one perfect person that ever walked on this earth and that was Jesus Christ. And he left an example for us to follow. That is the where the compass always points to, TRUE NORTH!!

When we are walking in the opposite direction of where this compass points, our lives get off track very quickly. We may not notice it right away but before long, we are very lost and we generally don’t know why but deep down inside we know that we have been doing things that are not based on the way we should be living.

In order for us move forward, we need to know in which direction to go and Jesus Christ gave us that direction.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

2. If we feel things are not going right in our lives, we need to change OUR direction not the direction of those around us – It is very easy to point to change that needs to happen outside of ourselves. This takes all the responsibility off of our shoulders.

Here are some of thinking phrases to be very cautious of:

“If only my boss would…”

“If only my wife/husband/children would…”

“If only the government would…”

“If only the union would…”

“If only my pastor would…”

What is the one thing that is missing out of all those statements?

YOU!!!

When our thinking goes in this direction, we give up all the control we have over our happiness and we put it into the hands of those around us. And when they do not live up to the way we feel they should we are disappointed and very unhappy.

We actually become a slave to the whims, moods and actions of others.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

3. Jesus Christ is the only one who has the power to change our hearts – This is the hardest pill for most to swallow but Jesus, being the only perfect person to have walked on the face of this earth is the only One qualified and capable of changing our hearts.

The challenge that we have is opening our hearts for Him to do His work.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

We close our hearts in many ways but here are a few to consider:

1. Fear – We are nervous and fearful of letting Him in because of the unknown. Letting Jesus in will definitely require you to change how you think and act. This is called growth. This is also called the “perfecting process”.

We are fearful of what others will think of what we are doing, after all we have been like this for a long time. Will our friends still like us when we start making these changes?

Some will, some won’t. Some will follow your example, some won’t.

As long as you are faithful to your responsibility to God, that is all that is called for. The rest is in God’s hands.

2. Pride – The thought that we don’t need anyone’s help. We can figure this out all on our own. Pride is one of the deadly sins for a reason because it means we are turning our backs on the only person who is qualified to help us and that is Jesus Christ.

Pride also causes us to reject the idea of Jesus. After all, how could anyone possibly have been born perfect? It’s impossible!!! Right???

The only person who has anything to gain by you denying this fact is satan and he will be more than happy to accept you. But that is a very scary thought for me.

There is too much evidence to support the fact. Way too many for me to list here so do your own research, it is important for you to come to your own conclusion.

After years of studying personal development, this was the one missing component that made everything finally click for me. Now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the principles of how He lived are the basis for all of the principle based personal development programs.

Not the “get rich quick” programs or the “lose 30 pounds in 30 days” programs or all the “tips and tricks” way of getting things done, but the programs that have you focused on the needs of others and that have you focused on personal change not external change. But you don’t need any of them!!!

All you need is the bible and get involved in a bible teaching church that teaches sound biblical doctrine.

If you are challenged by anything going on in your life right now, maybe it’s time to turn it over to the only person qualified to help you out?

And that is Jesus Christ.

When you accept this fact, your challenges will not be over but you will have a lot more peace of mind and strength when it comes to facing these challenges. God has promised that He would not give us any problem that is beyond our ability to handle it but He does want us to enlist the help of His Son to help us with the challenge.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Chris our Lord. Romans 6:23

As Always, Here’s to Your LifetoSuccess,

God Bless You,

John Clark