Time to Get Up!

Have you ever wondered what it was like for the disciples and apostles when they woke up? Have you ever wondered what their world looked like? How they motivated themselves from day to day? What kept them moving once Jesus ascended back to heaven? Once He was gone? They had their plans of what His “Kingdom” would look like; and now He was gone. Those plans just went up in smoke…or was it a cloud?

We all have our days where we can’t wait to get going. You have plans made, deals to close, a schedule to keep and you are lovin’ it! But, then you have your days where you just aren’t feeling your game. You keep going, but getting up in the morning certainly isn’t as easy and as exciting as it is some days. You know you have to stay positive, but how?

I have had the fortunate opportunity to know enough people to realize that being positive is not an automatic for anybody. Nobody is just positive all the time. And success doesn’t just happen for anybody either. The disciples and the apostle’s accomplishments have been recorded in the all time best-selling book in history for all to read. We look to them for inspiration and we read about their accomplishments as motivation for our own lives. But, they too were just people. They were really no different than you and I. So I know that they struggled on some days just as you and I struggle to get up and face the day with the attitude that we know we should.

So, how does that person that you see as the ultimate example of attitude and success do it? They make a choice. They decide what they are going to focus on and then they stick to it. For many of us it is a matter of emotion rather than a matter of decision. We feel one way and that is what we base our current actions on. We can’t do that. Emotions can and will misguide us. There certainly are times that a change of plans are in order, but don’t do it as a reaction to some emotional feeling. Make a change of plans because it is the right thing to do.

When you focus on what is right you will win the game. When you allow yourself to be distracted, when you react to emotions, you are bound to get off course.

Philippians 4:4-9 - “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let everyone see your gentleness The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.”

I think this scripture gives us the perfect answer to our question. How do you get up morning after morning with the right attitude? You do it by being anxious…never. And trusting God for everything. And by focusing on only those things that are pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Don’t focus on anything else. Do what you have committed to do and focus only on these things.

Have a blessed day,

RodZ


© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved